February 27, 2015

Newspaper of the Year

...91 D AYS TO GO DA

•Tambuwal restores calm over soldiers’ deployment •Buhari is committed to Abuja accord, says APC MORE•AND ON PAGES •Fed Govt alleges plan by ISIS to radicalise youths2-9,50&52 •PDP frets over Buhari’s Chatham House appearance

•Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

VOL. 10, NO. 3138 FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015

Presidency plans Jega’s sack next week, say senators

N150.00

12 students die in Jos explosions •Suicide bomber kills 19 at Biu checkpoint

From Onyedi Ojiabor and Sanni Onogu, Abuja

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LL Progressives Congress (APC) senators yesterday raised the alarm about a plot to force Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman Prof. Attahiru Jega to go on terminal leave next week.

The caucus said that the plot to force Jega out of office before the rescheduled Match 28 presidential election is being orchestrated by some members of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and some other people in Continued from page 4

•www.thenationonlineng.net

•Prof. Jega

OS, the Plateau State capital, yesterday witnessed a simultaneous twin bomb explosions.

Scores of students of the University of Jos (UNIJOS) were feared killed as the explosions occurred directly opposite the main campus of the university.

From Yusufu Aminu Idegu, Jos and Duku Joel, Maiduguri

This is the third time Jos city has experienced twin-bomb explosions within a year.

The explosions occurred amidst heavy rainfall between 4pm and 6pm.

One of the explosions oc-

curred at a motor park directly opposite the main campus on Bauchi Road.

The second went off about 100 meters away, close to a military checkpoint but within the vicinity of the main campus.

Students resumed last Continued from page 4

•INSIDE: CBN ORDERS NNPC, CUSTOMS TO SHUT ACCOUNTS P4 P477 JONATHAN IN BAGA P5

Buhari: I won’t witch-hunt in anti-corruption battle ‘Old scores won’t be settled’

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IGERIANS and the international community got yesterday a glimpse into the Gen. Muhammadu Buhari presidency —if the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate is elected next month.

He explained how he will revamp the economy, tackle corruption and end the insurgency that has taken thousands of lives in the Northeast.

In tackling the twin vices of waste and corruption, which he said “ballooned” under the Dr. Goodluck Jonathan administration, Gen. Buhari vowed not to “witch-hunt anyone”.

He spoke at the Royal Institute of International Affairs, Chatham House in London —a renowned stage for intellectual and policy discourses.

In the audience during the 25minute speech were British politicians, diplomats, journalists and a cross-section of Nigerians.

They included Gen. Buhari’s runing mate Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, governors, senior party leaders, including Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and intellectuals.

Gen. Buhari’s speech is titled “Prospect for Demoracy Consolidation in Africa: Nigeria’s transition.”

It focused on the postponed elections, the need for credibility and tranparency and the implications for democracy across Africa.

Former British High Commissioner in Nigeria and the event’s WILL THE CHIBOK GIRLS chairman Sir RichKIDNAPPED ON ard Gozney introAPRIL 15, LAST duced Gen. BuYEAR EVER hari to the audiRETURN?

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Police arrest three Okrika mayhem suspects

I must ‘ emphasise that

By Olukorede Yishau

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OLICE detectives have queried top Rivers Peoples Democratic party (PDP) members over the mayhem at an All Progressives Congress (APC) rally in Okrika, hometown of First Lady Dame Patience Jonathan, The Nation learnt last night.

Hon. Evans Bipi, who claims to be the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, was, on Wednesday, quizzed by the police.Two other prominent members of the PDP, including Hon. Bright Tamuno Gogo, were also invited to explain their roles in the incident.

The lawmaker, who represents Ogu/Bolo constituency in the state legislature, has been accused by the Rivers APC leadership of being the mastermind of the bombings and shootings at the rally.

Bipi told the detectives that he was nowhere near Okrika on that day and also threatened to sue the APC for making such an allegation against him.

The rally, which was being addressed by the APC governorship candidate, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, was attacked by hoodlums. A policeman was killed and a Channels Television report-

any war on corruption should not be misconstrued as settling old scores or a witchhunt. I'm running for president to lead Nigeria to prosperity and not adversity From Yusuf Alli and Tony Akowe, Abuja

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ence as “a man of modesty, unusual for a Nigerian politician”, and “having clarity of thought and speech”.

He added: “Chatham House is more independent than anything you can imagine. It is entirely neutral, it has no political stands. That is why it is a favourite venue for people from across political spectrum to give their view because they get open hearing here.

Continued from page 4

•Gen. Buhari delivering the lecture...yesterday

Continued from page 4

•LAGOS POLICE GIVE OSHODI NURTW CHIEF OLUOMO 24HRS TO SURRENDER P48

THE NATION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015

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MAY 29 ...91 DAYS TO GO

NEWS

‘On corruption, t •Vice President Namadi Sambo (left) receiving an Endorsement Letter of the candidature of President Goodluck Jonathan for 2015 presidential election from the Chairman, Northern Elders Council, Alhaji Tanko Yakasai in Abuja...yesterday.

Like a marketer sure of his products, All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate Gen. Muhammadu Buhari yesterday laid his party’s manifesto before the international community at the pretigious Chatham House, London, United Kingdom (UK). He told his audience that though he lacks power to change the past, he has what it takes to influence the present and shape the future if given the chance.

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•From left: Managing Director, AFRINVEST, Mr. Ike Chioke; Chief Executive Officer, Financial Derivatives Company Ltd, Mr. Bismarck Rewane; Chairman, Heirs Holdings, Mr. Tony Elumelu; Dean, Lagos Business School (LBS), Dr. Enase Okonedo; Canada’s High Commissioner in Nigeria, Mr. Perry John Calderwood and his deputy Mr. Marcello DiFranco at a dinner organised by the LBS Breakfast Club in Lagos.

•From left: Head, Benefits and Insurance Department National Pension Commission, NMr. Olulana Loyinmi, Officers Mansard Insurance, Mr. Victor Ganzallo and Nkiru Umeh during the presentatives of Insurance Company of the year Awards to Mansard at the Nigerian Insurance and Pension Award by inspenonline media in Lagos...yesterday.

PHOTO: BIODUN ADEYEWA

•From left: Head, Consumer Protection Council, Lagos State chapter, Mr. Tam Tamunokombia, Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Commerce & Industry, Mr. Seye Oladejo; Managing Director, Kasapreko Company Nigeria Limited, Mr. Koyo Nunoo; Technical Director, Kasapreko Company Limited, Ghana, Mr. Kwame Dickson and a member, Board of Director, Kasapreko Company Limited, Dr. Shija Terhemb at the inauguration of Alomo Bitters Hologram by at the Sheraton Hotels & Towers, Ikeja, Lagos.

PHOTO: ABIODUN WILLIAMS

ERMIT me to start by thanking Chatham House for the invitation to talk about this important topic at this crucial time.

When speaking about Nigeria overseas, I normally prefer to be my country’s public relations and marketing officer, extolling her virtues and hoping to attract investments and tourists. But as we all know, Nigeria is now battling with many challenges, and if I refer to them, I do so only to impress on our friends in the United Kingdom (UK) that we are quite aware of our shortcomings and are doing our best to address them.

The 2015 general election in Nigeria is generating a lot of interests within and outside the country. This is understandable. Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country and largest economy, is at a defining moment, a moment that has great implications beyond the democratic project and beyond the borders of my dear country.

So, let me say upfront that the global interest in Nigeria’s landmark election is not misplaced at all and indeed should be commended; for this is an election that has serious import for the world. I urge the international community to continue to focus on Nigeria at this very critical moment. Given increasing global linkages, it is in our collective interests that the postponed elections should hold on the rescheduled dates; that they should be free and fair; that their outcomes should be respected by all parties; and that any form of extension, under whichever guise, is unconstitutional and will not be tolerated.

With the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, the dissolution of the USSR (United States of Soviet Republics) in 1991, the collapse of communism and the end of the Cold War, democracy became the dominant and most preferred system of government across the globe. That global transition has been aptly captured as the triumph of democracy and the ‘most pre-eminent political idea of our time.’ On a personal note, the phased end of the USSR was a turning-point for me. It convinced me that change can be brought about without firing a single shot.

As you all know, I had been a military Head of State in Nigeria for 20 months. We intervened because we were unhappy with the state of

affairs in our country. We wanted to arrest the drift. Driven by patriotism, influenced by the prevalence and popularity of such drastic measures all over Africa and elsewhere, we fought our way to power. But the global triumph of democracy has shown that another and a preferable path to change is possible. It is an important lesson I have carried with me since, and a lesson that is not lost on the African continent.

In the last two decades, democracy has grown strong roots in Africa.

Elections, once so rare, are now so commonplace. As at the time I was a military Head of State between 1983 and 1985, only four African countries held regular multi-party elections.

But the number of electoral democracies in Africa, according to Freedom House, jumped to 10 in 1992/ 1993 then to 18 in 1994/1995 and to 24 in 2005/2006. According to the New York Times, 42 of the 48 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa conducted multi-party elections between 1990 and 2002.

The newspaper also reported that between 2000 and 2002, ruling parties in four African countries (Senegal, Mauritius, Ghana and Mali) peacefully handed over power to victorious opposition parties. In addition, the proportion of African countries categorised as not free by Freedom House declined from 59 per cent in 1983 to 35 per cent in 2003. Without doubt, Africa has been part of the current global wave of democratisation.

But the growth of democracy on the continent has been uneven. According to Freedom House, the number of electoral democracies in Africa slipped from 24 in 2007/2008 to 19 in 2011/2012; while the percentage of countries categorised as ‘not free’ assuming for the sake of argument that we accept their definition of “free” increased from 35 per cent in 2003 to 41 per cent in 2013. Also, there have been some reversals at different times in Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Cote D’Ivoire, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Lesotho, Mali, Madagascar, Mauritania and Togo. We can choose to look at the glass of democracy in Africa as either half full or half empty.

While you cannot have representative democracy without elections, it is equally important to look at the quality of the elections and to remember that mere elections do not make democracy. It is globally agreed that democracy is not an event, but a journey. And that the destination of that journey is democratic consolidation – that state where

THE NATION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015

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MAY 29 ...91 DAYS TO GO

, there’ll be no confusion as to where I stand’

• APC supporters staging a solidarity rally for the Buhari/Osinbajo presidential bid at the Chatham House...yesterday.

• President Goodluck Jonathan’s sympathisers protesting at the Chatham House...yesterday.

Nigeria’ll not break up, says Buhari W

ILL you grant amnesty to Boko Haram?

I think I will not go to that office with that promise. I have said in my address how, at least 13,000 Nigerians have been killed by Boko Haram; how millions of them have been displaced and are now kept in different camps called Internally Displaced Persons’ (IDPs) camps; schools have been burnt; there is so much disruption to normal life; people could not do farming and where they are able to farm, they cannot harvest. So, granting amnesty to Boko Haram will be unfair to the system. We will secure Nigeria. We must have the time to collect enough intelligence to make sure that those we apprehend are given the chance in civil courts to be properly prosecuted.

In view of the high expectations for change and the fact that the people will be looking for quick solutions, what would you do in the first 100 days in office when elected to sustain these expectations of Nigerians have?

I know there are high expectations. Those who are following our campaign would have seen how people were coming out with some of them becoming emotional and crying. In view of that, I am really getting scared that when I get there, they will be expecting miracles within the first three to four months. It will be very dicey handling that and I think that we have a deliberate campaign to tamper high expectations with some reasonableness on the part of those who are expecting mira-

democracy has become so rooted and so routine and widely accepted by all actors.

With this important destination in mind, it is clear that though many African countries now hold regular elections, very few of them have consolidated the practice of democracy.

It is important to also state at this point that just as with elections, a consolidated democracy cannot be an end by itself. I will argue that it is not enough to hold a series of elections or even to peacefully alternate power among parties.

It is much more important that the promise of democracy goes beyond just allowing people to freely choose their leaders. It is much more important that democracy should deliver on the promise of choice, of freedoms, of security of lives and property, of transparency and accountability, of rule of law, of good governance and of shared prosperity. It is very important that the

All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate Gen. Muhammadu Buhari yesterday responded to questions from the audience in Chatham House, London. YUSUF ALLI and TONY AKOWE report the interaction. Excerpts: cles to happen. But this question of 100 days is sometimes fraudulent and I don’t want to participate in fraud of any form. Nigerians know that we are in trouble both as a people and as a country. When we get there, we will quickly get correct intelligence on what is on the ground and inform Nigerians. We will make sure that misappropriation and misapplication of resources will not be allowed and you will be surprised how much savings will be realised and that savings will be ploughed back into development. This is what I can promise. I will remove that 100 days mystery that some politicians have created.

Nigeria was outstanding in leading the Ebola crisis. As a country, you showed us what you are capable of. I was wondering how, under your leadership, you are planning to carry this forward in terms of strengthening the health system in Nigeria with particular focus on women and children.

Luckily, the Governor of Lagos State (Babatunde Fashola) is here. It was him and Governor Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers State) that experienced Ebola and they did very well by

promise embedded in the concept of democracy, the promise of a better life for the generality of the people, is not delivered in the breach.

Now, let me quickly turn to Nigeria. As you all know, Nigeria’s fourth republic is in its 16th year and this general election will be the fifth in a row. This is a major sign of progress for us, given that our first republic lasted five years and three months, the second republic ended after four years and two months and the third republic was a still-birth.

However, longevity is not the only reason why everyone is so interested in this election.

The major difference this time around is that for the very first time since transition to civil rule in 1999, the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is facing its stiffest opposition so far from our party the All Progressives Congress (APC). We once had about 50 political parties, but with no real competition. Now

moving fast enough without waiting for the Federal Government to make sure that they do something about it and today, Nigeria has been certified Ebola free. We were lucky that we had competent and by coincidence, APC (All Progressives Congress) governors in place to kill Ebola. I think that health is one of the areas that have been allowed to really deteriorate for 16 years. Life, particularly in the rural areas is pathetic and it is because of lack of basic facilities in the rural areas that aggravate the movement of able-bodied people to population centres that have increased the rate of crime because of lack of jobs, lack of facilities and lack of basic things to survive. The APC has done a lot of studies and our manifesto has consciously looked at this and we will try as much as possible to make sure that infrastructure in power, health, education are given attention. This is a promise which we have in our manifesto and we will keep it intact.

You said you will disarm Boko Haram and that you will arm the Nigerian Army to fight Boko Haram. It is widely reported in Nigeria that you once said that an attack against Boko Haram is an attack against the North. If you then arm the Army

Nigeria is transitioning from a dominant party system to a competitive electoral polity, which is a major marker on the road to democratic consolidation. As you know, peaceful alternation of power through competitive elections has happened in Ghana, Senegal, Malawi and Mauritius in recent times. The prospects of democratic consolidation in Africa will be further brightened when that eventually happens in Nigeria.

But there are other reasons why Nigerians and the whole world are intensely focused on this year’s elections, chief of which is that the elections are holding in the shadow of huge security, economic and social uncertainties in Africa’s most populous country and largest economy.

On insecurity, there is a genuine cause for worry, both within and outside Nigeria. Apart from the civil war era, at no other time in our history has Nigeria been this insecure.

Boko Haram has sadly put Nigeria

to attack Boko Haram, will that not still be an attack against the North?

I think that this is a very much uninformed opinion. Out of those 13,000 people killed by Boko Haram, about 12,000 of them are northerners. So, how can northerners say that an attack on Boko Haram is an attack on them?

The schools that were vandalised, the children that were killed, even the Chibok girls, over 220 of them that have been missing for about 10 months are northerners, at least most of them are northerners. So, I think one has to examine one’s reason for believing or disbelieving allegations against any part of the country. It is just like saying that the stealing of the crude of about 400,000 barrel per day is done by people from Maiduguri or Sokoto when most of them have never seen the sea. I assure you that people in the North generally are fighting Boko Haram in their own way by passing intelligence to the law enforcement agents. They are doing that to fight Boko Haram because they are the biggest casual-

on the terrorism map; killing more than 13,000 of our nationals; displacing millions internally and externally and at a time holding on to portions of our territory the size of Belgium. What has been consistently lacking is the required leadership in our battle against insurgency. I, as a retired General and a former Head of State, have always known about our soldiers: they are capable, well trained, patriotic, brave and always ready to do their duty in the service of our country.

You all can bear witness to the gallant role of our military in Burma, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Darfur and in many other peace-keeping operations in several parts of the world.

But in the matter of this insurgency, our soldiers have neither received the necessary support nor the required incentives to tackle this problem. The government has also failed in any effort towards a multi-dimen-

Continued on page 9

sional response to this problem leading to a situation in which we have now become dependent on our neighbours to come to our rescue.

Let me assure you that if I am elected president, the world will have no cause to worry about Nigeria as it has had to recently; that Nigeria will return to its stabilising role in West Africa; and that no inch of Nigerian territory will ever be lost to the enemy because we will pay special attention to the welfare of our soldiers in and out of service; we will give them adequate and modern arms and ammunitions to work with; we will improve intelligence gathering and border controls to choke Boko Haram’s financial and equipment channels; we will be tough on terrorism and tough on its root causes by initiating a comprehensive economic development plan promoting infrastructural development, job creation, agriculture and industry in Continued on page 9

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THE NATION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015

NEWS Police arrest three over Okrika mayhem Continued from page 1

er, Charles Eruka, was stabbed. Several others sustained injuries either from the explosions or the gun shots.

Vehicles were destroyed.

Following the directive of the Inspector General of Police, Suleiman Abba, on February 20, the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), Zone 6 Tunde Ogunsakin, visited Okrika National Secondary School, the scene of the February 17 violence.

AIG Ogunsakin constituted a team of detectives to investigate the incident. According to a source close to the investigation team, the team has made major discoveries.

The team, said a source, has invited several key stakeholders and “they have made useful comments to assist the police”.

The Ogunsakin-led team, according to a source close to the team, has arrested three suspects who shot at security operatives. It was also disclosed that some of the items recovered from one of the perpetrators belong to an APC member.

AIG Ogunsakin did not answer his calls and did not reply any of the text messages sent to his telephone.

A source close to a member of the team said 10 cars were burnt as against the earlier report of four.

Presidency plans Jega’s sack next week, says APC senators Continued from page 1

•President Goodluck Jonathan (fourth left) with troops at Baga, Borno State during his visit to the reclaimed town…yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

12 students die in Jos explosions Continued from page 1

week for their second semester examinations after a threemonth closure as a result of a riot.

It was difficult to officially ascertain the number of casualties involved but eyewitnesses said no fewer than 12 bodies were seen being taken away from the scenes.

There were fears that students who coming out of examination halls might have been affected.

Plateau police confirmed the explosions. Its spokesman Abu Emmanuel said: “It is true there were twin explosions but we are yet to gather details of casualties. Our men are there on a rescue operation. They will reveal the casualty figure at the end of the mission.

As information about the

blast spread, residents ran for safety to avoid the unknown.

Another suicide bomber has attacked and killed scores of people at a check-point in Biu, 185 kilometres south of Maiduguri, the state capital.

The bomber was said to have targeted a crowded place Tashan Gandu, a converging area for daily paid labourers waiting to be hired by rich farmers.

Last Tuesday, twin suicide bombers on a tricycle attacked a military checkpoint along Miringa- Biu road, on the outskirts of the town, killing 14 people mostly female hawkers. Many others were injured.

An eye witness, Msheliza, told our correspondent on telephone that the suicide bomber maneuvered security checks and found his way to the area

located a few metres away from the NEPA/PHCN office and the Church of Brethren in Nigeria (E.Y.N church) before detonating his explosive wrapped body leaving many pool in pool of blood.

Msheliza said the body of the suicide bomber was torn into pieces.

A member of the Biu Youth volunteer otherwise called Civilian JTF who was part of the rescue operation said the attack was targeted at a checkpoint mounted by their members at the Tashan Gandu motor park.

He said 15 bodies had been recovered while the injured were taken to the Biu General Hospital.

A source at the Biu hospital told our correspondent on telephone that 19 people were

brought dead from the scene, adding that 17 others were being attended to.

Yesterday, Cameroon officials said the country’s prisons were overcrowded with suspected Boko Haram men under arrest following the spilling of the extremists’ activities to the neigbouring country.

According to officials, 30 000 people had been detained in 25 prisons in Cameroon since May 2014. That number is up from 22,000. The Cameroon Human Rights Commission said prisons were crammed with six times more people than their capacity allows.

It said more soldiers were needed to stop inmates from making endless attempts to break out of jail. Boko Haram has been recruiting fighters from Cameroon, Niger and Chad.

high places.

It said that those behind the scheme intended to carry out their plan next week by serving the INEC boss a letter from the office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, directing him to proceed on terminal leave.

The opposition lawmakers categorically said that President Goodluck Jonathan lacked the power to remove Jega under any guise without the consent of the Senate.

The Minority Leader, Senator George Akume, who spoke on the alleged move to sack Jega at a news conference in Abuja warned that the plot would be resisted.

Akume, who described the plot as unwarranted, said: “We oppose the removal (of Jega) because it is criminal, illegal and unconstitutional.”

The Minority Leader underscored the fact that terminal leave is only applicable to core civil servants who run their civil service to retirement at 35 years of service or 60 years of age and not a def-

inite tenure as in the case of Jega.

To buttress his point, Akume referred to an Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation’s memo dated 11th August, 2010, entitled “Re: Request for clarification on pre-retirement leave”, which states the categories of officers involved in pre-retirement leave.

Paragraph two of the four paragraph memo stated: “I am to further inform you that paragraph 1 of the Circular clarified that the content of the Circular is only applicable to core officers who run their Civil Service to retirement at thirty-five (35) years of service or sixty (6o) years of age and not for a definite tenure as is the case under reference.”

Akume said Jega’s removal, if he had done anything to warrant such action, could only be done with the consent of two-thirds majority vote of the Senate.

Akume said: “Last time we spoke to you about the use of Continued on page 52

I won’t witch-hunt in anti-corruption battle, says Buhari Continued from page 1

I am sure that this is why you, General Buhari, and your people have come here today.

Whatever you say here will be on the record.

“Gen. Buhari needs no introduction. People know that you were Head of State 30 years ago and what I will highlight is that you know all about petroleum revenue because of the jobs you have done since then and because you know about election and you have contested a few of them.

“My understanding is that you played a major role in unifying the opposition in Nigeria.

When I visited you in Kaduna when I was High Commissioner in Nigeria, two things struck me. One was the modesty of your life style, which is very striking for a Nigerian politician. The second thing was your clarity of thought and speech and we look forward to hearing such clarity from you today as you talk to us.”

Explaining his stance on corruption, which has not really gone down well with chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Gen. Buhari assured them that he will not witch-hunt anybody.

“I must emphasise that any war on corruption should not be misconstrued as settling old scores or a witch-hunt. I’m

Drama as pro, anti-Buhari forces clash

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ESPITE a sunny spell in the morning, the British weather turned on its head at about 10.am in a strange sign that the biggest event of any Nigerian political talk in recent times in the United Kingdom was about to begin.

Gen. Muhammadu Buhari took notice of this sudden drizzle outside, cleared his throat calmly and looked straight into the select audience at the Chatham House, made up of civil rights activists, political activists, academics, journalists and observers, from all across the world waiting eagerly for him to speak.

His charisma was perplexing and his gait, soldierly. It was not lost on the audience too that the sudden showers outside was too much of a coincidence.

Many murmured quietly that maybe the rain had come to wash Nigeria’s past. It was the same for the colourful Nigerian groups outside of the Chatham House who got into a frenzy with their singing and dancing.

running for president to lead Nigeria to properity and not adversity,” he said.

He promised to open the books of “revenue producing entities, such as the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the Customs and Excise.”

“We will only plug the holes in the budgetry process …they will have one set of books only.

Their revenues will be publicly disclosed and regularly audited,” he said.

Gen. Buhari said with a strong opposition now in place, Nigeria is being liberat-

From Olatunde Kazeem, London

Passersby stopped to savour the show. It had then become a rally by the groups that came to show support for the General.

A motley crowd arrived shortly after at about 11am in vans, holding up President Goodluck Jonathan’s banner. The proJonathan group then engaged in a banter with the Buhari group.

It was real fun for the British public who watched from nearby offices how the Nigerians conducted their rallies until about 12.30 pmwhen the Jonathan supporters started to leave.

One of them said in broken English to the group leader: “I don finish the half day job now... So I wan dey go my place o”.

The Nation reported exclusively yesterday that some presidential aides and a governor were planning a “cash for protest” show to embarrass Gen. Buhari.

Gen Buhari and some members of his

ed from a dominant party system to a competitive electoral polity.

He accused President Goodluck Jonathan of running two economies – one for the afluent, who are few and the other for the masses who live in misery.

“On insecurity, there is a genuine cause for worry, both within and outside Nigeria.

Apart from the civil war era, at no other time in our history has Nigeria been this insecure,” Gen. Buhari said, adding: Boko Haram has sadly put

entourage, including Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, with police protection, left the building through the front door. A side door was used by other APC leaders and former British Prime Minister Mr. Gordon Brown, who was briefly with the Buhari group in the morning till about 9.15am.

At a stage, the motley crowd became agitated that Gen. Buhari was staying too long inside the building instead of coming to address them on sundry national issues.

Unknown to them, an open address was unlikely to be acceptable to the British security.

By 1.00 pm all the leading APC members including National Leader Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governors Adams Oshiomohle, Rochas Okorocha, exGovernors Niyi Adebayo, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Mallam Nasir El Rufai, Alhaji Lai Mohammed,and Mallam Garba Shehu, left.

Nigeria on the terrorism map, killing more than 13,000 of our nationals, displacing millions internally and externally, and at a time holding on to portions of our territory the size of Belgium.

“What has been consistently lacking is the required leadership in our battle against insurgency. I, as a retired general and a former head of state, have always known about our soldiers: they are capable, well trained, patriotic and brave and always ready to do their duty in the service of our country.

“You all can bear witness to the gallant role of our military in Burma, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Darfur and in many other peacekeeping operations in several parts of the world.

But in the matter of this insurgency, our soldiers have neither received the necessary support nor the required incentives to tackle this problem.

“The government has also failed in any effort towards a multi-dimensional response to this problem, leading to a situation in which we have now become dependent on our

neighbours to come to our rescue.

“Let me assure you that if I am elected president, the world will have no cause to worry about Nigeria as it has had to recently; that Nigeria will return to its stabilising role in West Africa; and that no inch of Nigerian territory will ever be lost to the enemy because we will pay special attention to the welfare of our soldiers in and out of service.

We will give them adequate and modern arms and ammunition to work with, we will improve intelligence gathering and border controls to choke Boko Haram’s financial and equipment channels, we will Continued on page 52

ATTENDANCE: Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Governor Rochas Okorocha, Governor Rotimi Amaechi, Governor Adams Oshiomhole, ex-Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, ExGovernor Adeniyi Adebayo, Ex-Governor Kayode Fayemi, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Mallam Garba Shehu, Nasir El-Rufai, Festus Keyamo, Mr. Richard Taylor (father of the late Damilola Taylor).

ADVERT HOTLINES 08023006969, 08052592524

THE NATION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015

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NEWS Buhari committed to Abuja Accord, says APC From Tony Akowe, Abuja

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•Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials on road show for a violent-free general elections in Jos... yesterday

Jonathan in ceremonial visit to Mubi

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RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has visited troops in Adamawa, who have been battling Boko Haram.

Jonathan reportedly expressed shock at the destruction of Mubi, once a commercial nerve centre.

The President was said to have landed at the Yola International Airport at about 11am, boarding a helicopter into the hinterland.

Those on the president’s entourage included the Service Chiefs, Inspector-General of Police, Governor James Ngilari and the National Security Adviser, Colonel Sambo Dasuki (rtd).

It was gathered that the President and his entourage landed at the 115 Battalion Army Barracks in Mubi before being driven to visit the Emir of Mubi Alhaji Abubakar Isah Ahmadu.

A source said the soldiers

•President shocked at town’s destruction From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja and Barnabas Manyam,Yola

he met were brought together from various formations for the ceremonial welcome parade. Those fighting Boko Haram were busy on the war front, he said, pleading not to be named because of what he called sensitivity of the matter.

After private talks with the emir, Jonathan and the Service Chief visited the home village of the Chief of Staff Alex Badeh and later flew back to Yola on their way to Abuja.

Adamawa State is one of the states in the Northeast affected by the Boko Haram insurgency.

Among the local government areas recaptured from Boko Haram are Maiha, Mubi South, Mubi North, Hong Gombi, and Michika while sol-

diers are battling to take over Madagali.

The Chief of Army Staff, General Kenneth Minimah, and other service chiefs earlier arrived in Yola to make arrangements for the safe arrival of the President.

Those on the entourage of the president said he was deeply shocked at the destruction wreaked on the once commercial town, including damage to over 100 churches and nine banks, when the Islamic insurgents took over the town A resident, Idris Buba, said there was heavy security in Mubi during the president’s brief visit.

“When the President and his entourage left the emir’s palace, they headed to Vimtim village, the home town of Chief of Defence Staff, Chief Air Marshall Alex Badeh, who

is also in the president’s entourage,” Buba said.

Mubi is the second largest town in Adamawa and among those recaptured from Boko Haram by the military.

But as at yesterday, life was yet to return to normalcy despite the reclaiming of most of the towns in Adamawa State.

A resident of Hong, who spoke in Yola, said most of those who returned to the towns had no place to stay and could not fend for themselves as their houses were destroyed

by Boko Haram.

The Mubi International Cattle Market was also burnt down with its main market.

The President’s visit was seen as a morale booster for the soldiers.

The President had also visited troops in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

Reps to probe N30tr alleged stolen fund •Lawmakers to summon Okonjo-Iweala, Soludo, others

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HE House of Representatives said yesterday it is poised to investigate the alleged N30 trillion stolen fund from the Federal Government’s treasury as alleged by the former Governor of Central Bank, Prof. Charles Soludo.

According to the House, it would invite relevant agencies, including Federal Ministry of Finance, Central Bank of Nigeria, the Budget Office of the Federation as well as the former CBN governor to clarify issues relating to the alleged missing funds.

Chairman, House Committee on Public Accounts, Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, who said this, added that his committee was studying the allegation with the view to ascertain the actual amount siphoned without National Assembly’s approval.

He said: “The allegation of the N30 trillion that was stolen under the nose of the Minister of Finance as alleged by the former CBN Governor, I’m of the opinion that the Minister of Finance should just go straight and address the issue and speak to Nigerians on this weighty allegation. She should show to Nigerians why they should not tag along with the position of the former CBN Governor, rather than result-

From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

ing into abuse or whatsoever we are seeing in the papers.

“Don’t forget that the former CBN Governor said it in series. He has released series 1, series 2, series 3 and they are all allegations that this committee is still studying.

After due consultation and wider assessment of all these allegations might only guide us in asking questions that bother on the finances of this country and how judicious the fund that has accrued to this country over a period under review have been judiciously utilised or applied effectively by the ministry that is saddled with that responsibility.

“As I have said, consultation is ongoing regarding all that was said by the former CBN governor and at the right time, we will react accordingly. But, we don’t want to do that until we see the response of the Minister of Finance, who has been saddled with that responsibility in that regard.”

The lawmaker said the Public Accounts Committee will invite the former CBN governor and the minister of Finance, adding that the committee would invite major actors to clear airs on the allegation at an appropriate time His words: “Soludo has

promised that all the things he said, he was ready to stand by them. We can assure you that after a wider consultation with other members of the committee, we will not hesitate to call on the Federal Government and Soludo to sit side-by-side to justify these accusations levelled against the office of the minister of Finance and the coordinating minister.”

The lawmaker lauded the resolution of the Senate to the scrap the Service Wide Vote (SWV), insisting the account was a slush fund.

He said: “if you have been following this committee, we made the biggest discovery as to how the Service Wide Vote has been used over the years and we made it known that this is one account that National Assembly should not pass as part of the budget, because to us, it’s a slush fund used to settle the boys.

“We are saying this without fear or favour because if you go into the nitty-gritty of the application of this service wide vote account, you will see how frivolous expenditures have found their ways into this particular account. And that was why I do refer to that particular account as a budget in the sense that the budget that goes to ministries and other departments of the government

HE Presidential Campaign Office of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has said that its presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, is commitment to the historic peace accord jointly entered into between him and President Goodluck Jonathan.

The accord was signed as a means to forestall violence during and after the general elections.

In a statement in London, the campaign office’s Director of Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, quoted Gen. Buhari as saying that Nigeria was bigger than any political party or any individual, and that the country’s greatness would outlive any election.

The statement also quoted the retired General as saying: “Despite the series of provocations by the PDP, through hate speeches and adverts being broadcast in the media, we call on our supporters all around the country to remain calm, but resolute”.

Buhari asked his supporters to ignore any distractions and remain focused on making the democratic process work, encouraging them to ensure that they collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) before the March 8, deadline.

The statement emphasised that Nigeria was in a democracy and that the greatest weapon each citizen has “is his or her vote”.

He called on his supporters to go out en masse on March 28 and April 11 to cast their ballots.

“Your greatest weapon is your vote. That is the only way to bring about change, not through violence,” the APC presidential candidate said.

Tambuwal restores calm in the House From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

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PEAKER of the House Representatives Aminu Tambuwal returned to the House yesterday to restore stability.

The Speaker returned earlier than planned following rancorous session witnessed on the floor on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Proceeding was disrupted and plenary was hurriedly adjourned on Wednesday as a result of the ruling by the Deputy Speaker, Emeka Ihedioha, over a motion on the deployment of military personnel for election purposes.

On his return, Tambuwal, it was learnt, went into discussion with various groups seeking to restore the confidence of the members in the House leadership.

He was said to be disturbed by the rancorous plenary on Wednesday and vowed to reconcile the feuding parties.

Shortly before plenary dissolved into Committee of the Whole House, the Minority Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila, raised a point of order where he apologised for the harsh statement he made against the Deputy Speaker.

He noted that the event of Wednesday on the floor forced a news briefing from the caucus of All Progressives Congress (APC).

He said there was no need to heighten tension in the polity and as such retracted the statement he made in respect of the Deputy Speaker whom he referred to as the acting speaker of a political party.

Sustaining Gbajabiamila’s point of order, the Speaker hailed the maturity displayed by the Minority Leader while reminding his colleagues that national interest should be paramount in their minds when carrying out their legislative responsibilities.

Fed Govt alleges plan

by ISIS to radicalise youths From Bukola Amusan, Abuja

•Dr Okonjo-Iweala

in a year has its own overhead and capital while the service wide vote also has its own overhead and capital expenditure.

“If you go into budget performances, while the service wide vote is performing 100 per cent, the funding going into the ministries and departments of the government is at an average of 40 to 45 per cent.

“And by the time you average it, the Federal Government will claim that the budget has performed about 60 to 70 per cent. And we say this without fear or favour that all that constitute or the headings given to the service wide vote account or expenditure that we did in that account is not tenable before this House and I joined the Senate, which called for the scrapping of the N360.94 billion expenditure voted. We as a House should emulate that particular position by scrapping this service wide vote account.”

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HE Federal government has called on parents and guardians, whose wards are schooling abroad, to monitor them closely because of an intelligent report, indicating that some of them are about to be radicalised into the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

The concern was raised yesterday in Abuja at the National Information Centre during the routine news briefing on the nation’s security situation.

The centre’s coordinator, Mr. Mike Omeri, said the ISIS was planning to do the radicalisation through the use of the social media.

“The centre wishes to alert the nation of intelligence reports indicating the radicalisation of our youths through the social media and a variety of other sources.

“The reports show that these youths, who are mostly children of the rich and affluent, are being recruited into ISIS. “We, therefore, call on parents and guardians, especially those whose wards are schooling abroad, to closely monitor the activities of these students who may be susceptible to the antics of the promoters of the ISIS ideology,” Omeri said.

On the successes recorded by the Nigerian military forces in the on-going war against terror in the Northeast, Omeri said there was stiff resistance against insurgents at several locations, leading to the recapture of several towns and settlements, which had Boko Haram presence earlier.

The locations where these successes have been recorded, he said, include Gabchari, Abba Jabari, Gajigana, Gajiram, Damakar, Kumaliwa, Bosso, Wanti, Jeram and Karisungul, which were allegedly under the firm control of Nigerian troops.

According to Omeri, others include Hong, Mubi North/ South, Maiha, Michika, Shuwa, Wuro Gyambi, Gombi, Vimtim, Uba and Bazza (Adamawa); Mafa, Gamboru-Ngala, MalamFatori, Abadam, Marte, Monguno and Baga (Borno); Gujba and Gulani (Yobe).

THE NATION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015

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IGP Abba seeks N24b to maintain police vehicles

JUSUN threatens fresh action against A’Ibom, Lagos, others

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OURT workers under the aegis of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) have threatened to sue states that have not shown commitment to complying with the court judgment on financial autonomy status of the judiciary.

JUSUN President Marwan Adamu said yesterday that the union’s leadership was making consultation on how to initiate garnishee proceedings against such state governments for the implementation of the January 13, 2014 judgment by Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

The judgment barred piecemeal funding of the judiciary by state governments.

The judge directed that the funds standing to the credit of state judiciaries should be deducted directly from the Federation Account and disbursed to the various heads of court through the National Judicial Council.

The union, by the garnishee proceedings, seeks the deduction of funds standing to the credit of the state judiciary in the government accounts.

Adamu said as at yesterday, about 23 states, including Taraba, where the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mo-

From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

hammed, hails from, were yet to give any commitment to ensure the implementation of the judgment.

“We are making consultations; we are considering filing garnishee proceedings against state governments that had not given us any written undertaking. We will also institute the proceedings against state governments who are not fulfilling their promises,” Adamu said.

Apart from Taraba State, others defaulting states where the courts had remained shut since January 5, 2015 when the industrial action started nationwide are Zamfara, Sokoto, Kaduna, Edo, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Ekiti, Osun, Oyo, Ogun, Ondo, Ebonyi, Abia Anambra and Imo. Other states are Gombe, Borno, Yobe Adamawa, Nasarawa and Benue.

Apart from in Lagos State, where the national leadership said it did not approve of the suspension of the workers’ strike, other states where the industrial action had been put on hold are Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Delta, Bayelsa, and Rivers.

Others are Ekiti, Enugu, Bauchi, Kwara, Kogi and Niger.

•‘Police prepared to provide security during polls’

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HE Inspector General of Police, Suleiman Abba, has lamented the N5 billion proposed for the police to maintain and fuel their vehicles in the 2015 budget, saying it was grossly inadequate.

Abba told the Senate Committee on Police Affairs in Abuja during a budget defence session that the force required N24 billion for fuelling and maintaining its vehicles instead of N5 billion proposed.

The IGP, who was represented by his deputy incharge of Logistics and Supplies, Mamman Tsafe, said that the police had been expanding over the years with 332,756 policemen, 6,693 Traffic Wardens and 11,999 civilian workers with 3,756 police stations.

He stated that even though the police had expected an increase in funding with the

From Onyedi Ojiabor and Sanni Onogu, Abuja

growth in its workforce, the reverse was now the case as overhead and capital budget proposed did not reflect the actual need of the police.

He added that of the N56 billion overhead proposed by the police in 2014, only N8 billion was approved out of which N5 billion was released.

For capital budget, he said that of a proposed N218 billion, N7 billion was approved and only N3 billion was released, adding that N302 billion was appropriated in 2014 for the police.

He said: “The 2015 budget estimates of the Force summed up to N329 billion; capital expenditure N17 billion, overhead cost N5 billion and personnel cost N306 billion. ‘“The capital and overhead budget estimates for the 2015

as presented above are the ‘envelopes’ or ‘ceilings’ given to the police and do not reflect the actual needs of the force.”

The IGP, therefore, appealed to the Senator Paulinus Nwagu-led Senate Committee on Police Affair to assist in repositioning the force to carry out its responsibilities.

In an interview with reporters, DIG Tsafe said although the police was not a revenue generating institution, it must tighten up.

He said that just as so many institutions of government were now looking inward to generate more revenue, the police would do as directed by the Senate.

He said: “We have so many services we render to the members of the public. Very recently the minister organised seminars for internally generated revenue and definitely we will come out when

it is finalised.

“We have already explained that the budget implementation was at 40 per cent,” he said.

He however did not disclose the proposed figures for the 2015 budget.

He assured that the police was adequately prepared to provide security for the 2015 general elections, adding that there would be effective and adequate deployment of members of the force.

Chairman of the committee, Senator Nwagu, in his remarks, directed the police to seek ways of generating internal revenue to augment what has been budgeted for its operations.

He said that going by falling oil prices and attendant cut in the budget of all government organisations, there was need to tighten up and also close all areas of revenue leakages.

Court strikes out suit against National Conference From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

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USTICE Abdulkadir Abdulkafarati of the Federal High Court, Abuja yesterday struck out a suit seeking to nullify the last held National Conference.

The suit was filed by rights activist, Tunji Abayomi, shortly after President Goodluck Jonathan inaugurated the conference last year.

Abayomi, in the suit, argued that it was wrong for the president to have inaugurated the conference without an enabling law passed by the National Assembly.

He asked the court to determine whether a national conference can be convened by the President and/or government of Nigeria without a law made by the National Assembly enabling them to do so.

In a judgment yesterday, Justice Abdulkafarati upheld the preliminary objection by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) to the effect that the plaintiff lacked the locus standi (the right to sue) to initiate the suit.

He held that Abayomi failed to show, with documentary evidence, that he is a tax payer for him to be clothed with the locus to sue.

The judge also held that the plaintiff failed to disclose any special interest he sought to protect. He further held that the plaintiff failed to show that by convoking the National Conference as he did, the President breached any known law.

Justice Abdulkafarati held that since the National Conference has been concluded and its outcome submitted to the President for further action, the suit has become an academic exercise.

National Assembly Budget Office Bill scales second reading

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BILL for an Act to establish the National Assembly Budget and Research Office (NABRO) was yesterday read for a second time in the Senate.

This followed the consideration of the Bill entitled: “A Bill for an Act to establish an Independent National Assembly Budget and Research Office which shall provide the National Assembly with objective, timely and non-partisan analysis needed for economic and budget decisions and other related matters 2015.”

Deputy Senate Leader, Abdul Ningi, in his lead debate, said legislature was the casualty in every military interregnum and therefore in dire need of institutional capacity and manpower development.

Of the three arms of government in the nation, he said the legislature has the lowest cumulative institutional age and capacity.

Ningi added: “You would also

From Onyedi Ojiabor and Sanni Onogu, Abuja

agree with me that appropriation is a special function of the parliament as provided for in Sections 80 and 81 of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

“Consequently, legislators, being representatives of the people in whose hands the control of public funds lies, need to be wellinformed not only by executive justifications of its proposals, but from other independent and credible sources backed by law.

“In other words, the work of appropriating for the nation by the National Assembly would be enhanced if the National Assembly has an alternative source of information other than from the Executive.”

The Senators unanimously voted in support of the Bill to be read for the second time when the question was put by the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, who presided over the plenary.

•Director-General, Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Mrs. Sally Mbanefo (right) speaking at a news briefing on the activities of the corporation in Abuja...yesterday. With her from left are: NTDC board member, Deputy Comptroller of Custom Wale Adeniyi and the commission’s director of finance and administration, Mr. Richard Esewhaye.

PHOTO: ABAYOMI FAYESE

Fed Govt vows to secure conviction for pension fraudsters

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HE Federal Government has vowed to secure convictions for the 14 persons who facilitated the N32 billion pension fraud few years ago.

Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala said this at a stakeholders’ forum in Abuja yesterday.

She added that the Federal Government has uncovered 15,000 ghost pensioners in the last one year, thus saving N2.1 billion yearly for the country.

The minister stressed that “the creation of the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) was not in the interest of some people; they kept blocking its take off.

But government has resolved to seek justice against those (14 persons) responsible for N32 billion pension fraud that leaked through the system.”

She then stated that since inception in 2013, PTAD has removed 15,000 ghost pensioners, saving N2.1 billion annually in the process.

•Ministry uncovers 15,000 ghost pensioners From Nduka Chiejina (Assistant Editor)

“These efficiency gains have enabled the government to include an additional 1,354 pensioners from the three liquidated steel rolling mills of Oshogbo, Katsina and Jos, who had presidential approval to be pay-rolled since 2010, but had not been included by previous pension managers” she said.

With regards to police pension, the minister said government has seen similar improvements in its administration, “because PTAD has been cleaning up the police pensions’ database”.

She said: “Through the ongoing verification process, PTAD has been able to weed out ghost pensioners and add genuine pensioners who had been due for pensions after attaining pensionable age, but were neglected by the erstwhile police pension office.”

This, Okonjo-Iweala, said “has led to improved monthly payments to police pensioners from only about 30 per cent of funds released from the Federal Government being paid out to police pensioners in 2011 to over 80 per cent of funds in 2014.”

On the contentious issue of outstanding pension arrears, the finance minister said: “In December 2014, PTAD successfully implemented the 33 per cent pension increment and paid all arrears for the year 2014. But there was some agitation from our military pensioners (who by law do not fall under PTAD) regarding the non-payment of arrears on the 33 per cent pension increase.

However, last December, the government started to pay these arrears with an instalment of about N4.5 billion.”

The Director General of PTAD, Mrs. Nellie Mayshak, said the directorate inherited piles of liabilities.

One of such liabilities was the outstanding arrears to pensions under her supervision.

Giving the difficulty and the amount required to settle all these arrears, Mayshak told the pensioners that “there is no money to pay arrears at once, except we stop funding other projects like health etc; paying arrears will be difficult. Also, the inherited arrears will need time to be worked through before paying them off.”

She added that the data inherited on arrears was bogus, stressing that in the case of the police pension database, “771 police pensioners were inherited by PTAD, but after verification, we got only 237 police pensioners. We have to clean the data given.”

Dr. Abel Afolayan, president of Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP), who was represented by Alhaji Musa Ayuba, appealed to OkonjoIweala to release the balance of their pension arrears

THE NATION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015

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THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014

Use your PVC for change, APC tells Lagosians

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EADERS of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have called on voters to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to vote out the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The APC, which continued its campaign rally in Lagos yesterday, urged the electorate not to sell their PVCs. The rally, which took place at the Ifako/Ijaiye Mini Stadium, attracted a large crowd of party chieftains, supporters, popular Nollywood artistes and youths.

Addressing the party supports, Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola expressed concerns about the non-collection of 1.4 million PVCs in the state.

He called on residents to visit their polling units to collect their cards.

The governor said about 3.6m PVCs were brought to Lagos, of which about 2.2million had been collected.

Fashola said another window of opportunity would open today for residents to go and collect their PVCs as INEC would return the cards to the polling units.

The governor reminded the people that projects around the Ifako-Ijaiye area, the Maternal and Child Centre (MCC), two new schools, Yaya Abatan Street among others “were made possible by your voter cards, votes and taxes”.

He said under the APC governorship candidate, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, the state would improve upon what the government has done so far.

“Let me adjudge our performance from this place Ifako Ijaiye. Four years ago, when I campaigned on this ground, the youth in this community told me that they would vote but they wanted

•Fashola decries non-collection of 1.4m PVCs

•Fashola (second right); Deputy Governor Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire (right); Ambode (third right); his wife, Bola (third left); his running mate, Mrs. Oluranti Adebule (second left) and APC Women Leader Mrs. Kemi Nelson.

PHOTO: OMESEHIN MOSES

By Musa Odoshimokhe and Miriam Ekene-Okoro

a stadium. Is that not so? I promised you a stadium; can you see it in the making?

“That is the character of the APC government. When we promise, we deliver. We are not a government of promise, promise without matching it with action.

“In our case, we don’t just promise, but fulfil what we promise the people. I remember the very first week of June 2007, one week after you elected me; this is where I started my first programme.

“We screened women, adults for diabetics and hypertension. We started the work of delivering on our promises at the General Hospital here in Ifako before we took it round the whole state.

“I feel fulfilled and I glorify God too when I see that the APC has fulfilled its promises. The promises that

I made, I can fulfil in your life time. I thank my party as well.

As Akinwunmi Ambode has told you today, that whatever we cannot complete, he will fulfill them.

“Take it as a covenant made in honour. They have said President Goodluck Jonathan is coming to Lagos, let him because it is part of his constituency, but we will not vote for him.

“When we needed him, he did not come to help us.

When Ebola hit Lagos, did he come? No. When water started flooding at Kuramo Beach, did he come? No. “So, you have been on your own, with your own party and your own government.

“So, the President can come 200 times, but will you vote for him? No. The only time the President came is a few weeks to the elections.

During the years when there was crisis, we did not see him.

Sanitation tomorrow

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AGOSIANS have been urged to de-silt drainage channels within their neighbourhood and dispose the backlog of refuse during tomorrow’s environmental sanitation billed to hold between 7am and 10am.

Commissioner for Environment Tunji Bello, who gave the advice, reminded residents of the need to have a floodfree Lagos during the rainy season.

In a statement by the Information Director, Fola Adeyemi, Bello said the restriction on pedestrian and vehicular movements will be enforced to ensure compliance.

The commissioner urged the transport unions to prevail on their members to comply with the state environmental laws.

The restriction order was not enforced in January to enable Lagosians collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) at the designated centres.

According to him, a combined team of officers from the police and officials of the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), thederal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) and the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) Brigade have been mobilised to make tomorrow’s sanitation effective.

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HE Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital Chapter, Osogbo, has appealed to the Osun State government to pay its members’ four-month salaries.

The union also asked the government to refund its members’ money running into N150 million deducted from associations and cooperatives in the hospital.

In a February 26 Save-Our-Soul letter by its Chairman and General Secretary, Dr. Kazeem Adebayo and Tokunbo Olajumoke, the association said the hardship is becoming unbearable for medical workers of the institution.

Last Tuesday, hospital workers embarked on an indefinite strike action which thus paralysed medical activities in the hospital.

PVCs, when they give you money collect it because it is our money. They are now sharing dollars all over the place.

“The reason they are sharing dollars is that they have made the naira worthless.

When they came the dollar was N110 now it is N210.

“The PDP has made life unbearable for many people and now they are seeking an extension, but we will not allow them because they have nothing to offer.

“We want continuity because Lagos is known for excellence just the same way we want to replicate that tradition of excellence at the federal level.

“We are tired of impunity, we are tired of corruption, we want progress, when you cast your minds back to the last few years Lagos is the example of a modest government.

“When Nigeria is great, the economy will improve and Lagos will be more

prosperous, so, let’s use the remaining few weeks to get our PVCs and perform our civic responsibilities,” he said.

Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure Obafemi Hamzat said Lagosians needed a tested and trusted leader.

“Lagos is not for beginners. The PDP cannot offer anything useful to our people.

“APC does not have abandoned projects in its dictionary. That phrase is peculiar with the PDP and we are not ready for that in Lagos.

Artistes like Adewale Elesho, Lasun Ray, Fadeyi Oloro, Baba Ijesha Lawori and Ajanaku urged voters to collect their PVCs. Elesho said: “We have been told they are planning to rig again but we can prevent them by ensuring we protect our votes. Those of you who are selling your PVCs are selling your future.”

Taxicab operators declare support for Ambode

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AGOS State Governor Babatunde Fashola yesterday held an interactive session with taxi and cab operators (yellow and modern) on the introduction of a new uniform licencing for taxis operating in Lagos.

The government endorsed a unanimous agreement by the stakeholders for the state to bring all taxis under a single uniform licencing scheme.

Addressing the gathering of representatives of taxi cab operators, modern cab operators, the taxi section of the National Union of Road Transport Workers and Oredegbe Taxi Transport Service at the Blue Roof Hall, LTV Complex, Agidingbi, the

LAUTECH workers appeal to govt From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

He said the falling power of the naira is hurting everybody, irrespective of religion and tribe.

“Those of you who are traders, unless you vote out Jonathan you are going continue in the pain. If you don’t vote out this government, the money will become N300 to a dollar. They have done enough damage, it is time for them to go.”

He urged the people to be prepared to use their PVC to end the Jonathan government, noting that he will only leave the stage with the power of the ballot. ”What you need to remove PDP is the PVC. What you need to vote in President Muhammadu Buhari is the PVC. You need your PVC to vote Ambode, Solomon Adeola and other APC candidates.”

Ambode said the tricks of the PDP have been exposed to the people, noting that the Nigerians were now wiser.

“We should not sell our

•Govt endorse uniform licencing scheme governor also endorsed the unanimous decision of the stakeholders that the government should change the five years date of manufacture limit placed on all vehicles to be used as taxis in Lagos to 12 years in view of the downturn in the nation’s economy.

He said the government would still permit taxi operators who have the capacity to purchase new cabs to be used as yellow taxis to do so but would not insist on only the use of new ones to operate.

Fashola, however, emphasised that only such vehicles that have passed the

road worthiness certification of the Vehicle Inspection Service would be allowed to be deployed on the road as licenced taxis.

Responding to a complaint by some of the Taxi Drivers Operators about the alleged excesses of Vehicle Inspection Service (VIS) and Lagos State Traffic Management Authority Officers, the governor said the taxi operators must realise that the traffic regulatory agencies are at work for the good of society just as the taxi drivers are and that at all times the Taxi drivers must obey traffic rules.

Fashola advises Judiciary

Man gets 14 years for fraud

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LAGOS High Court, Igbosere, has sentenced a middleaged man to 14 years in prison for obtaining N2.7million under false pretences.

Abiodun Ibrahim was jailed by Justice Olabisi Akinlade, who sentenced him to seven years on each of the two counts brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), through its counsel, Gbolahan Lotana.

The judge held that the

By Precious Igbonwelundu

convict had the opportunity for restitution from the time he was charged to court in 2010 but failed to do so.

She noted that Ibrahim mismanaged the money he obtained from Chief Gabriel Onipede as cost for a Lexus Sports Utility Vehicle, 2003 model.

Ibrahim, in his statement before the court, claimed that he used part of the money to pay his rent and for his wife’s spiritual problem.

The governor also formally handed over the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode and his running mate, Mrs. Oluranti Adebule to the cab operators.

The President of the Taxi Cab operators in Lagos State, Prince Tajudeen Adetoro said the taxi /cab operators have always been very unflinching in their support of the government and would also do the same again.

He said over 75 per cent of the operators have obtained their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs)and that there are 125 members in each of the 289 taxi parks in the state.

By Oluwatoyin Adeleye

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AGOS State Governor Babatunde Fashola has urged the judiciary to shun religious sentiments in the administration of justice.

Represented by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Ade Ipaye, at a conference titled: “Towards Law and Religious Freedom in Africa”, at the University of Lagos auditorium, the governor stressed the dangers of religious sentiments in a country’s jurisprudence.

He said: “Bringing religion to issues of jurisprudence is dangerous… Judges have to apply the law and not religious sentiments.”

The governor advised religious organisations to devise a forum for settlement of their disputes.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Rahamon Bello, expressed concern on the spate of religious crisis all over the world, including Nigeria, saying: “it is inconceivable for any of these religions to uphold or promote terrorism”.

THE NATION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015

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NEWS Church revival From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado-Ekiti

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HE presiding Pastor of the Christ Apostolic Church, City of God, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, Prophet Kayode Asawe, has said honesty remains the bedrock through which the country can conduct free, fair and acceptable polls.

Speaking at the announcement of a seven-day revival and prophetic encounter tagged: ‘My Story My Change’, the cleric said the general elections will be substantially acceptable, if only the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and all parties, including other relevant stakeholders, imbibe honesty and the fear of God. He said the programme, which would begin on Sunday at the CAC, City of God , Bimdoc Hotel Hall in Ado-Ekiti, would place premium on the importance of honesty in any nation.

NMA gets doctor’s autopsy result From Leke Akeredolu, Akure

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HE Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in Ondo State has got a preliminary autopsy report on the death of its former Chairman, Dr. David Oguntause, who was allegedly burnt to death in his hospital in Akure, the state capital.

Speaking with reporters shortly after a candle light procession and service of songs by the NMA in Akure, the Chairman, Dr. Bamidele Betiku, said the association did not want to be hasty in disclosing its findings.

Betiku said the family and the NMA decided to go ahead with the funeral since the Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) test result confirmed that the burnt body was that of the former NMA chairman.

“To us, the DNA was very much important; we wanted to be sure that the burnt body was that of our exchairman. That was why we were able to partner with the family for the funeral.

“We have proceeded with the funeral. We pray that someone day the curiosity of the people who asked questions would be satisfied.

“The NMA is not insinuating that anybody was involved in the death of our late leader but the circumstances that surrounded the death leave so much to be desired.”

In his tribute, Governor Olusegun Mimiko described Oguntuase as a pillar in the medial association of the state.

Oguntuase, 54, died on Christmas Eve. His remains will be buried tomorrow in Ikole-Ekiti, Ekiti State.

Ekiti residents protest blackout From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado-Ekiti

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ESIDENTS of Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital and other communities are protesting a power outage that has gone on for over one week.

They are urging the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) to save them from the blackout, which has paralysed economic activities.

The Nation gathered yesterday that a BEDC task force disconnected communities, such as Ire-Ekiti, Oye-Ekiti and other communities.

Another community that has suffered is Ikere-Ekiti, which has been thrown into darkness for over one week.

Calming frayed nerves in her community, the Regent of Ikere-Ekiti, Princess Ayooye Adegboye, urged residents to remain law-abiding while efforts are on to restore power to the town.

But the Public Relations Officer of Ado-Ekiti Business Unit of BEDC, Ilori Brown, said the blackout in Ikere was caused by a faulty isolator, which he said had been repaired by the company’s engineers.

On the blackout in other communities, Brown said generation dropped while other places were cut off for non-payment of electricity tariff.

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Lagos refunds N209m to LASU students

HE Lagos State government began yesterday the reimbursement of N209 million to the students of the State University (LASU), in the aftermath of the reversal of school fees by the government The amount is part of the fee paid by the students before the reversal of the tuition fee to N25,000 by Governor Babatunde Fashola last year.

Presenting cheques to some of the beneficiaries at the LASU Main Auditorium, Ojo, Lagos, Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Fatai Olukoga said the N209 million is the first tranche of refund.

No fewer than 900 Direct Entry stu-

•5031 students to benefit

By Miriam Ekene-Okoro and Medinat Kanabe

dents in their 100 and 200 levels were the first beneficiaries of the N209million, while the other set of students are expected to be captured in the second tranche.

Olukoga, who represented Governor Babatunde Fashola, said the money released was N209, 874million and the balance would be released later.

According to him, when the government reversed the fees, many

people dubbed it political.

“We are also not unaware of the moves by stakeholders to frustrate our efforts at ensuring the quality of LASU programmes. Notwithstanding the frustration, we are relentlessly committed to making LASU a world class university of our time.

“Information at our disposal reveals that initial computation of excess money to be refunded to 100 Level and 200 Level Direct Entry students for 2013/14 academic session stood at N209.874 million.

“However, following the release of the fund, the university management later reported a shortfall in computed excess money to be refunded, particularly to those in 200 Level-400 Level.

The shortfall would be released after the reconciliation is over.”

The Vice Chancellor, Prof. John Obafunwa, said 5,031 students are expected to be refunded at the end of the first and second tranche, affirming that in the first tranche, N209, 874 million was released for disbursement.

He said the school is still expecting N89 million to be released by the government, which would come under the second tranche.

Don’t disenfranchise my wife, 300,000 others, Alake tells INEC

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HE Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, yesterday urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to disenfranchise his wife, Olori Tokunbo.

Oba Gbadebo said at the time of registering for the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), he went to the nearest centre where he and his wife registered but said INEC had not released her PVC. The monarch urged the commission not to “fulfiil” the biblical passage that ‘on the last day, one would be taken and the other would be dropped’.

Oba Gbadebo spoke in his palace at Ake, Abeokuta, when an INEC delegation, comprising the Resident Electoral Commission (REC), Timothy Ibitoye and Administrative Sec-

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

retary Atiba Dickson visited him.

He said over 300,000 registered voters in Egbaland were yet to collect their PVCs. The monarch lamented that despite Egba’s numerical strength, it has less representation at the National Assembly, compared to others.

According to him, Egbaland deserves more local governments than the existing six while it also requires better and more political delineation to enable the area have more representatives at the National Assembly.

He said: “I registered with my Olori; my card is here and hers is not. We don’t want it to be like the biblical story of one will be taken

and the other left behind.

“In Egbaland, there are still almost 300,000 who have no PVCs, people are going to their various centres and not getting their cards.

“Maybe you have to re-double your publicity. We are praying for you and we pray that you will succeed.

“Egba land (Ogun Central) makes up over 45 percent of the state’s population. We don’t have the number of local governments that befits us. Areas not as populated as us are more represented in the National Assembly. So, we have this problem to look into.”

Ibitoye said they were in the palace to solicit the monarch’s blessing for successful general elections.

He said: “We are expecting the remaining PVCs from Abuja and I am

•The vice-presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof Yemi Osinbajo, greeting traders at a market in Akure, the Ondo State capital.

Nothing personal against Buhari, says Fayose

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KITI State Governor Ayo Fayose has said he has nothing personal against the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Gen Muhammadu Buhari.

The governor, who spoke yesterday through a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Idowu Adelusi, said he does not wish Buhari dead as widely believed in many quarters but maintained that the APC candidate is too old to govern Nigeria.

He said his experience as chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Ad Hoc Committee, which shopped for a presidential candidate in the runup to the 2007 presidential election, informed his opposition to Buhari’s candidature.

Fayose said his committee did not recommend the late President Umaru Yar’ Adua, whom he said initially, rejected the offer before he (Yar’Adua) was allegedly imposed by former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

The governor said he owed no one any apology and accused APC leaders of placing personal interests

From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado-Ekiti

above national interests.

Going down memory lane on how the late Yar’Adua was preferred by Obasanjo, Fayose said he did not want the events that culminated in the PDP presidential primary in December 2006 to be re-enacted in 2015.

His words: “I remember then as the ad hoc committee chairman, a crop of suitable, brilliant, healthy and competent northern politicians in the PDP were shortlisted by me for Obasanjo to pick from, but he overruled the list and asked me to contact the late Umaru Musa Yar’ Adua because he preferred him.

“In fairness to the late president, he objected on health ground, but Obasanjo insisted that he must be the president.

“I am not against the North, rather if Obasanjo had picked from the list of names submitted by my committee to him, certainly, a northerner, replacing Obasanjo would have ruled this country till 2015. As an in-

sider who saw everything and who again has noticed the repeat of the episode of 2006, I must talk.

“There is nothing bad in allowing President Goodluck Jonathan from the South to complete the two terms he is allowed constitutionally and in 2019, a real candidate from the North, not the one manipulated by the Southwest APC, will emerge to take over.

“That 2006 scenario is again being re-enacted with Obasanjo and APC leaders branding General Buhari to be the president.

“I do not wish Gen Buhari dead, but the fact remains that he is too old to govern a complex country like Nigeria and we don’t want a president who will govern by proxy.”

Accusing the APC of hypocrisy, Fayose wondered why Buhari could not appear at the APC organised rally in London if indeed he was not hospitalised.

He said the much-talked about Chatham House lecture was a facesaving device to cover the true position of Buhari’s health.

assuring the Alake that every eligible voter in Ogun State will get his/her PVC before election.

“Sensitive materials have arrived and we have sent them to all the local governments. We are only expecting the PVCs and I want to assure you that they will arrive next week.

“We have 1, 795,794 registered voters in the state. And we have received so far from Abuja, about 1.4million PVCs from Abuja and we have distributed 891,000 cards representing 60 per cent.”

‘Disqualify Kashamu’ From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

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WO members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State- Dele Ajayi and Adeniji Wasiu- have approached a Federal High Court in Abeokuta, seeking the disqualification of Prince Buruji Kashamu from contesting the March 28 National Assembly elections.

Kashamu, who is the Southwest PDP chairman, Mobilisation and Organising Committee, is seeking to represent Ogun East Senatorial District at the National Assembly.

The duo are asking the court for an injunction restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from according Kashamu recognition as the PDP candidate in Ogun East.

The applicants also prayed the court to disqualify Kashamu from participating in the National Assembly elections and in future elections to be conducted by INEC. In the motion dated February 23 and supported by a 15-paragraph affidavit as well as the originating summons, the duo urged the court to disqualify Kashamu from contesting on the grounds that he does not possess the requisite academic qualification among other things.

The court has fixed March 4 to hear the motion on notice.

‘Kowa committed to social welfarism’

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HE governorship candidate of Kowa Party in Lagos State, Oloye Victor Adeniji, has said his party will govern Lagos on the principle of social welfarism, if elected.

Adeniji said Kowa will run a government of transparency as the state resources would be expended on human capital development and job creation for the youth.

He spoke at a forum in Lagos where the State Civil Society Partnership Coalition presented the peoples charter to candidates of political parties for their commitment and endorsement.

The Kowa candidate said the party will provide qualitative and affordable education for the people, particularly the children of the less privileged, and also embark on massive housing projects.

THE NATION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015

9

MAY 29 ...91 DAYS TO GO

‘On corruption, there’ll be no confusion as to where I stand’ Continued from page 3 the affected areas. We will always act on time and not allow problems to irresponsibly fester, and I, Muhammadu Buhari, will always lead from the front and return Nigeria to its leadership role in regional and international efforts to combat terrorism.

On the economy, the fall in prices of oil has brought our economic and social stress into full relief. After the rebasing exercise in April 2014, Nigeria overtook South Africa as Africa’s largest economy. Our GDP (Gross Domestic Product) is now valued at $510 billion and our economy rated 26th in the world. Also on the bright side, inflation has been kept at single digit for a while and our economy has grown at an average of seven per cent for about a decade.

But it is more of paper growth, a growth that, on account of mismanagement, profligacy and corruption, has not translated to human development or shared prosperity. A development economist once said three questions should be asked about a country’s development: one, what is happening to poverty? Two, what is happening to unemployment? And three, what is happening to inequality?

The answers to these questions in

Nigeria show that the current administration has created two economies in one country, a sorry tale of two nations: one economy for a few who have so much in their tiny island of prosperity; and the other economy for the many who have so little in their vast ocean of misery.

Even by official figures, 33.1 per cent of Nigerians live in extreme poverty. That’s at almost 60 million, almost the population of the UK. There is also the unemployment crisis simmering beneath the surface, ready to explode at the slightest stress, with officially 23.9 per cent of our adult population and almost 60 per cent of our youth unemployed.

We also have one of the highest rates of inequalities in the world.

With all these, it is not surprising that our performance on most governance and development indicators (like Mo Ibrahim Index on African Governance and (United Nations Development Programme (UNDP’s)Human Development Index) are unflattering. With fall in the prices of oil, which accounts for more than 70 per cent of government revenues, and lack of savings from more than a decade of oil boom, the poor will be disproportionately impacted.

In the face of dwindling revenues, a good place to start the repositioning of Nigeria’s economy is to swiftly

tackle two ills that have ballooned under the present administration: waste and corruption. And in doing this, I will, if elected, lead the way, with the force of personal example.

On corruption, there will be no confusion as to where I stand. Corruption will have no place and the corrupt will not be appointed into my administration. First and foremost, we will plug the holes in the budgetary process. Revenue producing entities such as the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and Customs and Excise will have one set of books only. Their revenues will be publicly disclosed and regularly audited. The institutions of state dedicated to fighting corruption will be given independence and prosecutorial authority without political interference.

But I must emphasise that any war waged on corruption should not be misconstrued as settling old scores or a witch-hunt. I am running for President to lead Nigeria to prosperity and not adversity.

In reforming the economy, we will use savings that arise from blocking these leakages and the proceeds recovered from corruption to fund our party’s social investments programmes in education, health, and safety nets such as free school meals for children, emergency pub-

lic works for unemployed youth and pensions for the elderly.

As a progressive party, we must reform our political economy to unleash the pent-up ingenuity and productivity of the Nigerian people, thus freeing them from the curse of poverty. We will run a private sector-led economy but maintain an active role for government through strong regulatory oversight and deliberate interventions and incentives to diversify the base of our economy, strengthen productive sectors, improve the productive capacities of our people and create jobs for our teeming youths.

In short, we will run a functional economy driven by a worldview that sees growth not as an end by itself, but as a tool to create a society that works for all, rich and poor alike. On March 28, Nigeria has a decision to make. To vote for the continuity of failure, or to elect progressive change. I believe the people will choose wisely.

In sum, I think that given its strategic importance, Nigeria can trigger a wave of democratic consolidation in Africa. But as a starting point we need to get this critical election right by ensuring that they go ahead, and depriving those who want to scuttle it the benefit of derailing our fledgling democracy. That way, we will all see democracy and democratic consolidation

as tools for solving pressing problems in a sustainable way, not as ends in themselves.

Permit me to close this discussion on a personal note. I have heard and read references to me as a former dictator in many respected British newspapers including the well regarded Economist. Let me say without sounding defensive that dictatorship goes with military rule, though some might be less dictatorial than others. I take responsibility for whatever happened under my watch.

I cannot change the past. But I can change the present and the future. So, before you is a former military ruler and a converted democrat who is ready to operate under democratic norms and is subjecting himself to the rigours of democratic elections for the fourth time.

You may ask: why is he doing this?

This is a question I ask myself all the time too. And here is my humble answer: because the work of making Nigeria great is not yet done, because I still believe that change is possible, this time through the ballot, and most importantly, because I still have the capacity and the passion to dream and work for a Nigeria that will be respected again in the comity of nations and that all Nigerians will be proud of.

I thank you for listening.

Nigeria will not break, says Buhari Continued from page 3 ties.

What will be your top three priorities in terms of attracting foreign investment to Nigeria?

What Foreign investors need is security. Nobody will take his investment to an environment that is insecure. That is why security is going to be one of our major priorities. We will secure the country and efficiently manage it. That efficient management is stopping corruption, getting jobs among others. The way of attracting investors is to persuade investors all over the world that Nigeria is poised to cooperate with them by securing the country and helping them recoup their investments. It is not a question of having a free ride. They don’t invest for humanitarian reasons, but that they can recover their capital and make some profits which sustain them. So, we have to think very quickly and put in place assurances and improve the system so that the environment can be suitable for investment.

The fear of some Nigerians is that when you become President, you are going to investigate political office holders from 1960 till date. How would you react to this?

I have tried to earn the confidence of those who are scared of me because of previous antecedents. I have been to 35 states and I have held Town hall meetings with industrialists in Lagos and Kano, I have seen Church leadership in Abuja. I have been telling the people that when I get there, I will draw a line. Whatever is wrong with the judiciary, we will encourage them to quickly deal with it. If we insist on looking backward as you are suggesting, then, we will have nothing to do and at the end of the day, we may fail to achieve anything. We have a manifesto and we will try and see that whatever we have promised to do is put in writing. From the day we are sworn in, those who are responsible for public funds and property should work according to the law because there is no ministry or parastatal in Nigeria where there is no financial and administrative instructions. It is a matter of just following the existing regulations. I think that Nigeri-

ans have the capacity of making a 360-degree turn and I am hoping that Nigerians will become accountable wherever they are.

One thing we can say about Nigeria is that it has never been as divided against itself as it is today. When you become President, what practical step will you take to address this problem?

I appreciate the full import of this question. We have a problem as a people and if you are following my statements, I warned about six months ago that we have to be careful of Somalialisation of Nigeria. We are a group of nationalities like some people wants to call it. We are a very different people, religiously; culturally and from different background and we happen to have come together after the amalgamation by the British in 1914. We find it difficult to separate now because there has been so many inter marriages and some, we have become interdependent. Our constitution has been very deliberate in respecting our sensitivities and the freedom given in that constitution is a guarantee that we will certainly manage our differences. We are making a lot of efforts to make sure that we continue to understand ourselves and accommodate ourselves in spite of whatever impression is created among ourselves, especially when people are talking so much about religion. I always say that the military has remain the most cohesive institution in the country and having been in the military from Second Lieutenant to a General, holding almost all the position except that of Command and Staff, becoming Head of State and the military has always been almost 80 per cent Christians.... Up till today, there is nothing you can do. That is why I am so passionate about these differences. It is more difficult if it is a religious one, but if we can go over the religious ones, others will be easy to deal with.

Given the postponement of the election, there has been some credibility question which will make it difficult to accept the outcome of the elections if it does not go in your favour. What process does the opposition have in place to ensure that the elections are free and fair and the credibility issue does not result to some sort of civil uprising?

What we have is our manifesto. Let Nigerians see what we are promising them and I believe they will respect it. We are screaming to high heavens and we are very impressed with our success so far. The United States (U.S.) and Europe are backing us as far as having free and fair elections are concerned. We are very grateful to the Americans and Europeans, especially the British that they are literally on government’s toes every day, telling them that they must not do anything against the Nigerian Constitution.

That is what we need. If we are not worth anything back at home, I think we have tremendous respect for the Americans and the British and I think they will listen to them and allow us to have free and fair elections.

Young people have been engaged in this electoral process more than ever before. How will you keep them engaged?

Wherever I go, I mention that more than 60 per cent of the Nigerian population is considered to be youths and most of them are unemployed and that is the trouble that we are in.

When I moved in these 35 states, some of the young men and women were always there right from the airport to the house of community leaders and venue of our rallies, jogging alongside the buses, sweating and not getting tired. That even made me more frightened because if you have those people and you spend one or two years and they have not seen any difference, I think we will be in trouble.

So, we are very conscious of them and we will work out something to ensure that they have something to do just to be at peace myself.

What will you do to the high salaries paid to members of the National Assembly?

There are some National Assembly members here. A lot of them are not going back because they did not win their party primaries. But even though they are not going back, they will remain relevant in their constituencies. So, I wouldn’t like to touch their salaries now and I don’t know whether there will be any constraint for me to touch it when I get there.

How do you feel that at this point in time that Nigerians are screaming for change and have chosen you to lead this change?

I have referred to the number of young men that have been following our campaign team throughout the 35 states we have visited and I have said here that I am scared of the high expectations. I am afraid of the high expectations from across the country. I started my campaign from the Southsouth and throughout the campaign; you can’t say which crowd was bigger than the other. That makes the high expectations frightening because you can’t tell these party enthusiasts that there is no money. We’ll put some into agriculture or mining to absolve them initially when they come out of school. We are thinking of quickly putting in place an experience and competent team a thinktank to advise us on how we are going to address this problem because it is real.

Do you consider the success of the next democratic process as the template for the African continent and that the government already has the template in APC states on how to govern and govern well?

Change is certainly coming democratically and bringing the example of the Soviet Union, where an empire collapsed in the 20th century without a shot being fired. Now, there are about 18 Republics can convince anybody that democratic government is the best form of governance. The biggest caveat is that elections must be free and fair and that again brings me to the issue of why I am attempting for the fourth time. I am not trying to impose myself. But in 2003, I spent 30 months in court, ending up in the Supreme Court; in 2007, we lasted about 20 months in court, ending up in the Supreme Court and in 2011, we were again in court for about nine months, ending up in the Supreme Court. My personal insistence to keep going until I get to the highest legal body constitutionally allowed is to document our belief in a multi-party democratic system. If we fail to learn from other peoples’ mistakes and that has developed their systems for generations, our expectations of getting there over night are not realistic. But let us document it that those times of our attempts to stabilise the system, there are some of us in Nigeria that are serious about it and we are pre-

• Buhari... yesterday

pared to make sacrifices for that.

Do you have a position on Sharia law?

I have answered so many questions on Sharia when I held a meeting with the Christian community. The problem is that the Constitution is supreme. Sharia is put on the same level with Customary Law. Its relevance is limited to inheritance, marriage etc.

So, anybody who want to change the Sharia will have to go and change the Constitution.

How relevant is your age to the election and what will you say to people about your age?

I am very happy that I have been able to visit 35 out of the 36 states in the country. I haven’t broken down even though somebody announced me dead yesterday (Wednesday). I had a call from Maiduguri that somebody rushed into a friend’s house crying and said they have just announced that Buhari has died in a hospital in London and so, he called me and I laughed my head off. Certainly, I will be expecting too much if I don’t expect people to wish me dead. But I am very pleased that I am fit, the doctors have declared me fit and I am going back for the final onslaught.

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THE NATION FRIDAY FEBRUARY 27, 2015

NEWS GEN MUHAMMADU BUHARI AT THE CHATHAM HOUSE, LONDON

•All Progressives Congress (APC) National leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu flanked by former Governor of Osun State and a chieftain of the APC, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola (left) and father of the late Damilola Taylor, Mr Richard Taylor at the Royal Institute for International Affairs, Chatham House, London where APC presidential candidate Gen. Muhammadu Buhari was the guest speaker...yesterday.

•Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole...yesterday

•Kaduna State APC governorship candidate Mallam Nasir ElRufai (right) and former Speaker, House of Representatives, Mrs Olubunmi Etteh...yesterday

•APC supporters outside the Chatham House...yesterday

•Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha (left) and a guest

•Adeniyi Adebayo

•Director of Media, APC presidential campaign Mallam Garba Shehu (left) and APC National Publicity Secretary Alhaji Lai Mohammed...yesterday

•Activist lawyer Festus Keyamo

•UK-based media consultant Mr. Olatunde Kazeem

•Former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown (middle); Gen Buhari (second left); Asiwaju Tinubu (second right); Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi (left) and former Governor of Ekiti State Dr Kayode Fayemi, when Gen Buhari led the team to visit Mr Brown in his London home...yesterday.

THE NATION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015

11

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

Verve unveils new campaign on Africa business

By Adedeji Ademigbuji

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ETERMINED to promote and celebrate Africa’s heritage and promote homegrown entrepreneurs and businesses, V e r v e International (‘Verve’), a homegrown pan-African payment card brand, has launched ‘Verve, Truly African’-a new platform to celebrate Africans.

At the unveiling of the campaign in Lagos, recently, the Chief Executive Officer, Verve International, Charles Ifedi, said over the next three months, Verve will celebrate everything that makes Africa great, and give Africans the opportunity to showcase to the world their unique talent, skills and ideas.

Part of the event slated for the campaign include: Verve sponsorship of the African Magic Movies Choice Awards (AMVCA), the launch of a new TV commercial, and a social media campaign that asks Africans to tell the world about their aspirations and what it means to be African today.

“At Verve our vision is to create a totally interconnected continent where all Africans can feel the benefit and take advantage of rapid economic expansion and increasing prosperity. “ More and more African entrepreneurs and homegrown businesses are showing the world that they have the skills, creativity, and determination to take on some of the biggest international businesses. Through this campaign we will be giving Africans everywhere the opportunity to showcase their unique talent,” said Ifedi.

Also, the Chief Marketing Officer, Interswitch Cherry Eromosele said:”We are thrilled to unveil our new ‘Truly African’ campaign to celebrate everything that makes Africa a vibrant and exciting place to be. Africans, he noted, are using their heritage and identity to build businesses that are truly African in their outlook and provide services highly tailored for tAfrican consumers.

“At Verve we have created a brand that represents the values and aspirations of Africans everywhere, and this is the essence of this campaign: to capture and celebrate the unique attributes of Africans.

“As the homegrown payment card that supports millions of direct and indirect jobs across the continent, every transaction made with a Verve card is an investment in Africa’s future.”

Verve is an African payment solutions company. Part of the company’s offer is a pan-African chip + PIN payment card. The Verve card is the leading payment card brand in Nigeria, with over 14 million cards in active use, significantly more than any other provider.

What does corporate governance do? It ensures that you have set up a structure and a culture within the institution that can drive the business in line with given rules. That’s what corporate governance does.

-Seplat Petroleum Managing Director Mr Austin Avuru

Reps to probe Stallion Group, two others for alleged N43b duty evasion

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HE House of Representatives is to investigate all investor companies involved in rice importation under the new policy to determine, it emerged yesytrday.

The investigation was prompted by the violation of the policy by three major companies found to have exceeded their approved quota.

The three companies were also alleged to have evaded payment of import duties to the Federal government to

By Muyiwa Lucas, Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi

the tune of about N43 billion.

The investigation is expected to ascertain the exact amount owed government by the affected companies.

In addition, the investigation would ascertain the approved quota for each importer against their excess imports in metric tons.

Appropriate measures for recovering the debt would

also be recommended by the investigation panel.

The decision of the lawmakers followed the adoption of the prayers of a motion by Simon Arabo (PDP, Kaduna) who accused major importers of conniving with foreign investors to undermine the nation’s economy.

He said: “Stallion Group, Popular Foods and Olam Nig Ltd in collusion with their foreign investors have imported rice exceeding their approved quota and thus

• From left: Resident Representative, African Development Bank Group, Nigeria country office, Mr. Ousmane Dore and MD/CEO Nigerian Export-Import, Mr Roberts Orya at the signing of Nigerian Technical Cooperation Fund (NTCF) financial grant of US$302,000 to NEXIM Bank for the Sealink Project at the AfDB Offices in Abuja...yesterday.

Fashola flays 35% import duties on automobiles

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AGOS State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN, yesterday picked holes in plans by the federal government to increase duties on imported vehicles by 35 percent, noting that such an increase is unwarranted.

The governor, in a stakeholders’ meeting with the state’s taxi and cab operators held yesterday at the Lagos Television complex, Agidingbi, urged taxi operators to support the APC presidential candidate, Maj.Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), the Lagos State APC governorship candidate, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode and all

By Miriam Ekene-Okoro

candidates of the party in the state.

Fashola, accompanied by Ambode and the State’s Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Kayode Opeifa, lampooned the federal government over the planned imposition of 35 percent tariff increase on automobile import, insisting that it would stifle transport operations in the country.

The governor said the decision of the federal government under the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan would hinder the transport operators from acquiring mod-

ern vehicles, which he said, could make them ineffective.

He added that the federal government had dropped the idea “to implement the remaining 35 percent. It only keeps the idea because elections are drawing closer. It will implement it if the president is re-elected.”

He decried the declining value of naira against dollars, which he said, was N140 to one dollar when his administration initiated the public transport management system, which would compel every operators to install metres in their vehicles in line with global best practice.

Skye Bank introduces instant ATM card

S

KYE Bank Plc has begun instant card issuance service to both new and existing customers for improved customer experience in its branches. This service is currently available in selected branches, but is being gradually deployed to all branches of the bank.

Head of Technology and Service Delivery Channels at Skye Bank, Markie Idowu, indicated that henceforth, all branches of Skye Bank will prime debit cards instantly on new accounts and when cards are reported lost, sto-

By Busola Adesunloye

len or damaged; customers can expect instant replacements.

“Instant Card Issuance will improve our customers’ banking experience by eradicating logistics problems that have resulted in delays in debit card delivery. Instant card issuance is seamless, so customers can walk into any Skye Bank branch, request for a debit card and collect it instantly,” she said.

On the bank’s recent strides, the Head, E-Chan-

nels, Akinwale Ojo, said the company has significantly improved its uptime and responsiveness through a series of initiatives that have significantly increased the efficiency of its automatic teller machines.

“We have entered into strategic alliances with leading card providers to improve card use and promote e-commerce for the economic development of Nigeria. Our cards have been restructured, segmented and streamlined for optimum performance,” he said.

owe the Federal government about N28,399b.

“Stallion Group and Popular Foods with an unpaid outstanding import duty of over N15b has imported another 85,000mts of rice into the country.

“The actions of the companies are capable of scuttling the country’s self-sufficiency drive in rice production and act and also deny the Federal government the needed revenue on import duties”.

The motion was unanimously adopted when it was put to voice vote by the Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal.

When The Nation contacted the Director, Corpo-

rate and Government Relations, Olams Nigeria Limited, Mr. Ade Adefeko, he said his firm has not been contacted formally, hence, there is nothing to say for now. “We have only heard it in the news like every other person; We, as a company, have not received any official communication on this matter. If we are officially notified, then we will respond either orally, or in writing and if need be, we are willing to appear before the honourable House physically,” Adefeko said.

The report on the investigation is expected to be turned in three weeks.

12

THE NATION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015

THE NATION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015

13

THE NATION

BUSINESS

AGRICBUSINESS

e-mail: essiet_daniel@yahoo.com

•Participants during the workshop

Helping food producers to ensure produce safety The increasing growth and globalisation of the food and agriculR ture industry markets, advances in science and technology and

ECENT reports of a rice product recall, following the discovery of a banned colorant in South Africa, highlighted the need for reliable product testing.

The testing found Methyl Yellow and Sudan 1 – which can make food unsafe because of the possible toxicity and carcinogenic properties. Both substances described by the World Health Organisation(WHO) as representing possible risk to human health, are prohibited and unsafe for human consumption.

Incidents like this are also been tackled by Nigerian health and agrifood inspectorate officials as a lot of food products with illegal colorants which ought to have been identified have passed through the borders and seaports.

In addition, there have been cases of mycotoxins being collected from complete feed and premix and the results were quite alarming. This has been shown to have not only impacted on animal performance but also on consumer safety, necessitating the call to ensure existing testing laboratories are up to scratch to conducting comprehensive analytical chemistry proficiency testing scheme in the food sector.

Experts discovered that while some laboratories have many checks and controls in place, only a national proficiency testing scheme could provide the fully independent external checks required to impartially assess the accuracy of their procedures.

This informed the organisation of a national workshop on Proficiency Testing Seminar/Training according to ISO 17043:2010, organised by United Nations Industrial Development Organisation in Lagos (UNIDO).

Speaking at the event, the Representative and Regional Director, UNIDO, Dr. Patrick Kormawa, said the availability of safe food is the result of an integrated approach in which all players in the chain have specific responsibilities and implies the assurance of safety in all stages of production, processing, storage and distribution.

To this end, he said a robust national food accreditation system is what Nigeria should dream of, if she is to produce food products that meet international quality standards.

Kormawa said accomplishing this, however, require innovative criteria, creativity and a willingness for teamwork, in both the public and the private sector and analytical laboratories to ensure safety given the complexity of the food production chain.

changes in consumer habits, require a national food safety system that are capable of dealing with the challenges demanded by consumers and trade. This was the spear point of the United Nations Industry Development Organisation(UNIDO) workshop in proficiency testing held in Lagos. DANIEL ESSIET reports.

Kormawa ,who spoke through Lead expert, accreditation, Mr. Stephen Cross, said Nigeria needs quality laboratories to carry out various types of analysis.

He explained that the National Quality Infrastructure (NQI) for Nigeria Project is a 12 million Euro Project and part of the collaborative initiatives of the European Union, UNIDO and the Federal Government to stimulate the competitiveness of Nigeria.

The goal, according to him, is to prepare Nigeria for an economic future that is built on a platform of inclusive and sustainable industrial development.

His words: “Nigeria is fast shedding its reputation as a mono-product economy and, in line with recent economic policies of the Federal Government, more sectors have been identified that exhibit Nigeria’s comparative advantage. The Food and Beverage industry is clearly a strong leader in this category. I am pleased to inform you that today’s event prepares us to achieve one of the five objectives of the NQI Project – the Establishment of a National Accreditation Body.”

Kormawa said the NQI Project aims to support the improvement and establishment of standards and quality control agencies in order to advance the quality of products and services exchanged in the Nigerian and international markets – the goal is to improve the competitiveness of Nigeria’s private sector and ensure the protection of its consumers.

He noted that the project objective is pursuing the enthronement of the best practice principles ,adding that this would help all laboratories in the country qualify to meet the accreditation requirements outlined by the ISO 17025 standard.

Kormawa stressed the importance of proficiency testing as a requirement for establishing an accreditation framework to support trade and industrial growth for businesses and the economy.

He commended the role played by

European Union (EU) to support this initiative together with UNIDO to help develop a conducive environment for a localised accreditation services and ensuring that the different elements of Nigeria’s Quality Infrastructure support the recommendations set out in ISO/IEC 17043, General Requirements for Proficiency Testing Scheme Providers.

He said UNIDO and the EU place great reliance on the role of laboratories as the bedrock of quality assurance systems to ensure that products and services traded in Nigeria conform to standards requirements for safety, integrity and marketability.

The outcome, he explained , would lead to greater trust in the Nigerian manufacturing sector, increase demand for ‘made-in-Nigeria’ products and a Nigerian economy that is more competitive for international trade.

He said European Union has funded this National Quality Infrastructure Project to achieve five major objectives: “The promulgation of a National Quality Policy, the establishment of a national accreditation body, helped with equipment and training for the national metrology institute, facilitation of private sector participation and support to conformity assessment bodies, participation of the consumer protection council and other stakeholders in the nqi project through training and creating awareness on quality and consumer protection,we are working closely with the federal ministry of industry, trade and investment and promoting synergies with other ministries, departments and agencies as well as the organised private sector to meet these targets.”

In his presentation, an international expert on proficiency testing, Mr Anthony Irungu, stressed that the implementation of quality and safety assurance system is a challenge which can be addressed through system of control and inspection based on laboratory testing.

The system, he added, also needs to

be adjusted and staffed with trained personnel able to audit safety in the production chain on the basis of laboratories results.

He stressed the need for a strong training component to strengthen the food safety system to address riskbased preventive controls, produce safety and adulteration.

To achieve this ,he noted that testing has to be used in conjunction with standard verification measures in the food safety system.

While this is recognized , Irungu noted that knowing the state of the laboratories and standards for testing are critical.

While, the laboratories exist, he emphasized improving the skills and training of the lab workforce, quality control processes employed, or access to technology.

Irungu said training should include independent private laboratories and labs run and operated by federal agencies, states, or localities that demonstrate a capability to conduct one or more sampling and analytical testing methodologies for food and the beverage sector.

For a lab to become accredited for a specific sampling or analytical testing methodology, he said it must meet model laboratory standards..These standards,according to him should include methods that ensure appropriate sampling, analytical procedures, and that international available techniques are followed.

Cross said continuing remarkable run of economic growth will require businesses and governments to take more deliberate and purposeful steps to boost food safety.

Cross,who spoke with The Nation at the sidelines of a workshop in Lagos said improving standards of accreditation of laboratory has a huge role in responding to the challenge of shaping the nation’ competitiveness.

He said UNIDO was determined to help Nigeria build an accreditation system infrastructure to support the agility of the global production economy.

An accreditation, he noted, is neces-

sary if Nigeria is going to become a recognized player within the international marketplace and this require ensure products and services are of the highest quality and recognised standards.

He said UNIDO places great emphasis on the improvement of the quality of the country’s products and services, for both the local and export markets, and this is the central focus of the implementation of proficiency testing schemes and the strategic intent on quality, quality assurance as well as on the overall development, enhancement and improvement of all quality infrastructure countrywide.

To this end, Cross said the organisation is promoting upgrading and accreditation of d Testing facilities to strengthen the standardization process.

Another Consultant, Engr Charles Okoro said accreditation also has a positive impact on the general public by stimulating higher standards of quality within laboratories. This, he said, would lead to more consistently reliable test data, thereby contributing to more effective safety regulation and to products of more consistent quality. Because the science of accreditation continues to improve, he said holding laboratories to even higher standards, will bring more public benefits.

According to him, internationally recognised accreditation bodies around the globe are committed to this improved accreditation system and to maximizing the benefits of laboratory accreditation for all stakeholders.

The general requirements for laboratory competence, he noted are described in the ISO/IEC 17025 standard. This standard establishes a global baseline for the accreditation of all types of laboratories. Since its origin in the late 1970s, ISO/IEC 17025 (formerly known as ISO Guide 25) emphasizes competence of laboratories to perform specified tests, not just mere compliance with requirements.

Recognition of such competence, he noted, requires that laboratories obtain accreditation. The accreditation involves on-site and performance assessments as well as ongoing proficiency testing.

Accreditation of, especially, the chemical laboratories, he noted, is very important as testing capacity is expanded to cover needs of industry regulatory and consumer protection.

The accreditation, he added, is highly significant as it creates confidence in product tests, inspection and certification, which results in increased market access of export products from Nigeria.

14

THE NATION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015

THE NATION

BUSINESS BRANDS & MARKETING

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

• Screen-grab of Diamond Bank GMD/CEO Uzoma Dozie from Diamond Mobile App TV Advert.

As their brands’ ambassadors, Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) should not be seen in the foreground of their products’ adverts, but the reverse is the case, writes ADEDEJI ADEMIGBUJI.

Should CEOs be their firms’ models?

S

HOULD a chief executive of ficer play his company’s model? Yes and no, say experts.

Take this scenario, in a 45-second television advert, the camera zooms in a conference room setting as the management meeting ends. Uzoma Dozie, the Chief Executive Officer of Diamond Bank, nods to conclude the meeting made up of the bank’s staff as characters in the commercial.

As he picks his black suit, he walks through the office walkways across the office workstations and pulls out his iPhone from his pocket. “As the CEO of Diamond Bank, time is precious and ensuring that things get done is important, quickly, easily and efficiently,” he says.

Created by X3M Ideas to sell the bank’s Mobile App for easy transaction, Dozie while walking out of his office is waylaid by an office assistant who holds a file labelled, “personal assistant candidates”, Dozie seemed not to concern himself with those craps which he glances and waves.

The camera pans to the elevator, a staff member of the bank tries to help him hold the open elevator but the CEO shakes his head and heads for the stairs as all his gestures show that he doesn’t need anybody’s help.

“There are some things you just can’t want to delegate, like booking my wife’s flight tickets,” he says as he taps the Diamond Bank’s mobile app on his iphone and navigates to the “book flight menu.”

The next scene, a few floors down, he grins and remembers a movie ticket for his kids. He works the app over to that section in the mobile app of his bank and buys some tickets. “I can do all of these on the new Diamond Bank Mobile App. It goes beyond banking. On my personal favourites ... getting tickets to an event I really want to attend,” he says.

As he walks across the lobby, out of the building to his car, the back door opens for him to sit where car owners normally sit, Dozie jumps in and pauses to look at the

camera with mischievous grin as he signs off his appearance in the Diamond Mobile App ad, “S o, who needs a PA?” He closes the car door, which wipes into a transition of animated Diamond Bank apps as its pops open transformers to show all the new offerings the Diamond Mobile Apps can do to relieve customer’s burden of delegating task.

While the TV Ad is meant to sell the bank’s Mobile app, which according to the bank, is reloaded with more exciting features to make your banking better, faster, and smarter by searching, booking and paying for flights, among others, the use of the bank’s CEO as a front man in the ads to drive the new product has raised a concern whether it is a good creative strategy to use a CEO as front man in an advertising campaign.

On a good day, many brands turn to actors or celebrities to star in their marketing campaigns, but only few brands in Nigeria have adopted this creative strategy, which is termed ‘CEO branding’ and find it effective by putting their chief executive in front of a camera. The fear of putting such creative ideas in

work is underscored by the fact that most CEOs are boring, dull or fail to positively differentiate a brand which is the kiss of death in advertising.

In the telecom sector, some years ago, Glo Nigeria featured its brand owner as a face of Glo Ad in a billboard. In the aviation sector, Slok Airline featured its owner, Orji Kalu on its global TV Ad on CNN. Also, Steve Jobs and Richard Brandson are some of the global CEOs who are regular advert model for their brands. A research

by Ace Metrix TV analytics firm shows that commercials featuring CEOs generally outperform those that do not.

But the CEO of Ace Metrix, Peter Daboll, said in a Forbes’ report that the way CEOs are leveraged in a campaign and the strength of their message are often factors that determine these ads’ success or failure.

“In general, when used correctly, the CEO really can convey sincerity, genuineness, and the whole ‘the buck stops here’ attitude,” he says.

Daboll CEO Patrick Doyle points to Domino’s Pizza ads from 2010, saying the company’s pizzas

weren’t as good as Domino’s wanted them to be. In instances like this, he said CEOs could grab consumers’ attention in ways others might not.

While the mien displayed by Dozie in the Diamond Mobile App TV commercial suggests that consumers don’t need all the help of others to get some things done in all honesty and simplicity, Daboll said consumers really respect such honesty and the commitment a CEO can deliver when used as a front man in front of a camera. “I think people really respect the honesty, the trust, and the commitment that only a CEO can deliver,” he says.

But the question most brand experts ask is, should a CEO feature as model in a TV ad when there lots of models out there? In a case study by Forbes magazine, it is stated that not a CEO-branded Advert work while some have really helped many brands who adopted that strategy.

“The results of our analysis show that, in general, ads featuring CEOs outperform ads that do not feature CEOs. Across every metric we measure, ads featuring CEOs had slightly higher average scores vs.

other ads in the same category.

However, this is not to say that ads featuring CEOs always perform well. Averages are averages, and certain brands—two in particular—were more successful than others at producing effective “CEO as front man” advertisements. In particular, ads that feature CEOs have considerably higher “Desire,” “Relevance “and” Information” scores than ads that do not feature CEOs,” the magazine’s research stated.

Experts, however, said the brand handlers should consider many factors before choosing a CEO as a front man in an advert campaign.

“Not all CEO ads work. CEOs that are dull, boring, or fail to positively differentiate a brand are the kiss of death in advertising. Viewers are looking for the CEO to be interesting, relevant, and truly understand consumer desires,” says Daboll.

Daboll warned agencies to know the CEOs before making creative decisions for the ads. He said not all CEOs are born communicators.

For the CEO adverts that failed in the past, he urged the creative agency to test the messages before flying the materials.

Students to show talent at academy

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HE Roger Hatchuel Academy Nigeria has been scheduled to hold from March 19 -21.

The event organised by CHINI Productions, official Cannes Lions representative in Nigeria, is in its eighth year and has grown from being a one day affair to a threeday residential event.

The organisers told The Nation that the extension is to give participating students from campuses around Nigeria more time to learn from senior industry professionals.

The organisers have also announced the facilitators for the programme. The Dean of the Academy for the year is Yomi Omotehinwa, Executive Creative Director, Cosse TTL, who will coordinate the faculty

and the judges for the competition.

The competition jury includes Maurice Ugwonoh, Deputy Creative Director, DDB Lagos; Fafunso Oladipupo, Creative Director, IMS Advertising; Dipo Adesida, Creative Director, Verdant Zeal Group; Fome Ozuwo, Creative Director LTC-JWT and Oje Ojeaga, Head of Creative X3M Ideas.

“The list of speakers at the event will soon be confirmed. The programme is traditionally supported by the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON) and this year, APCON accredited schools are able to send participants for the programme at no cost to the students or their school.

“The programme serves as an

early immersion into the competitive world of advertising for the students. They will have the opportunity to work on briefs individually and in teams and they will also be tested in their general understanding of advertising. ‘’At the end of the programme, each student will receive a certificate of participation, the second runner-up will receive a consolation prize, the first runner-up will attend the next Dubai Lynx Festival, and the winning student will represent Nigeria at the international version of the Roger Hatchuel Academy during the Cannes Lions International Festival ofCreativity in June.

The best supervising lecturer will win the Lecturer of the Year Award

and the institution that produced the best works will win the Roger Hatchuel Academy Nigeria School of the Year Award.

According to the Managing Director of CHINI Productions, Nnamdi Ndu, “the Roger Hatchuel Academy is an excellent opportunity for the industry to identify and engage young talents while they still have the chance.”

On APCON’s continued participation in the Roger Hatchuel Academy, the Assistant Director Operations, Joe-Eugene Onuorah, said: “APCON undertakes the sponsorship of students who show promise in advertising creativity to be part of the Rodger Hatchuel academy experience.”

15

THE NATION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015

COMMENTARY LETTER

EDITORIAL

A president and a statesman •Alhaji Shehu Shagari, president of the Second Republic, turns 90

E

VEN at 90, he remains true to type – self-effacing, taciturn and stately. In an age in which statesmen and former leaders are quick to take positions in a roiling polity, Alhaji Shehu Usman Shagari remains dignified in his silence.

His was the rare privilege of mounting the saddle as the first executive president of Nigeria in the Second Republic at the beginning of Nigeria’s experimentation with Presidential system of governance.

It was the second coming of civil rule in 1979 after the upheavals of the 1960s and the military interregnum. The General Olusegun Obasanjo-led military regime was gracious in returning power to civilians once again. The National Party of Nigeria (NPN) which had the most semblance of national spread had preferred Shagari as its presidential candidate against sturdier, more educated and more charismatic aspirants like Malam Adamu Ciroma and Maitama Sule.

Shehu Shagari aspired to go to the senate having secured a form to that effect until he was drafted into the presidential race. He did not only win the keenly contested three-horse race during the NPN primary, he also won the presidential election beating political giants like Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe of the National Party of Nigeria (NPP) and Chief Obafemi Awolowo of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN).

It was a close race between Chief Awolowo and Alhaji Shagari and the ballot had to be decided by the courts in favour of the latter. That he could win against all the political juggernauts of his time and emerge as Nigeria’s first ever president is no doubt a mark of the Nigeria’s skewed leadership selection process which has continued to dog her till today.

On the other hand, Shagari’s emergence

must also signpost his essence as a very genial and unobtrusive personality. It is indeed these traits of character that must have galvanized his long, illustrious career in the civil service and in politics. Educated at Sokoto Middle School and Kaduna College which was initially a teachers’ training institute, he taught science for many years in Sokoto and Zaria Middle Schools.

He also had a long track record as a civil servant that he was reputed to be perhaps the longest serving in the Colonial service of his days.

He was Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa and was a minister in Alhaji Tafawa Balewa’s in 1958. Prior to this, in 1954, he had been elected to the Federal House of Representatives for Sokoto southwest. He went on to hold several ministerial positions in the following ministries under Balewa: Economic Development (1960); Internal Affairs (1962); Works and Survey (1965).

And during the military administration of General Yakubu Gowon he was appointed a Federal Commissioner for Economic Development and later, Finance (1971). His is a rich trajectory of public service in the different milieus of colonialism, post-colonial civil rule and military administrations leading up to the Second Republic when he won the number one seat.

Though his presidency was in a time of global economic turmoil occasioned by the oil price tumble of the early 80s, he had no radical answer to the problem as his import licence regime and exposure of the economy to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) were no panaceas to the economic ills of the day. However, he will be remembered for his party’s national housing scheme and for investing in the steel mills in Ajaokuta and Delta. He also tried

to mechanize agriculture with his Green Revolution initiative which did not outlive his era.

His otherwise impeccable long public service was almost tainted by a certain permissiveness of nature which gave his appointees leeway to corrupt and abuse their offices. It is as if he was incapable of reprimanding his underlings. It is this seeming leadership flaw that damaged his presidency and led to a shambolic election in which desperate lieutenants hijacked ‘victory’ in some parts of the country. The aftermath of this electoral rascality eventually gave the military the impetus to return to power. Shagari never really had a handle on his presidency nor did he really seem to understand true democratic ethos.

However, he is considered a man of high personal integrity and dignity; he was never indicted or known to have abused the numerous high offices he occupied. Unlike what is preponderant today, he has lived a lean and Spartan life despite his long exposure to public offices. In this age of mind-numbing graft, he is indeed a statesman.

‘It is as if he was incapable of reprimanding his underlings. It is this seeming leadership flaw that damaged his presidency and led to a shambolic election in which desperate lieutenants hijacked ‘victory’ in some parts of the country’

Esther’s excellence • Little Miss |Okade is a great one for Nigerian excellence, even in the Diaspora.

Still, everything must be done to ensure she doesn’t lose her childhood

A

NIGERIAN has made the headlines internationally for bright reasons, and this is commendable especially against the background of the country’s image issues. The phenomenal story of United Kingdom (UK) - based 10year-old prodigy Esther Okade who has been accepted for a course of study at the Open University in the UK stretches the limits of the possible. Esther will study for a degree in Mathematics following her A-Levels success, which included a B grade in Pure Mathematics. It is a reflection of her feat that she is being celebrated as “Britain’s cleverest girl.”

Particularly striking and noteworthy is the information that Esther was homeschooled and has never experienced formal schooling. Her mother, Omonefe, who is a mathematician, was quoted as saying: “By the time she was four, I had taught her the alphabets, her

‘The Okade phenomenon poses a central question about how to strike a balance between intellectual intelligence on the one hand, and emotional and social intelligence on the other hand, in the context of childhood’

numbers, how to add, subtract, multiply and division. I saw that she loved patterns, so I developed a way of using that to teach her new things. I thought I would try her with algebra and she loved it more than anything.” It is interesting that the homeschooler has been in the spotlight from the age of six when she passed her General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) with a C grade in Mathematics.

It is fascinating that Esther is expected to study for the degree at home, which would represent a continuation on a nonformal educational trajectory. She intends to pursue a PhD subsequently and go on to establish a bank, reports said. On her ambition, her mother said: “She wants to be a millionaire.”

Indeed, it is speculative to reflect on whether Esther will reach the finishing line, and in what shape; but it is relevant to observe that some critical commentators have accused her parents of an alleged negative interference with her growth as a child. It is significant to note that Esther’s younger brother, Isiah, may reportedly outshine her by passing his A-Levels at the age of six. This picture has attracted criticism of their parents, specifically, that they are “depriving the kids of their childhood, by pushing them too hard.”

Beyond the glory of prodigious academic achievements, the Okade phenomenon poses a central question about how to strike a balance between intellectual intelligence on the one hand, and emotional and so-

cial intelligence on the other hand, in the context of childhood.

It is instructive that, in all probability, Esther’s admission to the Open University could not have happened outside the particular framework as the university system generally requires age qualifications that imply a consideration of maturity. Even in Esther’s peculiar case, which was described as an “interesting process,” it is illuminating that her mother said, “We even had to talk to the vice-chancellor. After they interviewed her they realised this has been her idea from the beginning and in December last year she was told she had been accepted onto the course.”

It is pertinent to consider whether Esther’s experience could be replicated in Nigeria? Apart from the reality that homeschooling is rare in the country, it is perhaps even more fundamental that the level of educational awareness and development in the society constitutes another likely hindrance. The truth is that Esther’s accomplishment and the flowering of her mind cannot be divorced from the socio-economic conditions in her country of residence.

There may be similarly prodigious children in Nigeria whose manifestation is obstructed by the milieu in which they have found themselves. The definitive lesson to be learned from Esther’s excellence is that the society owes its young ones an enabling environment for the expression of their potential.

A needless endorsement

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IR: I read the news of the endorsement of President Goodluck Jonathan for second term by Afenifere and other social cultural groups in Yorubaland with mixed feelings. Mixed feelings because the groups, including the two factions of OPC had the rights to endorse whosoever they like for president, but the endorsement is contrary to the position of all major socio-cultural groups and even individual’s positions that President Jonathan administration marginalized the south-west region in his appointments and patronages. As a matter of fact, I was privileged to attend a meeting of the Yoruba Unity Forum at the Ikenne-Remo residence of the late sage about three years ago; the major discussion that day was marginalization of the Yoruba by President Jonathan-led federal government. I could remember that a communiqué was produced and a petition was equally written and a delegate sent to President Jonathan. It was heartwarming that President Jonathan made some redress with the appointment of Brigadier Gen. Jones Oladeinde Arogbofa as the Chief of Staff. However, issue of marginalization in terms of developmental projects has not been fairly addressed. Save the rehabilitation of Lagos/Ibadan expressway, which was a Pan-Nigerian Highway, establishment of a university in Oye and a polytechnic in Ondo State respectively, I have not seen any physical development embarked upon by the federal government in the South-west which could have compelled the sudden change of position. In actual fact, what I believe led to the sudden change in the disposition of Afenifere, OPC, et al, to the administration’s marginalization of the South-west was the appointment of many stalwarts of these organizations to the recently held constitutional conference. As a matter of fact, the disposition of many members of the confab during the last year Yoruba Unity Forum’s meeting at Ikenne confirmed this. And if this is so, it amounts to betrayal of trust. This is because for many years, Yoruba depended on Afenifere for direction on critical national questions.

Indeed, I have read several interviews by the leaders of the groups, who based the support for President Jonathan on the pretext that the recommendations of the National Conference would be implemented if he wins the next election. This position too, is superficial. This is because, if President Jonathan wins, he would still need the majority votes in the National Assembly for the recommendations to sail through. Even, the Afenifere’s recommendations which the group wants implemented are parochial. This is because it is not meant to serve the interest of Yorubaland, but those who drafted the recommendations. If not, the opinion of all Yoruba people would have been sought on this before going to the conference, but this was not so.

President Jonathan needs the endorsement of nobody in Yorubaland. What he needs is performance. Yoruba are the most politically sophisticated people in Nigeria. Majority of Yorubas are independent-minded and could read between the lines.

Late Obafemi Awolowo became idol because of his performance as premier of the region, sincerity of purpose and for meeting the yearnings and aspirations of his people in and out of government. If a party is dominant in Yorubaland, it is only doing the biddings of the people. Once it derails, it is rejected.

• Adewuyi Adegbite Apake, Ogbomoso

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

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THE NATION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015

16

CARTOON & LETTERS

S

IR: We must never permit a situation of having to lock the stable door after the horse has bolted. The constitution is clear and unambiguous: the process of removal of the Chairman of INEC, according to Section 157 of the 1999 Constitution, starts from the Senate and ends with the President.

The impression conveyed to the public by President Goodluck Jonathan during the Wednesday, February 11, media chat was that he could hire and fire the chairman of INEC at any time. No sir. Such power does not reside in the presidency.

Even if the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission were to commit a criminal offence today, such as murder, he can be arrested by the police and prosecuted, since he enjoys no immunity, but the President has no constitutional power to either constructively remove him through suspension or sack him outright on account of that criminal act. Indeed, I find it ludicrous when some lawmakers claim they suspend the

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Power to sack Jega beyond Jonathan

Speaker of a House of Assembly.

The fact is, there is no such provision for the suspension of a Speaker.

Suspension and removal amount to the same thing, in that he will not function in the said office during the period of suspension. No such is ever envisaged by the framers of the constitution. If he has committed any gross misconduct, he can be removed by two-thirds majority of the entire House. I am aware of the Public Service Rules, the House Rules, etc., but these are subordinate to the Constitution.

The power of the President to appoint or dismiss the chairman of INEC, NJC, NPC, etc. is not only limited but circumscribed by the fact that he shall consult the Na-

tional Council of State for appointment and obtain confirmation of the Senate, and in the case of removal secure, first, the concurrence of at least two-thirds majority of the Senate. The language employed by the constitution is that the process of removal should commence from the Senate - unlike the process of appointment which should begin from the President. Therefore, the President should be well-guided and not act in ignorance or defiance of the provisions of the constitution.

Buoyed by his getting away with constructive removal of the former CBN governor, Mallam Lamido Sanusi, from office through suspension, the President erroneously be-

Obasanjo’s farewell to PDP

IR: With the dramatic public rending of his membership card, one needs not to be told that Chief Olusegun has finally parted ways with the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP). In fact, with this unique farewell package, one can confidently conclude that Obasanjo’s unending wars with the PDP are also over. Obasanjo is the highest beneficiary of the PDP’s benevolence as he rose from the position of a condemned prisoner in 1998 to the exalted position of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The former president for quite some time has distanced himself from the activities of the PDP and government related functions. He did not show up at the PDP presidential campaign in Abeokuta.

Obasanjo took advantage of every auspicious time at his disposal both at home and abroad to launch unprecedented verbal attacks on PDP led government and policies which he deems anti-people to the chagrin of his former party, the PDP. Apart from that, he was conspicuously absent at the National Coun-

cil of State meeting held on February 5 where issues bordering on the prevailing security situation and the forth coming general elections were discussed.

It is in the person and character of former President Obasanjo to diligently pursue whatever ideals he cherishes and stands for with sublime passion and vigour. He equally remains resolute and unruffled in the face of reactions or criticisms emanating from his views on any national or international issues. It was Harold Laski who affirmed that “without freedom of mind and of association, a man has no means to self-protection in our social order.”As a matter of fact, the right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly of every Nigerian are guaranteed under Sections 39 and 40 of the 1999 Constitution as amended. In as much as speech is free and truth sacrosanct; the former needs to be uttered with decorum and guarded with utmost care while the latter devoid of personal interest should in all circumstances prevail.

The sage should understand that

there are several decent ways of killing a rat. As former President and chairman Board of Trustee (BOT) under the same party which he has publicly humiliated, his behaviour and utterances at any given time should be reflective of restraint and decorum. However, the action failed the litmus test of self-control and cannot in any way be said to be statesmanlike.

Obasanjo and the PDP were expected to show high level of maturity in managing their perceived differences for old time sake’s. After all it is mutual respect for each other, uncommon restraint and forgiving spirit that sustains any relationship. Both should be blamed for washing their dirty linings in the public. However, it is said that appropriate measure of blames should be visited upon the strong who in the course of a brawl with his neighbour publicly made him to defecate in his dress and the underdog who shamelessly messed himself up.

• Sunday Onyemaechi Eze, Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company, Kaduna

lieves that he can do the same for federal executive bodies listed in Section 153 of the 1999 Constitution.

No sir; that’s a no-go-area.

But then impunity begets impunity. Under what constitutional power did the President remove Chief Festus Odumegwu, the then chairman of the National Population Commission? Did the process commence from the Upper House?

Did the Senate debate let alone vote on his removal? But we all kept quiet then; so why not attempt other infractions if you could get away with one act of impunity? But it is

time to say thus far and no further to the President. Acting against the constitution is tantamount to treason.

We must warn against a situation where the President will attempt to unconstitutionally dismiss the chairmen of INEC, NPC, NJC, etc. and then ask anyone that is not satisfied to go to court. That will amount to high treason. The constitution is clear: the process of removal of the chairman of INEC, according to Section 157, starts from the Senate and ends with the President. The purpose of Section 157 is to insulate the allimportant bodies like INEC, CCB, NPC, RMAFC, etc. from vagaries of politics and political interference from the President. The polity should no longer permit any acts of impunity that may bring down the edifice of this nation.

• Opeyemi Soyombo, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Whither Nsukka people?

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IR: We have taken time to ponder over the fate of Nsukka people since the return of “democracy” in 1999. We have thought of the hopelessness of our people, their stinking poverty and deliberate deprivations unleashed on them by the PDP government. What has this government – federal and state – got to show in Nsukka? Is it roads, health facilities, employment, farm inputs, water supply or electricity? All they see are broken promises, failed and failing infrastructures.

By deliberate plot, PDP has a design to further weaken Nsukka zone. The party has side tracked all the Nsukka aspirants who have experience and who are highly educated. At the governorship level, the choice of Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi in preference for very articulate and political activists like Ikeje Asogwa, Sam Onyishi (Peace Mass Transit) Engr. Since his eleven years, eight months in the House of Representatives, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has never spoken a word in the National Assembly, not even motion for adjournment!

The picture is not better with the PDP’s choice of the senatorial candidate for Nsukka. Here again the same scenario plays out. The game plan is simple: impose some one on Nsukka who cannot rival any of the other two senior senators from the other senato-

rial districts, namely, the incumbent senators Ekweremadu and Gil Nnaji who are also candidates for this election. So in the senate, the Nsukka man, Chuka Utazi, would be a green horn.

The effect is that given his lack of experience and standing vis-à-vis the other contesting senatorial candidates, any major positions or slots in the senate meant for Enugu State would automatically go to senators from East and West senatorial districts. It is clear that PDP team in this election is not Nsukka first eleven. They cannot score the goals needed to move Enugu State forward let alone Nsukka, in the years ahead.

This is where Okey Ezea (Ideke) of All Progressives Congress (APC) readily comes in. He has the experience.

He has the vision. He has a manifesto, a requisite blue print needed to move Enugu State forward. Above all, he is no body’s godson.

Should the evil design of the PDP cabals succeed, (God forbid) then Nsukka would be shut out in the scheme of things in the next dispensation. Nsukka man may be governor, but as has been pointed out, the voice would be that of Jacob but the hand would be that of Esau.

• Ifeanyi Ugwueze, Concerned Nsukka Nsukka

Patriots,

THE NATION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015 16

17

COMMENTS

‘Niggers’ with attitude (Portrait of the Nigerian as a ‘black’ ant)

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

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E live to a devastating stereotype. Like fattened ducks, we waddle against the walls of institutionalized pigeonholes as the ram thrashes in its soul at the descent of the butcher’s jackknife. But we are no ducks neither are we cattle of any kind. We are humans, learning to live as livestock, because we think it’s shrewd and fashionable to do so.

Freedom has a thousand charms to show, that slaves, however contented, never know, writes Cowper and quite truthfully too. The tragedy is in the details. And the details are all around us, in our past glories and defeat, infinite quirks and measured sobriety. It is in our fabled heritage and defunct humanity, colourful history and grand inadequacies.

It’s what separates our foibles from what we term fate. And what symbolizes our mental inferiorities and political expediencies.

But necessity, like William Pitt the Younger would say, is the plea for every infringement of human freedom. It is the argument of tyrants and the creed of slaves. Slaves like the Nigerian nigger.

A 27-minute video among other things, distinguishes a select few of Nigeria’s pioneer statesmen from

the gangs of glorified eejits – if I may insult poor eejits by comparing them to the country’s ruling class – that currently occupy the country’s corridors of power. The video is of the July 1961 visit of Nigeria’s first Prime Minister, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, to the United States of America (USA).

Great thanks to Farooq Kperogi, a Nigerian scholar resident in the USA; after he stumbled on the video on the website of the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, he promptly shared it with friends on Facebook. The video is intense with charm and instructive with lessons in manhood, desirable pride, poise and refinement epitomized by the league of extraordinary statesmen that served Nigeria at independence.

Between July 25 and 28, Kperogi, enthused and I confirmed in the video, the late Abubakar Tafawa Balewa and a modest entourage of about 10 key government officials visited the United States on the invitation of the late President John F. Kennedy during which Tafawa Balewa visited major historical landmarks in representative parts of the United States and addressed a special joint session of the United States

‘The Nigerian leadership today could be likened to men gifted with the mentality of the hyena and the sensibility of the guinea fowl. The same may be said of the Nigerian citizenry. Our lust for unearned riches, acclaim and the west’s approval illustrates the shallowness and weakness of the Nigerian adult’s ignorance and awfully preadolescent mind.

It reiterates a very shrill cry for help that’s at once self-seeking, infantile and retrograde’

A

S a Nigerian who has experienced Turks and their culture both at home and in Turkey for over a decade, I have come to see and feel Turkey as my second country. My first interaction with the Turkish society was through education in Abuja at one of their many schools nationwide before I went on to spend five years in Istanbul.

One of the first things I discovered about Turkey is the booming economy. I witnessed development beautifully driven by individuals in the industrial sector, pushing relentlessly for the best output on global criteria. I felt so blessed to be part of this growth and experience and Turkish work ethics first hand. Turks love to produce useful things of high quality; they love to boast of how much better their product or service is than China or how many big multinational brands outsource production to them.

Since I returned to Nigeria I have watched my second country from afar, experiencing joy when I see them make moves to reach out to other parts of the world and imprint their mark of excellence. As of recent, my feelings have turned sour from the negative and unpatriotic happenings in Turkey.

In order to grasp the scope of the bitterness I experience, one must know and understand the purpose of the Hizmet movement founded by Turkish intellectual scholar Fetullah Gulen. I define the hizmet movement as a selfsufficient, non-profit oriented selfless ecosystem held together by an idea fostered by volunteers to touch lives on a global scale through education, charitable projects, dialogue, healthcare and general economic development.

Fetullah Gulen’s ideals are derived from Islamic teachings that promote education, enriching humanity’s welfare, dialogue and peaceful coexistence. It is through a widespread decision by many inspired Turks and NonTurks to ‘serve’ this same idea that holds the hizmet movement together. The word Hizmet in Turkish directly translates to service. In this case, service is rendered to and for humanity with no strings attached. The only one string I have experienced in the hizmet movement is the unspoken request that as you have been served, make sure you serve too, so that the chain of goodness never ends; for those who have served you will come to pass. One must also take note that from the successful schools, hospitals, businesses and media outlets built in over 160 countries through donations from business-people and donors in-

Congress that was convened in his honor.

Only a select few, as Kperogi noted, “Are accorded the honour of addressing a joint session of the United States Congress. Certainly no Nigerian head of state has been accorded this honour since Tafawa Balewa.”

According to the website of the Office of the Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives, since 1874 when the King of Hawaii first addressed a joint meeting of the U.S. Congress, there have been only 112 such privileges granted to foreign leaders and dignitaries.

Watching the video was as enchanting as it was delightful; Balewa’s address to the joint session was persistently “punctuated” by thunderous, standing ovation. In all the cities he and his entourage visited, Americans came out to wave at them hospitably, and U.S. government officials bowed very respectfully when they shook hands with the Nigerian Prime Minister. Thus was the depth of respect the pioneer Nigerian leader and nationalist inspired in 1960s America.

Men like Balewa and his contemporaries at the period in the persons of the late Obafemi Awolowo, Nnamdi Azikiwe to mention a few, personified the infectious grandeur, unimpeachable character, progressiveness, patriotism, depth and selfassurance that remains the prime requirements of statesmanship that Nigeria and the African continent deserves. These men, despite their shortcomings, were no Nigerian niggers. The same can hardly be said of incumbent Nigerian leadership and citizenry.

The Nigerian leadership today could be likened to men gifted with the mentality of the hyena and the sensibility of the guinea fowl. The same may be said of the Nigerian citizenry. Our lust for unearned riches, acclaim and the west’s approval illustrates the shallowness and weakness of the Nigerian adult’s

ignorance and awfully preadolescent mind. It reiterates a very shrill cry for help that’s at once self-seeking, infantile and retrograde.

It is what makes Nigerian leaders pilfer and deplete the nation’s treasury to embark on foolhardy trips abroad to learn western-european governance styles to be ineffectually applied back home. It is what makes Nigerian leaders throw their doors open to every visiting foreign cub reporter even as they deny seasoned journalists back home, similar opportunities. During such interviews, such characters persistently expose themselves to ridicule, presenting themselves as inveterate idiots by their comportment and utterances which are tailored to glorify the disturbing plots and agenda of the foreign newshounds.

The citizenry is guilty of the same inanity as indicated by the widely broadcast documentaries on Niger Delta militancy, the insidiously “professional” and manipulative “This is Lagos” and “Law and Disorder in Lagos” documentaries on Lagos which glorifies the city’s shanty and street urchin (area boys) culture and malaise. Such media fare reveals contemptible plots to fulfill derogatory news agendas to the delight and pitiful acquiescence of the news subjects.

I am yet to see a Nigerian journalist travel to the United Kingdom or the US for instance, to enjoy similar courtesies and stupidity from the countries’ leadership and citizenry.

It’s even more worrisome to note that the incumbent Nigerian leadership has never enjoyed and will never enjoy the kind of respect accorded the late Tafawa Balewa, Obafemi Awolowo and their ilk at independence. It is impossible for the average Nigerian to enjoy such courtesies and honor given the inexplicable greed, complacence, degeneracy, shallowness of thought and character characteristic of ma-

jority of the Nigerian people.

The kind of inferiority complex projected by the ruling class and passed down to generations of Nigerian youth affirms the western belief that we are not as mentally proficient as they are. Consequently, they see us as irredeemably ignorant, inept, corrupt and susceptible to inexplicable violence and inferiority complex. Unfortunately, the average Nigerian’s sociability and prodigal nature manifests to further serve as evidence of a collective idiocy and inferiority complex of a crude race that recognizes and accepts its intolerable limitations.

That we are very accommodating and hospitable like Akin Akindele rightly noted shouldn’t make us “bend over backwards to impress any white or yellow man more than we would any other ordinary person.” But the import of such admonition is lost on us; mediocre and highly incompetent foreigners come to Nigeria and are immediately regarded as ‘expatriates.’ Yet many brainy and exceedingly talented Nigerians are treated with contempt and suspicion at home and abroad. Abroad, they are despised for being Nigerians based on bigoted generalizations about the average Nigerian’s fraudulence and deadliness. At home they are despised for being different and capable of evolving the process that would lead to that progressive and prosperous socio-economic system that we seek.

If we are to be judged by indigenous mores of morality or what Greek philosopher, Pythagoras, deems the human measure of all things, we shan’t fare excellently well, not by a smidgen. We have fared diffidently for too long; that is why local and international jesters as fragile as clay toys have evolved into outsized heroes and gods, on our watch. To the rest of the world, we are just a bunch of contemptible niggers; still.

School children, not tools of political war

By Shehu Usman Yakubu spired by the hizmet movement; Mr Gulen doesn’t get a coin of profit.

Although Gulen started to promote his ideas in 1966, it wasn’t until 1980’s that they experienced substantial tangible growth as business owners he inspired responded to the educational crisis in Turkey at the time by building and sustaining student dormitories, organizing university entrance exam courses, teacher associations, publishing houses and starting up a journal. Schools that won medals in nationwide competitions also sprung, catching everyone’s attention and increasing the movement’s follower-ship and trust. This later evolved to the building of more schools and hospitals in Turkey and overseas with the simple goal to serve humanity.

Without this movement, there wouldn’t have been a Turkish International College for me to attend, or a Turkish Nizamiye hospital for me to visit for world class health care. Nigerian Turkish Nile University in Abuja would also be a myth that my younger sister would only imagine enrolling in and never actualise or conceptualise the dream of attending such an institution. There certainly wouldn’t be an Association of Business people and investors of Nigeria and Turkey to turn to for easy trade bridges.

Tayyip Erdogan, the current president of Turkey was in good relations with the hizmet movement until recent times when they chose the path of revealing truths of his suspicious dealings rather than being silent accomplices.

Ever since, the relationship between Erdogan and the hizmet movement has gone south. It especially took a turn for the worse when the 2014 money laundering scandal on shady real estate deals surfaced. He accused hizmet movement of influencing investigations by the police that led to the discovery of millions of euros hidden in a bank chairman’s home among others. Telephone recordings of him directing his son to hide millions of dollars also surfaced to further smear his image. These occurrences which he blames on his new enemy, hizmet, convinced him to retaliate aggressively. His most recent move is the most

unreasonable and disadvantageous yet.

President Erdogan is campaigning in Africa for the abolishment of all schools built by the hizmet movement by accusing them of promoting terrorist activities. The Nigerian Turkish colleges which I personally benefited from, falls under this category. On his recent trip to Ethiopia, he encouraged authorities to close down these schools and made beautiful promises of opening new ones. There is a Gulen inspired school in every major country in Africa. Using Nigeria as a sample for my case, there are 16 schools in Nigeria alone. If we put aside the effect such an act would have on the children who would lose an opportunity to get quality education, how about the hundreds or thousands of staff that will lose their jobs? How about the local business people who would lose their very good customers?. The people who sell meat to the schools, the electricity and diesel they use daily, the spending by the Turkish staff on local products and even further investments by the schools would be lost. Such an option would not just be a nationwide educational setback but also an economic disaster on a large scale. I avoid political affairs that do not affect me directly, but this matter is one I had to speak out about. The children in Africa who are in dire need of sound education should not be collateral damage in Erdogan’s political war with the hizmet movement.

‘Using Nigeria as a sample for my case, there are 16 schools in Nigeria alone. If we put aside the effect such an act would have on the children who would lose an opportunity to get quality education, how about the hundreds or thousands of staff that will lose their jobs? How about the local business people who would lose their very good customers?’

THE NATION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015

18

COMMENTS ‘A doubtful friend is worse than a certain enemy. Let a man be one thing or the other, and we then know how to meet him’ - ——Aesop, in one of his Fables.

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan cuts across as a taciturn man of meek disposition but beneath that facade is a creature of perilous acuity. Most men of power with such personality trait have always ended being deadlier than the lion. They talk more with body language than with their mouths. And whenever they speak out, the actions that follow are always in sharp contrast to what they say. Such men usually could not be taken for their words and are gently ruthless against their people who, in most instances, have scanty regard for them.

President Jonathan, as the election approaches, has further exposed his chameleonic disposition to the Nigerian state and the entire world. The United States of America, Britain, France and Germany among others are aware now that this president is everything but reliable in his assurances that a free and fair election would be conducted and that if he loses, he is ready to relinquish power to whoever wins. Ab initio, the idea of a postponement started as a rumour before Sambo Dasuki, the NSA to the president gave it semblance of presidential robe at the Chatham House, London recently.

The election shift has become history today. But at the moment, two satanic speculations are rife in public domain: That President Jonathan is not ready and willing to handover power to the All Progressives Congress (APC’s) presidential candidate, Mohammadu Buhari. The other is that there is a sinister plot by the president’s henchmen and party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to scuttle peaceful hand-over by using the military to force the election to go the president’s way or create a stalemate that would bolster the chances of having an interim government in place.

All these sounded like tales by moonlight

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‘The ruling PDP and President Jonathan should not push their intertwined luck to its elastic limit by attempting, again, something funny’

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08110000117

Jonathan’s drumbeat of war

•Jonathan

• Buhari

but the president’s body language and the actions and inactions of his men in the deployment of state’s institutions show only one thing: That the President is aware that he will not win and is ready to do battle with Nigerians that from all indications are fed up with his inept and highly corrupt government.

However, the game of presidential deceit continues since it has moved from the polity’s courtyard to the vineyard of God. Recently at the opening mass for the plenary Assembly of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria at Our Lady Queen of Nigeria ProCathedral, Garki, Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, at the opening mass for the plenary Assembly of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria at Our Lady Queen of Nigeria Pro-Cathedral, Garki, Abuja, called on Nigerians to ignore the heinous speculations by giving “Mr. President the benefit of the doubt and stop sowing doubts that only raise tensions and create avoidable anxieties.” Cardinal

N February 7, Professor Attahiru Jega, chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced the postponement of the elections from February 14 and 28 to March 28 and April 11, largely for security. The postponement is a glaring sign of incompetence or inability of the country to do anything good most of the times- a big shame and disappointment. The cost is high. It shocked society, sagged trust, confidence and energy of citizens, threatened democracy, boosted the morale of the insurgents and increased the already high emotional and physical exhaustion and financial expenses of the campaign.

Jega would want us believe that INEC was not ‘coerced’ but the public knows better that there are long knives around.

It was the best he could do in the circumstance because as the great Zik once observed ‘only a mad man argues with the man with a gun’.

Ordinarily the postponement could have been taken as given. After all the framers of the constitution and makers of the electoral made provision for postponement in sections 76(2),116(2), 132(2), 178(2) and section25 of the Electoral Act 2010 as amended. As Jega admits the period could be used to fine-tune some of INEC’s operations especially the distribution of the PVC. But we are worried because of the threat which the postponement poses to democracy, its high cost in terms of emotional strains, physical exhaustion, financial wastage and general paralysis that attends campaigns in Nigeria, the broken trust between the people and government, the subtle attempt to meddle unduly with the electoral process and the damage to the image of the military.

The growing involvement of the military in party politics suggests that democracy is under threat and trial in Nigeria. The postponement carries the traits of a well rehearsed drama: a hint to test the waters in London, some denials at home, a passing remark before a visiting US Secretary of State John Kerry, orchestrated demand for postponement by some parties, a presentation at the National Council of States , an ‘advisory’ letter by the service chiefs asking for at least six weeks extension etc. All these are too neat and frightening to ignore and they tell much about our inability to do the needful most of the time. Jega was on the right way before he met security road block.

Though President Jonathan in a recent media chat assured that democracy was on course and come May 29, a new government either headed by him or any other person would be in place yet the assurance has not dispelled the fear of interim government, rumour of impending replacement of Jega and the looming threat democracy. There is the need to build trust and confidence in the system. Jega should not be sacked because the service chiefs did not allow him to

Onaiyekan cannot be blamed for this call because at the same venue and time, the president gave an homily on constitutional adherence that given its face-value interpretation would portray the man, albeit erroneously, as a responsible leader. His deceitful speech is capable of melting any heart that is made, even of stone.

Hear Mr. President at the conference on widespread doubts about his sincerity of purpose on the coming general elections and surreptitious plans to install an illegal government to take over from him: “There is no way Goodluck Jonathan, elected by people with clear mandate, will now go and head an Interim Government.

The only interim government anybody can constitute is that of the military government which, of course, will not be accepted…ECOWAS, AU, UN won’t accept it.

And Nigeria will not be a pariah state.

Clearly, the insinuation of interim government to me is treasonable.”

What this means is that those aides of the president that are working underground to destabilise the coming polls should be arrested and tried for treason. The president’s assertion that he ‘ will not do anything because of personal interest that would jeopardise the interest of this nation,’ may be far from the truth because he is actually planning to illegally win the coming presidential poll at all cost. But Jonathan will fail woefully. Cardinal Onaiyekan is aware of the death wish adverts, the wild unguarded state-

ments that the president’s party men, campaign council and aides have been making and the illegal deployment of the military, police, DSS and other state’s institutions of coercion to the presidency’s advantage when he admonished: “There should, therefore, not be room for negative campaigns. Personal insults and caricatures should give way to rational discussion of issues that concern us all. Truth must be sacrosanct even in politics.

Lies, deceit, calumnies cannot move us forward…They are the hallmarks of the bad politics which have not allowed us achieve the high level that we deserve as a nation.

These are what build tensions, heat up the polity, spreads dangerous rumours and cause deep distrust among rival political groups.

All this is not in the interest of our people.”

But unfortunately, the president and his men all revel in these detrimental pursuits.

This column wants Mr. President to learn from history by avoiding a repeat of the uncomplimentary verdict of history on self and family. Not searching too far, we, as students of history still remember what happened to Generals Ibrahim Babangida and Sani Abacha. Both former heads of state of this country ran sneaky administrations, put up a charade called democratic transition programme, but they both ended up as discredited leaders/men in the nation’s history today.

As the clock tickles and the elections’ days reduce, let no one mistake the gentility of Nigerians for stupidity. The ruling PDP and President Jonathan should not push their intertwined luck to its elastic limit by attempting, again, something funny. He needs to prove whether he wants to be a statesman or a discredited leader and this coming election and the path he toes, will decide. For now, he remains a doubtful friend of his countrymen and women that is worse than an enemy.

This column is saying no to sit-tightism and other odious plans against democratic values and ethos. Except the elections hold next month and early April as rescheduled by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the devious plans of Jonathan and his cronies are only tantamount to the beginning of a chain of events, the end of which no one can predict. Usually, the originators of such evil plots are not the beneficiaries even when they seem momentarily beclouded by ego, needless greed and deluding optimism, having been held captive by same corridors of power leveraging evil influential elements of yesteryears.

Reflections on postponement of the elections

By John Abhuere work freely. Dr Jonathan is a product of democracy with its emphasis on the constitution and rule of law which ensured the election of a person from the minority zone as president of the country and he has the responsibility to protect and deepen it so that the baton will not drop in his time.

Unfortunately in every society many things are done in the name of the king – some of them unclean and unauthorized and there are men and women ready to violate the system under the pretence of supporting the leader. While INEC chairman had insisted on hosting the election as planned, the service chiefs and the NSA were against it. Jega confirmed his commission’s impotence when he observed that INEC ‘being not…a security agency that could by itself guarantee protection for personnel and materials as well as voters cannot lightly wave off the advice by the nation’s security chiefs’ . Their obstructive role was too visible to be cloaked easily.

Many things are at stake including the fate of democracy, integrity and image of the military, the broken trust of the average citizen in the system occasioned by the increasing but avoidable meddling of the political process by the security chiefs. Though better late than the late, yet it carried more harm than good for the armed forces and the society at large. What did the security chiefs expect the average citizen to do by their public show of inability- extol or resign themselves to fate knowing that there is no hope for protection from them?

By their action, the service chiefs opened their flanks to both internal and external attacks and ridicule of the armed forces. We are so far lucky that the barbarians have not taken advantage of the ugly situation. The service chief’s action creates doubt, fears, distrust and hatred in the minds of the citizens some of whom may decide to seek ways for personal security. The problem of the high incidence of militias is already frightening enough and woe betides us all when many more are formed by helpless but desperate Nigerians in search of security, safety and protection of lives and property. Public trust and confidence have been badly shaken if not broken-unwittingly.

Once trust is lost it is difficult to reclaim and this is one of the reasons that we should not allow any one including the military to break the trust patriotic Nigerians have in democracy. As Barbara Misztal observes in her work – Trust in Modern Society: ‘Trust makes social life predictable, creates a sense of community, makes it easier for people to

work together and there is evidence to show strong positive correlation between ‘higher level of social trust’ and economic development. The point here is that Nigerians placed their trust on the security agencies for protection but when their service chiefs wrote to express inability to discharge that function, there was great cause for alarm and distrust.

It is dangerous to tempt the military with power –more so in developing countries where it is said to stand as alternate party and in more advantaged position to capture power because of its possession of deadly weapons. This is what made some scholars to say that the appropriate question to ask is not whether the military can seize power any time, any place but why they are not doing so in mature democracies? The secret is the presence of strong public opinion and respect for it. Unfortunately public opinion is still weak in Nigeria.

The service chiefs must do self –examination to warm the security agencies to the public and win their trust and confidence. The political class must find ways to keep soldiers far away from party politics, find answers to some questions such as why the gallant forces yesterday have become the cowardly type of today booed by foreigners and loathed by many at home? Why are there mutinies and squealing today? Still the military can be made to protect democracy if the public sharpens its eyes and speaks with one voice against any false step towards power. It needs some help to help itself and safeguard our hard won democracy. It should be insulated from partisan politics.

• Dr Abhuere FNIM, CCYD writes from Uromi, Edo State

‘The service chiefs must do self – examination to warm the security agencies to the public and win their trust and confidence. The political class must find ways to keep soldiers far away from party politics, find answers to some questions such as why the gallant forces yesterday have become the cowardly type of today booed by foreigners and loathed by many at home?’

THE NATION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015

19

Newspaper of the Year

AN 8-PAGE PULLOUT ON SOUTHEAST STATES

N500m fake drugs destroyed in Anambra

Gospel artists thrill Abia youths

•PAGE 22

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015

PAGE 21

Ebonyi police smashes kidnap ring

•PAGE 33

•PAGE 36

•The monarchs praying at the Government House

A royal cleansing in Imo After a theatre of protests and a military siege, monarchs in royal gear, flowing robes, dangling beads, ivory staff but without their red caps, showed up to purify the Imo State Government House. OKODILI NDIDI reports

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T

HE state seat of power has hosted quite a sequence of drama lately. First, some women clad in black, later said to be widows, staged a protest. It was not about any harsh times, which sometimes take a toll on women living without their spouses and breadwinners. It was soon clear that the women in black were working for the Minister of State for Education, Prof Viola Onwuliri, who had fallen out with the state governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha.

On the fateful day, the rampaging women tried to overwhelm

security men attached to the Government House in an attempt to gain entry into the premises and confront the governor for “harassing” the Minister, who is also a widow.

The protest turned sour when another group of women loyal to the governor confronted them for wishing the governor dead by writing his name on the mock coffin.

Soldiers and other armed security men were later drafted to the scene and eventually, the tumultuous crowd were dispersed but not before many of the women were wounded and properties destroyed.

When the dust settled, traditional rulers in the state also visited the seat of power to play their part. They came clad in their royal gear, flowing robes, dangling beads, ivory staff but without their red caps. It was an unusual gathering of traditional rulers at the Imo Government House

,

The governor, who arrived at the Government House at the peak of the chaos, said it was a plot conceived by the Minister to incite cri-

sis in the state. Okorocha added that the Minister claimed to be enjoying the support of President Goodluck Jonathan in undermining

the governor’s office and insulting Imo people, warning that the patience of the people should not be tried beyond limits.

When the dust settled, traditional rulers in the state also visited the seat of power to play their part. They came clad in their royal gear, flowing robes, dangling beads, ivory staff but without their red caps. It was an unusual gathering of traditional rulers at the Imo Government House. Their esoteric dresses and drawn faces implied that their mission was far •Continued on page 22

THE NATION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015

22

‘

THE SOUTHEAST REPORT

A royal cleansing in Imo

We came to the Government House to neutralise whatever evil such act may have attracted and to jointly pour libation to cleanse the Douglas House and pray for divine guidance and protection of the governor

•Continued from page 21 from the usual one to the seat of power. Their mission was to cleanse the Government House which was said to be desecrated by a group of protesting women who invaded it with a mock coffin.

Meanwhile, the traditional rulers who were form Ideato South Council Area of the state, where the governor hails from, condemned the act by Onwuliri who they said mobilised the women to undermine ”the good works of Governor Okorocha in the state.

Speaking on behalf of the monarchs, the chairman of Ideato Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Ethelbert I. Ajaraogu disclosed that the entire monarchs had earlier visited the traditional ruler of Amuzi, the hometown of the Minister in Ahiazu Mbaise Council Area of the state, Eze Innocent Ugochukwu, to caution the Minister against a repeat of such act in order to avoid the “wrath of the land”.

Eze Ajaraogu pointed out that “Governor Okorocha was duly elected into power by the entire Imo people and has performed excellently well in the past three and half years which has earned him the support of Imo people for a second term in office during the oncoming election”.

He wondered “how any wellmeaning indigenes of the state will want to oppose a man who has the well-being of the masses at heart”.

He said, “We came to the Government House to neutralise whatever evil such act may have attracted and to jointly pour libation to cleanse the Douglas House and pray for divine guidance and protection for the governor”.

He posited further: “Our son, Governor Okorocha did not cheat anyone to come to the Government House but was duly elected by the entire Imo people, so no one will hurt him. The people are with him and he shall come again.”

Also speaking, the Deputy Chairman, Eze Peter E. Ewuziem noted that for over 40 years he has been on the throne, adding: “This is the first time anyone car-

,

•The monarchs in the cleasing act ried a coffin to the domain of either civilian or military leader, any person who planned this evil must receive it back”.

Also, in a separate meeting of the traditional rulers across the state, the monarchs demanded an apology from the Minister for desecrating the land.

The monarchs observed that the action of the Minister, which has been widely criticized, amounted

to a desecration of the traditions and customs of the people, which they said will not be tolerated by the traditional institution.

The chairman of the Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Samuel Ohiri, stated that the activities and utterances of the Minister concerning issues in the state lately has been unbecoming of a woman of her position.

He said, “We are still mourning

the death of her husband, Professor Celestine Onwuliri, who was a worthy son of the state but since after his death, Viola has gone wild, going about the place making trouble and getting involved in matters that do not concern her.”

He continued that, saying, “She is not the only female Minister in the country; she should borrow a leaf from other women who have not used their position to incite cri-

sis in their states. Viola has the right to join any political party and work for any candidate of her choice but she must not desecrate the land.”

Ohiri added further that the traditional rulers are still wondering why the Minister, who is not running for any elective position, should be the one overheating the state, “we don’t know Viola’s business in the state but we want to confirm if the mock coffin she was carrying was that of her late husband or any other Imo son she wish dead.”

His words: “We have resolved that she should tender an unreserved apology to Imo people for ridiculing the customs of the people. She has the rights to do her politics but she must not desecrate the laws of the land.”

However, when contacted, the Media Assistant to the Minister, Mr. Emmanuel Emeruem described the allegation as blackmail from the Government House, conceived to tarnish the image of the Minister.

He said, “Nobody carried any mock coffin; they were just widows from across the state, who were protesting the injustice meted out against one of their own before they were attacked by thugs sponsored by the state government.”

N500m fake drugs destroyed in Anambra

M

•The drugs going up in flames in Awka

EMBERS of the Bridge Head Drug Dealers’ Association in Onitsha, Amanbra State have proved that they are not as bad as sometimes portrayed. They surprised Nigerians by joining the crusade to rid the society of fake and sub-standard drugs. This, they did by willingly surrendering some expired drugs in the market to the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration Control (NAFDAC) for destruction.

The traders were led by their chairman, Uche Eze, who told members of the public that they were no longer comfortable with the bad name which drug dealers in the state are associated with.

Eze also said the number of deaths being recorded in the society as a result of expired, fake, counterfeit and adulterated drugs were alarming.

NAFDAC, on that day, burnt products worth N484.2m at the dump site at Agu-Awka in Anambra State.

Some of the products were expired drugs that were voluntarily submitted to NAFDAC by members of the

From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

Head Bridge Drug Dealers’ Association in Onitsha, while others were seized fake, counterfeit and adulterated drugs from importers and manufacturers.

All the security outfits and their Para-military counterparts were represented during the exercise.

They praised the Onitsha traders for their sincerity and NAFDAC for its commitment to the fight against fake, counterfeit and adulterated drugs in the society.

Director-General of the Agency, Dr Paul Orhii, who supervised the destruction at the dump site in Awka, warned those involved in fake and expired drugs to be careful as the long arm of the law awaits them.

However, he praised Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano and all the security agencies and Para-military organisations in the country for giving NAFDAC adequate support and security in the •Continued on page 35

THE NATION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015

23

THE SOUTHEAST REPORT

O

VER 100 women rice growers have been exposed to modern techniques in Enugu State. They were trained in better ways to produce and process the grains.

The exercise was organised by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development as part of efforts to address unemployment and hunger which have become a major threat to quality of life.

The training had 65 per cent practical sessions and field trips with a view to preparing them to grasp the critical aspects of rice production, processing and value addition thereby create wealth and employment.

The permanent secretary of the ministry, Mr. S. T. Echono, who delivered a keynote address, told the women farmers that under the President Goodluck Jonathan’s Transformation Agenda, the issues of unemployment among “our women, wealth creation and above all food and nutritional security is being amplified and tackled particularly with attention to women for the benefit of Nigerians.”

The permanent secretary who was represented by the Deputy Director, Nutrition, in the ministry of agriculture, Mrs. Zainab Towobola, said there was the need in contemporary Nigeria for government to harness its human resources into actionable programmes and have them implemented to make meaningful impact on the economy.

He explained that this informed the training workshop, saying, “It has therefore become necessary to set up a deliberate drive for the training of women nationwide on different agricultural enterprises along the value chains.”

“This particular programme on rice processing is from Nutrition Value Chain of the ministry and the objective is to train women on modern method of rice processing ensuring that it retains its ntritiona value and to empower women as rice processors and organise them into cooperative clusters/societies”, he old the participants.

He further told the women: “The ministry has deployed some straregies using the value chain development approach that would

T

HE Aba police have met with other security agents to strengthen ties and further seek ways of ensuring a credible ballot in the commercial nerve of the state.

The meeting chaired by the Aba Area Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police Peter Wagbara deliberated mainly on building synergy among them as well as ensuring that elections in Aba and its environs would be successful.

Wagbara said that the postponement of the 2015 elections has given

•Enugu Agriculture Commissioner, Mike Eneh, Towobola, others

New techniques for women rice farmers ‘ From Chris Oji, Enugu

enable value chain actors from producers, to processors, marketers and service providers to conduct their operations as profitable businesses. The goal is to make Nigeria self sufficient in rice production and also create a sustainable means of livelihood for women nationwide.

“I am aware that at the end of this training, each trainee would have been equipped to face the challenges emanating from setting up a rice production and processing enterprise. Let me assure you that any trainee that shows high level of commitment and seriousness and more importantly puts what she learnt into practice will be further supported and encouraged.

“I urge all trainees here today to

Any trainee who shows commitment and seriousness and more importantly puts what she learnt into practice will be further supported and encouraged. I urge all trainees here today to be committed and build a consensus around all relevant areas of the rice value chain to see that the targets for rice production and processing in Nigeria are achieved

,

be committed and build a consensus around all relevant areas of the rice value chain to see that the targets for rice production and pro-

cessing in Nigeria are achieved.”

The Enugu state commissioner for agriculture, Engr. Mike Eneh who chaired the opening ceremony

told the women that the training was aimed at improving quality and nutritional value of the rice being produced. This is because some of the local rice being produced have lots of sands and stones and the workshop will train them of hoe to eliminate such bad practices, After the training, the commissioner assured them, the quality of rice they wiil produce would be high and match the imported ones in all aspects.

According to him, most of the imported rice we are eating have low nutritional content because most of them had over stayed in their strategic silos.

•Continued on page 24

Security personnel meet ahead of polls In the run-up to the elections, the police, military and para-military organs have met in Aba, Abia State, to fine-tune strategies for a violence-free ballot, reports SUNNY NWANKWO

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the police and other security agencies the opportunity to re-strategise to ensure violence-free polls on March 28 and April 11.

He was optimistic that with the opportunity the shift in dates pro-

vided and the new strategy being put in place, the 2015 polls would be more peaceful than the past ones even as he called on the residents of the city not to be afraid to come out and cast their votes for the can-

•APGA Senatorial candidate for Anambra Central District, Chief Victor Umeh (3RD-L) and other officials of the party, reciting the national anthem at a campaign rally in Abba, Njikoka Local Government Area, Anambra

didates of their choice.

The Aba police boss stated that the Forum which involves the Police, Army, Nigerian Security Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigerian Prisons Service, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) and Nigerian Navy, meet frequently for better understanding, cooperation and collaboration as well as serve as an opportunity for security agencies to see themselves as one family.

He further urged the agencies to see the need to maintain security in their areas of authority and ensure that the forthcoming polls were violence-free.

Some of the personnel, including Maduako Emmanuel, Deputy Comptroller of Prisons in charge of Aba Prison, described the meeting as productive and one that has fostered a better relationship among the agencies in Aba and its environs, adding that it has helped them to spell out what each department has to do.

“The meeting has been effective; one thing it has done is that it has brought security agencies together and it has also made us to understand our roles as far as security is concerned. I suggest it should be continuous,” Madubuko said.

On their preparedness towards

Wagbara said that the postponement of the 2015 elections has given the police and other security agencies the opportunity to re-strategise to ensure violence-free polls on March 28 and April 11

,

ensuring free, fair and credible elections, the Aba Prison boss said, “One thing you will know as civil servants particularly, the security agencies are not involved in partisan politics; our own is to ensure there is security.

“Some of our men will be properly involved in the election on that day; there are some people who had already been assigned to various parts of the city and within the prisons we need to ensure that there is security around it in case of any trouble.

“What we are going to tell our officers is to let them know what they are to do to maintain security on that day.”

THE NATION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015

24

THE SOUTHEAST REPORT

Cancer awareness at varsity lecture A CASE has been made to take cancer awareness to rural areas where residents scarcely hear about the scourge.

Medical experts and other professionals made the call at a lecture at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) where Nigerians in general were urged to submit regularly to medical checks in order to detect early signs of cancer.

At the lecture, the Vice Chancellor of the university Prof.

Chukwuma Ozumba said his administration was determined to provide a good atmosphere for staff and students. He also said the pioneer university would not only improve on its excellent research credentials, but try to break new grounds.

The 90th inaugural lecture was organised inside the moot court ball at the Enugu campus of the university. Inaugural lecture is simply an exhibition of intellectual prowess by professors in academics.

The atmosphere was electrifying as several dance groups, the university musical theatre group and the Ladies of Honour dance troupe added glamour to the event. It was also a roll call of who is who in the academia. Renowned academics from virtually all universities in the country and some from Europe, America, Asia and South Africa were in attendance. Traditional rulers and the clergy were not left out.

Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano was represented by the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joe Akabike.

In a lecture entitled “Cancer in

From Chris Oji, Enugu

Nigeria: Surviving the emerging epidemic,” renowned oncologist at the Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Prof.

Emmanuel Rapuluchukwu Ezeome traced the origin of cancer to the Greek word “Karkinos”, meaning crab.

He said that Karkinos was what the father of medicine, Hippocrates used to describe a collection of tumours (lumps, swellings) which are known to be deadly and incurable.

On the African concepts of cancer, Prof. Ezeome, disclosed that the earliest evidence of its existence in humans was in Africa, in the form of fossilized bone tumors, human mummies in ancient Egypt, and ancient manuscripts, adding that growths suggestive of the bone cancer, osteosarcoma had been seen in mummies.

He further noted that in modern scientific understanding, the fundamental cause of any cancerous growth is a problem in the gene that controls the activity of the cells of that part of the body, adding that while the body is able to repair most of the genetic damage, some do escape repair and repetitive damage will accumulate in the genes and sometimes these defective genes will command the cells under their control to start growing and dividing uncontrollably and to become immortal.

Speaking further on the clinical manifestations of cancer, the oncologist, observed that cancer affects every organ and system in the

‘

•The participants at the event

Cancer affects every organ and system in the body, from the head to the toe, and from the skin to the deepest organs in the body...Different organs have different potentials to develop cancer, but cancers of some organs are commoner than others

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body, from the head to the toe, and from skin to the deepest organs in the body, stressing that different organs have different potentials to develop cancer, but cancers of some organs are commoner than others.

“The improvement in survival from cancer has come from a combination of events which have taken

place in the last few decades. Effective use of screening to pick the common cancers very early, improved effective treatment of the cancers, using a combination of several modalities, principally involving better and safer chemotherapeutic drugs, more precisely targeted surgeries and radiotherapy”, the 90th inaugural lecturer added.

On his recommendations for an improved cancer control in Nigeria, Prof. Emmanuel Ezeome, called for the establishment of a National Cancer Institute to serve as a strong

instrument that would drive cancer control effort in the country.

He identified the absence of an organized structure as being responsible for the failure of first cancer control plan, and regretted that except for the oncology centre at UNTH, a country that is as large as Nigeria, has no regional centre for cancer control.

In her remarks, the deputy vice chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, UNEC, Prof.

Ifeoma Enemo, who represented the vice chancellor, UNN, Prof.

Chukwuma Ozumba called on Nigerians to see their doctors periodically for early diagnosis of diseases such as cancer and described Prof.

Ezeome as the pride of the University.

Earlier, the chairman of the local organizing committee for the lecture, Dr. Uche Enoch Ogbonnaya, told journalists that the topic of the lecture was critical, in view of the rising cases of cancer in the country and enjoined the media to carry the message to rural communities to educate more Nigerians on the dangers of cancer.

Ogbonnaya who is a neurosurgeon, described Prof. Ezeome as an excellent researcher and scholar who has made meaningful contribution to the development of modern medicine in Africa.

Awka prepares for new leadership ‘

A

•The participants •Continued from page 23 “But when you look at our local riceit is nutritios, delicious. This is what we want to achieve so that we can improve in these qualities. Nigeria has enough potentials to produce the rice they can eat. We need to leverage on the potentials available.

“Everyday you go to bed and wake up, Nigeria has spent about one billion naira importing rice. But this must stop. We cannot continue to eat what we cannot produce be-

New techniques for Enugu women rice farmers cause we have can reduce what we eat and which we have the potentials to do so.

“There are many places to grow rice in Nigeria. More than enough.

Now with Mr. President’s Agenda for Agriculture we hope it is going to be a boom in rice production.”

The presenter of the training, Engr. Isah Mohammed took the

participants through a number of processes which include quantitative and qualitative loss, parboiling and method of rice paddy after harvesting.

He also introduced them to the use of the collapsible wooden dry platform to avoid the introduction of stones, impurities, stray animals and other foreign matters.

NAMBRA State capital, Awka, is wearing a new look, thanks to Governor Willie Obiano’s development plan.

There is infrastructure upgrade, but things might even get better. How? As the community prepares to elect a new leadership, someone with a similar vision as Obiano might succeed the incumbent president-general of the community.

The new man being primed by the community is former state chairman of the Progressive People’s Alliance (PPA), Hon. Kanayochukwu Obidigbo.

Three other prominent persons, The Nation gathered in Awka, were also interested in the office whose election was scheduled for March 17. The tenure of current presidentgeneral, Mr. Tony Okechukwu will expire on March 17, after a term of three years.

The former PPA state chairman obtained his form at the Awka Development Union of Nigeria (ADUN) office accompanied by some prominent personalities from the capital city and professionals who had been urging him to run for the office.

Speaking with The Nation after picking up the form, Obidigbo said the reason for his people choosing him was to facilitate Governor Obiano’s vision in the capital city.

The new man being primed by the community is former state chairman of the Progressive People’s Alliance (PPA), Hon. Kanayochukwu Obidigbo

,

From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

Before now, the former PPA chairman in the state had served his Ezinano community, comprising of 20 villages for five years and based on his performance, the entire people wanted him for the office.

Furthermore, the recognition given to the office of presidentsgeneral by the state government needed credible persons for the position to liaise with the state government for more developments in different communities.

Newspaper of the Year

AN EIGHT-PAGE PULLOUT ON THE SOUTHSOUTH STATES

O.B UL U-BRIGGS .B.. L LUL ULU-BRIGGS

•Mrs Lulu-Briggs

THE O.B. Lulu- Briggs Foundation, which was started by the Kalabariborn elder statesman, High Chief O.B. Lulu- Briggs, has through its “Education and Scholarship programme” lifted no fewer than 500 law students. The foundation has in the last five years spent N46m on this project.

•PAGE 27

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015

DAKUKU YOUTH

SIX DECADES

A non-governmental organisation, the Dakuku Youth Foundation, has started free medical care in some local government areas in Rivers State. The exercise, which kicked off on St. Valentine’s Day in AkukuToru and Asari-Toru, is aimed at bringing medical services free and nearer to senior citizens and others.

•Peterside

•PAGE 30

PAGE 25

LOVE, they say, is blind. This explains why a 23-year-old Scottish woman, Pamela Holderness, left all the glamour and majesty of her developed, rich country and family nearly six decades ago to join her heartthrob and husband, Otonti Nduka, in Elegbam village of Rivers State.

•Mrs Nduka

•PAGE 30

Okomu survivors: we saw death

•Mrs. Bassey

•Darton on the hospital bed

SEE STORY ON PAGE 31

• YOU HAVE STORIES FOR US? PLEASE CONTACT US ON 07066954441 OR 08123521990

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31

THE NATION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015

NIGER DELTA REPORT FEATURE

NIGER DELTA REPORT COVER

Uduaghan’s unusual ‘Valentine gift’ for Delta community U

MEH is situated six kilometers from the Bomadi Junction on the busy East/ West Highway. Yet this pristine community in Isoko South Local Area of Delta State could not be farther from civilisation. Sitting in an environment that is treacherous, even by Niger Delta’s standard, the odds were hugely stacked against the agrarian community.

The land is marshy and ringed by streams that crisscross farmland and homes. It is a rough, beautiful fertile land where plants thrive and give out bountiful harvests even with minimal efforts by farmers. Fish, especially the catfish and others that relish soft murky waters, thrive in the muddy ponds and streams that traverse the land.

Plantain, palm oil, cassava and others are farmed in Umeh and they yield harvests in abundance. Unfortunately, farmers don’t get the financial reward commensurate with their work and yields from their farms because they can’t evacuate produces.

The land is locked and there are no access roads to and from the community. Traders who brave the hostile paths to the community pay the farmers pittance that barely covers the locals’ cost of production. The traders on the other hand go through troubles and sometimes suffer loss when the trucks break down.

The President General of the community said they were “like people inside an enclave, not just an enclave, but an interior enclave inside an enclave.”

However, that changed last Saturday, February 14, when Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan inaugurated the 7.1km road built by his administration to link the community to the East-West Highway and by extension, other parts of the state and beyond.

The spectacle, celebration, fanfare and the tumultuous reception that heralded the governor’s arrival, more than speeches, expressed the heartfelt joy and appreciation of the community, its monarch and leaders. An orator in the community aptly captured the feeling of the people when he remarked that the “governor has not only written his name in gold, but in indelible ink, in the folklore of Umeh.”

Political parties’ affiliations were relegated to the background as candidates of the main opposition All Progressive Congress (APC) in the area and other parts of Isoko land, including supporters of the Isoko South House of Assembly aspirant, Hon Onwo joined in welcoming the governor to the community.

Hundreds of singing and dancing women, youths and the elderly gaily dressed and armed with white handkerchiefs, turned up at the Umeh Junction in their numbers to welcome the man who the traditional ruler, Odiologbo of Umeh, HRH Odiri Ambrose Oweh ‘installed’ as the OvieElo Umeh (Light of Umeh Kingdom) to the town.

A very long line of school children - stretching up to a kilometer - hedged sides of the road. They waved excitedly at the governor as he and his team drove through the brand new road from the junction were the first ceremony and inauguration was held.

They carried placards with various inscriptions eulogizing the strides of Governor Uduaghan in their community. The main markets in the town and business places were shut down and a public holiday was declared in the town.

For several minutes all protocols were suspended as the governor joined the women and youths, singing and dancing with white kerchiefs flying all over the air. The singing and dancing continued as the gover-

Okomu survivors: we saw death

From Shola O’Neil, Southsouth Regional Editor, Warri

nor made it to the rostrum for his address, which he started with a Christian song, ‘Come and see what the lord has done’. As if on cue, the gathering picked up the chorus and the carousing continued for several more minutes.

“Today is a very special. I don’t usually celebrate St Valentine’s Day, but today I decided that I must be here in a community that I love and that loves me,” the governor said in an emotion-laden voice.

He described the joy in the air as “spontaneous inside and outside”, noting that only those who knew the condition of the road on which the people stood that sunny Valentine Saturday would appreciate the joy and feeling of the Umeh people. “If you hadn’t been here you cannot understand.”

Governor Uduaghan described the story surrounding the road construction as fitting for a book. He said although the Umeh road is neither the longest nor most expensive road project embarked upon by his administration, it ranked as perhaps one of the most significant.

He explained that it was an indication of what youths could achieve if they channel their time and energy into meaningful engagements. He explained that the deplorable state of the road and the fate of Umeh community were brought to his attention through Facebook, the social media site, where a young indigene of the community, Mr Duncan Afahokor started the ‘Umeh Needs Road’ campaign.

He recalled that Afahokor averred that the community could be the food basket of not just the state, but the region and beyond if it had a road for farmers to evacuate their produces.

“When I heard that I was attracted and when I came into the forum and we engaged in discussion until about 3am.”

The governor was so moved by the debate on the UNR forum that he left as early as 8am the next day in search of the ‘forgotten community’. “What I saw was terrible. I drove a Jeep (SUV) but we did not get up to one kilometer because of the condition. So I came down and we walked for up to five kilometers before we got to the first house.”

The owner of the house, a pregnant woman, who was sitting in front of her house when the unknown visitors came, abandoned the pot of soup on the fire and fled into the bush. She later told our report that she was frightened by the unusual sight of a man (the governor) and security details.

Uduaghan recalled with a smile: “She had a pot of banga (palm oil) soup on the fire; she had made eba and was cooking the soup when she fled. So we sat by the fire and helped her finishing the cooking. As we were doing that her son (a child of barely three years) came and joined us. That was the day I had a spiritual connection with the road and I was determined to complete it.”

The determination of the governor to complete the road was put to test by the ill-fated flood that ravaged part of the country in 2012. The contractor had gone far with the construction when the flood came and erased all that they had done. The stone base and other work done were washed away along with a big culvert built over one of the stream.

At that point it seemed that the Umeh people were destined for perpetual isolation from civilization. But rather than being discouraged, the disaster strengthened the government’s resolve. It not only went ahead,

•Uduaghan (second left), Hon. Funkekeme Solomon; Hon. Johnson Erijo; HRM. Ambrose Odiri, Oweh 1; Hon Leo Ogor meajority Leader, House of Representatives and Gen. Paul Omu (rtd)

•HRM. Ambrose Odiri Oweh 1, the Odio-Ologbo of Umeh and his wife

•Rt. Rev. John Aruakpor, Bishop Diocese of Oleh Anglican Communion; Gen. Paul Omu (rtd) and Hon. Mathias Ejo

•Darton

M •School children at the event

but redesigned and increased the scope of work, changing the big culvert to a bridge.

It was against the backdrop of the challenge that the Umeh monarch described project as a miracle. He said it looked like a mirage and hopeless dream until its completion.

For his part, Duncan Afahokor, who started the UNR Forum, said the forum was informed by the Governor’s programmes, particularly the Delta Beyond Oil initiative, which lays big emphasis on agriculture. He said in view of the community’s huge agriculture potential in the area, he decided to draw the attention of the governor to his community. “We keyed into it and here we are.”

Afahokor particularly commended the governor for the transparent way the project was executed, stating every process from the bid to mobilization and payments to the contractor were revealed to the community through the UNR forum. The openness, he said, enable all stakeholders to get actively involved in the supervision and monitoring of the project from the day the first equipment reached the site to the completion.

He said the road would encourage the Umeh people to contribute to

Uduaghan’s effort to diversify the state economy and commended him for bringing government closer to the people. “This experience taught me that if people constantly engage, it will produce positive result.”

Already, he disclosed that over 300 members of cooperative societies are benefiting from the state microcredit scheme. The beneficiaries had earlier been challenged by Uduaghan to expand their businesses and grow their yields, assuring them of firm commitment and support.

Earlier in his remarks, the Commissioner for Works, Hon Funkekeme Solomon said the project was one of four key programme of the ministry under the Uduaghan administration, which he disclosed had constructed over 3,000 kilometers of road as part of its Rural-Urban Renewal, Access to Farm and Integrated Rural development programmes.

“What you are seeing,” Funkekeme said, “is the result of responsive governance. The contract was awarded in 2011 but the flood of 2012 washed off everything. We were not deterred but started from beginning; contract was reapproved and reviewed upward.”

An indigene of the community, Mr

Festus Edoreh told Niger Delta Report that the gift of the road was more than enough for the community, stressing that it has given inhabitants the tools to empower themselves and be prosperous.

Dressed in flowing grey agbada and beaming with pride, Edoreh recalled: “Sometimes ago when I came to bury my late father, I couldn’t even drive to my town because there was no road.

I and friends, well-wishers and others who came parked far away and made the long journey on motorcycle and other means to the burial site,” the civil servant told our reporter.

It was not just the ‘gift’ of the Umeh road that excited the people; the community’s school has also received a massive facelift. The dilapidated, dwarf building housing the primary school has given way to a storeybuilding and two blocks of classrooms, which probably explains why hundreds of pupils and students lined up the streets, singing the praise of the governor.

Uduaghan said his first visit to the town led him to see the prevailing “unacceptable condition” of the school. “I immediately gave the go ahead for the contract to build one of our model schools here and to also

pull down the old dilapidated building and start a fresh one from the scratch.”

Similarly, the governor announced plan to construct a road to link the community with Uzere community, which borders the community in the north, a move described by Hon Malik Ikpoko, Chairman of Isoko North LG as a final redemption for Umeh and environs.

To further show their appreciation, farmers in community gave huge bunches of plantain, palm oil, fruits, garri and fish to the governor and his entourage. The gifts were so much that it took over three pickup vans to evacuate.

The ceremony was attended by notable Isoko leaders, including the Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon Leo Ogor; Delta SSG, Comrade Ovouzorie Macaulay, state commissioners, Mr Charles Emetulu, Mofe Pirah, Powell Tos Ojogho among others and Gen Paul Omu (retd), President General of Isoko Development Union (IDU), the Odiologbo of Olomoro Kingdom, HRM Aghaza I; his counterpart from Oleh Kingdom, HRM AWO Ovhrawa Omogha I and his counterpart from Enhwe.

RS. Comfort Bassey is a widow from Cross River State. Her husband died two years ago leaving her to cater for their two children. To eke out a living, she took to working as a contract staff at the Okomu Oil Palm Plc at Udo in Ovia South West Local Government Area of Edo State. She works as an harvester.

For providence, Mrs Bassey’s children would have been orphaned as she narrowly escaped being killed on the bloody Tuesday inside the oil palm plantation when workers of Okomu were attacked by some youths allegedly of Ijaw extraction in the locality.

Two workers simply identified as Samuel and George were shot dead while Comfort and six other workers were asked to lie down and shot at. They are currently receiving treatment at a private hospital in Benin City, the Edo state capital.

The Okomu workers were victims of a battle between the palm oil company and some Ijaw youths who have asked the company to leave the premises.

The dispute between workers of Okomu and the Ijaw attackers left two dead and seven others hospitalised. The workers are spoiling for a revenge attack to ensure their continual survival in the farm.

Okomu Oil Palm Plc owns vast oil palm and rubber plantations at Udo and it is the largest employer of labour in the locality. Its facilities are guarded by over 120 armed personnel, including men of the Police and the Army. Despite the heavy security presence and supposed cordial relationship between the company and its host communities, the Ijaw youths in the locality have contin-

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

ued to unleash mayhem on the company and its workers.

Last year, about 300 hectares of oil palm and rubber plantation belonging to Okomu Oil were set ablaze.

The company management also received leaflets asking it to leave the land or face dire consequences.

It was gathered that some of the attackers were former employees of the company who believed that they were unjustly sacked while another version said the attackers wanted more social responsibility from the company.

A Niger national who escaped the attacked said the attackers numbered over 30 and were heavily armed with dangerous weapons and ammunition.

At the hospital where Comfort and others were receiving treatment, it was a pitiable sight of pain, anguished and confusion. She said she would have stayed away from work that day if the attackers had earlier warned them.

She said: “I have been working since last year. I am a harvester. What happened was that our head man was addressing us on the work we did on Monday. We concentrated on what we were doing and didn’t know when we were surrounded. Others saw us being circled and ran away. We could not run away. They told us to wait and asked us to call others or they would kill us. We lied down and I lost hope in life. I was shot at close range. If they had warned us not to enter the farm again I would not have gone to work that day.”

Another employee, Joseph Darton, was shot on the anus and on both legs.

He said: “This is a gunshot wound.

I was shot by Ijaw. I was going to work. They said they came to warn us not to come to work again. They were about 15 and heavily arms. We were 36 workers at the farm at that time.”

“They gather around us but some workers escaped. They said those that ran wanted to go and call security men. They decided to shoot all of us remaining. They shot at my leg after asking us to lie down They fired at us and said: ‘As your people run, we will kill the rest’.”

A soft spoken 30-year old victim, Happiness Asuquo, said she saw hell and had already prayed to God to accept her soul.

An employee, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said several workers have been attacked in the past but the management usually kept mum about the incidents. He said the killing of the two workers that Tuesday occurred at a place not far from where security operatives are based.

He said: “This matter does not concern us. We are just workers but the Ijaw boys always attack us and leave the management staff alone.

“The boys need something from the management but this Managing Director is too stubborn. The security men on ground have not exchange gunshot with the attackers since trouble started last year.”

“We decided to cry out so that management can do something about these killings.”

Okomu’s Human Resources Controller, Ikponmwosa Osunbor said the company has reported several threats to security agencies but nothing was done to curtail the attack.

He said, “People who went to do their legitimate job were rounded up

and brutally beaten. It happened at about 7:30 am. There have been warnings by this group. They have been burning our plantations and we have been making reports to security agency on the need to address the situation. If we know what they want we would have been able to solve the problem. We have letters thrown into the plantation asking us to leave and threat to attack us.

“In November last year, we had a meeting with neighbouring communities and the Ijaw did not send representatives. We have cordial relationship with our host communities. We want an immediate end to the crisis.

We are at the mercy of these people.

We cannot carry gun or move into the community to fight back. There are security agents around but we don’t control them. They don’t report to us.

We have 120 army personnel in our plantation but the boys are still attacking our workers in the bush.”

“Government should provide more security for us. Our fear is that it will not turn into a tribal war.”

Police spokesman DSP Joseph Edogiawerie confirmed the report and said the attack was led by an Ijaw youth, Lawrence Iyambo.

He said: “The report from Iguobazuwa revealed that a group of armed men led by one Lawrence Iyambo of Okomu Ijaw community invaded Okomu plantation and killed two of the company field workers and seven others are hospitalised.

“They have made series of report about threat to attack by these groups.

Soldiers are deployed there along with policemen in view of bringing the situation under control and apprehend the culprits. No arrest has been mad for now but results will be achieved.”

THE NATION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015

27

NIGER DELTA REPORT

Lulu-Briggs Foundation lifts burden of Law students •N46m spent on law students in five years

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HE O.B. Lulu- Briggs Foundation started by the Kalabari born elder statesman, High Chief O.B. Lulu- Briggs, is ensuring sound health for rural dwellers in the Niger Delta communities. This is demonstrated by the Free Medical Mission organised every quarter in different communities of the region.

It is also known that the philanthropist provides for over 200 needy senior citizens (the elderly), for whom he has undertaken to provide mental, material, physical and spiritual care.

Furthermore some coastal communities, which though surrounded by water, lack good drinking water, because of the salty nature of their rivers, have tasted High Chief (Dr.) LuluBriggs’ milk of kindness through his foundation in his “Water Purification and Access to clean water” programme.

However, not many know about the Foundation’s robust education programme under its “Education and Scholarship program” even though no fewer than 500 persons have benefitted from both the law students grant awards and general university scholarship awards .

The 2014/2015 Law students grants award ceremony recently held in Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital was an eye opener to members of the public who did not know that the LuluBriggs family is shouldering such a broad scope of responsibilities . The event which witnessed the presentation of grant cheques- valued at over N6 million and brand new HP Laptop computers to 57 Law students of the Rivers state origin who are due for Law School, witnessed outpouring of prayers, good wishes and deep heart felt commendations from the beneficiaries, their parents/guardians and prominent members of the society who graced the occasion.

The latest ceremony was the fifth time the Foundation is alleviating the burden of parents/guardians to help students cope with the huge demands and requirements of attending Law School in the country.

The Law School Grant Award started with 33 students of the 2008/ 2009 set. The number according to the Executive Director of the Foundation, Mrs. Seinye O.B. Lulu-Briggs has fluctuated over time, but as at the last award, a total number of 388 beneficiaries has been recorded and a whopping sum of N46, 265,000 (million), spent on this program.

Each of the speakers at the event extolled the virtues of the High Chief and Paramount Head of Oruwari Briggs House of Abonnema, in AsariToru Local Government Area of the state, whose goodness does not know tongue or tribe.

The Attorney-General of the state, Worgu Boms who chaired the occasion, thanked the High chief for his kindness and concern for the needy.

He said: “High Chief and Mrs. O.B. Lulu-Briggs have continued to inspire us to think less of ourselves and more of others. In universities it is common to see government and companies giving scholarship to Science students but not Law student; we protested it, and now I am very delighted and I thank High Chief (Dr.) O. B. LuluBriggs for thinking along this path. I request other persons to think so too.”

Corroborating Boms’s view at the occasion, the former Cross River state governor, Donald Duke described the High Chief as kindness personified and an embodiment of good works worthy of emulation. “He embodies the story of the man who spent half of his life making money and the other half giving it out.”

The eyes of the awardees were also enlightened by Duke, when he demystified training at the Law School

•The Executive Director, O.B. Lulu-Briggs Foundation, Mrs. Seinye O.B. Lulu- Briggs, presenting a HP laptop to one of the beneficiaries. With them are from right: Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice Rivers State Worgu Boms and former Cross River State Governor Mr. Donald Duke.

•A cross-section of the beneficiaries of the scheme and the foundation’s Director of Programmes, Mr Miebaka Nabiebu

From Rosemary Nwisi, Port Harcourt

level, informing them that, “Going to Law School or being called to bar is almost like a calling, you must have passion for it, and the knowledge it brings is amazing.” He stressed.

He urged the students to identify their dreams, strengthen and nurture them while going through their studies, insisting that they would need to fall back on these dreams as they go through life.

Testimonies from the past beneficiaries who have since completed their Law School narrated to the audience how Lulu-Briggs grants improved their academic performances at School.

Ms. Ibigbeye Membere, 2008/2009 set and Mr. Odanabo Godwin 2012/ 2013 set recalled the surprise with which they received the news of how certain amounts of money they were not expecting was waiting for their collection at the Foundation’s office.

Each beneficiary thanked their benefactor’s good heartedness and prayed God to grant him good health and continue to keep him. Also the new awardees through their representative, Esther Abere, expressed thanks to the Lulu-Briggs Foundation for the gesture, and called on other organisations and government to borrow a leaf from them.

Mrs. Ngowari Abel-Tariah, parent of one of the awardees, noted that it

was the second time her children are benefitting from the Foundation’s benevolence and prayed God to reward and bless them more.

She said her son had earlier benefitted in the Foundations University scholarship scheme earlier and now her daughter was a beneficiary of the Law School Grant.

“I am short of words, but I appreciate this great family for their kindness to the poor of the society, I have nothing to give them in return but as a Pastor, what I owe them is my prayers,” she said.

Mrs. Lulu-Briggs explained reasons for the Foundation’s intervention, when she said: “In 2009, a much unexpected policy change increased the fees to be paid by students in the Nigerian Law School by over 100 per cent. Parents who had previously struggled to pay N100, 000 as fees were now faced with the uphill task of paying N250,000 for their children and wards.

“The new fee regime was difficult for parents who had struggled to support their children through the degree program to cope with. It was for this reason that the Foundation decided to provide grants to enable our children buy the necessary equipment and books as well as have a stipend for their living expenses.

“Our plan was predicated upon the thinking that with fewer financial distractions, these children could fo-

‘ Our plan was predicated upon the thinking that with fewer financial distractions, these children could focus on their studies and graduate successfully from Law School, I am happy the plan is working out

‘

cus on their studies and graduate successfully from Law School, I am happy the plan is working out.”

To this end, as an age long cliché puts it, ‘to whom much is given, much is expected of’, it is the expectations of the High chief, his family and the

society that they justify the rear sacrifice made on them by making the best use of the opportunity to come out tops in the school.

This is the only way they can reciprocate the gesture and keep the doors open for future beneficiaries.

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THE NATION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015

NIGER DELTA REPORT

NIGER DELTA REPORT FEATURE

FEATURE

Edo community faults N800m Okpella Water Scheme •Traditional , community say fund stolen

R

ESIDENTS of over 100 villages in Okpella clan in Estako East Local Government Area of Edo State are still waiting for water from the Okpella Water scheme after a progress report

by President Goodluck Jonathan showed that N800m has been expended to complete the project whose initial cost was N263m. What has further heightening the people’s fear is the alleged sales of equipment supplied by the contractors. Our reporter, Osagie Otabor, who visited the community, reports.

The Okpella water scheme is listed on page 126 of the publication titled Sure and Steady Transformation: Progress Report of President Goodluck Jonathan’s Administration. The Jonathan administration claimed it has completed the N800m project and listed it under ongoing projects of the Ministry of Water Resources. It reads, ‘Completion of Okpella Water Supply Scheme, Edo State-N800m.

Niger Delta Report’s check showed that the publication was from the office of the Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Research, Documentation and Strategy, Oronto Douglas.

Okpella clan is a border town between Edo and Kogi states. It sits atop several solid minerals, especially limestone. The huge deposits of limestone led to the establishment of the Edo Cement Factory that later become moribund but is now owned by the BUA Groups.

The Okpella Water Scheme according to documents NDR obtained was supposed to be completed within six months after it was awarded in December 1998 at a cost of N346m by the Petroleum Trust Fund. A letter to the Military Administrator of Edo State and signed

by Secretary to the Petroleum Trust Fund, late Chief Tayo Akpata, showed that the project was awarded in four lots to four different contractors.

Messes Rotary Group Limited was awarded lot one which included Pipeline Network, Treatment and building of Pump house. Messrs SIBGA Services Limited was to supply the Generator and Power Supply. The elevated tanks were to be done by Messrs Johnson Steel Company while Messrs Galcon Engineering Company was awarded the contract to handle the civil works.

The Peoples’ Democratic Party led government under Gen Olusegun Obasanjo scrapped the PTF in 1999 and the Okpella Water Scheme was transferred to the Ministry of Water Resources.

Checks showed that all the materials for the project including water supply pipes, pipes accessories and fittings, pumping machines, standby generator and transformer were supplied and the raw water house built. Tanks were also elevated.

When our reporter visited Okpella last week, the transformer and power generator supplied by the contractor were seen at the palace of the Okuokpellagbe of Okpella, HRH Andrew Yusuf Dirisu.

It was learnt that the traditional ruler took in the transformers and generator to avoid them being stolen.

Managing Director of Rotary Group, Alhaji Ja’faru Nuhu, in a chat with our reporter said the project would have been completed within the stipulated time if President Obasanjo had not stopped all PTF projects and transferred them to the

•Abandoned tools

•Power equipment wasting away

•’A structure at the site

Ministry.

Ja’faru said he was owed a balance of N77m needed to complete the project which was at 60% completion stage when PTF was scrapped. He said he wrote to the Ministry of Water Resources in 2009 on the need to pay the balance for the project to continue but was not paid.

According to him, “We were to start laying the pipes when Obasanjo stopped the project. Since then nobody has talked anything about it. I would have completed the project if the balance N77m were paid. I have been going to the Min-

•Okuokpellagbe of Okpella, HRH A.Y Dirisu

istry for the past 15 years and no response.”

“In 2011, the project was reviewed upward to N789m but no money was released. I was surprised when we saw a publication that the project has been completed. We went to the ministry and they told us it was a mistake.”

“You can imagine the price of dollar to the naira now and many of the things we supplied have been stolen. I was told that N150m meant for the project is in the 2015 budget; but whether that money will come out is another thing.”

Vice Presidential Candidate of Ac-

tion Alliance, Comrade Ishaka Paul Ofeimile, who led other community members on a tour to the project site said the only thing done by the Jonathan presidency was to review the contract upward to N800m.

Comrade Ishaka said more than 200 trailers were used to supply equipment to site only for one Alhaji Abubakar Ibrahim to show up in 2008 and start removing the pipes and accessories with a claim that they were sold to him.

According to him, “This is the source of water for Okpella water scheme, it used to be the quarry site for Bendel Cement Company now

BUA group. Their activities resulted to the coming of this water. All year round there is water here. It is like a water table. This is where to get water to be supplied to the whole of Okpella. Even though mining activities is still on, it will not stop this flow instead more water will come out. During the rainy season it becomes dangerous to come here.

They have built the pumping house.

The only thing they have done is to supply the equipment. They have brought everything including the tanks, pipes, generator, and transformers. The tanks they installed in some places have been vandalized.

“Unfortunately since 2008, one auctioneer, Alhaji Ibrahim Abubarkar has been taking the pipes away. He claimed that they were sold to him. He comes here with soldiers and police and they start loading with cranes. In 2010, he removed nine fully loaded trailers of the pipes. We took him to the police headquarters but showed up two weeks ago and he brought armed soldiers. A retired soldier in this community stopped him. Our worry is that we don’t know who he said sold the pipes to him. The people he claimed sold the pipes to him have denied. Who is giving

him power to sell the pipes we don’t know.”

“In 2010, when we saw that this project has been completed for N800m, we went to Abuja to see the Minister. A director in the ministry said it was an on-going project. The director said they would soon mobilize the contractor. The only thing the federal government has done is to review this contract to N800m which needed only N77m to complete in 2001. Even after the revaluation not one kobo has been given to the contractor. If you see the progress report of President Jonathan, it is saying that N800m has been spent to complete this project. This project that has been lying fallow since 2001. This is a big fraud. We don’t know who collected the money.”

Chief Peter Ikiedeme Okun, the village head of Iyeshun in Okpella said the project was abandoned because of corruption at the highest peak of governance in the country. He said forged documents were presented to enable them cart away materials meant for the water project. The treatment to Okpella is not good. It is unprecedented.”

The Okuokpellagbe of Okpella said, “There is no water supply from the Okpella Water Scheme. We saw the publication and we went to Abuja. Nobody claimed to be aware of the author of the publication. It is clear the project is an ongoing project. It is not completed and there is no where N800m was spent.”

“The dam is supposed to provide water for the entire Ukpilla community.

We get water now from individual boreholes and from good stream. The Federal Government should expedite action to make sure contractor comes to site and complete this project.”

President of the Okpella Youths, Otarru Gospel, accused some elders of the community of conniving with external factors to sell the materials meant for the water project.

“There is no water in Okpella.

We only a publication that water has been provided for Okpella. We saw where former Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, said that our water project has been completed and paid for.”

Rivers community threatens polls boycott for lack of devt T HE residents of sunlight estate in Umuegbule community of Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State are not happy with the government. They described lack of government’s presence in the area as “intentional abandonment” and are threatening to boycott the March 28 and April 11 general elections unless they are assuranced that their plight would improve.

During a protest last week, property owners in the area narrated how they are developing the area without government’s assistance. They said despite the huge revenue the local government has been collecting from the occupants of the area nothing much has been done to improve the condition.

The President of the Estate, Prince Iyke Nwkeji said the estate was a bush when they relocated to the area due to high cost of rent in Port Harcourt metropolis. He said government has not done anything in the area rather it was the efforts of the landlords that made them to have access roads and streets, light and water.

He said, “We came here to build a house of our own because we could no longer cope with incessant increase of house rents in Port Harcourt city. Even a plot of land in Port Harcourt was on the high side. So when we came here the place was better and affordable. Today you can see that many people are now relocating here because we have made a sacrifice to develop the area, though we still have challenges facing us.

“The major challenges now which we have been begging the local government and the state government is how to assist us tar the roads and streets. We have done the right thing by creating those roads. It is left for the government who are collecting revenue in the area to come and assist us. This area is part of Rivers State, I don’t see the reason why government will abandoned us here without any government presence.

You need to visit us here during the raining season to see how the people of the area are suffering.

“On the effort to end flood in the area, we have contributed close to N10million; constructing water reserve in the area because when it rains even vehicles will find it difficult to drive out, school children will be forced to stay back at home. That is the situation we find ourselves, we are tired of asking people to contribute it is not easy collecting the money from residents. In fact, some people in the area don’t comply with excuses that they don’t have. And you can’t force somebody who doesn’t have to pay a levy.”

Mrs. Chiyere Nduka, one of the residents of the area said there problem is flood, “if government could help us with this yearly nightmare experience we will be happy. Our problem here is flood. When it rains the whole place will be flooded including people’s compound. This major road leading to the express is the worst, we thank the youths in the area who sometimes volunteered to cross school children out of the water during this period. We want government to assist us so that we could enjoy the presence of government in the area.”

The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Estate, Mr. Okey Obianagha said many politicians have been visiting them and promising to come to their aid yet none of their promises have been fulfilled. He noted that this time around the residents of the area would boycott the elections if

•One of the water reservoirs constructed at Sunlight Estate

•One of the streets being constructed by the landlords

‘

We wrote several letters to the chairman of Etche Local Government, we also wrote a letter to the Ministry of Works, copied to Rivers State government. One thing is certain, we have our Permanent Voters Card (PVC) so will decide whether to cast our votes or not. We are tired of unfulfilled promises

‘

•The Estate chairman Mr. Prince Iyke

From Precious Dikewoha, Port Harcourt

there is no sign of seriousness on the side of the candidates campaigning in the area.

“We wrote several letters to the

chairman of Etche Local Government, we also wrote a letter to the Ministry of Works, copied to Rivers State government. One thing is certain, we have our Permanent Voters Card (PVC) so will decide whether to cast our votes or not. We are tired of unfulfilled promises.”

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THE NATION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015

NIGER DELTA REPORT FEATURE

Celebrating a worthy matriarch at 80

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OVE, they say, is blind; this explains why a then 23-yearold Scottish woman, Pamela Holderness, left all the glamour and majesty of her developed, rich country and family nearly six decades ago to join her heartthrob and husband, Otonti Nduka, now Professor Emeritus in a then local, undeveloped Elegbam, village of Rivers State.

The lovebirds met and fell in love in a ball dance when Prof. Nduka was studying in the United Kingdom (UK). In 1958, young Pamela later joined him in his hometown in today Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.

It was learnt that as a young husband, Nduka left the UK shortly after his studies to prepare for the arrival of his young wife who was already heavy with their first baby.

Although she might have been taken aback by the strange environment and living without electricity and other modern facilities, the dutiful wife remained undaunted, determined to brave the situation and stood with her husband. It was said that she never expressed regret decision choice to get married in Africa and to reside in a small local village.

According to the story, it did not take much time former miss Holderness dropped the European in her, for her new environment. She adopted the lifestyle, culture, language and food of her new home and forged ahead.

Recalling those days, her husband said like every other young family in Africa and Nigeria in particular, given the extended family system, the family initially was faced with finan-

From Rosemary Nwisi, Port Harcourt

cial difficulties. He said his wife’s resolve to remain with the family in the village until there came a breakthrough was unshaken.

It was therefore no surprise that Mrs Nduka’s 80th birthday at the family’s Government Reserved Area (GRA) residence in Port Harcourt, recently provided an avenue for her husband, children, in-laws, family members and associates to reminisce on her 57-year sojourn in Africa and Nduka Family in particular. It was a time for them to pour out deep heart felt accolades, expression of love thanks to the ‘white-wife’ of no regrets.

For her husband Prof. Oto, as he is fondly called, she is his wife of inestimable value; her children say she is a the biblical virtuous woman, her in-laws (Ndukas) say she is a gift to their family, a uniting force, bridgebuilder while her husband’s associates described her as a mother in Isreal.

“When we came things were very rough, that is the bottom line. Coming to Nigeria and especially having children to begin with; and of course my parents and siblings, having to take care of them. So the challenges were great, but with her help, understanding, we surmounted the difficulty”, Prof Nduka reflected.

“The children grew up and so on.

In fact we had five children, we lost one. My son is abroad, unfortunately he couldn’t come but it was a joy to have a family and my bigger family also supported us, we are together.”

Using their marriage as a case

Mrs Pamela flanked by her husband, Prof Emeritus Otonti Nduka, their daughters, Nyema Robin, Oge Sasegbon, Iche Otonti, Mrs Elizabeth Enebiga, Prof Nsirim Nduka and grand children as she cuts the birthday cake.

study, Prof. offered piece of advice to intending and young couples: “My advice to young couples is that the most important thing about marriage is love and understanding between husband and wife through thick and thin, you are together; that has kept us going.”

For family members, friends and colleagues of Prof Nduka, Pam, as she is fondly called, has become a pillar and a builder, despite being a foreigner.

Describing her, as a mother, Professor Nsirim Nduka, brother-in-law to the celebrant said, “Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet has been a classic and a reference love story but ended in tragedy. Oto and Pam’s love story has been a similar classic but has lived

Dakuku Youth Foundation reaches out to the sick

A

non-governmental organisation, the Dakuku Youth Foundation, has started free medical care in some Local Government Areas in Rivers State. The exercise, which kicked off on St. Valentine’s Day (February 14) in two local government areas ofAkuku-Toru and Asari-Toru, is aimed at bringing medical services free and nearer to senior citizens and those who cannot afford it.

Dr. (Mrs) Gift Tom-George, medical coordinator of the outreach who led 10 other doctors to the two local government areas, said the doctors were inspired by the outstanding leadership qualities of Dr. Dakuku Peterside, governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC in Rivers State.

According to her, “as young doctors, the least we could do for a man who represents our collective hope and future is to deploy our services free of charge for the less privileged.

‘We are doing this because we care about the health and wellbeing of our people. As you can see, we are all volunteers because we believe in Dr. Dakuku Peterside, APC candidate for office of the governor and Hon. Dawari Geroge who represents Akuku-Toru Asari-Toru Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.

“As we marked St. Valentine’s Day, we wanted to show our love to the people in a different way by providing free access to health care.

We also used the opportunity to appeal to our people to vote for APC because we trust and believe Peterside can make a huge differ-

on for over 56 years of your 80 years.”

For Mrs Elizabeth Enebiga, Prof’s younger sister, the love and care she received from her brother and his wife Pamela in her college days remains evergreen in her heart. “She indeed is a gift to the family. When my brother was going to Enugu for clearance I was sleeping with her in Catering Rest House.

“She was already married to my brother when my brother was training me in college. Their visits to me in school used to raise questions among my colleagues. They used to wonder how she was allowing my brother to continue to train me, and even pay my school fees before school re-opens.”

The chairman of the occasion, Prof

Turner Timinipre Isoun, former Minister of Science and Technology, who is a close friend of the family, congratulated the celebrant and prayed for longer life for her and her husband.

Prof. Isoun described age as a liberator, arguing that only the strong lives up to 80 years. “To be old means you have to be strong.”

The Dean of Niger Wives (Association of white women married in Nigeria), Mrs. Judith Nwanodi, extolled her virtues, recalling how Pam helped her speak Ikwerre fluently and has been an example to other Niger Wives.

The couple has four surviving children, including a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, and medical doctor.

Oil producing communities youths seek more benefits from oil

ence in the life of our state. As professionals, we know he is committed to running a Rivers State where everybody can have access to quality health care in line with his Road Map to Prosperity.”

“As you are aware, young people in Rivers State hold the APC governorship candidate in very high esteem because he is not only highly educated and competent, he is also one of us, he is a youth. Therefore we know what his administration will do to the lives of Rivers people. That is why we are encouraged to take this message of love and hope to the grassroots. We believe we must make this sacrifice and our people are happy, after all health is wealth.

The doctors and support staff conducted blood pressure checks, random blood sugar tests, simple ocular (eye) checks and rapid diagnostic tests for malaria parasites. They later administered anti-worm medi-

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

Y

•Peterside

cines and handed over analgesics, antibiotics, anti-malaria, anti-hypertension and anti-ulcer drugs to the people.

‘

As you are aware, young people in Rivers State hold the APC governorship candidate in very high esteem because he is not only highly educated and competent, he is also one of us, he is a youth

‘

OUTHS from oil producing communities in the Niger Delta region have advocated for the implementation of the community content in the oil and gas industry. They said the Nigeria Content in the Local Content Law as passed does not give much right to oil producing communities to actively participate and benefit from the operations of oil companies in their communities.

This was contained in a communique issued at the end of a one-day workshop organized by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) with the theme “Local Content: Youth Involvement and Benefits”.

In the communique signed by President of the Ijaw Youth Congress, (IYC) Udengs Eradiri, and National President of Edo Youth leaders, Igho Ovie, they youths commended President Goodluck Jonathan for initiating and signing the Local Content Bill into law and the subsequent inauguration of its pioneer Board.

The youths noted that opportunities offered by the Local Content Law were more than the benefits derivable from the 13 percent derivation if properly utilised.

It reads: “Hence, there is need for continuous enlightenment campaigns across the Niger Delta states on the functions of the Board and how people especially youths can take advantage of the provisions of the Local Content law.”

“That it is the right of the oil producing communities to actively participate and benefit from the operations of oil and gas companies in their communities.

‘

There is need for continuous enlightenment campaigns across the Niger Delta states on the functions of the Board and how people especially youths can take advantage of the provisions of the Local Content law... It is the right of the oil producing communities to actively participate and benefit from the operations of oil and gas companies in their communities

‘

“In order to sustain the gains made in the promotion of local content in the oil and gas industry, the youths of oil producing communities of the Niger Delta expressed their support for the re-election of President Jonathan for a second term and thereby adopted him as their sole candidate for the March 28, 2015 Presidential elections.”

THE NATION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015

32

NIGER DELTA REPORT COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

D

AME Patience Jonathan needs no introduction. She is known far and wide.

Foreign media, including the respected Economist, have written about her. She is always in the news. The latest bothers on the explosions in Okrika, her hometown in Rivers State.

Bombs went off at a rally of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Dr Dakuku Adol Peterside.

Gunshots were also exchanged between those who wanted the rally stopped and the police.

At the end, a policeman died and a reporter with Channels Television, Charles Eruka, was stabbed. Some other policemen were also badly injured.

Mr Anayo Onukwugha, a journalist working for Leadership in Port Harcourt, said he saw youths carrying AK-47 rifles, locally-made pistols, cutlasses and bottles. They overpowered him and collected all they could lay their hands on in his pockets, including his two phones, a digital voice recorder and some cash.

His colleague, Emeka Amaefula, the Bureau Chief of City Magazine, sustained abrasion on his sheen and waist and had an elbow inflammation.

Governor Rotimi Amaechi believes Mrs Jonathan ordered that the APC rally should be stopped by all means possible. The rally would have held earlier but the agents of darkness never allowed it. The first time it was to hold, guns boomed and tents and chairs were damaged and those arranging the venue had to run for their lives.

Since the latest event, not a few have wondered what the First Lady will have to say if cornered. Well, since it is difficult to get her to interview, I will read her mind and answer questions on her behalf.

Here we go: Ma, what do you have to say to the allegation that you were behind the mayhem at the APC rally?

That boy called Amaechi is really taking things too far. Why does he take pride in dragging me into anything bad in Rivers. He does and says all these things forgetting there is God. All these bad information he is sharing about me, God will judge him.

Did you really order that APC must not be allowed to campaign in Okrika and Ogu Bolo?

I don’t know what they are talking about. Okrika people don’t want them. It is PDP they want. They want Wike. They want Jonathan. What do we want to use Peterside for? He is just Amaechi in another guise. My people want Jonathan and Wike. That is all.

You have not answered my question ma...

What question? You want me to say I ordered the attacks on APC. What is wrong with you people in The Nation. You see nothing good in what I do. When Mbu was in Rivers, you said he was acting out my script. You said I was the one telling

OLUKOREDE YISHAU

ABOVE WHISPERS

•A weekly intervention on Southsouth people and matters

olukoredeyishau@gmail.com

And the Dame speaks

‘

•Dame Jonathan

You people should go and investigate or wait for the police investigation.

Ogunsakin, the AIG Zone 2, is handling it. So, wait for him to provide the answer. Don’t let me say more than that before you people will accuse me of speaking bad English and querying my degree. You people have really been unfair to me

him when to sleep and wake up. Why do you people hate me so much? I know you people are APC. We are not APC ma. We are beholden only to the nation and not any interest...

Be deceiving yourself. We all know where you people stand and you will be shocked when my husband and Wike win with wide margin...

Let’s go back to the unanswered question ma. Are you against the APC staging a rally in Okrika to show their strength?

Which strength? APC has no strength in Rivers and you people will soon discover that Amaechi has deceived you. He has no following in this state. Take it from me...

But where did the crowd at the APC presidential rally in Port Harcourt come from?

They were rented of course...

Do we take it then that PDP rented the crowd at the Adoke Amasiemeka Stadium too?

No, they were lovers of the president and Wike.

Many of them even left the stadium before we came.

They were tired and had to go home. But those who waited were still more than APC’s crowd and your paper refused to put it on front page, even though you put Amaechi’s rented crowd on the front page.

Who ordered the attack on APC’s supporters coming to the Buhari rally?

What is your problem this boy? The police have told you they were victims of armed robbery...

But nothing was stolen from them...

I don’t know about that. I am a Dame for God’s sake. I don’t have a hand in things like that. All these things they say about me is APC propaganda. I am a very innocent woman just supporting her husband

LAST WORD

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

‘

The wife of the President, Mrs. Jonathan, decreed that the APC must not be allowed to hold its rallies in the two Okrika speaking LGAs of Okrika and Ogu/ Bolo. Despite several entreaties to Her Majestic Excellency (Dame Jonathan) to allow the APC hold mere campaign rallies, she insisted that the rallies must not hold on her turf

‘

––– Rivers APC

‘

to do his best for this country. My husband is the best thing that has happened to this country and it will be a pity if he is not allowed to finish the great work he is doing for this country...

Does that mean you see his losing re-election a possibility?

No. He cannot lose. He will win because there is God. God will not abandon His own. Jonathan is God’s anointed and no one can touch him.

Let’s go back to Rivers ma...

You and this Rivers. Why are you always going back to Rivers? I hope Amaechi has not bribed you...

No, he has not. I have never met him ma...

Well, you are sounding like he has shared part of our money with you. That boy has really been disrespectful to me and my office and God will judge him.

Let’s talk about Ateke Tom, Tompolo and Asari...

What about them? They are good people but Asari has offended me by being against Wike emerging as governor because he is Ikwerre like Amaechi, but they are not from the same local government. I will be happier with him if he stops being against Wike. He is saying it is immoral. There is no morality in politics. He should come to terms with this...

I was actually going to ask you about their alleged threat of war if your husband is not re-elected...

Stop talking about my husband not being reelected. He will win with a moonslide, if there is anything like that. And for your question, stop spreading rumour. They did not threaten the country. It is all noise from the opposition and a section of the media, including The Nation.

Ma, you must have read about the report that your PA led the attack in Okrika...

Well, the man you people refer to as my PA has defended himself. He was nowhere near the place. It is all lies from the pit of hell.

But who could have ordered the attack?

I have no idea, absolutely. You people should go and investigate or wait for the police investigation.

Ogunsakin, the AIG Zone 2, is handling it. So, wait for him to provide the answer. Don’t let me say more than that before you people will accuse me of speaking bad English and querying my degree. You people have really been unfair to me.

One more question ma. Will you condole with the family of the police officer who died in Okrika and salute the courage of the others who sustained injury while trying to prevent the attackers…

You this boy, you have returned to Rivers again.

Daris God o; daris God o. All these insinuations you are sharing; just know daris God. And so ended our conversations. Chew on them. And my final take: whoever kills for whatever reason will face the wrath of God. They will reap nothing good for sowing evil. They will suffer and suffer and suffer until they confess to their sins and receive the favour of God. Until then, woe unto them. Yes, woe unto the evil doers.

BY NICHOLAS KALU, CALABAR

Help! Our candidate is still missing in action

E

XPECTATIONS are still high from people from the Northern Senatorial District of Cross River State over the return of the senatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Dr (Mrs) Rose Oko. Oko, who has been away from the country since September last over suspected health issues, clinched the PDP ticket in absentia.

She represents Ogoa/Yala Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.

There has been a general feeling in the district that she was foisted on them by the powers that be in the state as they were other capable aspirants who sought the ticket but were sidelined.

Also there is a feeling of dissent among the people that if she ought to represent them, at least they should know her whereabouts and how she is faring.

According to some of them who expressed their dissatisfaction it is unfair that they are completely in the dark about someone who aspires to represent them in the Senate on the platform of the ruling PDP. "So if the election had held in February 14 we would be casting our votes for someone we would not even see. She would be somewhere we don't know and win an election. I don't think that would be fair on the people, she is seeking to represent," one David Odey said.

Rumors had it that she has been very ill and receiving treatment in a hospital abroad.

Information gathered this week was that she was expected back last week, but could not make

it. An official of the PDP in the state who begged not to be named said she is presently in the United Kingdom recuperating.

The source said: "I spoke with her last week.

She said she would be coming in. She is alive and in the UK recuperating. She was feeling well laughing and gisting. We spoke for about three minutes. The important thing is that she will come back before the elections. She would come back."

The situation had led caused some tension within the PDP over the matter as some stakeholders had demanded for her to be replaced. The stakeholders comprising of some members of elders/caucus committee, some wards, local government officers, youths as well as some rights groups had argued that it is unacceptable for the ruling party to field a candidate that is indisposed and is currently receiving treatment abroad for an undisclosed ailment.

In the campaign tours of the party moving round the state, she has been noticeably absent.

When campaigns for her was carried it in her district it was done with her posters.

One of the party's stakeholders, Elder Johnson Agba Johnson had said: "It has become imperative to raise the alarm over the health challenges facing our senatorial flag bearer, Dr. Rose Oko, and immediately seek for her replacement at this crucial stage.

Johnson, a retired public servant, wondered last month what the rationale was for the PDP imposing a candidate they know was faced with

a serious health issue, adding that it is an insult on the sensibilities of the people to insist that she is the best material at the moment.

He said: "We have come to a stage where we all have to speak up against what is bad and the treatment meted out on us. In 2011 election when Dr. Oko won PDP primaries into the House of Representatives for Ogoja/Yala, she was on sick bed and later won in the general elections; in the last December again she still won from sick bed against all protestations from party members.

"But the problem is not winning by proxy, but the outright impunity by the party leadership and the fate of our daughter who is critically ill and is receiving treatment outside the country. Besides, she has not shown face in all party rallies and meetings held so far in the Northern district, thereby creating rooms for rumour mongers.

"Due simply to this we demand that the party produces her within the next twenty-four hours or we demand that replaced with another candidate as the constitution give room for such in the case of death or if a candidate is incapacitated as a result of ill health," the party elder stated.

As one of them who simply wanted to be called Ogar put it, "We are really awaiting her return. The people want to see who will be representing them. We cannot have a candidate in absentia. The party leadership keeps telling us she is alright and would be back. So we are watching and waiting."

THE NATION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015

33

THE SOUTHEAST REPORT

•Renowned gospel artist, Buchi, performing at the event

•The youths

•Some of the youths on the night

•Dr. Alex Otti flanked by his wife (right) and running mate Dr. Mrs. Eme Uche-Eme at the event

A

FTER the success of the first edition in Aba, youths in Abia State could hardly wait for the second mega-praise fiesta.

So when it was staged in Umuahia, the capital, they lapped it all up.

By 10pm, the Ceramics Ground venue along Umuahia-Aba Road was already filled up by youths from different parts of the state including some from nearby Akwa Ibom and Imo states. They came to come hear their star gospel artists glorify God and minister to their souls through songs.

From upcoming artistes to star singers such as Buchi, Samsung, Frank Edward, Voice of the Cross, Uzochi Njoku were all handy to set the environment on a higher spiritual atmosphere as the audience who were already familiar with the gospel artists’ tracks sang along with them as they performed on stage.

The organisers of the event said it was aimed at reawakening in Abians especially the youths, the

E

VERYONE is expectant. No fewer than 500 Anambra State youths are being groomed to become entrepreneurs soon.

The youths selected from the 21 local government areas of the state are being trained in skills at the Technology Incubation Centre, Nnewi under the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology.

They were sponsored by the Governor Willie Obiano administration.

The programme tagged State Youth Skill Acquisition and Empowerment Scheme was inaugurated by Governor Obiano at the Centre in Nnewi North Local Government Area.

This first batch of the youths would be trained in ICT, soap making, spare-parts fabrication and

Gospel artistes thrill Abia youths ‘ From Sunny Nwankwo, Aba

consciousness of drawing nearer to God, after whom the state was named.

They were also optimistic that at a time when elections were by the corner and the youths expected to be actively involved in the process and some vulnerable in the hands of politicians, there was need to expose them to the ways of God in order to consciencitise them against manipulations.

Some of the youths who spoke to our correspondent could not hide their joy, stressing that the programme had not only provided them the opportunity to meet their role models, but also served to boost their spirituality and faith.

They suggested that the

‘

At a time when elections were by the corner and the youths expected to be actively involved in the processes with some vulnerable in the hands of politicians, there was need to expose them to the ways of God in order to consciencitise them against manipulations

,

programme should be an annual or bi-annual event, hoping that future events of sort would help to encourage the youths and the entire Abians the opportunity to draw closer to God at all times.

The chairman organising com-

mittee, Mr. Oracle Nwala, a lawyer, expressing his happiness over the turnout of people despite the short notice on the change in venue, said the event was a success and that the objective of the programme was realised.

The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA Dr. Otti who made a special appearance at the event got a thunderous ovation from the crowd when he promised that he was going to sustain the event when elected the governor of the state and pointed out that Abia state whose named was originated from the Bible needed to function as Gods people.

Otti while enumerating his programmes for the state which he would execute after his swearingin on May 29 further used the opportunity to reinstate his commitment to the people of the state with the promise to give the state a facelift and turning around the economic fortunes of the state.

Skills for 500 youths in Anambra

The programme tagged State Youth Skill Acquisition and Empowerment Scheme was inaugurated by Governor Obiano at the Technology Incubation Centre, Nnewi in Nnewi North Local Government Area

,

production of car wash liquids and detergents, among others.

At the end of the incubation period which ranges from three weeks

to six months or more depending on the skill acquired or trade, the trainees would be given certificates of Technology Entrepreneurship

bearing the insignia of the Technology Incubation Centre and the National Board for Technology Incubation.

Governor Obiano said the programme was in line with his earlier promise to establish three vocational centres, one in each senatorial district.

He further explained that the second batch of trainees would also be selected from all the local government areas until the other two vocational centres come on stream, adding that, at the end of their training, the youth would be provided with some money to establish small-scale businesses in order to

become self-reliant.

He recalled that another batch of 500 youths was being trained at Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company on automobile manufacturing.

Governor Obiano, who used the opportunity to inaugurate a 300 KVA transformer, restated the efforts of his administration to boost power supply in the area to drive the ongoing industrial revolution, in addition to mass infrastructural development, including the shopping mall project in Nnewi.

Highlight of the flag-off was the •Continued on page 34

THE NATION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015

34

THE SOUTHEAST REPORT

Igbo ‘rally coming

By Emmanuel Udodinma

•Chief Nnodebem

A

HUGE rally is on the way for Igbo people in Lagos, and it is for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

A group under the aegis of Ndigbo United Political Coalition (NUPC) has started a house-to-house campaign to deliver bulk votes for the APC in the forthcoming general elections.

Leader of the group in Badagry

Division, Chief Livinus Nnodebem, said NUPC would sensitise the large Igbo community in the state to vote for the entire APC candidates who are contesting various political positions.

In a chat with reporters at the group’s secretariat in Maza-Maza, Lagos, Chief Nnodebem said the political coalition included Igbo citizens that were committed members of the APC. He said the political group took the campaign for the 2015 general elections to the grassroots to ensure that the party gained the deserved victory in the state.

“Lagos is our place. Any Igbo man or woman in Lagos will do anything possible to make sure that APC wins the gubernatorial election because of the vast property we have in Lagos,’’ he said.

Chief Nnodebem faulted the claim that Ndigbo never spoke with one voice, saying Ndigbo respect hierarchy and would not deviate

Lagos is our place. Any Igbo man or woman in Lagos will do anything possible to make sure that APC wins the gubernatorial election because of the vast property we have in Lagos…Although the PDP has enough money to spend in this election that cannot help it to win Lagos State. We are sensitising our people on the need to reach out to fellow Igbo men and women in their neighbourhoods

,

from the decision taken by fathers or elders. ‘‘If I call my people and say we are going to a particular direction, it would remain like that. Nobody will argue about that. Right from the beginning, we have been giving APC our bulk votes.

“APC has never lost in my area and it cannot lose in this election,’’

he said.

He further said the Igbo electorate in Badagry division would cast their votes for the APC, but urged the party to bring in Igbo representatives into the mainstream of decision-making process to ensure equal representation at all levels of the party in the state. ‘‘We are not asking for rice and

money but to have a sense of belonging. What we want is to be recognised in the state. The average non-native in Lagos State is not interested in your billions of Naira.

He is interested in the candidate.

Although the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has enough money to spend in this election, that cannot help it to win Lagos State,’’ he assured.

Also speaking, chairman of the group in Oriade Local Development Area, Chief Ben Nnabuife said the APC has made remarkable impact in the lives of people of the state.

“As a leader, I can tell you categorically that we speak with one voice. We are sensitising our people on the need to reach out to fellow Igbo men and women in their neighbourhood to vote en masse for the APC. Already, we have identified with APC in Lagos State and are present in other local government areas.

Chief Nnabuife added that 45 per cent of Igbo constitute the voting population in the constituency he resides in.

Meanwhile, APC governorship candidate, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode has inaugurated the state campaign of the group.

Obiano empowers 500 youths with skill •Continued from page 33 pronouncement of a scholarship award to Master Onyebuchi Osuma Emejulu from Onitsha North, from primary to university levels, for singing the Anambra Anthem off by heart. He assured that his administration would continue to encourage youths to achieve their goals.

The Deputy Speaker, Anambra State House of Assembly, Prince Chukwudi Orizu, thanked the governor for empowering the youth and providing them the opportunity to develop their skills to attain full potential in life.

He assured that the people of the area would give the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) total support in the coming elections.

On his part, the Anambra State Commissioner for Science and Technology and Mineral Resources, Chief Obi Nwankwo said the flagoff was for initial 500 youth’s skill acquisition programme which he said was the first technology-based youth empowerment scheme in the history of Anambra State.

Nwankwo expressed gratitude to Governor Obiano for supporting the initiative of the training and fulfilling his promises to the incubation centre when he visited it in October last year.

He recalled that Obiano promised to uplift the centre by building an auditorium, incubation complex, landscaping of the premises, installation of 300KVA transformer and training of 500 unemployed youths.

Nwankwo said: “We are happy His Excellency has made some approvals towards realising these promises. We have the assurances of His Excellency that more approvals are on the way. The beneficiaries will receive training on various skills such as automobile machine parts fabrication, fisheries, beverages, soap and cosmetics manufacturing and ICT, and so on.

“We consider these skills as the key enablers towards actualising

the four pillars of the Willie Obiano administration namely, Agriculture, Oil and Gas, Industrialisation, Trade and Commerce.

“Through this scheme, we are getting the people of Anambra ready, and equipping them with the right skills that will be needed as we embrace the opportunities already emerging in Anambra State through increased foreign investments.”

Some of the trainees, including Udeaja Ugochukwu from Nnewi North, Onyeagolu Osita from Awka North and Ugboesotu Ifeoma from Nnewi South praised the Anambra State Government for being youths-friendly. They assured that they would be diligent and committed to be able to master the skills.

Contributing, the Manager, Technology Incubation Centre, Pastor Uche P. Chukwu expressed her gratitude to the governor for the ongoing developmental projects in the centre, which include landscaping, the installed transformer, renovation of existing buildings and approval for the construction of auditorium and incubating block complex, among others.

Mrs. Chukwu assured that they would work to achieve the vision and expectations of the state government, urging the youth to take full advantage of the opportunity.

She commended Governor Obiano for donating the 300KVA transformer, adding that the event marks yet another remarkable and glorious milestone in the history of the centre and Anambra State.

“Today, we are witnessing many developmental projects going on in the centre courtesy of His Excellency, Governor Willie Obiano; the entire premises is being landscaped, the transformer installed and ready for inauguration, the existing buildings renovated and approval of the construction of auditorium/incubating block complex, and others.

We remain grateful to Your Excellency.

“Today will also be remarkable in the lives of 500 youths of Anambra State who are beneficia-

‘

•Obiano inaugurates the skills programme

We are witnessing many developmental projects going on in the centre courtesy of His Excellency, Governor Willie Obiano; the entire premises is being landscaped, the transformer installed and ready for inauguration, the existing buildings renovated and approval of the construction of auditorium/incubating block complex, and others…Today will also be remarkable in the lives of 500 youths of Anambra State

,

ries from His Excellency’s generosity in flagging off this skill acquisition/empowerment programme as one of the key players in the industrial revolution initiatives of this administration.

“The centre has remained focused towards achieving its objectives and has also contributed greatly towards the economic and industrial development of Anambra State and its environs.

“At this juncture, I wish to convey the deep appreciation of the Minister of Science and Technology and Director-General/CEO, National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI) to your Excellency towards the actualisation of the objectives of the incubation programme.

“Also I wish to extend the minister’s assurances and commitment towards achieving the objec-

tives of the Youth Skill Acquisition and Empowerment Scheme in Anambra State which is in line with our mandate of nurturing and facilitating the growth of technologybased SMEs. “I therefore enjoin the beneficiaries to take full advantage of the opportunity offered to them by the governor to be self-reliant.

“I thank the Commissioner for Science, Technology and Mineral Resources, Chief Obi Nwankwo who has worked tirelessly for the success of this event and ensuring a sustaining and effective collaboration between the Centre and Anambra State Government,” she said.

Former Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Chief Maja Umeh said he felt elated that the first set of 500 would-be entrepreneurs has just begun the race to self actualisation, describing the initiative as a bold one. He commended Governor Obiano for that bold step. He encouraged the learners to be serious to actualise their vision of enrolling in the first place.

THE NATION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015

35

THE SOUTHEAST REPORT

•The cars recovered

Ebonyi police smash kidnap ring T

HE Ebonyi State police command has recorded made some progress, a major part of which is smashing a kidnap

gang.

The gang was said to have carried out their nefarious activities long enough to claim several victims of both sexes of various ages.

In its resolve to respond to this disturbing trend, the command fashioned out strategies through undercover operations involving a coalition of its Anti-Kidnapping Squad, Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and Campus Monitoring Unit (CMU) to go after and fish out the miscreants.

The efforts appear to be paying off as the command has smashed the kidnap gangs responsible for the various kidnapping incidents in the state.

Acting on reliable intelligence at the disposal of the command, the crack teams put in place, painstaking and diligently swooped on the meeting points and residences of the identified suspects and arrested most of them.

Eleven of the suspects have been paraded at the command headquarters in Abakaliki by the State Commissioner of Police, Maiogari Dikko.

Among those paraded are the gang leader, Nnaemeka Nkpuechina and another suspect.

He was found in possession of an Ak-47 riffle snatched from a policeman in Afikpo South Local Government Area.

“Nnaemeka, 30, the gang leader is a native of Abagana in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State but resides at Goddy Ogbaga Avenue, Abakaliki Ebonyi State. He claims to be an electrician,” Mr. Dikko said.

According to the Commissioner, who was represented by the Command’s spokesperson, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Chris Anyanwu other gang members arrested included a 29-year-old motorcycle operator, Amobi Igwe (a.k.a Awillo), who hails from Umuoru, Oriuzor in Ezza North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

Others are Okwudili Odo, 25, a native of Ihenyi Ehamufu Anambra State but lives in Umuoru Oriuzor, Ezza North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, also a motorcycle operator: Ikechukwu Ude, 31, a bus driver who shuttles between Onitsha and Awka and who is a native of Nenwe Town, Ani Nri Local Government Area of Enugu State but resides in Abagana, Anambra State.

Also paraded was one Azuka Uduji, 33, a native of Idemili, Anambra State. She is a wife of a notorious criminal, Obinna Uduji who is currently serving a fresh jail term in Enugu Federal Prisons.

“While in prison, he connects the wife to the gang for their operation and at the end of every operation; his share of ransom collected from their victims is paid through the wife’s bank account. She buys stolen vehicles”, the CP said.

The command also paraded one Ikechukwu

•From left: APC National Vice Chairman, Southeast, Mr Emma Eneukwu; National Coordinator, Mass Movement for Buhari 2015 (MMB), Mr Kenneth Ise-Kalu and Southeast leader, Chief Richard Harrison, at the MMB meeting in Enugu

From Ogochukwu Anioke, Abakaliki

Nwokpoku; a 30-year-old man and a native of Oriuzor, Ezza North Local Government Area who snatched the rifle from a policeman in Afikpo South Local Government Area at gunpoint and Uchenna Nweze also of Oriuzor, Ezza North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

Nweze is said to be the gang’s armourer and sells 10 rounds of live ammunition at N10, 000.

Nwafor David, 33, and Onyebuchi Edeh, 27, were also paraded. The duo were said to have kidnapped an octogenarian, Pa Michael Agara of Ndi Okpoto Village in Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State and collected N600, 000 ransom from the victim’s family which was recovered by the police in a heap of sharp sand where it was buried in a block industry, located along Afikpo Road, Abakaliki and owned

by Nwafor David.

•Continued on page 36

•Abia State Governor Theodore Orji with his wife, Mercy, commiserating with Christ the King Catholic family over the death of their Bishop V. V. Ezeonyia at Aba. With him from left are Rev. Fr. Alex Okonkwo and Rev. Fr. Anthony Chukwuma

•The burnt accounts section of Ebonyi House of Assembly, Abakaliki

THE NATION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015

36

THE SOUTHEAST REPORT

•The kidnap suspects

Ebonyi police smash ‘ kidnap ring

•Continued from page 35

ASP Chris Anyanwu said the suspects also kidnapped one Dr. Christopher Onwe and Mrs. Edith Ogwe at Democracy Estate Abakaliki and held them hostage in a bush at Oriuzor, Ezza North Local Government Area.

He said the suspects collected N400,000 ransom for the release of the victims and that the money was dropped in Ugwuagba, Oji-River Local Government Area, Enugu State.

Anyanwu further disclosed that the gang also kidnapped a Pastor’s wife, one Mrs. Aniamaka Christopher also at Democracy Estate, Abakaliki and held her hostage at Oriuzor while N300, 000 ransom was collected for her release which was dropped at Spera-in-deo Junction, Abakaliki.

He said Kia Rio Saloon car with registration number EK487BEN, ATM cards and mobile phones stolen from the victim were recovered by the police, adding that the hoodlums used the victim’s ATM and withdrew N100, 000 cash from her account.

“The suspects also kidnapped one Mrs. Geraldine Egwu of 4, Fedi Ogodo Street, Water Works Road Abakaliki and held her captive in one of the hoodlum’s houses in Oriuzor while N500, 000 ransom was dropped in Oji-River for her release,” he said.

Anyanwu revealed that ML 320 Mercedes Benz Jeep, with registration number JJJ 134 BE, N100, 000 and ATM card belonging to the victim were stolen by the hoodlums.

He listed other exhibits recovered from the suspects to include Nissan Titan open Jeep with Reg. No. KSF 576 CW, Toyota Camry, ML 320 Mercedes Benz Jeep, AK-47 rifle with breech number 56-2529721, 10 rounds of ammunition and sim cards of different GSM service providers.

Gang’s modus operandi ASP Anyanwu said: “The gang assembles at Spera-in-deo Junction in Abakaliki from where they take off for operation. They usually do not

•Continued from page 22 fight against the monster.

Few of the products destroyed by NAFDAC included fake and counterfeit anti- malarial, anti-hypertension, anti-biotic, anti-diabetics, analgesics, injectables of various kinds and multivitamin, among others.

He said what NAFDAC was doing was to stop the re-introduction of fake, counterfeit drugs and expired foods in the country, adding that a similar thing was done in Enugu and Kano states about three month ago.

He also said that NAFDAC had an outstanding six 40 feet containers of imported fake drugs and other products brought into the country by importers which are waiting to be destroyed.

“We want to clean up the drug system in Nigeria. We have a huge burden in this country; the success re-

The worrisome angle to this heinous crime is that a jailbird, Obinna Uduji currently serving a fresh jail term at Enugu Prisons happens to be a very active member of the notorious gang…While in prison, Obinna Uduji monitors and directs the operation of the gang through phone calls. He transacts the business of buying stolen vehicles through his wife, Azuka Uduji, who resides at Onitsha, Anambra State.

His share of every ransom collected was paid into his wife’s account from where she transacts the buying and disposal of the stolen vehicles

,

have any particular target in mind but hunt for flashy cars. Their preferred area of operation is Democracy Estate due to its lonely nature and being an easy escape route out of town.

“The miscreants also choose to hide their victims at an identified isolated site located in Ezza North; being the native place of two of the gang members. While keeping their victims hostage, they collect their ATM cards and go to banks and withdraw all the money in their accounts. The four victims they kidnapped suffered this ordeal.”

Continuing, he said: “The worrisome angle to this heinous crime is that a jailbird, Obinna Uduji currently serving a fresh jail term at Enugu Prisons happens to be a very active member of the notorious gang.

“While in prison, Obinna Uduji

monitors and directs the operation of the gang through phone calls. He transacts the business of buying stolen vehicles through his wife, Azuka Uduji, who resides at Onitsha, Anambra State. His share of every ransom collected was paid into his wife’s account from where she transacts the buying and disposal of the stolen vehicles.

“The lessons learnt from the revelations made by cracking down the hoodlums should serve as security warning for members of the public.

Let us take the issue of our personal security serious.”

One of the suspects, Nnaemeka Nkpuechina told our reporter that he was arrested for kidnapping one Miss Ebele Okeke and that he led the operation.

He said the lady was driving along the road when the suspects swooped on her and drove her with the ve-

•Motorcycle and spray painting machine recovered from the hoodlums hicle to a health centre in Oriuzor, Ezza North where she was held captive.

Nkpuechina revealed that he has kidnapped four persons since he started the business of kidnapping, adding that the gang usually collects

N500, 000 ransom from every kidnapped victim.

On her part, Mrs. Azuka Uduji said her husband gave her somebody’s phone number to send money to and was on the way to meet the person when policemen arrested her.

‘ NAFDAC destroys N500m fake drugs in Anambra corded by NAFDAC was by everybody, including the security operatives and other sister organisations.

“If not for the vigilance and timely interventions of NAFDAC, these products would have found their way into circulation and their use would have resulted in therapeutic failure, drug resistance, adverse drug reactions, kidney failure, liver failure and death.

“I wish to re-iterate our stance on zero-tolerance on fake and counterfeit drugs and other NAFDAC-regulated products and also state that the agency will leave no stone unturned in eradicating these products from our society.

“The fight against counterfeit drugs is a continuous one and we do not

We want to clean up the drug system in Nigeria.

We have a huge burden in this country; the success recorded by NAFDAC was by everybody, including the security operatives and other sister organisations…If not for the vigilance and timely interventions of NAFDAC, these products would have found their way into circulation and their use would have resulted in therapeutic failure, drug resistance, adverse drug reactions, kidney failure, liver failure and death

,

need to drop our guards. It is in this spirit that I am soliciting for the unrelenting support of the government of Anambra State, all stakeholders,

traditional rulers, religious leaders, the Nigerian Police Force, the Nigerian Customs Service, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency

(NDLEA), the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and other agencies and the media to sustain the tempo of the fight.

“I also wish to advise genuine manufacturers, importers of NAFDAC-regulated products to continue doing the right thing. However, for unscrupulous Nigerians that are involved in counterfeiting and faking of NAFDAC-regulated products, I assure them the hand of the law will catch up with them soon.

“Individuals with credible information of where violations involving NAFDAC- regulated products are being carried out should not hesitate to report to the NAFDAC state office or any NAFDAC formation around,” Orhii said.

THE NATION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015

38

PEOPLE THE NATION

A FIVE-PAGE SECTION ON SOCIETY

The Rotary Club International has celebrated its 110th anniversary. Last Sunday, the District 9110 marked the milestone in Lagos, reports EVERISTUS ONWUZURIKE.

•From left: Past District Governor Olugbemiga Olowu; industrialist Narabhai Patel; Mr Biswal; Dr Balogun and his wife, Oluyemisi cutting the cake

A

LL roads led to the Indian Temple compound in Palmgrove Estate, Lagos last Sunday for the 110th anniversary of the Rotary Club International. For over a century, the club has been on top of its game, improving the lives of people in its locality.

The event was held in an open ground in the estate. The trees dotting the field made the environment cool and breezy. Members of the club were joined by visiting Rotarians; friends, and members of the society of Indian clubs, Oriya Samaj of Nigeria (OSAN) and Bhojpuri Pariwar, Nigeria graced the occasion. To this end, the club is targetting the prevention of anaemia and the donation of 100 bottles of blood.

Many turned up to donate blood. Beds were on the field for the donors.

The name Rotary, members said, came from the group’s early practice of rotating meetings.

The President of Rotary Club, Palmgrove Ramesh Biswal, said the club, which started in 2008 with 23 members, now has about 70 members.

He said the club has helped many, adding that it donated artificial limb to someone in association with Hindu Mandir Foundation.

“We have also been able to do free eye surgery, free medical check-up, and given communities drugs to eradicate polio,” he said.

Biswal added that its commitment to service is ongoing. He further thanked everyone for participating in the years of dedicated service to humanity by bridging gap

110 years of touching lives in the continents, which is enabling all to light up rotary and then become a gift to the world.

In an address, he said the objective of the blood donation project is to save lives and prevent disease, such as Anaemia, high blood pressure, HIV, diabetic and this, adding that it would be achieved by sensitising the public on the need to donate blood that will one day save lives.

The event featured free medical checkups for the participants and guests.

District Governor, 9110, which comprises Lagos and Ogun states, Dr Dele Balogun said, the club began the fight against polio in 1979 with a project to immunize six million children in the Philippines. According to him by 2012, only three countries remain polio endemic down from 125 in 1988.

The club berthed in Nigeria in 1961 when the first rotary club in Nigeria was chartered in Kano on April 28,1961 in the 56 th year of Rotary, the Rotary club of Lagos was founded on May 30, 1961 while that of Ibadan was chartered on November 24, 1961.

The high point of the event was the cutting of the anniversary cake as the club members, wined, dined and danced.

•Miss Ejiro Okotie (left) and Nike Abdul Azeez

THE NATION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015

39

SOCIETY

•Son of the deceased Peter Onyebuchi; his wife Patricia; Dominic Onyebuchi and his wife Ifeoma

•Chief Onyebuchi (left) and Michael Mbakwe

•From left: Chairman Air Peace, Allen Onyema; Benedict Adeileke and Enyioha of Aguata, Ephraim Okpaluba

•From left: Mr. Patrick Onyebuchi, Pepertua Mbakwe, Lawrence Onyebuchi, Paulina N and the widow Mrs Mary Onyebuchi

The remains of Nze Aaron Chukwukezili Onyebuchi of Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State have been buried. JOHN AUSTIN UNACHUKWU was there.

A man of the people goes home

T

HE people of Akpo in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State will not forget soon the funeral of Nze Aaron Chukwukezili Onyebuchi.

His country home in Ogbor Village, Akpo town, was filled with relations, friends and well wishers who came to pay their last respects to him.

The event featured dance groups from different parts of the country.

The following day was the burial day; a funeral mass was conducted for the deceased at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Akpo before he was interred in his compound.

Thereafter, guests were entertained beside the compound at a big Makuen tent, which was mounted at Combined School field Akpo.

Son of the deceased, Chief Jude Onyebuchi, with the nickname Akuenwebe, told The Nation: “The numerous things I learnt from him have made me understand that nothing triumphs over the truth and truth has been my foundation while growing up as a young man. Notwithstanding the fact that he passed through a lot of challenges in life as a man, he made God his strength, pillar and foundation. He was a man of peace for which everyone testifies, he said.

From Owerri, Mr. Jude Ogamba, a lawyer said: “The father of Jude Onyebuchi was accorded with the highest honour a son can bestow his father at death. The burial and funeral ceremonies were the most exciting I ever witnessed in recent times.

“The event lasted for over seven days, all almost all the traditional and cultural masquerades performed at the event, including the one I sponsored. You see, Jude

is a dear friend of mine, he is my friend and age mate and I attended his father’s funeral in a special way because the gentleman is humble to the core despite his stupendous wealth.

He continued:”The who is who identified themselves one way or the other with the young man. It is beyond argument that all the notable traditional rulers and members of their cabinet, politicians of very high repute, big business men in Ibo land all attended the funeral. You se e as a notable person, your presence should be noticed at such events, you must attend with at least a cow, a dance troupe and masquerade to herald your presence. That was what happened at the funeral. Every notable person, and there were so many of them, attended the ceremony.

“The event was memorable. For seven days, my small town of Akpo, witnessed and joyfully hosted an unprecedented mammoth crowd in honour of Chief Jude Onyebuchi, Akuenwebe, as he buried his dear father”.

A indigene, who was close to Mr. Onyebuchi, Mr. Ethelbert Okpalanwa, said: “He was, indeed, a man of the people; he was very caring and compassionate. I remember when I visited the family; saw over 50 people looking for Chief Jude Onyebuchi, Papa was busy arranging seats and accommodation for them. The most interesting thing is that his wife was always by him and she is equally kind and good hearted. He insisted that while he was alive, his children would not cook in different pots. Therefore, the whole family ate from the same pot. This helped to unite them. Indeed, I learnt a lot from him and will miss him greatly.

‘The numerous things I learnt from him have made me understand that nothing triumphs over the truth and truth has been my foundation while growing up as a young man. Notwithstanding the fact that he passed through a lot of challenges in life as a man, he made God his strength, pillar and foundation. He was a man of peace for which everyone testifies’

•Mr Dom Ezeukwu

•Dr Greg Nwokora (left) and Paul Chuma Ezema, Ide

•From left: Rev James Okpalaonwuka, Bishop Ezeokafor and Fr Paul Onyebuchi.

From left: Nnam Oshimiri 11 of Akpo HRH Igwe Jonathan Okpalaezecha; Onowu David Obi; Ichie Achidike Donatus Ononuju; Ichie Samuel Okpala, Ohuehi 111; Boniface Akogu, Ichie Nnanyelugo and President, Akpo Development Association (ADA) Nze G.O. C. Ezeno.

•From left: Chief Hyman Nwosu Agunechemba; Chief Chigozie Nwolisa Eselu and Prince Nwabueze Mbaonu Ezekwueche

40

THE NATION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015

SOCIETY The Criterion, a group of Muslim women in business and professions, held its yearly seminar at the Lagos State House of Assembly Mosque in Alausa, Ikeja last Sunday. SAFIYYAH ABDUR-RAZAQ reports.

•Dr Oduguwa (left) and Alhaja Oyefeso

•From left: Alhaja Ali-Oluwafuyi; Dr Yaqub and Alhaja Sanusi

Towards stress-free marriages

T

HEIR dressing depicted their faith. The women, who are members of the Criterion, a group of Muslim women in business and professions, were dressed in Islamic attires and fanciful Hijab (head cover).

They alighted from their cars and moved to the extension of the Lagos State House of Assembly Mosque in Alausa, Ikeja. They hugged and said Salaam alaykum warahmatullah wabarakatuhu (May the peace, mercy and blessing of Allah be upon you) to one another.

Their male counterparts from The Companion came to celebrate with them.

It was the yearly seminar of The Criterion with the theme: Stability/Perseverance in the face of adversity.

In her welcome address, the Lagos District Amirah (female President), Dr Jameelah Omolara Yaqub an Economics teacher at the Lagos State University (LASU), said the seminar is aimed at the building a virile family system.

She said: “One of the challenges people go through in life, especially women, is marital challenges. It is equally known that the way we manage those challenges go a long way in determining how we come out of the challenges. If well-managed, it could strengthen the individuals concerned; but if badly managed, it can result in catastrophe, both here and in the hereafter.”

The Chairman of the occasion, Alhaji Ahmed Tunde Popoola, explained that marital challenges are not limited to a particular place or a set of people; they are both local and global.

“These challenges”, he said, “are compounded by the internet, social media and our educational system. I believe that today’s lecturers would do justice to the theme.”

Delivering the first lecture titled: Maintaining emotional and psychological balance for status change (Marriage), a Consultant Psychiatrist with the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Yaba, Laogs, Dr Fauziyah Taiwo Oduguwa, divide marriage into four different stages namely; the newly Married stage

which is the first twelve months of marriage; the Early Years which is the first five years of marriage; the Middle Years which are between five and 20 years and the Later Years, which are more than 20 years.

She said each stage of marriage has its level of emotional distress with the third stage having the highest.

“Emotional distress is a range of symptoms and experiences in a person that are commonly troubling, sometimes confusing or out of the ordinary which can lead to depressive illness, anxiety disorders, psychosis and substance abuse,”, she explained.

She urged them to understand their rights and duties as husband and wife, communicate with each other, trust in Allah, be patient, forgive, be prayerful and relax often to maintain emotional well-being.

She said further: “If, however, emotional distress comes in, consider seeing a marriage counsellor, a psychologist or a psychiatrist.

The psychiatrist may prescribe some medications and if they do not work, the couple may be advised to live separately and if none of these work, divorce is the last resort” Dr Oduguwa urged parents to prepare their children for the realities and challenges of marriage, they should allow their children to get married only after they are psychologically mature to face the challenges of marriage and encourage their children to acquire vocational skills aside their Western education. She also urged the organisation to provide more Islamic-based marital counselling centres.

After the lecture, a goodwill message was delivered by a member of caretaker committee for Eti-Osa Local Government, Alhaja Lanre Ibrahim. She told the women that the success of a home is the joy of the woman.

She appealed to them to try as much as possible to make sure their homes are successful.

The Amir (President) of Islamic Study Group of Nigeria, Alhaji Nurain Titilayo Odunsi delivered the second lecture titled: Sustaining Social and Spiritual Stability in Time of Marital Stress. He said that marital stress is

•From left: Alhaji Odunsi, Alhaji Popoola and Alhaji Jimoh

often caused by failure in spousal obligation, infertility, absence of forgiveness, lack of social and emotional support, abandonment due to relocation and impotence.

Offering solutions to marital stress, Alhaji Odunsi said: “Always go back to Allah. Learn more about your Faith and teach members of your family. Engage in healthy communication, spend more time alone together, forgive often, have more sex, and learn how to react to stress.”

He also urged The Criterion to have a body for marriage counselling.

Questions were asked by the audience and the lecturers provided answers for them.

Following the question and answer session was goodwill messages. The first was from the Amir of The Companion, Alhaji Najimdeen Jimoh said: “You never know what circumstances can lead to stress. Both of you should try to write out what you expect from one another and act on it.”

Representing the Deputy Governorship Candidate for the All Progressive Congress (APC), Dr Oluranti Adebule, Alhaja Rafat Sanusi urged the women to be ambassadors of Islam wherever they find themselves and try their best to build stress-free and successful marriages.

Giving the vote of thanks, Alhaja Kafayat Abdul Raheem thanked the members of the audience for attending the seminar and prayed for successful marriages for all couples.

The seminar ended with a collective closing

prayer.

Speaking with The Nation, Dr Yaqub said the seminar is held annually in Rabiul Awwal (the third month of the Islamic calendar) to commemorate the birth of the Prophet but it was shifted this year due to some logistics. She urged the women to live through the challenges of marriage through patience, prayer, perseverance and willingness to make sacrifices.

She said: “Everything in life is about sacrifice; in order to have a successful marriage, both parties must be willing to sacrifice. Never expect too much from your partner and believe that your partner is also a human being like you and is not perfect. Marriage is the bedrock of the family and family is the bedrock of the society; so if we are able to make our marriages work, families would be stronger and the society would benefit immensely from it which is why we are telling the Muslim Ummah (society) that we must make our marriages work. Our message to the Ummah is that it must work, it must last, it must endure and it must bring peace and harmony for the society to move forward.”

Also at the event were: the National Naibatul (deputy) Amirah, Alhaja Fatimah Oyefeso; the first National Amirah, Alhaja Monsurah AliOluwafuyi; Immediate Past Amir of The Companion, Alhaji Thabit Wale Shonaike and another member of The Companion, Alhaji Shuaib Salis.

CONJUGAL BLISS

WEDDING

•Former Miss Chizoba Vivian Ozowara after her wedding with Mr Lars Ketil at the Norwegian Seamen’s Center, Qud Metha Dubai,United Arab Emirate on February 17.

•Former Miss Ajoke Nusirat and her beau Babajide Ahkeem Ogundiyan, signing their marriage certificate at Kosofe Marriage Registry Ogudu, last weekend

THE NATION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015

41

SOCIETY COMMUNICATE YOUR IDEAS

EIGHTH DAY FIDAU FOR ALHAJA SARIYU BELLO, MOTHER OF LAGOS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (LCCI) PRESIDENT ALHAJI REMI BELLO IN LAGOS

Welcome to the real world!!!

I’ •Son of the deceased, Alhaji Remi Bello and Mrs Olu Maduka

•Sheikh Abdul-Rahman Ahmad and Imam Daud Abdus-Salam (right)

•Chief John Odeyemi and Chief Nike Akande

•Chairman, LCCI Trade Promotion Board, Dr Michael Olawale-Cole

•Mr Varkey Verghese PHOTOS: ISAAC JIMOH AYODELE

The funeral of a civil servant, Elder Ernest Echebiri Anokwuo, who died last year, has been held in his hometown, Umuchima in Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area of Abia State, reports COLLINS NWEZE.

Farewell to to aa man man of of courage courage Farewell •From left: Son of the deceased Okechukwu; his wife Ogechi; Mr Uche; Mrs Nweze and the widow, Mrs. Anokwuo

M

ANY villagers left everything to pay their last respects to Elder Ernest Echebiri Anokwuo, a rustic community in Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area of Abia State.

In 1978, the late Elder Anokwuo’s love for his people prompted him to institute the Umuogbaregbe Farmers Multi-purpose Cooperative Society Limited, which has empowered community members.

By 1985, when the cooperative was launched, it became an avenue through which fertiliser were distributed to the farmers at reduced prices and also hectares of land were cultivated with improved species of palm seedlings. These projects eventually developed and became sources of revenues to the community.

On the morning of the funeral he was to be committed to mother earth, the hearse conveying the body of Elder Anokwuo arrived his compound, accompanied by his family friends, in laws, and church members.

‘My father was not a person that sits and watches at the background in any place he finds himself. He loved to make impact in people’s lives. He was a mentor to many people that knew him. He pointed the light to many and came to people’s aid where he could’ Many of these who spoke glowingly about his life and times described him as a man who had the interest and wellbeing of his people at heart, and one who was always thinking of how to bring development to the community.

The widow, Mrs. Grace Anokwuo, was clad in a white attire, described her late husband as a loving and one who stood for his family and people. “He loved God and worked for Him. His life on earth was that of a true leader who cares about the welfare of other people.” She was glad his legacy lived on.

Son of the deceased, Uche, said his father met every situation with desired wisdom and commitment.

Another son of the deceased, Okechukwu, an employee of Addax Petroleum said: “My father was not a person that sits and watches at the background in any place he finds himself. He loved to make impact in people’s lives. He was a mentor to many people that knew him. He pointed the light to many and came to people’s aid where he could”.

Daughter of the deceased, Mrs. Nnenna Nweze, de-

scribed her late father as her hero and mentor. She said he was a godly man who gave his children the best education.

Reverend C. Ahunanya, in his sermon, described the late Elder Anokwuo as a man who loved God and served Him with all his heart. He called on all to obey God’s word and live righteously for them to have a guaranteed place in God’s kingdom.

After the sermon, prayers were offered for God’s protection on the family of the bereaved.

Afterwards, there were prayers at the graveside before the body was interred in a corner of the family’s expansive compound, in Umuchima community.

The late Elder Anokwuo worked with the then Eastern Nigeria Regional Office Enugu and later in the Local Government Service Commission.

He undertook University of London Rapid Result College Correspondence Courses and also attended several management courses in his career.

M sure you must have heard this statement several times already.

Whether it was said to you or to someone else, it usually means the same thing. I don’t know about you, but anytime I hear it, it is usually in the context of someone getting a rude shock from life’s experiences. Onlookers welcome him or her to the world of reality. They create the impression that such a person had been dreaming all the while and has suddenly

LANRE OLAOLU AMODU

(Ph.D) sospeak2lanre@yahoo.com.

07034737394 @lanreamodu

awaken.

When Michael was looking for admission into higher institution, he felt his life depended on it. He

wanted it so badly that he often thought that he would do anything just not to stay at home for another year. Then he got the admission and he realized that school was not as easy as he had expected; and people told him, “Welcome to the real world!”

He worked as hard as he could and managed until he got to his final year at the higher institution. All of a sudden, he got so tired of school that the few weeks remaining till graduation seemed like eternity. Michael just couldn’t wait to see the “real world” outside the walls of the institution. So, he graduated and stayed at home for a while. Soon, his parents started to ask him what his plans were! And there he was, thinking they had missed him for the few years he was in school! “Shouldn’t they let me stay around for a few more days without being bothered?” He thought to himself. After a few days, Michael wanted to enjoy a day out with his friends so he asked his parents for money but they said, “You are a graduate now you know? You should be making your own money.” Welcome to the real world!

When he became fed up of his parents’ fuss, he decided to get a job. “I am a graduate after all”, he thought, “there should be something out there for me”. Unfortunately, when he got on the streets, he met several other graduates who had been on the street for a while looking for job. He even saw someone who graduated the year he matriculated. And they all told him, “Welcome to the real world!”

But what does this really mean? What is this real world?

A world full of failed dreams and hopelessness? Why do people feel proud to share stories of woes and failures? Why do they seem eager to tell someone attempting to succeed about the number of years they spent trying until they failed and why the newcomer should also stop trying? Why wouldn’t anybody tell Michael about the rich and the successful in the land? Was it because they didn’t want to get his hopes up in case he was disappointed or was it because they were afraid that if he thought positively, you would actually succeed and leave them behind?

The world was the way it was when Bill Gates became one of the richest men on earth. As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he. What you see in your world is what it will be. Think about it; people always say things are impossible until someone does it.

Trying and failing is not the worst thing that can happen to someone; the worst thing is not having the courage to try at all. While it is true that there are so many examples of failed dreams around us, there are also several achieved dreams too, only if we choose to look critically. For as long as we continue to explain success away as though it is the birthright of a privileged few, our greatness will constantly be out of reach. God forbid!

Some people believe that dreams can be stupid. They say dreams are not realistic. Of course dreams are not realistic!

They are larger-than-life. If dreams are realistic, they won’t be dreams; so, why waste time on them? Dreams are projections into a desirable future. Your dreams must be bigger than your present or you don’t have a future.

Dreams are cheap. It doesn’t cost a thing to dream of yourself being the best person in your business. In fact, you can sit right now and see yourself as one of the most successful business people on earth. However, by the time you get to a certain point, fear may set in. “How can I allow myself to be carried away by such foolishness?” You may wonder. But in actual fact, it is not the dream that scares you, but the price you will have to pay to achieve it (and also the cost of failure).

Dream is a seed; anytime you dream, you sow a positive seed in your future, if you believe in it. As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he. Whether we like it or not, we become our thoughts. As much as you can help it, don’t allow current events to rob you of your dream. When you dream freely, you will find yourself reaching out for it in reality. When that happens, you are already changing levels. No matter what you do, don’t let negative comments by people rob you of your dreams. Don’t lose your dream. And most importantly, dream with God at the centre of it.

Dr. Amodu teaches at the Department of Mass Communication, Covenant University, Ogun State.

THE NATION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015

42

SOCIETY Former Miss Temitope Ogunbanwo was joined in holy matrimony with her beau Olawale Ekundayo at the Chapel of Adoration, Living Word International Church, Army Barracks Road, Lafenwa, Abeokuta, Ogun State, OYEYEMI GBENGA-MUSTAPHA was there.

Union of lovebirds T

O the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Lagos Province 9 family, the union between Olawale Ekundayo and Temitope Ogunbanwo is one that will not be forgotten in a hurry.

Olawale and Temitope were joined in holy matrimony at the Chapel of Adoration, Living Word International Church on Army Barracks in Lafenwa, Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, on February 14. The pastorate from RCCG was led by Provincial Pastor, Oluremi Olubola.

The couple met in 2008 in the hall of Wema Bank, Olabisi Onabanjo University Branch, where the groom was a customer Service officer. The bride was then a student of the university. Wale was attracted by her beauty and Godly ways; Temitope found him funny and playful and they became friends. He kept his eyes on her for a relationship that would lead to a lasting union. In 2011, he proposed to her but she declined. Reason: she needed time to set some things in place with her business, The Bayla Concepts, an event planning and decorating firm.

The wedding was a three-legged affair. Introduction was on February 12, Engagement, February 13 and the wedding, February 14.

It was when Wale, came to introduce his intentions to the family that he was able to propose to Temitope.

The next day, the love birds got engaged the traditional way. The groom’s family,

comprising his maternal and paternal relatives were seen bearing gifts to the bride’s family, at her home town in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

Wale and Tope were joined as man and wife by Chairman of Ogun State Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Reverend Tunde Akin-Akinsanya.

The bride’s father, Rev Olubunmi Banwo who is Secretary of the state branch, of PFN, was beside himself with joy. Some royal fathers attended the event. They added glamour to the event, they include Oba Halidu Laloko (Sobekun 111), Agura of Gbagura Kingdom, Abeokuta and Oba Benjamin Olanite, Onimeko of Imeko land. The fathers of the Day were Evangelist Dele Osibanjo; Bishop Tayo Odunuga; Bishop Reuben Oke; Rev. Adeniyi Daniel; Elder Daniel Astu and Gbemi Kazee.

Reception followed at the Bishop’s Court Hall in Onikolobo, Abeokuta. As the master planner at the best of her game, the bride did what she knew how to do best and supervised the decoration of the hall in an all white theme.

The groom’s father, Pastor David Ekundayo, was full of gratitude to God and wished the couple a most fulfilling relationship: “There is a time for everything. It is gladdening to see today. I wish them a most fulfilling marital experience,” he said.

The joy of the mother of the groom, Mrs Bimbo Ekundayo was infectious, as she

•The couple, Olawale and Temitope

moved from one table to the other ensuring that all guests in attendance were well attended to. She had a word of advice. “It is good to be married.

Once the couple makes up their mind that the relationship must work, then it is a good experience.

There is no room for divorce or separation in a Christian marriage. It is for better or worse, through

thick and thin. I wish them the very best with blessed children,” she said.

Assistant Pastor Olugbenga Mustapha, a ‘big brother’ to the groom, was grateful to God for the success of the wedding. He wished the couple a memorable marriage life.

43 cheers to a cleric The General Overseer of Christ Mercyland Deliverance Ministry, Warri, Delta State, Prophet Jeremiah Omoto Fufeyin, has celebrated his 43rd birthday. JOSEPH ESHANOKPE reports.

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AST Sunday, the General Overseer of Christ Mercyland Deliverance Ministry, Warri, Delta State, Prophet Jeremiah Omoto Fufeyin celebrated his 43rd birthday.

The event drew a large gathering from far and wide. This is because as a preacher, he has touched many lives around the world. Many of the guests testified to his prophesies. The rate at which the church is growing is also an attestation that the finger of God is upon the church.

Some Nollywood stars led by Chinwe Owoh (a.k.a Mama in the house), Chinyere Nwanbueze, Wisdom Iyamu, Michael Honey, Elvis Obi, Harry B, Emmanuel Umeh, and Angel Philips from Abuja and Lagos.

Expectedly, the cleric, who hails from Ojobo in Burutu Local Government Area (LGA) of Delta State, and mother Elebiri in Ekeremor LGA of Bayelsa State, almost turned the event to a church service. He advised Nigerians to pray for the nation, because of its security challenges and electioneering that are heating up the polity, insisting that it is the only way God’s intervention can reach the country.

He said Nigeria’s problem is not inadequate resources but poor leadership occasioned by our faulty electoral process in the past.

According to him, if we can pray and fast, God will give us a good leader that will take us to the promised land.

He said: “As Nigerians, we should be prayer warriors of our nation.

•Prophet Fufeyin speaking at the ceremony

All of us as Nigerians should assist the police in the cause of policing our country against evil men”.

He added: “I am dedicating this my 43rd birthday to my nation Nigeria for God to give us a good leader in the next election and secondly a gallant military to overcome the evil in our country.”

Reminiscing on his call, the prophet said at a time, he was almost tempted to ask God whether really he called him or not. This was when poverty and persecutions were almost becoming permanent features in his life, adding that in all of this God was faithful to him.

The man of God congratulated those who endured the perilous times with him and those who came to celebrate with him on him, praying that God would not depart from their household.

The guest speaker Prophet Emmanuel Okereke of Global Success Ministries, Lagos, described Prophet Fufeyin, as a unique man of God who is endowed with spiritual gifts to liberate those bound by Satan.

Okeke, who spoke on, “The mystery of birthday”, urged the congregation to rise up to the challenges of fulfilling God’s divine purpose for mankind.

He noted that God said we should rejoice with those who are rejoicing, adding that all those who came to celebrate with the man of God would be celebrated.

•Nollywood stars, Elvis Obi; Harry B; Emma Umeh and Angela Philips

•From left: Chineyere Nwabueze; Wisdom Iyamu and Onny Michael

Highlight of the event was the donation of cash and gifts worth millions of naira to women and (children) who delivered safely after his (Fufeyin’s) prophecies to them. The celebrator, flanked by his wife and friends cut the birthday cake.

Fufeyin was born in 1972 at Ojobo in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State. He started with the Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries (MFM) before God called him to establish his

ministry. Today, the congregation has over 100,000.

The cleric prayed for all those who came to celebrate with him, adding that for joining him in the ceremony, they would be celebrated. He said those who were in need among them would receive miracles and that looking for children would be conceived and be delivered like the Hebrew women.

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015

THE NATION

BUSINESS

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SHOPPING Polo Avenue unveils Spring /Summer Collection Website:- http://www.thenationonlineng.net

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T was an opulent shopping affair at Victoria Island, Lagos a few days ago when Polo Avenue Luxury Store unveiled its Spring/ Summer collection.

The new season collection included goods from international luxury brands, such as Gucci and Salvatore Ferragamo, among other leading international brands.

The Polo Avenue Store is a subsidiary of the Polo Luxury Group, an American firm which provides luxury goods in clothing, leather goods, fashion accessories, shoes, and fragrances. The growth of the Polo Luxury Group and the growing demand for luxury goods in Nigeria led to the formation of Polo Avenue, a multi brand specialty retail store, which provides customers easy accessibility to top tier international luxury brands.

At the event, guests from all works of life had opportunities of seeing top designer items firsthand, making purchases from all collections available. One striking feature in this store is that goods sold here goes for the same price at its other outlets across the globe, thus eliminating the cost of travelling abroad to buy designers items.

Stories by Tonia ‘Diyan

The Boutique Manager, Polo Avenue, Ms.Titilola Akinkugbe, reiterared that the spread of the boutique would save lovers of quality products the stress of travelling abroad. “Rather than flying a plane abroad to buy the same products that we have here, it is advisable to get same items here at the same price. We give you what you are going abroad to look for and at the same rate, you are not paying more,” she said.

She added that another unique attribute with the boutique is that old stocks are available on discounts unlike abroad, where one is not sure of getting old stock except he places order for it.

“This has given us an edge over others; we have numerous customers from far and near; we also welcome prospective ones. At Polo Avenue, we are aware that Nigerians love colours, therefore we have brought in top colourful designs from some of the best designers in the world. This season’s collection is unique with its burst of vibrant colours and feminine feel, appealing to more women across the country,” she explained.

Ms. Akinkugbe said stocked goods in the Polo Avenue Store are available at fair and comparative prices which can also be compared with prices

of same luxury goods internationally. Her words: “Although no African designer feature in this season’s collection, we continue to project and promote the creativity of African luxury designers by retailing their goods for purchase within the store.”

Executive Director , Polo Luxury Group Jennifer Obayuwana, at the event unveiled the new season’s brand Ambassador, Ms. Osas Ighodaro. He described her as the “obvious choice” because “her drive in positively representing women by being the best in her field, finely complements the Polo Avenue brand which continues to celebrate the positive successes of women across all works of life”.

Adding glamour to the event was the unveiling

of the Polo Avenue brand ambassador for the year. Ighodaro told The Nation Shopping that she was proud to be the ambassador of Polo Avenue. She thanked the Polo Luxury Group for selecting her, adding that the Polo Avenue brand is of particular interest to her as the brand represents innovation in fashion to Nigerian and African luxury customers at large.

She added that she was glad to represent the brand in providing goods to meet the inner desires of various women and across numerous spheres of life.

After one year, Polo Avenue intends to spread its tentacles to all parts of the country and Africa, including Ghana.

Dettol takes hygiene campaign to schools

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O promote healthier lifestyles and reduce abstentism of pupils from school owing to sicknesses, Dettol, manufactured by Reckitt Benckiser, has started fresh rounds of visits to schools to educate pupils and teachers on the benefits of hand hygiene.

The visits, a key component of the Dettol School Hygiene Programme (SHP) initiative, is targeted at driving home the key message of proper hand washing culture as the most costeffective strategy to reduce potential death-causing illnesses such as diarrhea and other respiratory diseases often caused by germs and poor hygiene.

Recently in Lagos, the SHP train berthed at Chrisland School, Ikeja during the school’s inter-house sports competition with Dettol Brand Ambassador and veteran Nollywood actress, Patience Ozokwor popularly known as Mama G, leading the highly interactive campaign.

Through the deployment of audio-visual kits and memorable sing-along songs, the students fully participated in the do-it-yourself six steps of effective handwashing, and they commended Dettol for the initiative.

While encouraging the students, parents and teachers to imbibe the culture of regular handwashing to live healthy and be active, Ozokwor reminded them that germs posed serious danger to human health and they could cause illnesses such as diarrhea, flu, fever, cough and catarrh in addition to avoidable death.

She advised: “Nothing else compares to having good health. We are unhappy when we or our loved ones fall sick; we go through pains and unable to go about our regular activities.

Germs are found everywhere; on the playground, in toilets and in trash can. It is therefore important that after we play with friends or use the toilet or trash rubbish, we must wash our hands properly with Dettol soap and clean water.”

She affirmed Dettol’s commitment to the continued empowerment of Nigerians through innovative solutions that could bring about healthier living.

Chairman of the occasion, Olatunde BabalolaSmith, advised parents to be alive to their responsibilities.“These days the internet and other gadgets are now available for children to operate and they (children) get exposed to different things through these gadgets,” he said.

On the significance of the Dettol School Hygiene Programme, the Marketing Director,

West Africa, Reckitt Benckiser, Mr. Oguzhan Silivrili, enjoined Nigerians to embrace standard solutions such as regular hand washing as one of the cost-effective ways to protect themselves and loved ones against illness-causing germs.

“Solutions that do not protect from all 100 types of germs are substandard and we, at Reckitt Benckiser, advocate that people do not protect themselves with substandard solutions but with gold standard solution. Dettol is the only antibacterial brand which has been proven to protect from up to 100 illness causing germs which is why we advocate that Nigerians do not take a risk with the lives of their loved ones but rather, adopt the gold standard kind of protection they can get – Dettol,” he said.

Silivrili added that the SHP was one of the numerous platforms by Dettol to help Nigerians to live healthy lives as well as empower them to remain active. He said over three million children across Nigeria have been reached with the message of hand washing since the inception of the programme in 2009.

The Marketing Manager, West Africa, Reckitt Benckiser, Mr. Ahmed Shah, said: “Dettol has been reaching Nigerians with different grassroots activities, such as the School Hygiene SHP, the New Mum Programmes (NMP) which has also reached approximately three million new mums in the hospitals since inception and Health On Wheels (HOW), which is a mobile clinic.

“Over the years of having these programmes, we do not sell products to targets; rather, we enlighten them, give them brochures to help them recall hygiene messages and we give them free products. All of these programmes form the pillar of this campaign and are conveying one singular message of upholding best hygiene practices.”

Shah said further: “For the School Hygiene Programme (SHP), we believe that the formative age is the best time to inculcate the habit of good hygiene practice in a person. This is the reason we have chosen to work closely with schools panNigeria to empower the children with hygiene messages so as they grow older, it remains a part of them and they can pass it on to generations after them.”

On the initiative, the Sectional Head, Gopherwood School, Lagos, Mr. Michael Dairo, praised Reckitt Benckiser for being innovative.

“Dettol visits our school often and this has really enlightened the pupils on how to wash their hands.‘’

•Polo Avenue Boutique Manager Titilola Akinkugbe, with some of the designer bags.

Samurai Curry launched in Lagos

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OKYO Boeki enterprise, a trading company that specialises in the importation of finest staple and specialty food products from Japan, has launched a new product into the Nigerian market.

The product, known as Samurai Curry will soon be in major shops across the country. It can be eaten with rice, yam, porridge, noodles, spaghetti, bread, and other varieties of food.

Samurai Curry contains over 30 spices that are necessary for good health. They include black pepper (which stimulates appetites, digestion and circulation), cardamom (which relieves flatulence and induces sweating), cinnamon (which acts as a stimulant and detoxifier) an cumin (which also improves appetite digestion) Others are fenugreek (which reduces fever, helps with acid indigestion and diarrhea), nutmeg (which has analgesic effects and acts as asleep aid) and turmeric which increases liver function, heals fatigue and acts as an anti-cancer agent. There is also a resent research finding that curcumin, used in curry, could help erase bad memories.

The bright-yellow compound found in the root of the Indian spice turmeric, the study found, prevent new fear memories being stored in the brain and also removes pre-existing fear memories.

The instant curry sauce has made it easier than ever for families at home to cook delicious curry by using samurai instant curry sauce. The curry manufacturer has created original curries rich in flavor by blending together over 30 spices, carefully selected from about 80 spices around the world.

The Chief Executive Officer, Tokyo Boeki enterprises, makers of Samurai Curry, Abel Akhigbe, said: “Curry is widely considered a precious and nutritious health food because of the above spices.

These spices are used in a traditional system of Indian medicine called Ayurveda, of life sciences,

Africa Internet Group relocates

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FRICA Internet Group (AIG) has relocated its office from the highbrow Lekki area of Lagos to the commercially boisterous Yaba area of Lagos.

The office, located in the Ozone Centre on Commercial Avenue, Yaba, houses six of its other ventures, including Carmudi, an online car site that allows a person to buy or lease cars online; Kaymu, an online marketplace where buyers and sellers meet to obtain the best deals for products; Easytaxi a mobile app that connects drivers and passengers; Hellofood, an online and mobile platform where people

can order food for delivery from the most popular restaurants in the city; Lamudi, an online real estate marketplace; Jovago an online hotel booking service and Jumia an online retail store.

Since inception in 2012, AIG has expanded to 26 countries and has created 71 firms in different verticals namely, online retail, online marketplace, food ordering, car classifieds, real estate classifieds, taxi hailing, online travel agency and P2P lending marketplace.

The choice of a new office was determined by the popularity of Yaba, and also because it

houses a cluster of banking, educational and technology institutions, features that has made the area grow to become Nigeria’s e-commerce hub, which is now attracting a nest of technology and start-up companies, earning it the name, Nigeria’s Silicon Valley.

In Nigeria, AIG’s network of firms include leading brands and the move is one of its efforts to contribute to making Yaba the next technological hub in Africa by building tight links to boost the entrepreneurship drive in the area and securing strategic partnerships to grow the ecosystem.

which incorporates them into a daily routine to assure a long and healthy life.

“Plans to enlighten people are ongoing at different levels and locations. We want to be able to tell people that the Curry sauce is not restricted to some particular types of food; it can be eaten with any kind of food. We are not asking people to stop eaten the pounded yam and Egusi soup they are use to, we are saying , there is an alternative that is faster than making the pounded yam meal.

“Samurai Curry has an 18-month expiry date duration; it sells for N800 per pack and a pack can be used to serve 10 people. Its preparation process is as simple as ABC when users adhere to the simple instructions on it leaflet.’’

Targeted at low income earners, the company’s management says the firm plans to produce affordable smaller packs. “We are working with NAFDAC to get necessary requirement, and also to bring in smaller package subsequently”.

Akhigbe added: “We are not afraid of those who might want to counterfeit this product as the mechanics put in place to produce the product can only be found in Japan. However, I believe NAFDAC will come to our aid if such cases arise and would device other kind of packaging such that will be easy for people to differentiate between the genuine product and the fake.

To remain in the market, Akhigbe said Samurai Curry Sauce doesn’t have a competor for now and that the product intends to stay in the market for a long time.

Skeptical that competitions might come in the long run, he said the product would last long.

His words: “I do not think anyone can beat the quality of this product because the Japanese do not produce with low quality materials and they do not intent to reduce the quality or quantity of this product when it eventually finds it foothold. At the last Lagos International Trade Fair, we had the opportunity to sell Samurai Curry in large quantities; the positive response we got is prompting us to see that this product goes round.”

Recalling his experience before he left the country 27 years ago, Abel Asire Nakipe said then his mother used to go to the market to buy all the ingredients to prepare soup. He saw the stress to prepare a meal for the family and the time spent in waiting for the food to be ready - these prompted him to find out how time could be managed and maximised in cooking through using the Samurai Curry Sauce.

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THE NATION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015

THE NATION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015

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THE NATION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015

THE NATION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015

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MONEYLINK

CBN orders NNPC, Customs to shut revenue accounts •’No plan to scrap domiciliary accounts’

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HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yes terday directed Ministries, Depart ments and Agencies (MDAs) to close all their revenue accounts in deposit money banks (DMBs) latest tomorrow.

The MDAs to be affected by the order include the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, Nigeria Customs Service, Code of Conduct Bureau, Code of Conduct Tribunal, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Federal Ministry of Aviation and Federal Civil Service Commission.

Others include the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Federal Road Safety Commission, Independent National Electoral Commission, Federal Ministry of Defence, National Population Commission, National Salaries Incomes & Wages Commission, Nigerian Investment Promotion Council, Nigeria Police Force to mention but a few.

CBN Director, Banking and Payment System Unit, ‘Dipo Fatokun who gave the directive in a circular to DMBs said the order followed the commencement of the Federal Government’s Independent Revenue e-Collection Scheme.

He explained that banks’ branches by now, are expected to have been setup and sensitised, and their internet banking platform configured for use by revenue payers.

This, he said, would make it possible for the banks to make transfers to the Federal Government e-Collection account, which will be transfered to the Consolidated Revenue Funds (CRF) as agreed between the CBN, Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) and the banks.

Stories by Collins Nweze

Fatokun said the OAGF has already issued a treasury circular to all MDAs to close existing revenue accounts in banks not later than February 28, and transfer available funds to CRF. The CBN has also denied report that it is planning to convert the foreign currency domiciliary account deposits in dollar or pounds sterling of customers in banks into naira.

CBN Director of Communications, Ibrahim Mu’azu said the regulator never contemplated such action, and never intended to do so. It assured customers of banks that there is no intention to tamper with the foreign currency accounts.

•CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele

Ecobank Group CEO advises investors on Africa

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COBANK Group Chief Executive Of ficer (CEO) Albert Essien has against the backdrop of a positive outlook for Africa, advised investors against viewing the continent as one, but rather 54 countries with different growth prospects, different infrastructure, trade agreements, tax regulations, culture and levels of technological development.

He spoke yesterday at a conference on Managing Risk in Africa held in Munich. The bank chief urged investors to be prepared to engage with African countries on a long-term basis and avoid abrupt changes in investment focus because of perceived instability in certain markets.

He said investors should manage risks associated with doing business in Africa, including fiscal and monetary policy issues such as foreign exchange restrictions, transparency and compliance, political instability and corruption and resource and infrastructure challenges.

Essien offered executives overseeing market entry strategy in Africa to always un-

derstand the local business culture; assess markets that represent the best balance of risk and reward; find and vet appropriate local partners; understand local market regulations; local environmental factors and levels of technological development.

He highlighted several market entry risks, such as political risk, reputational risk, operational risk and physical risk to staff and assets.

The Ecobank boss encouraged scenario planning as a good way to anticipate what future trends might emerge and what their impact and probability might be. “Whatever risks are identified, they are best viewed holistically rather than in isolation.

New market entrants will need to develop a clear risk appetite and weigh the opportunity against the cost of risk mitigation, which can be expensive,” he said.

He advised setting up a risk review board with participation from senior management, and said this would help ensure the right level and scope of ongoing risk monitoring.

Heritage Bank enhances CSR role

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ERITAGE Bank Limited has strength ened its Corporate Social Responsi bility (CSR) roles to the society.

To further underscore its commitment to the ideals of giving back to the society, the lender donated a Hyundai Shuttle Bus to aid the operation of the Cerebral Palsy Centre. The company said the donation was in furtherance of its corporate social responsibility, particularly aimed at enhancing wellbeing of children with health challenges.

The bank’s Executive Director, Ivory Banking, Mrs. Mary Akpobome noted that the lender was delighted to be part of the lifesaving and care-giving efforts of the Cerebral Palsy Centre because caring for the health-challenged persons is like sharing wealth to the less-privileged in the society.

She said: “To us at Heritage Bank, we are delighted to donate this shuttle bus to support this worthy cause you are doing at the Cerebral Palsy Centre in terms of providing specialised medical, care-giving and trauma management for children and families with Cerebral Palsy challenges. We believe that giving is living and caring for others is a worthy cause that is similar to creating, preserving and transferring wealth to others.”

She stated that the donation would go a long way in enhancing the operations of the Centre, especially in the area of moving children at the Centre from one point to another as well as in bringing their plights closer to other well meaning Nigerians.

Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Centre, Nonye Nweke expressed happiness over the donation which she described as timely and timeless. “On behalf of all of us at the Cerebral Palsy Centre, we really appreciate this landmark donation of a bus by Heritage Bank to enhance our operations.

May God reward you abundantly. We pray that your efforts aimed at consolidating your presence in the financial industry will succeed beyond imagination. This is a timely and timeless gift!.”

Also, a board member of the Centre, Dr. Kuti Biodun noted that Heritage Bank had succeeded in lifting souls of thousands of families and the Centre with the bus donation. “We appreciate staffs and management of Heritage Bank for this donation. Now, we can take the children out with ease. This will equally allow us to be able to assist kids in farther parts of Lagos like Agege and other far flung areas of the state for counseling and physiotherapy.

THE NATION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015

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CITYBEATS

CITYBEATS LINE: 09091178827

Four arraigned for Police ban transport unions, alcohol robbery, kidnapping sale, dues collection at motor parks F

•Aderanti (third right) and other officers at Oshodi...yesterday. INSET: MC Oluomo

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HE police yesterday banned transport unions, dues collection and alcohol sale in Lagos motor parks, following Wednesday’s gang war in Oshodi.

Police Chief Kayode Aderanti, who was in Oshodi yesterday, gave the branch Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly called MC Oluomo, 24 hours to give himself up.

Speaking after an emergency state Security Council meeting with Governor Babatunde Fashola at Alausa, Ikeja, Aderanti said the ban was in line with provisions of the Road Traffic Law 2012.

Aderanti told reporters that three persons died in Wednesday’s clash between NURTW factions, adding that 18 suspects were charged to court yesterday for the clash. Eighteen others will also be arraigned today.

The police chief said the

•CP gives MC Oluomo 24hrs to surrender

By Sulaiman Salawudeen and Mariam Ekene-Okoro

traffic law would, henceforth, be “enforced to the letter” to avert a recurrence of the Oshodi incident.

He said: “The crisis is not political and not as bad as the media painted it. All the principal characters are in custody. Today (yesterday), we arraigned 18 of them and they are already in jail. Tomorrow (today), another 18 will be arraigned. I’m not talking about the foot soldiers, but their leaders that are causing the mayhem and what we need to do is to get the arrowheads off, then all the foot soldiers can be tackled easily.

“Now we are going after the gate keepers that are encouraging young people into violence. By the time we destroy their command structure, then, we can have peace in that area. Oshodi is a major hub and we have to

be very careful in securing the area. We have picked at least up to 40 of them and by tomorrow, I’ve given ultimatum to one of the leaders of the group to turn himself in before we declare him wanted.”

Earlier at Oshodi, Aderanti said the clash was uncalled for and threatened to shut down all the parks there if the union does not stop causing trouble.

He said: “Mr Musiliu Akinsanya, Branch Chairman, Oshodi (NURTW) must surrender himself to the police in 24 hours, failure which he would be declared wanted. This is a public place and you cannot use your own business to disrupt other peoples’ businesses.

“Every effort will be made to ensure such a thing does not happen again. I have said it repeatedly that if the trouble should persist in anyway, all your parks

here in Oshodi will be shut down”.

Aderanti, who met with the union’s leadership, urged it to call its members to order.

He promised that the police would end the incessant skirmishes, saying he would enlist the government’s help to do so.

“I can confirm that we have made some arrests, including some notable leaders of the union. We are saying there will be no sacred cows in this matter. This is an open space, whatever happens here affects the highway, and may be hijacked by hoodlums,” he said.

Oluomo’s deputy Wale Ajulo assured Aderanti that the union would cooperate with the police to rid the parks of touts.

Oshodi remained desolate yesterday.

Shops at the affected section of the Oshodi market were shut. Traders gathered in groups, discussing Wednesday’s crisis.

Collapsed Synagogue building has no plan, says contractor T HE collapsed Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) building has no plan, the contractor said yesterday.

Under cross examinationby counsel to Lagos State government Akingbolahan Adeniran, Hardrock Construction and Engineering Ltd Managing Director Akingbola Fatiregun said the building agency was not consulted before the construction started.

“The Lagos State Builing Control Agency (LBCA) was not consulted before we embarked on the building,” Fatiregun told the Coroner Chief, Magistrate Oyetade Komolafe, who is conducting an inquest into the September 12, 2014 incident.

He, however, said the illfated guest house was built according to international standards.

Fatiregun, an engineer, said the foundation of the building was constructed to carry a 10-storey building.

His company, he said, was contracted to supply the manpower and equipment for the six-storey building.

The church supplied the materials, he said.

Fatiregun said the architectural and structural design of the building was done by another company, adding that before construction started, his company took further steps to test the

By Adebisi Onanuga

materials supplied by SCOAN. The materials supplied by SCOAN, he said, including sand, cement, quarry and reinforcement, were of the best quality.

Fatiregun, who said his company has undertaken major projects in Nigeria, Ghana, Niger and United States in its 11 years of existence, the construction was in two phases.

The first phase was to raise the building up to the fourth floor and the second, to raise it to the sixth floor.

He said on completion of each floor, the supervising firm would inspect and give approval before the construction of the next floor begins.

According to him, the first phase was concluded in June, 2010; the second in September 2013.

Fatiregun said SCOAN founder, Prophet Temitope Joshua was never directly involvement in the project.

He said he dealt and related with the church building committee throughout.

Fatiregun said he was shocked when he heard that the building had collapsed, adding that when he visited

the site, he observed that the pattern of the collapse was inconsistent with structural defect.

The manner of the collapse suggested that it must have been caused by other factors, Fatiregun said, adding: “Structural failures have peculiar ways of falling but this one was unusual. From my observation, the building came down symmetri-

cally as if it was guided. The fall appeared as if a method of bringing down a building was applied.”

He, however, maintained that these factors were not responsible for the collapse as the building did not show any sign of stress before it went down.

“A building collapse due to structural defect would not collapse the way the guest house did,” he said, adding that the collapse must have been caused by other factors.

Two businessmen held for ‘robbery’

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WO businessmen, said to be the coordinators a robbery gang, have been arrested by the operatives of the Zonal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (ZSARS) in Onikan, Lagos.

They are James Adeoba and Emeka Philip.

According to the Zonal police spokesperson, Gbenga Adeoye, a Chief Superintendent (CSP), Adeoba was arrested on January 12 in Kwara State.

He led the police to arrest Philip.

The suspects led the detectives to Filling Stations in Jalingo, (Taraba State) and Yola (Adamawa) where they

OUR men have been arraigned before an Ikeja Magistrate’s Court for alleged kidnapping and armed robbery.

They are Ikuomola Felix, Gbenga Popoola, Adebayo Akibo and Azeez Olowu.

They were arraigned on a three-count charge of conspiracy, illegal possession of firearms, armed robbery and kidnapping before Chief Magistrate A.O. Akinde.

Prosecuting Inspector Chinalu Uwadione alleged that the defendants and other at large conspired to commit the offence.

He said the offence was committed last December 4 about 8.30 p.m. at Itoikin,on

By Peace Iyere

the outskirts of Lagos.

Uwadione alleged that the defendants armed with one pump action gun, robbed Durodola Muwaliu of one Blackberry phone valued N42,000; N1,095,000 cash, totalling N1,137,000.00.

He alleged that they kidnapped Muwaliu, blindfolded him and took him to an unknown destination and demanded N60, 000 as ransom.

The defendants’ pleas were not taken.

Chief Magistrate Akinde adjourned the matter to March 23. She ordered the defendants to be remanded in prison custody.

Two charged with selling fake shaving sticks

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WO men, Chinonso Nwokonobi, 37 and Olayemi Alasiri, 44, have been arraigned before an Ebute Meta Magistrate’s Court for allegedly selling fake shaving sticks.

They were said to have conspired to sell counterfeit DORCO shaving sticks.

The defendants were apprehended by the police last October 30 and their machines and equipment confiscated.

They pleaded not guilty.

By Ruqayat Jimoh

Prosecuting Inspector Cousin Adams told the court that the offence is punishable under Sections 409 and 363 of the criminal law of Lagos State.

The defence counsel, Mr Ali Abba, applied for his clients’ bail.

Magistrate Nurudeen Layeni granted them N20, 000 bail with two sureties each in the like sum.

He adjourned the case till March 26.

‘My wife wants to kill me’

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MIDDLE-aged man, Olalekan Ishola, has sought the dissolution of his nine-year-old marriage to Adenike, before the Agege Customary Court in Lagos.

Adenike, he claimed, is strong-willed and temperamental.

Ishola said his picks harmful objects over trivial issues.

He said: “Whenever she is angry, she is not in her right senses. She once used the cover of a generator tank on my head. The last New Year's Eve was hellish for me. We had a fight and she used a bottle on me. As if that wasn't enough.

"I had to run for my life when she brought soldiers to beat me. Since then, I haven't visited the house let alone the frontage. I just want the custody of our children."

Mrs Ishola, a 30-year-old nurse, said she is still interested in the marriage.

She said: "I never knew my husband was a drug dealer until he was held at a police station. He beats me merci-

By Basirat Braimah

lessly if I try to correct his mistakes. It was in a bid to free myself when he pushed me inside a gutter that I used the generator tank cover on his head. He locks me out with our children whenever he is angry. He once accused me of sleeping with co-tenants in my shop. He doesn't pay our children's school fees. I pay their fees and feed them as well.

"On New Year's eve, I almost stabbed him because he beat me mercilessly thinking I was going to die. I didn't invite soldiers to beat him. It was my brother who witnessed the incident that brought soldiers. If not, I am also not interested in the union."

The marriage produced four children.

The court's president, Pa Adekunle Williams, adjourned the matter till March 19 and ordered Ishola to deposit N20, 000 for the children's upkeep before the date.

By Ebele Boniface

recovered one oil dispenser, four 27KV generators and two fuel pumps.

Adeoba accused Philip of luring him into the business.

“I supply marble and Philip promised to link me with generator suppliers. I didn’t know the goods they sold to us were stolen,” he said.

Philip, a native of Awka in Anambra State, said he collected the materials from Adeoba.

“I have been servicing generators for over 20 years. I never had the mind of selling stolen goods rather I buy and sell fairly used goods. I

•Adeoba and Emeka

collect from James. I live in Jalingo while he stays in Yola, I received four generators and sold them. Hu-

mans are prone to mistakes.

It was after our arrest that I knew they were armed robbers,” he said.

THE NATION FRIDAY FEBRUARY 27, 2015

49

NEWS 164 aliens arrested with Anambra APC to Ohanaeze: PVCs in Ibadan return Jonathan’s alleged N6.2b O

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HE All Progressives Congress (APC) in Anambra State has asked the apex-Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, to return the N6.2billion it allegedly collected before endorsing President Goodluck Jonathan, or face the wrath of the people.

The party urged Governor Willie Obiano to pay former governors pension.

It said hunger in the homes of some ex-governors, following their inability to receive pension, had turned them to political jobbers, “which is

From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

tarnishing the image of the state.”

APC said Obiano should also pay the ex-governors retirement, medical, security and protocol benefits.

These were contained in a statement by the party yesterday in Awka, signed by the Publicity Secretary, Okelo Madukaife and made available to reporters.

APC alleged that the money given to the Ohanaeze Ndigbo leadership by the Presidency

‘

APC alleged that the money given to the Ohanaeze Ndigbo leadership by the Presidency for Jonathan’s endorsement came in two batches of N1.2billion and N5billion

’

for Jonathan’s endorsement came in two batches of N1.2billion and N5billion.

The latest amount, the party alleged, was shared in one of the hotels in Enugu.

“The statement said: “This is responsible for the crisis in the leadership of Ohanaeze, which has made the body unable to agree on the presidential candidate to adopt.”

APC said it was unfortunate that instead of the Igbo group looking for how to settle those displaced in the Northeast and ensure that the people collected their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), its leadership was tearing itself apart because of pecuniary interest.

Why we wanted to sneak into Europe, by suspects

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OUR of the suspected stowaways, who boarded a merchant vessel at the Apapa Seaport, in Lagos, have explained the motive behind their action.

The seven stowaways were paraded on Wednesday and handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) by the Navy.

Three of them are Nigerians, two Ghanaians and two Liberians.

They were discovered on the high sea in Togo aboard MT ELECTRA BARI, after they drew the captain’s attention to their presence.

One of the two Ghanaians, who gave his name as John Okiya, 24, told The Nation that he will engage in the illegal practice again if given the opportunity because “it is my work.”

He said he stowed away from Ghana to Nigeria in 2002 and was given N5000 by the ship company that found him in Lagos.

Okiya stated that he had taught the ship (from Ghana) was going to Germany but was disappointed after he found himself in Nigeria.

According to him, the captain of the ship told him after giving him N5000 to go to CMS, Lagos Island where and he would see hustling people like him.

“It is not the first time I am doing it. And I will do it

By Precious Igbonwelundu

again if I have the opportunity because I am tired of this country. I am tired of suffering.

“That was how I came to Nigeria in 2002. Since then I have been in this country hustling and sleeping under the bridge. The ship that brought me then gave me N5000 and they told me to go to CMS that I will see many stowaways who are hustling there.

“I went and that is how I have been hustling. I was conductor and at times some drivers who know me will give me their bus to ply Eko Hotel/CMS during off peak periods where I make N500 or N1000.

“Why should I regret? Is my life better at the moment?

I will do it again and again because it is my job. I want to leave this country and I don’t want to go to Ghana.”

The second Ghanaian, Kwekwu Asamua, 23, said the botched trip was his second attempt to enter Europe through illegal means, adding that the first was two years ago but landed here in Nigeria instead.

He said: “I was so frustrated when I found myself in Nigeria. But I did not give up. I started hustling at the TinCan Island Port during the day and at night, I slept un-

Mrs Nwosu dead

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The death has occurred of Mrs. Elizabeth Nkechinyere Nwosu (aka Lizzy). She died on December 27 last year. She was 58.

A statement by the family said a service of songs would hold today at the United Evangelical Church (U.E.C.), Awoyemi Street, off Alafia bus-stop, Orile Iganmu, Lagos at 5 pm.

There will be a wake on March 12 in her home at Ohuhu-Ekwuru, Isi-alangwa South, Abia State by 8 pm.

Funeral service will hold at Nwosu’s compound, OhuhuEkwuru, on March 13 at 10

Lagos.

He alleged that the several efforts made to fend for his family were thwarted by officials of the Lagos State Task Force on Street Trading, who after confiscating his wares valued about N100,000, also impounded his motorcycle.

“What have I not done to live a decent life? I was selling clothes at Tinubu Square, Lagos State task force officials seized my goods and returned me to square one.

Again, I bought motorcycle (okada) but it was seized by the same task force...

“At a point, I was frustrated because I had no means of fending for my wife and our one- year-old baby. That was when I decided to look for a way out, by sneaking into the ship which we concluded was heading for Europe. I sneaked into the ship a day before it took off.

“But after we had sailed for a while, we alerted the crew members by banging on the door of the cabin we hid in because we were so cold. We did not know they were only at Lome, Togo and not Europe. “The Captain of the ship intended to drop us at Cotonou but we told them it was better they took us back to Nigeria. On our way back, we saw a naval ship which came to pick us,” he said.

Receiving the stowaways from the Navy, an Immigration officer attached to the Marine Command, Gabriel Oloruntoba, said investigation would continue, with a view to ascertaining claims of their nationalities.

‘Vote Ambode to ensure improved lives’

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•The late Nwosu

am. Interment follows immediately.

She is survived by widower, Ephraim Chiemela Nwosu, children and grandchildren, among who is Joy Chidinma Onyejekwe.

Vehicle owners get ultimatum

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der the bridge. When this opportunity came, I boarded a wooden canoe shortly after the ship took off, from which I sneaked into the ship, which I thought was heading for Europe.

“I am talented. I play football and I also sing but there is no one to sponsor me. I don’t have money!

“I was sure I would get the needed capital to establish myself when I get to Europe, before contemplating on going back home. But that was never to be.”

The suspect, however, displayed a mild drama when asked to spell his name as he retorted: “I am a market boy.

I was born in the market. I never went to school. My intention was to go to Europe and make money and not to go to school.”

Asked how they knew the ship was heading to Europe, another suspect, Papa Omomobi, said they usually track ships’ destinations through their phones.

“On that fateful day, we tracked its destination on our phone and knew it was heading for Holland, Spain to be precice. I am a boat builder and I wanted to go to Europe and work,” he said.

Seventeen-year-old Chike Obi, who said he only has a grandmother said he wanted to join about three of his friends who have made it to Spain through stowingaway.

Enugu State born Maxwell Madu said he was led into the move by the frustration he suffered in the hands of environmental law enforcers in

HE Lagos and Ogun state police commands, Oke-Odo and Eleweran/Ogere divisions, have warned owners of abandoned and accidented vehicles parked in these stations to remove them or lose them to members of the public 21 days after this publication.

The vehicles are (Oke Odo Division) – Mitsubuish L300 bus with registration number AP 163 JRD. Ogere Division - Peugeot 505 wagon with registration number AJ 788 BRK; Kia –Rio, reg. no. EQ 157 APP; Toyota Highlander Jeep-LSD 351AH; Mazda Car reg. no. CG 403FST and Mazda car reg. no. GGE 94 BC.

GROUP, Akinwunmi Ambode Komittee of Friends (AA’KON), has urged Lagosians to vote for the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, to ensure improved lives.

The body’s Media Director, Elder Cornelius Olopade, who spoke yesterday at the APC rally at Ifako-Ijaiye area of Lagos State, said a vote for Ambode would guarantee the continuity of good governance.

He said Lagos residents should make sure they continue to enjoy the dividends of democracy started by the APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and continued by Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola, by electing Ambode.

By Tokunbo Ogunsami

The APC standard-bearer urged Lagosians not to sell their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) for any price, saying it was the weapon they needed to vote for candidates, who would transform their lives.

Ambode said those who have not collected their PVCs should do so, adding that Lagosians should not sit on the fence.

His words: “People should sensitise their neighbours not to trade away their future and that of their children by selling their PVCs. “If the electorate vote for me and other APC candidates, they are assured of good roads, potable water, decent houses, effective transportation system and other good things of life.”

NE hundred and sixty four illegal immigrants have been arrested by the Oyo State Command of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS).

Parading them in Ibadan, the state capital, yesterday, the state Controller, Innocent Akatu, said his officers retrieved national identity cards and Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) from some of them.

He added that the immigrants arrived in Nigeria from Niger Republic, Benin Republic, Togo and other countries within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

According to him, one of the identity cards belonged to Musa Abdullahi Tanko, who claimed to have come from Kandan Village in Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

A PVC was issued to Garba Muhammed, who also claimed to be a farmer from the same area as Tanko in Sokoto State.

Two other PVCs were issued to Ibrahim Idris and Magaji Muntaru from the same place in Sokoto State. A portion of the personal details in some of the cards were the same.

Akatu said the immigrants usually sneak into Nigeria

From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

through unapproved routes in the deserts and thick bushes.

“In the past, we have invited leaders of ECOWAS communities in Nigeria to brief them on the forthcoming elections and why they should not participate in the electoral process or apply for the national identity card.

We also told them that they should refrain from being used by politicians.”

“Those who do not have valid travelling document are not supposed to be in Nigeria; they are to be flushed out and that is what we are doing now.

“We are fishing out the illegal immigrants and repatriating them to their countries. Whatever we are doing is in line with ECOWAS protocol. We are also doing this because elections are fast approaching; we have to make sure that illegal settlers are forced out of Nigeria.

“From the present exercise, we have arrested 164 illegal settlers and recovered national identity cards and PVCs from some of them.

“It is a continuous exercise but in the next two weeks, we shall go harder on illegal immigrants in Nigeria.”

Southeast Governors’ Forum celebrates with Shagari From Ugochukwu Ugoji-Eke, Umuahia

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HE Southeast Governors’ Forum has rejoiced with the Second Republic President, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, who turned 90 on Wednesday.

In a statement by the forum’s Chairman and Abia State Governor, Chief Theodore Orji, the governors described Alhaji Shagari as a true democrat, who over the years worked for peace and unity.

The statement reads: “The Second Republic President, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, is a true democrat. He is a detribalised Nigerian and a role model to many. The former President has remained consistent in his advocacy for a peaceful and united country.

“We thank God as he turns 90, still looking radiant and healthy. May God Almighty continue to bless and give him more fruitful years.”

A coded letter to President Jonathan •Continued

from Back Page

They will make sure you do not to read ‘idiotic’ stuff like this letter penned by naïve people who do not understand the real situation. For them, it is ‘warfare’ in which all is fair. Your ‘strategists’ will lead you to dole out money in billions, Nigeria’s hard-earned money, as if the world will end with this election. Never had so much money been ‘unleashed’ on the polity in the annals of Nigeria’s electioneering.

They will advise you that to win this election, you must shell out billions to the Christian association, Muslim associations, inconsequential ethnic organizations, student unions, to Obas, emirs, Ezes and emergency endorser groups. They will assure you that money will buy you the people’s votes.

They will tell you to undermine Prof. M. Jega and rubbish INEC’s processes. It doesn’t matter that the same Jega conducted the 2011 polls that you have been boasting about. They will never explain to you that you are executing a scorchearth policy by which you are tearing down everything we hold dear.

Meanwhile they will shield you from the real troubles in the land. They will cocoon you so well that you will never know there is extreme hunger in the land today. They will never let you see that many of the people you govern are facing starvation and that is no exaggeration. Why would your police contemplate a strike? Why would hitherto proud Nigerian soldiers now shamelessly run from the warfront?

Why is Nigeria, the great African waiting on soldiers and mercenaries from Chad, Cameroun, Niger, South Africa, America and Britain to clear a few LGAs of some armed miscreant?

There is so much one wants to say to you but I am convinced you would never read a drivel like this. They will never let you see it how much more read it. It does not matter whether it is coded, un-coded or decoded. Anyway, nothing matters now, your plane is at cruising altitude now…

THE NATION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015

50

NEWS GEN. BUHARI IN LONDON Jonathan’s, Buhari’s supporters clash

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OME supporters of the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, and a group of Nigerians believed to have been sponsored by the Federal Government yesterday clashed at the premises of Chatham House, where Gen. Buhari delivered a lecture.

An amorphous group had been procured for $20,000 by some top government functionaries to stage a protest against Gen Buhari. Before he arrived for the event, a handful of placard-bearing protesters gathered in front of the venue, singing protest songs.

The anti-Buhari demonstrators bore placards, with the inscriptions such as “Buhari belongs to the past, etc. Others wore T-shirts, with inscriptions, such as “Diaspora says no to a tyrant”.

However, to counter the protest, the members of the United Kingdom chapter of the APC also stormed the venue to confront the PDP supporters during which a verbal clash erupted.

The pro-Buhari elements had placards bearing messages such as “Nigerians deserve better than 16 years misrule” and “Vote Buhari/Osinbajo.”

Buhari ready to rule, says Aregbesola

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HE SouthWest Coordinator of the Buhari-Osinbajo Presidential Campaign, Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola has described Gen. Muhammadu Buhari as ready to take charge of the country.

According to him, the comprehensive talk Gen. Buhari gave at Chatham House yesterday has reinforced the party’s readiness and commitment to rescue Nigeria from the claws of its predators.

Aregbesola said Gen. Buhari’s articulate presentation is a show of how prepared the party is for the rescue mission. He spoke in a statement by the Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon. ”Nigeria has on her laps at the moment the tragedy of a party that has no idea of how to take the country out of the woods; a party and its government at a loss how to confront the horror of terrorism, which is unfortunately fuelled by the poverty its anti-people policies have also bred and the endemic corruption which has been elevated to the level of state policy.

“There is no doubt that the Jonathan administration is too fickle-minded to surmount the many areas of urgent needs, which our people are craving for. This is why the clamour for change has attained this all-time high in the history of our country,” Aregbesola said after the Chatham House talk, even Gen. Buhari’s worst critics must have come to terms and embraced the positive change ideas that he and the APC represent.

He added, “Nigerians and the international community by now understand the determination of Buhari, the fecundity of his ideas and the clarity of his vision to take Nigeria out of the present morass.”

The governor said Nigerians must put the disappointment of the postponement of the election behind them and re-energise towards the March 28 and April 11 dates, adding that the endurance of the next few weeks would guarantee the survival of Nigeria under a transparent, focus-driven and people-oriented government of the APC.

PDP, Jonathan team fret over Buhari’s Chatham House appearance

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HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its presidential campaign organisation are flying off the handle over yesterday’s warm reception accorded. All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate Gen. Muhammadu Buhari at Chatham House, London.

Gen. Buhari addressed contemporary issues before an attentive audience in London, with special emphasis on corruption and insecurity and how he intends to confront the twin–monsters if elected.

But Gen. Buhari’s brilliant outing appeared to have galled the PDP’s presidential campaign organisation.

Its Director of Media and Publicity Chief Femi Fani-Kayode and PDP National Publicity Secretary Chief Olisa Metuh, in separate statements yesterday, were full of innuendoes over Buhari’s actions.

Fani-Kayode said: “It is amazing that a man that refuses to participate in a debate in his own country is so ready to go to a foreign country to sell his message in a desperate attempt to curry favour with the people of that country.

“For now, all we can say is that it is truly pitiful that a former Head of State of the Federal Republic of Nigeria believes that it is more important to win the hearts and minds of the British than it is to win the hearts and minds of the Nigerian people,” Fani-Kayode said.

Rivers: alleged N25b theft mischievous From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

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HE Rivers State government has said the alleged siphoning of N25 billion through the Office of the Secretary to the Rivers State Government (SSG), George Feyii, and the Government House, Port Harcourt is fallacious and mischievous.

Information and Communications Commissioner Ibim Semenitari spoke yesterday in Port Harcourt, the state capital, on the alleged theft.

She said: “The claims that between October and December 2014, N14 billion was ‘siphoned’ through the Office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) and on December 23, 2014, N11 billion was ‘siphoned’ through the Government House and Office of the SSG, are fallacious and mischievous. We state categorically that between October and December 2014, no such funds were released to or passed through the Office of the SSG.

First Lady's visit: Air Force men beat up businessman T HE visit of First Lady Dame Patience Jonathan to Orerokpe on the outskirts of Warri, Delta State, yesterday, began on a sour note.

Chief Executive Officer of LYM Consult Larry Otu, who was at the Osubi Airstrip, where her plane touched down, was allegedly beaten up by Airforce officers .

Otu was at the airstrip to receive his company’s technical partners from Canada. He said he was beaten up by men of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) for allegedly refusing to give a bribe.

But the Air Force authorities in Warri said Otu was rude to the men on duty.

Narrating his ordeal to The Nation in Warri yesterday, Otu said he lost N200,000 when he was being beaten.

"It happened at about 9

am when our foreign partners arrived at the airport and I was there to clear them at the Immigration Desk. I drove to the gates to face interrogation from the Air Force men.

"One asked if I knew the President's wife was coming today. I said, ‘Yes, but I have come to pick my foreign partners.’ He asked what I do for a living. I said I own the company being visited by our technical partners and he asked as small as you are?

"He said ‘okay, find me something’. I said ‘I can't give you anything’. So, he ordered me to reverse my car and leave. He said I can't drive in. So, I reversed my car, drove back to the main road and was trekking down to go in when eight

Air Force men pounded on me.

"It turned out that my manager knew one of the Air Force officers at the airport.

He ran in to tell him that it was his company's chairman his m e n w e r e m a n h a n dling. That was when the officer came and ordered them to stop and let me go.

But my face was battered, bloodied and N200,000 forced from my pocket by one of them."

Commander of the 61 NAF Detachment, Warri, Air Commodore Ayodele Dudusola said he investigated the incident and observed that Otu was rude to the men on duty.

He added that the security situation in the country demanded high alertness from security agencies.

"Why must it be only him? That is the question that comes to mind. Others came to the airport, they identified themselves properly and were allowed in.

Nobody was touched. So, he must have been rude.

My brother, it is better to face other challenges than to face the worry that somebody came to the airport and blast himself, because it is not always written in somebody's face.

"That is the truth. We can apologise to him later, but we had to do our job first so that somebody will not create problem for us, but when I came and was briefed about what happened, I asked where is the person, and they said he had gone,” Air Commodore Dudusola said.

•From left: Former Chairman, Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area, Lagos State, Comrade Ayodele Adewale, at an interactive session with leaders of transport unions in the local government on the Permanent Voter Card (PVC) collection and support for All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates in the March 28 and April 11 general elections, at Sunfit Hotel, Amuwo Odofin, Lagos. With him, from second left, are: Alhaji Bola Hassan; Akeem Apampa; Angulu Salami; Abiodun Ajele; Emmanuel Umebe and Sarafa Emiola.

Edo berates minister for comment on Buhari

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HE Edo State government has berated the Minister of Water Resources, Mrs Sarah Ochekpe, for blaming the abandonment of the Okpella Water Project in the state on former Head of State Gen. Muhammadu Buhari.

The minister had blamed the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF), under the former head of state, for abandoning the project.

In a statement yesterday in Benin, the state capital, by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Public Affairs, Prince Kassim Afegbua, the government said: “For the records, General Buhari’s PTF wound up business 17 years ago. This response becomes very instructive to disabuse the minds of the people and put the records straight so that those who preside over our collective patrimony can be held accountable on issues of governance and public finance.

“But for the kind of democracy we practise, Mrs. Ochekpe would not have been fit to be appointed a minister of such an important ministry as Water Resources. Distorting facts for

•Govt absolves PTF of role in Okpella water project’s fate the sake of politics and misleading the public to score cheap political points underscore one of the reasons why the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has led the country on the path of economic perfidy.

In a publication, titled: Sure and Steady Publication: Progress Report of President Goodluck Jonathan’s Administration, Volume One, it was copiously stated under the briefings of the Ministry of Water Resources (which has Mrs. Ochekpe’s picture generously displayed), that the Jonathan administration did commence and complete the Okpella Water Scheme. The information is contained on page 127 of the publication and the cost of N800 million boldly stated.

“The same information was contained in the 2013 calendar published by the Federal Ministry of Information, where it proudly listed the Okpella Water Scheme, among others, as the achievements of President Jonathan’s administration.

“A former Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran

Maku, was also confronted by the Senate Committee on Information on the erroneous claim that the Okpella Water Scheme had been completed sometime in February 2014. Provoked by this sheer falsehood, members of Okpella community, under the auspices of the Okpella Progressive Union (O.P.U), Northern Congress, wrote a petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), late November 2013, to investigate and bring to book the contractor who claimed to have executed the project, aware that nothing has been done.

“The EFCC, in the discharge of its responsibility, set up a panel of investigators in 2014 to look into the claims and discovered, on getting to Okpella, that nothing had been done with respect to the project. What was also curious was the fact that pipes meant for the project, which were hitherto supplied by the previous administration, were carted away. It took the personal intervention of the Comrade Governor (Adams

Oshiomhole) to arrest the perennial stealing of the pipes.

“As we speak, a single pipe has not been laid for the so-called water project. The question to ask the minister is: If the project was abandoned by the PTF 17 years ago, how come it was listed as a completed project of the Water Resources Ministry she supervises and an achievement of President Jonathan’s administration?

“We find it utterly disturbing and shameful that a minister, who should come out clean and apologise to the people of Okpella, the people of Edo State and, indeed, all Nigerians, over this deliberate insult and falsehood, still has the guts to play ultracynical politics with a serious issue that has to do with squandering of N800 million of taxpayers’ money for a job not done, but glaringly advertised in the publication as job already completed, and listed as one of the achievements of President Jonathan.@

THE NATION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015

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NEWS

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APC accuses PDP of forming war committee

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State has accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of war mongering.

It alleged that the opposition party recently held a meeting and constituted a ’21 member war council of people who are professionals in the act of war, ahead of the elections.

Addressing reporters yesterday in Ilorin, the state capital, APC Chairman, Alhaji Ishola Balogun-Fulani, said: “I wish to bring to your notice, the war mongering statement being perpetrated

•PDP: it’s a campaign committee From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

by the state leadership of the PDP.” He added that at the meeting, PDP declared that it was at war with the state.

Said he: “As a prelude to this development, the state recently witnessed an unprecedented level of violence led by the PDP members, as reported in Ilorin West Local Government. Most of the local government chapters of the APC are witnessing harassments and assaults by PDP thugs. Complaints have

been made to the police.

“This is very alarming. As a law-abiding party, the APC decided it is very fit to bring these ugly incidents to the attention of the public. What is more alarming is the war mongering statements from the party. It appears to us that PDP has a foreknowledge of this violence and perhaps a hidden agenda.

“As a party, we are committed to democratic changes and peaceful elections.

Therefore, APC is not training or funding any group or

raising any committee of warfare in the state.”

Balogun-Fulani noted that some APC members “have been marked for possible arrest and others to unleash terror attack upon, before and during the elections, as claimed by Oke-Ero, Ekito and Ilorin East local government branches of our party.”

Reacting to the allegations, the PDP governorship running mate, Alhaji Yinka Aluko, said: “We all know sincerely that APC members are propagandists and they can decide to give different names to a particular thing.

For us, people are planning strategies, particularly to win elections.

“You welcome various suggestions and ideas.

“If you say you want to set up a war committee, what it means is a campaign committee. I am sure when people mention it, the use of war was jettisoned that this is not war as war of guns and bows. But we are talking of strategies that we can use to campaign.

PDP consists of men and people of proven integrity and honour. We are not violent.

You will know sincerely that in that last few weeks, we have had this attack.”

Housewife, 18, ‘kills’ husband From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

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ANO was thrown into mourning on Wednesday when an 18-year-old housewife allegedly killed his newly-wed husband at Darmunawa Quarters.

The suspect, identified as Rahma Hussaini, allegedly committed the offence in her matrimonial home after a quarrel with her husband, identified as Tijjani Basiru, 24.

A neighbour, Isa Alhassan, told The Nation that the young couple got married last Friday, saying: “From what we heard, it was a forced marriage”.

He said: “We were alarmed by a frightening scream of a subdued man in need of rescue and we rushed in, only to discover that he was in a pool of his blood.”

“Neighbours mobilised and took the man to hospital, but doctors confirmed him dead on arrival.”

A witness said the woman was handed over to the police, who arrived in time, following a tip-off.

Confirming the incident, police spokesman Magaji Musa Majia said: “About 1000hrs, Rahma Hussaini of Darmunawa Quarters stabbed her husband, Tijjani Basiru, in the stomach with a knife. He was rushed to hospital.”

He said the victim was confirmed dead, adding that the suspect has been detained.

Majia said the Criminal Investigation Depatment (CID) has taken over the case.

Candidate plans summit

By Jeremiah Oke

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HE governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State, Senator Teslim Folarin, has declared his intention to organise an education summit, if elected.

Folarin, who spoke during a media chat in Ibadan, decried the condition of education.

He said teachers deserve better treatment, especially primary school teachers, who are dealing with children.

Folarin noted that he would ensure their salaries were paid regularly.

•From left: Director, Federal Ministry of Information, Mr. Peter Dama; Police Public Relations Officer, Compol Emmanuel Ojukwu and the Coordinating Spokesperson, National Information Centre (NIC), Mr. Mike Omeri, briefing reporters on the state of the nation at the National Information Centre, Abuja...yesterday.

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Retired headmistress kidnapped in Kogi

ARELY three days after the abduction of octogenarian American missionary, Rev. Phylis Sotor, in Kogi State, a retired headmistress, Paulina Audu, was yesterday kidnapped by suspected gunmen from her home at Nagazi in Adavi Local Government.

From James Azania, Lokoja

She was kidnapped between 5am and 6am when the gunmen accosted her at gunpoint while she was about leaving her home for church for morning devotion.

A source said the retired headmistress was about en-

tering her vehicle when the gunmen pointed a gun at her and ordered her to enter the vehicle.

He said the kidnapers then dragged her driver out of the vehicle before taking her away to an unknown destination.

It was further learnt that the retired headmistress had a routine of attending church for morning devotion, hence it was easy for the kidnappers to abduct her.

Police spokesman Sola Collins Adebayo said he was yet to be briefed.

Mark, IBB, Abdulsalami mourn ex-ANA president Gimba

S

ENATE President David Mark, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida and Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar were among the dignitaries, who witnessed the interment of a former President of the Association of Nigeria Authors (ANA), Alhaji Abubakar Gimba.

He was said to have died on Wednesday and was buried according to Islamic rites in Minna, Niger State, yesterday.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Senate President, Paul Mumeh, said residents in Minna paid their last respects, as thousands of people trooped to the prayer ground before the interment.

It said Imam Ibrahim Fari conducted the prayer session to bid Gimba farewell.

The statement said at the family compound of the late Gimba, Senator Mark described him as an intellectual of high repute, whose works cut across ethnic, religious and political boundaries.

It said Mark noted that Gimba was a pan-Nigerian, who believed and worked hard for the unity of the nation.

The Senate president was said to have added that Gimba, who served as his special adviser on Economic and Public Policy Matters between

•Govt to name varsity after him From Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor, Sanni Onogu, Abuja and Jide Orintunsin, Minna

2007 and 2011, was a patriot, a prolific writer and a fighter for the enthronement of human rights and freedom of the press.

Mark was also said to have recalled that the late Gimba , then permanent secretary, Ministry of Planning and later Finance ministry when he was military governor of Niger State in the 80s, was one of his pillars, who helped him to succeed in the state.

He noted that Gimba was a courageous and honest man, whose works would stand the test of time “because I know his works will outlive generations.”

Senator Mark used the occasion to appreciate his former bosses, Babangida and Abdulsalami, whom he described as great mentors to him in his profession and in other areas.

He recalled with nostalgia the mentorship he received from the duo, although he was not from their ethnic or religious background, saying:” This is what we need to

forge unity across the length and breadth of Nigeria.”

Mumeh quoted Mark to have said,”this is how we should live. Nigerians must inculcate and emulate these attributes. We must see ourselves as one people with one destiny. We must work for our peace and unity. We must all work for the common good of all Nigerians”.

Niger State government planned to immortalise the literary giant by naming its newly-established University of Education after him.

Gimba was born on March 10, 1952. He hailed from Nassawa town in Lapai Local Government.

Ex-convict gets 12 months N ex-convict, Ibrahim Shuaibu, was yesterday sentenced to 12 months imprisonment by a Lokoja Chief Magistrate’s Court for the theft of a motorcycle, three mobile phones and a generator.

The Chief Magistrate, Levi Animoku, who gave the sentence in a summary trial, following the conviction of the accused after pleading guilty, described him as a bad egg that should be restricted from the society for a while.

Shuaibu, whose address was given as Kabba-Junction area of Lokoja, was arraigned on a single charge of theft with Arinze Obianigwe.

A

Kano blast: 37 dead, says NURTW •Police: only 12 died From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

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HE Discipline Officer of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) at the bombed Kano Line, Alhaji Ahmed Sale, has countered police official figures of the people who died in Tuesday’s twin-suicide bomb blast at the park.

He said 37 people died.

Saleh, who addressed reporters in Kano, said the park officials counted about 37 bodies minutes after the blast and wondered why the police authorities put the figure at 12.

According to him, 21 passengers, three members of the NURTW, 10 petty traders and the insurgents died in the blast.

Saleh, however, said NURTW could not provide the manifest of the passengers who died "because the person who loaded the bus died in the blast and the manifest was burnt."

However, police spokesman Magaji Musa Majia said as at Wednesday, police had the figures of 12 dead and 23 injured.

According to him, "we don't know the discipline officer at the park; we don't know how he arrived at that number; all we know is that 12 people died in that incident and 23 were injured. I am only hearing this from you (reporter)."

Police Commissioner Ibrahim Idris said: "What happened was that a vehicle, Sharon bus, was coming from the direction of Wudil. We don't know from which particular direction-whether from Jigawa or from Borno side-but the information I gathered was that they picked these two individuals along the road.

"This is why we are going to meet the agencies involved and discuss with them on the best way of managing motor parks. If there was care, by the time the passenger bus drove into the motor park and if there was a proper check, it would have been averted.”

Governor Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso urged citizens to support security agencies by stepping up surveillance of their business premises, to avoid attacks by insurgents.

He spoke when he visited Kano Line Motor Park in Kano city, where two suspected insurgents detonated a bomb in a vehicle.

His words: "Let me advise our young men and women, who are conducting their businesses in motor parks across the country, to be more vigilant and to check everything so that at the end, with the support of security agencies, we can maintain law and order.”

Efforts by this reporter to interview the injured at the Murtala Muhammad Hospital proved abortive, as security men barred him, saying: "It was order from above."

From James Azania, Lokoja

Obiannigwe was charged with dishonestly receiving stolen property. The two offences are contrary to sections 288 and 317 of the Penal Code.

The prosecuting police officer, Mr. Tuesday Ganagana, told the court that a vigilance group on patrol at Zango-Daji area of Lokoja on February 12, arrested Shuaibu with a blue “Fekon motorcycle” marked JRV 168 QB and three mobile phones.

He said the convict told the vigilance group that he stole the motorcycle and mobile phones from Mustapha Sheidu and three others from their houses in Zango-Daji.

•Kwankwaso

52

THE NATION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015

FOREIGN

LENT

Ukraine 'starts heavy weapons withdrawal'

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KRAINE's army is starting the withdrawal of heavy weapons from the front line in the east as part of a truce, the defence ministry says.

It says the pullout of 100mm calibre artillery "is the first step" and will be monitored by foreign observers.

Pro-Russian rebels earlier said they had started withdrawing their weapons. This has not been verified by monitors.

The ceasefire came into effect on 15 February but the rebels seized the key town of Debaltseve just days later.

Fighting began in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk and Luhansk

regions last April, a month after Russia annexed the Crimea peninsula.

Almost 5,800 people have died since then, the UN has estimated, although it believes the real figure could be considerably higher.

The Ukrainian government, Western leaders and Nato say there is clear evidence that Russia is helping the rebels with heavy weapons and soldiers.

Independent experts echo that accusation while Moscow denies it, insisting that any Russians serving with the rebels are "volunteers".

Netanyahu 'not correct' on Iran nuclear talks - Kerry

U

NITED STATES Secretary of State John Kerry has questioned the judgement of Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu over his stance on Iran's nuclear programme.

Mr Netanyahu has criticised the US and others for "giving up" on trying to stop Iran obtaining nuclear weapons.

The Israeli PM "may not be correct", Mr Kerry said after attending the latest Iran nuclear talks in Geneva.

Mr Netanyahu will address Congress next week, after an invitation by Republican leaders criticised by the White House.

Mr Kerry was reacting to a speech in which Mr Netanyahu had said the US and others were "accepting that Iran will gradu-

ally, within a few years, develop capabilities to produce material for many nuclear weapons".

"I respect the White House and the president of the United States but on such a fateful matter, that can determine whether or not we survive, I must do everything to prevent such a great danger for Israel," he said in a speech in Israel.

Having just concluded the latest round of nuclear talks with Iran in Geneva, Mr Kerry told senators President Obama had made it clear the policy was not to let Iran get nuclear weapons and Mr Netanyahu's might therefore not be correct.

The invitation for Mr Netanyahu to speak before Congress has angered Democrats.

Theme: Expect the Miracle of “Na lie” Text:”.... she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in.... And they said unto her, Thou art mad.... Then said they, It is his angel. ( Acts 12:14-15)

I

N a local community years back, a man made a steamboat.

When he was through, he called everyone to come and see ‘what the Lord has done’. They followed him to the bank of the river and requested him to put it to test. With excitement, the innovator tried to put it on. He tried several times to no avail and the people started mocking, saying “Henry’s steamboat will not start”. The man continued trying and suddenly the engine came on and Henry jumped in and was all over the water. The people immediately stopped mocking and began to say that “Henry’s steamboat will not stop”. Eventually, Henry brought the boat to shore and they now said “Henry has performed a miracle”.

It is a miracle that isn’t awesome that one can contain. When God visits a man with a miracle that is “exceedingly abundantly above all that you think or pray for” (Ephesians 3:20) - a happenstance that is beyond the prayer request and thought of everybody, including the miracle owner ( a miracle of “Na lie” in our local parlance), one will get hysterical and break protocols to announce what the Lord has done. The Bible is replete with examples of such awesome happenings.

From our text, King Herod killed James, the brother of John with the sword. When he realised that the Jews were pleased with that death, he stretched his hands towards Peter and threw him inside prison waiting to kill him after Easter. While Peter was there, the church gathered to pray for his release from the grip of his blood-thirsty captor. In the night preceding his death, God sent an angel to him to release him and lead him to the street.

Peter, in apparent knowledge that brethren would be at the house of Mary the mother of John interceding for his release, decided to go there and share testimony of his release. When he got there, even believers that were praying for him said it was not possible ( Na lie). The story did not end there, when the soldiers keeping watch over Peter couldn’t find him, Herod commanded that their lives should replace his ( Acts 12:18-20; Isaiah 43:4). Besides that, King Herod was later led into error; he refused to give God the honour due to Him and an angel of the Lord smote him and he gave up the ghost. (Acts 12:21-23).

Brethren, our God is still in the business of springing surprises.

With Him, all things are possible ( Matt. 19:26). When He decides to bless anyone with the miracle of “Na lie”, He suspends protocol. With the Almighty God, Red Sea stands as a heap for transition to the Promised land (Exodus 14:21-22); with Him the River Jordan that has debarred lots of lives and destinies part asunder for purposes to be realised (Joshua 3:15-16); with Him who has no word like ‘menopause’ in His lexicon, a 90 year old woman

NEWS ‘I won’t witch-hunt in anti-corruption battle’ Continued from page 4

be tough on terrorism and tough on its root causes by initiating a comprehensive economic development plan promoting infrastructural development, job creation, agriculture and industry in the affected areas.

“We will always act on time and not allow problems to irresponsibly fester and I, Muhammadu Buhari, will always lead from the front and return Nigeria to its leadership role in regional and international efforts to combat terrorism.”

On the economy, Gen. Buhari said it was worrisome that 33.1% of Nigerians still live in extreme poverty.

He added: “The fall in prices of oil has brought our economic and social stress into full relief. After the rebasing exercise in April 2014, Nigeria overtook South Africa as Africa’s largest economy. Our GDP is now valued at $510 billion and our economy rated 26th in the world. Also on the bright side, inflation has been kept at single digit for a while and our economy has grown at an average of 7% for about a decade. ”But it is more of paper growth, a growth that, on account of mismanagement, profligacy and corruption, has not translated to human development or shared prosperity.

A development economist once said three questions should be asked about a country’s development: one, what is happening to poverty? Two, what is happening to unemployment? And three, what is happening to inequality?

“The answers to these questions in Nigeria show that the current administration has cre-

ated two economies in one country, a sorry tale of two nations: one economy for a few who have so much in their tiny island of prosperity; and the other economy for the many who have so little in their vast ocean of misery.

“Even by official figures, 33.1% of Nigerians live in extreme poverty. That’s at almost 60 million, almost the population of the United Kingdom. There is also the unemployment crisis simmering beneath the surface, ready to explode at the slightest stress, with officially 23.9% of our adult population and almost 60% of our youth unemployed. We also have one of the highest rates of inequalities in the world.”

Gen. Buhari, the economy can develop only if two ills(waste and corruption) were addressed.

He said: “With all these, it is not surprising that our performance on most governance and development indicators (like Mo Ibrahim Index on African Governance and UNDP’s Human Development Index) are unflattering. With fall in the prices of oil, which accounts for more than 70% of government revenues, and lack of savings from more than a decade of oil boom, the poor will be disproportionately impacted.

“In the face of dwindling revenues, a good place to start the repositioning of Nigeria’s economy is to swiftly tackle two ills that have ballooned under the present administration: waste and corruption.

And in doing this, I will, if elected, lead the way, with the force of personal example.”

The APC candidate promised to run a private-sector led economy to salvage the economy.

He said: “In reforming the economy, we will use savings that arise from blocking these leakages and the proceeds recovered from corruption to fund our party’s social investments programmes in education, health and safety nets, such as free school meals for children, emergency public works for unemployed youth and pensions for the elderly.

The anti-corruption agencies will be independent, he said.

“On corruption, there will be no confusion as to where I stand. Corruption will have no place and the corrupt will not be appointed into my administration.

“The institutions of state dedicated to fighting corruption will be given independence and prosecutorial authority without political interference.”

On the allegation that as a former dictator, he might find it difficult to survive in a democracy, Buhari said although he cannot change the past, he could however change the present and the future.

His words: “I have heard and read references to me as a former dictator in many respected British newspapers, including the well regarded Economist. “ Let me say without sounding defensive that dictatorship goes with military rule, though some might be less dictatorial than others. I take responsibility for whatever happened under my watch.

“I cannot change the past.

But I can change the present

and the future. So, before you is a former military ruler and a converted democrat who is ready to operate under democratic norms and is subjecting himself to the rigours of democratic elections for the fourth time.

“You may ask: why is he doing this? This is a question I ask myself all the time too. And here is my humble answer: because the work of making Nigeria great is not yet done, because I still believe that change is possible, this time through the ballot, and most importantly, because I still have the capacity and the passion to dream and work for a Nigeria that will be respected again in the comity of nations and that all Nigerians will be proud of.”

On his alleged health challenge, Gen. Buhari said he is fit as a fiddle and ready for the March 28 poll.

He added: “I am very happy that I have been able to visit 35 states out of the 36. I haven’t broken down even though somebody announced me dead yesterday (Wednesday).

“I had a call from Maiduguri that somebody rushed into a friend’s house, crying and saying they had just announced that Buhari died in hospital in London and so, he called me and I laughed my head off.

“Certainly, I will be expecting too much if I don’t expect people to wish me dead. But I am very pleased that I am fit, the doctors have declared me fit and I am going back for the final onslaught.”

Responding to a question, Gen. Buhari said Nigeria cannot afford to break again as a nation because its nationalities have bonded.

menstrates and delivers a baby ( Genesis 21:1-5); with Him, there is an explanation and solution for issues that Doctors have regarded as a cul-de-sac ( Mk. 5:25-29); with Him, a little boy’s breakfast is sufficient to feed 5,000 men not counting women and children with twelve baskets remaining ( Matt. 14:15-20).

The Almighty God is the creator of heaven and earth; He is the One that makes a seemingly bad case perfect ( Gen. 17:1). “...... by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. (Col. 1:16-17).

When He decides to visit your life, He would give you a testimony of “Na lie” such that people that knew you before will be amazed at the turnaround of your situation; He would take the weeping of the night time away from you and make you wake up to an endless morning of joy (Psalm 30:5); He would orchestrate a circumstance that will compel people assigned to lift you up to overlook your educational, experience, family, age and health barriers (Judges 11:1-8) It is therefore not over with you dear brother and sister, the Almighty God who lifted up foreigners like Joseph, Esther, Daniel, Shadrack, Mesach, Abednego, Mordecal etc to positions of authority is your God. The Almighty God is going to step into your life. He would send an angel to liberate you from ‘Herod’s captivity’, all that the captors have taken from you shall be restored, doors shall open unto you of their own accord, the angel of God will lead you to the main road of life, your captors shall replace you, you shall not die but live and the Herods running after your life shall make mistakes that will end their lives.

To be a candidate for a miracle of “Na lie”, you are expected at this time of lent to surrender your life to Jesus Christ, confess your sins to Him, ask for His forgiveness, be determined not to return to sin again, be reconciled with all that have wronged you, live peacefully with all men, put on the garb of holiness, have faith in Him, continue with the fasting and pray for a miracle that “eyes have not seen, that ears have not heart and not come to the imagination of men” ( 1 Cor. 2:9). As He lives, you shall testify of His faithfulness soon, in Jesus’ name.

Prayers: Father, I come to you today, please do awesome works in my life and give me a miracle of “Na lie”, in Jesus’ name.

Presidency plans Jega’s sack next week, says senators Continued from page 4

card readers among other critical issues, which are very germane to the conduct of the 2015 elections.

“You will recall what we said that even a national daily made a comment on the use of card readers.

“The paper said in its editorial that only dishonest politicians fear the use of card readers.

“Today, we want to say that only dishonest politicians fear Jega as the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“Nigeria is long over due for a credible election. We said it before and we want to repeat: if smaller countries like Ghana could do this perfectly well, why can’t Nigeria do it.

“We oppose the removal because it is criminal, illegal and unconstitutional.

“We oppose this removal through the back door because government itself knows that if Jega goes wrong, you have to remove him by using the Senate to take him out, but you know you require two-third and that is what they are running away from.

“If you postpone elections and suddenly you say Jega should go, then Nigerians would have been deceived into taking it that elections were extended because there were no sufficient Permanent Voter Cards to enable everybody to vote.

“Even on the issue of PVCs, you observe that over 70million have been distributed. It is for all of us to also do our

own civic responsibility by getting these PVCs. “You don’t go and lay in your house and expect to collect the PVCs. It hasn’t got legs, so it cannot walk. It is not directed by a computer, so it will know and be able to locate where you live, but these things have been decentralised so that as many Nigerians as possible who are willing to take these cards and vote will do so.

“You also know that even those who have collected may not vote on that day for their personal reasons. But on a daily basis, Jega is being hammered.

“They say Jega is depriving over 10 million people of their right to vote. That is not true and we condemn what the government is trying to do and we want to appeal to all of you to rise up and defend our democracy.

“Honestly, we said it before; this is the road to Golgotha, road to Armageddon. This people want to destroy this country completely.

“Today this country is broke and it is not because of Jega.

People who are responsible are there and they are friends of government. Nigerians want peace, not pieces. “ Senator Danjuma Goje (Gombe Central) said that the constitution is clear that Jega is not a civil servant.

His words: “How Jega was appointed is also clear. The Senate has to approve and the removal is going to follow same process and we are waiting. Any other means of removing Jega will be unconstitutional and will be rejected.”

THE NATION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015

53

SHOWBIZ

Mike Ezuruonye, Omoni Oboli see hell in The Duplex

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gripping modern horror movie, The Duplex, puts loverboy actor, Mike Ezuruonye (Emeka) on the edge of life, as he battles, to save his wife, the beautiful Omoni Oboli (Adaku), their unborn baby and his investment of N120million. The battle is however lost as the resident ghost is already rampaging the posh but scary duplex.

Distributed by FilmOne, a sister company to Filmhouse Cinemas, The Duplex, which hits cinemas across Nigeria on March 6, is a piteous, tense experience of a young couple in their journey to start a life.

Ezuruonye and Oboli, display an infectious chemistry in their first appearance together and as a couple in a Nollywood movie ever.

And the film, pegged on the lesson of greed, plays up the contrast between a contented wife and a more adventurous husband, with sub plots of the woman’s financial possessiveness and

the man’s notable ego and secretiveness in the family.

In The Duplex, Chukwuma Omezioke took ill shortly before the Nigeria/Biafra war and died. His wife and only son left Lagos for their home town, trusting the property with the deceased’s best friend, Mr Balogun. But they were never to return to it because the caretaker had personalised the house documents. Omezioke’s ghost will not take the cheating lying low as it turns a serial killer, on the trail of buyers of his stolen home.

The cheap Lagos detached property in a serene environment; kickstarted a turbulent journey toward the living relations of the real owner to prevent more torment, torture, spiritual attacks, madness and deaths.

Indeed, The Duplex holds that ‘there’s more to a cheap property than fraudulent intent.’

Laced with some comic relief, viewers, according to Isikaku, are soon to see that

‘though a woman is amusingly freaked under a spiritual attack, perhaps a man’s reaction to the same situation is more laughable.’

Produced by Emmanuel Isikaku and directed by Ikechukwu Onyeka, other cast of the movie include Uru Eke (Dora); Anthony

Monjaro (Jones); Ayo Umoh (Akpan) and Maureen Okpoko, who played the bald-headed lady psychic.

A Videofield International Limited Production, the film which is screenplayed by Stanley Isokoh is exec-produced by Stella Isikaku and Emmanuel Isikaku.

Etisalat restates commitment to Nigerian Idol 5

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HE ceremonial premiere of the fifth season of Nigerian music reality show, Nigerian Idol, accorded show sponsors, Etisalat Nigeria, another opportunity to reaffirm its commitment to the empowerment of Nigerian youths through the music platform.

Head Events and Sponsorships, Etisalat Nigeria, Modupe Thani, said at the Oriental hotel, Lagos, venue of the premiere, Wednes-

By Joe Agbro Jr

day, that Etisalat was proud to be associated with the Nigerian Idol, describing it as a platform that affords youths the chance to express themselves through music and take their dreams to the next level. She also revealed that Etisalat has put in place an interesting show for viewers and audience this season.

“As a brand, we consider

the youths as a critical audience and we are passionate about what drives them. This year’s edition promises to be one of the best shows ever, because we have put so much in place to give the audience and viewers an all-round exciting experience. This season, we will be giving away premium prizes, not just to the winner, but also to the runners-up and others in the top 10 positions,” she said.

This season, the winner of

Nigerian Idol will be rewarded with N7.5 million cash reward, a brand new car, a recording deal with Universal Music Company worth N7.5 million amongst other prizes.

The show is scheduled to begin airing on March 1 on TV stations across the country, including NTA, STV, Hip TV, Superscreen TV, WAP TV, Smash TV, AMC TV, Rave TV, Cool TV Wazobia TV and V.Channel TV.

• L-R: Head, Youth Segment, Etisalat Nigeria, Elvis Daniel; Head, Events & Sponsorships Etisalat Nigeria, Modupe Thani; Nigerian Idol judge, Dede Mabiaku, Manager, Public Relations, Etisalat Nigeria, Chineze Amanfo at the Etisalat-sponsored Nigerian Idol 5 premiere, held at Lagos Oriental hotel, yesterday.

Artistes gang up against internet fraud

By Ovwe Medeme

N

IGERIAN superstars, Ice Prince, Phyno and Olamide have teamed up for a social awareness cause as they collaborate on a song titled Get Some Money.

The song, according to information, is an initiative of Paradigm Initiative Nigeria, a social enterprise that connects Nigerian youth with ICT-enabled opportunities.This organisation is currently working on a project called #DigitalJobs which aims to provide tens of thousands of Nigerian youths with legitimate jobs on the internet.

In order to make this objective a reality, they have gotten some of the biggest stars in Nigerian music to encourage Nigerian youths to embrace the #DigitalJobs project and desist from Internet fraud.

Information also has it that Get Some Money will be officially released today by 12pm at Paradigm Initiative Nigeria’s social media week Conference tagged “#SMWLAGOSEXPLORE With PIN! Behind The Scene”.

THE NATION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27 2015

54

COMMENTARY

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REAMBLE This column, The Message’, will never be tired of quoting from a famous stanza of an Arab poet whose ingenuous poem has become a timeless axiom from which humanity continues to learn. For as long as the situation that warrants repeated quotation of that poem persists quoting the poem repeatedly will not abate. It goes thus: “Here is the period of life against which we had been admonished through the wisdom of Ubayyi Ibn Ka‘b and that of Abdullah Ibn Mas‘ud.

Here is the time in life when truth becomes totally abhorrent while falsehood and rebellion are loftily upheld. Should this period linger and nothing changes in it, the world may (soon) reach a stage where the bereaved will rather rejoice than grieve over the demise of a close relation and parents will rather grieve than rejoice over the birth of a new baby”.

Nigeria is a country where the lives of the citizens are not worth more than those of mere fouls that can be terminated anytime and anyhow by the socalled security agents especially the police.

Examples of such brutal extrajudicial killings by Nigerian police abound. We can still recall the agonising case of Oko Oba seven of the early 1990s in which a septuagenarian grand pa and six of his grandchildren, including a corps member were ordered to face the wall inside their Oko Oba, Agege house and mowed down brutally like weeds in cold blood.

Their bodies were then loaded into a police vehicle and driven to a bush where they were labeled as armed robbers and displayed through the media with local guns and charms as exhibits against them.

After some years of court trial on the case, the fact surfaced that the innocent family was murdered extra-judicially, following a land dispute with another family in which some policemen were illegally hired to deal with the deceased family. And the police were eventually adjudged guilty and made to pay a chunk of money ransom.

We also remember the 2006 Apo Six in which some Igbo motor spare parts dealers were whisked away from their homes to an obscure place in Abuja and gunned down in cold blood only to labeled armed robbers with some local guns and charms attached to their lifeless bodies as evidence of armed robbery. At the long end of the case it became evident that those dealers were innocent and the zealous policemen who killed them were said to be reprimanded.

We also remember another case of Apo Nine about three years ago in which some innocent water vendors were murdered in cold blood while sleeping in a house in the area during the night. In this last dastardly act, the victims were labeled Boko Haram insurgents by the Department of State Security (DSS). And in the end, it was proved to be sheer extra-judicial killing. We are yet to hear the conclusion of the court case on that callous act. While the list of such heinous acts by Nigeria’s so-called security agents is too long to be exhausted here a new one has just come up again.

Narration On Sunday, February, 15, 2015, the Kano State Police Command announced that its men killed two men believed to be Boko Haram kingpins. The deceased whose name was given as Ahmad Falaki was said to have attacked a police station in Kibiya LGA the preceding Saturday.

According to the Command’s spokesman, Magaji Majia, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), the insurgents on motorcycles had attacked Kibiya police station at about 5.30pm on Saturday preceding the announcement day.

He said: “On the spot, two of the sect members were killed and two others were arrested by the villagers. The remaining members ran towards Ningi Road that leads to Bauchi State.”

ASP Majia announced the development with such zealousness that gave the impression of euphoria of victory and said that the remaining two insurgents were arrested by the villagers who handed them over to the police. Meanwhile, as usual, the fact of the matter abundantly contradicted the claim by the police even

FEMI ABBAS ON femabbas756@gmail.com 08115708536

Killed in cold blood ‘ The questions here

•The late Prof Falaki •Abba as highly valuable lives have been illegally terminated.

Petition by the family

In the emerging facts subsequently, it became known that one of the two persons killed and alleged to be members of Boko Haram insurgents was Ahmad Mustapha Falaki, a renowned Professor of Agronomy and lecturer at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU). He was on an official trip to some rural areas in some states when he unfortunately fell into the web of some murderers operating in the police uniform.

It took the Vice-Chancellor of ABU to reach out to the Inspector-General of Police before the latter who must have known Prof Falaki personally could order a full investigation into the gory murder.

Meanwhile, what really transpired was contained in a petition addressed to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) written by the murdered professor’s family and signed by his brother, Aminu Mustapha Daneji. The petition went thus: “On Saturday February 14, 2015, at the village of Fala, Tudun Wada Local Government Area, Kano State, at about 18.30hrs, Prof Ahmad Mustapha Falaki of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, was attacked by police personnel on the pretext that he was a suspected member of Boko Haram.

He was a renowned Professor of Agronomy and substantive Director of the Institute of Agricultural Research (IAR) of the ABU, and was the former Country Director of the SASAKAWA Project in Nigeria. He is survived by three wives and 18 children. “[Professor Falaki] was in the company of his driver, Lawal Ahmad and younger brother, Abbas Mustapha Falaki [on the trip leading to his death]. The account given by the police was that they [the police] had killed one Boko Haram member and injured two others who were in their custody. This was broadcasted over the radio. Another version the police offered was that the deceased and his fellow travellers were lynched by a mob in the village.

Testimony by the survivors “Based upon the testimony of the accounts of the survivors of the attack and other eye witnesses to the events of that day, we stoutly dispute both versions and briefly state our understanding of what transpired that fateful evening as follows: “At about 16.00hrs, when Prof Falaki realised that their Hilux Van had had a slightly deflated tyre, he asked his driver to park by the roadside and replace it… Just then, some unknown persons, nine in number and riding three motorcycles, descended upon them and demanded for the vehicle’s key. The deceased immediately directed his driver to hand over the key.

are many. For instance, why did the police conclude without any investigation that the professor’s identity card was fake? If somebody was brought to the police station on mere suspicion by some people should the police judge such a person without charging him to court?’

The nine riders sped away with the vehicle, abandoning a motorcycle on the scene.

“Using his mobile phone, the deceased made frantic attempts to notify his transport officer at ABU to have the vehicle electronically tracked. Meanwhile, members of the public from the village were milling around and sympathising with the deceased and his party on this apparent armed robbery. At this point, the professor notified his family members by phone on their predicament. For close to two hours, the deceased was busy making contacts with ABU staff as well as friends in Bura village and Kano, and mingling with the villagers. In fact, they even observed prayers at the scene.

Role of the police “Suddenly thereafter, some persons who identified themselves as policemen appeared on the scene, allegedly in pursuit of Boko Haram members who had earlier laid siege to the Police Post in Kibiya town of Kano State. Prof Falaki identified himself to them, presenting them with his ABU Identity Card and his Driving Licence. The driver also identified himself with his Driving Licence.

“For some inexplicable reasons, the policemen ignored the identification insisting that for all they cared the deceased professor and his entourage were members of Boko Haram who had escaped from Kibiya. They then began to strike the professor and his fellows with machetes, clubs and gun butts. The deceased was struck such fatal blows that he died instantly at the scene. Abbas, the brother, sustained deep cuts on his forehead, face and body. Out of fear, the driver attempted to flee but was chased and apprehended, and also beaten up terribly.

“The body of the Prof Falaki was transported to Murtala Muhammed Hospital in Kano by the police. The driver and Abbas were chained and detained at SARS in the premises of the State Police Command, Bompai, Kano.

Therefore, the police account of ‘lynching’ is not true at all.

The deceased was not lynched by the villagers of Fala. In fact, the deceased had mingled with the sympathetic Fala villagers for over two hours before the arrival of the police. He had even prayed there.

Demand by the family “In view of the foregoing, we make the following demands: 1.That this suspected act of extra-judicial killing be thoroughly investigated and any person who had a hand in it be appropriately dealt with, as provided by law; 2.That the report of the investigation be made available to the members of the family of the deceased and his employers at A.B.U, Zaria; 3.That pending the conclusion of the investigation, we request for retraction of the statement by the police that the deceased and his entourage are members of Boko Haram, and the retraction must be given the widest publicity possible.

4. “For the avoidance of any doubt, we reserve our legal rights to pursue other remedies in other appropriate fora including the enforcement of their rights, as guaranteed by law and the Nigerian constitution”.

Logical questions The questions here are many. For instance why did the police conclude without any investigation that the professor’s identity card was fake?

If somebody was brought to the police station on mere suspicion by some people should the police judge such a person without charging him to court? This was the same situation that sparked off the monstrous calamity now called Boko Haram in 2009 when Muhammad Yusuf, the original founder of the Islamic group that later metamorphosed into Boko Haram was shot by the police in his cell even while handcuffed.

Observation The idea of riding roughshod on the law of the land with impunity by the police has been very dangerous for Nigeria and it is getting more dangerous by the day.

A recent episode of the National Assembly where law makers were tear gassed and the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Sulaiman Abba, refused to recognise the Speaker of the House of Representatives on the claim that the latter had decamped to another political party is still fresh.

Conclusion Extra-judicial killings by the police cannot be strange to anybody who lives in Nigeria and has been following the mode of operation of those we call security men in this country. After all, most Nigerians could not have forgotten so soon what happened to the family of Mallam Ibrahim Al-Zakizaki just a few months ago in Zaria where three of his grown up children (all of them university students) were gunned down by the so-called security men within two days. The allegation, as usual, was spurious. It should be recalled that the incident that led to wide spread revolution in the Arab world recently began in Tunisia where the reckless misconduct of that country’s police force made President Zainul Abidin to flee the country and never return. To think that the same cannot happen in Nigeria is to create an abode for oneself in a fool’s paradise. A police that calls themselves the friend of the people must not behave like the enemy of the people.

Adieu! Professor Falaki The late 66-year-old Prof Falaki began his teaching career in Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) in 1975. He was reputed to be one of Africa’s leading agriculturists. Prof Falaki, according to his profile on the ABU website, was a brilliant, versatile academic of rare breed from Africa. In the course of research, he visited 75 countries in world’s five continents. The gentle, amiable and affable professor had over 85 published academic works to his credit and he was seen as a friend of all as well as model for upcoming Nigerian youths who are akin to intellectualism. He was a National Amir of the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria when that organisation was virile.

Falaki’s friends and associates described the murdered don as a “jolly good fellow who ran an open door policy to all.” In a sane country, the likes of Professor Falaki would rather be adorned than killed like a fowl. But that is Nigeria for you. We pray the Almighty Allah to repose his soul in eternal bliss and grant his family the needed fortitude to bear the indelible agony. Inna Lillah wa inna ilayhi raji’un!

55

THE NATION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015

SPORT EXTRA AAG/OLYMPICS QUALIFIERS

Falilat Ogunkoya praises Misam athletes

‘Mali challenge a big task’ N

S

UPER Falcons’ Head Coach Edwin Okon on Thursday said having to face Mali in the All-Africa Games (AAG) and 2016 Olympics qualifiers was a big task for the African champions.

Okon told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja they were, however, ready to surmount the task ahead of them, even though the timing of the team’s camping was unfavourable.

NAN reports that the national senior women’s team, who are the reigning African champions, resumed camp on Feb. 22.

This was in preparations for the 2015 AAG and 2016 Olympic Games qualifiers against Mali. ``It is a very big task and we are in for it, because it is a must for us to qualify being the African champions and since all eyes will be on us, the coach said.

NAN reports that the Falcons will play the first leg of the AAG

qualifiers on March 22 in Bamako and the return leg in Nigeria two weeks later. ``Though the timing of our camp is not favourable enough, we will still not dwell on that. ``For now, we will dwell on our work rate at the training and see how we can match up with those who have started training before us,’’ Okon said.

The first leg of the Olympic Games qualifiers on the other hand will hold on May 9 in Nigeria while the return leg holds in Bamako on May 16. ``We know we have a lot of work ahead of us, but we are ready for it because we know the league has not started and if we should relax, it will be against us. ``That is why we decided to start training by 3p.m. for now, to see if they can endure. ``Once their endurance rate is good, whether or not the league competition is going on, we will pick up from there,’’ Okon said.

The coach, who also handles Rivers Angels FC of Port Harcourt, however expressed satisfaction at the good turnout of the players at the camp.

He said the invitation of new players was to give room for other players, apart from those who won the African Women Championship (AWC) with the team in October 2014. ``I am a happy man with the response of the players who are injury-free, coupled with their response to training, and with what I have seen after two days, we are good to go. ``And I invited new faces because I am looking for the best. If they are serious, I can as well drop those who went with me to Namibia. ``There is no permanent room for anybody here in our camp. It is a free ground. So, we are not biased, we want everyone to come in and show us what they have,’ Okon said.

Adamu battles for honour at Luxor Taekwondo Open in Egypt

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FTER his not-too-impressive performance at the maiden AFTU Taekwondo Open, Nigeria’s Abubakar Isah Adamu will today take to the ring at the second Luxor Taekwondo Opens in Egypt.

The Luxor Open is a World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) G-2 ranking tournament which begins today and ends on March 1 at Luxor, Egypt.

Being his first international tournament in the adult -58kg category, Adamu fell 6 – 18 in the first round to the more experienced France’s Kyliann Bonnet amid a strew of defensive errors at the AFTU Open last weekend.

Also, Adamu’s compatriot, Jamilu Mohammed came back from a 10 – 0 deficit to dramatically defeat homeboy, Egypt’s Omar Ghonim 18 – 14 to progress to the last eight of the tournament of the AFTU championship.

By Olalekan Okusan However, in the quarterfinals, in a mirrored repeat of Nigeria against France, Mohammed came up against Dylan Chellamootoo, who raced quickly to a 8 – 0 score line. A late surge in the 3rd round saw Mohammed close the deficit to 14 – 12, but could not complete the turn-around as he did in his first fight.

At the Luxor Open, the Commonwealth gold medallists weighed-in yesterday in readiness for the draw conducted also yesterday while

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they will compete in the 58kg men’s category with the hope of doing well against the world’s best.

On Adamu’s performance at the AFTU Open, threetime Olympian, Chika Chukwumerije who tutored the athlete at the event was unfazed by the results and content with the experience gained.

“Adamu just turned 18 years old eight days ago. This is the first time he is competing in the adult category.

Despite his enormous talent, he has to pass through the fire. I am extremely pleased he had a tough draw – it will only hasten his learning process.

IGERIA Sports Icon, Falilat Ogunkoya has heaped praises on the management of Misan Schools, Ipaja Lagos for providing the enabling environment for students and pupils of the school to excel.

Ogunkoya stated this at the second Inter-house Sports Competition of the School.

She described schools sports meet as she described hunt-

ing ground where future champions can be discovered.

The double Olympic bronze medalist enjoined the management of the school led by Elder Micheal Eweje to ensure the schools take part in various state and national school sports event. She urged them to provide more sporting equipment and kits which will further raise the profile of the school and

standard of sports in the country.

The renowned quartemiler traced her success to her secondary school days at Ode Remo Secondary School, Ogun State where she was discovered in 1980 during a sport meet at Shagamu Stadium. She urged the students not to give up on their dream but be “steadfast and be of good moral”.

TODAY IN THE NATION

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

‘The ruling PDP and President Jonathan should not push their intertwined luck to its elastic limit by attempting, again, something funny’ VOL.10 NO. 3138

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

T

HIS week and the next I address voters still undecided about the two leading presidential candidates. In a state of hesitancy, how do you decide? Place the “problematic” credentials of each on a scale, determine the weightier, and make a rational choice on that basis. I start with President Goodluck Jonathan.

Jonathan’s critics identify multiple negatives in his leadership record. They charge him with unacceptable weakness in respect of the most important responsibility of government: security. Not just opponents, intellectuals supporting the president also acknowledge that he is soft on security. The evidence is glaring. More than 200 Nigerian girls are still held by Boko Haram terrorists. Those are potential doctors, engineers, accountants, senators, and president.

Jonathan was in denial at first. But since accepting the fact, what has he done? He has politicised security to the point of getting security chiefs wade into the murky water of politics and throwing professionalism overboard.

With respect to the all important goal of eliminating or reducing the lethal grip of corruption on the country, Jonathan has also been indicted in the court of public opinion as weak and ineffectual. For Nigerians who reject the distinction between stealing and corruption, the reality of corrupt practices in the PDP-led government is undeniable. The intervention of professionals such as former CBN Governor Charles Soludo only confirms their fears.

And when the Coordinating Minister for the Economy suggested that corruption cannot be fought effectively without the establishment of relevant institutions, even with the EFCC, ICPC in addition to the police and the courts, not a few jaws dropped in disbelief.

Impunity—an in-your-face arrogance and abuse of power—throughout the polity is a veritable feature of corruption. As the central government with the monopoly of power over security agencies, the Jonathan administration has upped the ante in the unlawful use of the police and the armed forces. With the demeanor of an innocent soul at the beginning of his term, Mr. President has over the years learnt the ropes and concluded that to have a shot at the second term he must use federal might to advantage.

Not many would deny the likeability of President Jonathan. But he has around him some devilish hawks that have demonstrated their disdain for decency and legality because these qualities don’t win elections in their

L

OVE letter in a time of angst Dear President Goodluck Jonathan, it is my guess that you receive dozens of unsolicited letters daily by virtue of your position. Letters from the high and low; open, closed and coded and de-coded; the sensible and many, sheer effusions from disturbed minds. You cannot possibly read them all even if you tried; you are not even obliged to read them at all but depending on your temperament and reading culture, it helps a great deal if you paid a little attention to some of these odd, unsolicited missives as they are liable to provide you some unedited views and perspectives of your domain.

I respectfully add mine to the myriad of others not because one had not brooked the subject of the day previously on this column but mainly because the moment warrants that the issues in question be raised again in a more pointed manner. Of course, the issue of the moment is squarely succession riding on the wings of campaign and the coming elections. Like a plane, the electioneering is at its cruising altitude now.

All you want to hear about now is smooth landing, that is, success in the election. Anything short would be akin to treason in your view.

But a sage once determined that the best truth, just like food, is the unpalatable one.

You don’t want to eat it but it’s good for your health; you don’t want to hear it, but your very life may well depend on it.

Mr. President, I imagine that the people you would rather have around now are your election ‘strategist’, ‘influential’ leaders of one major group or the other, ‘highcalibre’ endorsers of your campaign, voluble defenders of your government, financiers and sponsors. This is normal, natu-

SEGUN GBADEGESIN gbadegesin@thenationonlineng.net

All things considered (1) warped judgment. A truly decent and strong leader would call his men and women to order if he really believes that no position is worth the blood of Nigerians.

But that is just a manner of speech from the throne of deceit. It has never been from the heart of a convinced gentleman.

•Dr. Jonathan There are lots of evidence, the most recent being the outing of the Ekiti election rigging scandal. The tape revealed abuse of power and impunity in high places. But even without his listening to it, President Jonathan dismissed the recording as “fabrication”. And when the shameless characters whose voices were captured in the tape owned up, did the President apologize to Nigerians and do the needful, which in its barest minimum would be to set up an investigation panel—if only to pretend that he was still interested in the protection of electoral integrity? No! He just looked the other way.

An unlimited presidential power cannot be limited by the voice of the people for fairness and justice. Not only has the President chosen not to conduct an investigation, he has rewarded one of the men involved in the abuse of power with a ministerial appointment. In a decent society it will not happen. Even if the President didn’t know about the tapes prior to the nomination, he would withdraw the name of the nominee from further consideration until he is cleared of any wrongdoing. But this is Nigeria and no one would be surprised if all that Musliu Obanikoro has to do is to take a

bow before the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and receive a portfolio to resume plundering where he left off. And we complain that the world doesn’t give us respect!

Jonathan heard the wicked rant of AIG Mbu, vowing to murder 20 civilians to avenge the killing of any one of his men. In a civilized country with laws and procedures, this is coming from an officer who has shown himself as the most brutish police partisan in dealing with the opposition, from Rivers State to the Federal Capital Territory. But does this promise of self-help justice bother the President? If the past is a prelude to the future, it is not too far-fetched to predict that a second term of the President may see Mbu at the top of the police hierarchy.

The AIG himself has recently signaled this possibility.

How about the deliberate politicization of religion for cheap political gain? We have not seen the kind of deliberate use of religion that we are experiencing now in a presidential election since 1999. And where is it coming from?

We have been treated to the President of a multi-religious nation hopping from one mega church to another ostensibly to thank them for praying for the country. But we know what is going on, don’t we? President Jonathan has the bully pulpit to pronounce against the use of religion and ethnicity in dividing the nation, but he seems bent on mining them for election purposes. So when he chose not to condemn Niger Delta militants stoking the embers of war should he lose, the President is sending the wrong message to a nation whose diversity is its strength.

The foregoing are weighty negatives. But Jonathan certainly has his positives. Not a few of his supporters base their advocacy for his reelection on his convocation of the National Conference. This is especially the case with the south-

STEVE OSUJI

EXPRESSO

steve.osuji@yahoo.com

•Columnist of the Year (NMMA)

A coded letter to President Jonathan ral and rational.

At this stage of the quest for the prime office, there is only one thought in the mind of the returning incumbent – victory. I do not think there is a greater, more painful loss than an incumbent failing in his bid to win re-election. Again, it is human for an incumbent to fight with everything he has; to stake everything – including sovereignty – to make sure he returns to office; or more appropriately, to ensure that he is not ‘disgraced’ out of office as we say here.

How to be a game-changer But the point of this letter is to ask that you do the seeming impossible; like asking you to stop a plane that is already cruising. It may seem crazy but that is the art of game-changers, it is the stuff that makes for greatness and eternal statesmanship.

I do not ask that you quit the race. No, that is out of the question now. Though that had been canvassed here previously and would have marked the greatest path of honour for you but unfortunately, you shunned it. You missed that huge opportunity.

However, another great opportunity is em-

bedded even in this equally great quest for the presidential diadem. But first you must step away from the madding crowd of election hawks and vultures. You must find a lonely place for quiet reflection. You must ask yourself some of the following questions: what is this election really worth to me? I had spent a longer time on this seat (nearly six years) why is another four years so crucial to me that I am willing to do just anything to stay on? Why really am I desperately seeking another four years; is it for my personal ego and aggrandizement; for my country Nigeria or for the people around me who insist it is the right and entitlement of the minorities of the Niger Delta region?

Further, you must reflect on the import of victory and a possibility of defeat. If I achieved victory, especially by a certain sleight of hand what would the victory mean to me? Would I be a better president than I am now? Would I be able to manage this parlous economy better than I did in my first five years of stupendous oil boom?

Of sweet defeat and bitter victory On the

MOBOLAJI SANUSI

ern leaders, particularly the Southwest, who have been in the vanguard of the struggle for the restructuring of the country through a Sovereign National Conference. Apparently towards the end of his first term, Jonathan was persuaded to believe that to have a chance in the Southwest he had to accede to the demand for a national conference. The mere convocation of the conference was therefore enough for some of the Southwest leaders to throw their support behind the president.

It was also a smart move for the president to accept the challenge so late in his first term because while the report was ready, the implementation must have to wait until after the election and a new National Assembly. And since he was the convener, the campaign of his supporters now is that he is the only one that can be trusted to implement the report.

What is not being honestly discussed is the unpredictability of the composition of the new National Assembly and the State Assemblies. Given the reality of a strong opposition and the new minority status of PDP in the House of Representatives going into the election, what kind of NASS will the president work with if he is reelected? If his supporters ever gave this a thought, it has not diminished their enthusiastic support for him on this singular issue.

Supporters have also beaten their chests on behalf of the president on account of his stewardship of the economy and the achievement of the “First in Africa” status. They give the president credit for his leadership effort in restructuring the power sector and some of the breakthrough in the area of agriculture.

Achieving the status of “First in Africa” is certainly a feat. But what does it amount to?

Does it place food on the table of the millions of unemployed youths? How has it improved the lives of workers and pensioners? This is where Soludo’s intervention hit hardest.

While we celebrate the “First in Africa” status, we failed to recognize the negative impact of the depletion of foreign reserves in the last four years.

In sum then, going into the election, President Jonathan’s negative evaluations are weightier than his positives. He is undoubtedly aware of this. Indeed, many Nigerians believe that the shift in the election schedule has something to do with it. We will soon know if the tactic works or backfires.

•For comments, send SMS to 08111813080 other hand, if I organised an orderly, free and fair election and suffered defeat and stepped down dignifiedly, would I have lost anything other than the office?

Would the whole world not hoist me up as a shining example of a great African leader who held a free and fair election in which he was defeated? Would I not become an African statesman and legend sought after around the world by all?

Would my conducting a peaceful, free and fair election not be a worthier achievement than everything I have achieved so far?

I know that most of the people around you would not give you room to breathe not to speak of a lonely moment of soulsearching but that is to be expected. If they allowed you a minute of deep-thinking you just might find out that most of them are actually not your friend but fortune hunters who are seeking to enrich themselves even more. If you run a quick mental check, you will find that most of them are worth billions now who had nothing when you first knew them.

All their puffing and huffing and rattling is not because they love you more, no; they are feeding fat from the situation and they will push you over the cliff if that is what it takes to keep the pock.

They will tell you to fight for it; they will tell you to go gung-ho; they will tell you to remember you are the C-in-C and you must do whatever it takes to remain in power; they will tell you no president in Africa ever organized an election in which he was defeated; they will tell you it would mark the ultimate capitulation and an effete lack of heart.

•Continued

on page 59

•For comments, send SMS to 08111526725

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Editor Daily:08099365644, Marketing: 01-8155547 . Abuja Office: Plot 5, Nanka Close AMAC Commercial Complex, Wuse Zone 3, Abuja. Tel: 07028105302. Port Harcourt Office: 12/14, Njemanze Street, Mile 1, Diobu, PH. 08023595790. WEBSITE: www.thenationonlineng.net E-mail: info@thenationonlineng.net Editor: GBENGA OMOTOSO