January 16, 2015 by The Nation

NIGERIA DECIDES

Newspaper of the Year •U.S. envoy seeks anti-violence pledge•Mimiko’s ex-aide, others join APC •Fayose sacks Perm Sec. over Jonathan rally •AND MORE ON PAGES 2-4,6,7,18&59 •Soyinka endorses anti-violence pact•INEC dismisses three over PVCs •Dickson to opponents: don’t heat up polity•Peterside ‘our next governor’ •Uduaghan: Jonathan deserves second term •Asari angry with President

•Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

VOL. 10, NO. 3097 FRIDAY, JANUARY 16, 2015

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

N150.00

Jonathan: we’ll reclaim lost territories

Buhari to Armed Forces: your neglect ’ll soon be over

•President visits soldiers, IDPs in Maiduguri

By Joseph Jibueze and Tony Akowe, Abuja

LL Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate General Muhammadu Buhari has assured the Armed Forces that their “neglect” will end if he is elected as president. In a goodwill message to members of the Armed Forces to mark the Armed Forces Remembrance Day, Gen. Buhari urged the military to remain apolitical and be focused on the ethos of discipline, which is the hallmark Continued on page 4

•www.thenationonlineng.net

•Gen. Buhari

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan yesterday visited Maiduguri – the beleaguered Borno State capital that has been troubled by Boko Haram insurgents. This is the President’s first trip to the Northeat since the government declared a state of emergency in three states – Borno, Yobe and Adamawa

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja and Duku Joel, Maiduguri

- in May 2013. His unannounced visit is believed to be a prelude to his political campaign in the state slated for January 24. Dr. Jonathan left the venue of the Armed Forces Remembrance Day ceremony in

Abuja and headed for Maiduguri, accompanied by Chief of Defence Staff Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, Chief of Army Staff Lt.-Gen. Kenneth Minimah, National Security Adviser (NSA) Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), National Emergency Management Agency Continued on page 4

•INSIDE: SEC: OFFICIALS’ MOVEMENTS USUAL P11 HOUSE OKAYS IDPS TO VOTE P4

N60b terror victims cash: Jonathan under pressure We got about N14b only, says Adeola NEMA: 1m displaced

By Sanni Onogu, Bukola Amusan Abuja and Precious Igbonwelundu

HERE is the N60 billion raised last year for the support of victims of terrorism? That was the question yesterday amid reports that Boko Haram’s massacre in Baga was unprecedented, but it suffered huge losses in its failed bid to capture Biu in Borno State. President Goodluck Jonathan was under pressure to explain where the cash had gone. But the custodians of the funds sprang up to a robust defence of their operations. They said less than N14 billion had been collected of the N58.7billion expected. The Federal Government on August 1, last year, told Nigerians that N58.7 billion was raised through the TerWILL THE ror Victims Support CHIBOK GIRLS Fund (TVSF), to assist KIDNAPPED victims of terrorist atON APRIL 15 tacks, who most times EVER RETURN? Continued on page 4

•A GONY •AGONY GONY:: Displaced people from Baga listening to President Goodluck Jonathan during his visit to their camp in Maiduguri…yesterday PHOTO: AFP

•AGRIC P14 •SOCIETY P15 •POLITICS P17 •SPORTS P23 •BRAND P51 •FOREIGN P61

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 16, 2015

NEWS

NIGERIA DECIDES

A call on public

•From left: Former Governors Ahmed Makarfi of Kaduna; Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti and the U.S. United States (U.S.) Ambassador to Nigeria, James Entwistele at Eisenhower Leadership Lecture on Peaceful Election in Abuja...yesterady.

•Manager, Government Relations at Nigeria Liquefied Gas (NLNG) Limited Charles Okon, presenting the keys to an ambulance to the Zonal Commanding Officer, (RS2) of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Lagos,Godwin Ogaga Oghene...on Wednesday. with them is Sector Commander of the Corps, Hyginus Omeje.

•Dr. Jonathan

•Gen. Buhari

United States (U.S.) Ambassador to Nigeria James Entwistle, in this remark at the Eisenhower Leadership Series launch in Abuja, yesterday, touched on the need for Nigerian politicians to take anti-violence pledge.

•From left: Executive Director, CardinalStone Partners, Mr. Michael Nzewi, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Fidson Healthcare Plc, Dr Fidelis Ayebae and Chairman, Fidson Healthcare Plc, Mr. Felix Ohiwerei at the completion meeting for Fidson Healthcare Plc N2 billion Bond Issue in Lagos. PHOTO:ABIODUN WILLIAMS

• Minister of Communications Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson, cutting the tape to inaugurate MainOne's Tier III Data Center, MDX-i in Lagos …yesterday. With her from left are: Lagos Commissioner for Commerce & Industry, Mrs. Olusola Oworu, Chairman, MainOne, Fola Adeola, Director, MainOne, Mr. Dapo Oshinusi, Managing Director, Fidelity Bank Plc, Mr. Nnamdi Okonkwo and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), MainOne Mrs. Funke Opeke. PHOTO: SOLOMON ADEOLA

WIGHT David Eisenhower was a towering American of the 20th century. He rose from humble origins through the ranks of the United States (U.S.) Army to lead the liberation of Europe from Nazi oppression during World War II. He was elected President of the U.S. in 1952 and for a second term in 1956. During his presidency, Eisenhower played a key role in the evolution of civil rights in my country. In addition to signing several key pieces of voting legislation, Eisenhower sent U.S. troops to enforce the integration of schools in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1957 and it was on his watch that the Supreme Court made one of its most famous rulings, also on school desegregation, in Brown v. Board of Education. One of the most appropriate things Eisenhower ever said was, “Peace and justice are two sides of the same coin.” This leadership series is dedicated to the memory ofDwight David Eisenhower, for whom one of the premier U.S. exchange programs is named, a military leader who became dedicated to the causes of peace and justice. Indeed, I have always found it fascinating that this military hero, in his 1961 farewell address to the nation, warned about the dangers of massive military spending and coined the term “military–industrial complex.” I also am especially pleased to be with you today—on what would have been the 86th birthday of one of America’s, and indeed the world’s, greatest citizens: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. We earlier watched a video on the life of Dr. King, which made clear his role in expanding the reach of American democracy to Americans of African descent. In addition, as many of you probably know, a new film was recently released about Dr. King, entitled: Selma.It stars, as Dr. King, a young British actor, born to Nigerian parents, named David Oyelowo. I think it is timely to reflect on Dr. King’s life as Nigerians prepare to go to the polls next month for I believe that his legacy is tremendously relevant to your democratic exercise. Dr. King rose to national prominence in 1955 after Rosa Parks, an African-American seamstress, refused to give up her seat to a white patron on a

public bus in Montgomery, Alabama. Throughout 1955, Dr. King led the peaceful boycott of Montgomery buses. In the decade that followed, he became a leader and spokesperson for the civil rights movement, as millions of people struggled peacefully for equal treatment in all aspects of American society. As you know from the documentary, this was a dangerous time for Americans who advocated for racial equality in the American South, but Dr. King and courageous civil rights advocates persevered—by placing black and white passengers on interstate buses, by sitting next to each other in segregated restaurants and at department store dining counters, and through programmes to register black voters in southern states. Many were verbally abused and physically assaulted. Some of them were killed. Throughout this period, Dr. King nonetheless continued to advocate the practice of non-violence. In his most famous speech, “I Have a Dream,” delivered in Washington, D.C. in August 1963, Reverend King offered a caution which, while not one of the most well-known quotes from that famous speech, has always stuck with me: “But there is something that I must say to my people, who stand on the warm threshold which leads into the palace of justice: In the process of gaining our rightful place, we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred. We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again, we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force.” The next year, the Congress of the U.S. passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which guaranteed many of the rights to social equality that Dr. King and the Civil Rights Movement had been fighting for, and Dr. King won the Nobel Peace Prize at the age of 35. Indeed, he was the youngest Nobel Peace Prize recipient until last year, when MalalaYousafzai won it at the age of 17! But Dr. King was not satisfied since, although African Americans constituted more than half the population in some voting districts and were a large minority throughout the South, most

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 16, 2015

NIGERIA DECIDES

c office seekers to take anti-violence pledge

• Martin Luther

of them had effectively been blocked for exercising their right to vote for over one hundred years. Dr. King recognised that only through the ballot box could the voices and desires of African Americans truly be heard. When it became clear that, despite President Johnson’s instruction to his attorney-general to draft the toughest Voting Rights Act possible, that the U.S. Congress was reluctant to pass additional legislation so soon after the 1964 legislation, Dr. King responded. In March 1965, Dr. King undertook to lead a peaceful march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama. The protestors were peaceful, many of the police and bystanders were violent, and as a direct result, Congress took up and passed the Voting Rights Act of 1965. At the White House signing ceremony, President Johnson remarked, “The vote is the most powerful instrument ever devised by man for breaking down injustice and destroying the terrible walls which imprison men because they are different from other men.” Dr. King also spoke, stating that “Voting is the foundation stone for political action.” Now, the events I am discussing are much more than abstract historical issues for me. My father was an Air Force officer and we moved around a lot while I was young. In the early 1960s we lived in Montgomery, Alabama. I remember Dr. King coming to town for the Selma marches. I remember African-Americans being attacked in the streets as they demon-

•Participants taking a pledge against violence at the inauguration of the Eisenhower Leadership series in Abuja...yesterday.

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Whenever I meet with a politician or a candidate here, I ask him or her to publicly take the non-violence pledge. That is, to state clearly in front of their fellow Nigerians that they will not condone, foment, or endorse violence before, during or after the elections. When I do that, I frequently get the response, and I’m talking about representatives of all parties, of something like “Well, of course I would never instigate or call for violence but if my opponent starts it or if I’m not happy with the results, I may not have any choice.” That, my friends, does not constitute a legitimate nonviolence pledge strated for their civil rights and for the right to vote. Seeing things like this when you are young etches them in your soul forever. What lessons do I draw from my experiences in Alabama during that period? First, and this has been reinforced by many things I have seen in my 34 years of being a U.S. diplomat around the world, is the precious nature of the right to vote. All over the world, including in my country, people have struggled and in some cases died to obtain the right to vote. When we have the right to vote but don’t use it, we disrespect their memory. So, I

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urge all Nigerians who are eligible to vote to do so. Vote. It’s one of the most powerful weapons in the world.Vote. Second, having seen African-Americans attacked in the streets and now, fifty years later, having the privilege of working for an African-American President of the U.S, I am convinced that genuine change through the democratic process is absolutely possible. I know this because I have seen it in my own lifetime in my own country. It may not happen overnight, it may take decades, but it is absolutely possible.

The third and final lesson I draw from those experiences as a young boy is the power of the manner in which Dr. King devoted his life to non-violence. As Dr. King taught Americans, and as he taught the world, “non-violence means avoiding not only external physical violence but also internal violence of spirit. You not only refuse to shoot a man, but you refuse to hate him.” It is in that non-violent spirit of Dr. King’s that I have been so outspoken over the past year on the importance of non-violence in Nigeria’s upcoming elections. I have been delighted to see Nigerian media and civil society and entertainers like 2Face with his “Vote, not Fight” campaign take up the cause. Whenever I meet with a politician or a candidate here, I ask him or her to publicly take the non-violence pledge. That is, to state clearly in front of their fellow Nigerians that they will not condone, foment, or endorse violence before, during or after the elections. When I do that, I frequently get the response, and I am talking about representatives of all parties, of something like “Well, of course I would never instigate or call for violence but if my opponent starts it or if I am not happy with the results, I may not have any choice.” That, my friends, does not constitute a legitimate non-violence pledge. Committing to non-violence, in the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., means that you will not engage in or support violence for any reason, no matter what others do, and

PHOTO: NAN

if you see it starting, you will do everything in your power to stop it and you will speak out against those who advocate it and otherwise engage in hate speech. That, and no less than that, is what Dr. King would expect of all of us. As the representative of a fellow democracy that is a great friend and partner of Nigeria, I look forward to your massive democratic exercise next month with eager anticipation. I have no doubt that it will be boisterous, loud and hotly-contested and that’s all good. But all of us must do everything we can, in the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., to ensure that exuberance does not descend into violence. Inclusion and non-violence: That is the vision and the dream that Martin Luther King, Jr. brought alive in my country and for which he sacrificed his life—and to which brave people all over the world still give voice as they, in the spirit of Dwight Eisenhower, establish peace and justice as two sides of the same coin. I believe Dr. King’s dream also was the dream of Ahmadu Bello, Obafemi Awolowo, Nnamdi Azikiwe, and Nigeria’s first prime minister, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa (all deceased). All of them would certainly have heard the “I Have a Dream” speech. It is up to all of us to make real our commitment to inclusion and non-violence. And in that endeavour, cloaked in the spirit of Dr. King, the U.S. remains Nigeria’s most committed partner.

Aregbesola: non-militarisation of elections, panacea to violence

HE easiest way to guarantee violence-free elections next month is not to milatarise the polls, Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola has said. Aregbesola, represented by his Deputy Chief of Staff, Mr. Gbenga Adebusuyi, spoke at a oneday sensitisation workshop by the Presidential Committee on Small Arms and Light Weapons (PRESCOM). ?The workshop, which has “Ballot Without Bullets” as its theme, was organised by PRESCOM in collaboration with the Osun State government on the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in the country. etitled?” The governor suggested that all parties, registered by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to participate in the elections should be given a level playing ground. He warned that the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) must not take undue advantage of its hold on the security agencies over other stakeholders. Aregbesola said: “If we all want ballots and not bullets, there must be a level playing field for all the political parties. The system must not permit members of the ruling party to behave like outlaws. “We are on the march again. Elections are

here. The state must also de-escalate and demilitarise elections. If we take out these two factors, we will be able to clean our streets and communities of small arms and light weapons. Then, our elections will be free of violence. “Gun-wielding security agents, many of them in balaclava, paraded the streets of Osun with the intent to intimidate and drive fear into the citizens, especially All Progressives Congress (APC) members during the August 9, 2014 governorship election in Osun State. “On the eve of the election, they stormed the residences of APC leaders and members and arrested and detained not less than 3,000 of them. “It was, of course, a ploy to emasculate the party and put it in disarray, thereby give the PDP an advantage in the election. Before the election, one of my opponents was captured on video threatening local communities that he would deploy soldiers to their communities and arrest their leaders. That eventually happened anyway, and with impunity. “Many of the so-called security agents deployed to Osun have been found to be fakes embedded into regular forces by the politicians in control of the agencies. “In 2007, after my opponent was declared the

winner, huge crowds trooped to the streets in protest. Regrettably, they were gunned down in broad daylight by security agencies. “A year later, more than 100 corpses were unclaimed at the various morgues in the state. These massacres were carried out by government security agencies and fakes either embedded within state troops or acting independently and freely.” ?Also speaking, Ambassador Layiwola Laseino, who stood in for the PRESCOM President at the workshop ?lamented ?that the nation faces a challenge of undue upsurge of arms and weapons into the country?. According to him, it was high time the anomaly was brought under control, warning that Nigeria might experience another reckless use of arms and weapons by desperate politicians and hired thugs during the next month elections. Laseino told participants from Lagos and Ogun states, including politicians, INEC officials, security agencies, youth representatives, members of the Nigerian Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Christian organisations, National Orientation Agencies (NOA) among others, that development was paramount to both the PRESCOM and Osun State government.

Explaining the rationale behind the workshop, he noted that it was intended to create awareness on electoral violence and the best way to do that was to seek the views of critical stakeholders and experts and also partner with them on how to reduce violence during and after elections. On the magnitude of the security challenges being faced by the country, he said uncontrolled manufacturing of local weapons by unauthorised manufacturers posed more risk. According to Laseino, allowing illegal use of arms fuel crime rates in all parts of the country and stressed that though PRESCOM had been making frantic efforts to bring the trend under control. He also informed that the committee has developed new strategies to ensure proper monitoring and control of small arms and weapons in the country. The body, he noted, has been working on proposals on effective monitoring of weapons production in relation to manufacturing date, quantity and quality, durability, the pedigree of the manufacturer, the destination and motive behind their production.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 16, 2015

NEWS How troops killed 78 Boko Haram insurgents

RESH facts emerged yesterday on how

troops killed 78 Boko Haram insurgents in Biu after deadly encounters to repel the takeover of a military base in the town. More troops have been deployed in Biu and surrounding villages to curtail the insurgents. A military source said: “From the mopping up so far carried out, the number of Boko Haram terrorists who died in their ill-fated attempt to capture a military base in Biu, Borno State has been put at 78. “We are still taking stock of the encounters because

Jonathan: we’ll reclaim lost territories (NEMA) Director General Sani Sidi and a few other aides. The delegation was received by Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima. No fewer than 10 of the 27 local government areas of the state are in control of the Boko Haram insurgents. Thousands of people have been killed by the murderous sect members whose activities have led to the displacement of about one million Nigerians internally and thousands of others as refugees in neigbouring countries – Cameroon, Chad and Niger. The sect has also been at-

tacking Northern Cameroon villages after its leader Abubakar Shekau issued a threat to retaliate the attack on its members by that country. The visit — Jonathan’s first to Maiduguri since March 2013 —came after a previous trip to the restive region in May last year was cancelled. Jonathan had planned to visit Chibok where Boko Haram militants kidnapped 276 schoolgirls from their dormitory. There was no world yesterday about the girls. The cancellation, reportedly for security reasons, dealt Jonathan a further blow in his perceived woeful handling of

the kidnapping crisis. Boko Haram’s January 3 attack on Baga in what is feared could be its worst atrocity in a six-year campaign, is currently creating ripples The President visited the headquarters of the 7 Division of the Nigerian Army in Maiduguri and the Teachers’ Village - home to victims of the horrendous Baga attack. Dr. Jonathan promised the displaced people that they will soon return to their communities. At the Teachers’ Village where he met with them, the President noted that the security briefing he had received indicated that the territories lost to Boko Haram would in

no distant future be reclaimed by the military. “Let me assure you that we will soon take over all the areas. From the briefing I have received from the service chiefs, I assure we will take over the towns and communities,” the president said. He told officers and soldiers of the 7 Division that the nation was very proud of them and grateful for their dedication to the defence of the civilian population against terrorists and violent extremists. He assured the troops that the Federal Government would continue to do everything possible to ensure that Continued on page 60

N60b terror victims cash: Jonathan under pressure Continued from page 1

are left to fend for themselves. Key players in the private sector, including Gen. Theophilus Danjuma, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Dr. Mike Adenuga Jnr., Mr. Tony Elumelu and Mr. Wale Tinubu, were assembled for the TVSF launch at the Presidential Villa and they made generous donations, alongside the federal and state govern-

ments. Although the initiators of the Fund had targeted N50 billion, their expectation was exceeded with about N10 billion. The Chairman of the Fund’s committee, Gen. Danjuma, said the money was not to fight the anti-terror war. Gen. Danjuma said: “All too often, the victims of terror are soon forgotten. The majority are the soft targets

the terrorists prefer but unable to fend for themselves. The funds being collected are not for combating terror or fighting terrorist organisations, but for supporting victims of terrorists attacks.” But amidst reports of abandonment of terror victims to fend for themselves, many Nigerians have wondered what happened to the money. Senator Bukola Saraki was

many insurgents who escaped were seriously injured and the possibility of their survival is remote. We are combing the outskirts of Biu to recover more bodies. “These insurgents including some foreign nationals, including Chadians, had on Wednesday attempted to seize Biu but they were repelled by troops who prevented them from expanding their operational bases and capturing weapons. “Some of those who were killed and captured during a pursuit by the military included these foreign nationContinued on page 60

House okays IDPs to vote

•President Jonathan (right) with Shettima (second right), Sidi (second left) and others...yesterday.

Continued from page 1

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

•Reps pass Electoral Bill 2014

HERE were strong indications last night that the House of Representatives has approved the participation by Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) especially in the Northeast in the next month’s elections. The House may also recall its members for the passage of the amendments to the 2010 Electoral Act. The House said last night that it had concluded work on the 2014 Electoral Bill but it is waiting for the Senate to complete its part. A principal officer in the House, who spoke in confidence, said: “We have approved the recommendation that IDPs should vote during the general elections. They will vote in their various camps.

among those who called on the President to give account of the fund. He expressed worries that thousands of displaced persons were yet to gain access to the support fund. In a comment posted on his twitter handle, @Bukolasaraki, the former governor insisted that the President had not lived up to his promise of ending insurgency. He Continued on page 60

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

“We decided to enfranchise the IDPs in order to give them a sense of belonging like every Nigerian. The fact that they have been displaced should not amount to the denial of their fundamental human rights. The House of Representatives also yesterday said it had concluded work on the 2014 Electoral Act. The Act is the most important legislation needed for the successful conduct of the 2015 general election. A statement issued by the Office of Speaker of the House said the bill for an amendment to the 2010 electoral was sent to the National Assembly by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on December 30, 2014. The statement said the House is awaiting the passage of a similar bill by the Senate. “Already, a conference committee has been set up by the House in anticipation of the passage of the bill by the Senate. “If need be, the members of the House will be recalled from recess for further legislative input,” the statement added.

•Dr. Saraki

Buhari to Armed Forces: your neglect ’ll soon be over Continued from page 1

of their profession. He said he was not unaware of the neglect they had suffered over the years and assured that everything possible will be done within available resources to train and equip them to a level comparable with their counterparts in other parts of the world. He said: “I urge you all in the Armed Forces to remain apolitical and focus on the ethos of discipline, which is the hallmark of your profession. I wish to assure you of my un-alloyed commitment to returning the Armed Forces to its place of pride among the comity of nations. “I am aware of the neglect on the military over the years and assure you that everything will be done within available resources to train and equip the military to the level comparable with the international standard in the shortest possible time. “The Nigerian military had accomplished a lot of feats in building and ensuring global security and peace in conjunc-

•Buhari regime ‘spent more on military hardware’ tion with the armed forces of other great nations of the world as was experienced in the Congo, Sierra-Leone, Liberia, Lebanon and other areas. Therefore, I call on all Nigerians to join us in the APC in our quest to making Nigeria a better place for all.” Gen. Buhari consoled families of members of the Armed Forces who died in various operations to keep Nigeria secured since the Armed Forces were established, including the battle against insurgents in the Northeastern part of Nigeria. He said “an APC government will provide the equipment and personnel to prosecute the battle “effectively and efficiently as soon as we are voted into power in the forthcoming elections”. “The APC, as a party, also recognises the suffering of the retirees whose pension arrears and gratuity have remained a serious problem. This will be corrected by the APC government.”

The Buhari military regime spent more on military hardware as part of total defence budget than the Musa Yar’Adua/Goodluck Jonathan administrations, a comparative study has revealed. Published in the Journal of African Macroeconomic Review (Volume 2, No. 1), the study, titled: Comparative Regime Analysis of the Trend and Structure of Military Expenditure in Nigeria, 1980-2010, the study revealed that the Buhari/Idiagbon regime spent 38.68 of total allocation to the military on capital items, such as hardware, between January 1984 and August 1985. On the contrary, the Yar’Adua/Jonathan administration spent 34.67 percent of military budget between May 2007 and May 2010. The Buhari Campaign Organisation (BCO) said the report exposes the falsehood in the statement credited to President Jonathan during his campaign in Lagos that

the Buhari administration did not equip the military. The report says: “Buhari/ Idiagbon in 1983 also allocated 38.68 percent and 61.32 percent for capital milex (military expenditure) and recurrent respectively. They spent approximately 16 months. The Ibrahim Babangida regime (1985-1993) spent 19.58 percent on capital milex and 80.42 on recurrent milex. “Abacha/Shonekan/Abdulsalam (1993-1999) regime expended 24.10 percent on capital milex and 75.9 percent on recurrent milex. The civilian administration of Olusegun Obasanjo (1999-2007) for a period of eight years, spent 17.44 percent of her total milex on capital milex and 82.56 percent on recurrent milex. “Yar’Adua/Jonathan (2008-2010) had so far spent 34.67 percent on capital milex and 65.33 percent on recurrent.” The BCO, in a statement by its Director, Strategic Com-

Continued on page 60

munications, Mr Dele Alake, also referred to other studies which show that under Jonathan, the capital budget for military hardware has been decreasing while recurrent has been increasing. It recalled that while analysing the 2012 defence spending as proposed by the Jonathan administration, APC chieftain and now governorship candidate for Kaduna State, Mallam Nassir ElRufai, observed that most of the capital spending went towards buildings, some ammunition and vehicle spares. El-Rufai was quoted as saying: “This year (2012), we are not buying any equipment for the armoured, artillery and other mechanisation needs of the Army – at least not anywhere in the budget. The Navy and Air Force are slightly better. “The Navy is buying two (yes only two) offshore patrol vessels and six coastal patrol boats and some spares. The Air Force intends to acquire

12 Augusta 109 helicopters, some uniforms, the reactivation of C-130, G222, Alpha Jets and maintenance, and some buildings. No new fighter jets this year!” The statement said the situation was worse in the recently signed 2014 budget which allocates 90 percent of military expenditure to salaries and other recurrent needs while a meagre 10 percent goes to military hardware. “Nigerian academics based in the US put total 2014 defence budget at $5.86billion dollars out of which total capital budget is 589.2million dollars ( approximately 10 percent at 160 Naira to Dollar). “The allocation to various arms is as follows: Army, $4.36m; Nigerian Security Adviser, $5.23m to purchase security equipment; State SeContinued on page 60

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THE NATION FRIDAY JANUARY 16, 2015

NEWS

Nigeria needs responsible leaders, say Osinbajo, Okogie

ICE presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Prof. Yemi Osinbajo and Cardinal Anthony Olubunmi Okogie said yesterday that Nigeria needs a responsible leadership that will deliver societal growth. They spoke alongside other eminent personalities at the Eleventh Annual Lecture and second conferment of award in honour of late Gani Fawehinmi in Lagos. Prof. Osinbajo, in his remarks after being conferred with the Gani Fawehinmi Integrity Award by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Ikeja Branch alongside the late Bamidele Aturu, said there was no doubt that Nigerians want a change. The APC vice presidential candidate, who spoke on his experience on the field since the campaign started, said it was unfortunate that the nation has failed to a point that people no longer believe it could be resuscitated. He said Nigerians could no longer afford a situation where the country has no option. “What we have seen going round the country is that the

By Adebisi Onanuga

Nigerian people are so articulate about what they want and are very clear about what is wrong. “There is no question that people are looking for responsible leadership that could deliver the social goods and responsible leadership means transparent leadership,” he said. Osinbajo supported the views expressed by Dr. Zaid Timilehin, one of the guest lecturers, that the change people are looking for was not about ethnicity or religion. He emphasised that what should be done as a nation was to choose, who would represent the citizenry best, irrespective of religion and ethnicity. “And I believe very strongly that the time has come in this nation when change is not just possible, but it may well be inevitable. “So, if we don’t bring about that change somehow, the people themselves will bring about the change”, he said. The chairman of the occasion, Cardinal Okogie, in his remarks said there was an urgent need to rescue Nigeria. “This is the time when eve-

ry right thinking Nigerian must pray to hate the present situation strong enough, such as to desire the fortitude to act right. “This time does not allow for indifference. All must rise to save Nigeria from the imminent brink of irredeemable destruction. “This is the time when only the only currency allowed is truth. This is also the time to wake up from slumber and face reality. “This is the time we must play the politics of the best, for the best position in order to guarantee the best for our nation”, Okogie stated. He added: “Let only those with the fear of God and love of their neighbours rule Nigeria; only those who know what to do should sit at helms of affairs. Enough of mediocrity; enough of failures; enough of nepotism and enough of ethnicity.” Lawyer and activist, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), who reviewed a book, “Stand Up For What is Right” published by the NBA, Ikeja in honour of Fawehinmi , described the peace accord entered into last Wednesday night in Abuja by the presidential aspirants of

Boko Haram: ‘Long silence on botched ceasefire a disservice’ From Tony Akowe, Abuja

T •Prof. Osinbajo

political parties as waste of time. “The event was a waste of time as none of those who signed the peace accord could be made to account for any uprisings that may happen after the elections”, he said. Lawyer counseled that the nation should be concerned about ensuring that electoral offenders and those against the progress of Nigeria are prosecuted, rather than signing an accord that would not work. NBA Ikeja Branch Chairman, Yemi Farounbi, in a welcome remark, explained that Prof. Osinbajo was honoured for what he had done for the administration of justice in Lagos State, which in turn impacted positively on other states. Farounbi explained that late Aturu on the other hand was honoured post-humously for having served the masses “even at the risk of his life.”

•President Goodluck Jonathan laying wreath to commemorate the Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration in Abuja...yesterday.

Obasanjo: Chibok girls’ abduction a sad moment in history

ORMER President Olusegun Obasanjo has described the abduction of the Chibok girls as a sad episode in the nation’s history. He also said the reason why Nigerians must continue to sing the release of the girls was because “today it is Chibok, tomorrow it could be my village”. Obasanjo, according to the spokesperson of the group, Rotimi Olawale, spoke last Tuesday, when members of the #BringBackOurGirls advocacy (#BBOG) Abuja, Lagos and Ibadan families visited him in Abeokuta, Ogun State. The group also visited Prof. Wole Soyinka and Ambassador Christopher Kolade in Lagos. According to the group, they received overwhelming support and endorsement from the elder statesmen for their role in placing the Chibok girls at the front of national discourse. Obasanjo and others were worried over the gravity of in-

•Soyinka, Kolade support #BBOG From Grace Obike, Abuja

surgency in the Northeast, the abduction of children, damage to education and the increasing numbers of internally displaced Nigerians. Olawale, in a statement, quoted Obasanjo as saying: “If there is a sad episode in the history of Nigeria, the abduction of the Chibok Girls is one of the gravest. The reason why we must continue to sing this is because today it is Chibok, tomorrow it could be my village.” Kolade said: “If Chibok Girls are in captivity, only someone with no imagination can be comfortable. What haunts me every day is that anyone who has children or grandchildren (as I do now) has a natural desire to ensure that their future will be one they will enjoy.” Soyinka was quoted as saying: “We can never really have

closure, because of the weight of guilt we should feel towards the Chibok girls. “In this war, the entire nation must be mobilised because we are facing enemies of humanity, whose only mission is to destroy. Remember that a white president mobilised the National Guard to escort one small black girl to school in a deeply racist United States. So, why can’t we mobilise the army to ensure that no educational institution in Nigeria is closed?” Olakunde said the elder statesmen provided “wise counsel and welcome encouragement to the #BringBackOurGirls family on some important responsibilities central to and associated with the Chibok girls in particular, and the insurgency in general.” The group noted that the three leaders said the campaign should and must be sustained,

and that the #BringBackOurGirls family should continue to advocate for the rescue of all abducted persons in Nigeria, adding that the campaign should continue to mobilise and educate Nigerians, and to provide direct testimony on the impact of the insurgency in the Northeast. The group was also urged to join other concerned Nigerians to raise awareness and provide humanitarian support for the displaced communities of Northeast. Consequently, the elder statesmen agreed to be a consistent voice for the Chibok girls and for the Northeast. “They also agreed to be part of an initiative to mobilise Nigeria’s other elder statesmen in a non-partisan forum to proffer practical solutions and to be a collective voice of reason on issues of national importance, most especially on the insurgency and the rescue of the 219 Chibok girls.

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Organisation (APCPCO) has said the long silence of the President Goodluck Jonathan-led government over the phantom ceasefire with members of the Boko Haram insurgents reflects the character of an unserious and unaccountable government with no interest in the welfare of the Chibok girls. The council said that the long silence on the issue was a disservice to the Nigerian people, especially the families of the Chibok girls. The council, in a statement by the Director, Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, expressed concern that since the collapse of the phantom ceasefire with the Boko Haram insurgents, the Jonathan administration has decided not to talk about it, pretending that the passage of time would automatically make the issue die a natural death. The statement said the Jonathan government got it wrong on the curious silence over the botched deal, adding that “a democratic government should be open and accountable to the people. Accountability is the dividing line between a dictatorship and a democratic government, but the Jonathan administration is behaving as if it owes Nigerians no explanations over the failed ceasefire deal.

Jonathan has impoverished Nigerians, say Ahmed, Saraki, Abdullahi From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

WARA State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, Senator Bukola Saraki and ex-sports minister, Bolaji Abdullahi, pronounced a damning verdict on President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration yesterday. They accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led government of impoverishing Nigerians. They spoke in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital at the presentation of the state All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates for next month’s elections. Abdullahi said Nigerians were more economically impoverished than six or seven years ago, adding that yet the administration claimed that “our economy is improving.” The former minister said: “When Senator Bukola Saraki was the governor of the state, many of our supporters and members could afford to build houses and buy cars. But these days, the text messages we receive border on money to keep body and soul together. “They now want us to continue in that our hunger status for another four years. To add insult on injury, they say the country’s gross domestic product is increasing and that the Nigeria’s economy is one of the best in Africa. “The money that the PDP people are filtering away is what they term GDP. That is none of our business. I urge us all to cast our votes for General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) in the next month presidential elections and Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed in the governorship elections. “March 3rd 2014, when President Goodluck Jonathan came to Ilorin - then I was the minister for sports, they said I should mount the podium at this same metropolitan square and haul abuses at Senator Bukola Saraki. But being a true son of Ilorin, I cannot not bite a finger that has fed me. It was the same Saraki that brought me from Lagos and made me a special assistant, and from special assistant to special adviser. “As if that was not enough, the then governor of Kwara State appointed me as a commissioner and subsequently nominated me for ministerial job. “This our leader has foresight; he told us before our defection from Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC that PDP was like a sinking ship. It was then that some people felt they would sit by the driver of sinking ship. The senator also told us then that PDP is a God forsaken party.” Ahmed said that the financial emasculation of the state has hampered infrastructural development. He said: “There is dwindling allocation from Abuja, notwithstanding the state government has not defaulted in paying workers’ salaries as at and when due. We have not relented in creating jobs for our teeming youths. “Today, we are assuring you that we shall not abandon our ongoing projects. We are not liars as we don’t say what we cannot do. Through President Jonathan’s campaigns, we can decipher that the PDP is peopled by a bunch of liars. They embark on shadow-chasing, rather focus attention on issues. “I urge us all to close rank and sweep PDP-led government away at all levels. The other day, I told you that PDP’s umbrella was already leaking. That is apparent to all of us now.” Saraki, who is the APC leader in the state, asked: “If the President Jonathan could not control Nigerian economy when one barrel of crude oil was over $100 per barrel, how can he manage the economy when a barrel is about $50? “PDP says that we are abusing Mr. President. We are not abusing Mr. President. We have all the respect for the presidency; we are talking of facts and figures. “PDP and Mr. President promised Nigerians security; is their security today? You promised power; is there light today? You promised to fight corruption; is there any change today? You promised to provide job for all our youths; any job today? These are not present today. We are not being personal, we are talking about issues. “We are not talking about having leaders based on religion Christian, or Muslim. We are not talking whether you are from North or South. We are not talking whether you are Hausa, Yoruba or Ijaw. We are talking about who will make Nigeria better.” He urged the people to vote for Gen Muhammadu Buhari, Ahmed, the senators from APC, members of the House of Representatives and members of the state Assembly from APC.

THE NATION FRIDAY JANUARY 16, 2015

NEWS Jonathan, Sambo, others lay wreaths for heroes

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan and Vice President Namadi Sambo led other top government officials and service chiefs yesterday to lay wreaths in honour of soldiers, who died in active national service and international assignments. January 15th every year is dedicated to remembering and appreciating departed Nigerian military men and their surviving colleagues, who have retired from active service. The leaders laid wreaths at the National Arcade in the Three Arms Zone in Abuja, a month after the president launched this year’s Armed Forces Remembrance Day emblem and Appeal. The brief ceremony started at 10a.m. after the president arrived at the National Arcade and inspected the guard of honour. Muslim and Christian officers prayed for the departed souls and the nation. The president laid the

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

wreath after a minute silence in honour of the dead. The vice president, Senate President David Mark, House of Representatives’ Deputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha, Chief Justice Mahmud Mohammed and Minister of Defence Aliyu Gusau were among top government officials, who also laid wreaths. Others include Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Bala Mohammed and Chief of Defence Staff Alex Badeh, who led service chiefs, Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Suleiman Abba and national chairman of the Nigerian Legion. A 21-gun salute preceded the wreath-laying ceremony. Jonathan led the dignitaries to release white pigeons at the arcade. Other top government officials, including cabinet members, attended the ceremony.

•Member of the Nigerian Legion at the Armed Forces remembrance Day in Abuja... yesterday.

Measles outbreak in Adamawa IDP’s camps

Soyinka endorses candidates’ anti-violence pact By Joseph Jibueze

•Uwais urges amendment of Electoral Act

DAMAWA State confirmed yesterday the outbreak of measles in some IDPs camps in the state. The Executive Secretary, Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency, Mr. Haruna Furo, confirmed the development to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Yola. Furo, however, said that there was no dead recorded. “There is outbreak of measles not just in the IDPs camps, but also within the community,” said the Furo. He listed the affected camps as the NYSC Camp at Bajabure, Girei and Malkohi camps in Girei and Yola North local government areas. He attributed the outbreak to the daily mass movement and influx of new IDPs from Borno and Cameroonian mountains into the various camps. But, the former Chief Justice, Mohammed Uwais has led other distinguished Nigerians in advocating the need for the National Assembly to

From Olugbenga Adanikin Abuja

amend the Electoral Act to allow the IDPs in the Northeast exercise their voting right in next month’s general elections. Also, the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, has restated his commitment to ensure that the IDPS were not de-enfranchised. Uwais spoke at a lecture on “Nigeria 2015 Elections and Beyond”, organised by the Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy and Development (SCDDD) and Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) yesterday in Abuja. He said: “It is when the Electoral Act was enacted in 2010 that this sort of situation of having IDPS was not envisaged. So, there is no provision in the law on how to deal with it. “The way to go around it is to get the National Assembly around it to amend the Electoral Act and make provisions to make it possible for the IDPs

to exercise their votes.” Asked if the move was feasible, considering the short time to the election, he replied that it was possible, if the lawmakers were willing to do so. “They can pass the law within two days and it goes to the President. Within a day or two, he also ascent to the bill.” “It is certainly a lacuna,” he added. The National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, emphasised need to ensure that the IDPs and those in the crisis region exercise their franchise. Founder, SCDDD, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, identified the roles of religious leaders, traditional rulers and civil society to ensure a successful election. Director of Africa Programmes, CSIS, Ms. Jennifer Cooke, said the event provided opportunity for political party leaderships to show commitments to building a common agreement on hitch-free election. She said INEC has huge burden to make the necessary move to make the election a success.

•Prof. Soyinka

OBEL laureate Prof Wole Soyinka has endorsed the accord signed by President Goodluck Jonathan, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and nine other presidential candidates to maintain peace during next month’s election. He described the pact as “a positive step”, and praised the organisers of the 2015 General Elections Sensitisation Workshop on Non-Violence, where the agreement was signed. Soyinka said he hoped 2015 would prove to be a “a live-andlearn election year, not a do-ordie!” The Nobel laureate condemned politicians and media outlets who publish fabricated “interviews” which he never granted. “I have never made a statement endorsing any presidential or governorship contestant,”

Soyinka said in a statement entitled: Identity thieves and the 2015 Election Peace Accord. The statement reads: “It was with high expectations that I went through details of the Abuja peace accord recently agreed by the political party leaders, mandating decent and civilised campaign conduct among the contestants, their agents and supporters. I was not disappointed. It is a positive step in the direction of democracy, for which I must commend the efforts of those seasoned interventionists, Emeka Anyaoku and Kofi Annan. “Adhered to with good will and sincerity, it should ensure a wholesome space for future elections, and pre-empt further violence. It might even come close to what the democratic ideal should be, as canvassed by others, including Governor Fashola a few years ago – a people’s fiests! “From personal interest however, I was disappointed that the communiqué makes no reference to the violence done to members of the electorate whose identities are stolen, abused and debased during this exercise. “It is rapidly becoming commonplace to encounter totally fictitious statements, even en-

tire interviews published and attributed to unsuspecting authorship. This criminal proceeding has even involved the cloning of media mastheads to which non-existent interviews are then attached. To render it in local parlance, this is political 419, and of the most despicable brand. “While it would be unjust to place direct responsibility on the contestants, one must stress that they also have a moral responsibility to denounce these dirty tricksters in the strongest terms, even in their own interest. “The resentment inspired in victims of such cowardly conduct cannot but impact on their own political image. The media must also protect itself by taking necessary measures against such unprincipled confusionists. It is the democratic right of every citizen to know exactly who is saying what on issues that affect their political choices. “Let me thus seize the occasion of the Abuja accord to state categorically that I have never made a statement endorsing any presidential or governorship contestant. All such attributions are fabrications by faceless, often self-appointed agents of deception, and should be publicly pilloried. “

Exercise your right to vote, United States envoy tells Nigerians

NITED States (U.S.) Ambassador to Nigeria James Entwistle has urged Nigerians to exercise their rights to vote in next month’s general elections, stressing that they are the most important weapon for genuine change through democratic process. He spoke in Abuja yesterday at a lecture by Eisenhower Fellowship Alumni Association of Nigeria on “Peaceful Elections and Promoting Citizens’ Leadership.” It was organised to celebrate the birthday and contributions of American civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr to non-violent struggle. Senator Muhammad Makarfi and former Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi attended the event. Speaking on the lessons learnt from the non-violence approach of Dr. King, Jr to change, the American envoy said: “All over the world, in-

Experts to assess pre-election preparations THE National Democratic Institute (NDI) and the International Republican Institute (IRI) said yesterday that they are fielding a joint delegation to assess preparations for the February 14 presidential and National Assembly elections. The organisations listed members of the delegation to include Ambassador George Moose, former U.S. assistant secretary of state for African Affairs and vice chairman of the board of directors of the U.S. Institute of Peace; Brigalia Bam, former chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission of South Africa; Patrick Muyaya, member of parliament from the Democratic Republic of Congo; Pauline Baker, former president of the Fund for Peace; and Michael Bratton, distinguished profesFrom Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

cluding in my country, people have struggled and in some cases died to obtain the right to vote, but don’t use it. We disrespect their memory. So, I urge all Nigerians who are eligible to vote to do so. Vote. It’s one of the most powerful weapons in the world. Vote.” He added: “Having seen African Americans attacked in the

streets and now, 50 years later, having the privilege of working for an African American President of the United States, I am convinced that genuine change through the democratic process is absolutely possible. “I know this because I have seen it in my own lifetime in my own country. It may not happen overnight; it may take decades, but it is absolutely possible.”

From Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor

sor of political science and African studies at Michigan State University. Others are Robert Lloyd, professor of international relations at Pepperdine University and senior fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Africa Centre; Christopher Fomunyoh, senior associate and regional director for Central and West Africa at NDI; and Gretchen Birkle, regional director for Africa at IRI as other members of the delegation. The mission’s findings, the organisations said in a statement, will be presented at a news conference in Abuja on Tuesday. He explained that as Dr. King Jr taught Americans and the world, “non-violence means avoiding not only external physical violence, but also internal violence of spirit. You not only refuse to shoot a man, but you refuse to hate him. “Committing to non-violence, in the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jnr. means that you will not engage in or support violence for any rea-

son, no matter what others do. And if you see it starting, you will do everything in your power to stop it and you will speak out against those who advocate it and otherwise engage innate speech. That, and no less than that, is what Dr. King would expect of all of us. “As the representative of a fellow democracy that is a great friend and partner of Nigeria, I look forward to

your massive democratic exercise next month with eager anticipation. I have no doubt that it will be boisterous, loud and hotly-contested and that’s all good. But all of us must do everything we can, in the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., to ensure that exuberance does not descend into violence.” In the same manner, Fayemi urged politicians to watch their words, stressing that politicians through their actions or inactions have helped to promote violence. He insisted that they must stop political violence through what they say. Fayemi also noted that what was sometimes missing was humour, which could be sometimes abusive. On the prosecution of electoral violence offenders, the former governor urged the police, who are supposed to carry out investigation and prosecute, to become truly non-partisan.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 16, 2015

NEWS Amosun calls for prayers From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

GUN State Governor Ibikunle Amosun has urged Nigerians to use the Armed Forces Remembrance Day to continue to pray for Nigeria’s peace, unity and progress. He called for prayers for the nation’s heroes, who laid their lives for the country, and their families. The governor, who gave the advice shortly after laying wreaths at the Arcade Memorial Ground, Oke Mosan, Abeokuta, said the event should be seen as a solemn moment steeped in deep appreciation for the nation’s heroes. Others who laid wreaths include heads of the Army, Navy, Police as well as the four paramount rulers - Oba Sikiru Adetona (Ijebuland); Oba Adedotun Gbadebo (Egbaland); Oba Adeniyi Sonariwo (Remoland) and Oba Kehinde Olugbenle (Yewaland). Amosun also reassured that his administration would continue to be unrelenting in its commitment and unalloyed dedication to the successful accomplishment of the “Mission to Rebuild” Ogun State. He said: “We will leave no stone unturned in developing Ogun State and improving on the lives of our people. However, this is not a task for an individual or group. It is a duty for all of us. “I enjoin you to continue to support, co-operate and pray for us to realise the Ogun State of our dream, which will continue to be the pride of present and future generations.”

Alleged N500m refund: Ladoja threatens to sue Ajimobi F ORMER Oyo State Governor Rashidi Ladoja has written to Governor Abiola Ajimobi, seeking a retraction of his alleged refund of N500 million to the coffers of the state government from the proceeds of government shares sales during his tenure. Ladoja, who is the governorship candidate of Accord, also threatened to sue Ajimobi if he failed to do so and apologise within seven days. Ajimobi had said in an interview last week that Ladoja and others involved in the sale of shares of the state government in 2007, refunded N500 million to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), adding that his administration received the fund from the commission. But the former governor, in a newspaper advertorial on Tuesday, denied the refund and challenged Ajimobi to prove his claim. He also threatened to sue the governor. In response, Ajimobi published all the correspondence between the government and the EFCC as well as the cheques with which Ladoja and others made the refund in an advertorial on Wednesday. Ladoja’s letter, through his lawyer, Biodun Abdu-Raheem, reads: “For the umpteenth time, our client denies in its entirety the allegation by your government that he made the refund to the EFCC. “Our client demands of you to make available any document directly tending to show that he made such payments and for the purpose alleged, that is, plea bargaining.

‘Explain your roles in N500m saga’

GROUP, Youths Against Corruption League (YACL), has called on former Oyo State Governors- Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala and Senator Rashidi Ladoja- to explain their roles in the alleged embezzlement of public funds, which culminated in the refund of N500million for a plea bargain. The group in a statement by its president and Secretary, Adewale Bashorun and Adedeji Bankole, said it becomes a moral burden on Ladoja to seek re-election, having been enmeshed in complicity for financial impropriety. Governor Abiola Ajimobi said Ladoja refunded N500million to the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) to secure a plea bargain. The governor added that Alao-Akala also ‘blew’ N3billion government funds within the last week of his administration in May 2011. The group said: “Where are our values as Yoruba sons and daughters? As a Yoruba man, once you have a label of ‘thief’ attached to you, you are alienated completely and nobody would be inclined to associate with you. “In the past, parents would teach their children and younger ones the values of the society most prominent of which is honesty. “But regrettably today, it’s the other way round as we the youth are now teaching our supposed fathers moral values. ‘‘It’s unfortunate that our leaders would steal our common wealth and at the end of the day use part of it to deceive us.’’ From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

“We reiterate that none of the documents published so far substantiates the fact that our client is directly involved in the allegation. We wish to note that going by the contents of your letters exhibited in the said publications, that is, 6th September, 2013; November 2013; 26th November, 2013 and 9th January, 2014 “There is nothing to show that as at 10th January, 2014, when the last letter was said

to have been received by the EFCC and till date that your request for “revalidation”, “repatriation” and “release” as variously requested by your government in your said letters have been acceded to or granted by the EFCC. “We also note that all the aforementioned letters are at your instance and none was at the instance of the EFCC in order to know that any of your requests was granted at all. Could it have been that the non-inclusion of the EFCC’s

letters was a deliberate act or omission on the part of government? “Drawing from the above, it is very clear from your last letter dated 9th January, 2014 that the government was at best still pursuing the revalidation, repatriation and release of the cheques and their money value as at that date. “How come then that the cheques which were yet to be revalidated as of January, 2014 bore various dates in November, 2013 and presumed to have been cashed same period? This scenario raises more questions than it actually answers. “Your Excellency, we have the authority of our client to specifically request you to produce to the reading public the paper where our client ‘spelt out how he spent the proceeds of Oyo State money’, particularly the shares of his wives, children, cronies and himself. “Furthermore, we hereby demand of your government to produce the said papers as alleged, the approval of EFCC that our client made the refund of N500 million as alleged, the EFCC approval of repatriation of the sum of money within seven days from the receipt of this letter or in the alternative a retraction of the said offending publication and letter of apology addressed to our client and published in the newspapers. “Take notice sir, that failure to act as requested above, we have the instruction of our client to seek redress in court.”

IL producing communities in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State now have cause to smile as work on the multibillion naira Ugbo-Oghoye Road has been stepped up to ensure that it is completed on schedule. The 21.4-kilometre regional road with four bridges, being built by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) will connect various riverine communities by road. Speaking during an inspection tour, NDDC’s Managing Director Bassey Dan-Abia observed that the project was very strategic as it would link up with the Koko-Oghoye Road taking off from Koko in Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State. The NDDC’s chief executive noted that the enormous challenges posed by the swampy environment and appealed for more understanding for the delay in executing road projects in most parts of the Niger Delta. He said: "This Ilaje area is a typical Niger Delta terrain and I wish other Nigerians will appreciate the peculiar problems we encounter in the region. With this kind of setting, people should not be surprised that the cost of executing projects is usually huge. However, we look forward to driving on this road to Ayetoro in no distant time." Dan-Abia praised the people of Ilaje for their patience and understanding, especially for providing the enabling environment for the contractors to work.

Northerners back aspirant

Alaafin marks 43rd anniversary From Bode Durojaiye, Oyo

HE Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi, has advised politicians to desist from emotional outbursts, most of which have led to inter-ethnic problems. Oba Adeyemi gave the advice yesterday at his 43rd coronation anniversary. He said it was a bad omen that every time there is a crisis of confidence among politicians, the territorial integrity and corporate existence of the country is the pawn. Oba Adeyemi said: “Each time there is a crisis, it is better to proffer solutions based on justice and equity within the context of one united country, rather than the threat of disintegration. “If our political actors know the extent of damage they do to the business and commercial activities of our masses, who are scattered all over the country, through fear of insecurity and attendant threats to lives and properties, they would have desisted. “Many Hausa or Fulani who were born and bred in Yoruba land, where they have their economic base, or the Yoruba whose entire lives had been spent in Enugu, have no other country than Nigeria to fall back to.’’

NDDC projects in Ondo

•Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi (left); Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola (third right); his deputy, Mrs. Titi LaoyeTomori , Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuade (third left); All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman Chief John OdigieOyegun (second left) and Senator Sola Adeyeye when the APC presidential campaign team visited the monarch.

ORTHERNERS in Lagos State, comprising Hausa, Nupe, Fulani and Gwari, have endorsed House of Representatives member Solomon Adeola's bid for the Lagos West Senatorial seat. Adeola, who chairs the Public Account Committee, is the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate. Giving the endorsement at a Town Hall meeting in Agege, the chairman of Arewa community and North-Central people residing in Lagos West, Abdulahi Kabiru, said Adeola had identified with northerners in all his programmes. He said: "Rep. Adeola, who we have renamed Suleiman, has always identified with the aspirations of our people in his poverty alleviation programmes, free medical programmes and free GCE and JAMB forms for our children. “His track record makes him very suitable for the position." The Serikis (leaders) of the Hausa community in Lagos conferred on him the title of "Turakin Hausawa" for his services to their people.

Fayose sacks Perm Sec over teachers’ forced presence at rally

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has criticised the sack of the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Mrs. Bimpe Aderiye, saying the manner of her sack through a radio announcement amounted to disrespect for public service law. The party urged Governor Ayodele Fayose to tell Ekiti people why he denied collecting the refund of the money that former Governor Kayode Fayemi spent on the Ado-Ifaki and AdoAkure roads. APC spokesman Taiwo Olatubosun said the Minister of State for Works, Dayo Adeyeye, at President Goodluck Jonathan’s campaign rally in Ado-Ekiti,

From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado Ekiti

corroborated the refund story. He said: “We thank Adeyeye for letting Ekiti people know that Fayose has collected the money, even though the governor had denied collecting any kobo from the Federal Government. The question is where is the money? What is Fayose doing with the money?” He said it was regrettable that Mrs. Aderiye was sacked for allegedly criticising the drafting of teachers to join Jonathan’s campaign rally on Tuesday. “Why would any governor dismiss Mrs. Aderiye, a graduate of the prestigious National Institute of Policy

and Strategic Studies, Kuru, Jos, who has been described as an active, brilliant bureaucrat and an avid problem-solver? “She was credited as the catalyst for the recent World Bank-assisted project on education, State Education Programme Investment Project (SEPIP). Ekiti is at the forefront of compliance with World Bank conditions for accessing the funds. “SEPIP is a World Bank-sponsored project which would also improve teachers’ availability in the core subjects, such as English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Integrated Science in secondary schools.” Olatubosun expressed dismay over

why a woman of such pedigree would be sacked summarily through a radio announcement without the woman having any premonition of such political victimisation for performing her professional duties. But the Special Assistant to the Governor on Information, Youth and Sport, Lanre Ogunsuyi, said: “I am aware that whatever led to her sack is a process but all I can say is that there are no issues. Why would you run counter to the governor’s instruction even though the governor did not ask anybody to go to the stadium that day? “It is high time we told the APC that it should allow this governor to face the task of governance and finish his term.”

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 16, 2015

NEWS Mimiko condemns Ikare robbery From Damisi Ojo, Akure

NDO State Governor Olusegun Mimiko has said his administration will work with security agencies to apprehend the robbers, who attacked three banks in Ikare Akoko, Akoko NorthEast Local Government Area. Over 20 persons were reportedly killed during the operation. Mimiko, who gave the assurance when he visited the town with heads of security agencies and some members of his executive council, described the incident asunfortunate. He said necessary measures were being put in place to forestall a recurrence. The governor, who visited the Oke Igbede Police Station which was vandalised by the robbers, commiserated with the victims’ families. Commissioner of Police Isaac Eke promised that the robbers would be apprehended. The Olukare of Ikare Akokoland, Oba Akadiri Momoh, thanked the governor for his response to the incident.

YCE seeks peaceful election By Olatunde Odebiyi

HE Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE) has urged Nigerians to be peaceful during the general elections. YCE President Major-General Adeyinka Adebayo, who spoke at a briefing in Lagos yesterday, said YCE was not concerned about the tribe of the winners of the elections but the maintenance of peace before, during and after the elections. Adebayo urged political parties to seek, talk, walk, act, promise, campaign and vote peace throughout the coming elections. The Secretary General, Chief Idowu Sofola, called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct free and fair elections and appealed to the judiciary to ensure expeditious handling of election matters. Sofola reminded all candidates that holding political office is a call to service. “No elective position should be taken as a “do or die” affair. All candidates should learn to imbibe the spirit of sportsmanship.” He appealed to parties coming to solicit Yoruba votes to desist from inflammatory actions speeches and rallies.

Makinde appoints campaign DG

HE governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, has said he is in the race to address poverty in the state. Makinde spoke yesterday at the inauguration of his campaign organisation headed by the former Speaker of the House of Assembly, Kehinde Ayoola, at the K.S. Motel, Total Garden, Ibadan. He urged members of the campaign organisation to work to actualise his ambition to liberate the masses. Makinde insisted that his candidacy was not to test the waters but to win which “is why we have no sleeping moment between now and the day of election”. The SDP candidate said unless the current economic drift “is halted, the future is secured, not only for the masses, but also for those thinking they are in the comfort zone”. “As I said recently, the youth will discount the system because of poverty and the implication is that they will engage in status changing act, which does not augur well for the society. “When the youth are faced with this kind of ugly situation, they are bound to lose hope in the future and resort to violence and crime which is why we should ‘arrest’ the situation and save our future,” he said

Soldier collapses in Ibadan From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

FEMALE soldier collapsed yesterday at the Armed Forces Remembrance ceremony in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, causing panic. The armed soldier collapsed at the Arcade in front of the Government House, Agodi, venue of the ceremony at 11am shortly after Governor Abiola Ajimobi arrived at the venue. She collapsed during the prayer sessions by religious leaders invited to the ceremony. As soon as she collapsed, her colleagues quickly formed a human shield around her. She was then rushed to the Government House Clinic where she was revived. It was learnt that the soldier and her colleagues had stood on parade at the arcade since 6am before the programme began at past 11am. Though she fell on her back, her gun did not go off. Speaking with reporters after the ceremony, Ajimobi said his administration has focused on improving the lives of the people, including families of fallen heroes. He stressed his support for the military and other important agencies and groups. His words: “The first and major effort has been the sustenance of peace and security in the state. You can only improve the lives of those who are alive. You cannot improve the lives of the dead. For those who are dead and their families, we are still relating to the military and all the Armed Forces, providing them support in terms of facilities and infrastructure from time to time, donations and the general improvement of those that they left behind.” The state Chairman of the Nigerian Legion, Michael Olagunju, appealed to the Federal Government to pay ex-service men the arrears of 37 per cent increment on their pensions. “The government has been paying our pension but the 33 per cent increment has not been paid from July 2010 to July 2013. The government began payment of the increment in August 2013. So, we have not been paid 37months arrears of the 33 per cent increment,” he stated.

Ambode, Agbaje clash over public service experience •Candidates hold debate

EN of the 17 governorship candidates in Lagos yesterday reeled out their programmes. It was at a debate jointly organised by the Diocese of Lagos West (Church of Nigeria), Anglican Communion, the Diocese of Badagry and the Diocese of Lagos Mainland. It held at the Archibishop Vining Memorial Church Cathedral, GRA, Ikeja. Those at the debate were Akinwunmi Ambode, All Progressives Congress (APC); Adeniji Victor of Kowa Party (KP); Jimi Agbaje, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); Akele Ayodele, National Conscience Party (NCP); Ishola Aregbesola, Action Alliance (AA); Izuchukwu Edion, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA); Jacobs Kayode, Mega Progressives Peoples Party (MPPP); Lawal Omoshola, Independent Democrats (ID); Ogunseye Bolaji, Alliance for Democracy (AD) and Michael Popoola, the running mate of the Labour Party (LP) candidate Olulana Olurotimi. Bishop Theologian, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Rev (Prof) Dapo Asaju was the moderator. Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) President Femi Adesina, Managing Director, Excel Professional Services Limited, Dr Oladimeji Alao and Managing Director, Businessworld Newspapers, Ray Echebiri, were the panellists. After the candidates made their opening speeches, the panellists asked questions on what would be the state’s relationship with the Federal Government under them; how they would ensure harmony; what they think is wrong with education, and how they intend to generate funds to develop the state in the face of falling oil prices. Members of the audience also asked questions. Expectedly, the focus was on the two major contenders, Agbaje and Ambode, who threw mild barbs at each other. Agbaje believes that experience in public service is not a guarantee for good performance, Ambode believes his experience as a former Accountant-General and Permanent Secretary makes him the best candidate. Agbaje said the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo and even President Goodluck Jonathan had no previous experience in public service before they won elections. He said his experience in the private sector, which includes managing a small scale business and becoming an industrialist, is enough. “I bring to you change…new ideas with a fresh perspective to move Lagos forward,” the PDP candidate said. But Ambode fired back, saying of Jonathan’s lack of previous experience: “he had

NO TENSION: •Ambode (right) and Agbaje...yesterday

no previous experience, but look at the result today. We’re not going there for trial and error.” The APC candidate said the emphasis should be on “relevant experience, not experiment”. Agbaje said his leadership would be based on transparency, openness and honesty, and not on “vested interests”. Ambode said the so-called “vested interests” have made Lagos safer and more prosperous. He said those with the “vested interests” are those who have the interest of the ordinary Lagosian at heart. He added that his administration would be driven by quality service, equity and justice. “Lagosians are looking for somebody who can take them to a more prosperous Lagos and can even make their own children more prosperous. We’re looking for a Lagos that will work for all of us. I have served under the last two governors, and you will see that in the last 16 years, we have had a tradition of excellence. It’s that excellence that I want to pursue. “Lagos is a safer and cleaner place. It’s been prosperous. There has been steady growth and development. We are looking for someone who is going to take it to a more prosperous level. My message remains Lagos. And what does LAGOS stand for? ‘L’ is for Leadership. We’re looking for strong leadership. ‘A’ stands for Accountability. I will be accountable to you. ‘G’ stands for Governance. “One of the basic tenets of good governance is to allow you to have a voice. And when you have a voice, it becomes a government of inclusion. We’ll

create opportunities that will allow you to thrive. Everybody wants a comfortable life, and the government is ready to create more opportunities (‘O’) than ever before. ‘S’ stands for Service. We’ll give you selfless service. “The three major issues in my mission are security, to create more jobs, and integrate other sectors to allow the economy of Lagos to thrive. In the last seven years, the state government has committed N12billion to the Security Trust Fund, of which N4billion had been contributed by the private sector. We intend to improve on that. We’ll light up our streets, use modern technology to improve on the security of life and property,” the APC candidate said. Ambode said he would create an employment trust fund with N25billion to create access to funds by entrepreneurs, N1billion to be accessed annually by each of the state’s five divisions. On dwindling oil prices, Ambode said the PDP government had been unable to diversify its economy. However, two-third of Lagos’ income, he said, is from internally generated revenue. “We’re the only state not dependent on fluctuations in oil prices.” This, he added, was achieved despite that four of eight million people avoid taxes. He said his administration’s aim would be to bring the four million within the tax net. “I have the experience and the capacity. Lagosians should stand up and be counted at this crucial point of our history,” Ambode added. Agbaje said rather than make the non-tax-paying four million to pay, the state has “rather overburdened the four

I have the experience and the capacity. Lagosians should stand up and be counted at this crucial point of our history —Ambode

We cannot continue to talk about educated people and skilled people if we have not provided correctly in this area —Agbaje

By Joseph Jibueze

million tax payers”. The PDP candidate said his vision was to create “a global megacity of well-educated, healthy, skilled people living in a secure and prosperous environment”. He added: “It is also important for the state to bring opportunities to the people, irrespective of their socio-economic background, gender, tribe or religion. “People didn’t come to Lagos to look at Eko Bridge. They have come to realise their professional, commercial and entrepreneurial aspirations. “We cannot continue to talk about educated people and skilled people if we have not provided correctly in this area. Our state budget for education is one that provides 82 per cent of its budget on education on the current expenditure and three per cent on capital projects. All that we do with education budget is to pay salaries and overheads. But the education of today is about innovation and creativity.” Ambode disagreed. He said the three per cent is only the state’s contribution to SUBEB that is funded by the Federal Government. Agbaje went on: “Today we have a situation where the state spends about three percent of the budget on primary education. “It means it spends little or nothing on primary education. And that is the key; once you don’t have that foundation, then you build on nothing. We’re not talking about reinventing the wheel; we’re talking about bold ideas and new opportunities.” Agbaje said the current 1.5 per cent of the budgets spent vocational skills is like paying lip service to it. “We don’t want to create welders for burglary proof. We want to create welders for the oil and gas industry,” he added. The Bishop, Diocese of Lagos West, Rev James Odedeji, described the debate as the church’s way of encouraging the emergence of the best leaders in Lagos. “We seize this opportunity to call on all agencies involved in the conduct of the elections to be God-fearing in discharging their responsibilities. We call on INEC, security agencies, media and civil society organisations to be fair to all, and realise that they will give account of their stewardship one day to their creator,” Odedeji said.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 16, 2015

CITYBEATS

CITYBEATS LINE: 08023247888

Fire destroys 17 vehicles, three warehouses in Lagos T

HE wind of fire blowing across Lagos yesterday hit three warehouses near the Kirikiri Maximum Prisons in Apapa. All the tyres in the warehouses were destroyed. On Wednesday night, fire destroyed 17 vehicles and several lock-up shops at an auto mechanic workshop in

By Precious Igbonwelundu

Iwaya, Lagos Mainland. The Kirikiri incident brought to 23, the number of fires recorded in the state between Wednesday and yesterday. The fire, which razed a company known as Henry and Henry along the Obolor Crescent, was suspect-

ed to have been caused by excessive heat. The Nation gathered that the building, with three warehouses stocked with tyres, had no ventilation. It was locked when the fire started about 3:30pm. Two trucks were deployed to the scene on the orders of the Director, state fire service Rasaq Fadipe.

Fadipe said though 17 vehicles were razed in the Iwaya fire, his men saved many others. He lamented the spate of fires across the state, appealing to Lagosians to apply extra caution. At the time of this report, efforts were on to contain the fire. Fadipe said no life was lost.

Agency gets 450 petitions on noise pollution monthly

HE Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) receives an average of 450 petitions on noise pollution monthly, its General Manager, Mr Adebola Shabi, said yesterday. Shabi, said the petitions were usually given urgent attention to stem the menace. The noise level, he said, had started coming down

because of the government’s sensitisation efforts. “Averagely in a day we receive about 15 petitions on noise and air pollutions from generators and religious houses. When the agency gets such petitions, it arranges meetings with those involved to first educate them

on noise pollution. We also enlightened them on the need to reduce number of speakers on the premises of religious worship places. After the meeting, many of them do comply but the recalcitrant ones get sanction by having their premises shut. The agency also makes them

to sign agreement to comply fully before their premises are reopened,’’ he said. Shabi explained that the agency also sanctioned some club houses, adding the agency has been trying to reduce noise pollution in a state of over 20 million people. Noise pollution, he said, is linked to population, urging Lagosians to always report such distractions for quick action.

Three prisoners graduate at NOUN

HE National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) will award degrees and diplomas to 7,000 graduates, including three prisoners, at its fourth convocation tomorrow, its Vice- Chancellor (VC) Prof Vincent Tenebe said yesterday. At a media briefing in Lagos, he said two of the graduating prisoners were from Kirikiri Maximum Prisons in Lagos; the other is from Enugu Prisons. He explained that the institution,he said, extended education to the prisons because it was a critical tool in the reformation process. Tenebe said the prisoners were Nigerians, adding that it is proper to extend education to them to enable them lead better lives. “We are happy that we are playing our role as an institution in the area of

Before certify‘ing them fit to

hold our certificates, we found out that they are now found worthy not only in learning but also in character

’

giving quality education to Nigerians, no matter the barriers. It is a way of empowering them and making them to realise that good things can really come out from them, and that they can contribute their quota to national development. “Before certifying them

fit to hold our certificates, we found out that they are now found worthy not only in learning but also in character, and that given necessary support, they too can contribute to national development and growth,’’ he said. The VC said the institution would continue to urge the Federal Government to grant amnesty to prisoners, who had successfully completed their programmes. “The only thing we can do for now is to continue to appeal to the government to grant amnesty to this category of people, because we feel they must have realised the benefits of freedom. Be that as it may, with the education they have acquired so far, any time they regain their freedom, they will be able to contribute meaningfully to the development of Nigeria,’’ he said.

The university, Tenebe said, would continue to work hard to ensure that its programmes were sustained. He lauded the government for ensuring that the institution got the support needed to operate efficiently. Tenebe appealed for increased funding of the institution, noting that its Law graduates were disallowed from attending the Law School because the school is run as part-time. He rated the school as one of the best in the country, saying its programmes were not run on part-time basis. Tenebe said the immediate past Inspector- General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, and Dr Stella Adadevoh, who died while tackling the Ebola Virus Disease, would be honoured at thye convocation.

Council chief to residents: Let’s HE new Executive cooperate Secretary of Ifako-Ijai-

ye Local Government in Lagos State, Mr Olurotimi Adeleye, has urged residents of the council area to team up with his administration for rapid development. Adeleye, who spoke at the inauguration of the four-man transition committee of the council, urged all party chieftains in the area to bury their differences and work together for the cause of the party. He enjoined all eligible voters to ensure that they collect their Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC), which according to him, is the only instrument through which they can exercise their electoral franchise. Adeleye said: “My tenure in this local government may be short, but let us all team up to ensure its success. One of the ways to do that is to mobilize all residents to get their voter’s card so that we all can have a voting right in the election coming up next month.” He assured all of his determination to run an open-door administration adding that he is open to advice and criticisms geared towards promoting the

By Adeyinka Aderibigbe

good cause of the people of the council. The council chief congratulated the committee members for being found worthy of the onerous assignment ahead by the leaders of the party and charged them to guard their loins for the task ahead. The council’s immediate past chairman, Apostle Oloruntoba Oke, said: “The Executive Secretary lives in this council and he is a developmentfocused man. Several times in the past, he used to call my attention to areas where the people are going through development challenges. So, I have no doubt about his competence. I can equally vouch for those on his team. They are people who merited being chosen for the assignment on hand.” The committee members are: Mr Samuel Asa, Mr Lukman Adeleye, Mrs Bisi Adepetun and Wahab Kareem. were administered their oath of office by the council’s Legal Officer Mrs Olayinka Gbosanya administered their oath of office.

Wife seeks marriage dissolution HOUSEWIFE, Mrs over ‘battery’ Rashidat Moses, yes-

terday in Lagos asked a Yaba Customary Court to dissolve her 10-year-old marriage to her husband, Mr Shola Moses, over alleged constant battery. Rashidat (32), is also seeking the dissolution of the marriage over alleged threat to her life and lack of proper care for her and her three children. She told the court that her husband could not afford to rent an apartment for his family, adding that he also accused her of adultery. Rashidat claimed that Moses was always frustrating her at home by making uncomplimentary remarks and complaints about her. She also alleged that he once embarrassed her publicly, while she was hawking soft drinks, the proceeds of which

she said were used to feed her children. The petitioner also alleged that she could not save from her daily earnings as they were living in his family house, where she had to feed all the family members. She also alleged that her husband would not care for the welfare of their children, saying she had been responsible for the payment of their school fees. Rashidat, therefore, prayed the court to dissolve the marriage as she was no longer comfortable with feeding her children alongside her husband’s family. The court’s president, Mr Rahim Daudu, adjourned the case till January 27 to allow the respondent time to appear in court.

Yabatech alumni meet

EMBERS of the alumni association of the Yaba College of Technology (Yabatech) in Lagos will on January 29 hold its Annual General Meeting (AGM) and election of new officers. The AGM Preview Session, according to a statement by the body, will hold tomorrow at 10am prompt at the EmmanUnachukwu Hall, Alumni Complex, Yabatech, venue of the AGM. “Our members are prominently positioned in many major establishments nationally and internationally - in all

spheres of life. This is the time to harness all these enormous resources for the advancement of technological development in Nigeria and our alma mater in particular. “All graduates of the Yaba College of Technology all over Nigeria should attend this landmark AGM and election of new officers to run the affairs of the association for the next three years as stipulated in our constitution. Election application forms into various positions are available free of charge at the secretariat for interested alumni who desire to serve,” the statement read.

NGO donates bed to hospital

•L-R: John Rice, Vice Chairman, General Electric (GE); Onye Mba Uzoukwu, CEO, BanyanTree; and Akin Idowu, Director, Nexus Alliance, after General Electric awarded a contract to develop and manage GE Training Center in the Calabar Free Trade Zone to BanyanTree consortium.

NON-GOVERNMENTAL Organisation, Guidance Community Development Foundation, yesterday donated two imported beds from Dublin to Oluyoro Hospital and Olajumoke Hospital in Ibadan, Oyo State capital. The facilitator of the donation, Mrs. Adeyemi Odunayo, a nurse from Dublin said that she is on vacation and wish to come to Nigeria to partner with the NGO as a way to contribute to the better condition

of Nigerian hospital. Odunayo stated that she is doing this as a way of giving back to her country after 15 years she has left Nigeria, adding that it will also help Nigerian hospital to surmount some of their challenges in area of quality health care delivery. While commending her, the Medical Director of Oluyoro Hospital, Dr. Paul Adegoke said the bed brought by the donor is a very special one that does not need much energy to bring up and down.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 16, 2015

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

There is nothing wrong in having a robust renewable energy programme in the country. In fact, government has taken a step in that direction by introducing the: ‘Light Up Nigeria’ scheme. - Director-General, National Power Training Institute of Nigeria, Rueben Okeke

Seplat stakes $700m on Afren

Govt urged to back non-oil exports

EPLAT Petroleum De velopment Co. secured the option to raise $700 million of debt for acquisitions as the Nigerian oil producer considers buying London-based Afren Plc. The company refinanced debt with $1 billion of new facilities split between a $700 million seven-year tranche and a $300 million threeyear loan, it said in an emailed statement today. The debt maturing in 2022, provided by Nigerian banks, can be doubled for “qualifying acquisition opportunities,” the company based in Lagos said. Seplat said in November it is looking to buy Nigerian gas assets, including those of Royal Dutch Shell Plc, to take advantage of higher prices in Africa’s biggest economy. Seplat, which listed its shares in Lagos nine months ago, has until Jan. 19 to make a firm offer to Afren after approaching the U.K. explorer, it said last week. Shares of the companies, which have a combined market value of about $1.5 billion, have been battered as crude oil prices plunged. “They should be able to secure more deals as there are so many more assets becoming vulnerable, including public companies, in this weak oil price environment,” Ildar Davletshin, an oil and gas analyst at Renaissance Capital, said by phone from Moscow. The acquisition would extend Seplat’s reach beyond its fields in Nigeria to include Iraq’s Kurdistan region, which Afren focuses on in addition to the African country. Seplat produces about 70,000 barrels of oil a day at three Nigerian fields, in which it owns a 45 percent working interest. Seplat’s shares rose 3 percent in Lagos to 310 naira today, trimming its plunge since they started trading in April to 46 percent. The stock added 1.1 percent to 117.75 pence in London today, snapping a five-day decrease. Afren surged 24 percent in London, headed for the steepest advance since 2009 and trimming a loss this year to 43 percent. The company’s market value increased to £296 million ($451 million).

DATA STREAM COMMODITY PRICES Oil -$117.4/barrel Cocoa -$2,686.35/metric ton Coffee - ¢132.70/pound Cotton - ¢95.17pound Gold -$1,396.9/troy Sugar -$163/lb RATES Inflation -8.2% Treasury Bills -10.58%(91d) Maximum lending -30% Prime lending -15.87% Savings rate -3% 91-day NTB -15% Time Deposit -5.49% MPR -12% Foreign Reserve $38.4b FOREX CFA -0.2958 EUR -206.9 £ -242.1 $ -156 ¥ -1.9179 SDR -238 RIYAL -40.472

• From left: Product Manager, Liability Product, Ecobank Nigeria, Mrs. Osinuga Mofoluwaso; Senior Manager, National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC), Mr. Kayode Ojoogun; Deputy Director, Surveillance and Enforcement, Consumer Protection Council (CPC), Engr. Shamm T. Kolo and Regional Head, North East, Aminu Musa at the Ecobank Giant Prize Giveaway promo regional draws held in Abuja.

Fed Govt prepares for further crash in crude oil prices

HE Federal Govern ment has prepared ad ditional measures to cushion the impact of the continuos fall in the price of crude oil and its effect on the economy, the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has said. Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala, who spoke yesterday in Abuja at the Launch of the Action 2015 program, where she had a dialogue with school children of 15 years of age. She denied claims that the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) has been withdrawn from the National Assembly. “Let me just tell you that measures are being put in place so that we can manage the budget and the economy at whatever the oil price bot-

From Nduka Chiejina (Asst. Editor)

toms out. Right now no one knows the bottom because it’s falling everyday. Once it stabilises and we know the bottom, we will accompany it with appropriate measures. So we are working everyday with scenarios, we are following exactly the plan we told Nigerians.” She added that government has different scenarios for $55, $50 per barrel price of oil “and below that of the additional measures that will be needed and I believe that though this will be a very difficult year for the country, we have the tools, we know how to apply them and we know that working together, we will be able to take this country through this year and then to a brighter 2016.”

The minister did not give details of the additional measures being planned, but indicated that 2015 would be a very difficult year for the economy, but with appropriate fiscal and monetary policy instruments, the government “would manage the economy in a manner that would be beneficial to all.” Okonjo-Iweala noted that since the budget was submitted to the National Assembly, the government was monitoring developments in crude oil prices so as to come up with appropriate measures once the decline “bottoms out.” To assist the poor to cushion the impact of the difficult times, the Minister said government is building a platform on which it would assist those at the bottom of the pyramid.

“We are doing something that is technological which is trying to give every Nigerian a smart-card and their generation will be the one to mostly appreciate this. “It will enable us to target those at the very bottom once they have a card to be able to help them with some assistance that can assure basic health care and their children being in school through a conditional cash transfer program, adding that the program is being put together by the President. She explained that ‘Action 2015’ is an international movement to call for more attention in the area of fighting corruption, inequality and climate change, and it is based on the belief that 2015 can be a pivotal year that will change the future.

SEC: staff movement is usual, ongoing

HE Securities and Ex change Commission (SEC) yesterday said its recent redeployment was to strengthen the regulatory mechanism of the Commission through efficient handling of complaints from the investing public. It said the exercise was timely and served as enforcement machinery on erring capital market operators and improvement on investor education. “This is why the redeployment affected key divisions such as, Investigation, Enforcement, Investor Educa-

From Nduka Chiejina (Asst. Editor)

tion and Financial Literacy” a statement from the commission said. It explained that the exercise “ is a well known fact that capacity building is a necessary building block for any capital market regulation. Thus, many staff had to be posted to the Commission’s Learning and Career Development Division for continuous training.” It equally noted that majority of the capital market operators are based in Lagos,

“therefore the need to improve the regulatory oversight through the use of our Lagos Zonal Office was highly desirable. This is why one of the Directors was posted to head the Lagos Zonal Office.” According to the statement “redeployment and transfer of staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission Nigeria, especially at the beginning of a new year is a usual occurrence and part of its strategies at strengthening the apex regulatory body of the Nigerian Capital Market.”

However, the exercise the Commission said “was not aimed at punishing or victimizing any staff due to his or her loyalty to some individuals as being insinuated in some quarters; instead it is for the overall interest of the market.” “The role that SEC Nigeria plays in the nation’s economy is very critical and such changes should be expected from time to time to strengthen capacity and further improve the ability of the Apex regulator to carry out its functions effectively” the statement said.

Minister to inaugurate 25Mw turbines

HE Minister of Petro leum Resources, Mrs. Diezani AlisonMadueke is to inaugurate three 25 Megawatts gas turbines, in the Port Harcourt Refining Company Limited (PHRC), installed and operated by an independent power producer, A statement by the Group

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Ohi Alegbe, yesterday, said the initiative is part of pragmatic measures to ensure continuous and unimpeded refining of petroleum products in PHRC. The Group Executive Director, Refining and Petrochemi-

cal of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Gregory Udoh, said the arrangement with the independent power producers is aimed at ensuring steady power supply to the refinery, adding that staff of PHRC would now focus majorly on the core mandate of refining petroleum products for public consump-

tion. He said over 60 per cent of the Turn Around Maintenance (TAM) materials have been delivered to PHRC, Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company (KRPC) and Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company (WRPC), stating that installation of such equipment and parts is in progress.

HE Federal Govern ment has been urged to initiate policies and incentives to encourage nonoil exports. The Senior Consultant/ CEO, RTC Advisory Services Limited, Opeyemi Agbaje stated this yesterday in Lagos at a forum titled: ‘Review of 2014 and Projections for 2015,’ organised by the Finance Correspondents Association of Nigeria (FICAN). He said: “We have achieved significant diversification in terms of local production and consumption, but we are not competitive in exports. He said South Africa’s exports revenue is driven by companies such as MTN, DSTV and South African Breweries, adding that the challenge for the Nigerian economy is for government to create policies and incentives that will allow the private sector to become exporters. If our export revenue is earned by thousands of Nigerian companies exporting their services, we would not collapse anytime the price of oil falls, he said. “We also need to start refining our oil domestically and exporting it. We should be one of the biggest exporters of refined petroleum products in the world,” he said.

Farmer, musician, others get N1m in Glo promo By Lucas Ajanaku

50-year-old farmer who just came out of detention for a minor traffic offence and a musician, are among the 20 winners that were presented with their N1million cheque each at the on-going N120 million Glo Overload promo. The N120 million Glo Overload promo is one of the five mega promotions running on the Globacom network to make the Yuletide and New Year season even happier for the company’s subscribers. Under the N120 million Glo Overload promo, subscribers are to be dazzled with an overload of benefits including mouth-watering bonus call credits, SMS and data volumes, as well as, cash prizes of N1 million for 120 subscribers. The lucky farmer, Mr. Toyin Adeshina narrated that he was arrested recently after a police car crushed his cow and the vehicle was damaged. “Thereafter, I was remanded in Kirikiri prisons for 17 days and I have so far spent all I have on the case. It was in the midst of all these that Globacom called to inform me that I had won one million naira,” Adeshina narrated to reporters. Mr. Oluwatosin Alade a producer and guitarist also went home on Monday with N1m cash prize which he plans to invest in his music career.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 16, 2015

THE NATION

BUSINESS

AGRICBUSINESS

e-mail: agrobusiness@thenationonlineng.net

Decline in the wild fish catches nationwide, and the partial ban on fish importation has stimulated the expansion of fish farming in Lagos. This is part of an intensive effort to boost food production through aquaculture. The move is also receiving private sector support. DANIEL ESSIET reports.

ISH, has for long, been generally agreed to provide the cheapest source of protein for the human race, especially in poor countries- Nigeria inclusive. But the increasing cost of the product is gradually changing this assumption, at least in the country. Stakeholders in the fish business blame the rising cost on the difficulty in sourcing this product, especially in the wild, and also the laws bordering on fishing in international waters. Another factor for the rising cost of fish in the domestic market is the consequence of years of over-fishing in the wildoceans, lagoon, seas, et al; which has left the nation with a growing gap between the amount of fish that can be harvested and the needs of its burgeoning population. For instance, Director of Fisheries in the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives Mrs Olatokunbo Emokpae revealed that the consumption of fish in Lagos has risen to 260,000 tonnes annually, a far cry from what the industry provides, estimated to be 159,000 tonnes. Of this figure, aquaculture farming contributes a meagre 36,000 tonnes, while catches from the wild and importation account for the remaining number. Speaking during a workshop on fish cage culture techniques, organised by the West Africa Agricultural Productivity Programme (WAAPP), Green Agriculture West Africa Limited (GAWAL) and the Lagos State Agricultural Development Authority(LASADA), in Lagos, Mrs Emokpae stated that the situation has brought crucial challenges like consistency of supply and much lower consumer prices. and with the catches from the wild depleting, she submitted that the industry needs to take measures to ensure continuous supply of fish. This brings to the fore, aquaculture- the practice of using controlled environments to promote the growth of aquatic animals and plants for food, the aquarium trade, restocking or commercial purposes. Currently, it contributes over 50 per cent of the world’s fish supply for human consumption, making it an important contributor to the world’s food supply chain. With the seafood farming industry facing growing pains, Mrs Emokpae said the government is determined to promote fish farming to help satisfy the growing appetite for fish and seafood. Currently, shrimp, pangasius, tilapia, and catfish are the most common species of farmed seafood. For her, a dramatic growth in aquaculture will enable per capita consumption of aquatic protein and plants to increase over time without further taxing wild species. Presently,production is primarily accomplished by small-scale farmers, while there are few large producers utilise more intensive, factory-farm methods. The potential for aquaculture, she noted, is considerable as Lagos has the long coastline and could advance as a major producer of farmed fish. She noted, however, that aquaculture is not growing so rapidly following inability of more people to invest in it. With food security becoming a pressing issue, she noted that the state is ready to use every resource available as efficiently as possible in order to feed its population and that further investment in aquaculture, sooner rather than later, is critical.

•A fish pond

Reviving plunging fish stocks To this end, she said the state is promoting cage culture – a type of fish production where the fish is held captive by net in some big water areas, as an essential part of the solution to food security. The Programme Manager, LASADA, Mr Kayode Ashafa, also lend his voice to this, saying fish production needs to increase to meet growing demand. Represented by the Head of Technical Services, Mr Abayomi Babalola, Ashafa said Lagos is characterised by a maze of lagoon and watersways which constitutes about 22 per cent of the state’s territory.These water bodies, he said, provide empowerment and food to Nigerians but that there is a major gap in fish demand and supply. He noted, however, that the state’s rivers have been fished to their limit, as such it should encourage sustainable growth of aquaculture or fish farms. Ashafa reiterated that the state had embarked on many agricultural development projects towards addressing and reducing poverty. The National Project Coordinator, WAAPP, Prof Damian Chikwendu said Nigeria needs to farm more fish to meet growing demand for animal products. Chikwendu, who spoke through Fisheries Specialist, Charity Obetta said the programme is exploring aquaculture to meet the growing demand for fish products, adding that cape culture is a pragmatic response to the precipitous decline in fish stocks.

By committing to improved aquaculture practices, he said farmers countries can deliver nutritious fish to more Nigerians. To improve the industry, Chikwendu said the programme is collaborating with LASADA to train farmers on cage culture as it has enormous potential to enhance fish production in an environmentally sound and sustainable way . He said the objective of WAAPP is to increase agricultural productivity and promote sub-regional cooperation. Since Nigeria has comparative advantage in aquaculture, he said WAAPP has chosen the country as a centre of excellence . The Deputy General Manager, GAWAL, Prof Xu Yuanfang,said fish farming is the answer to increasing meat demand. He said GAWAL was established by CGC Nigeria Limited in 2006 to enhance the productivity of grain production through local research ,development, cooperation and partnerships. Since its inception, he said the company has introduced hybrid millet, groundnet, sorghum seeds, which have boosted yields in its 2025-hectare farm in Kebbi State. Based on the past trends of aquaculture, he noted that the method was going to make a major contribution to meet increased demand for fish through aquaculture. The advantages of cage culture, according to him of fish is that it enables higher stocking rates and consequently, higher production per unit volume. The raising of fish in cages also reduces the risk of predation by carnivorous fish and other animals. In contrast to natural fishing, where fishermen have

to depend on chance, experts believe raising fish in cages enables a predictable and more assured source of income. Those who agree include the Head of Component (Extension), LASADA, George Tanimowo. To him, aquaculture holds the promise of reducing the need to catch wild fish. For this reason, he said the state is introducing cage culture fish farming that offers promise for lagosians with far-reaching implications for commercial fish industry, and for food supplies, considering tremendous growth in consumer demand. So far, Lagos State has also been exploring the potential for fish production through fish culture in ponds, cages and pens, with suitable species of fish. The government is encouraging the setting up of aquaculture farms to ensure an abundant supply of species of fish that are most in demand. Interestly , the efforts of the state is not unnoticed as industry players have welcomed the initiative. A lot of private organisations see the stage set for fish farming revolution is ready to work with the state to boost the production of tilapia and catfish. One of them is Triton Group ,a global conglomerate, spread across the countries. It was founded in 1995 in Nigeria. Globally, the group have around 900 employee and current revenue is $ 600 million. Its subsidiary, Seafood products Limited, is involved in aquaculture, which is seen as the fastest growing food-producing industry in the world, and has great potential in Nigeria. Its

Project Director,Seafood products Limited,Mr Yashpal Jain said aquaculture holds the promise of reducing the need to catch wild fish having having established successfully aquaculture practice in India and Ghana. In Ghana, he said the company has 240 grow out cages and 48 nursery cages with a capacity of 2,400 metric tonnes (MT) of Tilapia, with complete infrastructure such as hatchery, ice plant, processing shed, cold store . In addition to this, he said the company has established state of art tilapia hatchery with a capacity to produce 18 million fingerlings. Keen to reproduce it success in Nigeria, the company is coming up with good-aquaculture-practice fish farms for Lagos,Oyo ,Ekiti, and Ogun states. Apart from the proposed fish farms helping to alleviate pressure on declining wild fish stocks, aiding, economic development, employment, and the preservation of precious groundwater resources, he said local farmers will have access to reliable local source of fingerlings, quality feed, and technical know-how, by attending demonstration farms, to help them improve their efficiency and profitability. Because of aquaculture, he said fish is the cheapest source in Egypt for animal protein, cheaper than poultry, cheaper than beef and goat meat. Tilapia, for example, retails for the equivalent of approximately US$1.20 to US$2.40 per kilo in Egypt, while beef and goat can cost up to approximately US$12 per kilo.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 16, 2015

PEOPLE THE NATION

A SIX-PAGE SECTION ON SOCIETY

Former Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Ganiyu Adekeye’s daughter, Oluwakemi, has got married to Adeniyi, son of Balmar Agro Industry chairman Mohammed Ashiru Balogun. The colourful wedding took place in Lagos last Saturday, reports OLATUNDE ODEBIYI.

When love conquers all

•The couple, Oluwakemi and Adeniyi

T was a wedding rich in words of wisdom. Virtually everybody had a piece of advice for the couple. One thing stood out in their admonition - the couple should live together as one and not allow anything to come between them. This was the note on which Adeniyi, son of a businessman, Mohammed Ashiru Balogun, and Oluwakemi, daughter of former Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Ganiyu Adekeye, started their marital life. The ceremony took place at the Dorcheser Events Centre on Victoria Island, Lagos State, last Saturday. The ceremony began in Vice Admiral Adekeye’s home on Cameron Road, Ikoyi, Lagos before moving to Dorchester for the reception. At the reception, a cultural dance group, Star Light Home of Entertainment, welcomed guests. A bevy of beautiful women in green dress took guests to their seats. The hall was decorated in white with lights to complement its beauty. The waiters ensured that the tables were filled with delicacies and drinks. Omotunde Adebowale-David of Wazobia FM, a.k.a. Lolo 1, anchored the event. The couple’s parents entered the hall with family members and friends, dancing to Shuga Band’s music. The couple’s mothers wore yellow Buba with yellow and brown Aso Oke as wrapper, head gear and Ipele. The fathers wore cream Buba and Sokoto with the same Aso Oke as the mothers’ for Agbada and cap. As the master of ceremony acknowledged the couple’s entry, guests rose to welcome them. They arrived in a white Limousine. The bride looked pretty in a white flowing dress and the groom was charming in a suit.

•Bride’s parents, Vice Admiral Adekeye and his wife, Fatimah

They were ushered in by girls dressed in wine lace with pink head gears. They danced from the entrance to the stage. Dr Ahmad Agbaje, a lecturer in the University of Ilorin, said the opening prayers. Former Supreme Court Justice George Oguntade chaired the occasion. He welcomed guests and congratulated the couple and their parents. He prayed that God would bless the couple with children, urging them to, henceforth, choose friends carefully, “There are some friends who may cause harm to your marriage, therefore, let no one separate you,” he said. He told the wife that her husband’s house is a “place of learning,” imploring her to take care of him. Justice Oguntade prayed that God would teach her how to go about it. “Your husband must always derive pleasure in coming back home, your home should always be in good shape when he

•Groom’s parents, Mr Balogun and his wife, Bilikisu

comes home and you must welcome him. When you see that he is tired, assist him to remove his shoes and tie. Trust absolutely in your husband and be a good wife,” he said. To the husband, Justice Oguntade said; “Give your wife money for soup, use money to take care of her, support and love her”. Justice Oguntade supervised the cutting of the cake. The couple cut the six step white cake after the spelling of love. They performed their first assignment of feeding each other and sealed it with kisses. The groom’s mother, Mrs Bilikisu Bolaji Balogun, urged the couple to love each other, do things together and make each other happy. “Be careful in all you do, know that with God all things are possible and with Him you will have a successful and happy marriage,” she said. The bride’s mother, Chief Fatimah Adekeye,

told the couple to be patient and prayerful; they should allow God to be their partner and should not complain about themselves to others. The groom’s father thanked Allah, adding that a successful marriage depends on the grace of God. The bride father’s urged the couple to trust each other, urging them to pray hard and follow their parents’ examples. He said marriage is a union of not only two people but two families. “This should be forever in your minds that there is a family,” he said. In his vote of thanks, the groom appreciated the guests. He especially thanked his parents and his wife. Balogun described his wife as a woman that has passion for her vision, adding that she is lovely and supportive. He promised to give her the best. More pictures on page 16

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 16, 2015

S OCIETY WHEN LOVE CONQUERS ALL

•Erelu Abiola Dosunmu (left) and Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa

•Justice Oguntade and his wife, Modupe

•Chief Mobolaji Daniel and his wife, Dorothy

•From left: The Onipe of Ipee, Oba Mufutau Adebayo; Olojoku of Ojoku, Oba Abdulrasak Afolabi and the Onira of Ira, Oba Abdulwahab Oyewale PHOTOS: RAHMAN SANUSI

UNION OF LOVEBIRDS

•The couple, Chinomso and Ibifuro with (from left) bride’s father, Maj- Gen Tanmi Dibi; groom’s mother, Mrs Enekeoha; bride’s mother, Mrs Dibi and groom’s father, Prof Obinna Enekeoha

•Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola

•Former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Alexandria Ogomudia

•Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu (left) and former Cross River State Governor, Mr Donald Duke

THE NATION FRIDAY JANUARY 16, 2015

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‘There‘s a plot to postpone elections’ All Progressives Congress (APC) National Publicity Secretary Alhaji Lai Mohammed has raised an alarm about a plot to postpone the general elections. At a press conference in Lagos, the spokesman, who denied the allegation that the APC was hacking into the electoral commission’s database, reiterated the need for men of goodwill to rise in defense of democracy.

HE Department of State Services (DSS), on January 7, released the so-called find ings from its investigation, following the gestapo-like raids of our Data Centre at Number 10, Ajibola Street, Ikeja, on November 22, 2014. The summary of the ‘findings’ is that our party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), had an ‘articulated plan to inflate the party’s membership data as well as hack into INEC’s voter registration database through the creation of party membership forms and cards to match INEC’s voters register across the country’’. Our immediate response, which was issued on the same day and which got a big play, was to dismiss the ‘findings’ as hogwash, a great disservice to Nigeria and an embarrassment to all intelligence-gathering organizations around the world. Our stand on the ‘findings’ has not changed. However, having taken our time to study the ‘findings’, we believe it is necessary for us to respond to the allegations in a more detailed manner that will show that we were even charitable to have described the report as hogwash. That DSS report is bunkum, garbage, and is not worth the paper on which it is written. We will demonstrate that to you shortly But first, let us address the motive of the DSS for this report and the timing of its release. We will like to tell all Nigerians that the crap called ‘findings’ is part of the ongoing efforts by the Jonathan Administration to postpone next month’s general elections. Having seen the handwriting on the wall vis-a-vis the growing rejection of the PDP by Nigerians, the Jonathan Administration has gone into a panic mode, while embarking on a plan to postpone the elections. Apparently, the thinking at the DSS, which is working in cahoots with the PDP, is that its report that the APC plans to hack into the voters’ registration Data Base of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will raise doubts about the integrity of the voter’s register to be used for the forthcoming polls, and subsequently force a postponement of the elections since the existing register cannot be used for the polls. Unfortunately for DSS and the PDP, this thinking was based on a wrong premise, as we will show shortly, and it has backfired. Before you say our claim is outlandish, remember that some prominent Nigerians have publicly called for the postponement of the election - which can only benefit the Jonathan Administration and delay its impending Waterloo at the polls. Place the calls side by side with the apparently doctored outcome of the DSS investigations and the timing of the report’s release, and you will understand where they are coming from.

The findings

We make bold to say that those ‘findings’ cannot stand a serious scrutiny by independent investigators.because the DSS worked backwards, from answer to question, in an effort to reach a pre-determined conclusion

Hacking of INEC’s database

The allegation that the APC planned to hack into INEC’s voters’ registration Data Base is false. The fact that the DSS made the allegation at all shows that the agency does not understand the concept of hacking, which is pathetic for a primary intelligence agency of its stature. We are not aware that INEC has made a complaint of anyone or group trying to hack into its system. The DSS ‘findings’ are baseless as INEC’S database is a reflection of the registered members with the Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs). Please note that at the time of the DSS’ raids, the PVCs had already been printed. Therefore, of what value would it be to hack into the system and input more names? Simply put, it is not possible for the APC to hack into the INEC Data Base for the following reasons: INEC’s database is not online, how then is it possible for anyone to hack into it? To prevent virus intrusion, there is no Internet

‘During the second raid carried out by the DSS on the same at the APC Data Centre, the security personnel carted away bags with unused membership registration forms. These are the forms to which they have fraudulently attached pictures of babies and military personnel in order to implicate the APC’ • Mohammed

service at the APC Data Centre that was raided. Therefore it is not possible to hack into INEC’s database. The DSS has claimed that hacking tutorials were discovered on an external hard drive. This is a lie! All the USB ports on the pc systems in the office were disabled to prevent virus intrusion. Therefore, the use of external hard drives is not allowed at the APC Data Centre. If this is so, how is it possible for an external hard drive containing these so-called hacking materials to be found on the premises of the APC Data Office? Please note that the work stations at our various data registration centres in the country are manned by unemployed youths with just basic computer knowledge. The question to ask is: Would the party have employed these people if the intent were to hack into INEC’s Data Base or employed gurus in the IT world? It is clear that the DSS purchased a hard drive and downloaded the information themselves from the Internet. After all, the DSS, by virtue of its duties, should be the hacking experts, hence hacking tutorials will be part of their staff induction training.

Timing of the DSS raids

As we have said, the overall motive of the raid of our offices and the so-called findings is to give the impression that the INEC voter’s register has been corrupted, hence, cannot be used for next month’s elections. Now, a more specific question: Why did the DSS break into the APC Data Centre at the time it did? It is no coincidence that the DSS raided the APC

HEAD of the general elections, a group, the Coalition for Change, has unfolded plans to raise one million volunteers in each state to mobilise support for the All Progressives Congress (APC). At its inauguration held at the APC campaign office, Victoria Island, the group said that Nigerians cannot stand another four years of the Jonathan Administration. While appreciating the various volunteers for their overwhelming support for its presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, and his running mate, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, the coalition said it campaign focus will be in line with the objectives of the campaign organisation. Addressing the volunteers, APC chieftain Dr. Tunde Ayeye said they would engage door to door mobilisation, preaching the message of change to the people. He said God has given to Nigeria two people, Buhari and Osinbajo, who are men of integrity. He said they posses leadership qualities, adding that they have the genuine desire to serve. Ayeye said the ticket signifies hope in the

Data Centre on Nov. 22nd 2014, exactly one week before the start of the PVC distribution exercise on November 28, 2014. The reason the DSS came to vandalize our Data Centre is because the Service is working handin-hand with the PDP. They carried out the raids to know our party’s strength in terms of membership. Please note that after the raids, many of our registered members could not find their names on the list when they went to collect their PVCs. This is not a mere coincidence.

Alleged multiple registration of members After the first visit of the DSS, it was clear to all Nigerians that the Service’s claim that we were cloning PVCs could not be sustained. That explains why they could not display a single cloned PVC During the second raid carried out by the DSS on the same at the APC Data Centre, the security personnel carted away bags with unused membership registration forms. These are the forms to which they have fraudulently attached pictures of babies and military personnel in order to implicate the APC. Or what on earth was the purpose of the DSS carting away blank APC membership registration forms? Why did it take the DSS almost 50 days to reveal this information? If it were true, won’t they have released the information to the general public immediately? Has the DSS hired any renowned IT organization to attest to its ‘findings’? Can you be an accuser and a judge at the same time?

Alleged registration of armed forces/paramilitary personnel This is a no-brainer. The question to ask the DSS is: Will any member of the armed forces and paramilitary organisations be so daft as to join a political party using a passport photograph of himself or herself in uniform? The DSS must think Nigerians are fools.

Alleged registration of babies

To the best of our knowledge, a baby cannot vote. So, why would any organisation register a baby as a member? Our application edits date of birth, hence, we will not allow the registration of under-aged persons. The DSS should tell the world where it got the pictures of babies that it affixed to the blank forms that were carted away from our Data Centre. We did not and could not have registered babies as members. This allegation is nitwitted, to say the least.

Alleged confessions by workers arrested from the data centre Please recall that in a statement we issued of Dec. 5th 2014, we accused the DSS of resorting to the use of torture to obtain forced confessions from the workers who were arrested during the first raid on our party’s Data Centre. In that statement, we called the action of the DSS a contravention of the UN Convention against Torture to which Nigeria is a signatory and a violation of the citizens’ fundamental human rights. The DSS shackled the hands and legs of those arrested and blindfolded them while they were being taken to Abuja; The arrested persons remained in chains even at the dark detention cell where they were made to sleep on the bare floor for the 10 days they were detained illegally. The workers had guns pointed at their heads by DSS personnel who threatened to shoot them A pregnant woman among those who were arrested was denied access to her drugs even when she started bleeding due to the torture to which she was subjected by the DSS. Gentlemen, we now present to you some of those who were arrested and tortured by the DSS, so they can narrate to you their ordeal in the hands of the DSS - A national institution being maintained by taxpayers’ funds but which has now become the enforcement arm of the PDP to be used by the ruling party to terrorize innocent citizens. The DSS said it had charged these workers to court. This is a lie. We were the ones who charged the DSS to court, and the court ordered the security agency to release the arrested workers. Be that as it may, we are expecting them to join us in court, and let the court decide on the crap they called findings. We are confident that the ‘confessions’ extracted from these people, after they were subjected to incredible acts of torture, cannot even stand in any court of law.

Group targets one million volunteers for APC By Precious Igbonwelundu

midst of despair, urging volunteers to convince the people to vote APC. He said: “I am certain that there is hope for Nigeria with the Buhari/Osinbajo ticket. A lot of people despite the desoaur in the land, have committed their time and are determined to be the desired change. “We want to ensure citizens rights and responsibilities are fulfilled. We will do everything within the ambit of the law to ensure that. “We are members of the same team and working for the same purpose. We found out that a lot of individuals and groups have shown interest and believe that the Buhari/Osinbajo ticket is the best option for our country today. He added: “They are ready and willing to commit their time and money to ensure that it becomes a reality. At the moment, different individuals and groups are doing different things towards the same purpose and so, we decided to form a coalition to harmonise each group’s strength and sphere of influence by ensuring

that we preach the same message and there is coordination. “We want to ensure consistency and strategy in the delivery of our objectives, which is we must ensure change come February 14. That change is going to come through the power of the ballot box. Everyman is equal on February 14. The election day is one day that all fingers are equal and we are the ones to ensure that the change happens. “The time is short but with the kind of spirit, willingness and commitment that we see, I am confident that the time we have is probably too much. “The campaign office decided to create a hunt called the C4C to ensure that every individual or group volunteers take their root from the coalition. The coalition is just an umbreka body that will galvanise and bring everybody together for the singular purpose. •This page ought to have come out yesterday - Editor

THE NATION FRIDAY JANUARY 16, 2015

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No Nigerian who wants this country to progress is against Buhari. It is only people whose hands are not clean that are afraid

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Senator Joseph Waku is a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State. He is also a leader of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF). In this interview with TONY AKOWE in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), he speaks on the controversy sorrounding the party’s governorship primaries in Benue, the North’s quest for power-shift and the chances of the APC at the polls.

Waku: Nigerians ‘ll not re-elect Jonathan

•Waku

HAT is your assessment of the campaigns by the President and his challenger, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari? I spent about one hour listening to my President soliciting for votes from Nigerians. All I could deduce is that the man is out of ideas, out of touch and he will soon be out of power. I found a frustrating President, rather than a confident man. I saw a lot of frustration in him. I saw how visibly angry he was with himself. Above all, I discovered that he himself is a thug rather than saying Obasanjo looks like one, behaves or acts like a thug. He did not speak the way a President should speak. As a normal human being, you will realise that even our tradition does not allow you to talk about a father in the manner he did. No matter how angry you are against Obasanjo, you cannot call him a thug because he fought to keep this country united before becoming President. He risked his life at the war front to liberate Jonathan. Otherwise, he would have been enslaved by the Igbos. If not for the civil war, which Obasanjo fought to keep Nigeria together, he would been enslaved and his identity would have been totally lost. For you to get up and address that man in such a way is uncivilized. No wonder that Nigeria need a President who is civilized, cultured, learned and has tradition to respect. I believe that he should slow down, convince Nigerians about what he need to do, rather than abuse leaders that have made this country survive for you to come and benefit from. Dr. Jonathan said that Buhari, who did not buy any weapon for

the military, is not talking about tackling insurgency. What is your reaction? That is to show you clearly that the man is not intelligent. Buhari spent 18 months in office and Jonathan has spent six years. What Buhari achieved, even as a GOC, Jonathan has not achieved as the President. When Chad invaded Nigerian territory during the Shagari administration, Buhari moved in and recaptured the villages and even went ahead to seize some Cameroonian villages. He just not informed. As President, you don’t rule the country by emotions. You rule with fact and articulate position. Do you compare somebody who rule for 18 months with that who rule for six years? Even the budget preparation, how long does it take? Even Buhari had bought weapons for the military then, how useful would they have been now when he was in power over 30 years ago? What has he done with the new innovations in place now. If Buhari had bought vehicles for the military 30 years ago, would they have been useful in the current dispensation? So, you can clearly see Nigeria’s misfortune, by bringing somebody who has no idea of governance into a training school. Nigeria is no longer about training people to rule. We have gotten to the position where we need people with lots of experience, especially in a situation like this when the nation is about collapsing under a novice. The insurgency seems to have defiled solutions. What is the best way to handle it? If you remember, some years ago when the insurgency started, I said that Jonathan was benefiting from it. In fact, I went further to say that he created this insurgency. He told Nigerians that he knows those who are sponsoring Boko Haram and went further to say the areas where they exist. He said they were in his government, in the legislature and in the judiciary, as

well as the police. We expected him to arrest them. A commander-in-chief and chief security officer of the federation telling you that he know those involved in the insurgency; what stopped him from arresting them? I think he is benefiting from it. As I keep saying, he knows that he is losing this election very fast and so, he created this insurgency to cut away part of the country, so that the voting population there might be reduced. But, what he does not know is that the people are determined to vote where ever they are. Why is the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), which has been agitating for power shift, is divided over the candidature of Buhari? There is no division in the ACF regarding who becomes the candidate of any political party, not even Buhari. We are non-partisan and so, our job is like that of an umpire. We moderate and for all our children who wants to get into politics, we advise them not to get into crisis. So, we are non partisan. I am sure you are referring to a dissident group called Northern Elders Council headed by an outdated northerner who has never in his life won an election, even as a councillor, Tanko Yakassai. I am sure that he is the person you are referring to. Otherwise, the north is united about who become President of this country, particularly a northerner. They always believe that based on the PDP zoning system, a northerner should be a candidate. The APC, which does not subscribe to zoning, has decided on a credible Nigerian, who happens to be a northerner. There is no division in the north. There is division and hatred for those who are either criminallyminded and are afraid of going back to jail or who intends to take to crime. These are the people against Buhari in the north and in Nigeria generally. No Nigerian who wants this country to progress is against Buhari. It is only people whose hands are not clean

that are afraid. But, we keep telling them that Buhari will not run a vengeance government. He will not witchhunt anybody. We are all Nigerians and together, we shall build a united Nigeria. But, that is not to say that law and order will not be allowed to take its course. Some of those who mismanaged the responsibility may be called to question. It may not even be Buhari. Assuming that I am the governor of Benue State today and I decided to look into the multitude of loans that has been accumulated over the years and how they will benefit the people of Benue, would you say I am witch-hunting? Of course not, because I just want to articulate the position and prioritize some areas of governance to move forward. That is bound to happen in any organisation for there to be sanity. How can violence be averted at the general elections? You can clearly see evidence of violence in the PDP and its presidential candidate. Look at the way he spoke as if he were a garage boy who is ready to release the hunting dogs. On his part, Buhari tells you exactly what he wants to do. But, Jonathan is short of mentioning the names of those he wants to attack for fears of the electoral laws. He really has nothing to offer. They are banking on the security. How can the Directorate of State Security become the mouthpiece of a political party, like Merilyn Oga has been doing and she has not been checked or called to order by the authorities. This is most unfortunate. What is the duty of the PDP publicity secretary? If you say my party is inflating membership, what has that got to do with INEC or the electoral processes. It is not every party member that has voting card and so, what has that got to do with hacking into INEC website? You can see the provocation and yet, the government is not saying anything. So, we are not preparing ourselves for violence and we will

‘As I keep saying, he knows that he is losing this election very fast and so, he created this insurgency to cut away part of the country, so that the voting population there might be reduced. But, what he does not know is that the people are determined to vote where ever they are’

not. We know the consequences of violence because it can lead to loss of life. When we form government, are we going to preside over corpses? We want to provide services to Nigerians. Therefore, we are not interested in violence and we cannot encourage violence from any quarters. There are those who believe that INEC will not be able to deliver a free, fair and credible election and those who hold this view have consistently pointed at the distribution of the Permanent Voters Cards... Look at what the President said, that he has ordered INEC that is supposed to be an independent body. The President could not even tell that the nation that he has advised INEC, but that he has ordered. What that means is that he was holding them before for reasons best known to government. Why do you now want to order them when we have less than 40 days to elections. At the same time, INEC came out to say that whoever has his name on the register will be allowed to vote. But if such people are not allowed to vote, that is where problem will arise because we will not support any Nigerian being disenfranchised. Here again, the President has gifted. The last election was held in 2011 and four years is enough time for INEC to have concluded all these things. It is only now that he is saying that he has ordered INEC, an independent body. He is only telling Nigerians that he with held this before and maybe now, he has seen that it will not be in his advantage or he has worked out the mechanism to make it work in his favour. We are too intelligent in this country and we are monitoring the activities of everybody, no matter how highly placed. What actually happened during the APC governorship primaries in Benue? You heard correctly that there was no primary to elect or select a governorship candidate. Samuel Ortom’s name was forwarded. I thought that was April fool. Don’t you think that this will affect the chances of the party in the state? That is what we are trying to avert, otherwise, we will have no candidate from the point of view of the law.

Jonathan’s second term bid divides Urhobo

RISIS is brewing in Urhoboland over alleged moves by promi nent leaders of the Urhobo Progressives Union (UPU) to mobilise support for the second term ambition of President Goodluck Jonathan and other Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) flag bearers in the general election. Members of the group said that the move to tilt support towards the PDP has violated the last year’s “Ovwiamughe Declaration” that the ethnic group will cast one million bloc votes for the All progressives Congress (APC) at the general elections,because the PDP failed to zone its governorship ticket to Urhoboland. Following the death of the former UPU leader, Gen. Patrick Aziza, under whose leadership the Urhobo nation backed the PDP, his successor, Chief Joe Omene, allegedly reneged on the declaration when he indicated that Urhobo could support Chief Great

Ogboru, the Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate. That was few weeks after he assured the APC governorship candidate, Olorogun O’tega Emerhor, of his support. However, Omene denied the allegation, saying that he will always protect the interest of the tribe. A meeting of UPU stakeholders at Mosogar, Ethiope East Council Area to explore the possibility of fielding a single Urhobo candidate, in line with Ovwiamughe Declaration, ended abruptly. Many leaders of the association rose against the pressure on Urhobo people to support the PDP, following its failure to zone the ticket to the ethnic group. It was alleged that majority of the UPU executives were bent on actualising the original Uvwiamuge Declaration that Emerhor should be adopted as the consensus candidate. But, the meeting had to adjourn, following a resolution that the matter should be brought before the Urhobo

Council of Traditional Rulers, and the youth and women wings for ratification. An executive member who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said: “Majority of the executives agreed in a voice vote at the meeting that the Ovwiamughe Declaration should stand and that a drastic decision must be taken to checkmate the unbecoming attitude of those violating the declaration.” Some Urhobos had earlier called for the resignation and or removal of Omene as the President-General of the UPU, following the allegation that he was rooting for the President’s second term ambition. But, he denied the allegation, saying that he cannot go against the wishes of the group. Justice Otitiri, a political analyst, said: “Urhobo must now know we have a PDP mole as UPU leader. The reality is staring us in the face now. “Omene has been championing the suspension of the Amoris, Magages,

and other Urhobos by the UPU, for supporting Anioma governorship ambition and the PDP generally. Now, he is the one trying to truncate the collective decision the Urhobo has made on the alter of his selfish pact with President Jonathan. He should honourably resign or be dismissed as the UPU leader.” The National Vice Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Mumakai-Unagha, who was at meeting, said: “I am very surprised by this confusion of a Uturn being promoted by some of us. Urhobo must not be deceived that President is willing to support Urhobo governorship through Labour Party. “If he is interested in Urhobo governorship, he would have supported us for the Delta PDP ticket when we wrote him six months ago. This resentful u-turn if allowed to succeed it would have long term negative consequences for the Urhobo nation. “The UPU would have lost all its

•Emerhor

credibility. Nobody would respect UPU anymore. Ovwiamughe Declaration had space for only PDP and APC. Since PDP has failed and undermined us, APC is the exclusive choice for Urhobo to support. It an oath we all, especially the UPU leadership, swore to abide. There is no going back.”

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 16, 2015

COMMENTARY LETTER

EDITORIAL

Polarisation of Nigeria

No to TVC •INEC must give a regular update until the PVC gets to every registered voter HAT does the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) intend to achieve by its announcement that 68, 833, 476 Nigerians have been registered for the 2015 general elections that kicks off on February 14, but that just more than 38 million have collected their permanent voter cards (PVCs)? If it is to galvanise the public to collect their PVCs, the commission is welcome; and it is on the right track. But if it is to, Pontius Pilate-like, make public the numbers but shop for sympathy by washing its hands of its inability to distribute a good number of the PVCs, then it is on a perilous path. INEC must deliver on its first primary duty of conducting a clean, transparent and credible poll: a credible voter register. By announcing its new voter register is ready, and calling political parties to collect that register, it has passively delivered on that first basic test. But for that passive delivery to pass into voters’ hands for active civic action, INEC must ensure every voter — in any case, most voters — get their PVCs. On that score, INEC is failing fast: 38 million collecting PVCs out of 68 million, is barely 56 per cent. That is not good enough, given that turnout in elections is seldom up to 60 per cent. If elections were to be held today, therefore, it means that barely half of the 38 million already armed to vote would turn out: 19 to 20 million — too low for comfort! That is why, for INEC, playing Pontius Pilate is absolutely no option — except,

of course, it wants to be accused of basically sabotaging an election, a very crucial election, it is organising. That is why INEC must get its hands dirty — if need be, very dirty — by going the extra mile to ensure everyone that it registers gets his or her voter card. On the positive side, INEC Chair, Prof. Attahiru Jega’s announcement that his commission was further decentralising PVC collection, down from local governments to the ward level, is commendable. Said he: “We have further directed RECs [Resident Electoral Commissioners] to further decentralise distribution, which is now 8: 30 am to 5: 30 pm, Mondays to Saturdays. Our staff will strictly comply with the announced hours of distribution. Failure by any of our staff to comply with the schedule can be promptly reported at the local government and state offices of the commission, as well as the national headquarters, through the INEC Citizens Contact Centre (ICCC).” The INEC chair must be judged by his words. But while INEC tries to sort out the PVC collection challenge, political parties and other stakeholders must be wary of further muddying the waters, with emotive suggestions that could turn counter-productive. We refer to no less than the lobby in the House of Representatives, suggesting that PVCs with temporary voter cards (TVCs) be used, should INEC fail in its efforts to deliver PVCs to most voters. A motion to that effect, sponsored by Femi Gbajabiamila, All Progressives Congress

(APC) member and House Minority Leader, was passed. With all due respect to Mr. Gbajabiamila, that resolution was founded on emotions, which could terribly backfire. If INEC is using card readers to make the elections clean, and it is producing PVCs to work with the card readers, it is defeatist to push the use of any other mode of card, if clean election is the goal. Rather than pandering to present passion to birth future confusion and chaos, the political parties must think strategically. It is better to pressure INEC on PVCs, and mobilise their supporters to cooperate, en route to credible polls, than to explore alternative routes, which may deliver TVCs but fail to guarantee free polls. So, let there be no discordant tone. Let INEC deliver PVCs to most voters. It is the very minimal condition to deliver a near scientifically guaranteed clean election.

‘It is better to pressure INEC on PVCs, and mobilise their supporters to cooperate, en route to credible polls, than to explore alternative routes, which may deliver TVCs but fail to guarantee free polls’

A definite no-no

•It is philistine to sell the National Theatre for commercial purpose

ESPITE the official denial of the alleged sale of the National Arts Theatre, Lagos, the Federal Government’s intentions and moves concerning the cultural monument remain suspicious. It is a reflection of the scale of public distrust and outcry over the issue that the General Manager of the arts complex, Kabir Yusuf, defensively addressed the media last week. Yusuf stressed that there was no plan to sell the National Arts Theatre, and the effort to develop the bare land around the centre through a Public-Private Partnership should not be misconstrued. He explained that the vision to create an entertainment city at the site on a BuildOperate-and Transfer basis is informed by a renewed focus on the master plan and would involve a concession that is expected to be perfected within the next three months. He said the envisaged en-

‘The rehabilitation and further development of the cultural symbol should be pursued by the authorities with a proper appreciation of the meaning of civilisation. There will always be room for culture in the society despite the Philistine imagination of structures of power. Selling the National Arts Theatre is a definite nono’

tertainment environment would include a five-star hotel, an international shopping mall, multi-level car park, land and water recreation parks and office buildings. However, this position may not be the whole truth, considering an alarming report by a foreign publication, Gulf Review Africa, which predictably triggered a massive protest, particularly in arts and culture circles in the country. According to the journal’s December 10, 2014, edition, a UAE-based conglomerate, Mulk Holdings, has won a $40 million (about N7.5 billion) joint venture bid to “develop the National Arts Theatre in Lagos into a dutyfree shopping centre.” The report also named another UAE-based company, Suzzane Group, as the other party in the venture. Interestingly, the publication quoted Yusuf as saying, “the interior (not the fallow landmass) of the National Theatre will be redesigned and renovated into a modern duty-free and retail shopping mall.” Also noteworthy is the information that the deal was signed in Dubai in November 2014 by the Minister of Culture, Edem Duke, and the ceremony was witnessed by Nigeria’s Ambassador to the UAE, Bashir Yuguda. Quite apart from the shocking and scandalous news of the contract, it is disturbing that there are public allegations of non-adherence to due process and possible official corruption, which the government should deal with immediately. It is astounding that the reported agreement was a secret until the details appeared in Gulf Review Africa, leading to justifiable public outrage. Furthermore,

the government’s silence on the published particulars reinforces public suspicion of its design. Beyond Yusuf’s attempt to clarify the situation without directly rubbishing the report, Duke should do more by engaging the stakeholders in the arts and culture sector, with a view to making them understand and appreciate the government’s intention. The haziness is a source of speculations, and the administration cannot credibly argue that it is misunderstood in the context of the confusion. As things stand, the government should clear the air as a matter of urgency. It ought to be emphasised that the 38-year-old National Arts Theatre has a revered history and represents an unquantifiable cultural value. Also, the truth is that the people have a sentimental attachment to the architectural masterpiece celebrated as the venue of the 1977 2nd World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC). It remains the country’s pre-eminent cultural event centre despite its unfortunate neglect over the years, and there can be no excuse for sacrificing its soul for commercial interests. The answer is to find a peoplefriendly solution. More specifically, the rehabilitation and further development of the cultural symbol should be pursued by the authorities with a proper appreciation of the meaning of civilisation. There will always be room for culture in the society despite the Philistine imagination of structures of power. Selling the National Arts Theatre is a definite no-no.

IR: A close examination of the social media would reveal that there is a sharp divide among the ethnic groups in their support for the different candidates. Largely names suggestive of south-east and south-south origin support the President and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, while names suggestive of northern and south-west origin support the All Progressive Congress’ (APC) candidate. The reason for this may very well be that our politicians practice one of Robert Greene’s strategies of war: ‘divide and conquer’. The problem with this practice, however, is that this polarization, in my opinion, is instructive of what will be a further catalyst to the already existing insurgency which the country is battling with. Perhaps this is the reason many have suggested that violence is inevitable following the outcome of the presidential elections come February 14. The truth of the matter is that this divide and conquer tactic of our so-called leaders has been in practice long before the civil war. Some may even say that the civil war was partly, if not wholly, as a result of the brainwashing of a people by their leaders to serve their personal and selfish interests. This tradition has continued decades after the civil war ended. As a means of achieving their political ambitions, the so-called leaders play the ethnicity card, reminding the voters that candidate A is not your brother because he is not Igbo or Hausa or Yoruba and thereforethe electorate should pick candidate B instead. It is easy then, to understand why the violence that followed the 2011 elections ensued. It is simply because the people had come to see the winner of the election as a foe rather than a fellow Nigerian. I am of the opinion that this politics of division is a problem in itself and the bane of our problem in Nigeria and it is pathetic that our so-called leaders rather than seeing this for the problem that it is, see it as an avenue for further exploitation and personal advancement. However, I also hold the opinion that solving the problem is easy. A Senator once told me that the problem with Nigeria, which is very evident in the National Assembly, is that “the citizens do not share a sense of national belonging, we first see ourselves as Igbo, Hausa, Yoruba, Ijaw, or Fulani before seeing ourselves as Nigerians”. This is the terrible truth of our country. We are from a country where your state of origin is more important than your state of birth or residence. I hold the opinion that a stronger Federal Character Commission which is not only concerned with theimplementation and enforcement of the federal character principle of fairness and equity in the distribution of public posts and socio-economic infrastructures among the various federating units of the Federal Republic of Nigeria” as its website says, but also tasked with the prevention of divisionary conducts, statements and prosecution of violators would go a long way to creating a nation that is truly one. Ironically, a person who is elected president will not be the President of northern or of southern Nigeria; a governor will not be the governor of Muslim or Christian state. When a person is elected President, he/she is the President of Nigeria. For this reason alone, I believe that it is important during the campaigns to remind the citizens of our great nation that we are all citizens of Nigeria, whether Christian or Muslim, southerner or northerner (and not just when the camera is rolling). • Chiedu Ogbuoji, University of Nottingham, United Kingdom.

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THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 16, 2015

CARTOON & LETTERS

IR: Socrates, the philosopher, born circa 470BC in Athens, Greece, and as wont in their custom, was presented to the “god of life” by his parents, during dedication. The trusted god did not blink in reeling out dossier of the newborn. The darkest spot of his life curricular was, however, a dent on his amphora where the god predicted larger than life achievements but on negative norms – “this newborn will become a Chief Highway Robber the type the world has never witnessed, the god submitted”. His parents were perturbed by the message of a god held in high esteem. Socrates’ mother refused to address him by the christened name but chose to call him “Armed Robber”. Noticing, as he grew, his mother addressing him in unconventional way, he challenged her for disparaging his person by the odious name. The mother did not hesitate to reveal the reason. What Socrates did when told of the story of a “god that never lied” was to prove the “god” wrong. This is the time to prove America and her ilk wrong by surmounting our God given innate qualities and abilities to keep this fragile nation one. The white refer to us as black people but they are wrong. We are dark-skinned and our brain is neither black nor dark.

IR: Kindly help whisper to President Goodluck Jonathan that he has spent eight years at the presidency: two years as Vice President, and six as president. My point? It worries me to hear him still talk of planning on what he will do for Nigerians if reelected. While first term bids, the world over, are won on account of impressive manifestos, second term bids are basically secured on

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Elections, INEC and America’s prediction The Independent National Electoral Commission under the leadership of Professor Attahiru Jega has to rise to the occasion by ensuring fair contest amongst the numerous candidates. The stigmatized image of a body believed to be instrument of electoral frauds in the recent past should be salvaged as we are all waiting to see whether or not he who pays the piper will not call the tune. INEC officials are Nigerians, and official corruption has no borderline as people with hitching palms are abound in all facets of life. A one man, one vote permutation where justice is seen to be done in arena where votes count is the only panacea to suppress the unseemly beggary and loathsome minds who believe that nothing good could come from the Nazareth of our INEC. The fact that Nigerians have been condemned to abject poverty by the successive governments and major-

ity are hibernating under the gale of inescapable fate of economic strangulation and kwashiorkor does not blur our vision from discerning lies even when coated with tissue of truth. People’s sensitivity to electoral manipulations has never been more charged than now. Sovereignty belongs to the people and every democratically elected leader is expected to derive power from the people through transparency and prudent accountability in affairs of the state by a way of giving hope to the local populace in a society where individuals are privileged to wangle ways in serene and secured ambient environment for economic emancipation. Yes, political office holder, if truly elected, should be accountable to the electorates. We should be reminded that a few Nigeria politicians in their desperation, either to cling to power or record electoral success at all cost, are obstinate in hypocrisy by lay-

ing foundation of their house of deception on an undermined sand cliff ready to crumble to pieces with the occupiers. The phobia of break-up as orchestrated by the West in form of a kite supposedly flown in our sky of sub consciousness is a charade, an intrigue of deceit intended to sow seeds of discord, hatred and disunity amongst our ruling elites for actualization of their dream, not for anything, but their economic interests. All eyes must open. All ears must open. All sense organs must be at alert as if this is the last lap on a common race towards destination for a new Nigeria where everybody will be his brother’s keeper Let the votes count. Let us put our detractors to shame. Let Nigeria be • Jimoh Kayode, Lagos

February polls: Performance not platitudes

the altar of scorecards. Rather than ride on the high horse of performance, the President is seen touring churches, currying electoral favour from church leaders and founders who ordinarily should know better, but are obviously, copiously blinded by bigotry and fanaticism. Why wait till weeks to elections before visiting these churches? No doubt, such eleventh hour visits and

entreaties are but desperate, foul moves and stink of corruption. Leaderships of such churches may deny, but selfish benefits rule such visitations. For how long shall religion be allowed to divide us, used to defraud us, used to defame us, used to disenfranchise us and of course, used to dehumanise us? In all known literature, religions promote harmony, peace and unity. I must make haste to say, rather than

religion, our common enemies are the evil men and women in our midst, hence, religion should be separated from the state and national concerns- a good case in point is the February general elections. • Omale Suraj, GRA, Ankpa, Kogi State.

The poster wars

IR: The on-going poster wars going amongst various political parties across the country will not augur well for our democracy. The destruction of bill boards, burning of parties buses, removal of other political parties posters are the current trend witnessed across the length and breadth of the political landscape. Recently, it was reported a political party procured some vehicles for the February election and that nobody dared to drive the vehicles to its intended destination because of fears of attack to be meted to the drivers. This is wrong. All political parties have the right to display their posters in any part of this country and to sell their candidature to the electorate without any intimidation and harassment. The various political parties should call their supporters to order to eschew any form of violence before during and after the elections. Nigeria has come of age to allow issues of posters war to becloud their sense of judgment. We should not allow the posters war to disturb our quest for positive change that we desire in our lives. I call on relevant stakeholders and security agencies to be proactive in dealing with any form of disturbance that would adversely affect the smooth conduct of the general elections barely few weeks away. • Bala Nayashi Lokoja, Kogi State

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 16, 2015 16

COMMENTS

Some truth you might love to hate Email: tunji_ololade@yahoo.co.uk 08038551123, 08111845040

OME say Muhammadu Buhari is a sentiment; who isn’t? Perhaps Goodluck Jonathan, they would say. Let’s not be trivial and given to hogwash, President Goodluck Jonathan is an unjustifiable sentiment gone wrong. Shall we write-off Buhari, just because…stuck in the intricate webs of our internalised and yet collectivised perversions, we are desperate to make a Hobson’s choice? Shall we continue to compromise and seek the consolation of wonderfully wrought intellectualisations just because it is socio-politically correct to do so? If not Buhari, who? Goodluck Jonathan? Show me the candidate without a splodge to his name. Of all the charlatans we launder, show us the self-acclaimed Messiah without some murder, pillage or unsubstantiated and yet uncontested allegation of fraud or corruption to his name, save Buhari. And so may I in response to those who consider President Jonathan as Nigeria’s only hope, aver in Randspeak that there can be no compromise between a property owner and an intruder; offering the intruder a single teaspoon of one’s silverware would not be a compromise, but a total surrender – the recognition of

his right to one’s property. Simply put, there can be no compromise, however exquisitely couched, between us and the looters we tolerate; offering them a jolly ride to our corridors of power in the spirit of socio-political expediency would not be a compromise but a total and cowardly surrender – the recognition of their right of ownership and monopoly over what is essentially ours. Whether we like it or not, there can be no concession or wanton sophistry acceptable on basic principles and fundamental issues. There can be no compromise between truth and falsehood, reason and irrationality. Imagine a compromise between food and poison, isn’t it death that would win? Nothing corrupts, nothing disintegrates a culture or a man’s character as the principle of moral agnosticism; that is, the idea that one must be morally tolerant of anything and everything and that ingenuity consists in never distinguishing good from evil and taking sides. It is obvious who profits and loses by such a precept, isn’t it? Even as so many of us indulge in the propagation of political claptrap in the interests of Goodluck Jonathan, it wouldn’t hurt to heed the subtle

‘If we did not indulge in such abject perversions and pitiable evasions as the argument that some contemptible liar “means well” – that a mooching bum “can’t help it” – that an unrepentant murderer “needs understanding” or that a desperate, power-thirsty politician is driven by concern “for the public good,” the history of our past few decades would have been different. And even today would offer ceaseless practicalities to compose the best odes by’

T is heart-warming that the two leading candidates in the February presidential elections, President Goodluck Jonathan and General Muhammadu Buhari, as well as other candidates, have made public commitment to embracing peace before, during and after the elections. It is particularly noteworthy that the President Jonathan and General Buhari openly embraced and shook hands at the event while also mutually openly denouncing violence in their respective speeches. This commitment to peace was made at a recent workshop on how to ensure violence-free elections held in Abuja. The event, which was chaired by former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, also had in attendance a former United Nations Secretary General, Kofi Anan and some representatives of the country’s registered political parties. The resolution of political parties and their leaders to toe the line of peace is especially momentous in view of the several acts of violence, arson, thuggery and the ensuing tension that have pervaded the political landscape of recent. Now that the major gladiators in the political process have openly pledged to uphold the peace, it is expected that their teeming supporters across the country would equally see the wisdom in toeing same line. It has been stated, over and over again, that elections should not be a do or die affair. If the overriding interest of all aspiring public office holders, as they often make us to believe, is to better the lives of Nigerians, it would be contradictory for them to turn the political scene into an orgy of violence. Doing this would only compound the woes of the people as violence could further complicate the economic and security troubles of the country. Going down memory lanes, our previous attempts at democracy were hampered by acts of violence that engulfed the electoral process. In the First Republic, the ‘wild wild west’ chaos and other such political violence that followed the 1965 general elections heralded the coming of the military. A series of events that followed eventually culminated in the civil war (1967-70), whose wounds are yet to be completely healed. In the Second Republic, yet another attempt at entrenching democracy in the country was bungled, partly as a result of the tension and crisis that followed the 1983 general elections, which were widely believed to be heavily rigged in favour of the then ruling National Party of Nigeria, NPN.

warnings of our individualised and wholly subjective realities. It couldn’t hurt to heed the caveat of objective reality. Given that we put ourselves on trial every time we think a thought and speak it, it is only fair that we seek to institute, however difficult it seems, a measure of checkmating every propaganda and irrationality we so desperately project. It is only in our peculiar culture of amoral cynicism, subjectivism and hooliganism that we arrogate to ourselves the freedom to utter any sort of irrational judgement and expect to suffer no consequences like pitiful presidential court jesters, Femi Fani-Kayode, Doyin Okupe and company persistently do to our chagrin. In as much as we seek to impeach every other candidate but our preferred candidate on the basis of their antecedents in governance and outside it; in as much as we have chosen to play the biased judge and jury with such impunity that teaches the just to recant, so should we expect to be judged and impeached by every judgement we pronounce. You see, the things we condemn or extol actually exists in the objective reality that is open to the independent appraisal of others. The values we project become the essence of our socio-politics and being. Every utterance we make, as our mildest insinuations, presents the clarity or absurdity of our individual perceptions as well as the rationality and otherwise of every politic we choose to celebrate or repudiate. If we did not indulge in such abject perversions and pitiable evasions as the argument that some contemptible liar “means well” – that a mooching bum “can’t help it” – that an unrepentant murderer “needs understanding” or that a desperate, power-thirsty politician is driven by concern “for the public good,” the history of our past few decades would have been different. And even today would offer ceaseless practicalities to

compose the best odes by. In the light of ceaseless hardships and evils foisted upon us by President Goodluck Jonathan and company, every man who struggles not to acknowledge that his administration is pernicious to Nigeria’s wellbeing will find it very much dangerous to identify goodness in whatever form. To such character, a person of virtue presents a threat capable of exposing and toppling all his perversions and evasions. Can we now identify and root for the candidate capable of resolving the conflicting characteristics of our tribal mentality? Can we identify the candidate who can validate and attain a worthy equilibrium between, say, the expediency of wiping off our slums vis-à-vis the desirability and affordability of beautifully planned cities and suburbs? Can we identify the candidate who can evaluate and project our given concretes by an abstract principle while exacting the most probable if not practicable outcomes in the throes of ruthlessly objective and rational processes of thought vis-à-vis his enfant terrible gut-feelings or hunches? Do we know the candidate capable of instituting such blueprint that would guarantee the provision and sustenance of good roads and electricity, standard and affordable health care, security, stable economy and quality education among others? I guess we know the candidate undeserving of our mandate right now; that candidate is Goodluck Jonathan. Let Fani-Kayode and his fellow harpies know that the cult of sophistry they project would never succeed by their sneaky and open rebellion against reason. Let them know that their negation of reason would never amount to some sort of superior reasoning nor would their most brutal rebellion stifle morality or metamorphose into a superior kind of virtue. The cult of sophistry they perpetuate approximates nothing but the

ugliness of muted confessions and a plea for blanket forgiveness for Goodluck Jonathan – despite Boko Haram, the missing Chibok girls, declining economies, devalued naira, dying industries, unemployment, and thousands of innocent deaths by Boko Haram’s bomb blasts to mention a few. The depth or shallowness of each candidate and his political form is further accentuated in the following joke currently trending in Nigeria’s social media: 1. APC: We will ensure power stability. 1. PDP: Where is Mrs Buhari? 2. APC: We are going to fight corruption 2. PDP: APC tried to hack INEC computers 3. APC: We are going to fight terrorism 3. PDP: Some APC elder statesmen are garage touts 4. APC: We will invest in agriculture 4. PDP: S/South will collapse the economy if Jonathan loses 5. APC: We are going to upgrade standard of education 5. PDP: I will expose failures of our ex heads of state 6. APC: We will curb degradation of environmental pollution 6. PDP: Buhari doesn’t know his phone number. 7. APC: Nigeria’s wealth must be enjoyed by all of us 7. PDP: Buhari put Umaru Dikko inside a crate 8. APC: We will encourage rural development 8. PDP: Buhari cannot use a computer. Camp Jonathan no doubt epitomises philosophical default, the intellectual bankruptcy that teaches promising hearts to exist in a vacuum of sort, like a paradise of weaklings and the perverted in thought. Pity this truth will be ignored by some, come February 14.

Elections and the imperative of peace By Tayo Ogunbiyi It took us another 15 years, from 1984 to1999 to be precise, before we could have another go at democracy. Presently, we have had an unprecedented 14 years of un-interrupted civil rule. This should be enough motivation for principal actors in the political process and all stakeholders to play according to the rules. Doing anything to the contrary would only make a mess of whatever gains we have made in the past years, in our bid to build a virile democratic culture. This is why it is vital that political parties and, indeed, all concerned Nigerians, must maintain decorum in all they do, with regards to the coming elections, so that the future of the nation’s democracy will not be jeopardised. The elections, therefore, offer us another huge platform to get things right. We should no longer hide under the usual pretext of a ‘nascent democracy’ to do things crudely. This is the time to get it right. The only interest that should be paramount in the ensuing political contest should be that of the country. It is not in anyone’s interest for the country to be engulfed in crisis because of election; something that is a mere routine in other climes. We have had enough of bloodshed in the country. In the past four years, we have lost too many innocent souls to the criminal activities of insurgents. It is, therefore, irrational to adjoin political turmoil to the growing lists of our national troubles. In the 21st century, killing or maiming people in the name of an election portends backwardness and barbarism. If relatively smaller and less endowed neighbouring countries could conduct peaceful and credible elections, it behoves on the most populous Black Country in the world to demonstrate the needed political leadership, worthy of emulation across the continent. However, it is often said, there can be no peace when justice is compromised. It is, thus, very crucial for INEC and the various security agencies to be fair to all in the coming elections. From past experiences, the inability of past electoral umpires to conduct fair and credible elections had been largely responsible for the resultant chaos that trails the outcome of previous elections. Hence,

INEC’s officials, at all levels, must not compromise the electoral process. The vote of every Nigerian must be made to count. Same goes for the security agencies. It is unethical for security agencies to display partisan tendencies while overseeing the conduct of a national election. The police, in particular, should be civil and impartial in their conduct before, during and after the coming elections. Their allegiance should be solely to the country, and not any parochial political interest. Universally, peace is a vital precondition for development. Without peace, no meaningful development could take place in a chaotic atmosphere. According to Martin Luther King, “peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek but a means by which we arrive at that goal.” It is, therefore, essential that the media, political parties, civil society organisations, the academia, faith based organisations, electoral monitoring groups, NGOs and other related bodies come up with well streamlined political education and enlightenment campaigns that would centre on the need to embrace peace in the political process. As it has been rightly highlighted, irrespective of our varying political leanings, we remain brothers and sisters living in the same house. It, hence, behoves on us to ensure that the house does not collapse. It will be foolhardy to do otherwise. Long live Nigeria. • Ogunbiyi is of Features Unit, Lagos State Ministry of Information & Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja.

‘Peace is a vital precondition for development. Without peace, no meaningful development could take place in a chaotic atmosphere. According to Martin Luther King, “peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek but a means by which we arrive at that goal”

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 16, 2015

COMMENTS

KING with straight jaw and a queen with plain face sat on the throne. The praise singers and noisiest authorities sought to out-do each other with moon light tales that excite babes only. Ages ago, seasons came and went; men and women married, reproduced, aged and died. Children grew up, married, reproduced, aged and died. Nothing changed as life unfolded in similitude. Century after century, people trekked, lived in virtual darkness. Suddenly, light and motion; thus electricity, automobile, rail, telephone, airplane and the internet emerged and every hour and day counted and no longer taken for granted or wasted! A friend refurbished the house and the wife hinted I could miss it. It has been months since my wife and I visited them but that weekend, we called. For a while after we arrived, we were not sure we were in the right place. So, I called Madam to say we were outside. Then the old house keeper came and opened. One glance and the former bungalow had become a storey building with superb finishing. Wow, my wife and I chorused in unison as we entered the sitting room. Transform your car and your family and best friends will not recognize it but when the truth hits home, the word that comes is wow! Anywhere there is transformation, wow echoes. Even opponents must acknowledge transformation with wow! Nigeria is evolving with semblances of modern life here and there while some people feel it is smoke without fire. Yet some folks feel Nigerians should be dancing for some things have transformed: telecommunications and banking, for instance. Perhaps; perhaps not! Howbeit, adults may want to deny your success but not children. Children will call you Uncle even if you drop from the moon and give them something real good! You wow kids and they wow you! Now, can Nigerian kids say thanks to GEJ, even without Chibok in their minds? The military dominated Nigerian politics for decades but now are in the barracks where they belong. The PDP government prides self with the achievement and regales in Nigeria being the third largest democracy after India and the United States. And beyond politics, Nigeria is also the largest economy in Africa by market size, ahead of South Africa, Egypt, Ghana and Kenya. Another fact however is that this third largest democracy is among the worst in breach-

VERYONE has the legitimate right to aspire to serve in any political office or position in a democracy provided he has not been convicted in a court of law. However, at all times, conscious efforts must be made to ensure the emergence of the best candidate for the polity to enjoy the benefit of a good leader. The onus rests on the voters to actually elect a worthy leader for the state or nation. Currently, Akinwunmi Ambode of the All Progressives Congress and Jimi Agbaje are busy selling themselves to electorates across the length and breadth of Lagos State with a view to getting the approval of the voter to become governor of the State of Excellence in the elections slated for February. Beyond emerging as the party’s flag bearers, each passing day, Nigerians in general and Lagosians in particular, are striving to see what these men bring to table to lead the commercial capital of the nation in terms of experience and competencies beyond the stoic desire to lead Lagos for the next four years. Agbaje, 57 has been at the political treadmill since 2005 and has contested for the position of Lagos State governor two times, going for his third while his archrival, Ambode is making his first attempt. Agbaje is a 1978 graduate of pharmacy from the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University). He was a practising pharmacist with over three decades before he veered into politics. “I started my pharmacy on the shopping floor, which is about the community- people, customers, and patients. Therefore, you find that you are dealing with your environment. So, going into politics is just an extension”, he says indicating how close he has been in touch with the grassroots. By comparison, Ambode seems to have a more robust career, focus and landmark accomplishments. Born on June 14, 1963, he is an accomplished accountant, an administrator and a public finance management expert. He is the Chief Executive Officer of Brandsmiths Consulting Limited – a firm with specialisation in public sector finance management. He had a sterling career in the civil service where he rose to become the Accountant-General and held many sensitive financial positions in the Lagos State government in a 27year career in the Lagos State Civil Service. He is also a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and a

Transformation: Wow is the word! By Richard Anyamele ing good governance through human abuses, institutional and infrastructural decay. Indeed, the biggest economy in Africa has the largest poorest population in the continent. Finance and Coordinating Minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, believes Nigeria’s sad state of affairs; vis-à-vis mass poverty amidst vast public wealth is a metaphor! Haba, Madam Minister! Nigeria claims overtaking South Africa as the biggest economy in the continent; expects also 4,000 megawatts of power which is below Johannesburg’s daily consumption. Nigeria was doing 4,000 megawatts before 1999 when the PDP took off. Now, doing 3,000 megawatts, bands are drumming with groups gyrating from city to city singing and insisting President Jonathan gets a second term given his outstanding performance. Lucky fellows! It can only be Nigeria! Gathered under the banner of Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria, TAN says President Jonathan is the best thing to happen to Nigeria and tick off his scorecard in agriculture, aviation, foreign direct investments, youth and women empowerment, containing insecurity, energy and infrastructural development and most importantly stabilizing the polity. For recap, President Jonathan took office in 2009 and no one denies Nigeria’s challenges did not start then but it is dumb to say his hands were tied by forces beyond his control. Cassava and rice productions have increased, we hear. But is Nigeria producing 20 percent of the food requirements? If we were doing 15 percent and now we have risen marginally, is that transformation? Imagine a child who used to score 15 percent scoring 20. Can the mother go dancing? Yes, if she is illiterate! But she knew 20 per cent cannot take him anywhere, she would hold her joy! No Nigerian university is among the top 6000 in the world or among the first 50 in Africa. Nigeria imports 80 percent food requirements. More worrisome is that millions

are wretched and so go to bed hungry. Nigeria has done nothing in agriculture to warrant rolling out the drums. Travellers on the business and moral wagons wonder why millions refuse to farm or engage in secure livelihood. That is debate for another day but the fact is that nothing great has happened in our agriculture, education, health or housing. Most Nigerians are hungry and angry, homeless, hopeless and streetwise. Is it any wonder that crimes keep growing; not declining! One area government claims high success is energy, especially with stabilizing fuel supply. Most Nigerians use kerosene daily either to cook and or for light which energy business best presents Nigerian commerce and corruption indices. Officially, kerosene sells at N50 per litre but is above N100 a litre at the filling stations. Over N1 trillion has been paid as subsidies in the last four years. What does this say of the government, energy and poor Nigerians? This January marks three years that government and citizens battled over fuel subsidy removal. At the end, it turned out that over N1 trillion was stolen in one year in the name of fuel subsidy. The conmen and the figures they stole were listed. Some Nigerians were killed over the protests. But rather than prosecute and punish the swindlers, government treats them with kid gloves. Proudly, fuel subsidy looters champion Jonathan’s re-election. Corruption, poverty, squalor, immorality and crimes go together. Whoever speaks of transformation in the midst must be dead to human feelings and dead for real. Many Nigerians are walking corpses. If there were governments that care, many lives would transform for good. Rice is the commonest food in Nigeria. In Benin Republic, a 50 kg bag sells at N4,000 but here N10,000. So which government cares for the citizens: Nigeria or Benin? Visit Chad and Niger and the first thing that strikes you are the roads with no potholes. Even with containing Boko Haram, can Nigeria compare to Cameroun? There is no need picking sectors

and our neighbours. Let TAN name two police barracks in each geo-political zone that a policeman who served there six years ago visits today and would shout wow; let them name one military base, one Unity school and one federal university in each geopolitical zone that anyone who lived there six years ago would see today and say wow! Surely, transformation cannot be hidden or denied! Come to think of it, there are areas of national life we cannot but heave wow; how come? General Ibrahim Babangida (rtd) said Nigerians believe his administration is the most rotten but he knows President Jonathan’s is the most corrupt ever. IBB is PDP chieftain and no Buhari fan! An adage wonders if a man takes a year to learn to be mad, how long would he practice the trade? The PDP and GEJ did not need two years’ planning to start serious work but everything is familiarly rustic and nothing suggests 20 years would mean anything to people who don’t give a damn as a matter of fact. And in the final analysis, no one gives what he has not. • Anyamele, veteran journalist, wrote from Lagos

‘This January marks three years that government and citizens battled over fuel subsidy removal. At the end, it turned out that over N1 trillion was stolen in one year in the name of fuel subsidy. The conmen and the figures they stole were listed. Some Nigerians were killed over the protests. But rather than prosecute and punish the swindlers, government treats them with kid gloves. Proudly, fuel subsidy looters champion Jonathan’s re-election’

Ambode: The strategist Lagos needs By Jide Adewale Member of the Nigerian Institute of Management. His desire to give back to the society is expressed in his founding the La Roche Leadership Foundation, a non-profit organisation focused on developing the next generation of leaders. Ambode began his education at St. Jude’s Primary School, Ebute Meta, Lagos in 1969. Always brilliant, in 1974, while still in Primary five, he sat for the National Common Entrance Examinations and excelled and was admitted to Federal Government College, Warri in the same year. He spent seven years in Warri, where he completed his Ordinary and Advanced Levels and had the distinction of achieving the second best result in all of West Africa in the Higher School Certificate Examinations in 1981. He then proceeded to the University of Lagos where he studied Accounting, graduating at the age of 21 in 1984. He completed his mandatory National Youth Service Corps year serving with the Central Bank of Nigeria, Sokoto, Sokoto State, where he started his relationship with public service. After his NYSC, he commenced his career at the Lagos State Waste Disposal Board (now LAWMA) as Accountant Grade II. He enrolled for Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) examinations and at the same time was awarded a Federal Government scholarship to pursue a Masters Degree in Accounting at the University of Lagos. By the time he turned 24, he had qualified as a Chartered Accountant and had completed his Masters Degree programme in Accounting, specialising in Financial Management. His career was fast-tracked and in 1988, he was appointed the Assistant Treasurer, Badagry Local Government. In 1991, he was posted to Shomolu Local Government as Auditor. He was later deployed to Alimosho Local Government as Council Treasurer. Ambode was posted back to Shomolu as Council Treasurer and later on to Mushin Local Government as Council Treasurer. He crisscrossed many Local Government Councils in different roles in a 10-year period, which has equipped him with a first-hand ex-

perience of the direct impact of governance on the citizenry across the State. In 1998, Ambode was awarded the US Fulbright Scholarship for the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship programme, in Boston University, Massachusetts, USA. His Fellowship Year was spent studying Public Leadership with emphasis on Finance and Accounting. During this programme, he had professional internships at The Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, the Cabinet Office of Administration and Finance (Governor’s Office), and City of Boston Treasury Office as well as with the World Bank and International Monetary Fund. On his return from the programme, Ambode became acting the Auditor-General for the Local Governments, Lagos State. This position was confirmed by the State House of Assembly in 2001. In January 2005, he was redeployed to mainstream public service as Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance. By February 2006, he was given the added responsibility of Accountant General for Lagos State, in charge of all the financial activities of the state and directly responsible for over 1400 accountants in the state service. Under his watch, the State Treasury Office (STO) revolutionised the way Lagos State finances were raised, budgeted, managed and planned. In his six-year tenure as the Accountant General of Lagos State, the state’s financial performance improved visibly with the budget performing at a remarkable average of 85% annually. This high rate of performance stems from Ambode’s personal belief that “public financial management is about ensuring that public money is well spent and it is made to stretch as far as possible. It provides leaders and publicsector managers with information to make decisions and to know if they are using resources effectively”. He voluntarily retired in August 2012 after 27 years of service and founded Brandsmiths Consulting Limited, a public finance consultancy group. As a stickler for high performance whose decisions are never based on race, gender or religion, the governorship candidate of the All

Progressives Congress [APC} in Lagos State in his manifesto promised, to set up a four-year N25 billion trust fund to cater for unemployed people in the state under the Lagos Employment Trust Fund (LETF). The fund would provide a minimum of N1 billion naira annually for entrepreneurial ventures across the state’s five divisions of Ikorodu, Badagry, Ikeja, Lagos and Epe. As a financial management expert, he also plans to protect the growth of small and medium scale enterprises by providing tax incentives: “we will implement government policies that will encourage the private sector to employ more citizens and foster economic development”. Also of critical importance in his plans are the issues of health, education and housing. For education, Ambode’s administration if elected says, “would provide free education up to senior secondary level, as well as provide one meal per day for students while bursary and scholarship initiatives for tertiary institutions will executed in partnership with the private sector as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility.” His housing plans is a bit more revolutionary as plans to improve the state’s current policy of home ownership through Lagos HOMS and provide ownership options, such as Rent-toOwn-Programme (R.O.P). “We will encourage the creation of a Corporate Social Responsibility Trust Fund (CSR-TF) by the private sector, to be managed by a Board of Trustees charged with the responsibility of identifying growth opportunities yearly and financing such opportunities to further boost economic development across sectors and communities in the State.” Good luck is when opportunity meets with preparedness; therefore determining where the pendulum swings should not be akin to looking for a needle in a haystack. It is obvious in this situation that one is more prepared than the other. Ambode’s career trajectory, work and life experiences, revolutionary vision and open mindedness make him the better choice of the two for the job of leading Lagos in the nest political dispensation. • Adewale is a public affairs analyst

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 16, 2015

Newspaper of the Year

AN 8-PAGE PULLOUT ON SOUTHEAST STATES

Crowd attends grand finale of APC rally in Imo

‘The rich should help people grow’

•PAGE 38

•PAGE 26

•The Adoration ground

FRIDAY, JANUARY 16, 2015

PAGE 25

Zakat foundation gives to the needy •PAGE 40

inset: Fr. Mbaka

HERE is Fr. Ejike Mbaka, the Roman Catholic priest in Enugu, known as much for his firebrand preaching as his controversial profile? He was last seen on New Year’s Day after brushing aside President Goodluck Jonathan in a sermon the day before. That sermon drew much attention not just to the President but also himself. He lampooned Dr. Jonathan for, among other things, failing to contain the insurgency, asking voters to ignore the president and cast their ballot for the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Gen Muhammadu Buhari. Not only the Presidency was ruffled; some of Fr. Mbaka’s seniors in the Catholic fold also lashed out at the clergyman, saying his pronouncements were way off limits and that he ought to be cautioned, if not severely punished. Mbaka also reportedly raised the alarm, saying he was threatened, though the Enugu State police command appeared to wave aside the allegation, saying the priest had not lodged any such complaints at any

Fr Mbaka: Firebrand, stormy priesthood Since New Year’s Day, Rev Fr Ejike Mbaka, a contoversial Catholic priest in Enugu State, has not been seen, after severely criticising President Goodluck Jonathan on New Year’s Eve. This may just be one more controversy in a priesthood characterised by storms and fiery sermons. CHRIS OJI writes of its stations. Mbaka has a huge stature, especially in the eyes of his large followers who believe that signs and wonders follow his ministrations. His weekly all-night crusades at the Adoration Ground, Umuchigbo, Iji Nike in Emene near Enugu, have never ceased to inspire the Catholic faith-

ful. He moved to his present ministration ground from his Christ the King Parish, Government Reservation Area, Enugu in July 2009, but he started his Adoration ministry at Government Technical College (GTC) field about 16 years ago. He remained at the GTC field

where he became a thorn in the flesh of the then Governor Chimaroke Nnamani whom he ceaselessly criticised in his fiery sermons. At one of his crowd-pulling crusades, tragedy happened. On March 7, 2002, 14 worshippers died during a stampede. Thereafter, accusations and

counter-accusations between worshippers and the government flourished. While worshippers insisted that the stampede was caused by a gaseous substance shot into the crowd by suspected government thugs, the authorities, on the •Continued on page 26

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 16, 2015

THE SOUTHEAST REPORT

‘ A firebrand, stormy priesthood

•Continued from page 25 other hand, said it was the crusade organisers’ carelessness that triggered the tragedy. A panel inquiry set up by the governor was chaired by the current Chief Judge of Enugu State, Mr. Justice Innocent Umezuruike aschairman. The panel cleared the government of culpability. Though the ill-fated event generated a lot of controversies, it did not diminish the rising profile of the priest. His miracles have checked the drift of Catholics to other miracle-happening churches. It has also brought Pentecostals, other protestants as well as adherents of other religions to the Catholic fold. Mbaka once told a news magazine: “People fly in from abroad to come to our crusade and fly back.” That episode, however, was not the end of storms with the government. At about the end of the first tenure of Nnamani, the fiery priest cursed and prayed that Nnamani would not succeed in his second term bid. Shortly after a crucial crusade, the priest was ambushed and shot by unknown gunmen. The attackers left after convincing themselves that they had got him. But Mbaka was alive and unhurt. Only the windscreen of the car was shattered by the assassins’ bullets. In the car were two children adopted by the priest whose parents died in an accident. They were also unhurt. Mbaka simply said he shielded himself with the Holy Bible when he suddenly noticed them. “The Bible was my shield,” he said. Mbaka reinforced his insistence that Nnamani’s second term bid would fail, even declaring that if it did not, he would pull off his cassock. Chimaroke went on to win a second term election. Born to a traditional doctor and seer from Ituku in Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State, Mbaka is the only child of his parents. It was said that his father, although a traditionalist, never subscribed to witchcraft or any other harmful juju practice. He allowed his son to attend missionary schools. It was during his school days that Mbaka made up his mind to become a priest. He saw his calling early enough. Althogh there was initial objection from the father; he was prodded on by the mother who is not only a devoted catholic but a committed Christian.

Mbaka repeatedly said that Nnamani’s second term bid would fail, even declaring that if it did not, he would pull off his cassock. Chimaroke went on to win the election

‘

•Mbaka’s house

The fiery priest once said Nnamani’s second term bid would fail. Shortly after a crucial crusade, the priest was ambushed and shot by unknown gunmen. The attackers left after convincing themselves they had got him. But Mbaka was alive and unhurt. Only the windscreen of his car was shattered by the assassins’ bullets. In the car were two children adopted by the priest. They were also unhurt

His foray into priesthood could not be said to be by accident. It runs in the family. His father, being a traditional priest, inherited his priesthood from his father. But the only difference is that young Mbaka “combined with the power of the Holy Spirit and of course his education preferred the Christian priesthood particularly that of Catholicism.”

Right from the day he was ordained a priest, eighteen years ago, he has never shied away from hitting the nail on the head. He is so direct with his sermons on the pulpit that most public figures in Nigeria do not see eye to eye with him. He preaches by telling the rich and the leaders of the people to let the common people be. His audacious preaching does not

‘The rich should help others grow’

mary, I was told there was supposedly instruction that the sitting senator should return and I felt that was injustice; I felt that the Ukwa people and the Ngwa people have rotated this position every eight years, I felt it was wrong for two positions to be zoned to one Local Government and I felt that in the last eight years, not much has been done in terms of senatorial representation. That was why I decided to move to APGA on which platform I’m going to contest and by the grace of God, I’m going to

‘

I think we should go beyond the party and unmask the individual who is the person that is running on the party platform. I have been around for quite some time, people know me and I believe there are people who are not happy with the way I have been treated by the PDP, they are there, they are waiting

Sir Chris Nkwonta, businessman and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) senatorial candidate, in this interview with journalists, among whom was SUNNY NWANKWO, speaks on sundry issues, including his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and chances of victory in his battle to represent Abia South in the Senate. Excerpts: OU withdrew from the 2011 race, why? Well, I did not participate because when you are engaging in a process you have already known the outcome, then I do not see any reason why I should continue to be part of that process. You know I campaigned vigorously in all the nooks and crannies of Abia State, selling myself to the people. I went to virtually all six Local Governments in Abia South, I ended up at the zone and I was ready to win, then three days to the party pri-

often go down well with those on whom his messages have direct impact. His sermon on New Year’s Eve at the Adoration Ground, which hit hard at President Jonathan, asking him to resign in place of General Muhammadu Buhari, triggered mixed reactions. Although that was not the first time he had been hitting at Jonathan, this particular one went viral and controversial due to the large presence of APC leadership at the Adoration. Just two weeks earlier, the man of God had received the First Lady Dame Patience Jonathan. At that visit which was also given average publicity, Mbaka prayed and blessed the first family with an assurance of victory in the coming elections. What went wrong is still a matter of speculation. And just before the Christmas, two trailer loads of rice were sent to Mbaka by the presidency. The man of God rejected it initially. It was after the intervention of the First Lady

through a phone call that he accepted the gift. The First Lady had explained to him that the consignment was not for him in particular but for distribution to widows and other indigent persons. Findings indicate that the fiery priest is not happy the way that his sermon was twisted by Nigerians especially politicians. Mbaka, according to sources, never expected that the new year message would assume such a proportion that has become a threat to his life. “They seem to forget that Father is a fearless preacher and he often hits any leader he feels is not doing well,” said a parishioner. It was noted, however, that almost all the messages of the Adoration which takes place every Friday is devoted to lampooning Nigerian leaders for alleged nonchalance towards the betterment of the society. Mbaka is not just a critic of the government; he is also a philanthropist. It is on record that those under his scholarship are not fewer than 2000. He caters for the poor and the needy, many of whom come for their weekly stipends. It was discovered that most of these people come from the northern part of the country. Since his travails which started after the “offensive” sermon, many of them who see him daily have had to go home empty-handed as “Father is nowhere to be found since January 1 this year.”

•Chief Nkwonta win. APGA is hardly known in Abia; where lies your optimism? I think we should be looking more at the individuals and not the party per se. What is a political party without human beings? Human beings make up a political party and in any political party where the

preponderance of men and women are not good people, what do you expect or where the fielded candidate is not acceptable to the people? So, I think we should go beyond that and unmask the individual who is the person that is running on this party platform. I have been around for quite some time, people know

me and I believe there are people who are not happy with the way I have been treated by the PDP, they are there, they are waiting. So, I do not have any problems with the fact that APGA is not as strong as, maybe, the PDP. I believe that my popularity, my acceptance, the programme that I will put in place •Continued on page 28

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 16, 2015

THE SOUTHEAST REPORT

Community dedicates cathedral

VER 100 priests, including 30 Bishops and the Catholic Bishop of Awka, Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor were watching as the Anglican Primate, Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh dedicated St. Peter’s Anglican Church, Umuchu in Aguata Local Government Area, Anambra State. The massive structure was built by Mr. Godwin Ezeemo. The retired Dean, Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Maxwell Anikwenwa and the first female governor in Nigeria, Dame Virgy Etiaba were also there. However, Okoh in his sermon warned that the church should not be used for politics. “This house is no longer Ezeemo’s, but God’s place, it is the embassy of God; the Almighty has already taken possession of the place” ”He has given us a completed church which is phase I and it is time to build phase II which is the building of human beings and this takes a long time to ac-

From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

complish.” “The human beings are the temple of God because God lives in us, we must do things that will please Him, so, we should be careful” “It is the duty of the Bishop to handle the worship place of God, you have done your work for building God’s place, but do not meddle in it, otherwise, there will be crisis,” Okoh warned. Speaking with The Nation, the organizing secretary of the building committee, Mr. Ken Iloh, said when the philanthropist proposed the project, that it was like thunder out of the blues. He said the entire members of the community were like, was it a dream? Adding that God sent Ezeemo to Umuchu community Also, Mrs. May Ononuju, former President, Umuchu Women Wing, Lagos branch, told The Nation that what the man did in the community could only be

•Most Rev. Okoh and Ezeemo on the church premises

equated with what happens abroad. The community had been in agony for lack of amenities including roads, but today, with Ezeemo’s presence, those things that were lacking in the area are now present. “We thank God for giving this remote community a person like Godwin Ezeemo, he is a blessing to not only the community but to

the people in Anambra in general”. For Mr. Dona Agupusi, the pocket of the man who made it possible for the area to have such a massive church would never run dry. At the church service Ezeemo told the congregation that he did not do it for anybody to praise him, rather it was a kind of agreement with God. Furthermore, he said it was also a kind of alleviating the sufferings of the people and reducing their burdens, especially the widows and less privileged in the society who always donates for

such projects in the rural areas. He said he was willing to donate some of his belongings to the church, for the purpose of evangelism, adding “we must be the change we wish to see in the world” Before now, Ezeemo had built a two-storey building for the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Anambra state which the state government or any other person had failed to do in the state. The last child in a family of seven, will soon celebrate his 61 years of existence on earth from a highly illustrious and devout Christian family.

‘

It is the duty of the Bishop to handle the worship place of God, you have done your work for building God’s place, but do not meddle in it, otherwise, there will be crisis

•St. Peter’s Anglican Church, Umuchu

ESPITE may come the way of non-indigenous workers who were disengaged from the Abia State civil service in 2010. But that is if Chief Chikwe Udensi, the state’s governorship candidate of the Progressive People’s Alliance (PPA), wins the election. Speaking at an event where his wife Chidinma distributed gift items to indigent women and widows in Aba, Udensi said that the sufferings of non-native workers disengaged from the state by the incumbent administration would end if he became governor. He emphasised that he would not only recall them but also pay their arrears. The PPA candidate said he was disturbed by the plight of the workers and decided to make it a priority, if elected, to address the injustice when he learnt that it was only workers from the core Igbo speaking states that were affected. He said it was wrong for the Igbo who he stated had been unduly treated in other parts of the country to also suffer the same fate in their land, stressing that it was more disturbing that workers from neighbouring non-Igbo

Candidate promises to reinstate sacked Abia workers ‘

From Sunny Nwankwo, Aba

states were not affected by that mass sack. The former National Secretary, Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) said apart from recalling the sacked workers, that he would pay their outstanding salaries and other entitlements if he won the election because, according to him, they were unjustly sacked. He also promised to pay retirees their pensions and gratuities. “Workers have suffered in this state, but I will definitely put smiles on their faces if I become the governor of the state after next month’s election. We are going to ensure that their salaries and other emoluments are paid promptly. A situation where retirees will stay for years without receiving their gratuity and several months before their pension are paid will be a thing of the past under our watch,” he assured. Prince Emeka Okafor, PPA state chairman who also graced the

Workers have suffered in this state, but I will definitely put smiles on their faces if I become the governor of the state after next month’s election. We are going to ensure that their salaries and other emoluments are paid promptly event thanked the women for standing solidly behind the party all these years despite all odds, adding “what Abia needs today after years in the doldrums is prosperity” which he said PPA

represented and assured that the party would rebuild Aba and others parts of the state if it comes to power by May 29. He urged the women in particular and Abians in general to en-

sure they obtained their permanent voters cards (PVCs) and use them wisely during the election in order to get the desired change. The wife of the PPA governorship candidate, Mrs. Udensi said she decided to fete the women at this auspicious time due to her love for the poor in society. The organizer of the event said that she had in the past seven years through her NGO catered for the less privileged including widows, orphans and procured drugs HIV patients free, stated that this will be a continuous event. Some of the women who spoke randomly to newsmen expressed happiness over the benevolence of the wife of the PPA governorship candidate, stressing that this was the first time the wife of any governorship candidate would be remembering widows in the state to the level Chidinma did and wished her and her husband well.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 16, 2015

THE SOUTHEAST REPORT

Enugu gets ‘N500m for 1600 micro-enterprises

•Chime

HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has released N500 million to the Enugu State government to finance 1600 microenterprise borrowers as recommended by Enugu SME Center under the state micro, small and me•Continued from page 26 once I become the senator of Abia South will endear people to me. If I get to the senate, I will ensure I contribute towards the process of making quality legislation in the Upper Chambers of the National Assembly. I will also empower youths and bring about the development of Abia South because as a senator, you have network of contacts with other senators including those that will be over seeing the Works Ministry, those that will be overseeing the educational and other sectors. I’m saying this because one of the problems we have in this country is that we have teeming unemployed youths and one of the things I am going to do is that youths will be empowered. I have already started doing that through the Chris Nkwonta Foundation where we have trained over 148 persons as we speak now. I will also ensure that infrastructure gets to the zone that I represent through a synergy between me and the government at the state level, so these are some of the things that I have in mind if I’m elected. I will not close my eyes to the bad network of roads in my zone. Though as a senator, you may really not be awarding contracts, but I am of the opinion that any senator that is representing his

dium enterprise development program (MSMEDP). The Special Adviser to Governor Sullivan Chime on Small and Medium Scale Enterprises, Mr Anayo Agu who disclosed this in a release said the fund represented the first tranche of over 3500 potential beneficiaries of the Enugu State-CBN micro, small and medium enterprise development fund (MSMEDF). Mr Agu said that the second tranche comprising of small and medium enterprise borrowers, is expected before the end of January 2015. He added the release of the funds was a fulfillment of the promise made by Governor Sullivan Chime to make capital available for small entrepreneurs to prosper and for rural farmers to grow. Mr Agu emphasised that the state SME loan is open to every entrepreneur and enterprise in Enugu State irrespective of political affiliation, faith or state of origin add-

The SME loan is open to every entrepreneur in Enugu State irrespective of political affiliation, faith or state of origin. An applicant including a farmer, a cooperative society, or an NGO may borrow as little as N100,000 for one year for a micro-venture and as much as N50m for five years to build a small or medium cottage industry

From Chris Oji, Enugu

ing that subject to the program’s guidelines, an applicant including a farmer, a cooperative society, or an NGO may borrow as little as 100,000 naira for one year for a micro venture and as much as 50 mil-

lion naira for five years to build a small or medium cottage industry. He further disclosed that the Enugu State government paid the 3 per cent cost of the N2 billion available to the state from CBN under the scheme and waived it to potential borrowers in order to make the

soft loan very attractive to qualified applicants, . Additionally, it approved that the participating microfinance banks earn only 6 per cent as administrative charge or interest rate per annum inclusive of all bank charges for the three categories of loans under the fund. It would be recalled that Enugu State was one of the twelve states that signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with CBN on July 24 2014 under the CBN 220 billion naira micro, small and medium enterprise development fund (MSMEDF). Over the past five months, the State Special Purpose Vehicle (S-SPV) for the fund, Enugu SME Center in association with the Ministry of Human Capital Development and Poverty Alleviation, has prospected for borrowers and held outreaches in almost every local council, major commercial town and religious denomination in Enugu State.

‘The rich ‘ should help people grow’

or her people very well should be able to attract federal presence to his zone. Go to Enugu State and see what Senator Ekweremadu is doing, go to Benue and see what David Mark is doing. I believe that if you are able to sell yourself amongst your peers, amongst your colleagues in the National Assembly, you should be able to bring about a rejuvenation in terms of the state of infrastructure in the state where you come from. For example, we have a federal road that runs from Ikot Abasi in Akwa Ibom State to Obehie in Abia. The contract for that road was awarded in 2006 and up till now, nothing much has been done. The question is why is it so? Any senator that is worth to be called a senator should have highlighted this. He should have drawn the situation to the attention of the federal authority. Being rich, why are you going to the Senate? Well, I’m not aware I’m rich, but assuming I’m rich as you have said and stay in the comfort of my home and get detached from the larger society, of what use is that wealth? So, basically, what is propelling, pushing and driving me is to be able to do more, to leverage on the political platform and be able to reach out to people by way of em-

What is propelling, pushing and driving me is to be able to do more, to leverage on the political platform and be able to reach out to people by way of employment because if you are rich and the people around you are poor, by definition, you are a poor man

ployment because if you are rich and the people around you are poor, by definition, you are a poor man. In every community, you find people that God has elevated, God may not elevate everybody. God in His wisdom will choose one or three persons and it is for a purpose and if you understand that purpose, then your days will be long and whatever God has given you will not diminish. And what is that purpose? God wants to use you as a caretaker which is to say, ‘I have given you this and I want through you to reach other people’ and that is basically what I have been doing

•Coordinator, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Southeast, Mr Najor Eze (right), addressing reporters on acitivities of his agency in Enugu

so far and this is what I will continue doing when I’m in the senate. My mission in politics is service. What is your selling point? As I speak with you now, I’m not carrying any political baggage, I’m unencumbered, and I’m free. Again, you need to look at my antecedents, what I have been able to do even before venturing into politics and then juxtapose that with what the incumbent senator has done or is doing, if any. The edge I have over others is that I am someone who is development oriented, I am someone who feel for people, I am someone who would want to see things done properly. I am not if you like the conventional politician, I’m a businessman who is in politics, that is the selling point I have. People talk about experience, but let me tell you about experience, how does it start? By the time you get into the National Assembly and spend a month to three months even if you are a dummy, you should be able to understand the workings, the mechanics and the way things work there. If you look at all that I have been able to do so far in my life; people that I have granted scholarships, people that I have taken abroad for medical attention, it will give you an idea as to what edge I have over the other people. Recently, I read in the newspaper that Senator Smart Adeyemi distributed 50 vehicles and gave out N10m cash to members of his constituents, that is empowerment. But here have you heard of any such largesse? Who has drawn the attention of

the condition of federal roads in Abia South to the federal government? What is the essence of going to represent people? Is it not to look after their welfare, to protect them? What we have seen in the past seven and half years is abysmal failure, so I will go there to make a difference. Are you satisfied with the level of development in the state? No, a whole lot of work needs to be done especially in Abia South and Aba in particular. People said you left the PDP because you were not a loyal party man? If anything, it’s PDP that is not loyal. But then how do you define loyalty, what does loyalty mean? In 2011, I was a clear winner of that primary election, but on the night before the election, touts were brought in as delegates. I had ample evidence to go to court or leave the party at that time, but I did not. When the party’s reconciliation committee led by General Ike Nwachukwu came to my house, the first thing I did was to play a video clip of what happened in the field to them and when they saw it, they knew there were no primaries. But I told them that as a loyal party person, I would accept their pleading, that I would remain with the party and that I would support the party and I did. In 2011 immediately after the primary, when I invited the Governor T.A Orji to my house, I hosted him here, collapsed my structure and gave him two brand new buses plus other things I did for him and asked all my supporters to work for him. What does that tell you, loyalty or disloyalty? Then in 2012, I came out to run for governor and there was this argument that because of our numerical strength and because of the fact that governorship was coming to Abia South for the first time, that we should allow our Ngwa brothers to go first and at that time, I was getting a whole lot of support from Abia North. There was nowhere I did not go and after telling them what I would do if I became the next governor of Abia state, they all accepted me. But when I was prevailed upon, I said okay, fine, let me go and run for the Senate. What do you call that, loyalty or not loyalty?

Newspaper of the Year

AN EIGHT-PAGE PULLOUT ON THE SOUTHSOUTH STATES

FRIDAY, JANUARY 16, 2015

PAGE 29

AKWA IBOM

MIRA CLE’S BIR TH MIRACLE’S BIRTH

ESAN LAND

THE detention of Citizen Odudu Ukpanah for the alleged murder of the late Albert Ukpanah on March 12, last year, is generating anxiety. Ukpanah has been in the detention for eight months. Activists in Akwa Ibom and his family are calling for his release.

WHEN human efforts failed to solve her predicament, Blessing Nanna turned to God. Her mourning was turned into joy when she was blessed with a bouncing baby boy, who she aptly christened ‘Miracle’.

GIDEON Obhakhan resigned his appointment as General Manager, Network Plannings at MTN to secure the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Esan West /Esan Central / Igueben Federal Constituency of Edo State. He hopes to bring change to the polity. •PAGE 34

•PAGE 34

•Edem

•PAGE 31

•Olotu

•Obhakhan

Tears of Jonathan’s Otuoke neigbours

Fire compounds N23b Delta IPP’s woes T

From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

•The warehouse after the fire incident

HENfire broke out Monday last week at the warehouse holding multi-million dollar equipment acquired for the N23 billion Independent Power Plant in Delta State, the rumour mill immediately went on overdrive mode. There were speculations of sabotage, even before the cause of the fire and extent of the damage had been ascertained. Before the incident, many indigenes

From Shola O’Neil, Southsouth Regional Editor

of Delta State had been apprehensive that the project located in Oghara, Ethiope West Local Government Area may become abandoned. The fear grew stronger as the May 29, 2015 terminal date of the Emmanuel Uduaghan administration drew nearer. Even top government officials conceded that it would be a sort of

the "8th Wonder of the world" to deliver the project after the fire. The dream of an IPP to bridge the wide chasm between electricity demand and supply was mooted by Uduaghan shortly after he assumed office in 2007. To actualise the vision, the governor inaugurated the Delta Energy Generation Company Limited (DELGENCO) to develop multiple electricity generation plants across the state using the abundance gas, hydro

and other renewable sources. Speaking at a session during the sensitisation period of the project, Uduaghan said the project was critical to his ambition to wean the state off its over dependence on oil revenue. He said: "Whatever development we are engaged in, if we don't get the power sector right, then we can't move forward." • CONTINUED ON PAGE 35

HEY initially taught it was a joke but it turned out to be a shocking reality. The poor neighbours of President Goodluck Jonathan at Nikton Road, Yenagoa, Local Government Area, were recently evicted from their homes. They did not just lose their homes temporarily, they were permanently displaced by the President who bought all the property, including the land surrounding his exotic home in the area. Jonathan's handlers, with the aid of bulldozers, pulverised the buildings in the hitherto busy neighborhood and swept away all the President's neighbours. But investigations by the Niger Delta Report showed that not all the houses were acquired by the President. A few mansions owned by some wealthy friends and political associates of the President are still standing close to Jonathan's building. For instance, an edifice owned by the King of Opueme Kingdom, King A.J. Turner, who is known to be one of the political backbones of the President, and the expansive compound of the former Commissioner for Agriculture and immediate past Chief of Staff, Government House, Abuja, Chief Dikivie Ikiogha, were spared by the bulldozers despite their proximity to Jonathan's home. But other homes, shops, caravans and kiosks were pulverised. The road leading to his home, which hitherto was characterised by human activities, is now desolate creating an ambience of a reserved neighborhood. The "noisy" neighbours of Mr. President are gone. People who initially lived in the area with the President and perhaps occasionally waved and shared pleasantries with him had been forced to relocate. Why did the President dislocate his neighbours? Residents in the area gave Niger Delta Report many reasons. Some people said Jonathan simply wanted to expand his house. It is just lustful acquisition of wealth associated with politicians, they said. • CONTINUED ON PAGE 33

• YOU HAVE STORIES FOR US? PLEASE CONTACT US ON 07066954441 OR 08123521990

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 16, 2015

NIGER DELTA REPORT COVER

Fire incident compounds N23b Delta IPP’s woes •Continued from page 29

ONCEIVED to be executed in phases, the target of the Oghara (Oghareki) IPP was just over 400MW, with the first phase that kicked off in 2010 aiming to achieve a quarter of that goal (100MW). It was to be delivered through two Rolls Royce Trent gas turbine generators. Five years on, the project is appearing a pipe-dream, at least to the people of the state who are yet to see and feel its impact even though the gas turbine and other paraphernalia of the project have been bought and mostly delivered. It was learnt that the plants and accessories arrived the country a long time ago. They were brought to the state and kept at a massive warehouse owned by Ibru Fishing Company in Oghareki, ostensibly to await the preparation of the site. It was that facility that was gutted by fire. Firstly, the project award process was not without its controversy and allegations of underhand dealings. It was awarded to DAVNOTCH Nigeria Limited, a company in which a powerful member of the Delta State House of Assembly, who later became Speaker and now ex-Speaker, Victor Ochei, admitted to having "substantial interest" for 14 years. He later said he "divested my entire interest on June 3, 2011," over three years after the contract was 'captured' by the company. The damage to the reputation of the project was already done before Ochei stepped away from the company. There were several petitions to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and at least one to the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (dated April 20, 2010), and ethical questions were raised over the deal to DAVNOTCH, in which a key member of legislative arm of the government owned "substantial interests". Prominent Deltans, including Ijaw leader and former Minister of Information, Chief Edwin Clark, queried the morality of the deal. The controversial contract is one of the fulcrums on which the elder statesman based his opposition to Ochei's ambition to succeed Uduaghan as governor. Also, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Sunny Amorighoye Mene, told our reporter that the contract smirks of insider trading, because of Ochei's involvement in DAVNOTCH and his closeness to the governor, with whom he enjoyed a very good working relationship until his removal as Speaker in 2014. Some critics of the deal insinuated that the contract was used to 'empower' the former Speaker (to 'settle' him) as part of the game plan for him to succeed the governor. The then Commissioner in charge of the supervising ministry, Comrade Ovouzorie Macaulay, was widely touted as the would-be running mate. Others said it was awarded as part of a deal for him to keep the House in check. "Whatever the purpose, there is no doubt that it amounted to bribery and corruption," an NGO said. Besides, it was gathered that the choice of the power plant supplier did not go down well with a section of the State Executive Council. Sources at the Ministry of Energy, then headed by the Secretary to the State Government, Comrade Ovouzorie Macaulay told Niger Delta Report that they were not comfortable with the choice of Rolls Royce turbine because it was felt that it might not be as suitable to a tropical climate like Nigeria as other alternatives. A source, who was a key member of the think tank that started the project, said the ideal equipment would have been a similar module

manufactured by General Electric (GE). Reacting to the allegations of lack of due process and his involvement in the deal, Ochei, during a news conference to clear the air in Asaba, the state capital on July 19, 2011, stated that DAVNOTCH clinched the contract in a transparent manner. He said the company proved itself in several other contracts, adding that it did not need his influence to win any contract. "In fact," he said, "the entire process and contract sum were succinctly captured in the Delta State Government (DTSG) Due Process Journal of January-March Edition, 2010. Item 15 of the aforementioned document was specific on the nature; sum and expected delivery date of the contract." The journal specified that the contract was for the supply and installation of two Rolls Royce Trent gas Turbine Generators for the Delta State Independent Power plant (IPP). It was awarded on June 23, 2009, to DAVNOTCH Nigeria Limited at the cost of N21,750,000,000". However, the contract sum was reviewed shortly after the award to N23,207,826,566, in 2011. Reports of at least one more upward review could not be independently confirmed at the time of this report. Several attempts made last year by our reporter to get the company's position and details on the contract and its current state were unsuccessful; officials were either not capable or refused to comment. An employee of the company simply referred to as Anazia, to whom the company's telephone operator referred one of our inquiries, said the IPP was beyond his purview. Anazia, despite several proddings, insisted that only a member of the very top echelon of the company was competent to respond to our reporter's inquiries on the matter. Several telephone calls to the company's switchboard yielded no result as the 'Director' with such clearance and capability was always "not available" or "engaged." Our independent investigations revealed that prior to the award of the contract, the company had no prior experience with a contract of that magnitude or track record in an IPP project. In fact, it was learnt that the only major 'electricity' projects the company had handled were the installation and maintenance of LED boards for signs and outdoor screens and installation of solar-panel street lights. DavNotch also had to fend off claims by those opposed to its handling of the deal that the award of the contract predates the existence of the company. Ochei described the assertion as "sheer lie!" maintaining: "The company was registered on July 4, 1997 and was 12 years old when it was awarded the contract in June 2009. In retrospect, DAVNOTCH Nigeria Limited won the contract because of its track record, integrity and enviable sense of corporate responsibility," he insisted. Over five years after the award and nearly N20bn payment after, the site of the project remained almost as fallow and forlorn as it was when DAVNOTCH got the contract in 2009. The contract documents obtained by Niger Delta Report indicated that contract was for 24 months (two years) from the award date. The state government and company officials painstakingly clarified that the two year period was barely for the procurement of the gas turbine, which cannot be purchased off the shelf. The former Commissioner for Power and Energy, Mr Charles Emetulu, who succeeded Macaulay, in an interview with Niger Delta Report in Asaba, the state capital in August 2014 had assured that the project would be ready

‘

This kind of project is not as easy as you think. There are processes involved and it starts with site acquisition and possession taking of the site. Thereafter, you move to location preparation - bush clearing, scooping of the top soil (if that is necessary) and filling. After that, you commence the preparation of the civil engineering job like preparation of foundation for the equipment that is coming in for inauguration before the end of last year. However, a top engineering consultant working with the state government told our reporter in confidence that the declaration by commissioner was not feasible and true to the doom prediction, a week after the end of the year, the facilities have been ravaged by fire. The feeling of the consultant was reechoed by Mr Moses Nwaokonye, an architect and civil engineer, who was involved in similar massive installation projects within and outside the region. Nwakonye said laymen might not understand the technicalities of installing the equipment.

He said: "This kind of project is not as easy as you think. There are processes involved and it starts with site acquisition and possession taking of the site. Thereafter, you move to location preparation - bush clearing, scooping of the top soil (if that is necessary) and filling. "After that, you commence the preparation of the civil engineering job like preparation of foundation for the equipment that is coming in. All these require proper timing and precision because even the difference of a meter in the foundation can alter the entire process and lead to delay of several months. "Bearing the sheer size of some of

‘

the equipment, you cannot cast a foundation before the equipment is ready. When it is ready, you can't just cast and mount the equipment, you need a curing period - that is the time needed for the foundation to settle and be ready to bear the weight. The curing period could be as much as three to six months," he added. It is was against this backdrop of back and forth in the multibillion naira project that the latest fire incident elicited mixed, mostly negative, reactions from Deltans. Anazia refused to comment on the fire incident or respond to our inquiry to ascertain the decree of damage to the facility and how it could affect the

project. "This is not something we don't want to talk about in the press," he said in a brief telephone chat with our reporter. The Commissioner for Special Duties, Pastor Powell Tos Ojogho, who spoke with our reporter from the scene of the fire, allayed fear of sabotage. "It was not sabotage; just a result of careless bush burning by somebody around the facility and the fire has been brought under control now," he told our reporter. He explained that a similar fire, at about the same time, almost ravaged the multibillion state-of-the-art DELSU Teaching Hospital, adding that it

was while fire fighters were dealing with that inferno that report about the fire at the IPP equipment at the Ibru warehouse, came to them. Speaking further, Powell disclosed that just some panels and other equipment were destroyed. He said the major plant was intact and untouched by the fire. He, however, refused to speculate on the cost of the destruction and effect on the delivery date of the IPP. "We were lucky that the power plant was not destroyed because the fire fighters were able to contain it. The indigenes of Oghara community who sighted the fire acted very quickly and helped to bring the fire under

control; they must be commended for being good citizens. They acted very swiftly; some of them put their lives on the line by climbing to the top of some equipment to take off the trampoline that could have easily caught fire and laid our efforts and equipment to waste." While lamenting the devastation, Powell, who was the first government official at the site, disclosed that the governor had been determined to inaugurate the facility before May 29. He said: "Everything is almost ready; as far as the bolts needed are on ground, the turbine is here and the site has been prepared." The commissioner explained that

the delay in completion and preparation of the site owed to the need to ensure that there was no mistake in the installation. He noted that it was important to get the specification to the minutest detail, assuring that there was no cause for concern. "The good thing, like I said earlier, is that it is just a few of the panels that were affected, at least from my initial observation. When the Commissioner for Energy assesses the situation, we will be able to know the full extent. But I can say without equivocation that it wasn't sabotage, except those raising allegation of sabotage know something that we don't." Our visit to the site, our findings

seemed to tally with the government's view that the fire was likely caused by bushfire set by errant persons around the area. Indigenes of the area said the harmattan period was usually like that in the area because of the propensity for fire to escalate within a short time. Nevertheless Powell's assertion and ascertaining the cause of the ill wind will neither provide comfort for Deltans who are eagerly awaiting the inauguration of the project nor will it assuage the government's critics on the handling and pace of the project. And only time will tell the extent of the fire damage and when the IPP project will improve power supply in the state. .

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 16, 2014

NIGER DELTA REPORT FEATURE

Doctors say I couldn’t conceive, now I have a baby boy W HEN human efforts failed to solve her predicament, Blessing Nanna said she turned to God. When she was diagnosed with fibroid sometimes ago, doctors and medical reports gave her little chance and all ruled out her chance of having a child. She told Niger Delta Report that she was declared unfit to give birth, unless she undertook a surgical operation. However, the mourning of the woman was turned into joy recently when she was blessed her with abouncing baby boy, who she aptly christened ‘Miracle’. The mood of the joyous woman contrasts with years ago after some medical experts in Port Harcourt declared her unfit to conceive, unless if she had another surgical operation on her womb. The advice did not go down well with her due to her terrible experience during her last fibroid operation which, she said was complicated and led to frequent discharge from her womb. According to her, at a point she became restless and hopeless over her plight and how to stop the discharge. Doctors warned her to act fast over her failing condition so as not to endangers her life. Her search for solution took her to the General Overseer of ‘I-Care Ministry International Church’, Bishop Maxwell Okoro. “The man of God noticed my condition and became spiritually angry that such a thing could happen to me. So he prophesied to me and said, ‘if I am a true man of God, before you get to your house the pus will dry off’. And behold before I got to the house the pus dried off.” Narrating the genesis of her

From Precious Dikewoha, Port Harcourt

problem during her child’s dedication at I Care Ministry International Church, Mrs. Blessing said, “It all started in 2012, I went for fibroid surgery operation, and after then there was so much complication surrounding the operation and my womb was not only discharging pus but terribly smelling. I was ashamed of my condition; to go out was a big problem because I was afraid people could notice me. I did not tell my relatives and those around me what was happening to me except one or two persons. The worst thing is that everywhere I go people would notice the odour coming out of me. Sometimes when I go out or mingle with people they will be looking at themselves searching for where the odour is coming from. But I know where it was coming from. To ensure that people did not notice the pus I use to cover it with extra wrapper and wrap myself very well so that it will not soak for people to see. She continued, “When I went to the hospital that operated me, they told me that they are going to operate me again, I remember, one of the nurses at the hospital once advised me to act fast and prepare my mind on the second operation before I die. But I told them that they will not operate on me again. To the glory of God when the men of God prayed for me everything dried off. The Doctors said I will not conceive again except I undergo another operation but today this baby is the evidence that when human effort fails, God begins His work. He is the Author and Finisher of our faith and if the God of I Care

•Mrs. Blessing and her baby at Vekass Clinic, Port Harcourt where she was delivered of the baby

Ministry can do it for me then He can also do it for another person.” But while she was rejoicing for the victory over fibroid and her conception, she didn’t know that she was heading for another spiritual battle during delivery. “I almost gave up the ghost during delivery. “When I took in I did not believe it. I also hid it from my husband at the early stage. During the month of delivery I was in labour for five days. When I called Bishop Maxwell he told me that since I had come in contact with I Care Ministry I will not die. When the nurses told me that the baby was coming out that was the only thing I could remember. I became unconscious and in that situation I saw myself in a forest being dragged around. The only thing I was shouting was please leave me I want to go back to see my baby. At a time I saw someone that look like Jesus watching those dragging me and He

ordered them to leave me but they said no that they want my head. While I was arguing with them giving reason why I should go back to see my baby I immediately came back alive on the hospital bed. This experience shows that every man and woman that died, if allowed to come back alive, have a story to tell.” Bishop Okoro, the General Overseer of the Church who was born deaf and dumb before God reversed his situation, said his church is a miracle centre for those who believe what God is doing in his life. He noted that though, Blessing Nnana case is now a history and a testimony that everybody wants to hear because God is on the throne. He said God does not want any man to take His glory which he believe is the more reason children of God should not panic in a difficult situation but to look up to God. The man of God said because she

came in contact with his ministry that was why she escaped from the land of death, “When I saw her the first time her body was decomposing, her situation was worst but God does not look at the level of your situation when He wants to proves himself before men. Before coming to my church she had gone to other places where money was collected from her. But God showed her mercy and today she is carrying her baby. It proves that God is the Almighty, wonderful and can always do miracle, the bible said there is nothing impossible for him, if you can only believe. The doctor said the only way for her to conceive was to undertake the second operation. But today she has delivered the baby free, it is only God that can do it for those who believe and that is the kind of Miracle that God has been doing in this place.”

Lulu-Briggs Foundation fetes elderly in Rivers

HE High Chief Olu Benson Lulu-Briggs “Care For Life’s” Foundation recently held its annual celebration for indigents, senior citizens (elderly), who are beneficiaries of the Foundation. The event also presented the foundation with an avenue to take stock. The celebration, hosted on January 1 every year, is meant to thank God for the successful cross over into another year by the older members of the society. The Foundation holds the elders’ party in very high esteem and the elders look forward to seeing the day they pride as “our day”. They are decked in new attires, treated to sumptuous meal by their host and benefactor. They dance, sing along to song renditions by members of Chapel of God choir, the Church High Chief Lulu-Briggs founded. In her welcome speech, the Executive Director of the Foundation and Senior Pastor of Chapel of God, Mrs. Sienye Lulu-Briggs, wife of the Founder, expressed heart felt gratitude to God for keeping both they and their much-loved beneficiaries for another year; and prayed for more years ahead. She recalled the genesis of the Foundation, how far it has gone, where it is now and peeped into the future. “I give glory to God today, because when I look at few hours before, I see a year God proved Himself very gracious towards this Foundation and everything it represents, which is humanity. This is because if not for Him we would not have been here. She explained that “The Foundation was started essentially because of the needs of indigent elderly members of the society. it was their need that touched us and in the course of providing these needs to them, we have expended (and are) providing succour, solution to the entire communi-

•Members of Chapel of God choir entertaining the audiance at the party. From: Rosemary Nwisi, Port Harcourt

ties, that today we provide, free medical treatment, water, scholarship to their children, entrepreneurship training, micro credits programmes for their children, wards and community members among others.” Nevertheless, she explained that the foundation had some problems in 2014, stressing, “the Foundation passed through some trying period, but God granted us victory in all situations, even when the agents of the devil connived with the banks to steal the funds for one whole year, 2014 for the Foundation. “When the entire budget for the year’s expenses, hundreds of millions of naira was stolen from our bank account, the funds we were supposed to use to take care of the ones God has given to us to take care of, the Almighty God caused them all to be ar-

rested, there was victory, the funds were recovered, and God also provided more to us, so we never lacked anything, it is only God that could have done that and we are very grateful. “Today we are celebrating and thanking God that 2014 come and gone and He has kept our beneficiaries alive for us and because they are alive we are celebrating and expressing our thanks to God Almighty and everyone who in any way contributed and will still contribute to our carrying this God given responsibility to the perfect end.” Speaking on some of the plans of the foundation for the elderly, she said the Foundation thought it necessary to build a centre where they could go out to for recreation, “so we built a home for them- “Biokpo Recreational Centre.” It was our desire to replicate that in other Local Government Areas where our beneficiaries are spread.” “In line with this, we began the construction in Abua/Odual Local Gov-

•Mrs. Lulu-Briggs presnting gifts for the elders to their Matron, as the Program Directoe ineba Ideria watched with admiration.

ernment Area of the state, and by the grace of God that edifice will be commissioned for use this year, 2015. We are also calling on communities where we have beneficiaries to provide us with pieces of land to build this project.” The high point of the ceremony was the presentation of gifts to the beneficiaries by Mrs Lulu-Briggs. She said, “I am happy to present this gift to you; we are happy with our association with you because by giving you to us, God has given us reason to continue to exist, and we pray that you will use this gift with good health in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.” Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mama Evelyn Bestman, a septuagenarian resident in Abonnema said, “I was enrolled among the beneficiaries of this O.B. Lulu-Briggs Foundation on September 2001. Between them and now, I have lacked nothing either to eat or drink, not even

in times of sickness; this Foundation has ever been there for me. “I am from Ahoada, and live here with nobody to care for me, there was a time I fell sick for three whole weeks, it was as if I was going to die, this Foundation cared for me and I am alive to see this day. “Each time I remember what God is doing for me through this Chief Lulu-Briggs family, I only but say thank you God and pray that God will give them long life and more blessing. I can’t rejoice or celebrate enough for the gift of this family to me but I continue to pray Him (God), to grant them good health.” She prayed. Also, another beneficiary, a man who is vision-impaired, narrated how he was being given total care by the Foundation and prayed God for the best of blessings for their benefactor and his family.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 16, 2015

NIGER DELTA REPORT FEATURE

Tears of Jonathan’s Otuoke neigbours Sorrow as fire razes market in Bayelsa • CONTINUED FROM PAGE 29 THERS also opined that the President was sending a message that "levels have changed". He could no longer stand the wrinkled poverty-stricken faces of the neighbours he once tolerated. They reason that Jonathan was conscious of his distinguished visitors and would not want his neighbours to constitute nuisances whenever they come. But some people were of the opinion that Mr. President just wanted to build a home that befits his status. Niger Delta Report gathered that the President spent a lot of money to compensate owners and tenants of the acquired property. The transaction was said to have been conducted by King Turner, his friend. Indeed, the planned acquisition initially hit Jonathan's neighbors like a rumour. They were said to have doubted it. Some of them vowed to resist it insisting that they would not condescend to selling their life-time property. Others categorically dismissed it as falsehood. They were said to have reasoned that Jonathan, an agent of transformation, would rather prefer to take his bulldozers to any part of the vast virgin land and creeks in the capital city to erect an eye-catching edifice. This, they argued among themselves, would help to develop the city and perhaps act as a tourist site to visitors. In fact, they shuddered at the idea of Jonathan oppressing them by undertaking the project of recreating a house he built when he was a deputy governor. But they were wrong. Their fears manifested faster than they had thought. They had no choice but to forego their property after accepting compensation from the coordinators of the transaction. When the Niger Delta Report visited the area, the victims of the transaction shied away from talking about it. They were all scared of possible victimisation by the rich people who smiled to the bank after the transaction. However, some persons spoke on strict condition of anonymity. Most of the speakers were former tenants of the acquired buildings. A middle-aged man who owned a shop in one of the demolished houses said he was still trying to recover from the pains of the destruction. He said: "When we heard that the President was coming to acquire the property surrounding his house, it seemed like a rumour. But it later became a reality. "What kind of man is Goodluck? Why did he choose to expand a house he built as a deputy governor knowing that there are people who live around him? I am still confused because Yenagoa has many undeveloped parts and it yearns for development. I thought that a President would help in developing this town by going to one of these bushes and creeks to build his house. Doing that would have attracted people to such area. "Goodluck did not do that. He chose Nikton, a congested neighborhood without considering that there are many people whose means of livelihood depended in that area. This is oppression. I mean, how can Mr. President send us packing overnight from our ancestral homes and our business places? We have undeveloped parcels of land which the President would have acquired and developed to look like the Hiltop of IBB in Minna. This is man's inhumanity to man". Another affected shop owner said they were giving only six months to evacuate the area. "When the order came from the Federal Government, we accepted the

CLOCKWISE: Phases of the destruction caused by fire incident

•Omene

HERE was weeping and wailing as a midday fire wreak havoc in Kaiama community in Bayelsa State on Monday. Properties, goods and wares worth several millions of naira were destroyed by the fire, which broke out at a make shift market located along the KaiamaPatana stretch of the East-West Highway. Rows of shops where petroleum products, mostly diesel and engine oil, motorcycle parts and other items are sold were razed by the inferno, which destroyed over 10 makeshift stalls and caravans. Eyewitnesses’ account of the fire indicated that it was sparked off by a petty trader, who lit fire at the back of the shop close to the River Niger Bridge in the town. “The woman, who owns a restaurant made the fire behind the shop and after cooking her food, she noticed that the fire was spread into the nearby bush. She and her daughter then tried to put out the fire.” It was further learnt that when the woman and her daughter thought they

Traders at a makeshift market in Bayelsa State are yet to come to terms with the damages done to their lives by a fire, which razed the market and their goods, reports SHOLA O’NEIL had put out the fire, they returned back to the shop and continued their normal services, not knowing that one of the cinders was still smoldering. “Some minutes later, we just noticed that the fire had started again and this time the way it spread was completely unbelievable. Within the twinkle of an eye, it had gone through over 20meters of the dried bushes at the back of the shop. From there it spread into the shops, starting from the places were drums of diesel are kept. “What we saw and heard was a very big ball of fire that engulfed everywhere, giving nobody time to move against the fire. The dry bush and condition of the harmattan did not help matters as the fire quickly went through dozens of shops in the makeshift market,” one of the sympathisers at the scene when our reporter visited said. The incident led to heavy traffic

‘

You know that unlike petrol, diesel does not evaporate or dry off when it pours into the ground; it can stay at the spot for several weeks, months and even years, if it is not properly disposed off. So, it was the collection of these wastes over time that became fuel for the fire that ravaged the shops and stalls build up around the area forcing travelers going and coming from Port Harcourt to other south-south, west and other parts of the country to spend several hours at the scene because victims and supporters had taken over the road in their desperate bid to stop the fire.

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However independent check by Niger Delta Report around the scene revealed that apart of the dryness caused by the harmattan, the fire was aided by petroleum products waste that had gathered around the area over time. Our findings revealed that several

of the shops that were gutted by fire were used to store drums and large quantities of petroleum products, including diesel and engine oil. The waste from the products, it was gathered, had drenched the area over time. “You know that unlike petrol, diesel does not evaporate or dry off when it pours into the ground; it can stay at the spot for several weeks, months and even years, if it is not properly disposed off. So, it was the collection of these wastes over time that became fuel for the fire that ravaged the shops and stalls,” a security office who visited the scene to assess the extent of the damage, told our reporter on condition of anonymity. Attempt by our reporter to get the comment of a police officer from the police post in the area was rebuffed. The law enforcement agent, whose name tag read ‘Binileke’, said he was sent to the scene for an on-the-spot valu-

ation and not to make comment. Our reporter however noted that he concentrated on the owners of the shops where petroleum products were kept and overheard him asking for the details of their owners, who he directed to “report at the police station.” Meanwhile, as the traders counted their loss they appealed for relief from government. Some of the victims begged Governor Seriake Dickson to come to their aid by giving them financial assistance in order to help them pick up the pieces of their lives that were shattered by the disastrous fire. “We cannot hold the woman who started this fire to pay for everything; even if we do there is no way she can do anything because she has nothing to offer. It is only the government can do something to wipe away our tears and that is why we are appealing to the governor to come to our aid,” one of the victims said.

•Jonathan's compound

•The Road to president’s house

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What kind of man is Goodluck? Why did he choose to expand a house he built as a deputy governor knowing that there are people who live around him? I am still confused because Yenagoa has many undeveloped parts and it yearns for development.

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offer with fear because since we are poor we have no voice. Who can represent us, or even plead on behalf of us? The caterpillars rammed through our property. They started the destruction overnight. Only few houses belonging to his rich friends remained in this same location we were sacked", he said. The angry victims said their main problem was that persons who conducted the transaction failed to pay them adequate compensation. He said the amount of money given to the tenants could not rent another accommodation in Yenagoa. Specifically, he said only 30 per cent of the compensation they demanded was paid them. He said about 22 families were evicted from the site. He said: "Even the compasation fee we ask the government to pay us was not paid. It was only 30 per cent of the money that was given to us. "Our government officials are indeed heartless. They asked 22 of us to evacuate the area. We gave Mr. President a quotation but only 30 per

•Jonathan

cent of the money was paid." He said they demanded N2.6m for a room apartment but the government paid N45,000; N4m for self-content but they got 90,000; N6.6m for two-bedroom but they received N250,000 while shop owners were paid N150,000 each despite the sizes of their shops. "Where do we start from?" He queried. Though the Niger Delta Report could not locate landowners to gauge their feelings about the transaction, the shop owner said the landowners also got a bad deal. He said the money that was paid them would not even acquire land elsewhere to build a house. "The landowners are also brooding over the deal. They were paid chicken fees for the destruction off their ancestral homes and buildings they inherited many years ago "I am angry with the government and the initiator of this idea. Our government officials are just there to satisfy their own interest. Who said they have us at heart? To say that this kind of treatment is coming from the Presi-

dent who hails from this area is difficult to understand", he said. There are fears on Nikton Road that the President was not through with them yet. Other buildings in the area have been marked for demolition. A woman who lamented the development said a building housing her shop had been marked. "This issue came up immediately I rented this shop. The building has not been demolished but it has been marked. We are afraid and because of this I have not been buying more goods. We are expecting the return of the bulldozers", she said. She added: "The landlord told me that he would not settle for what they paid previous landowners if eventually they come for negotiation. I am angry with the government. How can they punish me like this? "My shop is empty because am scarred of buying more goods since no one knows when the caterpillar will come for the second phase of demolition. We have vast land In this state the government should live the poor people alone."

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 16, 2014

NIGER DELTA REPORT FEATURE

Travail of Citizen Ukpanah over dad’s murder

IGHTS group, the Coalition of Human Rights Defenders (COHED),has protested in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, the detention of Citizen Odudu Ukpanah whose father Late Albert Ukpanah was murdered by gunmen suspected to be hired assassins at his Abak residence on March 12, last year. Ukpanah has been in the detention for eight months. Shortly after the gruesome murder of Albert, his son, Odudu was arrested for the alleged murder of his father. The protest, which took place at St. Patrick's Primary School, attracted passersby who stopped. Some of the placards by the protesters had inscriptions such as: "Where is the proof that Odudu Ukpanah killed for N2million. Who gave Albert Ukpanah N2million? I hope you would like this injustice if it happens to your only son or brother? "Eight months in Prison is injustice. Do you want our mother to die? Which of your children will remain in Prison for eight months?" The Convener of COHED, Inibehe Effiong, said: "We are here to demand that our brother and our friend Mr. Odudu Ukpanah who has been in prison custody for the past eight months on allegation which is of course to our minds is unnecessary that he killed his father be released. "It is not our wish to obstruct the cause of justice but we believe that justice is best served when it is not delayed. We were asking ourselves whether justice has been delayed if

•The protesters From Kazeem Ibrahym, Uyo

someone is in prison custody for eight months and there is no determination or any serious steps taken in the cause of the proceedings to even say whether he is entitled to bail or not. "This is just not about us. It is also about the voice of the family being heard. They are here to say you cannot cry more than us. You cannot cry more than the bereaved. If our father was murdered we are the one who should cry. If we are saying our brother did not kill our father, who are you to tell us that he killed our

Why I want to be an Edo Rep, by ex-MTN General Manager Gideon Obhakhan, who resigns his appointment as General Manager, Network Planning of MTN to secure the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Esan West /Esan Central /Igueben Federal Constituency of Edo State, speaks in his Lagos office on the party’s primaries, and other issues. EMMANUEL UDODINMA met him

HEN did you start taking interest in politics? My active participation in politics dates back to 1993 in the Federal Polytechnic, Auchi and subsequently at the University of Benin (UNIBEN), where I was also actively involved in students’ union politics ,since my graduation from the university ,I have participated in politics of different levels. I joined the defunct Action Congress of Nigerian (ACN) from inception and support its activities at various level until the merger with other political parties which give birth to the APC of which I am a member till date. From, the cooperate world to partisan politics what are some of the challenges you see ahead of you? Although these are two different world with different rules of engagement, I would say I am not new to the world of politics .It is not a strange environment for me .However ,now that I am going deeper into its as a candidate ,there will obviously be challenges because interpersonal relationship in the corporate world ,for instance ,is not exactly the same as political landscape .But in my world

,adaptation techniques are not scare and I am confident that I will be able to handle the challenges as they come .The important thing is sincerity of purpose and genuine focus on what is important in order to ensure that we deliver the dividends of democracy to our people. Do you think you are well prepared to swim in the murky waters of politics? Of course, yes. First of all, I am a Nigerian and I am well abreast with the political development in the country. I know it is generally noted that the level of maturity of the political class may not be where it ought to be today,but I am confident that as more people with the right mindset continue to join and contribute their quota in their own little way, we will see significant improvement across board. I’m more interest in what I am bringing to the table than the current perception out there about politics and the political class .I am however ,mindful of the fact that a man is a product of his environment and that my ability to deliver will be largely dependent on how I choose to react to that environment. This I

father?" Also, Odudu's elder sister, Uduak Ukpanah, said her brother should be released as he is innocent of the charges leveled against him. Uduak said: "We had kept quiet for long that is why we have decided to come out and tell the whole world the pains my family is going through and it is time for my brother to at least be granted bail." Uduak, who also spoke on the circumstances surrounding the murder of her father, said: "My father was a politician, truthful and out spoken person in which we are fully aware

that he had said a couple of things and we all know that it is out of his numerous speeches that led him to his grave." The late Ukpanah was a chieftain of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He had served the party as a member of the State Working Committee. He was also a one-time Caretaker Vice Chairman of Ukanafun Local Government Area. He was also a strong voice among those asking that it should be the turn of Abak to product the next senator for Ikot Ekpene senatorial district.

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am prepared for and I am very hopeful that I will make a change, there are many people who have done this successfully and I don’t think it is as difficult as brain surgery. How did you win your party primaries? In my humble opinion, I believe I have been able to earn the trust of my people and they are very conscious politically .I had what I think I should have in preparation for the primaries. These are the reasons the people queued behind me.However, it is the people that have the final say since they are the ones I am going to represent. My people have finally said goodbye to people who come once in four years to buy votes with peanuts and they sing their praises each time they come.

EX-MILITANTS have thrown their weight behind the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial flag-bearer of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa. The ex-fighters resolved to work for Okowa as they described his victory at the primaries as the choice of the people. Speaking with reporters in Ughelli, the leader of the Phase 2 of the Amnesty Programme, Mr. Kingsley Muturu, said it was imperative for ex-agitators to support Okowa for 2015 as he is a tested political leader with the people at heart, stressing the group's resolution to support Okowa candidacy was born out of his apparent readiness to lead the State to next level. Muturu emphasized that exwarlords and their followers had fully given their support to Okowa and would work to ensure he won the elections at the polls, and called on Deltans to queue behind him at the poll. The National Executive of the exmilitant group speaking through the trio of the National Public Relations Officer, Mr. H.M. Ebirie, Mr. Collins Arigo (National Vice President) and Mr. Solomon Adu (Provost), said Delta State was too dear to exfighters and that it was necessary for them to support a politician with vision of development for the state, carry the youth along and unite the people for peace and economic prosperity. They urged Deltans to support Okowa, as according to them, he had all it requires to bring unity and development to all ethnic groups in the heterogeneous state.

E.K Clark's daughter, students endorse APC in Delta

I am confident that as more people with the right mindset continue to join and contribute their quota in their own little way, we will see significant improvement across board

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Ex-militants back Okowa for governor

From Shola O’Neil

•Obhakhan

How would you rate the Oshiomhole administration in Edo? Without mincing words, I will say that the Comrade governor has done very well.If I compare the Edo State of today with what it was when he took over the mantle of leadership, I will say he deserves commendation .He has touched all the sectors and you don’t need to be told about the infrastructural development in the state because they are very obvious. The Edo is one of states in Nigeria today that you can see significant improvement not on the pages of newspapers, but in real life .It will probably take the whole day or more if I have to list all his achievements. It will suffice for now if I Just says so far, so good.

HUNDREDS of Delta State students in various higher institutions of learning, including the granddaughter of Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Clark, Ms Ighosotu Clark, have joined in campaigning for the All Progressive Congress (APC) candidate in Delta South Senatorial district of the state. The students, under the auspices of the National Association of Delta State Students, paid a solidarity and endorsement visit to the APC flag bearer, Prince Yemi Emiko in Warri and promised him the supports of students in the state towards his electoral victory. Emiko is running against Senator James Manager, an Ijaw from Bomadi area of the state and he has represented the district for three terms (or12 years). However, the student group in their address, said: "It is not the birth right of an individual or a particular tribe to represent the district for 12 years without proper accountability and transparency. "It will be another terrible mistake if Nigeria students fold our hands and watch the ills of the society continue. That is why the students of the state are speaking in one voice and yearning for change and we believe that Prince Emiko and the APC can give us the change we need and deserve", NADESSTU President, Comrade Bolokor Francis, who read the address stated. He said the decision to back the APC candidate was taken by the body after a critical assessment of Emiko's track record in the public service at the oil industry where he worked with Chevron Nigeria Limited for over two decades. In his response, Emiko expressed joy that the students did it without unction and without being lobbied as is mostly the case.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 16, 2014

NIGER DELTA REPORT COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

T is a lazy day today. The last few weeks have been grueling. Waters State is not like other states in Niagra. Like its name suggests, it has so many riverside communities. Ekiw has had to go on speed boats for campaigns in these communities. His campaign council decides on a one-day break and here he sits in his tastefully-furnished sitting room. A bottle of Louis XIII wine, which costs at least £5,000 or some ?1,500,000, stands majestically on a side stool. A portion of it is in a golden tumbler in his left hand. He sips from it from time to time and each time he does that, his eyes light up in a manner suggesting: this is the life! His phone soon rings. On the line is Noemsi, his media aide. He looks at the phone and feels like ignoring it. After all, the caller is an aide he pays and makes to write whatever he wants. He feels like the ultimate kings who pays the piper and calls the tune. The call rings out the first time and he sips his Louis XIII. Noemsi calls a second time. He still ignores it, but as it is about to cut, he picks it. “What is it?” he asks. Like an obedient servant, Noemsi responds: “Good morning sir.” He does not return his greeting. Noemsi continues nonetheless. He is used to the man’s bad manners. He would have left the job when the man was a junior minister and was always harassing him for not projecting him very well in the media, but he hung on because the pay and other things attached were better than what he enjoyed as a correspondent with Flagship newspaper in Makurdi. “I was calling to find out if you have seen the video of your area’s monarchs endorsing Sidepeter,” Noemsi tells him. Ekiw remembers the video. It sits on the television stand. “We need to react to it in the media but I need you to see it and tell me how to spin the media reports in our favour. The video appears damaging sir,” Noemsi says. Ekiw is silent for some seconds. “Call back in 30 minutes.” The call ends and he summons his house help to come and operate the DVD player. Soon the video starts playing. Sidepeter, Atisa and members of their campaign team file into the palace of the paramount ruler of Errewki land. The camera pans in the direction of some 15 traditional rulers who are members of the Errewki Supreme Traditional Rulers Council. Greetings are exchanged. He almost loses track of the video until Sidepeter’s voice brings him back from the dream land. Holding a microphone, Sidepeter says: “Your Majesty, our state is about to make another decision on who our next governor will be. It is a crucial decision, one

OLUKOREDE YISHAU

ABOVE WHISPERS

•A weekly intervention on Southsouth people and matters

olukoredeyishau@gmail.com

To hell with the kings

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•The crown

we should make with all sense of responsibility. Errewki land, as an ethnic nationality, has a very critical role to play at this point in the life of our dear state. As custodians of culture, values, we expect the custodians of our culture and value system as traditional rulers and fathers to lend their voices of reason so that the people can take the right path. Your people need to maintain their dignity in the face of politicians who are ready to buy the people’s conscience.” Ekiw adjusts his seat at this stage and mutters: “Bastard! I am the one he is throwing stones at.”

LAST WORD

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

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the Comrade governor has done very well.If I compare the Edo State of today with what it was when he took over the mantle of leadership, I will say he deserves commendation .He has touched all the sectors and you don't need to be told about the infrastructural development

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––– Edo APC Rep candidate Gideon Obhakhan

The Errewki man is not a greedy person. If because of the population of Errewki, we decide to rule for life, almost no one in this state can stop us. We can decide to play born to rule. Our population gives us that advantage. But, our people agreed that power must shift to the minority as the minority also has something to offer

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Eze Eberi, the deputy chair of the land’s traditional council, soon begins to respond on behalf of his colleagues. The way he starts annoys Ekiw and he feels like slapping the monarch. “His Excellency-in-waiting,” Eze Eberi begins, “on behalf of Errewki traditional rulers,

we welcome you and your entourage to the ancient town of Opkoisi, the ancient town of Errewki tradition. The thing we are doing here today has a lot to tell. One, you are the only person(governorship candidate) who saw the need to visit the Traditional Council, and that you cannot go out there to tell our people anything without paying homage. When Christ was born, the wise men visited Him and that is what you have done today.” “Stupid man,” Ekiw mutters and adds: “God punish your generation.” The traditional ruler continues: “What the Supreme Council requires from every son and daughter of Errewki here present and those at home is that we want this message to reach every nook and cranny of Errewki. When the tenure of our son, our great son, Right The Honourable Ihceama was about to expire, the Supreme Council asked him questions. Today, that question has been answered. And what was that question? The question was, “Your Excellency, with the level you have taken Waters State to, after your tenure, will these things still be maintained? With all the security challenges we have been facing, after your exit, what will be the fate of our people? Today we want to show that the Errewki man is not a greedy person. If because of the population of Errewki, we decide to rule for life, almost no one in this state can stop us. We can decide to play born to rule. Our population gives us that advantage. But, our people agreed that power must shift to the minority as the minority also has something to offer.” The Eze now turns to Sidepeter: “Having said that, we have seen that His Excellency has found you worthy to maintain the excellent standard Waters State is known for today. And we urge you not to disappoint our people. Don’t be distracted by all intimidations. We, members of the Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers at this moment endorse you and declare that all sons and daughters of this nationality in the four local governments to rally round you. On behalf of the Supreme Council, I am presenting him to the people.” He pauses the DVD. He thinks about the use of the words ‘greedy’ and ‘intimidation’ by the monarch. He has no doubt in his mind that he is the one being referred to. Now, Sidepeter and his entourage are leaving the palace. Soon they are at the venue of a rally. A huge crowd awaits them. He has seen enough. He switches off the DVD player with the remote control. In no time, his phone rings. It is Noemsi on the line. He picks it and without listening to what he has to say, he shouts: “To hell with the kings” and cuts the call.

BY OSAGIE OTABOR, BENIN

Between Oshiomhole and Igbinedion

HE relationship between Governor Adams Oshiomhole and Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, the Esama of Benin Kingdom, is no longer a healthy one. No one knows how the recent face-off will end as the state government appears to have declared war on the Esama. The recent quarrel was over a news report by the Independent Television (ITV) in which Oshiomhole’s aides were alleged to have beaten up Reverend Father Peter Udo at Ujogba in Esan Central Local Government Area. Oshiomhole’s responses to what he termed offensive reportage were that the termination of the MOU the state government signed with the Igbinedion University for the training of the institution’s medical students , de-accreditation of ITV Correspondent to the Government House and the expelling of Igbinedion varsity’s nursing students from using government facilities. Before then, there have been altercations between the duo. Igbinedion, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) , is one of the most powerful, influential and perhaps the richest chief in Benin Kingdom. He owns chains of businesses and several landed properties across the state. He single-handedly made his son, Lucky, governor between 1999 and 2007. As at inception of the Oshiomhole administration, Igbinedion’s relationship with the governor was cordial and robust because Chief Igbinedion and his son Lucky, who was deregistered from the PDP, reportedly financed

the activities of the defunct Action Congress (AC), the political platform under which Oshiomhole emerged governor. Their relationship turned sour after Oshiomhole introduced a new tax regime, which many government officials said affected Chief Igbinedion and many other rich individuals in the state who were previously paying negotiated taxes to the government. What further worsened the relationship were reports and commentary by the Independent Television and Radio about the state government. Both stations are owned by Chief Igbinedion. The ITV was in 2011 sealed up over accumulated Pay As You Earn Tax. It was the Court of Appeal that ruled in favour of the Edo State government over the matter. In 2011, some landed properties of Chief Igbinedion were sealed over alleged non-payment of Ground Rent. In 2013, Oshiomhole stopped farmers farming in government reserves forest at Okada in Ovia North East Local Government Area from paying N40m annual royalty to Chief Igbinedion. The land was leased to Chief Igbinedion who later sublet the land to farmers for some fees. Oshiomhole told the farmers that custodians of land in state was vested on the state government and the Oba of Benin. He said: “As far as I know, government policy across the country is that Nigerians cannot be tenant farmers particularly on governmentowned lands, because the land in question is government-owned that was reserved for an indi-

vidual for the purpose of farming by himself, not to sublet to actual farmers who then pay royalties to him. The only person who can collect royalties in Edo State is the Oba of Benin.” After the local government elections in 2013, Oshiomhole threatened to curtail the excesses of Chief Igbinedion if the latter did not desist from contravening the laws. The governor said: “There is evidence that he (Igbinedion) has undermined the prosperity of the state for a very long time. Those who live in glass houses do not throw stones. “I want to send a warning to Chief Igbinedion that he should take it easy. He has acquired a lot of government land that the people have not engaged him on. He walks as if he is above the law, he was a chief tax collector in this state, pocketing twenty five to thirty per cent of every kobo that accrued while his son was the governor. I have not looked back because my mandate is to look forward. “If he continues with elderly rascality, I will bring him to justice. He must never underestimate the fact that I have the will and I have the capacity to deploy that will. If he crosses the law, he will be cut to size.” Igbinedion has kept mute. But the Vice-Chancellor of the university says the school was shocked by the government’s actions. Oshiomhole has obviously gone beyond being swayed by such reactions. For him, it appears it is fight to the finish!

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 16, 2015

THE SOUTHEAST REPORT

ROTESTS dampened what Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Imo State, Rt. Hon Emeka Ihedioha probably designed to be a spectacular road show as he launched his governorship quest. The procession halted vehicular and human movement in the capital Owerri for several hours. Traditional dancers strutted as the street show progressed, but not everyone was cheering the party. The campaign train was criticised by stranded commuters who chanting pro-Okorocha slogans such as “Rochas we know, APC is the party”, “enough of PDP deceit in Imo”. Addressing the crowd, Ihedioha promised to recall 10,000 youths sacked by the Okorocha administration and overhaul the health and public institutions in the state, among other promises. Ihedioha said, “I will create sufficient jobs for our people mainly by reactivating our technical colleges and I have already started this in my capacity as the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and my government will be one that you all will be proud of”. He said that education which was the cherished value of the Imo indigenes had fallen to its lowest ebb. “In the past Imo indigenes took first position in West African Examination but today the state is in 46th position. This is the first time Imo has failed WAEC exams,” he said. “I will give training incentives to the teachers so that the teaching profession will become lucrative”. He urged the people to begin aggressive house to house campaign in preparation to taking

•Ihedioha and the Imo State PDP chairman, Mr. Nnamdi Anyaehie during the event

Ihedioha woos Imo electorate amid protests

From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

over the Government House. The Deputy Speaker who was accompanied on the campaign by the state party Chairman, Mr. Nnamdi Anyaehie, his running mate,Hon Chuma Nnaji and leaders of the party, said that he would partner with the Federal Government to attract more federal presence to the state. In his address, the party chairman, called on the people to cast their votes for all PDP candidates, urging them to support

Ihedioha to regain the PDP mandate in the state. Also speaking, Nnaji expressed commended the leadership of the party for picking him as the running mate to the governorship candidate, adding that for the past 15 years he had practiced politics in the state. He assured that, “I will bring all these to bear including my ex-

perience as a banker, unionist to assist the Governor when elected. Meanwhile the Imo State Governor, has admonished politicians to engage on issue based campaigns that are devoid of calumny. Okorocha in a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo, assured the candidates that his administration would continue to en-

NGO makes widows happy in Enugu

NON-GOVERNMENTAL organisation (NGO) Caring Heart Foundation has made 20 indigent widows happy in Enugu State. The widows who were drawn from two local government areas of Ibeagwa-Agu and Nimbo in Nsukka and Uzo-Uwani were promised cash donations that will give them a means of livelihood. While presenting the gift items,

From Chris Oji, Enugu

Mrs. Joy Agbo, President of the foundation in a remark, said their objective is to help orphans, widows and elderly people in the society to alleviate their sufferings and give them a sense of belonging. “We are eight women friends that formed this NGO, our objective is to assist indigent widows, orphans and

elderly people who have nobody to care for them in Nsukka senatorial district. “We are women married in Nsukka and we are living with our husbands in Lagos, this charity oriented foundation gives succor to those who have nobody to look after them. “It’s not that we have excess money but we want to use the little we have to put smiles on faces of widows, orphans and elderly, “she said.

She said that she had one to one talk with benefitting widows and what they said they needed was money to farm to enable them to get something to eat as well as take care of their families. ‘Before March this year when farming will start, the foundation will send some amount of money through a volunteer member of the foundation from the local government. According to, Mrs Amaka Ugwu, Secretary of the foundation, non-refundable cash donations will be made available to the widows which we will monitor to ensure that the money was used judiciously. “When the foundation gives out the money to the widows, we will monitor the use through our volunteers to know if the money is correctly put into use. ”You know most times when you give this money to the beneficiaries they may channel it to some other things other than what it was meant for.

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•Adoration ground in Enugu, Enugu State

sure a peaceful political atmosphere for their campaigns and other political activities. He charged the politicians to note that “all those running election in the state are indigenes and they should all see themselves as brothers and sisters. The governor also pleaded with the candidates to desist from recruiting youths in the state to engage in thuggish acts so that their future won’t be jeopardized. He prayed that God would protect and guard all the candidates throughout their campaign periods and beyond. Ugwu said two months ago, the foundation gave some gift items to some orphans that today was the turn of widows adding that in the next three months it would be the turn of elderly people. ‘We ensure this charity work is not concentrated in a particular local government by ensuring we select beneficiaries from different LGs that made up the zone, ‘she said Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Mary Ezema said she lacked words to express the happiness in her heart, but pray God to bless the foundation for coming to their rescue. “We have nothing to pay them back but only God will reward them on the year gift and promised to send money to enable us buy farmland and hire labourers ,’she said A women leader in Ibegwa Aka community, Mrs. Joy Ezea, who witnessed the event commended the foundation for coming all the way from Lagos to help indigent widows and prayed God to help the foundation in their own point of need. “God will surely reward this foundation for remembering the poor in the society, “she said.

When the foundation gives out the money to the widows, we will monitor the use through our volunteers to know if the money is correctly put into use

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 16, 2015

THE SOUTHEAST REPORT

S early as 6.30am, octogenarians, youths, artisans, traders, students and religious leaders defied the early morning cold to receive the All Progressives Congress APC) team as Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha kicked off his re-election campaign in the capital, Owerri. Traders seized the opportunity to cash in on the carnival atmosphere, as APC insignia were sold at exorbitant prices. The Dan Anyiam Stadium, venue of the rally, was filled to capacity as early as 8am. The broom waving crowd went wild when the Imo Governor in what can be best described as triumphant entry, rode into the venue at about 3pm on a doubledecker bus. The frenzied crowd proved difficult for security men to control as they broke the barriers on sighting the governor who was bedecked in a white safari with a huge broom in his hand. Judging by the large crowd, it was obvious that the APC has done well in the state and is indeed the party to beat in the forthcoming general election. From Okigwe Roundabout through Wetheral Road, security operatives diverted vehicular movement to the venue to reduce the heavy gridlock that crippled activities in the state capital. Large number of APC supporters, with their trademark broom, trekked the long distance, singing and dancing, making the event more colourful. The APC presidential candidate, who arrived the stadium shortly after the governor’s campaign train, in the company of the State Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere, was greeted with a thunderous ovation by the ecstatic crowd, who surged forward to catch a glimpse of the General. The reason the crowd went wild on sighting Buhari, was because at a point, rumour filtered in that the APC Presidential candidate has been

•The crowd at the Owerri rally

Huge crowd as Okorocha launches campaign From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

flown abroad for treatment and may not attend the Owerri rally, so the joy of seeing him sent the charged crowd into jubilation. At the stuffy stadium, various musicians and dancing troupes entertained the crowd, adding to the noise and confusion created by the surging crowd. Addressing the crowd, Buhari assured that his administration will sign an undertaking for good gover-

nance with Nigerians in order to ensure that it will promptly address the challenges of leadership failure the country is grappling with. He said that in the last 16 years under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) led government, the “country has gone from bad to worse,” lamenting that all the sectors of the economy has taken a turn for the worst. According to Buhari who was given an Ibo name, Okechuchukwu, meaning God’s own portion, “we will sign an undertaking that the APC led government will make Boko

Haram a thing of the past, we will upgrade the low standard of education, healthcare, infrastructure and power to revive our ailing economy”. He, therefore, urged the people of the Southeast to “send the PDP parking”, assuring that his administration when elected President, will place priority on job creation and youth empowerment as a viable tool to tackling insecurity and restiveness. Speaking earlier, the Director General of Buhari Campaign Council and

Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, who was hailed by the crowd as he took the podium, disclosed that the purported second Niger Bridge contract, was a mere ruse conceived by President Goodluck Jonathan to deceive Ndigbo and give them a false sense of belonging. Addressing the crowd in impeccable Ibo, to the admiration of the massive audience, Amaechi insisted •Continued on page 39

‘We celebrate our candidate’

WO questions came up when the campaign train of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) flag bearer, President Goodluck Jonathan, stopped in Enugu. One was what was in store for the Southeast in the Jonathan second term if he won? The other was, who will Governor Sullivan Chime hand over the party’s flag to?

By Sam Egburonu

The first issue was not quite addressed but Governor Chime quickly stepped in to assure his august guest that the state was behind his candidature. Also, Dr. Jonathan cleared the air about who the party’s governorship candidate was: Ifeanyi

Ugwuanyi. The rally at the Nnamdi Azikiwe stadium was turned to a carnival of some sorts. The crowd that gathered at the stadium had waited endlessly as the event initially billed to start at 10am could not take off until afternoon. During the long wait, gospel artistes and masters of ceremony had a swell time in their effort to

fill the gap arising from the late arrival of the President. The two outstanding gospel singers who performed at the occasion, Felix Ndukwe and the Delta state-born Sammy Okposo, gave the audience a full dose of their stuff. The singers intermittently sang the praise of President Jonathan, Governor Sullivan Chime and Enugu PDP candidate, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi. President Jonathan turned up at the stadium at 2.15pm, accompanied by his wife, Dame Patience, Deputy Vice President, Namadi Sambo, National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Adamu Muazu, Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, Deputy Speaker of

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•Governor Rochas Okorocha, his deouty, Prince Eze Madumere and Commissioner for Education, Mrs Mma Nzeribe during the distribution of 2nd batch of school desks, chair and sundry materials to public primary and secondary schools in Imo State

the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, Governor Sullivan Chime and Enugu State PDP governorship candidate, Hon Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi. Observers pondered soem issues, one of them being the place of Ndigbo in the Jonathan second term, should the President’s bid succeed. Governor Sullivan Chime assured Jonathan that the people of the state and indeed the entire Southeast would support his reelection bid. “The traditional rulers have told you that you have no business campaigning in Enugu. We are here to •Continued on page 39

The crowd that gathered at the stadium had waited endlessly as the event initially billed to start at 10am could not take off until afternoon. During the long wait, gospel artistes and masters of ceremony had a swell time in their effort to fill the gap arising from the late arrival of the President

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 16, 2015

THE SOUTHEAST REPORT Igbo in Ogun allege marginalisation

HEAD of next month’s election, the Igbo community in Ogun State has alleged that its people were marginalised in the running of the state, threatening to vote only for politicians who would improve their welfare The group alleged that Igbo people were being excluded in the politics, and other important sectors of governance in Ogun State despite their huge contribution to the economic development of the state. The President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Ogun State, Ogbuefi Austine Nkeze, who stated this during a media briefing in Ifo local Government Area of the state, noted that they had been living in harmony with their host communities. He said: “It is indisputable that Ndigbo constitute over thirty per cent of the state population. Our contribution and participation in the political, economic and social engineering of the state is well known to the whole world. “ but we have been continuously marginalized in the scheme of things in Ogun state. We are just remembered a few days to general elections, when some politicians would visit us as individuals or minor groups and after collecting our votes, abandon us until another four years. In fact, we become important Nigerians in Ogun state once in four years. Towards this end, the Igbo leadership in the state led by Eze W.O Ejimkonye, has created the Ndigbo Political Committee headed y High Chief Vitalis Onwuelezi to carefully study the manifestos of all the political parties, antecedents and pedigrees of the candidates to support in each particular election, even as he stressed that the era of rice, Ankara and Semovita was over. Speaking at the occasion, Chief Vitalis Onwuelezi said in the past ten years, Ndigbo in Ogun state had nothing to show for their support to successive governments in the state. He said: ”Ogun state is a peaceful state. And we cherish the cordial relationship existing between us and the state government. We only ask that we be given a sense of belonging. We want government to improve our welfare. “Politicians and their various parties should appreciate the contributions Ndigbo are making towards the development of the state and should reciprocate the gesture, by carrying our people along in the scheme of things. “We ensured that our people a large number of Ndigbo registered during the registration exercise. Ndi Ezes are united. The era when we could not speak with one voice is over. Now, we are in unity. Speaking also the Eze Igbo, Ifo Local Government Area of the state, Eze Ejimkonye, called for the appointments of more Igbos into boards of parastatals and agencies in the state. Meanwhile 25-man Ndigbo Political committee headed by Chief Vitalis Onwuelezi has been set-up to advise the Igbo leadership on which party and /or candidate to support in each particular election. The leadership will in turn take decision and direct Ndigbo accordingly. By Emmanuel Udodinma

•Governor Okorocha presenting his Deputy and running mate, Prince Eze Madumere during the rally

Huge crowd‘ as Okorocha launches campaign •Continued from page 38 that, “the second Niger Bridge was a mere fraud by the PDP to deceive Ndigbo but we in APC are honest men, we don’t have 419 men among us and we will fulfill all our promises. You should ask President Jonathan to show you what he has done for the Igbo”. Further accusing the President of corruption, the Rivers Governor, noted that, “the economy has gone down completely because of large scale corruption encouraged by President Jonathan. During Yar’Adua’s administration, the price of crude fell to $45 per litre but Nigerians did not feel the pain because of the excess crude reserve but the present administration has squandered the excess crude reserve and Nigerians are suffering”. Addressing the mammoth crowd, the host governor, Rochas Okorocha, shortly after receiving the APC flag to represent the party at the governorship elections, stated that the PDP government has dealt a terrible blow on the Southeast zone, which he said can only be remedied by the APC. He assured Buhari that he will sweep the polls in the Southeast because of the people’s strong yearn-

•Continued from page 38 support you. We are here to celebrate our governorship candidate, Ugwuanyi”, he told the President. One of the items members of the party at the rally and particularly people of Enugu State were anxiously waiting for was the official hand-over of the 2015 governorship flag of the PDP to Hon Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi. The anxiety over the flag was obvious considering the struggle for the governorship seat. Before the rally, there were still pockets of doubts over the actual candidate of the PDP in Enugu State. Recall that one of the contenders to the Lion Building, Senator Ayogu Eze, had claimed to be the PDP candidate in Enugu after holding a parallel governorship primaries in Filbon Hotel, in the New Haven part of the state. But with Friday’s rally in Enugu, the struggle for the PDP flag became history as the top leadership of the party, led by Jonathan officially handed over the flag to Ugwuanyi, who is about rounding off his third term in the House

I am not here to tell you what I have done in the last four years, I am here to tell you what I will do in the next four years. All the promises I made during my campaign, I have fulfilled all of them, the free education programme, the massive rural road projects, the 27 new general hospitals, among other numerous projects are there as the evidence

ing for change, “you have punctured the strong base of PDP by getting the support of the Southeast and I think your time has come now.” Describing the APC Presidential candidate as “a man that is not corrupt or selfish”, Okorocha, debunked the insinuation that Buhari will Islamize Nigeria if elected, “how can Buhari Islamize Nigeria, when his driver and cook for over 30 years are both Christians and his running mate is a Pastor in one of the largest Pentecostal Churches”. The Imo Governor assured the people of the State that his second term will concentrate on creating wealth and employment through

massive industrialization of the state. He said, “I am not here to tell you what I have done in the last four years, I am here to tell you what I will do in the next four years. All the promises I made during my campaign, I have fulfilled all of them, the free education programme, the massive rural road projects, the 27 new general hospitals, among other numerous projects are there as the evidence”. Okorocha continued, “I charge you to come out and vote massively for the APC and stay behind and ensure that your votes are counted and protect your votes. Those planning to rig the election with security agents

have failed woefully because we can’t allow rigging in Imo. It will be totally impossible to rig the coming election in Imo”. In their submission, the Imo State traditional rulers appealed to Buhari to tackle the problems of unemployment, dilapidated roads, and other problems ravaging the people of the Southeast, if elected into power. The Chairman of the Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Samuel Ohiri, who spoke on behalf of the monarchs, described the long years of the marginalization of the Igbo irrespective of their immense contributions to national building and as a major tribe in Nigeria as the height of ingratitude. He lamented that Ndigbo are denied top Federal appointments, job opportunities, good roads, and other developmental projects by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government and hoped that the APC will address the issues when voted into power. Ohiri said that the traditional rulers were the worst hit by the level of corruption in the country because of their interaction with the people at the grassroots, who decry the constant diversion of Federal funds meant for empowerment and developmental projects for personal interest by greedy politicians.

‘We celebrate our candidate’

of Representatives. At the flag-off ceremony, Muazu, who was called up to the podium after Ikeje Asogwa and Governor Chime had presented their addresses, added to the profile of Ugwuanyi. The national chairman of the party said: “this is one of the most popular candidates I have ever met in this period of electioneering in our country”. He called on other aspirants who had run against the candidate to join hands with him and the party while also urging Ugwuanyi to work with all party faithful, whether they had run against him or not. He paid tributes to elder statesmen in the Southeast region such as Nnamdi Azikiwe, Nwafor Orizu, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu and others who have contributed immensely to the development of the country. He thanked people of the Southeast for their show of support and solidarity for the PDP which has made the party grow in leaps and bounds. Muazu thereafter formally handed over the party’s governor-

ship flag to Ugwuanyi, declaring that it was a flag of victory from the PDP. Hon. Ugwuanyi enjoys overwhelming support of Enugu PDP stakeholders, and the party faithful, many of whom have constituted over 100 support groups working to actualise his ambition. Recall that the party stakeholders in the three senatorial districts of the state had long adopted him as consensus governorship candidate before the primary election. A chieftain of the party and former member of the House of Representatives, Hon USA Igwesi described the handover of party flag to Ugwuanyi as a confirmation of victory for the PDP in Enugu State. He said that the development showed that the PDP believes in the popular will of the people. Chairman of the PDP in Amachalla/Ikpuiga ward, Mr Hyacinth Urama, praised the PDP for ensuring the maintenance of internal democracy in the party. Speaking with reporters after receiving the flag, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi thanked the party and the people of Enugu State for the

confidence reposed in him and assured that he would consolidate on the current gains and take the state to the next level of development. The Enugu PDP governorship flag bearer who promised a robust campaign enthused: “The presentation of the party’s flag to me by the President and our National Chairman is a call to duty, a charge to work hard with my governor and the rest of the team to deliver Enugu State to the PDP 100 per cent as has been the tradition; and that I will surely do, God being my helper”. Many curious supporters were quick to notice that Ayogu Eze, the Senate Committee chairman on Works, was conspicuously absent in the PDP rally. It was observed that few members of the PDP who still show solidarity to the Enugu North Senator were also not near the crowded stadium venue of the rally. What many took away from the rally was that Enugu is a strong PDP state but critical observers point out that the main challenge is how to convert the large turnout to actual votes.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 16, 2015

THE SOUTHEAST REPORT

NON-GOVERNMENTAL organisation, Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation has distributed items worth N1.3 million to various categories of the needy in Abia State’s Muslim community. Speaking in Umuahia, the state capital, while distributing the items, the executive director of the foundation, Imam Abdullahi Shuaib said that the foundation is a non-political and non-profit organisation determined to provide and improve the socio-economic and welfare services of the Muslim community. Imam Shuaib said that the foundation is into so many things such as giving support to the poor during and after fasting periods for Muslims, “Institutional and medical support to Islamic organisations and mosques, capacity building and vocational training in order to help the rich enrich the poor”. He said, “It is in fulfillment of these lofty goals that the foundation deemed it expedient and a matter of necessity to demonstrate practical brotherhood, concern and genuine love for the people of Abia State by extending its support to the beneficiaries of Zakat fund to help better their lives”. The executive director of the foundation said that it is disbursing fund and equipment worth over N1.3 million to over 35 indigenes as well as residents of the state, adding that the materials include two sewing machines, four motorcycles, while others will go home with different sums of money. Reacting to the gesture of the foundation an Islamic cleric and Vice President General, Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Suleiman Ukandu thanked the foundation for their concern towards the indigent Muslim people in the state and urged them to do more. The cleric however has attributed the insurgency within the

NE of the oldest monarchs in Ngwa area of Abia State, HRM Isaac Ikonne has called on politicians in the state and across the country to embrace peace during and after the electioneering process. The traditional ruler of Eziama said that the need for peace cannot be overemphasised. The revered traditional ruler was speaking when the All Progressives Congress’ presidential candidate, General

•Imam Shuaib (third left) with others

Zakat foundation gives to the needy ‘ From Ugochukwu Ugorji-Eke, Umuahia

North Eastern part of the Country to the mode of social production being practiced by the people and poverty rate in the country and called on those in authority to re-strategize for the good of the people. Ukandu said that what the foundation has done for the Muslim people in the state will go a long way in ensuring that the people of the state will forever remember them for the kind gesture, adding that neither the tenets of Christianity nor Islam allows for the shedding of innocent blood. He said: “Insurgency, no matter the religion you belong, is a social anomaly; it originated from our social mode of production. What is happening today is global; it is the mode of produc-

It is in fulfillment of these lofty goals that the foundation deemed it expedient and a matter of necessity to demonstrate practical brotherhood, concern and genuine love for the people of Abia State by extending its support to the beneficiaries of Zakat fund to help better their lives

tion, the whole world is experiencing the mode of production that has concentrated the wealth on the few. “All over the whole world, it has raised a lot problems, it has raised a lot of war, and for those

engaged in insurgency, the act of their religion is condemnable, both Christianity and Islam should not allow fundamentalism, it is the madness in the people that is following these people that are creating problems

Monarch urges peace From Sunny Nwankwo, Aba

Muhammadu Buhari and his entourage visited him on the party’s campaign tour of the state. The revered king said the unity of the country should be para-

mount to every politician and all Nigerians. “As you politicians criss-cross the country to canvass for votes you should allow peace be your watchword and this will in turn guarantee the unity of the country which I believe is paramount and sacrosanct.”

Eze Ikonne drew the attention of the former military Head of State to the deplorable condition of federal roads in Aba which he said needed urgent attention of the federal government to put in place to help commuters and motorists reduce their sufferings and save importers the cost of conveying their goods to the commercial heartbeat of the state. The monarch also drew his august visitor’s attention to lack of water and ineffective power supply, urging him to address these issues if God granted him victory at the polls.

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in the world; no tenet of any religion says that you should shed the blood of any innocent person”. On the significance of the event, Alhaji Ukandu disclosed that Zakat is one of the pillars of Islam. He said, “The essence is to specifically empower the poor people around us along religious divide, whether you are a Christian or Muslim, because Allah has enjoined charity in all of us, no matter the religion you are practicing , God has enjoined humanity, that we should ensure we remember the down trodden people among us.” He urged those empowered during the event to see the empowerment as a magnanimous occurrence from the almighty Allah, “They should give their lives to the almighty Allah and they should use what they have received to also empower others.” Highpoint of the event was the conferment and decoration of Ogbuagu 1 of Aba chieftaincy title on General Buhari by Eze Ikonne while 24 other traditional rulers assisted. Responding, General Buhari promised to tackle the numerous problems facing Aba in particular and the Southeast in general. He aslo urged the people to vote, adding that the conferment of the title has opened another chapter of a relationship between him and Abia people. Some APC stalwarts who witnessed the event were Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, ex-Governor Segun Oni, senators Osita Izunaso and Chris Nwabueze Ngige, among other members of the party.

As you politicians criss-cross the country to canvass for votes you should allow peace be your watchword and this will in turn guarantee the unity of the country which I believe is paramount and sacrosanct

•The APC supporters at the rally

PHOTO: OBI CLETUS

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 16, 2015

THE NATION FRIDAY JANUARY 16, 2015

NEWS Governor Mukhtar Yero of Kaduna State (left) presenting the 2014/2015 Overseas Scholaship award to a student, Malam Alamin Bello at the presentation of Scholarship Awards in Kaduna.

President Goodluck Jonathan unveiling the Cenotaph at the National Cemetery to mark the Armed Forces Remembrance Day in Abuja •Executive Secretary, TETFUND, Prof. Suleiman Bogoro (left), with Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed at a meeting of the FCT minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) supporters in Bauchi

•Beneficiaries of Kaduna State 2014/2015 Overseas Scholarship Award in Kaduna.

Venerable Atunwande Odubena (left) and Sir. Lanre Ogundeyi at a thanksgiving service to mark the New Year at St. Paul Church, Breadfruit in Lagos.

•Rev. Fathers at the Priests of Abuja Archdiocese Conference at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church Gwagwalada in Abuja.

•Parishioners of theSacred Heart Catholic Church, Gwagwalada at the Priests of Abuja Archdiocese Conference in Abuja.

•Coordinator, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Southeast Mr Major Eze (right), addressing reporters on the activities of his agency in Enugu

•From left: Somolu Local Government Council Manager Amodu Rasaak; Olisa Adefalujo; Executive Secretary Abiodun Orekoya; Olayemi Kassim Bashua and Tanwa Ajibade after their inauguration into the council’s Executive Committee.

•From left: Chief Executive Officer, Women In Focus and Entertainment (W.I.F.E MEDIA) and Organiser, Miss West Africa UK Ms. Chinonso Jenifa Asiegbu; Resident Country Coordinator, Save Nigeria 2015 Mr. Kennedy Iyere; Director General, National Orientation Agency (NOA) Mike Omeri and Miss West Africa UK 2014 and Youth Ambassador Ms. Victoria ChiChi Okafor at an advocacy visit on the 2015 general elections in Abuja.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 16, 2015

SHOWBIZ

Why Avatar sequel is delayed, by James Cameron

IRECTOR James Cameron has revealed that writing three Avatar sequels is such a complex job, giving reason he’s delaying the first new film a year and it will now be released in late 2017. Cameron plans to film the highly anticipated sequels at one time and then release the three films over consecutive years. The first had been due in late 2016, but he said the writing process had proved to be “very involved” and that the initial target date was probably too ambitious. “There’s a layer of complexity in getting the story to work as a saga across three films that you don’t get when you’re making a stand-alone film,” he

said in Wellington, New Zealand, on Wednesday, where he was helping promote the local film industry with other directors including Peter Jackson. According to Hollywood Reporter, Cameron, who is leading a team that’s writing the screenplays, said the goal was to have the scripts for the three movies completed by the end of this month. “We’re writing three simultaneously. And we’ve done that so that everything tracks throughout the three films. We’re not just going to do one and then make up another one and another one after that,” he said. “And parallel with that, we’re doing all the design. So we’ve designed all the creatures and the environments.” Cameron said he thought it was im-

portant that each film linked forward to the next one in a satisfying way but also came to a resolution so that the audience wasn’t left hanging. Released in 2009, Avatar became the highest-grossing film in history, with a box-office take of nearly $2.8 billion. It also won three Academy Awards. Cameron shot the original movie in New Zealand and is planning to shoot the sequels there. The films hail from Lightstorm Entertainment and 20th Century Fox. Producer Jon Landau, who is working with Cameron on the movies, said the team is taking greater security precautions, following the recent hack against Sony: “I will only say yes but will not tell you how,” he joked. • James Cameron

Cynthia Morgan risks contempt, says lawyer

ITH Nigerian artistes, Cynthia Morgan and Queen Ure still at war over the latter’s decision to sue to former for infringing on her intellectual property, entertainment lawyer, Akinyemi Ayinoluwa has called on both parties to exercise restraint. In December, 2014, Ure obtained a Federal High Court’s injunction, restraining Cynthia Morgan, as well as radio DJs and TV stations from playing Morgan’s song Popori, over claims of copyright infringement, an injunction which the court granted. “On their behalf and representing all members of the class defined as engaged in the trade of recording, publishing and distributing to the public, a music track/ album called Popori which same is the unauthorised replica of the

• Cynthia Morgan

By Ovwe Medeme

plaintiff’s album/music track called Porpori which is an infringement of the plaintiff’s copyright,” the injunction reads in part. Irked by the move, Morgan took to the internet, pouring invectives on Ure and the court, stating that nobody can prevent her from playing her song. The artiste released the song, Popori in November 2014, a pop single which is currently receiving airplay. However, as the lawyer explained, replica means same in constituents. All the similarities in the songs are limited to just the ‘title’ Popori. “If indeed the order is real, it would be contempt to act in disobedience. The order must have been obtained exparte, i.e. without notice to Cynthia Morgan. Now that they are aware, they will re-

Ruth Kadiri: I can’t marry a man with tattoo

Why Buhari is best option, by Seun Kuti

FRO beat singer and son of the late Fela AnikulapoKuti, Seun Kuti, has denied rumours that he asked people not to vote for the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari. Reacting to a report in two dailies (The Nation not included), Seun called on his fans to disregard the news about his negative stand on General Buhari’s candidacy. The singer, who said although he will not be voting any presidential candidate, described Buhari as “the best option to safeguard our nation at this moment in history.” Seun, noted that he was quoted

By Ovwe Medeme

out of context, explaining via his Facebook page that he will not vote Jonathan for his incompetence and Buhari for personal reasons. “I told the journalist who is a friend, until now, that it was personal that he jailed my father, an innocent man, and I didn’t see him for my first three years. Suddenly, that became ‘I never saw my dad and I said people shouldn’t vote Buhari’. What caught my eye is that the bastard (referring to the journalists) didn’t say anything about not voting for Jonathan. So after all the backdoor approach didn’t yield any fruits, they want to hi-

• Seun Kuti

jack my thoughts and words to support Jonathan,” Seun posted.

‘Our songs have gone global’ By Mercy Michael

• Monica Swaida

spond by filing a response that states their defence to the claims made and also seek an order to vacate the order obtained by Ure,” he stated. Ayinoluwa also said that it is possible to hold Morgan in contempt for lashing out at the court that granted the injunction. “With statements that disparages the court, she could be dealt with for contempt, abusing the court or disobeying its orders,” he added. Although Ure maintains that she owns the copyright to the word, Porpori, since she created the slang, Morgan’s argument lies in the spelling of the word. Ure came fully into the music industry in 2012 with her single, A Better Place. Later in 2012, she dropped her first video for her song Porpori and a 15-track album with the same title.

FTER cutting her teeth in show-biz as backup singer for the likes of Majek Fashek, the late Sunny Okosun and Evi Edna Ogoli, America-based Nigerian singer, Monica Omorodion Swaida moved to the U.S. Now, she is not only a singer, but also a filmmaker. Recently, she released her debut album Monicanization as a solo artiste, after calling it quits with former rap group called Sound on Sound (SOS). Comparing music in Nigeria to that of America, the multi-talented act said, “I am not sure if there is much difference in music anywhere in the world. The world is a small place now with information technology. Nigerian music is played here in the clubs and parties in America and likewise foreign music in Nigeria. Our African music has gone global. “As a Nigerian singer, people don’t need to understand a word of what you are saying to enjoy your music. ‘I speak a lot of Pidgin English in my music and I teach Americans about Pidgin English. They have to understand me, not us always trying to understand them.” Swaida, who sings Ballad, Raggae, Highlife, Afro beat and Hip hop, also manages a film production outfit called Minocanization Production Inc. She has produced two movies, including her latest, Faces of Love in which she worked with America-based Nigerian cinematographer and director, Robert Peters. Married to an American, Monica said she gets all the support she needs from her husband.

ULTRY Nollywood actress, Ruth Kadiri, has said that she can’t be caught dead wearing a tattoo. The actress said she’s indifferent about the fashion-fetish popular among creative people, but that she doesn’t see herself putting one on her body. “Some people can handle it. For those who can handle it, why not? But when it is too much, I have a problem with it.” The Matters Arising star, when asked if she could have a tattoo in her boyfriend’s name on her body said, “Those who did it in the past, it didn’t favour them, so why will I go and do it?” What if her man decides to tattoo her on his body? She said, “Who will date the kind of man that will tattoo you on his body. What kind of man is that one?” Asked if she is merely trying to be a good girl, she answered: “What makes somebody a good girl? I’m not a good girl, but I’m not a bad girl either. I don’t like the tattoo fashion, but I take alcohol”. Talking about some of her ‘raunchy pic-

By Mercy Michael

tures’ which went viral on the internet late last year, the actress said, “I noticed that whenever I want to take pictures, the first posture that comes to my mind is to have my hands going towards my boobs. I don’t even know why I do this myself.”

• Ruth Kadiri

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 16 2015

COMMENTARY

...A

ND fear a calamity that may descend not only on those who incurred it but also on the innocent ones (who knew nothing about its genesis). Know that Allah’s retribution can be severe.’’ Quran 8:25. Dear Inspector General of Police, This is not the first letter coming to you from ‘The Message’ column. If you can recall, the first one was written to you immediately you were appointed as acting Inspector-General of Police last year. This one is, no doubt, coming to you at a very precarious time in the history of Nigeria. Its contents are motivated by a mixture of hope and gloom not only on the part of this columnist but also on that of the generality of Nigerians. A similar letter was written to your immediate predecessor on assumption of office in 2011 and he did not find its taste sour even though he never expressed any sweetness of it. Considering the experience of the past decades in which most of your predecessors made promises and ate up their words almost immediately, this letter would not have been necessary. But since seasons of life are not the same, fruits of different trees cannot be graded alike. Personalities in public offices differ on the bases of their pedigrees and upbringing. You should be conscious of this while you remain in the glare of Nigerian public. Just remember that no matter how long you stay in that office it remains transient and posterity will audit your actions and inaction after your exit. Some people were there before you whose tenures are now history from which you are supposed to learn a lesson. Your own tenure too will soon become history from which those coming behind you will learn a lesson. Such a lesson may be positive or negative depending on what you do or refuse to do while you held sway in office. Ordinarily, I would have tarried a little longer before putting pen to paper on a number of issues affecting the corporate existence of Nigeria and Nigerians, especially in relation to security which is directly under your purview. But the current boiling situation at hand gives no room for such luxury of time. By the way, I do not know whether or not you are familiar with this column called ‘THE MESSAGE’ being published in Nigeria’s foremost newspaper called The Nation. But if you ask some people around you especially those who manage the image of Nigeria Police you may be told that ‘THE MESSAGE’ is not an ordinary column but one that is worth its name in contents and in essence. Having started in Concord about 33 years ago (1982), the column has consistently served as a pilot for Nigerian conscience on many national issues to the benefit of all and sundry. As a reader, you may not like the guts of its writer especially the linguistic dictum with which the column is written but in the long run you will tend concur with its hard facts which confirm that truth are truly bitter. Reminiscences Letters similar to this had been written to former Presidents (Olusegun) Obasanjo, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and even Goodluck Jonathan. Thus, any advice or suggestion offered you here should not be seen as an intrusion. ‘The Message’ as a column curries no favour and knows no juggernaut when it comes to calling a spade a spade. When your appointment as Acting Inspector General of Police was announced by the Presidency last year, it held many Nigerians nonplussed and beat the imagination of some lobbyists among your contemporaries. But those who knew you closely with your antecedent and your worth were quick to give testimonies as justification for your appointment. Besides, those who appointed you knew what you were capable of doing. When the two sides are juxtaposed, One must thank God for you even though I had never met you in person. The hope was that you would not be a disappointment like some of your predecessors. In retrospect Shortly after your immediate predecessor assumed office in 2011, he brought many surprises to bear. He did not only cancel police road blocks throughout the country, an action that was received with mix feelings because of the previous experiences, he also gave an impression that he was in office to clear the rottenness with which the Nigeria Police was characterised and to sanitise that colourlessness of the Force. However, despite the unbridled skepticism that greeted some of his policies and the surreptitious pressure from the beneficiaries of the rot at that time, he firmly stood his

FEMI ABBAS ON femabbas756@gmail.com 08115708536

Letter to IGP ground. As a man from a seemingly impeccable pedigree, he never took an incursion either into the territory of the legislature or that of the judiciary. Thus, he did not wear any partisan garb that could tempt him towards surging into a strange arena. I think he was always remembering the words of wisdom with which he was imbued from home that ‘good name is worthier than gold and silver’. Please, be informed that his initial principled policies endeared him, if briefly, to many Nigerians who valued decency and civility. Today, Nigerians across board continue to appreciate the daring courage with which he surmounted a major part of the problem of insecurity in the land mostly constituted by men of Nigeria Police. Because you were then a senior member of that Force, you might not know the extent of the relief he temporarily brought to Nigerians and the rate of reduction in corruption he induced through some of the decisions he took as IGP but posterity will bear witness to it all at the right time. At least, the rate of killing ‘bloody civilians’ by the junior police officers for failing to ‘deliver the goods’ reduced drastically. It was the belief of this column, when you took over, that the footprint of your predecessor would continue to be firmly imprinted on the sands of time. But that is yet to be seen. Rather, the once partially friendly office of the IGP has become so imperially contemptuous that the members of the public do not want to do with it any longer. Some incidents like those of ‘Apo Seven’ (in Abuja) in which some innocent water drawers were mowed down like summer weeds on a mere, unconfirmed suspicion that they were members of the dreaded Boko Haram insurgency; the unwarranted police intimidation in Ekiti and Osun states during the gubernatorial elections in both states; the use of Police Force to seal up the Rivers State Governor’s office and the unprecedented police brutality against the Speaker as well as the members of the House of Representatives were some of the impressions you have already created in Nigerians about your style of leadership. By Nigerian’s understanding of democracy, such unwarranted official brigandage was just a reminder of the brutal military days in governance. Indices of Security ‘THE MESSAGE’ like some other sensible Nigerians believe that in a normal society, security is not just the absence of war and pandemonium but the presence of confidence and trust in the leadership by the populace. In other words, insecurity is like a suffocating smoke hovering ceaselessly in the atmosphere and polluting the air for everybody, thereby preventing proper breathing. To stop such smoke in order to save lives, what should be done is not to dispel it with a crude local fan but to search for the fire place from which the smoke is oozing out of the chimney in order to quench it once and for all. It must be known that no such smoke can ever be dispelled as long as the fire remains kindled beneath the chimney. As a police officer of note, you may not necessarily display the various measures you have in the kitty for achieving peace but you must have a way of measuring your performance through self-assessment. If you discover that you are getting the same unfavourable result every time from the same effort it is only reasonable that you change your method. Preventing crimes is far more sensibly effective than reacting to them after they might have committed. With my little experience of how security functions in some other countries outside Africa, south of the Sahara, I believe that your duty as the boss of Nigeria Police is not merely to deploy ‘the boys’ to the field with guns to brutalise and intimidate the populace but more to ensure minimum use of force and maximum protection of lives. That is the method in civilised countries and that should be the method in Nigeria.

Security by other means If you study the situation in some states in the Southern part of Nigeria especially the Southwest, you will discover that most of those states have technically devised security in the society by other means. What most of the governments in those states did was to employ about 20, 000 jobless youths and engage them in various ways while paying them what can be termed a token by the standard of Nigerian economy. Small as that token is, however, it saves a lot of hassle security wise. Yet, despite that devise, there are still hundreds of thousands of such jobless youths roaming the streets aimlessly in the cities and towns like Egyptian gypsies of yore. One major hope in that effort, however, is that those youths understand that they cannot all be employed at once. And those among them who are wandering about know that some of their cousins or other siblings have been somehow employed and that alone is a consolation. Otherwise, each region of the country would have been plunged into a state of anarchy by now. If the states could do that, why can’t the Federal Government do same? Mr. IGP, security is not about the ability of the police to quell the fire of any crisis. It is more about the trust and confidence which the populace repose in the performance of the government as well as the credibility accruing from that performance. It is only when the majority of people trust the government on its performance that support can come to the government in managing security in the land. As of now, this cannot be said to be true of Nigeria. Hunger in the land Millions of citizens are hungry. They have no means of feeding. Millions are orphans. They have nobody to care for them in life. Millions are widows who will do anything to survive. Millions are aged and wretched whose only hope in life (pension) is audaciously being embezzled by the vampires in government who do not pray to see old age with comfort. Yet millions more are looking for jobs to engage in even if they will be paid pittance. And to them, the government is indifferent. Yet the same government wants peace to reign in the country. It wants Nigerians to be patriotic and Nigeria to be great. What a contradiction? Can any nation be great on idleness and hunger? Currently, the general focus is on the vandals called Boko Haram who are masquerading under the cloak of Islam to perpetrate what Islam forbids. But insecurity is much more than that in Nigeria. There is a ubiquity of idle army of youths in every part of the country who are ready to do anything for any amount of money. Such youths are a potent tool in the hands of mischief makers like politicians especially now that elections are approaching. If you want to confirm this, please, take off some early morning hours on a number of days to visit some newspaper stands in various parts of the country. Pretend to be one of the free readers and listen to the discussions of our youths. From there you will automatically concur that Nigeria is truly a keg of gunpowder waiting to explode at any time. These youths spend every day of the week at those newspaper stands discussing politics in the morning, economy in the afternoon and sports towards the evening. And when it is twilight, they all disperse to their various houses only to regroup the following morning. That is their way spending their days and of warding off boredom. Will you blame them? The question is this: if they do not spend their days that way how else will they spend them? Some of them are university or polytechnic graduates who want to work either in offices or on farms but there are no provi-

sions for them. Yet on their very nose some political demagogues are stealing or embezzling billions of naira which these youths know for sure that belong to all Nigerians. Mr. IGP, if any or some of these youths are your children and you are so helpless what would you do? Another category of idle Nigerians contains the millions of men and women who have resorted to begging as a calling because there is nothing else for them to do. What Saudi Arabia, a fellow OPEC member, is doing to solve such problem is to earmark a chunk in the annual budget for such people either as grants or loans. And that is why an average Saudi citizen will do anything in defence of his or her country. Can we sincerely talk of patriotism in Nigeria? God forbid a situation in which Nigeria will engage in an international war. Judging by the present situation, any defeat that may arise from such a war will come not from the enemies but from the citizens who will sell out due to long time suffered neglect and frustration engendered by abject poverty. FGN’s duty If, like the Southern states mentioned above, the Federal government too can employ at least 20, 000 in each state of the federation, wouldn’t the labour market shrink and thereby reduce the rate of danger constituted by idle hands? What is the Federal Government doing with over 52% of the federal income it allocates to itself every month? If we have a central government in place that abdicates its responsibilities by zoning every one of its duties to the so-called privatisation, why do we need a central government? And if the government cannot manage roads, electricity, water, education, health, railway, aviation, and even security for decades what qualifies it for a government? If I were the IGP my advice to President Jonathan would have been to break the backbone of the so-called Boko Haram by mopping up the labour market from which that obnoxious group recruits suicide bombers. This could be done by employing the youths in those areas massively even if they would be deployed to farms. Nobody willingly wants to die. But when people are overwhelmed by poverty in the midst of plenty, the tendency is to ask themselves questions about the value of their lives. Can you imagine a married young man volunteering to engage in suicide bombing just for N7500 as confessed by some arrested criminals sometime ago? Can you also imagine some female teenagers in blowing themselves up with bombs or other explosives? Can this sincerely be for the purpose of religion? How can one be sure that such teenagers are not acting under duress due to poverty? If each of such people is paid even only N10, 000 every month and he or she is sure of its consistency, will such a devilish venture as suicide bid thrive?Yet, we do not know where the billions and trillions of naira being incessantly stolen with impunity by government officials are going. All we are hearing is investigation into every case of corruption. But amazingly, the more we hear of investigations, the wider the tentacle of corruption in the land becomes. Where are we going from here? Learning from hindsight Many Nigerians do not know what the late President Musa Yar’Adua saved Nigeria with his ingenuous unconditional amnesty granted the South-South militant groups on a platter of gold some years back. Perhaps if President Jonathan had adopted a similar policy about three or four years ago, Nigeria would have been saved from today’s shameful embarrassment of Boko Haram menace. But it is not too late. A major part of security is to advise the President on such issues and that is part of your duty. You cannot rely on guns alone to wrestle down people classified as faceless who are fighting a guerrilla war. You will only end up subjecting millions of innocent people to undeserved massacre. We have had enough of the shedding of innocent bloods. Let the government be responsible and peace will automatically return to Nigeria. There can be no separate laws for the rulers and the ruled. Governance is like a water stream which can easily become undrinkable for the majority if it is polluted by the minority who are drinking from its source. If the truth must be told, corruption is the tap root of insecurity in Nigeria. Whoever wants to secure Nigeria must stop corruption by example. As a Chief security officer, this is the message you should deliver to the President with courage. And by so doing, you will become a foundation layer of corruption eradication. With corruption remaining a monster, no one should dream of either peace or greatness for this country. A word is enough for the wise. The quoted Qur’anic verse at the beginning of this article is a summary of reason-ability for those who need the truth. Long live Nigeria!

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 16, 2015

SOCIETY The remains of Pa Elkanah Olatunji Kobnah Williams, father of Mrs Olanike Disu, director in the Lagos State Board of Internal Revenue (LSBIR), have been buried after a funeral service at the St. David’s Anglican Church, Lafiaji, Lagos. JOSEPH JIBUEZE, was there.

‘A generous soul departs’ T HE late Pa Elkanah Olatunji Kobnah Williams was many things to many people. He was a loving father to his children, a dependable ally to his friends and a supportive grandfather to his grand-children, who found him approachable. His death was a shock to those who knew him. Though sad, the family is consoled that he lived a fulfilled life. Born to a Ghanaian mother and a Nigerian father on February 6, 1928, the late Williams began his career in maritime at Elder Dempster Shipping Lines. He also worked at Transcot, before joining the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) in 1957. He was a staunch member of the St David’s Anglican Church in Lafiaji on Lagos Island. He was a chorister for 42 years, and a member of the parish council. The late Williams is survived by Margaret, his wife of 62 years; children, grand-children, brothers, sisters, nephews and nieces. He was interred at the Ikoyi Cemetery in Lagos after the funeral service. Reception follwed at the City Hall on Catholic Mission Street, Lagos Island. The setting oozed class. The glittering expansive hall was decorated with white drapes, hanging round the walls and across the hall. The tables had an assortment of grey, red and white linen overlays; gold-coloured stands added beauty to the setting. The day’s colour was royal blue, white and tomato red. Many men and women turned out in eye-catching attires. At the service, a moment of silence was observed, while hymns were sung, including the late Williams’ favourite (I.O.M 309), which was rendered by the children. Venerable Jide Adebayo, who gave the sermon titled: ‘Two sides of the gospel”, said the late Williams was the “father of the church cathedral”. He said the family could take comfort in the knowledge that their father knew Christ while alive. The preacher urged the mourners to repent. “Repentance is key. Without it there can be no forgiveness,” Adebayo said. According to him, death is a sign of God’s sovereignty. Man, he said, may be rich and wise, but “the Joker of life is in God’s hands.” He said death comes to both the young and

the old, but everyone would answer to God on how they lived. “One day we’ll say bye-bye to this world. Death is inevitable; the only thing that is uncertain is when it will come. My prayer is that God will give you enough years in your life to make amends,” the venerable said. He described the late Williams as a forthright man who fought passionately for any cause he believed in. “He was a proper ‘Omo Eko’, but he had listening ears. He was always at the Elders’ Bible study. He was a man known for honesty and was so well-respected and celebrated,” Adebayo added. His first son, Tunde, said his father cared for his family till death. “He is a mother in a father’s image (like a foul to her chicks). He was a defender of the weak, and fought other people’s fight when cheated,” he said. The late Williams’ daughters, Mrs Ronke Adewale and Mrs Olanike Disu, in their tributes, described their father as very caring. “He loved to a fault. He lived a life of sacrifice. He was kind hearted, humble, a good and loving husband to his wife and a caring father to his children,” Mrs Adewale said. For Mrs Disu, who is a director in the Lagos Board of Internal Revenue, her father’s life was full of loving deeds. “I remember days he went to work even when he didn’t feel well just to make some extra money for his family. “Education meant so much to him such that he used his land at Ijeshatedo (Lagos) as collateral for a loan to pay my fees while I studied in the university in the United States,” she recalled. The late Williams’ grandchildren also had fond memories of him. His grand-daughter, Omoyeni Disu wrote: “My ice cream partner as I always call him, always readily available to have ice cream and cake with me while we sit and talk about the most random things from clothes to women and politics, it was never a dull moment with grand-pa.” The late Williams studied at the St Saviour High School and St Gregory’s College, Obalende, where he sat for and obtained his Cambridge certificate. He retired from NPA in 1988 after 31 years of service.

•Mrs Toyin Ipaye (left) and Alhaja Risikat Adam

•Ronke Adewale (left) and MrsDisu

•Tunde Harrison (left) and Tunde Williams

•Lydia Saka (left) and Teju Sanmorin

CAROL

•From left: Special Adviser to General Overseer and pastor in charge of region 1 Pastor Funsho Odesola; Pastor [Mrs] Rachael Odesola, Area Pastor of Dominiion Sanctuary Redeemed Christian Church of God Pastor Afolabi Babalola, Pastor In wcharge of zone 5 Jonathan Kurchi and Ayo Olubiyi parish pastor during christmas carol at the Redeemed Christian Church of God Dominion Santuary. PHOTO: SOLOMON ADEOLA

PHOTOS: ADEJO DAVID

DINNER

•Chairman, Edo College Old Boys Association (ECOBA), Mr Godwin Ize-Iyamu flanked by Alhaji Zak Momodu (left) and Dr Osarieme Bazuaye during the annual dinner of the Lagos branch of ECOBA at Ruby Garden, Lekki, Lagos

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 16, 2015

S OCIETY Hug For the Needy Foundation, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), that caters for widows and orphans, was born last Saturday at NECA Event Hub in Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos State. SAFIYYAH ABDUR-RAZAQ writes.

COMMUNICATE YOUR IDEAS Motivational speakers my foot!

•From left: Pastor Afolabi; Mrs Shola Adesanya–Adeogun; Mr Lateef Oloyede; Mr Olorundamilola, his wife, Oluwafunmilayo and Wale Aderibigbe PHOTO: SOLOMON ADEOLA

OR the President of Hug For the Needy Foundation, Pastor Felix Olorundamilola, it was a day of fulfilment. It was the official launch of the foundation and the celebration of his 50th birthday. The NECA Event Hub in Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos State was tastefully decorated in blue and white for the twin event. The celebrator was dressed in black suit, his wife, Oluwafunmilayo, dazzled in black dress and blue jewelry, with matching shoes. The Chairman on the occasion, Pastor Peter Oludipe, urged the guests to do good. He said: “What you do in life is what people would say about you when you die.”

Lending a helping hand The celebrator’s wife assisted him to cut his 50th birthday cake. It was followed by the inauguration of the four-member board of trustees for the foundation. Inaugurating the board, Pastor Oludipe said: “The poor would never cease to exist in the land. It is part and parcel of this day. I pray that God should use you to be a blessing to people around you.” The celebrator appreciated his guests for coming and said he was using the opportunity of his birthday to make the foundation public and to raise funds. He said: “The foundation was founded in October 2009

and has been running on private funding. I am using the occasion of the birthday to make it as public as it can be and to inaugurate the members of the board of trustees. He said he feels great, good and happy that he is able to make 50. “I have always thought of 50 as too far. Now that I have made it, I am grateful,” he said. He said he is not completely fulfilled because his foundation has not been thriving as much as he would like. He said the NGO has been using private funds in the past five years, noting that it needs to attract public funds and philanthropic

organisations to help it. He urged Nigerian youths not to lose hope easily. “Nigerian youths should not lose hope. They should not give up. There are public-spirited people out there that are ready to assist,” he said. The board of trustees Chairman, Pastor Simeon Afolabi said the foundation was established to assist the widows, helpless and the needy in the society. “The foundation is there to lend them a helping hand and provide for their basic needs” He described the celebrator as a man that has passion for the poor and needy in the society.

WEDDING

•The couple, Olugbemiga and Olubunmi

•From right: Bride parents, Mr Adeyemi Ogunlokun, his wife, Mojisola and bride’s sister, Mrs Titilayo Adeyemo

•Groom's parents, Mr Lawrence Dada and his wife, Felicia

•Mr Bayode Ogundele and his wife, Bamidele

OTIVATIONAL speakers are frauds, they are cheats." "They share principles that they can't support with their personal experiences." "They only stir up emotions." These and several other statements are very common when people talk about motivational speaking. People feel embittered, and rightly so, LANRE OLAOLU AMODU about some persons who make money off "naïve" audi- (Ph.D) sospeak2lanre@yahoo.com. 07034737394 ence by downloading infor@lanreamodu mation from books and sharspeak through their "hard ing them without proofs. earned" experiences. While I agree completely, I Our focus today is not necesmust also be quick to say that sarily the speaker but the there are several people who speech. While someone may have acquired the right to consider a speaker selfish, gain oriented and fraudulent, the message itself may be of value. Sometime ago, we examined how the credibility of a speaker can affect audience's response to the message. Now, however, I want us to isolate the speech and examine it on its own merit. I am not talking about a particular speech but I am telling you that in 2015, you need to be motivated. Motivation, according to Wordweb, is "The psychological feature that arouses an organism to action toward a desired goal." Hence, a motivational speech aims at arousing listeners to take action in order to achieve their desired goals. What better thing do we need to start the year right? Wouldn't you prefer to listen to information that propels you towards something worthwhile than one that convinces you that you are doomed to fail? Let's examine a few grudges that people have against motivational speeches and how we can convert them for our benefit: •They stir up emotions: a lot of people believe that a motivational speech only takes one on an emotional trip, after which it does nothing. They believe that the speed with which you get excited during the speech is the speed with which you lose the excitement afterwards. Well, one thing we have to learn about emotions is that they are transient. Someone who was happy a few minutes ago may be sad now. However, the fact that they change does not make them bad; it just means that we have to learn how to manage them. I read a little about rockets, particularly the United States' NASA Space Shuttle. I discovered that it made use of Solid Rocket Boosters (SRBs), which provided about 83% of the thrust needed for liftoff by the shuttle within the first two minutes of its flight. The boosters helped to launch the space shuttle into earth orbit but were dropped after the fuel was expended. After the rocket discarded the boosters, the rocket's engine continued the job. Relating this to emotions, particularly excitement, my perspective is that when one is excited, energy is released, that is why some people shout or even jump. The purpose of the emotion is to launch us upward, just like the rocket boosters, but our own engines must take over the job. Just as boosters don't last, emotions don't too, but we can't do without them. In 2015, expose yourself to information that will generate the kind of energy you need for liftoff, but remember it is only half of the job. You need more that emotions to arrive at your destination. Getting the information is one thing, using it effectively is quite another. •They paint the picture of a glamorous future: some people hate motivational speeches because they make the future seem like a garden of roses. I don't have any problem with that at all. Is there anyone who desires a future that is worse than the present? God forbid. Of course, whoever is painting that glamourous picture must also enlighten the listeners of the price that must be paid for such a future, which I believe should include diligence, among other things. While I don't believe in baseless dreams, I believe that there is no point dreaming of a future that is not better than the present. Hence, your dream must be good enough to make you sacrifice the pleasures of the present to achieve it. A lot of times, people are too deep in their depressing situations that they need someone to give them a reason to hope. Les Brown, one of the world's leading public speakers said, "you can't see a picture when you are in the frame." I believe you need someone who has been where you are now and who believes that you can find your way to where you want to be if only you make the right efforts. •They de-emphasise challenges and focus on opportunities: it's interesting how something that is meant to make people feel good make them angry. Some people are really mad that some motivational speeches make the audience take their attention off the problem. For as long as the speech doesn't deny that there are challenges along the way to success, I think it is a great thing. A lot of people are too afraid of problems to consider the possibility of success. Motivational speeches draw from the stories of the speakers to encourage listeners not to stop trying. This presupposes that the speaker has a proof of achieving success in spite of obvious challenges. I am not suggesting that you go out there and grab the materials of just any motivational speaker. My point is that you need to be motivated. You need to boost your speed by knowing that there is a future worth fighting for. Why not be inspired by someone who is producing good results in your area of interest? Dr. Amodu teaches at the Department of Mass Communication, Covenant University, Ogun State.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 16, 2015

S OCIETY Son of Eletu-Odibo of Lagos from the Etu Odibo Royal Family, Prince Kazeem Eletu-Odibo, has wedded Princess Kate Orukpe of Ugboha Ishan in Edo State. The lavish wedding held last Saturday at the KFA Events Centre in Lekki, Lagos. TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO was there.

•Ojora of Ijoraland Oba Fatai Aromire flanked his Olori and Chief Tajudeen Gbadamosi

A royal wedding •The couple, Prince Kazeem and Princess Kate

•Chief Mumuni (left) and Mr Femi Adeniregun

•Bride’s mum, Mrs Blackie Orukpe

•Sam Damilola Adegbayi (left) and Assistant Inspector-General (AIG) of Police (Zone 2), Alhaji Umar Abubakar Manko

OR most residents of Lekki, and passersby along Lekki-Epe Expressway, seeing exotic cars of various brands is common. They are many in the neighbourhood and are clear signs of affluence. But when a long row of such exotic cars with a royal emblem and insignia of royal authority suddenly shows up in a convoy, attention will certainly be focused on whatever is responsible for that. Such was the scenario last Saturday in Lekki when a convoy of no less than 12 exotic cars comprising the very best automobiles with royal emblem, drove majestically along the Lekki-Epe Expressway as if it was a road show. But it was not. People watched in awe as the convoy streamed into the KFA Events Centre in Lekki, Lagos. It was a wedding procession done in a carnival-like manner with police escort of four horse riders. Alighting from the white Rolls Royce was a Lagos ‘big boy’ Prince Kazeem Eletu-Odibo, son of the Eletu-Odibo of Lagos, the traditional prime minister to the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu. The title is important. In fact, its holder stands as the first among equals with his fellow king makers. There is a popular adage – “Etu ko si nile, Oba ko je meaning a king cannot be crowned in the absence of the Eletu.” It was, therefore, not surprising that the

•Chief Pius Akinyelure

•Mr Fola Tinubu

•Chief Bisi Olatilo

wedding became the talk of the town in the last few weeks. It indeed, lived up to peoples’ expectation. The groom was cute in his butter colour flowing Agbada made from Aso Oke, a green cap, an expensive eye spectacles with royal bead and a golden chain on his neck. His entry into the hall caused stir – many guests wowed at the large entourage that came with him, with some men holding the royal family big flag leading the way. ‘Austin K’ as Prince Kazeem is fondly called by his associates and friends, was ushered to his seat with some Yoruba Oriki (cognomen) said by the popular Sulaiman Ayilara, otherwise known as Ajobiewe. This was followed by a brief dance session. Not quite long, the gorgeously dressed bride, Princess Kate Orukpe from Ugboha Ishan in Edo State stepped out of her state-of-the-art car, with infectious smiles. She was equally escorted into the hall in the same manner. Princess Kate was immediately led to her husband’s family where she received their blessings. She was then led to her husband with Onyeka Onwenu’s classical song – You And I Will Live As One – playing on the background. She knelt and greeted her husband with all

•Daughters of former Vice-President Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Mrs Maryam Mumuni (right) Aminat Atiku Abubakar

•From left: Sir Jimi; Adewale Oladapo; Abdullah Arisekola and Remi Oguntoye

humility before taking her seat beside him and the traditional marriage ceremony kicked off. It began with the reading of both letters of marriage proposal and acceptance. These were mere formalities as the conduct of the couple left no one in doubt that their union was made in heaven. After this, the couple danced to the delight of their family members before exchanging engagement and wedding rings. This was closely followed with the cutting of their lovely big cake. The reception took off immediately with the Nollywood Actor, Francis Duru as anchor. The popular Mr Ibu, Sim Card and a few other notable comedians, added colour to the reception. It, however, was not far from being called an assemblage of movie stars as respected Actor Ejike Asiegbu came in with other actors such as Chinedu Ikedieze (of the Aki and Paw Paw fame) to mesmerize the quests. As if that was not enough, Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo also led Yoruba actors and actresses into the hall. The icing on the cake was the galaxy of hiphop artistes that came on stage one after the other to thrill not only the couple, but the guests as well. They included 9ice, Sean Tizzle, Jawon, Oritsafemi and Nosa. The reception commenced with Chief Waheed Gbadamosi, the head of Eletu-Odibo family

saying the opening prayer. The Chairman on the day and the Aare Jagunmade of Lagos, Chief Nurain Abayomi Mumuni, congratulated the couple, urging them to continue loving each other. According to him, love conquers everything. He wished the couple a successful union. DJ Humility was on top of his game as he dished out songs that kept the hall alive. There were also live musical performances by the legendary Bonsue Fuji creator, Adewale Ayuba. Family members, associates, and friends all had a lot to eat and drink to satisfaction. An elated groom, who is the Chairman of Kazeem Royal Properties Limited, thanked God for making the day a reality. Prince Kazeem described his wife as a pretty and wonderful woman. “She was there for me, when I was a nobody. She is loyal, understanding, loving and caring,” he said. Princess Kate said: “I feel fulfilled being married to the one I love and I want to spend the rest of my life with him. He is a good man; very loving and understanding.” The couple, based in Paris, France, met some years ago and are blessed with three children AbdulFatah, AbdulMalik and Fawaz. Last Saturday event was to formalise their union.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 16, 2015

N EWS The remains of All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain and founder, Last Plane of Salvation Assembly, Rev Adetunji Adebiyi, have been interred in Ijoko, Ogun State. MUSA ODOSHIMOKHE was there.

‘He was a man of faith’ I

T was a solemn ceremony as the remains of an All Progressives Congress (APC) Chieftain and Founder, Last Plane of Salvation Assemby, Rev. Adetunji Adebiyi, were interred in Ijoko, Ogun State, last week. Adebiyi died last December 15. He was 59. The funeral service took place in the church at 12 Oyeleye Street, Mojisola, Gas Line, Ijoko-Ota in Ogun State. It attracted political stalwarts across party lines, members of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), rights activists, friends and well-wishers. The service began with praise worship. Mounting the podium, the officiating priest, Rev. Abel Onifade of First Baptist Church in Iragberi in Osun State, drew the congregation’s attention to bearing Adebiyi’s body. He said everybody would go the same way one day. He said the late Adebiyi etched himself in people’s minds because of his piety. Rev Onifade said: ‘’Today Adebiyi is with his Maker; he has played his part and we should emulate him knowing that one day we will not be here again. What the people say about us is equally very important and I stand to be corrected. ‘’We should emulate the good life of Adebiyi, he was a good Christian and as we celebrate him, we should remember that this place on earth is a phase in our life and how we live it will be accounted for.’’ To the family, he said: ‘’I charge you to hold on to Christ. Adebiyi was a man of prayer and if there is one lesson he left for us it is prayer and through prayer you will overcome.’’ For the fear of God, he said, the late Adebiyi chose to complete the

•The widow, Mrs Eunice Adebiyi (second left) and children of the deceased, from left: Obafemi ; Victiria; Boluwatife and Opeyemi

•Chief Opadokun (left) and Rear Admiral Kanu

church building instead of his own building. Onifade called on the late Adebiyi’s friends to rally round his family to complete his house. The widow and the children were clad in pink traditional attire. Former Lagos State governor and NADECO chairman Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu said the late Adebiyi played a key role in the enthronment of democracy. NADECO, he said, would honour him soon. Kanu said: ‘’The journey to the present democracy has been fought and won but we have not got there. The man that lies here played such a role that many who are where they are today maybe doing well or not doing well, would not have been there but for what this man did. ‘’He gave the country his best, and on that note the family should take heart, and be proud; the church should take heart, and all pro-democracy group should take heart.’’ Coalition of Democrats for Electoral Reform (CODER) Convener Ayo Opadokun said he met the late Adebiyi in 1988 when he was a computer salesman. He said: ‘’In fact, the first computer machines that NADECO utilised for its activities until I returned from prison were bought from his com-

pany. He came up to me and we were together in Egbe Ilosiwaju Omo Yoruba. He was very helpful for our reformation and understanding, whatever we say about NADECO today will not be complete without the mention of Tunji. ‘’It was Tunji that circulated the document written by NADECO after I was captured by the late Gen Abacha junta to all media houses, diplomatic community and especially our leaders from different parts of the country. I am talking about the Southeast, Southwest and the Middle Belt. ‘’I can tell you that I was in a hidden place donated to me by Admiral Kanu, only Tunji knew where I was hiding. I was living at the eighth floor of the building; Tunji would have to carry a bucket of water sometimes three times in a day to enable me refresh.” Lagos State APC Chairman Dele Ajomale promised that government would sponsor the children who are in higher institutions. He said it was unfortunate that Adebiyi died when he was needed most. He said the late Adebiyi, was expected to write the tributes of older people like him and not the other way round.

•From left: Otunba Ajomale; Hon Bamidele and Mr Bayo Adesanya PHOTOS: DAYO ADEWUNMI

Ajomale said: ‘’I have known him for more than 30 years and whatever he did was with the concern of how it affected others. We were in South Africa and I noticed that every morning, he would rush out of the premises we stayed. I once called him and asked ‘Tunji where are you always rushing to every morning?’ He told me it was to seek admission for one of his students. That was the kind of person Tunji was. ‘’I thank God for his life, he lived it well, full of positive deeds; although I am older than him he departed at a time we needed him most. For what the Reverend requested about the completion of the house he abandoned, it is already considered and government has approved scholarship for his children,’’ he said. House Representatives member Hon Opeyemi Bamidele urged activists not to abandon the family, noting that he would be in the forefront to attend to the needs of the widow and the children. ‘’I also appeal to our prominent leaders in the pro-democracy family to support the family. ‘’Rev. Adebiyi was an example of faith to all of us. As industrious, in-

telligent and committed as he was, he never made out time to write a book. He was all involved in the NADECO struggle. At some points when NADECO leaders went under ground, it was only Adebiyi who knew where they were,’’ he said. The widow Mrs Abiodun Adebiyi, said: ‘’Truly, it is not how far but how well. My beloved, truly, you are a beloved. When the Lord brought us together, you called me blessing a n d I c a l l e d y o u b e loved. Your life was full of joy towards everyone around you. ‘’You are that kind of person that carries other peoples’ burden on your head and then drag your own with hand. Your life taught me generosity. You were a blessing to me, your children, and the church of God, the government and all that came across you in your lifetime. ‘’Your work shall never be in vain. Sleep on beloved in the bosom of your saviour till we meet to part no more. Good night”. Adebiyi was lowered into the grave in his uncompleted building at 1.20pm.

WEDDING

REMEMBRANCE DAY

•The couple, Abd’Kabir Olakanmi Oladipo and his wife, Basirat Abolore (middle) at their Aqdun Nikkah in Agege, Lagos last Saturday. With them are groom’s father, Alhaji Kola Oladipo (second left); his wife, Alhaja Ganiyat (left) and bride’s father, Alhaji Ahmed Adebayo and his wife, Alhaja Lateefat.

•Executive Secretary, Oshodi-Isolo Local Government, Adeola Dawood Olajobi being decorated by Vice-Chairman Nigerian Legion, Oshodi-Isolo chapter Colonel Abiodun Adisa, in commemoration of the 2015 Armed Forces Remembrance Day.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 16, 2015

THE NATION

BUSINESS BRANDS & MARKETING

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

Orijin safe for consumption, says Guinness G

UINNESS Nigeria Plc has said Sodium Benzoate used as a preservative in Orijin, its herbal drink, is not harmful. During a tour of the Orijin Brewery in Ogba, Lagos Corporate Relations Director of Guinness Nigeria Plc, Mr. Sesan Sobowale, said the company met the certification for Orijin. He said Sodium Benzoate, used as a food preservative in some drinks, is not harmful. “It was approved by the National Agency for Food and Drugs Control (NAFDAC), World Health Organisation (WHO), United States Food and Drug Administration Agency and other recognised agencies,” he added. Orijin is made from herbs, fruits and alcohol. “We are assuring the public that the quality of Orijin is very good for the health of the consumers because Guinness has a stamp of quality on it. Orijin has been prepared

Stories by Adedeji Ademigbuji

to the highest quality standard and it has been certified by NAFDAC. The Director-General of NAFDAC during his inspection of the factory was impressed at the level of adherence to international standards in the production,”Sobowale said. According to him, the fact that Orijin clinched the 2014 ADVAN Awards for Marketing Excellence in the Innovation Category and the Marketing World Awards for Excellence in Marketing Innovation show that the brand places premium on its consumers. On adulteration, Sobowale assured that Guinness Nigeria would stem the tide, noting that it is a global trend, particularly for brands that have recorded huge successes. “We have taken steps to build anti-counterfeit measures to combat adulteration, but it is obvious that you can differentiate original from fake when you see this product. Also, we have educated our dis-

tributors, retailers and bar owners on how to identify the fake. These are some of our precautionary measures since Orijin was introduced over a year ago,” he added.

About 250,000 cans of Orijin ready-to-drink are pushed into the market daily, due to an expansion projects by the brewer. The company has invested N52

EXMAN goes tough on clients

HE President of Experiential Marketers Association of Nigeria (EXMAN), Kayode Olagesin, is not happy that multinational clients are yet to adopt the EXMAN code of practice to enhance marketing activation. He disclosed that the group is making efforts to correct all malpractices by multinational clients and every other group practising experiential marketing illegally. “We are not reviewing the code, but ensuring that every member of the Experiential Marketers Association of Nigeria (EXMAN) internalises it and knows the impli-

cations of breaching the code. Our aim is to turn it into a living document,” he said. Prior to this time, he said, EXMAN had sent the code to all members to enhance a robust discussion on the code of practice. “We chose the association’s first annual general meeting (AGM) to do so. We believe that by discussing some sections of the code at this AGM, members, who ordinarily wouldn’t have time to read, would have done so consciously or unconsciously. To achieve this, we asked every agency to send participants to the AGM to look at some of the

• From left: Head, Policy and Public Affairs, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Mr. Michael Onuoha; Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo and Director, Corporate Relations, Mr. Sesan Sobowale, during the presentation of Orijin by Guinness Nigeria to the monarch at his palace in Abeokuta.

Apple’s smart watch excites advertisers

PPLE’S forthcoming smartwatch has a major advan tage: It will provide at first glimpse how businesses can serve up ads on the watch. But business owners will have to wait for it for a while as it will not be available until later in the year. However, the same qualities that render the watch exciting to Madison Avenue, such as the ability to detect customers approaching a store and to zap an ad directly to their wrists, also risk alienating those customers. The United States’ mobile-marketing firm, TapSense, has planned to unveil the watch at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. Apple declined to comment on the use of its watch by advertisers, and will not attend the show. But many companies that make devices and services around Apple products will be there, including those working with WatchKit, a software-development tool Apple released in November, which allows developers to build watch-tailored applications. With that tool, developers are de-

By Adedeji Ademigbuji with Agency reports

vising Apple Watch ad formats, including interactive wallpapers, on the watch dial with brand logos and personalised clock faces, according to TapSense’s Chief Executive, Ash Kumar. His product helps developers to insert ads, bought and sold in those apps. The watch’s main screen allows the display of several tiny icons, including those for email, weather, time, and a few favourite service and retail apps. Businesses could use those apps to notify customers of special deals, but only within already-opened apps, Kumar said. Otherwise, the vendor risks annoying consumers by introducing an ad that is out of sync with whatever they are doing. If a consumer is using a transit app on the watch to monitor delays, for example, an advertiser could insert a marketing offer that would light up on the watch face for a ride-sharing service or a deal at a coffee shop nearby, Kumar said. But moderation is key. Push no-

billion in expansion of its breweries in Lagos and Benin City. Guinness is a major economic player in Nigeria with interest in beer, nonalcoholic beverages and spirits.

tifications and banner ads on smartphones can be turn-offs. Some marketers advise avoiding showing ads to users, who click out of them or delivering the same ad too many times to any one user. “If it feels like your smartwatch is turning into a spam box, you will take it off,” said Padden Guy Murphy, who heads business development and public policy at carsharing service, Getaround. The startup is exploring, using Apple Watch’s location-based features to target new customers. Apple has not added global positioning on the Apple Watch, but apps can track location as the device is tethered to a smartphone. If a consumer shows interest in an ad, such as raising the wrist for a better look, WatchKit allows for notifications that expand and take up more room on the screen. Conversely, a disinterested consumer could tap an “X” mark to exit the ad, Kumar said. Communicating through buzzing or vibrations is only available on Apple’s own apps on its wearable device. Whether Apple scores a hit with

its upcoming Apple Watch and creates a new mass-market category remains unclear. Venture capitalist, Fred Wilson, caused a stir last week by predicting that the watch “will not be the home run product that iPod, iPhone, and iPad have been.” But advertisers see potential. They, particularly, like a watch feature that Apple calls “Force Push” that activates when a user taps the screen with extra pressure, opening up a menu with up to four actions. They envision coupons that when tapped can show directions to a store, for example. Ad executives hope that the watch can overcome challenges that have prevented location-based ads from succeeding on mobile phones. Unlike on phones, users will not need to dig into a bag or pocket to see the ad. They will be right on a user’s wrist, in sight at all times, said Jeff Malmad, North American mobile director at media agency Mindshare. But to keep them effective, he added, consumers will need to opt for them, much as many consumers opt to receive email messages from various retailers.

key issues in code,” he noted. Olagesin said the association has taken further steps to integrate itself with other groups under Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON) in order to address issues such as product sampling children and brand ambassadorship. He said these aspects need to be governed by rules and companies are expected to abide by this when activating their brands. “The most important sections in the code, which we relate with on a regular basis, have been addressed with the President of the Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN), Kelechi Nwosu, in attendance. Some of those issues are children sampling, event locations and brand ambassadors and so on. “Most of us are not conscious of the fact that there are certain things that should govern children sampling and also how they should be engaged. Brand ambassador is another leg we need to seriously look into. Either as an ambassador or a consumer, there are certain rules that should govern that practice. “There is so much unprofessional practice in alcohol sampling that some of us are not aware of. Practitioners are doing sampling and all sorts of engagements in outlets they shouldn’t have. But it is our duty through the code to educate and enlighten them on how to go about it,” he said. He also noticed widespread violation of certain code of practice in the area of abuse of activation locations. “On locations in terms of where we do our activities, there are so many breaches at the moment. I don’t think it is right to do sports activation on a street side and after that the place is left littered. Most people don’t take issues of littering into consideration. People put up posters for an event and they are not mindful of the environment; for example, having alcohol activation close to a church, mosque and secondary or primary school,” he explained. Olagesin, however, hoped that at the end the clients will embrace the code as part of their marketing standards. “Clients would embrace it because some of the issues raised in the code are issues that they have also addressed in their own marketing standards. There is no reputable organisation that will not have its own marketing standards, the do’s and don’ts. We took inputs from some of those marketing standards that we see in our multinational clients and infused them into what we are doing,” he said. Speaking on what obtains in other markets, he said: “We looked at the code in other markets as well.There are some things that apply to them that don’t apply to us. In some other countries, they don’t necessarily have to get bomb squads, but here it has become something we take into consideration. Before, we did not worry about taking the temperature of people coming to events, but today we look at it. Those are things we are taking into cognisance and say that our members need to be aware of these issues,” he said.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 16, 2015

THE NATION

BUSINESS SHOPPING

E-mail: toniaitose@gmail.com

Sms : 07035302326 Website:- http://www.thenationonlineng.net

In less than a year, the Apapa Mall, one of Nigeria’s newest shopping malls in Lagos, has become a centre of attraction for shoppers. The mall is competing with the South African retail giant and the mall’s anchor tenant, Shoprite, reports TONIA ‘DIYAN.

Apapa Mall: a tourists’ haven •One of the mall’s entrance with names of tenants inscribed on the wall

FEW years ago, shopping for grocery could only be done in the local markets, but the introduction of western styled shopping malls has redefined not just grocery shopping, but every other facet of shopping. With the addition of another mall on Park Lane, Apapa, Lagos, tagged: Apapa Mall, adjudged as one of the world’s largest shopping malls, shopping has bcome a serious aspect of human endeavours. Walking into Apapa mall premises, you will easily notice names of various international brands inscribed on the building housing the mall. The front, side and the top of the one-storey building are marked as car parks. Apapa mall boasts of bringing one of the world’s largest shopping stores to Nigeria with the main entrance heavily decorated with colourful lightings and the name of the mall boldly inscribed in block letters. The front view and the expansive car park boldly announce its various tenants. Some tenants pitched their tents on the walk way of the mall, displaying their products to willing consumers while others have their representatives distribute flyers to people as they walked into the mall. One of such is a liquid washing soap retailer, called Rita, who said the mall is a good channel for displaying her product for all classes of people to see. According to her, the items needed to be displayed in a reputable place that would be conducive to buyers. On display on the first floor of the onestorey building are Lifemate (a furniture merchant); Beerhugz (a bar); film house (a cinema); Montaigne (seller of designers wrist watches); Twice as Nice (a clothing store) and Samsung (stock all kinds of electronics) among others. In all, the mall houses 40 tenants with Shoprite, Filmhouse, Lifemate as anchor tenants. Others include Cash N carry (stocks household items); PEP and MRP (sell clothing); Daviva (sells colourful fabrics); Health Plus and Med Plus (attend to people’s health) and Essenza (stocks perfumes). Others are; Airtel, Kobis, Homely, Evoke, Image, souls and others. Shoppers were seen driving in and out, with some making purchases inside the store. It showed that the new mall, which opened in May last year, is gradually warming itself to the hearts of shoppers. Some of the customers, who spoke with The Nation Shopping, said they have tried Apapa mall and are ready to remain there. “The mall has just been opened. Yes! It has all I expected to see and for convenience, I love this concept,” said a young woman, Stella Okoro, who was loading the goods she purchased into her car. “It is a welcome development in this neighbouhood,” she added. Another shopper, Mr Akin Akinyemi, was seen buying apples from Shoprite. He said: “This is my first time of coming here. It looks good to me, and the prices are fair. I wish we could get more. If this kind of development is stretched to other strategic places within Lagos, it would be nice.” Speaking on the status of the mall, its Project Manager and Chairman, Top Services Limited, builders of the Apapa Mall, Chief Tokumbo Omisore said: “Apapa Mall is a one-stop-shopping mall, offering shoppers from Apapa and its immediate environs a unique opportunity to carry out

all their shopping activities, relax and entertain themselves. “This ultra modern retail centre offers its tenants an ideal platform to showcase their products to shoppers, create awareness for their brands, and take advantage of the tenant mix to compete with international brands now settling in Nigeria markets.” Concerning tenant mix in the mall Omisore said: “The idea behind the tenant mix is not only to offer quality, taste, and variety, but to give room for affordability within the same mall.” To achieve this, he said, all known local brands, having a successful experience in existing shopping malls in Nigeria, are allowed to cohabit with bigger brands of international standards within a reasonable lettable area. To realise the vision of combining shopping and leisure, the mall came with a restaurant where shoppers can also have good time after shopping, thus making the art of shopping more attractive and eventful. It is, therefore, not an accident that Apapa mall has continued to receive wide spread commendation and applause from Lagosians and Nigerians across social and religious divide. They have commended Omisore for his steadfastness and the architectural designs, as well as for his entrepreneurial drive. Also, the mall has become a Mecca of some sort to the high and mighty. It is against this background that many Lagosians applaud the mall for setting a new standard in the art of shopping and giving people a sense of leisure and shopping. Some shoppers, who spoke to The Nation Shopping, applauded the quality of products on offer, even as they lauded its security and serenity. Wale Ikuomola, a lawyer, said he bought most of his family needs from the mall because he believed in the quality of the products and for the inviting ambience the mall has. “I make it a point of duty to always buy from Apapa Mall on way home from the office because I trust the quality of their products and the inviting ambience here. “I also come here every weekend to stock my home with various products. I have been doing so in the last six months and all I get is quality and good customer service. Everybody at the mall is friendly. In fact, my week is not complete without shopping here,” Ikuomola said.. For Linda Aguocha, a banker, Apapa Mall is more than just a shopping mall. It is a leisure destination that combines ambience, serenity with security. “Apapa Mall is more than just a shopping mall. It is a leisure destination, where you can shop under a secured and serene atmosphere and enjoy some level of comfort. It is a place I go to shop and relax with my friends every weekend. I love the place, it is home away from home,” she affirmed. Linda’s friend, Helen, described the mall as a preferred shoppers’ destination. “Apapa mall is a place I always want to be again and again. I just cannot stop shopping at the mall. I like the quality of their products and the ambience of the place is alluring. I always want to be here every day and I do not get tired. Each shopping is an experience. It is my choice place for both shopping and leisure,” she said. The completion of the mall came in two folds: when it was inaugurated in June/July last year and when the Shoprite, its major tenant, started business. After these every

other businesses started running. Beyond the products is the fact that the mall is replete with security gadgets of various specifications and standards, which make both doing business and leisure at the mall attractive. According to the mall management, the reason customers besiege the place is that apart from selling goods that meet the requirements of the Standard Organisation Of Nigeria (SON), they also have taken into cognisance the essence of security and convenience. Its management said apart from adequate security, one of the facilities that has been put in place to ensure customer satisfaction is the multi–million naira parking lot, which has made shopping fun, unlike what is obtained in some shopping malls in the country. Apapa Mall is believed to have changed the face of shopping in Nigeria when it emerged on the scene last year, creating the shoppers’ destination in the country and setting new standards in shopping. It immediately caught the attraction majority of Nigerians, who thronged the place day and night to buy from the best on offer. An Apapa resident, Emeka, who had lived in the area since he was a child confessed that Apapa Mall is the ideal place for shoppers, particularly those who reside in Apapa and its environs. To his wife, Ann, an accountant, the mall is more of a tourist centre. “This is a beautiful tourists’ attraction and I give kudos to the Project Manager and Chairman, Top Services Limited, builders of the Apapa mall, Chief Tokunbo Omisore who thought of this,” she said. Both Emeka and Ann are right. Right from

the three entrances of the straddling edifice, legs and cars competed for space. Strategically placed within the neat premises were trolleys waiting to be used to convey items to consumers’ cars. Besides security agents, managers of the commodious car park were on hand for serious business, as cars were parked without paying to anyone, unlike what obtains in other malls. From the exterior of the imposing emporium, various sizes of sign posts welcome prospective customers into both the building and its compartments. A stroll past the two main entrances leading into the structure and a stand-by parking kiosk brings a visitor to Shoprite, which directly faces the main entrance, there is the cinema and restaurant in the one-story structure’s belly. The electronic stair-cases conveying visitors to the upper chamber of the edifice was a spectacle to behold. As many mounted them for genuine shopping, some others stood transfixed to behold the delight. Parading neatly dressed, sprightly-looking attendants, all the tenant-companies transacting business there appeared to have keyed into the seemingly inviolate culture of cleanliness in the market. Shoppers need not burden themselves with loads of cash from their homes as Standard Chartered Bank and other banks have made available functional ATM services at some locations. While many window-shopped, others were busy with genuine transactions with attention from the company’s polite sales persons.

Also, an entertainment centre

HAT does the mall have to offer shoppers and its tenants? Apapa Mall is one-stop shopping Mall, offering shoppers from Apapa and its immediate environs a unique opportunity to carry out all their shopping activities, relax and entertain themselves. This ultra modern retail center offers its tenants an ideal platform to showcase their products to shoppers, create awareness for their brands, and take advantage of the tenant mix to compete with international brands now settling in Nigeria Markets. How did you mix the tenants such that one compliments the other to benefit the shopper? The idea behind the tenant mix is to offer quality, taste, and variety, but to also give a room for affordability within the same Mall. To achieve this, we allowed known local brands having a successful experience in existing shopping Malls in Nigeria to cohabit with bigger brands of international standards within a reasonable lettable area. Why should an Apapa resident remain in the environment when he wants to shop? We believe the reason shoppers are going out is to provide for their basic or social needs or simply to entertain themselves. Apapa residents will have the opportunity to do just that with the new mall, where they can shop affordably for their groceries, pastries, drinks or household items, eat out with family and friends, make their hair at the Evoke salon, watch a movie or simply take a drink at the Bheerghugs VIP lounge. Does the mall have all the shoppers’ desires? As far as food, health, entertainment, clothing and household items, internet and telecommunication are concerned the shoppers’ desires will be greatly met, with the variety of brands available on ground. Does the mall house international brands? Who are they?

The Mall houses International brands i.e Shoprite, MRP (formerly known as Mr. Price), PEP, Cash N Carry, Samsung and Lifemate What does a shopper have to gain from these international brands? Quality for a good price, variety, creativity, fashion. What would be the shoppers experience when he visits Apapa mall? Good ambiance, fun, relaxation, good prices, good quality, multi choice, beautiful environment. What will the mall give back to the society in form of CSR? The Mall for now is giving free Car Park to the end users as its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). The Mall will promote entertainment events, almost quarterly, for Apapa residents and the immediate environs What is the mall’s statistics? Footfall during the week is on the average of 2,000 visitors/shoppers daily. Weekends increases for now to almost 3000 and more atimes when the month ends on a weekend. With the Cinema commencing operations this week more are expected from the coming week. Shops in operation 82% Total number of Shops is 93% How many tenant stores are in the mall and who are they? 40 tenants are in the Mall: Anchor tenants (Shoprite, Filmhouse, Lifemate) other tenants (Cash N carry, PEP, MRP, Daviva, Health Plus, Med Plus, Montaigne, Essenza, Samsung, Airtel, Kobis, Homely, Twice as Nice, Evoke, Image & souls, etc). How secured is the mall? What are the security measures put in place ? The Mall is well secured with Police presence; Professional and trained security guards with body scanners and vehicle scanners; CCTV .

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 16, 2015

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 15-01-15

Transcorp Hotels lists shares on NSE

RANSCORP Hotels Plc yesterday became a publicly quoted company as it listed its entire issued share capital on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE). The listing enlivened the declining stock market, pushing the market to its second gain in the week. A total of 7.6 billion ordinary shares of 50 kobo each of Transcorp Hotels was admitted to the daily official list of the NSE at N10 per share. The new listing added N76 billion to the capital market capitalization, which further drew on renewed bargain hunting to increase to add additional N24 billion in capital gains. Aggregate market value of all quoted equities on the NSE rose from its opening value of N9.514 trillion to close at N9.614 trillion. Transcorp Hotels is the hospitality subsidiary of Transnational Corporation of Nigeria (Transcorp) Plc. It owns and operates Transcorp Hilton Abuja, and also holds 100 per cent interest in Transcorp Hotels Calabar Limited, which owns and operates the Transcorp Hotel in Calabar. The listing followed the successful completion of Transcorp Hotels’s initial public offering (IPO). It had floated an IPO of 800 million ordinary shares of 50 kobo each at N10

By Taofik Salako Capital Market Editor

per share. The offer recorded a subscription level of 52.3 per cent. It thus raised N4.2 billion from the October 2014 IPO. Speaking at the listing ceremony, managing director, Transcorp Hotels Plc, Mr. Valentine Ozigbo, said the company would implement strategies to accelerate its growth and sustain leadership in its sector. “As a publicly-listed company on the NSE, our shareholders can be assured of high standards of disclosure and transparency, in addition to achieving superior returns to shareholder and consistent delivery of world class experience to all our guests,” Ozigbo said. According to him, the company will be consistency in its dividend policy. The shareholders who had participated in the October 2014 IPO will benefit from the 2014 end- ofyear dividend payout. He noted that Nigeria’s hospitality industry is experiencing significant growth, with major demand for expanded capacity and enhanced quality and service. “Nigeria’s hospitality industry is experiencing significant growth, with major demand for expanded capacity and en-

hanced quality and service. THP is ideally positioned, as the existing owner of the largest number of hotel rooms in Nigeria, and partnered with one of the world’s most prestigious hotel brands, Hilton Worldwide, to leverage this demand. The proceeds of this offer will be used to fund the development of two new Transcorp Hilton hotels, one in Ikoyi, Lagos, and the second in Port Harcourt, with both due for completion in 2017. We are delighted to be able to offer the Nigerian public the opportunity to participate in our future success. This offer reiterates our commitment to creating sustainable value for all stakeholders,” Ozigbo said. In his remarks, chief executive officer, Transnational Corporation of Nigeria (Transcorp) Plc, Emmanuel Nnorom said the group intends to achieve major milestones this year. “Our ringing of the bell today is clearly symbolic, because we intend to make great, resonant sounds throughout this year —our target is the establishment of Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Ikoyi, Lagos and another at Port Harcourt. We are delighted to be able to offer the Nigerian public the opportunity to participate in our potential for success in the future,” Nnorom said.

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 15-01-15

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 16, 2015

MONEYLINK

CBN to evaluate N700b intervention funds

HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yesterday said it is planning to undertake an impact evaluation of its intervention projects estimated at N700 billion. In a statement, the apex bank said the assessment will cover projects done since 2009 under the N200 billion Commercial Agriculture Credit Guarantee Scheme (CACS), N300 billion Power and Airline Intervention Fund (PAIF) and N200 billion Small and Medium Enterprises Restructuring and Refinancing Facility (SMERRF).

Stories by Collins Nweze

The CBN is therefore, requesting for proposals from interested and competent organisations to conduct the impact evaluation of the scheme. Doing that, it said, would ascertain the extent to which it has met its stated objectives. That, it added would also identify the areas of success, impact and challenges; serve as input in evolving a new initiative for the financing of agricultural enterprises on a sustainable basis.

The CBN had in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources, established the CACS in 2009. The CACS was meant to finance agricultural value chain from input supply to marketing. The scheme commenced operation on April 23, 2009 with the approval of the Federal Government. The CACS was meant to fasttrack the development of the agricultural value sector of the economy through the provision of credit facilities at a single digit interest rate to large-scale com-

mercial farmers. The N300 billion PAIF was meant to facilitate intervention in the transport sector. It was meant provide long term financing that would stimulate private sector participation in the sector. The CBN said the Fund provided the banks in the first half of 2013, is a window to finance power sector projects as well as restructure and refinance outstanding facilities in the aviation sector on a long-term basis of between 10 to 15 years at a concessionary interest rate of seven per cent.

• CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele

‘ Why economy must be restructured’ Ecobank Giant Prize promo

HE Senior Consultant/Chief Executive Officer, RTC Advisory Services Limited, Opeyemi Agbaje has said that the falling prices of crude oil in the international market has placed Nigeria in a situation where policy makers must restructure the economy. Speaking yesterday at a forum organised by the Finance Correspondents Association of Nigeria (FICAN) in Lagos, said: “This is the type of restructuring whereby you

don’t have any choice, but to it. Analysts and columnists have over the years been advising on most of these things, but now we don’t need to advise anybody. Whether government likes it or not, we will have to deal with the issue of the Nigerian economy. We would have to diversify the economy, reduce the size of government and increase investment in alternative sectors whether we like it or not. The oil price is still falling and we don’t know where

the exchange rate is heading to”. Agbaje who spoke on the theme: “Review of 2014 and Projections for 2015,” said the reality is that whoever wins the election by February 14, 2015; and whoever comes into office by May, will have to deal with serious economic issues. He said higher exchange rate, higher interest rate, lower Gross Domestic Product growth will translate to lower consumption and lower purchases of goods and services.

UBA partners Vodacom on data

NITED Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc and Vodacom are partnering on data and broadband communications. The business relationship, the bank said in a statement, is handled locally through Vodacom Business Nigeria. The firm, a wholly owned subsidiary of Vodacom, enables UBA to seamlessly interconnect business offices and ATMs and to generally deploy financial services across the

Group. As a result of the scope and scale of the partnership, it explained, UBA has become a Vodafone Global Enterprise Customer, becoming the first financial institution of Nigerian origin to join the elite list of companies such as General Electric (GE), Apple and Microsoft. During the ceremony to formally present the certificate of recognition as a Vodafone Global Enterprise Customer to UBA, the Man-

aging Director, Vodacom Business Nigeria, Guy Clarke, commended UBA for the leading role it is playing on the continents’ financial landscape. The Group Managing Director/ CEO of UBA Plc, Mr. Phillips Oduoza said the UBA will leverage on this milestone recognition and its associated benefits, to significantly improve the efficiency of its operations and processes as well as optimize costs.

gets new winners

OME Ecobank Nigeria Limited customers have won various prizes in the lender’s ongoing Giant Prize Giveaway promo. The lender’s second draw held in Abuja saw some customers winning inverters, IPAD Air, Samsung smart Phones; air-conditioners, generating sets, LED Televisions, mobile phones and washing machines. Some of the winners are Emeka Chiamaka Mercy, Bosso Road branch, Minna, (generating set); Okojie Clara Ede, Nkwegu Plaza branch, Abuja, (generating set); Dogonyaro Rebecca, Sanni Sami Way branch, Zuru-Kebbi, (generating set); Mani Ubadi, Talata Mafara branch, Sokoto, (generating set) among others. One of the winners, Okoroafor Benjamin who was presented with an LED TV at the event thanked the bank for the gesture, stating that he was attracted to do business with the lender because of its excellent customer relations.

Abdullahi Abubakar, a winner of an Inverter, who operates an account in Gusau Branch, Zamfara State, when contacted on telephone said Ecobank has shown overtime that it is customer-centric bank, He prayed for the continuous progress of the bank. Executive Director, FCT/North, Ecobank Nigeria, Mr. Shehu Jafiya, said the promo is part of the bank’s tradition of rewarding its customers for their patronage. He emphasized that Ecobank’s will continue to surpass customers’ expectations in service delivery. He said that to qualify for classic or the advantage category, customers should have a minimum balance of N10, 000 and N50, 000 respectively, stressing that the more a customer saves the more chances to win any of the prizes. Senior Manager, National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC), Mr. Kayode Ojoogun, said the process for selecting the winners in the promo meets their standard.

DATA BANK AFRINVEST W. A. EQUITY FUND ARM AGGRESSIVE GROWTH BGL NUBIAN FUND BGL SAPPHIRE FUND CANARY GROWTH FUND CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST CORAL INCOME FUND FBN FIXED INCOME FUND FBN HERITAGE FUND FBN MONEY MARKET FUND FIDELITY NIG FUND • UBA BALANCED FUND • UBA BOND FUND • UBA EQUITY FUND • UBA MONEY MARKET FUND

126.95 9.17 1.12 1.19 0.63 1.39 1,731.17 1,101.01 111.19 121.16 1.67 1.29 1.32 0.95 1.17

126.90 9.08 1.12 1.19 0.62 1.33 1,731.17 1,100.27 110.60 120.30 1.62 1.28 1.32 0.93 1.17

O/PRICE 26.70 3.11 4.71 3.44 3.65 8.93 4.81 128.00 301.11 24.50 141.50 7.33 138.00

C/PRICE 28.35 3.26 4.93 3.60 3.80 9.29 5.00 132.00 310.00 24.99 144.00 7.46 140.00

CHANGE 6.18 4.82 4.67 4.65 4.11 4.03 3.95 3.13 2.95 2.00 1.77 1.77 1.45

LOSERS AS AT 15-01-15

SYMBOL

O/PRICE

C/PRICE

WAPCO REDSTAREX VITAFOAM UBN DIAMONDBNK DANGFLOUR STERLNBANK CAVERTON ASHAKACEM GUARANTY NEIMETH ABCTRANS NEM

80.00 4.20 3.64 8.56 4.28 4.32 2.47 3.16 20.45 18.30 0.75 0.55 0.55

76.00 3.99 3.46 8.14 4.07 4.11 2.35 3.01 19.50 17.52 0.72 0.53 0.53

Transaction Dates 13/01/2015 3/12/2014 1/12/2014 ECONOMIC INDICATORS

Inflation: December

CHANGE -5.00 -5.00 -4.95 -4.91 -4.91 -4.86 -4.86 -4.75 -4.65 -4.26 -4.00 -3.64 -3.64

Amount Offered in ($) 500m 400m 350m

Amount Sold in ($) 499.93m 399.97m 349.96m

CBN EXCHANGE RATES January 14, 2015

Monetary Policy Rate

GAINERS AS AT 15-01-15

SYMBOL UACN IKEJAHOTEL ACCESS UBA CUSTODYINS CCNN NAHCO GUINNESS SEPLAT STANBIC TOTAL FBNH NB

RETAIL DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM (RDAS)

Currency

Buying (N)

Selling (N)

167

168

13.0%

Foreign Reserves

$35b

US Dollar

Oil Price (Bonny Light/b)

$45

Pounds Sterling

261.9395

263.508

Euro

206.2617

207.4968

171.546

172.5732

Yen

1.3838

1.3921

CFA

0.2944

0.3144

242.3484

243.7996

Yuan/Renminbi

27.1505

27.314

Money Supply (M2)

N16.42 trillion.

Credit to private Sector (CPS)

N17.2 trillion

Primary Lending Rate (PLR)

Swiss Franc

16.5%

NIGERIAN INTER-BANK OFFERED RATES (NIBOR)

WAUA Tenor

13-01-15 Rate (%) Rate (%) 14-01-15

Overnight (O/N)

10.54

11.17

Riyal

44.4906

44.757

11.94

12.18

SDR

243.2856

244.7424

13.08

13.33

14.03

14.17

GOVT. SECURITIES YIELD – SECONDARY MARKET

Tenor

FOREX RATES

R-DAS ($/N)

165.29

Interbank ($/N)

162.75

Parallel ($/N)

185.50

Jan. 13, 2015

Rates

T-bills - 91

13.65

T-bills - 182

13.88

T-bills - 364

13.65

Bond - 3yrs

13.81

Bond - 5yrs

13.85

Bond - 7yrs

13.83

THE NATION FRIDAY JANUARY 16, 2015

SPECIAL REPORT

EFCC: Blazing the trail in three years Given the scathing criticism against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in recent times, Assistant Editor, BLESSING OLAIFA, examines the records of the anti-graft agency in the past three years, bringing into focus the achievements of the Ibrahim Lamorde-led agency.

OING by the records of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the fight against corruption has been in upward swing for the past three years. Notwithstanding public perception and criticism against the antigraft agency, especially in recent times, the EFCC believes some grounds have been covered as far as its mandate is concerned. A school of thought however, believes that the deep-rooted and perverse nature of corruption in Nigeria only the war on corruption would not be an easy task for the agency. Yet others believe, the agency was only scratching the surface of the rot. Investigations revealed that inspite of the scratching criticism against the leadership, the agency has remained focused and has pursued some cases to logical ends, making recoveries and obtaining sentences and favourable judgment against culprits. From the look of things, criticism against the agency in recent times seemed to have fuelled the resolve of the EFCC to go the extra mile to rid the country of corruption, a resolve that has undoubtedly yielded positive results. The former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Kanu Agabi (SAN), recently alluded to the unwavering efforts of the anti-graft agency in its efforts to rid the country of economic and financial crimes. While encouraging staff of the Commission at a recent event, he expressed unalloyed belief that the EFCC’s war against corruption was a worthwhile one that can be won. “Let every Nigerian become corrupt and violent, yet corruption and violence shall remain illegal and unlawful and wrong,” he said. “In this battle, the EFCC is the lion and corruption is the lamb. Be assured that come what may, you shall make this lamb to lie down. Be also encouraged by the progress you have made in a short time.” Agabi’s view was considered succinct, and a morale booster for staff of EFCC considering the fact that the Ibrahim Lamorde-led EFCC has not relented in its efforts geared towards redeeming the image of Nigeria in the international community. The efforts have also yielded results, an official of the EFCC who would not want to be mentioned said. According to the EFCC records, in 2013, the anti-graft agency announced that it recorded 117 convictions. This development to the agency was no mean feat in the light of the challenges in the Nigerian Judicial system. Latest statistics indicate that the Commission surpassed the 2013 convictions considering that in 2014, 126 convictions were obtained. Again, when viewed against the 64, 68 and 67 convictions recorded in 2009, 2010 and 2011 respectively, the agency is of the opinion that that there is something that the EFCC under Lamorde has been able to develop, and get right with investigation and prosecution of cases. According to information obtained from the EFCC, in addition to achieving more convictions in the past year, the anti-graft body has also achieved more in assets recovery. In the annual report submitted yearly to the National Assembly, the anti-graft agency disclosed that in 2011, it recovered N9,755,924,635.69. The figures for 2012 was given as N41,548,665,730.69 and $1,520,410.00. That of 2013 was listed as N11,276,108,536.81; $2,190,127.00; 45,585.00 pounds and 7,090.00 euros. It was discovered that under the

Lamorde’s chairmanship, the Commission pursued the trial of former state governors and other politically exposed persons accused of corruption. Cases involving Saminu Turaki, governor of Jigawa State; Chimaroke Nnamani, former governor of Enugu State; Rashidi Ladoja, former governor of Oyo State; Alao-Akala, former governor of Oyo State; Orji Uzor Kalu, former governor of Abia state; Athahiru Bafarawa, former governor of Sokoto State; Akwe Doma, former governor of Nasarawa State; Gbenga Daniel, former governor of Oguns State; Joshua Dariye, former governor of Plateau State; Abdullahi Adamu, former governor of Nasarawa state; Danjuma Goje, former governor of Gombe state; Timipre Sylva, former governor of Bayelsa State and Abubakar Audu, former governor of Kogi State are on-going in courts across the country. Also, investigations showed that the former governor of Edo State, Lucky Igbinedion was re-arraigned on fresh charges before a Federal High Court, Benin over a N25billion scam. Trial has reached the stage of final addresses by counsel. Besides, the Commission took steps to seize some of his alleged proceeds of crime. The EFCC records also showed that other politically exposed persons that were investigated and are currently being prosecuted by the EFCC under Lamorde include directors of the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission. Debo Ajimuda, chairman of the Commission and four other officials: Mann Omobayi Alli, Ikuomola Vincent, Aghone, Mofolabomi Monday and Olayinka Olaitan Joseph. They are being prosecuted before a Federal High Court, Akure on 13 counts of fraud, embezzlement and conspiracy to defraud the state of N540 million. In Edo State, the quartet of Joseph Sule Emoabino, David Eson Igbinoba, Agbator Gaskin Efe and Dr. Simon Imuekeme were arraigned before Justice Esther Edigin of the Edo State High Court, Benin City on an 8-count charge bordering on diversion of N113 million. According to records they were chairman, secretary, director of Finance and Accounts of the State Universal Basic Education Board and Secretary to Edo State Government respectively, and are alleged to have fraudulently diverted the said sum to a project not covered by the intervention funds allocated by the State Universal Basic Education. In April last year, the Commission’s dragnet spread to Sokoto State, as Mohammed Bello Abubakar and Abubakar Abdullahi Ahmed, permanent secretary and deputy director, Ministry for Local Government and Community Development, were arraigned by the EFCC. The duo are being prosecuted on a 43-count charge bordering on conspiracy, forgery and money laundering . Also in neighbouring Kebbi State, the Commission docked the Accountant General, Alhaji Mohammed Arzika Dakingari, and Musa Yusuf, Managing Director, Beal Construction Nigeria Limited, before Justice Sabiu Bala of Kebbi State High Court, Birnin-Kebbi on a 20-count charge bordering on conspiracy, obtaining by false pretence and abuse of office. Dakingari’s counterpart in Taraba State, Joel Joseph Lenbang, was equally ensnared by the anti graft agency and faces multiple charges of stealing and money laundering to the tune of N1.56 billion Investigation showed that on July

3, 2014 at Asaba, the administrative capital of Delta State, the Commission arraigned the former executive secretary of Delta State Scholarship Board, Peter Amromanoh and the chief accountant, Eloho Otiede before Justice C. O Emifoniye of the Delta State High Court, Asaba on a 5-count charge bordering on conspiracy and stealing. Amromanoh is alleged to have abused his office by approving a sum of N36m (Thirty-Six Million Naira) which is above his official approval limit of N1million. The EFCC officials have dismissed allegations of sacred cows or selective prosecution at various fora, insisting that cases are treated based on merit and evidence available before the commission, especially after investigations. The Commission’s anti-corruption war does not respect anybody or treat any one as sacred cow, EFCC’s Deputy Director of Public Affairs, Osita Nwaja said at a media workshop in Enugu. During the period under review the Chairman of Bi-Courtney Limited, Chief Wale Babalakin was arrested and docked on money laundering allegations. Babalakin, Alex Okoh and three companies: Stabilini Visioni Limited, Bi-Courtney Limited and Renix Nigeria Limited are alleged to have between May 2006 and December 2006 corruptly conferred benefits on former Governor of Delta State, James Onanefe Ibori on account of contracts awarded by Delta State government to Stabilini Visioni Limited by transferring the monies through third parties to Erin Aviation account in Mauritius for the purchase of Challenger Jet Aircraft by the said James Ibori. Trial, according to EFCC is on-going on the matter. The Nation learnt that the EFCC under Lamorde successfully appealed the ruling of Justice Marcel Justice Awokulehin that quashed all 170count money laundering charge against James Ibori. The Court of Appeal in Benin in May, ruled that Awokulehin erred in the ruling and ordered that the matter be reassigned. This invariably means that Ibori will be tried in Nigeria upon completion of his jail term in the United Kingdom. Under Lamorde’s leadership, it

•Larmode

was gathered that the EFCC also initiated a process that eventually culminated in the ruling by a Federal High Court, Abuja ceding ownership of the controversial $15 million Ibori bribe money to the Federal Government after a legal battle that pitted the Commission against the Delta State Government which belatedly claimed ownership of the fund. Another area where far reaching impact has been made by the Lamorde-led EFCC is in checking the malfeasance in pension administration. Before his coming to the saddle, pension administration in Nigeria had become a cesspool of corruption. Many public servants who served the country meritoriously were consigned to a life of destitution upon retirement, no thanks to the activities of a cabal that turned pension administration to veritable gold mine. According to EFCC records, sanity has been restored to a considerable level to the system, given the vigorous law enforcement activities of the EFCC, which resulted in the arrest and prosecution of senior officials of both Police Pension and the Pension office in the office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation. The EFCC also claimed that its searchlight has been focused on the petroleum industry, unearthing mindboggling fraud that had reeked through the industry. Investigation led to the trial of persons and organisations indicted in the mindless abuse of the Petroleum Support Fund in the guise of subsidy for imported fuel. This formed the bulk of the economic and financial crimes cases successfully charged to court by the EFCC in 2012 and 2013. A few months ago two Indians Sailesh Kumar Singh, and Chadrashekar Sharma were jailed, after successful prosecution by the Commission for oil theft. The duo were among 12 suspected oil thieves arrested in Brass, Bayelsa State in 2012 by

the Joint Task Force with 157,822 litres of suspected stolen crude oil. They are to serve 15 years imprisonment. They are among a long list of oil thieves that have been successfully prosecuted by the EFCC. It is noteworthy that the Commission from January 2013 till date investigated 21 cases of crude oil theft. Eleven tanker vessels and 16 tanker trucks were recovered, while 81 suspects have been charged to Court over the cases. Officials of the Commission have lauded the leadership of the commission under Lamorde, saying global confidence in the EFCC has been restored. According to them before he came on board, credibility of the agency was at an all-time low, with critical partners doubting its commitment to the anti-graft war. A number of donor organisations and law enforcement agencies had actually severed ties with the EFCC or drastically scaled down their level of engagement, it was learnt. The tide has changed with Lamorde’s emergence as EFCC boss, EFCC top officials insisted as many donor organizations and LEAs are now eager to do business with the agency. Investigation revealed that operatives of the Commission travelled to Perth, Australia and Madrid, Spain in April 2014 to work with the West Australian and Spanish National Police. Through this program, they were able to assist the host Agencies in pending trans-national investigations and also gain exposure in international best practices. The Australian trip was in part facilitated by the Commonwealth Office, to which the agency owe a great debt of gratitude. The Commission in the last one year also hosted Investigators and prosecutors from Zambia, United States, United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Niger, World Bank and African Development Bank. The agency in its belief in the need to carry along everybody in the war on corruption also strengthened its communications section with the creation of a directorate of Public affairs which in the last three years, stepped up the Commission’s sensitization efforts through the three units in the department: Media and Publicity Unit, Public Interface and Enlightenment and Re-orientation Units It was gathered that as part of efforts to galvanize the crusade against corruption, the Commission in November 2014, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), with credible Civil Society Organisations to partner in the fight against corruption. This, it was learnt was basically on the platform of the reformed Anticorruption Revolution (ANCOR), which is now known as the Anticorruption and Economic and Financial Crimes Support Network (ACE-Network).

•From right: Member House of Representative members Ibrahim Olaifa; Comrade Henry Olalekan Odekunle, Social Democratic Party (SDP) Protem Chairman Oluyole Local Government; Comrade Awe Rapheal Busayo, Protem Secretary; Chief Ojo-Ekun Adedayo Ayodele Ajani, Comrade Adetona Yahaya A and other leaders when the SDP governorship candidate Seyi Makinde visited the council.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 16, 2015

NEWS Akinjide berates Alao-Akala over attack

PDP NWC gets knocks over primaries

From Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

HE Oyo State Coordinator for President Goodluck Jonathan Campaign Organisation , Oloye Jumoke Akinjide, has condemned the attack on five members of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) by loyalists of ex-Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala over their refusal to join his new party- Labour Party . The attack, which was reportedly carried out at the instance of the ex-governor, has raised tension in Ogbomoso town among PDP and LP members. The five PDP members, formerly Alao-Akala’s aides, were said to have been injured at a reconciliatory meeting called by the former governor to woo them into joining him in his new party. Oloye Akinjide, who is the Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), described the attack as barbaric and undemocratic. The minister, who spoke through one of her aides, Isiaka Kehinde, said the attitude of the former governor has shown why he could not be tolerated in the PDP. She said: “How can anybody decide to attack somebody for refusing to join a party? Why couldn’t we attack those who followed him to LP, you can see, that is part of the indiscipline we are talking about And you can see that for Alao-Akala to leave our party is a huge relief. It is not acceptable because it is not in line with the ethics of our party.” It was learnt that the five victims are George Ogunlade, Jide Oketunbi, Kabiru Akanji, Ibrahim Ajagbe and Amos Alagbe. It was reliably gathered that five of them were invited by the former governor to a meeting at his house where they insisted that they were not ready to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

20 injured in Osun land dispute From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

WENTY people were injured yesterday in a land dispute between Ipetumodu and Ashipa communities in Ife North Local Government Area of Osun State. It was gathered that the crisis was triggered following the relocation of a market to Ipetu-modu, which the people of Ashipa claimed was built on their land. Members of the communities engaged themselves in an argument over who owned the land in the boundary between the two towns. An indigene of Ipetu-modu, Femi Bankole, was allegedly shot during the fracas. One of the hostels built for tertiary institution students in between the two communities by the Apetu-modu of Ipetumodu, Oba James Adegoke Adedokun, was allegedly burnt by Ashipa people. Many houses were also burnt in the two communities while properties worth millions of naira were destroyed. At 5.30 pm yesterday, a detachment of security agents, including the anti-riot policemen, men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, had been drafted to the area. The Commander of MOPOL from Unit 39 was seen with his men in front of the Apetumodu’s palace.

•Lagos State Deputy Governor, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire flanked by the widow of the late founder of the Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Churh, Ayo ni o, Prophet Gabriel Fakeye, Mrs Grace Fakeye and son of deceased, Pastor Olumide Fakeye when the deputy governor paid a condolence visit to the family over demised the late Preacher on Wednesday, 14 January, 2015.

Ohakim may dump PDP for APC

HERE are indications that former Imo State Governor Ikedi Ohakim may dump the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC). The Nation learnt that the exgovernor’s decision to join APC may not be unconnected with pressure from his political associates and friends, who are APC members and are unhappy with the manner PDP treated him. It was gathered that the outcome of the PDP governorship primary, which was controversial, contributed to Ohakim’s decision to consider dumping the party for the APC. Apparently to consolidate the party’s control in Imo State and take over the South-

•APC leaders woo ex-governor From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

east, APC leaders have reportedly taken steps to woo the former governor. A source, who preferred anonymity, said the APC national leadership, after a strategic meeting, admitted that Ohakim had the sagacity and goodwill, which could aid the party’s victory in the elections in Imo State and other states in the Southeast. APC, it was learnt, might capitalise on the crisis rocking PDP in the Southeast, particularly in Imo State, where the controversial governorship primary election, which was allegedly manipulated to favour House of Representa-

tives Deputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha. Another reason cited by associates of the ex-governor, which informed his decision, was the failure of the PDP and President Goodluck Jonathan to give him the governorship ticket, as he was believed to deserve it, having controversially lost his re-election after delivering over one million votes to Jonathan in the 2011 presidential election. Another APC source, who confirmed the development, said: “I’m aware that some of our leaders at the national level are trying to woo Chief Ikedi Ohakim. “They believe he was unjustly treated, especially as

many indigenes believed he was the most qualified aspirant for the governorship ticket, considering the level of blackmail and campaign of calumny by the enemies of PDP to deny him re-election in 2011. “Our leaders believe Ohakim’s silence after the primaries portends many things and it is strategic to move fast and see the possibility of bringing him into the APC moving train, to reap political gains ahead of the elections. “APC intends to exploit Ohakim’s political sagacity, intelligence, contacts, goodwill, generosity and grassroots network to realise victory in Imo State and Southeast.”

Jonathan visits as Ebonyi PDP boils

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan will be in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, today, in continuation of his campaign. He is expected to present the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) flag to the governorship candidate, Dave Umahi, who is the present deputy governor. Government said yesterday that all was set to give President Jonathan a warm reception.

From Ogochukwu Anioke, Abakaliki

The supervising Commissioner for Information and State Orientation and substantive Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Dr. Ifeanyi Ike, spoke to The Nation. He said government had set up an Executive Council Committee to ensure effective planning for the success of the presidential rally. Ike went on: “Mr. Presi-

dent deserves support, as he is doing a lot to salvage our country.” He urged the indigenes to turn out en masse and receive the President. The visit is happening at a time PDP is facing crisis, following the primaries it held. The national body of the party reportedly took the leadership from Governor Martin Elechi and gave it to his deputy, Umahi and a

group of politicians, who are his partners. They conducted a controversial primary, which made the governor’s supporters to defect to the Labour Party (LP). Since then, the popularity of the PDP has waned. That of the LP and All Progressives Congress APC) has soared. The President, it was learnt, would attempt to resolve the crisis during the visit.

Online love scam: EFCC recovers $23,886 ey which she thought she had for American victim lost to the scammer.

HE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has recovered $23, 886 for an American, Jolanta Kasza, who was a victim of a romance scam. The EFCC is in the process of repatriating the funds to the victim. A statement by the anti-graft's Head of Media and Publicity, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said the American was a victim of online love. "The latest recovery of $23,886 by the Commission was made for Jolanta Kasza, an American based in New York. "She was fleeced of $64,000 by a suspected Nigerian fraudster, Ndekwu Jindu (aka Dr. Daniel Coffman) in a romance scam. "Kasza allegedly met Coffman online in June 2012, and

•Victim lauds anti-graft agency FROM Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

the fraudster introduced himself as self employed Caucasian pharmacist. Impressed by the profile, Kasza "fell in love" with both agreeing to get married. "According to her, in the course of the affair, the suspect at different times requested for money under various guise. Before she realised that she was dealing with a con artist, she had lost $64,000 to the fraudster. She consequently petitioned the EFCC, which through discreet investigation recovered $23,886 USD. The agency

is in the process of repatriating the fund to the victim." Meanwhile, EFCC has recovered $2,000 for another American victim of love scam, Margaret Sanders. The cheque for the recovered sum has been presented to the victim through the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Sanders, who lives in Sherman, Texas, praised the EFCC after she was presented with a cheque for the sum by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. She expressed delight at the professionalism demonstrated by the Nigerian agency in helping to recover the mon-

The statement said: "Sanders met a suspected Nigerian fraudster, Benjamin Akugbe, online and fell in love with him. The scammer who claimed to be Benny Brown from Warri, Delta State, promised her marriage, and requested for $2,000. to enable him join her in United States of America. "The money was wired to him through Western Union, into an account with the name, Gladys Ikpoba domiciled with a new generation bank. "After an endless wait for the fiancé, Sanders came to the sad realisation that she had been duped. "But her efforts to recover the money were unsuccessful until she petitioned the EFCC."

FORMER House of Representatives aspirant, Mr. Ben Onyechere, has slammed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Working Committee (NWC) for mismanaging the primaries. Onyechere, an ex-special adviser to Abia State Governor Theodore Orji, who contested the Owerri seat, which was given to Prince Michael Okere, said the process was manipulated. Onyechere, in a statement, said the case of Imo State governorship primaries was incomprehensible. According to him, it portrayed the NWC “in a bad light because of the collaboration between the party leaders and those who manipulated the delegates’ list.” He accused NWC members of “flagrant and rampant abuse of power,” adding that they refused “to look into petitions of irregularities, thereby running the party as a cult.” Onyechere said Senator Ifeanyi Araraume was robbed of the governorship ticket, which he alleged they handed to House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha. Recalling the Imo governorship primaries, Onyechere, a former special adviser to Second Republic Vice President Dr. Alex Ekwueme, said: “The deputy speaker’s votes were counted last to make up for his deficiencies. An act, which has almost alienated the party from Imo electorate, who are aware that Araraume is being unjustifiably robbed.

Okorocha endorsed THE people of Orlu, Oru East and Orsu local governments have endorsed Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha. The endorsement occurred when the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship campaign train visited the areas. The rallies, which took place at St. Mary’s Catholic Church field at Amaifeke, Orlu, Oru East and Orsu council headquarters, were attended by supporters, who hailed the governor. Addressing a crowd, Okorocha listed the transformational projects executed by his administration in the last three and a half years, which included erection of primary school buildings in wards in the local governments, building of ultra-modern general hospitals in local governments, renovation of schools and council headquarters, the CGC and the Imo free education programme, among others.

Church holds convention An Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State-based Pentecostal church, Chapel of His Glory, is organising a family life convention. This is part of its commitment towards sustaining family values. The theme of the convention is: “Experiencing Heaven on Earth in Your Marriage”. The programme, which started yesterday and will end on Sunday, will feature teaching, couples’ night, anointing and thanksgiving service. Ministering are Rev. Kunle Salami and Rev. (Mrs.) Salami. Venue is the church auditorium, opposite School of Nursing, Ori Apata, Ado-Ekiti.

THE NATION FRIDAY JANUARY 16, 2015

NEWS Dickson to opponents: don’t heat up polity From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

AYELSA State Governor Seriake Dickson yesterday warned governorship hopefuls to “wait for the right time”. The governor said it was irresponsible for people to heat up the polity over a governorship election that would hold next year. Dickson spoke following indications that a camp of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) loyal to the President’s wife, Dame Patience Jonathan, was strategising to kick him out of office. The governor, who spoke at the 47th State Executive Council meeting in a Yenagoa, urged his opponents to dissipate their energy on the re-election of President Goodluck Jonathan. He said the president’s reelection should be the preoccupation of all members of the party instead of promoting divisive and selfish tendencies. Dickson urged politicians to have a rethink and unite with members of the Restoration Team to mobilise support for Jonathan. He said: “In this state, we don’t have governorship elections early; the earliest time nomination processes will start, by my reckoning, will be August/September or maybe even later than that; then the general election may hold about November/December. “So, all the people that are flexing muscles are doing so at the wrong time. And, their aim clearly is to distract us, but we will remain focused. At the right time, our politics will commence. “For the past three years, we have been working without playing politics. I still will like us to try and keep it that way. For those desperate elements, who think that Bayelsa should go back to those days of needless divisions and rancour, I want to advise them that they should all stay focused and work with us to deliver on the presidential election.”

NSCDC trains 100 in arms handling From Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia, Benin

HE Edo State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) has trained 100 officers in arms handling. Speaking at the graduation ceremony, the Commandant, Mr Idris Haruna, said the training was part of efforts to improve efficiency. He said the officers were trained in collaboration with the 4 Brigade of the Nigerian Army. The commandant said they were also trained in field graft. He said the training was also part of the Federal Government’s plans to form a synergy among the various security agencies in the fight against economic saboteurs. He decried huge losses of revenue incurred by both the state and federal governments due to the activities of pipeline vandals. The commandant urged the officers to apply the skills to rid the country of crime. “The damage and loss that these terrorists, vandals and kidnappers have caused this nation are simply incalculable.”

Asari condemns Jonathan’s style

ORMER leader of the Niger Delta People’s Salvation and Volunteer Force (NDSVF) Alhaji Mujahid Asari-Dokubo has said many people are angry with President Goodluck Jonathan’s leadership style. He said Jonathan would have enjoyed an easy ride back to Aso Rock if he had done things properly. Asari-Dokubo spoke yesterday at Bungavilla Hotel, Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, while addressing students of King Amachree African University, Cotonou, Benin Republic on the need for violence-free elections. He accused Jonathan of

From Precious Dikewoha, Port Harcourt

squandering his political goodwill, which, he said, made him to tolerate his enemies instead of jailing them. He described the recent visit by Jonathan to former President Olusegun Obasanjo as an embarrassment to the office of the President. “You don’t naked the office of the President, but Jonathan has done that by not dealing decisively with his enemies. For instance, he has no business going to Abeokuta to see Obasanjo, he has squandered the political goodwill he has.” “A lot of our people espe-

cially in Niger Delta are angry with Jonathan but they have no option than to vote for him because what is coming is worst than him. Goodluck Jonathan would have enjoyed an easy ride if he had done things strictly the way the people want it to be.” On insecurity, AsariDokubo said Jonathan would not make any progress because those managing the security are against the president. He alleged that top military officers in collaboration with some politicians in the North are the one frustrating the military victory over insurgency and by extension frustrating the government of Jonathan.

“The Vice-President is a Fulani man, Inspector-General of Police is a Gambari man, National Security Adviser is a Gambari man and Defence Minister is a Gambari man. The security arms are in the hands of those who are fighting him. How do you think he can do better in this area? “The same people who are fighting him are the one he allows to manage security? It is like asking the rat to look after the fish. Though, we are warning the BokoHaram not to harm our people because if they do, we will tell Nigeria that we have more sophisticated guns that the ones we submitted.”

Peterside our next governor, says monarch

FIRST class traditional ruler has predicted that the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate Dr. Dakuku Peterside will emerge the next governor of Rivers State. The Uwema Ogbo Abua, His Royal Majesty, J. Umar II, spoke during a courtesy call by Peterside, his running mate, Honourable Asita and APC members and supporters in continuation of his campaign in Abua/Odual Local Government Area. The monarch, who received the APC governorship candidate and his entourage with other traditional rulers in the local government area on Wednesday, called on the people to support Peterside. He described Peterside as a patriot and dependable gentleman with sterling qualities and impressive record of achievements. The royal father assured Peterside of his kingdom’s unwavering commitment to his ambition, adding that his people have already embraced APC’s progressive policies. Peterside and Asita were later honoured by the monarch and other traditional rulers with the privileges of a high chief in full traditional attire. The APC candidate promised to spend every minute of his time working for the people and representing their interest. Deputy Governor Tele Ikuru

• Peterside (left) listening to HRM King Godwin Gbenemene of Tai Kingdom at his palace.

• Ikuru: he is Amaechi’s best gift to Rivers From Precious Dikewoha, Port Harcourt

described Peterside as Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi’s best and final gift to the people of Rivers State. Ikuru spoke at the APC Abua/Odual Local Government Area campaign rally at Ayama-Abua. “Our leader and governor, the Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has given us so many good gifts but Dr. Dakuku Peterside is his best and final gift to us. Amaechi gave us world-class schools, hospitals, roads, power, free education opportunities, purposeful leadership and security, among other good things. But let me tell you that Peterside is his best

gift to us. I therefore wish to assure you that Peterside will give you double of all these great and wonderful things.” Ikuru also described Peterside as a visionary and consummate public servant who will bring his expertise, humility and fear of God to the leadership of the state. Peterside got a rousing welcome in the area. A crowd numbering over 20, 000 met the team at Omalem Junction where the campaign took off. The carnival-like procession then moved to the palace of King Kaleh Obuge where Peterside again reiterated why the pursuit of peace in all communities is critical to his administration. “If we don’t deal with the fun-

damental issues that will lead to peace, then we will just be wasting our time. We all agree that these issues are justice, equity and fairness. Therefore we shall be seeking your support and partnership as we pursue peace in all parts of Rivers State. A woman leader and wife of former Executive Chairman of Abua/Odual Local Government Area in Rivers State, Helen Udi Udum, called on women in Rivers State to support Peterside. Udum who spoke on behalf of APC women of Abua/Odual Local Government said they are mobilising for Peterside and all the APC candidates because of the party’s fundamental principles that border on justice and peace.

Why Jonathan must be re-elected, by Uduaghan

ELTA State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan has declared that reelecting President Goodluck Jonathan for another term in office is non-negotiable for the people of the Southsouth. Uduaghan, addressing a crowd at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rally at Koko, Warri North Local Government Area, said the President was listening to the plight of the Niger Delta. “The biggest fish in this 2015 election is, President Goodluck Jonathan who is re-contesting again as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, he is not just a son of this area, it is significant that we re-elect him because he understands our problems; when we cry to him, he listens. “It is our responsibility to vote for him (President Goodluck Jonathan). We did it before and we shall do it again.” Uduaghan added that all the

•Explains choice of Okowa’s running mate From Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

candidates of the PDP in the February elections deserved to be elected because they are masses-oriented. Speaking on the choice of a lawyer, Kingsley Otuaro, as running mate to the PDP governorship candidate, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, Uduaghan explained that the decision was a strategic move aimed at consolidating on the peace in Warri. He said: “We have had our fair share of conflicts in this area. We have tried to manage the peace and security in this area. It has not been easy. Nobody should take the peace and security we are enjoying for granted because a lot of persons contributed to it. We have a lot of youths who are today living peacefully together. “To continue with that

peaceful process is not going to be easy but I believe if people in this area continue to be active in politics, we can continue to maintain that peace and even take it higher. “There is a young man who was involved in ensuring that we actively and seriously maintain peace in this area. I am saying this because I can give testimonies of his activities for us in achieving peace in this area. He was a community leader, he was involved in most of the activities we carried out for us to have peace...and today, our governorship candidate, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, has chosen him to be his running mate and that is the person of Kingsley Otuaro. “For me as an individual, the duo of Dr Okowa and Barr. Otuaro as governor and deputy governor is a divine blessing for us because even as

•Dr. Uduaghan

we are enjoying the peace, there are also things that can cause insecurity, fortunately, he (Barr. Otuaro) is an evangelist and he is praying, and through his experience in achieving peace in this area, Delta State will continue to enjoy peace. “This is because, the truth is that when there is sneezing in this area, not only Delta State will shake but, the whole of Nigeria will be affected. We are going to ensure and give him the responsibility to ensure that there is no sneezing in this area.”

54 die awaiting pension in Akwa Ibom From Kazeem Ibrahym, Uyo

O fewer than 54 retired members of staff of local government areas in Akwa Ibom State have died while waiting for their benefits to be paid, it was learnt yesterday. The Chairman, Board of Trustees, Association for the Welfare of Retired Local Government Staff, Emmanuel Usoro, at a news conference in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, said the pension arrears of members of staff retired in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 have not been paid due to the inadequate allocation to the Pension Board. Since 2010, Usoro said, the Akwa Ibom State government has not remitted to the Pension Board its share of 2.5 per cent counterpart fund amounting to N1.44 billion. He added that the failure of the government to pay its own share of 2.5 per cent aggravated the problems facing the retirees. He said: “More that 54 of our members have died while waiting for their benefits and many more are suffering and expecting to die if immediate help does not come to them. “The poor funding of the Local Government Pension Board has resulted in the ability of the Board to pay backlog of the arrear for 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014.” Usoro, who explained that Local Government Pension Board was receiving a monthly allocation of N60.5million representing less than 15 per cent of the gross personnel emolument of staff of the Local Government, said with the yearly increase of retirees the amount has became insufficient to cater for their needs.

Delta NURTW urges Fed Govt to reduce petrol’s price From Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

HE Delta State Council of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), has urged the Federal Government to reduce the price of petroleum products to reflect the fall in international oil price. Its Chairman, Ifeanyi Obi, noted that while the increase in fuel price was justifiable when the international oil price was high, the current N97 per litre is untenable. The driver’s union also urged President Goodluck Jonathan to fix petroleum refineries for Nigerians to have full benefits of having crude oil. His words: “There is complaint of hardship in the country because of crash in price of oil in the international market; so, the Federal Government should also reduce the cost of fuel. If the price of fuel is reduced, we will reduce transport fares and cost of goods and services will reduce in the country. “The Federal Government should make our refineries to work at full capacity. Let them construct new ones so that Nigeria will not import fuel and the cost of fuel will be reduced in the country.” Obi praised Jonathan for performing creditably in the transport sector.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 16, 2015

NEWS

Fed Govt to stop financial allocations to FCT

•National Assembly adopts new FCT revenue/property tax bill

HE Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) will soon be weaned from the annual allocation from the Federal Government. The development followed the adoption of the harmonised report on a Bill for the establishment of a revenue board for the FCTA by the National Assembly. The Bill, titled: “An Act to provide for the establishment of the Federal Capital Internal Revenue Service”, was sponsored by Senator Smart Adeyemi (Kogi West). Once assented to, the FCT will be charged with the responsibility of fending for itself and break away from the age-long tradition of being spoon-fed by the Federal Government, which has provided funds for the operations of the territory since inception.

From Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor and Sanni Onogu, Abuja

The adoption of the Bill means that for the first time since Abuja became Nigeria’s seat of government, the FCTA is being empowered to independently generate the revenue for the administration and infrastructural development of the territory. The FCT Revenue Service, among others, is charged with assessing, collection and accounting for the revenues accruable to the FCT. Adeyemi told reporters after the passage of the Bill that he was grateful to his colleagues for seeing the need to establish the body. The senator regretted that the Bill had been in the National Assembly since 1999, “facing obstacles and hurdles while political considerations

made it difficult”. He added: “The economic situation in the country now has prevailed over political considerations. The population in Abuja now is different from what it was once projected, which has now made this new law imperative. “The population we have in Abuja now demands upgrading of the infrastructure because allocation from the national budget is not enough.” The senator also said it took a lot of “horse-trading before my colleagues in the National Assembly conceded to the establishment of the board”. He added: “We’ve now put a revenue board to expand the revenue base of the FCT and make sure there’s property tax in Abuja. “The harmonised version now allows for the collection of taxes. The power of the minister was reviewed in a way that

the board will meet and recommend appropriate taxes to the minister. “The approval of the collection of taxes will be done by the minister, who will act on behalf of the President.” Also, the Bill, which had scaled the third reading and had been passed, was transmitted to a conference committee of the National Assembly for harmonisation. But it still requires the assent of the President to become law. The Bill also provides for the establishment of FCT Internal Revenue Service and Management Board, with the power to sue and be sued, control and administer various taxes within FCT and account for such taxes. The Bill provides that the revenue board shall be headed by a chairman appointed by the FCT Minister, subject to the approval of the National Assembly. It consists of a deputy chairman, six representatives from various departments of FCT and six persons drawn from each of the six geo-political zones of the country, who are knowledgeable in tax matters.

‘Suswam has made change in Benue easier’

ENUE State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate Dr. Samuel Ortom, has said Governor Gabriel Suswam’s maladministration has made it easier for change to take place in the state. Ortom spoke at his grand reception and unveiling as APC governorship candidate at the Ibrahim Babangida Square in Makurdi, the state capital.

From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

He said: “A situation where you cannot pay workers’ and teachers’ salaries as well as pensions to our fathers and mothers provides an enabling environment for change to take place.” The APC candidate said the protracted strike by primary school teachers and academic staff of five tertiary institutions in the state, besides the

closure of the School of Nursing and Midwifery, had increased the number of those ready to vote out the governor’s party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which had been ruling the state since 1999. Ortom said: “I’m here to bring that change. APC will do the change. “At the national level, the people are yearning for change in favour of General

Muhammadu Buhari, a man with integrity and can deliver on his promises; a man that will fight corruption.” The former Minister of State for Industry noted that with his experience in all tiers of government, he was conversant with the challenges, yearnings and aspirations of the people. He promised to proffer solutions to the challenges facing the state.

Police to arrest ‘troublesome’ politicians in Bauchi Bauchi

HE Sokoto State Command of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) has said it seized 452 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), national identity cards and birth certificates from some nationals of Niger Republic in the last one year. State NIS Controller Yunusa Aliyu addressed reporters yes-

ARELY three days after 46 leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) joined the All Progressives Congress (APC), prominent PDP leaders and their supporters in Ondo East and West, the home town of Governor Olusegun Mimiko, also joined the APC. They said their defection was to align with the APC and Gen Muhammadu Buhari for the desired change in Nigeria. The defectors, who were led by former chairman of Ondo West, Yinka Adeyosoye, made their stand public at the APC state secretariat on Oyemekun Road, Akure, the state capital. Adeyosoye said they decided to join the APC because it is important to be part of the history which is about to happen in the country. He said they have consulted with their people and realised that APC is the party

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

to join. According to him, the APC will make history come February 14. Adeyosoye lamented that things are not going well in the country, particularly in Ondo State. Other defectors are Mimiko’s former Chief Press Secretary (CPS) Kolawole Olabisi; former Special Assistant on Special Interest Arije Kareem; Youth leader of Hausa community Yaro Aliu and its PRO, Adamu Ibraheem, Samuel Adeusi and others. Welcoming the defectors, the APC Chairman Isaac Kekemeke described the defection as important because the new members are from the governor’s home town. He expressed happiness that the APC has made a breakthrough in Ondo kingdom.

Over 200,000 PVCs yet to be collected in Ekiti

VER 200,000 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) are still with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Ekiti State. The electoral agency has urged registered voters who are yet to collect their PVCs to do so at their wards. Speaking in a telephone chat with reporters yesterday, INEC ‘s spokesman Taiwo Gbadegesin urged political parties to partner the electoral body to sensitise the citizenry. Describing the scenario as “disturbing”, Gbadegesin

•From left: Mr Kenneth Ahia (Partner); Cardinal Olubunmi Okogie; Dr Muiz Banire (Moderator); Lagos State Justice Commissioner Mr Ade Ipaye; Mr Femi Falana (SAN) (Book Presenter); Yinka Farounbi, Chairman, Ikeja branch, Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) and Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, Chairman Organising Committee, at the 11th Chief Gani Fawehinmi Annual Lecture/ Symposium on: Fawehinmiism and Second Nigeria Bar Association Gani Fawehinmi Integrity Award at Airport Hotel, Ikeja ... yesterday.

From Austine Tsenzughul,

AUCHI State Police Commissioner Lawal Shehu yesterday threatened to arrest candidates and their supporters who use provocative language during campaigns. Shehu also warned against unguarded utterances during and after the elections. The police chief said such persons would face the wrath of the law. Shehu spoke yesterday in Bauchi at a political stakeholders’ meeting at the police headquarters. The police chief urged politicians to be orderly in their campaigns, “in tune with your political parties’ codes of conduct and the Electoral Act”. He advised them to avoid using vulgar language that could incite violence among supporters of political parties. According to him, the police are also against political parties using thugs (Sara-suka) to cause mayhem during and after rallies, campaigns and elections.

Mimiko’s ex-CPS, others join APC

PHOTO: ABIODUN WILLIAMS

From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado-Ekiti

said the attitude of the electorate to the collection could lead to a low turnout at the elections. The INEC spokesman emphasised that no voter would be allowed to exercise his right without the PVC, urging residents to ensure their collection latest by January 31. The INEC spokesman emphasized that no voter would be allowed to exercise his franchise without the PVCs urging residents to ensure their collection latest by January 31. Gbadegesin also stressed that PVCs remain the only instrument that would guarantee participation in the future elections in the country. He said: “The collection of PVCs is ongoing at the ward level. But the turnout is very low, despite the sensitization on radio and television and even the distribution of pamphlets in languages people can understand best. “The commission will appreciate it better if the political class can join in the campaign for better awareness. Politicians should not see voters’ education as the sole responsibility of INEC and its sister agencies alone. “This is the best of time to show our patriotism to this nation. Participation in the electoral system remains one of the best way to show your commitment to your country.”

Borno NUT loses 360 teachers to Boko Haram

HE Borno State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has said it lost 360 of its members to Boko Haram insurgency in the last four years. State NUT Chairman Bulama Abiso spoke at the distribution of materials to 70 families of slain teachers in Maiduguri, the state capital.

•36,000 teachers among IDPs From Duku Joel, Maiduguri

The NUT chief said about 34,000 teachers were displaced across the state following Boko Haram insurgency. He said the union had registered 36,000 members in the state, adding that scores of

others were taking refuge in various camps in Maiduguri. Abiso said the state chapter of the union donated the materials in collaboration with its counterparts from other northern states. The gesture, the NUT chairman said, was a palliative for

the affected families. He regretted that the Education sector in the state was worse hit by the Boko Haram insurgency, with the killing of teachers, who he called the custodians of imparting knowledge to children. Abiso urged the Federal Government to step up operations to end the insur-

NIS seizes 452 PVCs, others from Nigeriens From Adamu Suleiman, Sokoto

terday in Sokoto on the activities of the service. Aliyu explained that the 66 were PVCs, 33 temporary voter cards, and 271 and 69 old and new national identification cards. The rest of the seized docu-

ments included a local government identification card and 12 birth certificates. The NIS chief said all the documents were seized by the officers attached to the Tureta checkpoint on the Sokoto-Gusau Road. He said the national documents, which were supposed to be issued to bona fide Nige-

rians, were issued in other southern states. Aliyu said: “This is because it is extremely difficult there to differentiate between the Hausa from northern Nigeria and those from the neighbouring Niger Republic.” The NIS chief also said some officers attached to the border

guards units under the command intercepted a stolen vehicle on the Tangaza-Balle Road in the state. He said: “The suspected car snatchers were stopped for a routine search by the officers but they refused to stop. They fled. “The officers pursued them and the suspects abandoned

gency in the Northeast. He said: “We, therefore, appeal to the Federal Government and the security agencies to intensify efforts to end this insurgency.” He also urged the federal and state governments, non-government organisations (NGOs) and well-meaning Nigerians to assist the teachers in the state.

the vehicle and fled, although no suspect was arrested.” Aliyu said the vehicle had been handed over to the state police command. He added: “The owner was in our command to claim the recovered vehicle, but he was referred to the police command for proper identification and claim.”

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 16, 2015

NEWS

Jonathan under pressure over N60b terror victims cash Continued from page 4

called on his twitter followers to rate Jonathan’s performance. He tweeted: “On Nov 11, 2014, GEJ said that he ‘will do everything humanly possible to end this violence.’ Rate his performance. What happened to N80billion Terror Victims Support Fund raised in 2014? Or is it N60 billion since they keep changing figures?” In a related statement issued by his spokesman, Bamikole Omishore, Saraki, who is the Chairman, Senate Committee on Environment and Ecology, insisted that it is sad that months after the inauguration of the committee, thousands of displaced victims of terror are yet to gain access to the funds. He said: “The terms of reference for the committee included to identify sources and ways of raising sustainable funding to support victims of Boko Haram terror activities; to develop appropriate strategies for the fund raising and to ascertain the persons, communities, facilities and economic assets af-

fected by Boko Haram terror activities. “The committee was also mandated to assess and determine the appropriate support required in each case, manage, disburse or administer support to the victims as appropriate; to address related challenges as may be appropriate; and to advise government on other matter(s) necessary or incidental to support victims of Boko Haram terror activities among others. “While inaugurating the committee, Jonathan had told the members to mobilise collective efforts and resources in support of terror victims and urged Nigerians and non-Nigerians, individuals and corporate bodies, to give generously to the fund. “Donors to the funds so far included banks and captains of blue chip industries in the country.” Reacting to Saraki’s claims, Vice Chairman of the Fund’s committee, Fola Adeola, told The Nation that the body has received less than N14 billion of the N58.7 billion pledged by would-be donors, adding that N300 mil-

lion has been expended on 10,000 families in four states. He said: “I am not aware that he has issued a statement but if indeed he did, then, that was done out of ignorance. At the inauguration of the Fund, people made pledges but we have so far collected less than N14 billion. The money we have collected is above N13 billion but less than N14 billion. “The money is intact and currently in six banks, except for N300 million we spent in December on 10,000 families of displaced persons in Abuja, Maiduguri, Gombe and Yola. “When you are setting up an organisation, you do not do so and plan to spend all the money in your coffers the following day. We just appointed an Executive Director who resumed in November. “At the moment, we are gathering data and visiting affected areas. We are also looking into other intervention mechanism because we believe in assisting these victims. We have also invited auditors (KPMG) to audit the account and, once that is

done, the report will be made public. “The committee is not a straight organisation. We are aware we received money from donors and are accountable to them. The money in our hands cannot miss. I know he is a politician and these are political times, but people must know that the fund is not political and cannot be seen as such. “It was set up to look into the plight of the victims of terrorism and it cannot be abused.” Speaking at the occasion, President Jonathan had bemoaned the terror unleashed on Nigeria by the extremist sect, Boko Haram, pledging to lead Nigerians to victory. He told Nigerians that the establishment of the fund should not be seen as accepting terrorism as a way of life in the country, adding: “No! Never! Rather, this is just one of the short-term measures in our overall strategy against the enemies of peace and progress.” The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said yesterday that 981, 416 citizens are dis-

placed in parts of the country. Its Director General Sani Sidi, gave the figure at the National Information Centre in Abuja, just as Adamawa State confirmed the outbreak of measles in some IDPs camps in the state. The NEMA boss said only 107, 997 of the displaced persons were living in the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps. Sidi, who was represented by the agency’s Director of Search and Rescue Operations, Air Commodore Charles Onifade, at the news briefing, said the figures were gotten with the support of international organisations, states emergency management agencies, the Nigerian Red Cross Society and traditional rulers. He said the rest of the IDPs were either seeking refuge with their host communities or with friends and acquaintances. Sidi, who said the number of IDPs increased due to natural disasters and insurgency, added that of the displaced persons, 804,732 were

living with their host communities as at January, 14. On the supports from international partners like United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), OXFAM and others, Sidi added that the agency has been able to manage 20 protected IDPs’ camps in the North. “External security for the camps is provided by the armed forces while internal security is provided by the civil defence force,” he said. On the situation in Baga, Sidi said the agency has provided comprehensive humanitarian support to 3,200 IDPs from Baga at its facility in the teachers’ village camp in Maiduguri. Also speaking at the briefing, the Coordinator of the centre, Mike Omeri, said the increase in the number of suicide bombers was an indication that the Boko Haram sect is running out of options. He said the Federal Government was working hard to ensure that all insurgents were rooted out from their hiding places and a safe and secure country for the citizens is restored.

Buhari to Armed Forces: your neglect ’ll soon be over Continued from page 4

curity Service, $2.19m to buy firearms and ammunition and the Nigeria Airforce, $1.79 million to buy M1-34/ 35 helicopters and another $11.6million to buy six M135m helicopters. “From the above analysis, it has become clear that the

Boko Haram insurrection has become business for the Jonathan administration as its hirelings and profiteers have turned a national tragedy to a commercial venture. “The Boko Haram insurrection has become an opportunity, not to suppress those waging war against our fatherland but to starve the

military of adequate weaponry while spending critical resources on recurrent needs,” the statement said. The Buhari Campaign Organisation said this explains why President Jonathan is busy looking for scapegoats and excuses instead of doing the duty the Constitution demands of him, which is to

protect Nigeria’s territorial integrity. “As President, Muhammadu Buhari will demonstrate his patriotism and technical skill by saving Nigeria from the threat of internal insurrection. Indeed, his emergence as President on February 14, 2015 by the grace of God will send the right signal to those waging war against Nigeria that a true and competent Commander -in-Chief of the Armed Forc-

es has arrived. “It will boost the morale of our soldiers, that at last, a general who understands their challenges and shares their anxiety has arrived; it will awaken the esprit de corps in our military establishment to mount the final and total operation to liberate the people of Chibok, and Nigerians in general from the threat of violence and death,” Alake said.

•Mr. Alake

How troops killed 78 Boko Haram insurgents Continued from page 4

als.” Defence Spokesman Maj.Gen. Chris Olukolade declined to comment on Boko Haram casualty figures. He said the military was more concerned about the success of the operations than the figures of the terrorists killed during the encounters. According to him, what is important now is for us to consolidate on the victory, recapture areas where the

terrorists are presently operating and restore peace to the entire Northeast. Coordinator, National Information Centre, Mr. Mike Omeri said security agencies, led by the Department of State Services (DSS), would interrogate the captured insurgents to determine their involvement in other atrocities. “Those found to have conducted any crime against the state will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law

in accordance with international standard and best practice,’’ he said. Omeri said the recent rise in suicide bombings by the terrorists was an indication that they were already running out of options. “The government is fully committed to ensuring that all militants are rooted out of their hiding places to ensure a safe and secure country for all Nigerians,’’ he said. Omeri, however, said 42 insurgents were killed in Biu.

Jonathan: we’ll reclaim lost territories Continued from page 4

they get the weapons, equipment, welfare and logistics support they require to completely rout the insurgents and restore security and normalcy to affected parts of the country. Describing the troops as a special breed of men who were undertaking a great assignment for their fatherland, the President assured them that actions were being taken to address challenges facing them in their operations against Boko Haram. He said: “In terms of equipment and logistics, we have already made considerable progress since the insurgency started and we will continue to improve in that regard until your operations are successfully concluded.” President Jonathan also toured wards of the 7 Division Hospital and Medical Servic-

es Centre where he met with soldiers recovering from injuries sustained in operations against Boko Haram. He wished them speedy recovery. President Jonathan said: “The Nigerian military is now better off in term of equipment than it was in the past. We will continue to do our best to ensure the armed forces are better equipped to handle this security challenges and even after now,” he said. He praised the troops for their sacrifice, loyalty and dedication to the fight against insurgency, adding: “What you’re doing is not easy. We thank you as a nation. Terrorism is a global phenomenon. We’re working day and night, trying to curtail this madness. “We will assist you to succeed in your effort. We will give you what is due to you.

Government will make sure you get it. We appreciate your dutiful service, loyalty and commitment and dedication to this fight.” Chief of Army Staff Lt.- Gen Minimah said the President was at the barrack to interact with men and officers in the operation, adding that his visit was a boost to the operations, especially coming on the day set aside to remember the Nation’s fallen heroes (the Armed Forces Remembrance Day). Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima thanked the president for the visit which, he said has rekindled hope and confidence of the people that the insurgency problem will soon come to an end. He said the state is ever ready to cooperate with National Emergency Management Agency and all other federal agencies to ensure that the needs of the displaced people are catered for.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 16, 2015

FOREIGN NEWS

Malema faults Jonathan’s handling of Baga killings

OUTH Africa’s youth leader and federal lawmaker, Julius Malema, has attacked President Goodluck Jonathan’s handling of the massacre in Baga, Borno State. He suggested South African intervention against the extremist Boko Haram sect. Mr. Malema, who leads the Economic Freedom Fighters Party, criticised Mr. Jonathan for rushing out public condemnations of the terrorist attack on a newspaper in France when he has remained silent until date on the bloodbath in Baga, a troubled town in his own country. The youth leader said the South African National Assembly will consider a motion on a possible intervention in the bloody campaign by Boko Haram that has claimed thousands of lives and has worsened in the last weeks. Boko Haram seized Baga, a fishing community on the northern tip of Borno State by Lake Chad, sacking the military base there and killing soldiers and hundreds of civilians. Rights group, Amnesty International, said at least 2,000 people were killed in the attack, and said the carnage is the worst attack since Boko Haram began a bloody campaign targeting civilians and government officials in 2009. But the Nigerian military said about 150 people died in the attack, including Boko Haram militants, rejecting the figure provided by Amnesty International. Speaking at a news briefing, Mr. Malema said President Jonathan is quick to release statement about the killing in Paris; but doesn’t say anything about the killings in his own country. Mr.

‘We are really saddened by what is happening in Nigeria. It is highly disturbing’ Malema said. “We are really saddened by what is happening in Nigeria. It is highly disturbing.” “And we need South African Government to intervene and we will be raising the matter in the Parliament. “We will make the Parliament to debate it as an urgent matter and pass the resolution for South African intervention in Nigeria,” he said.

•An Iran fan cheers on the national football team in their match against Qatar at the Asian Cup in Sydney, Australia. Iran PHOTO: REUTERS reached the quarter-finals after winning 1-0.

Charlie Hebdo: Did France drop the ball?

EARLY every modern terrorist attack is followed by accusations of socalled intelligence failure. In the case of last week’s attacks in France, the charge has added force: the suspects were known not just to French but also to other European and American authorities; one had travelled to Yemen over a three-year period and another had been convicted of earlier seeking to travel to Iraq; and they were plugged into long-established European jihadist networks. The answer isn’t clearcut. True, the suspects weren’t unknown quantities. Cherif and Said Kouachi, who committed the Charlie Hebdo massacre, Amedy Coulibaly, who took hostages in a

By Shashank Joshi

kosher shop, and Hayat Boumeddiene, Coulibaly’s girlfriend, were connected both to each other, and to a large network of extremist organisers in Europe. The younger Kouachi, Cherif, had been jailed for seeking to join Iraqi jihadists nearly a decade ago. In prison, he was mentored by the al-Qaeda-linked Djamel Beghal, who himself had spent time at Finsbury Park mosque in London, where he was an associate of the radical cleric Abu Hamza. The older Kouachi undertook military training in Yemen in 2011, where he met the influential preacher Anwar al-Awlaki. Awlaki was a senior figure in al-Qaeda in the Ara-

Islam in the age of anarchists •Continued from back page This piece was actually triggered by a photograph on the back page of The Punch of last Tuesday. It depicts a security guard at the gate of an elementary school in Dougirei, Jimeta, in Adamawa State, searching kindergarten pupils (probably between the ages of two and five) with a bomb detector before they are allowed into their school compound. The picture strikes home as surreal and violent; it is an image of innocence being violated, as those kids are prodded with that cold, strange device. Suicide bombing was the macabre dance of men; then women joined in by desecrating their hijab with IEDs. Today, our innocent little girls are turned to zombies and angels of death by satanists who are erroneously called Islamists. I was about to pen harsh words about Muslims and Islam turning innocent little girls into weapons of

mass murder when it occurred to me that I would be in serious error as all around me are Muslims who are dignified and impeccable beings. Then you wonder: who are these blood-thirsty anarchists engaged in senseless killing spree in Nigeria, Cameroun, Mali, Kenya, Syria, Iraq, Pakistan, India, Afghanistan, France and even China? Why is the world suddenly infested with people the media has termed “Islamists” who are intent on destroying humanity and world’s civilisations? It is blood for the sake of it; carnage for no reason. Hardly does a day pass without targeted explosions or shooting spree in one part of the world or the other. In market places, worship places, bus and train stations, military checkpoints, just anywhere two or three are gathered, man is under attack - and for no reason whatsoever. Evil people are bent on destroying humanity. We

shudder at what might happen should they acquire more lethal weapons like gases, biological and nuclear capabilities! This is why the world must rise as one to fight this insipient madness. As respected Nigeria’s former head of state, General Abdulsalam Abubakar, cried out recently in a “Letter to Nigerians”: “… we must be able to realise that what is happening has nothing to do with religion; and it should be obvious enough by now that satanic forces are at work to set us against each other.” He described them as “forces of darkness.” We want to hear more of such unequivocal condemnation of these hordes from hell. True Muslims, clerics, intellectuals and leaders… everyone must speak up in sustained, strident voices. They must teach their ignorant members that killing in any guise, even suicide, will only earn you a place in HELL. Let us drum it in that virgins are never gifted… here or beyond.

bian Peninsula (AQAP), the branch of al-Qaeda that has proven most effective at placing bombs on Western-bound aircraft, and which claimed responsibility for the French attacks. Cherif Kouachi had met terrorists in Yemen, according to French authorities. It is important to remember, however, that thousands of people would have been connected to these very same networks, some of which are well over a decade old. On top of this, more than 1,000 French nationals - a large proportion of whom would be previously unknown - have travelled to Iraq and Syria to fight with Islamic State in the last few years. About

•Police are still searching for Hayat Boumeddiene, left, who is said to be gunman Amedy Coulibaly’s partner

200 have returned. France has unusually powerful intelligence agencies, but no Western agency has the legal powers or manpower and resources to conduct intrusive and constant surveil-

lance of thousands of citizens who have not been charged with any crime. As one French intelligence officer told the New York Times, “we would need to triple our staff to better protect [Paris]”.

U.S. House votes to block Obama’s Migrant Bill

HE House of Representatives has voted to pass a bill that would effectively roll back President Barack Obama’s recent immigration initiatives. The bill still needs to go to the Senate for approval and the White House has said the President will veto it. Mr Obama announced in November that he would use his executive authorities to enact sweeping immigration changes. Republicans in the House say that the president’s actions overreach his authority and are unconstitutional. It is the Republican’s latest attempt to challenge the White House, after taking control of both chambers of Congress in November. In the wake of the elections, President Obama announced he would unilaterally reform immigration policies. His executive order aimed at providing temporary relief from deportation to four million undocumented immigrants currently living in the United States.

Mr Obama urged immigrants to “come out of the shadows” Wednesday’s immigration votes were on two amendments attached to a broader bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security - the agency that oversees immigration enforcement. “This executive overreach is an affront to the rule of law

and to the Constitution itself,” Speaker of the House John Boehner said after the vote. “The people made clear that they wanted more accountability from this president, and by our votes here today we will heed their will and we will keep our oath to protect and defend the Constitution.’’

Belgium: Raid ‘leaves two dead’

EOPLE have been killed in an anti-terror operation in eastern Belgium, local officials say. A third person was wounded in the raid in the town of Verviers, according to Belgian TV. Several arrests have been made. Witnesses reported hearing heavy gunfire for several minutes and at least three explosions. Unconfirmed reports said raids were also taking place in Brussels and elsewhere in Belgium. An official quoted by AFP news agency said the raid in Verviers was “jihadist-related”. “An operation is under way,” a source in the mayor’s office told AFP, but gave no details. The area around the train station has been cordoned off and reports on social media say there is a heavy police presence in the town centre. Media reports suggested those targeted were suspected jihadists who had recently returned from Syria. Intelligence had indicated that they had been planning an attack, the reports added.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 16, 2015

NEWS ARMED FORCES REMEMBRANCE DAY

•Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi laying a wreath at the Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration held at the Remembrance Arcade, Government House, Agodi, Ibadan...yesterday. PHOTO: FEMI ILESANMI

•Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun releasing pigeons at the Arcade Ground, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta...yesterday.

•Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola at the Military Cenotaph, Osogbo...yesterday.

•Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan in Asaba...yesterday.

•Bauchi State Governor Isa Yuguda taking his turn at the IBB PHOTO: NAN Square in Bauchi...yesterday.

•Nasarawa State Governor Umaru Al-Makura releasing piPHOTO: NAN geons in Lafia...yesterday.

•Rivers State Governor Chibuike Amaechi laying a wreath in PHOTO: NAN Port Harcourt...yesterday.

•Kaduna State Governor Muktar Yero with a pigeon in PHOTO: NAN Kaduna...yesterday.

•Sokoto State Governor Aliyu Wamakko releasing pigeons in PHOTO: NAN Sokoto...yesterday.

•Plateau State Governor Jonah Jang laying a wreath in PHOTO: NAN Jos...yesterday.

•Yobe State Governor Ibrahim Gaidam at the Government PHOTO: DUKU JOEL House Damaturu...yesterday.

•Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole at the cenotaph of the ‘Unknown Soldier’ in Benin City...yesterday.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 16, 2015

SPORT EXTRA

Mobil Athletics final to honour Akpabio S

ATURDAY, February 7 has been set aside to celebrate the grand finale of the Akwa Ibom State/ NNPC/MPN/Schools Athletics Championship, the 14th in the series. A press release by the organisers in Uyo yesterday, revealed plans to make it the best ever ultra modern Akwa Ibom International Stadium, to the availability of state of the art sports equipment and ambience that will contribute to lifting its status. “We have also decided to dedicate this year’s final to His Excellency Governor Godswill Akpabio for bringing this world class edifice to Uyo, Nigeria”

• Akpabio

The organisers remembered that this time last year they had to take the students all the way to U.J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar to give them a feel of modern standards and facilities. “This year thanks to our sports-loving Governor we are not only home, but at home with better infrastructure and the students will be given a treat. “For us therefore His Excellency will be the Special guest of honour in a “farewell capacity” as Governor of the state as we open the stadium officially with a track and field event after

football has taken its turn.” Also expected is the sports minister Dr Tammy Danagogo who will be the seventh minister to honour the athletics competition with his physical presence, since its inception. The line-up of VIPs include the Director General of the National Sports Commission Hon Gbenga Elegbeleye, The President of YSFON and the President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria Chief Solomon Ogba who has always graced the event with his entourage, in addition to technical assistance in

officiating. Back home, the who’s who in the state political circles and community and management and staff of NNPC and MPN are expected to witness the showpiece of school sports, the sole and longest running competittion of its kind in the land. This year the over 500 students that qualified for the final after the zonal eliminations, will be camped for a week before the grand finale to acquaint them with the use of spike shoes and other modern athletics facilities.

Onazi to dump Lazio • Onazi

IGERIA international Ogenyi Onazi could still dump his Italian Serie A team Lazio in this winter transfer window, a close confidant of the player has told AfricanFootball.com. A bid by Liverpool for Onazi has reportedly been rejected by Lazio, who have extended the contract of the Nigeria midfield star. However, the hard running

midfielder has continued to attract interest from several clubs and his destination may well be the English Premier League, where several clubs have been linked with him. "Onazi is doing well with Lazio. There is a lot of talk about him moving, that is still possible this January but nothing his certain yet,” said the close source. “He has offers from many teams in England which include Liverpool, West ham United, Newcastle United, QPR, Southampton and Swansea. “Germany’s Borrusia Monchengladbach and Galatasaray of Turkey also want him. We can't pre-empt anything now, you can't say never in football until it has happened or not."

Siasia thrilled with test games

IGERIA Olympic team coach Samson Siasia has commended the Nigeria Football Federation for organising top test games for the country’s U23s. The Dream Team VI will play two matches in Tunisia

and also take part in an invitational tournament involving the country’s U20 team as well as the four clubs who will represent Nigeria in this year’s CAF competitions – Kano Pillars, Enyimba, Warri Wolves and Dolphins.

TODAY IN THE NATION

FRIDAY, JANUARY 16, 2015 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

VOL.10 NO. 3097

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

S I made clear last week, I do not believe that Pastor Bakare is flying anybody’s kite with his suggestion that “the report of the 2014 National Conference is the Fair Havens in which Nigeria must winter to avoid the storms that are ahead.” But his view of this “Fair Havens” is more optimistic than mine and the reality that I perceive is far from fair. First, we would first have to settle the constitutional question of term elongation for the President and other political office holders. In the present National Assembly (NASS) I don’t see this happening. Then we have to present the report before the same fractious NASS and all the State Assemblies. Meanwhile, the undercurrents of political calculations and scheming for the elections are not going away. Assume we have the next four years, I can reasonably predict that there would be no resolution of the important issues. Second, as Pastor Bakare himself confirmed, we have a report of the Conference. In his campaign stump speech in Lagos, Jonathan expressed reservation about presenting the report to the present NASS, which he claimed has some issues. But are there no aspects of the report that he can constitutionally act upon by executive order? Why are we still waiting on his action after about five months since the report was submitted? Assume that the general elections were delayed in order to settle the matter of the Confab report as Pastor Bakare canvassed; will a different National Assembly be created for the purpose? Third, Dr. Jonathan’s answer to the above question does not support Pastor Bakare’s proposal. He told his audience that if he was reelected, he would present the report to a new NASS. Indeed, before the President made this declaration, a good friend who once routed for Buhari but is now in Jonathan’s corner had indicated that he would like Jonathan to be reelected so that he could be held accountable for the implementation of the Confab report. That is a more defensible approach. Obviously, however, there is no guarantee that Jonathan will be able to deliver on this even if he gets re-elected because he cannot be sure what kind of NASS Nigerians will elect. Fourth, we don’t need to postpone the election in order to approve and implement the Confab report. An election is a referendum on the choices of an administration during its four years of service, and in the case of this president, six years. If voters endorsed the decision of President Jonathan to convene the National Conference and to implement its reports, they would consider it in their calculations. I don’t recall that Jonathan campaigned on the convocation of a National Conference in 2011, and it wasn’t until very late

F an Alfa (a Muslim cleric) does not live two houses away from mine, I would be saying the worst things about Islam now. And you would not blame me, going by the carnage and wanton destruction being inflicted on humanity by people who hide under the cover of Islam. But the Alfa down my street is the most benign specie of man I know. At a community end of year get-together last December, he prayed so much for us all and country until the congregation got weary. Following upon a directive from the Lagos State Government, some residents had complained about Alfa’s early morning call of the faithful, insisting that it infringed on their right to beautiful early morning snooze. Alfa had stopped forthwith to make early morning calls with his megaphone. His little mosque has not closed down either. Yet he remains his wonderful self – amiable, genial and self-effacing. And now that the matter has been called to mind, it suddenly occurred to me that many of the people I interact with daily are unbeknown to me, Muslims. Indeed they are not mere Muslims, they are ardent and keen believers; some even sponsor mosques of their own. The Community Development Association (CDA) in Alimoso LGA, Lagos that I belong to and in which I am treasurer, has Muslims as chairman, secretary and publicity secretary. The chairman has a mosque in his compound. His faith has never been an issue except when he would take offence if we failed to celebrate Sallah with him and share in his rams. Thinking about it now, my closest friend and confidante in the neighbourhood is a Muslim. I would entrust my house to him each time the entire family travelled. He also built a mosque in his compound which he sponsors solely. His wife is a Deeper Lifer. Redoubtable Alhaji Salihu Ehimeakhe, a

SEGUN GBADEGESIN gbadegesin@thenationonlineng.net

Riding out the gathering storm (2)

•Jonathan

•Buhari

in his tenure that he was persuaded about its need. Therefore, voters should have the opportunity to evaluate him on this late conversion, and on his overall stewardship. Fifth, if restructuring is an important issue for the polity, it is not too much to ask the presidential candidates to explain their positions on it to the voters before they (voters) head for the polls. Hopefully, candidates will have opportunities for debate on issues because such is an occasion for the electorate to get to know more about their prospective leaders. However, if voters don’t care about issues of restructuring and constitutional amendment, we cannot force them and we must be reminded about the inviolability of Lincoln’s wisdom: “Elections belong to the people. It’s their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they will just have to sit on their blisters.” There is another position that has not been canvassed openly, but which has been articulated

by those close to the thinking around it: “Let elections be postponed for two years so that Jonathan can have his eight years in office and this would satisfy the Southsouth. Then the North can have its turn with candidates from the major parties coming from the zone.” I have addressed the issue of resolving the North-South tension in particular and ethnic tensions in general via this suggested practice in my submission last week. What is new here is the idea of elongating the President’s term so as to obviate any potential storm coming from a dissatisfied zonal or ethnic constituency, should Jonathan lose his re-election bid. The President, being an avowed democrat and intellectual, should be the first to reject this subterfuge as an unacceptable precaution against ethnic tension. There is a reason we have a constitution that prescribes term limit for office holders. No one is guaranteed two terms in office by default. National political offices are not designed for particular zones, but for particular individuals. That was why we all fought against the cabal that tried to prevent Jonathan from taking over as President upon the illness and eventual demise of Yar’Adua. Their argument then was that Yar’ Adua’s presidency was for the North and the zone should be allowed to present a candidate to complete his term. This was rejected by intelligent and patriotic citizens. It is therefore preposterous and outrageous that someone can be thinking in ways similar to the thinking of that disgraced cabal. Finally, the most crucial issue raised by Pastor Bakare is the readiness of the electoral umpire, INEC. This matter is also touched upon by The Washington Post editorial. Is INEC ready or not? To this, there is an additional question: Are security agencies ready or not? There have been conflicting

STEVE OSUJI

EXPRESSO

steve.osuji@yahoo.com

•Columnist of the Year (NMMA)

Islam in the age of anarchists former boss of mine, a statesman in his own right (especially in business circles), is in my estimation a near perfect specimen of humanity. When he employed me as manager of corporate affairs in a bank he headed many years ago, it never mattered that he was a Muslim. Even though he would observe his prayers every afternoon, we never seemed to have noticed. Till today, he remains a mentor and source of inspiration. All these people have families. They have children I know they love and cherish dearly and they spend enormous resources training them in schools, home and abroad. None of that balderdash about education (Western or Eastern) being an abomination. These people do not only love life, they cherish humanity by their very relationship with their neighbours. The last thing on the mind of these people I know so well would be to kill and destroy. If you suppose my environment of example may be wrong, about three decades ago, I had my National Youth Service in the old Sokoto State, Northwest of Nigeria. It is the seat of the Caliphate and home of the Sultan, the supreme head of Nigeria’s Muslims. It remains one of

the most memorable experiences of my life. Sokoto of the 80s was remarkably quiet, indeed serene in a sublime way. There were just one or two mosques in the ancient city and Muslim faithful would pray under the shade of trees most days safe for Fridays when all roads led to the central mosques. The people epitomised peaceful living – with themselves and strangers in their midst.

reports in the media concerning this important matter. Fortunately, we are now told that INEC has confirmed its readiness and has rebuffed suggestions to postpone the elections. It has also confirmed that it has the “financial and mental” capacity to conduct the polls. This is a relief, but we must be on our guards. For it is still unclear what will happen in the Northeast where territories including several local government areas have been taken over by Boko Haram. How will elections be conducted in such places and in locations with IDPs? With respect to our security agencies, especially the Police and the DSS, there is a serious cause for concern. We remember 1983. The Inspector-General (IG) then was most assuredly the attack dog of the ruling party. And from the utterances and body language of the current IG, history is being repeated. It appears that between the Police and the DSS there is a competition for the trophy for the most Loyal Agency to Presidential Desire of Glory (the acronym adequately defines what they are). It is unfortunate that knowledgeable people who should be the first to say “No” to police abuse and intrusion in matters of politics cheer on such abuses. When a Minister of Police Affairs publicly declared that he had ordered the arrest of persons who make “inflammatory speeches” in a liberal democracy that we claim to practise, it was beyond the pale, especially since he and his lapdogs get to determine what is inflammatory. That no one in the audience that was full of people who had been brutalised in the past for speaking out their mind raised a voice to call him out was truly mind boggling, to say the least. In conclusion then, we can and will ride out the gathering storm if INEC is prepared and security agencies play the role of an impartial umpire, which is the oath of duty to which they swore. For as our experience with recent elections attests, if elections are seen to be free and fair, even if the results are contrary to their desires, the majority of our fellow citizens do not behave like the PDP governors at the NGF Chairmanship elections. Voters are sufficiently reasonable to accept the results they don’t like, provided the election is transparently fair. And with the certitude of a mutually assured destruction that is bound to follow an unjust assault by one part of the country on another, rational citizens who lose out in a fair contest would willingly concede. Concluded •For comments, send SMS to 08111813080

Churches flourished in designated areas and there was ample social intermingling. Down East, across the Niger, there exist large settlements of Northerners who are predominantly Muslims. In fact, Northern Muslims must be the largest settler population group in Igbo land.. Right from the large trading colony after the Onitsha head bridge to Aba, Umuahia, Ama Hausa in Owerri and Garki in Enugu and every major town of the Southeast. Last December, we bought items from two itinerant hawkers right in front of the village hall in our remote part of IsialaMbano. We made jokes with them and many were astounded that ndi-ugwu (people of the hills, as northerners are generically referred to by Igbo) could find their way around our forest homesteads. Not a few were apprehensive, but after a brief hearty interaction, we discovered that these were ordinary folks plodding the countryside questing for livelihood.

•Continued

on page 61

PDP: This sinking feeling…

S night falling on Africa’s biggest party; the one that was recently declared would rule for 60 years? Why is it that one cannot help seeing an image of the Peoples Democratic Party and its presidential standard-bearer as some kind of specie undergoing rapid atrophy? The bumbling behemoth seems to have all but crumbled under its sordid weight. Most of the big guns of PDP unbeknown to them, are already walking with their shoulders slouched as if they are already defeated. Please take a critical look at them. The centre no longer seems to hold for the party. All former leaders and founders have deserted it and are shunning its campaign train.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo now openly supports the opposition APC candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari. Founding father, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, long sidelined, has issued a warning. Retired military President Ibrahim Babangida would not be categorical that he would vote PDP. Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa State, who is supposed to lead PDP’s campaign in the Northwest, is nowhere to be found as the campaign train chugs on creakily. Woe alas, the big, bad monster totters! How will it fall…!? •For comments, send SMS to 08111526725

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