January 23, 2015

NIGERIA DECIDES

Newspaper of the Year •Kwara candidates to sign agreement•Monarch thanks Ajimobi •AND MORE PAGES •Buhari for Akure tomorrow•APC petitions IG, others over advert ON 2-8,56 &60 •Hoodlums stone Jonathan’s campaign team •The IDP question •Bayelsa police chief kicks over threat on First Lady•Fashola: no to polls shift •Ambode to make Ajegunle youths champs •My priority, by PDP candidate

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VOL. 10, NO. 3104 FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015

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Principal gets death threats for releasing Buhari’s results Ministry summons school headmaster

‘Coward soldiers stalling Boko Haram battle’

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

N

IGERIA’S campaign against Islamist Boko Haram insurgents is being hampered by “cowards” within the armed forces, National Security Adviser (NSA) Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd) said yesterday in London.

Boko Haram’s bloody uprising to carve out an Islamic caliphate has taken much of Nigeria’s northeast.

“Unfortunately, we have

B

ARELY 24 hours after releasing Gen. Muhammadu Buhari’s 1961 West African School Certificate (WASC) results, the Principal of the Government College, Katsina, Mallam Isyaku Bello, has been receiving death threats.

The source of the threats could not be ascertained last night.

The principal was summoned by his employers, the Katsina State Ministry of Education, in connection with the release of the results, sources close to Mallam Bello said last night.

The embattled principal was said to have explained that he needed to defend the integrity of the college (formerly Provincial Secondary School, Katsina) and not Gen. Buhari.

Bello made distress calls to his friends and relatives, The Nation learnt.

One source said: “Some forces were unhappy with the issuance of results to Gen. Buhari and they have been threatening the principal. They have been calling him names, abusing him. Some were actually threatening to deal with him.

“They told the principal that he ought to have left Buhari to his fate instead of releasing his results.

“Faced with pressure, the principal has reached out to friends and relatives on the threats. He explained that he did so to protect the integrity of the college and not anybody’s.

“We hope that no harm will come upon the principal, who was just doing his job.”

It was unclear as at press time last night whether Bello had reported the threat to the police or not. He did not pick his calls and messages to his telephone were not replied.

A highly-placed source in APC Presidential Campaign Council confirmed the threats.

He said: “This is an unfortunate development if it is true that the principal is really Continued on page 4

?

WILL THE CHIBOK GIRLS KIDNAPPED ON APRIL 15 EVER RETURN?

Continued on page 4

Jonathan should lead well, says Akanbi •‘Stolen PVCs useless‘ From Sanni Onogu, Abuja

F

•Col. Dasuki

There is nothing wrong in delaying it to ensure that everybody who ought to vote gets that card to vote…

—Dasuki

•Prof. Jega

It is not a conversation of the commission at all. As far as we are talking now, the date is what it is —INEC

•Chief Odigie-Oyegun

They know... if they don’t postpone the elections, there is no way they can win.

They are just terrified —APC

ORMER Court of Appeal President Justice Mustapha Akanbi yesterday accused President Goodluck Jonathan of unduly comparing himself with reputable world leaders without any attempt to replicate in Nigeria what they did in their countries.

Justice Akanbi, who is also the pioneer Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission (ICPC), spoke as the chairman of the 12th Daily Trust Dialogue organised Continued on page 4

NSA Dasuki under attack over elections shift call

STORY ON PAGE 4

APC, governors, others: election must go on as scheduled

2 JAMB GIVES JAN. 30 DEADLINE P5 •EBOLA EBBING IN WEST AFRICA, SAYS WHO P6 P62 •INSIDE:

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015

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NEWS

NIGERIA DECIDES

Election 20 •Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (middle), Budget and Planning Commissioner Ben Akabase (left) and Senior Special Adviser on Media to the Governor Hakeem Bello at the press brieging on the stoppage of the Buhari/Osibajo fund raising PHOTO; OMOSEHIN MOSES GSM platform by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC)in Lagos...yesterday.

•Jonathan

•From left: Chairman, Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Chairman, Heirs Holdings Group, Mr. Tony O. Elumelu (middle) and President, African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr. Donald Kaberuka at the breakfast session on Unlocking Global Institutional Capital for Africa, jointly hosted by Heirs Holdings and Dangote Group at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland...yesterday.

• From right: Business Adviser to the Managing Director, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo), Mr. Olatunji Sapara; Managing Director, SNEPCo, Mr. Tony Attah; Vice President, Development, DeltaAfrik Engineering Ltd, Mr. Tunde Elesin and Senior Vice President, Intecsea Inc., Mr. James Osborn Jr. at the closing session of the 2015 Offshore West Africa Conference & Exhibition in Lagos...Thursday.

•President, Women’s ProClimate Federation for Buhari plus Osinbajo Presidency 2015, Mrs Ekaette Enitan Sanusi (left) and her vice, Mrs Funmi Adegbite at the press conference on Mother of Rallies Campaign for Change: Enough is Enough in Lagos...yesterday.

PHOTO; SOLOMON ADEOLA

T

HE issue of internally displaced persons (IDPs), to vote or not to vote in the general elections starting on February 14, could well be a subject of fierce partisan dispute.

Given that most of IDPs - estimated not less than one million - are victims of the Boko Haram insurgency in the Northeast states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe, and to a lesser extent, the Tin City - Jos, Plateau State, ethnic and sectarian disputes, the Dr. Goodluck Jonathan Presidency might just not be keen on the IDPs voting — though it would be damned to voice out such sentiments.

The reason is simple. Since the government of the day takes the flaks for the parlous security situation that brought about the IDPs, the government would be right to dread refugee camps.

The opposition, on the other hand, would be loath to let go of the votes of the hurting, displaced persons.

For one, their anger, other things being equal, near-assures it of block anti-government protest votes.

For another, because they are angry and emotional, they would appear in no frame of mind to scrutinise the efficacy or otherwise of the opposition’s solution to the security crisis that has put them on-the-run.

The mindset of just-any-other-people-but-those-there-now would do the opposition just fine.

Still, beyond partisan preferences, IDPs’ votes are key in this election, if it were to be representative of the pulse and mood of the people.

With the grim security situation in the North East, where Boko Haram controls a chunk of the territory, particularly in Borno and Adamawa states, the chief headache of the Prof Attahiru Jega-chaired Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is how to conduct elections in this rather unsafe enclave.

INEC would wish that cup passed over it — by simply announcing (and not illogically) that the situation on the ground did not support an election!

Yet, neither the segment of the people, fed up with the Jonathan Presidency (who perceive IDPs’ votes as a likely boom to their Jonathan-mustgo campaign); nor entrenched interests, especially the core North, a section of which accuses the president of alleged “softness” on Boko Haram to allegedly decimate its voting

• Shettimaa

By Olakunle Abimbola, Editorial Board

power, would have none of that.

But if insecurity would not allow voting in displaced citizens’ natural habitats, IDP camps provide a captive setting for IDPs to vote, though whether they are in the right frame of mind to do that, given their grudge against a state that has failed to protect them, is another matter.

In other words IDPs, in their camps, offer INEC the opportunity to work round the security challenge, and conduct elections in those parts of the Northeast where elections are virtually impossible.

On this score, INEC itself appears resigned to the inevitability of IDPs voting, though the reason is not clear: does INEC see IDPs voting as working round the security situation in the Northeast? Or is it just succumbing to pressure, from stakeholders who just would not take no for an answer, no matter the security challenges? It is not easy to say.

Nevertheless, INEC deserves some commendation for its positive thinking towards this tasking challenge.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ workshop on IDPs and the 2015 general election, Prof. Jega said INEC would set up special voting centres for only registered IDPs, with valid permanent voter cards (PVCs). But he insisted that those centres would be outside the camps, adding that only displaced persons still within the three troubled states would benefit from such special ballot exercises.

Why INEC is limiting IDPs to vote to those still within the troubled Northeast is not clear. If INEC has a virtual register — since its new electoral roll is digitalised — why not set up those special centres all over the country (or, at least, in the contiguous states to the Northeast - the epicentre of insurgency), since anyone with valid PVCs should be able to vote anywhere in the country?

Perhaps, it is the huge logistics involved in spreading out such centres.

Still, extending the opportunity to vote to the IDPs is a bold step, for which INEC should be commended.

But if INEC is taking voting centres outside IDPs camps, then it must put in areas with fool-proof security arrangements. Indeed, for the plan to be worth its while, security is key. If INEC cannot guarantee the required level of security, then it is better it

PO THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015

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NIGERIA DECIDES

n 2015: The IDP question

• Jega

sticks to the IDP camps. It is trite to say that the plan will succeed or fail, depending on the adequacy of security.

Still, how primed are this segment of the population to vote? Perhaps their level of displacement — and disorientation — could just give a hint.

Quoting the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), IRIN - the international network on humanitarian news and analysis - said in its report of 14 March 2014, that about a half of the “12 million living in the three states (Yobe, Borno and Adamawa) are directly affected by the ongoing violence.”

The Boko Haram scourge has forced part of this fleeing population to as far as neighbouring Cameroon, Chad and Niger as refugees. This is aside from the IDPs in other northern towns or cities, not to talk of hundreds hiding in the bush, always at risk to know which uniformed men are Nigerian soldiers, come to protect them, or Boko Haram insurgents come to capture and torture them.

“We are grappling with 10, 000 displaced people from villages in neighbouring Borno State who have fled their homes,” Mallam Maina Ularamu, the Chairman of the Madagali District Local Government Area, Adamawa State, told IRIN. “These people have nothing left; their granaries have either been looted and burned.”

IRIN’s report came before the insurgents launched their audacious raids on major towns in Adamawa like Mubi (which it temporarily renamed Medinatul Islam) and Gworza in Borno (which it also renamed Darul

•Ngilari

•Geidam

From today’s confusion to perfect future

W

HY would a bank customer deposit his or her money in Lagos and yet make withdrawals on arrival in Maiduguri? It is because his banking details are virtually captured; and with just a punch on the computer key board, the data could come up.

A similar technology powers the INEC virtual electoral roll. So, why can’t a voter register in Lagos, get transferred at work to Kano a few days before election time and yet, on election day, walk briskly to the polling booth and vote without stress?

With the deployment of card readers and the PVCs to check voting impersonation, that is the future direction of voting — in any case, as conceived by INEC with its digitalised voter register. For now, however, the electoral umpire appears satisfied with the merger of a digitised PVC with a manual voter register. That is the whole idea behind voting where Nigerians are registered.

But the North east security challenge, that has birthed IDPs and their camps, offers INEC the opportunity to experiment on — and perhaps perfect — that future direction of voting.

Registered IDPs, scattered in various camps, are outside their homes, towns or even states. It is even doubtful if these displaced citizens are organised in any speHikma). The out-of-control sect even sometime threatened Yola, the Adamawa State capital; just as it has at least twice, launched frightening raids on Damaturu, the Yobe State capital. The Government House came under severe threats during the raids.

Besides, Adamawa’s quad of Michika, Madagali, Mubi North and Mubi South, Boko Haram annexed all the local government areas and renamed them “Islamic Caliphate”, sending many a resident fleeing for

cial order, such that those fleeing from the same area are camped together.

Though family members could still stick together, and so could friends and acquaintances for sheer survival, the general profile of persons at the camps will likely be a mishmash.

That setting, though presently a disaster, could well provide a near-perfect experimental setting for INEC’s future polling.

To be sure, the logistics might be humongous, starting with distributing PVCs for registered IDPs. Unlike the present practice where voters are first told to identify their names in registers pasted nearby, INEC officials would have to retrieve names directly from their captured database.

Then, voting would follow more or less the same process, without the intervening check on a physical electoral roll.

If INEC has the presence of mind and the organisational savvy to put to test this future voting, in the present confusion and near-chaos of an IDP voting centre, it would have earned priceless experience before deploying it to the general populace.

After all, something positive would have come out of the present human misery of IDP camps — and voting exercise.

dear life.

For many of these IDPs, the displacement is a near-total disruption of life as they know it; and perhaps a permanent seizure of their means of livelihood.

According to the IRIN report: “The shores of Lake Chad have traditionally served as a food basket for the Northeast, but Boko Haram has driven more than 60 per cent of the farmers away.” The humanitarian news network based its information on the National Emergency Manage-

ment Agency (NEMA).

Borno State Commissioner for Agriculture, Usman Zannah, also told IRIN: “In 2013 rainy season, 5, 000 hectares of wheat and rice were left to rot in the fertile Marte area along Lake Chad, when 19, 000 farmers fled their farms for fear of Boko Haram attacks.”

IRIN also stated that both the fleeing populace and their compassionate host communities have become victims: “Many villagers have exhausted their food, which they

shared with IDPs and have turned to eating the grains they reserved as seedlings for the impending rainy season,” Mallam Ularamu, the Adamawa local government chair told IRIN. To many, the scorched earth tactics of Boko Haram might just sear them for life and even traumatise their offspring. “They burnt the whole village, including our fishing and farming tools,” Babagana Goni, a resident of Doron Baga and one of the displaced victims told IRIN in his IDPs’ camp in Maiduguri, “People are leaving the area in droves because of fear that their village could be targeted next.”

These then are the windows into the troubled psyches of IDPs in camps — fatalistic, at best; distraught, angry, bitter and near-hopeless, at worst.

How do you even start campaigning to this segment of the citizenry to vote? Or even impress them to leave their camp for some polling centres to cast their ballot?

Even before voting — and since voting depends on holding a valid PVC — how do you persuade them to go to those centres to collect their PVCs, though it is a smart move by INEC to make the future voting zone PVC collection centres for those registered displaced citizens that have not collected their PVCs? And for that matter, how do you manage IDPs who were not registered but somehow insist on voting? How do you channel their emotion from the negative thought that the same state that could not guarantee their security and safety has also conspired to deny them of their basic constitutional right to vote in elections?

These questions just underscore the fact that INEC’s decision to make displaced persons vote is about the easiest of the voting challenges thrown up by the IDP question. Aside from the key security of the voting zones, special efforts must be made to work on the troubled psyches of the IDPs, on which mind voting or not voting might be the least of their concerns.

Still, aggressive enlightenment, encouragement, motivation for the exercise and mobilisation would help.

All these are a function of adequate communication.

INEC must therefore strive to put adequate communication in place visa-vis accurate and adequate voter information; equal access by political parties to the camps, and ensuring that political parties, in their votepitching, couch messages very sensitive to the plight of the IDPs. If INEC can successfully pull off a decent percentage of IDPs voting, and the voting zone is safe and secure, and the election is deemed free, fair and credible, it would have succeeded in making the bulk of the Northeast population vote in the crucial elections, even if the security situation there suggested it was a near-mission impossible.

Victims’ support fund: Banking, oil sectors yet to redeem pledges, says Presidential C’ttee

M

ORE than six months after key sectors in the Nigerian economy pledged more than N50 billion to support victim’s of insurgency in the Northeast, the pledges are yet to be redeemed, The Nation learnt yesterday.

The largest sectoral donors - the banking, oil and gas sectors - at the fund raising, which was held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, have not paid a dime out of the billions of naira they promised.

A member of the committee told reporters in Abuja that the N15 billion so far received, came from other donors since August 2014.

The official, who pleaded not to be named because he was not authorised to speak on the sub-

From Frank Ikpefan, Abuja

ject, spoke on the sidelines of an event organised by budgIT, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), where it presented a report on Flood Relief and Rehabilitation Fund.

Asked to state how much was realised after the pledges and how the funds were applied, the official said: “It is about N15 billion as at August; we are going to publish our account very soon and it will be made available to the press. But in the mean time, we are trying as much as possible to ensure that individuals redeem their pledges, including members of the oil and gas sector as well as key palyers inthe financial sector.

“We are appealing to them and we are hoping that they’ll redeem their pledges.”

On how the N15 billion was disbursed, the official said: “At the moment we are setting up blueprints. We have tried to take a census of the people that have been displaced in terms of military victims, police victims, women, children and all that. So, there’s really not been any disbursement so far except for the intervention that we have done in the three states including Abuja.

“Apart from these interventions, there had not been much expenditure so far. But we had the flag-off at Waru here in Abuja and we have been to Borno, Adamawa and Gombe states.”

The official explained that the disbursements would take place in different forms.

“For example’” he said, “there are people who need educational support and we have to

support them until they are up to 18 years. There are also people who need medical support services and there are families that need support in terms of food items.

“There are entire communities that we are going to relocate and all of these people need to be helped and we have plans to do that especially after the elections.”

On whether the monies will be given directly to victims, he said: “Yes, on the advice of the CBN (Central Bank of Nigeria). The bank came up with a proposal for conditional grant transfer scheme for people who need economic rehabilitation. So, when we get there, we hope to work with the CBN to be able to access the IDPs directly.”

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THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015

NEWS

•President Goodluck Jonathan raising the hand of Bauchi PDP governorship candidate Alhaji Auwal Jatau •From left: All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate Gen. Muhammadu during the campaign in Bauchi...yesterday. WIth them are: PDP National chairman, Alhaji Adamu Mua’zu and Buhari speaking during a campaign in Sokoto...yesterday. With him are his running mate Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, National Chairman Chief John Odigie-Oyegun and others Gombe State Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo

Jonathan should lead well, says Akanbi Continued from page 1

by Media Trust Limited, with the theme “2015 Elections: How to make Nigeria the Winner” in Abuja.

In his interview, the hope at Independence that Nigeria would lead other African countries has not been realised.

Justice Akanbi said: “The reason is that we don’t make service to the people our goal.

Take Kwara, for instance. For the governorship election for one party, 14 people wanted to be the governor and if you look

at the Curriculum Vitae of some of them, they are not even qualified to be messengers.”

He said the lecture was meant to inspire all Nigerians and urged the participants to put what they would learn into practice.

Justice Akanbi went on: “Today some people are comparing themselves with Li Kwan Yun, Barack Obama, Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela. If you look at Li Kwan Yew, if you have read about him, those who were corrupt

in his country when he decided to fight corruption, they prefered to commit suicide than to face Li Kwan Yew. Mandela spent 27 years in prison and yet that man spent one term in office and decided to step aside.

“These are people who suffered for the people. These are people who did not plunder the people and when you are making comparison to get votes, you must tell the people the truth. What did they do?

Are you doing the same thing?”

Govt to recall troops from foreign mission

He insisted that people are desperate to occupy public offices because of what they hope to get and not for genuine desire to serve.

“If it is service, there will be few people to compete,” he said.

The eminent jurist added: “We can either make or mar our future through this election. The die is cast. The challenge is true. There can be no retreat, no surrender. The history of our generation can only be the measure of our loyalty Continued on page 56

Buhari Campaign, Atiku: no to postponement

F

ORMER Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the Buhari Campaign Council have warned the government against postponing the February 14 and 28 elections, saying they should be allowed to go ahead as scheduled.

Atiku said there was enough time for the distribution of the permanent voter cards, adding: “Yes, we have a problem with the distribution of PVCs but the position of my party, the APC, is that since we have a voter register then that should be used in conducting the elections. I also believe there is enough time between now and the elections to issue everyone with their PVCs.” The former Vice President, who arrived yesterday from

From Tony Akowe, Abuja

overseas medical trip, said the call by the National Security Adviser (NSA), for a postponement of the election portended a dangerous signal about the intentions of the Federal Government to conduct free, fair and credible elections.

Saying he was “strong, healthy and happy” to be back to lend his support to the “wind of change” sweeping across the country, Atiku said: “The duty of participating in the process of change, which our great party, the APC, is committed to supersedes every other consideration.

For me, participating in this campaign is a call to national duty.

“It is a duty which we cannot afford to compromise upon and

we must press into the consciousness of those at the helm of affairs that it is morally dubious and socially unacceptable to extend the dates of the elections by a single day from the scheduled timelines”.

The APC Presidential Campaign Organisation (APCPCO) said in a statement signed by its spokesman, Mallam Garba Shehu, that such a proposal as being contemplated is ill-advised.

“We smelt the plot that this unpopular PDP Federal Government would do anything to stay put in power, elongation of term has always been on the President’s agenda; no wonder he and his party want the election delayed or cancelled outright to effect an extension of their lacklustre administration.

”Gone are the days when a few persons can hold the destiny of our dear nation to ransom.

In fact, Nigerians would have called for an early election than February, if our political system is parliamentary.

“For Jonathan’s government is worse than a rotten egg. It’s smelly, full of sleaze, neck deep in corruption and uncaring. Two vital organs of government have downed tools for nearly two months – the health and judicial sectors - and he does not give a damn!

“The nation’s currency (naira) is daily plummeting in value, the oil sector in virtual comatose, the economy runs on deficit, unemployment skyrocketing, insecurity on the loose, decaying infraContinued on page 56

T

HE Federal Government yesterday unfolded plans to recall troops from peace keeping missions abroad to enhance the operational capabilities of the military in its fight against insurgency.

The Coordinator of the National Information Centre, NIC, Mike Omeri, who spoke on the plans, said the government would not accept any

From Bukola Amusan, Abuja

support from any country that will affect its sovereignty.

He spoke at the weekly security briefing in Abuja.

Omeri said the government was working to verify claims contained in the video released last week by Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau.

Continued on page 56

Principal gets death threats for releasing Buhari’s results Continued from page 1

being harassed for doing an official assignment.”

But another source said: the Katsina State Government actually consented to the release of the results by the Ministry of Education in view of the sensitive nature of the issue at hand.

A government source said: “Since the WASC results of

Buhari had become political, the position of the government was that the principal ought to have cleared the air after all Buhari is a citizen of the state.

When contacted, the SA Media to Governor Ibrahim Shema, Mr. Lawal Ahmad Matazu, said: ”Is that so? I’m hearing it for the first time from you. I will find out.

Thanks.”

Coward soldiers stalling Boko Haram battle, says NSA Continued from page 1

a lot of cowards. We have people who use every excuse in this world not to fight,” Col. Dasuki told an audience at the Chatham House thinktank in the British capital.

But, he stressed, “there is no high-level conspiracy within

the army not to end the insurgency.”

Col. Dasuki denied that the army was under-equipped, as critics have asserted, calling this an “excuse.” He said reinforcements had been sent in to retake Baga, the Borno Continued on page 56

APC rejects Jonathan administration’s call to postpone elections

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HE All Progressives Congress (APC), the Buhari Campaign Council, Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Governors Babatunde Fashola (Lagos) and Aliyu Wamako (Sokoto) all said no to any postponement.

While Fashola and Wamako spoke at campaign rallies in their states, the others responded in separate statements.

In a statement in Abuja by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said the call by Col. Dasuki, had exposed the hitherto clandestine plot by the Jonathan Administration to push for the postponement of the polls, using “cheap tricks.” ‘’Now that we have found the smoking gun, we are urging the international community, in particular, to urgently extract a commitment from President Goodluck Jonathan that the elections will hold as scheduled next month, and that he would re-

NSA Dasuki under attack over elections shift call

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ATIONAL Security Adviser (NSA) Col. Sambo Dasuki and the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were under attack yesterday for proposing a shift of the February 14 and 18 elections.

Col. Dasuki, said at the Chatham House in London that there was nothing wrong if the polls are shifted to enable the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to distribute the remaining Permanent Voter cards (PVCs).

Col. Dasuki said he had told INEC Chairman Prof Attahiru Jega, that a postponement within the three months allowed by the law would be a good idea.

INEC was also quoted to have said it had not received any such official communication from the government.

spect the outcome, just as we have said,’’ it said.

The APC said Col. Dasuki was only seeking to buy time for the slugging Jonathan electioneering campaign to gather steam by hinging his postponement call on the delay in PVC distribution, adding: “They know for sure that if they don’t postpone the elec-

Col. Dasuki said: “February 14 is 90 days before the end of the tenure. And we raised it with INEC, because certainly there is a problem. If you have a year plus and all we have been able to do is to distribute I think about 50 per cent of the (voter) cards.

“They still have about 30 million cards to distribute. We look at the possibility of shifting this thing (election) and doing it when everybody has the cards because it doesn’t cost you anything; it is still within the law and it is safer for all of us.

“So, that is what we are encouraging. INEC keeps assuring us that everybody will have his card but I doubt it. If, in one year, you have distributed 40 million cards, I don’t see how you will distribute 30 million cards in two weeks.

tions, there is no way they can win. They are just terrified.”

The party also called on Nigerians to reject in its entirety the ongoing orchestrated plot by the Jonathan Administration to postpone the elections, saying the constitutional crisis that will be triggered by such postponement is capable of undermining the nation’s democ-

“It doesn’t make sense but there is nothing wrong in delaying it to ensure that everybody who ought to vote gets that card to vote. Because the comment every day we hear is, ‘you can’t vote without your permanent voter card’.

And if you can’t vote without your permanent voter card, what sense does it make to vote three months early when 30 million people’s cards are still with the INEC? That is my position. So, INEC needs determination. If you can distribute those cards today, we will all be happy. But, if you can’t, please re-consider and look at the error.”

INEC spokesman Kayode Idowu said there were no plans to delay the polls.

“It is not a conversation of the commission at all. As far as we are talking now, the date is what it is,” Idowu said.

racy. ‘’After realising it will be rejected by Nigerians who have borne the brunt of its mis-governance over the years, after realising that its campaign of calumny against our presidential candidate has failed, the Jonathan Administration has now started to play its last card, which is the postpone-

ment of the election,’’ it said.

APC said the importance of elections cannot be over-emphasised, adding: “Election is the lifeblood of democracy, the mechanism by which modern representative democracy operates. It is the only way for the citizenry to renew and refresh the governing process so they can get the most bene-

fits out of democracy. Therefore, anyone that tries to sabotage this mechanism is aiming a dagger straight to the heart of democracy.”

The party accused the Jonathan Administration of using all the tricks in the books to scuttle the forthcoming polls, including the plot to hide under the insurgency in the North-east, the needless controversy over the secondary school leaving certificate of our presidential candidate, the concocted report by the DSS alleging a plan to hack into INEC’s database and the fabricated report of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari’s ill-health. ‘’They tried to hide under terrorist attacks in the Northeast and the fact that Nigeria is at war to shift the elections, this did not fly.

They used the DSS to invade Continued on page 56

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THE NATION FRIDAY JANUARY 23, 2015

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NEWS

Jonathan’s convoy stoned in Bauchi

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HE convoy of President Goodluck Jonathan was yesterday stoned in Bauchi State, where he held a campaign.

His convoy was also stoned in Katsina State on Tuesday when leaving the home of the mother of the late former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.

The tense atmosphere in Bauchi State and at the rally might have resulted in the rushed programme of the campaign.

Unconfirmed sources said about six presidential bodyguards were injured, as the President’s convoy drove to the airport.

Speaking at the Ibrahim Babangida Square venue of the rally, President Jonathan said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would do its best for the people of Bauchi State and Nigeria.

With the continued support of Bauchi people and Nigerians, he said, “no retrogressive force will be able to dislodge the ruling party.”

Jonathan said no amount of opposition would be allowed to halt the good work his administration was doing for Bauchi people.

Urging the people to vote PDP candidates at all levels, the President said his administration would empower youths with education, skill acquisition programmes and job creation, so that politicians would stop using them to perpetrate violence.

We’ll retaliate attacks on Jonathan, says Ijaw Youths Council From

Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

IJAW youths vowed yesterday to retaliate attacks on President Goodluck Jonathan’s convoy by suspected thugs in Katsina State.

The youth, under the aegis of the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) Worldwide, asked Jonathan’s supporters in the North to get themselves prepared to return possible attacks on them.

IYC, in a statement by its spokesman, Mr. Eric Omare, said the post-election violence of 2011, which claimed many lives, should not be allowed to repeat itself.

He said youths were ready and prepared to give “an eye for an eye” if similar violence erupts in the country.

According to him, the development was a clear breach of the Abuja accord which all parties signed to conduct peaceful campaigns.

Omare said it was unfair that Jonathan was being attacked in the North after Gen. Buhari conducted his campaigns in the Southsouth without any breach of the peace.

He said: “It would be recalled that when Gen. Buhari came to the Southsouth to campaign, especially Bayelsa State, President Jonathan specifically instructed that everything should be done to ensure that Buhari’s campaign was not disrupted in any way.

“Hence, the IYC made several radio announcements and set up a team at the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa, to ensure that the campaign was trouble-free.

“Now that General Buhari’s supporters have decided to carry out consistent attacks on President Jonathan and his supporters, we wish to state clearly that we shall retaliate.

“We call on supporters of President Jonathan all over the nation to be ready to defend and retaliate any attack on them by General Buhari’s supporters.

“The experience of 2011 where several supporters of President Jonathan were killed without provocation must not be allowed to repeat itself.”

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

He told the gathering to ask those who are instigating the youth to embark on violence, what they have done for the

people.

Mentioning the great Nigerians produced by the state, including foremost nationalist, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Jonathan said Balewa never instigated Nigerians against each other.

“The great man never instigated us against one an other. He preached peace, unity and oneness,” the President said.

He continued: “ No retrogressive force can push PDP behind. We must continue to empower our youths through job creation, training and formal education so that politicians will not use us for negative activities.

“This state has strong agricultural potential. We have been building dams across the states to boost the sector.

“The people who are instigating us cannot tell us what they have done for us. Keep supporting the PDP, we will work with you for more democratic dividends.”

Akwa Ibom Governor Godswill Akpabio reminded the people that insurgency was not created by Jonathan, adding that even the late Boko Haram founder, Mohammed Yusuf, was not killed under Jonathan administration.

He urged the people to support PDP at all levels.

The President visited the palace of the Emir of Bauchi, Alhaji Rilwan Suleiman Adamu, where he assured him that his administration would soon stop insurgency in the Northeast.

Stressing that his administration had achieved a lot, he regreted that the Boko Haram insurgency was diverting attention from his administration’s achievements.

•All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, Chief John OdigieOyegun (right) presenting the party's flag to House of Representatives Speakrer Aminu Tambuwal as the APC governorship candidate in Sokoto State... yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

JAMB advises candidates to register before Jan 30

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HE Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) yesterday advised candidates intending to register for the 2015 Computer Based Test (CBT) to do so immediately.

It said the advice became necessary because its website would close on Jan. 30.

A statement by JAMB spokesman Fabian Benjamin, in Lagos, noted that over 1.4 million candidates had registered for the first ever all-computer mode of examination.

It said the sale of forms for the examination began since last September. “The 2015 UTME application closes on Friday, January 30 and all candidates desirous of sitting for the examination are advised to immediately obtain the application documents at the designated banks.”

“This is to ensure that they get registered and avoid being left out.

“In view of the above, the board has completed all processes and preparations and has put in place all logistics needed to conduct a hitch-free examination,” the statement said.

It said that no fewer than 400 centres would be used for the examination in Nigeria and abroad.

According to the statement, members of other examination bodies in Africa and beyond have indicated interest to understudy the board’s CBT during the examination.

It said the development was an indication of the confidence of the international community in the board’s ability as manifested in the two previous exercises in 2013 and 2014.

The statement advised candidates to be conscious of the fact that the 2015 UTME will be solely on the CBT mode.

“Candidates are to disregard any contrary information as the examination is scheduled to hold beginning March 4th 2015.

‘Corruption has assumed demonic proportions’

By Joseph Jibueze

A

former Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Cardinal Anthony Okogie, has said corruption has assumed “demonic” proportions and must be dealt with.

The cleric said the country was bedevilled by a “host of demons”, which had hampered its development and progress.

Okogie spoke in Lagos as a guest lecturer at the Christ Apostolic Church’s 16th edition of Pastor Solomon Odunaiya annual memorial lecture. It was organised by the Young Men Christian League (YMCL).

According to him, Nigeria faces serious challenges, especially in governance, which is manifest in the government’s inability to successful deal with the “demons”.

His words: “To mention a few, our country is bedevilled by a host of demons, such as institutionalised corruption, which has assumed a dangerous dimension; disregard for the rule of law and due process; electoral misconduct, terrorism, kidnapping and lack of transparency and accountability on the part of public office holders, among others.”

Okogie, who spoke on the theme: “Governance and religious conflicts in Nigeria today: what role for the Church?” said the crisis of governance had affected advancement in SubSaharan Africa.

He said despite Nigeria being a secular state, most citizens claim to be religious, but such claims have largely not been translated to godliness going by behaviour of even some Christians.

He blamed religious conflicts on tension and the struggle between two groups over something, as well as wrong perceptions about others’ faith.

The cleric said: “From a careful observation of religious conflicts over the years, we can summaries the causes of religious conflict in Nigeria as: stereotyping or the wrong perception of other people’s religion or faith, wrong religious orientation, the low literacy level of many of the violent religious adherents, selfishness in the part of religious personalities, pervasive poverty, intolerance, government involvement in religious matters or politicisation of religion.”

Odumakin, Kuye seek women participation in politics From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

Our housing plans, by APC, PDP •Parties unveil plan to tackle 17 million housing deficit

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HE All Progressives Congress (APC) has said it will build one million houses yearly if elected into power.

The party disclosed plans to address 17 million housing deficit.

While the APC said it would review the Land Use Act and provide infrastructures to realise the plan, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said it had begun plans through mortgage to address the situation.

APC National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and the PDP representative, Dr. Catchy Onanoju, spoke yesterday in Abuja at the fourth edition of the Nigeria Political Par-

From Olugbenga Adanikin, Abuja

ties Discussion (NPPD) interparty debate organised by the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) and Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA).

The debate had the theme: “The Challenges of Housing, Water and Power Supply in Nigeria: What is the Master Plan?”

Mohammed said: “ We will use the Land use Act to reform land in a manner that will encourage all states to computerise their land.

“This is why we said we will create a mortgage market to

build one million houses per annum.”

Onanoju said PDP has “committed 50 million Euro bond to finance the mortgage. We have also asked the relevant government agencies, especially the Nigeria Mortgage Refinancing Company (NMRC), to take active hold of the money.

“We have already partnered 18 states to provide affordable housing from rent to own approach.”

On water, the PDP representative said Federal Government had provided enough water for power and agriculture through dry season farming and sanitationý.

He said over 200 dams had

been built without any taxation on the people.

“If not for the sudden abundance of water, we won’t be able to provide enough water for the dry season farming,” Onanoju added.

The APC spokesperson said the nation had lost a lot, being unable to manage the dams built for irrigation.

He said the party would develop a regional water board through a 10-year plan to ensure there was sufficient water for the people.

The APC also emphasised its partnership with private sectors to ensure environmental regional water transfers across the country.

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ORMER President, Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Dame Priscilla Kuye and the President, Women Arise for Change Initiative, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, have urged women to seek political roles.

They spoke yesterday at a one-day female political aspirants’ capacity enhancement workshop for candidates in Lagos, Ogun, and Oyo states, at the Premier Hotel, Ibadan.

Group warns Jonathan against postponing election

By Joseph Jibueze

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CANADA-based international support group for the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari; the Global Intelligentsia for Buhari, has warned President Goodluck Jonathan against postponing the February 14 presidential election.

In a communiqué at the end of its second plenary meeting at the Canada College of Business and Technology, Toronto, Canada, the group warned the Jonathan-led government against plunging Nigeria into crisis by the purported design to massively rig the elections.

It said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government must not annul the election under whatever guise.

The body praised President Jonathan for promising to ensure that the election would be free and fair, but expressed surprise as to why a peace accord was signed when a war was not imminent.

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THE NATION FRIDAY JANUARY 23, 2015

NEWS

‘Tell NCC to restore Buhari’s fund-raising platform’

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AGOS State Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) has urged President Goodluck Jonathan to order the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to restore the 35350 SMS platform for raising fund for the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari’s campaign, which was shut down by the commission on Wednesday.

Fashola, who is the director of the fund-raising committee, told reporters yesterday at the State House, Marina that the NCC was showing double standard, considering that a similar approval was granted in 2010 to Jonathan/Sambo Campaign Organisation.

The governor, who presented letters written by NCC to reporters, said President Jonathan and his supporters “are intolerant of the opposi-

By Miriam Ekene-Okoro

tion”.

The letter by the NCC Director, Consumer Affairs, Mrs. Maryam Bayi and its Head, Legal and Regulatory Services, Mrs. Yetunde Adeshina, on behalf of the commission’s executive vice chairman/chief executive officer, was dated January 19, 2015.

It was addressed to the managing director, Emerging Markets Communication and titled: “Political and Partisan Advertisements.”

The letter reads: “The commission wishes to advise all service providers to avoid running political advertisements/promotions that will portray them as being partisan. The commission will not hesitate to sanction any service provider that will flout this directive.”

Another letter by the NCC Director, Technical Standards

and Network Integrity Dr. B.M. Sani on behalf of the executive vice chairman /CEO and dated October 21, 2010, approved the application of Wagilri Communication Limited for short codes to be used for fund-raising for Goodluck/ Sambo presidential campaign.

But, Fashola, who frowned at the development, said: “The point to make first is that as a political party and campaign group, we have not received official communication from NCC directed at us.

“As I said, they were using the platform of business houses and commercial concerns. So, these letters were directed to them to interfere with their commercial transactions.

“But the subsequent and ripple effect is that our campaign suffers by their interference in a service they are contracted to render.

“The reality also is that apart from the letter from NCC, the Minister for Communication,

Mrs. Omobola Johnson, has personally been pressurising and calling the operators of telecodes, putting pressures on them not to run our messages. And I think this is very low.

“As far as court action is concern, certainly all legal means pertaining to protect our rights to communicate and carry our campaign messages will be within the ambits of what we will explore.

“But as you also might be aware, the entire nation’s judiciary has been shut down and so for a government and party that is preaching peace and there is no resort to the judiciary, this has never happened in the history of this country.”

He explained that with the 35350 platform, Nigerians willing to donate to Buhari’s campaign simply need to send APC to the 35350 to con-

tribute N100 to the campaign by either using the MTN, Glo, Etisalat, Airtel and Visaphone.

The NCC, according to Fashola, closed the platform last Wednesday afternoon after the body wrote to the telecom operators not to carry such messages.

“The NCC shut down the 35350 platform for sending N100 message to the Buhari’s fundraising campaign yesterday afternoon. Before it was shutdown, 5400 people have contributed N100 to the Buhari campaign fund using the platform,” he said.

Fashola added that since yesterday, he had been receiving messages from people wanting to contribute that they could not get through to the line because NCC had shut it down.

The governor restated that it entered into a business relationship with the telecoms op-

erators and it was never a political issue to make them partisan.

Fashola lamented that in recent time, Jonathan had become so desperate and intolerant that he oppressed the opposition in a bid to hold on to power at all cost.

He said he never expected to witness such blazing lawlessness and repression of the people’s freedom to express themselves all in the cause to hold on to power at all cost.

“Why should a commercial transaction be frustrated because of one man’s desire to serve and why should they be shutting down generational platform?” he asked.

Fashola said the Federal Government earlier shut the APC’s website, which made the party to launch another platform, which he added, was still being hunted by the Presidency.

APC petitions IGP, INEC, DSS on advert against Buhari

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•From left: Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar; chairman of the occasion, Justice Mustaph Akanbi; former Chief of Army Staff, LtGen. Abudlrahaman Dambazau; and former Vice President, World Bank, African Region Mrs. Oby Ezekwesili, at the 12th Daily Trust PHOTO: ABAYOMI FAYESE Dialogue in Abuja... yesterday.

APCON to politicians: stop irresponsible adverts •Council warns media organisations against violating rules

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HE Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON) has urged politicians to comply with laws guiding political advertising.

Its Registrar and Chief Executive, Alhaji Garba Bello Kankarofi, who said this in a statement, added that the warning followed controversies generated by political advertisements.

It deplored the use of combative and pedestrian languages in electioneering communications.

The statement came after Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose last Monday published a death wish advert targeting the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari.

APCON warned that it would sanction media organisations aiding politicians to undermine societal harmony.

The statement reads: “Recent political advertisements published in some of the national newspapers and the controversies generated by such publications have made it expedient to appeal once more, to election candidates and their supporters, political advertising consultants and owners/managers of mass media organisations to exercise restraint and comply with relevant laws and regulations on political advertising, especially during this critical period leading to the general elections.

By Adedeji Ademigbuji

“A keen observer of electioneering campaign communications in recent times cannot, but feel worried by the pedestrian, combative, provocative and insensitive messages, language and style of several of the campaign communications, which portend grave danger for Nigeria’s democratic process and national security.

“The tendency by marketers (in this case, political candidates and their supporters) to abuse their freedom of speech and engage in spurious promotional campaigns that exploit consumers and the public and sometimes undermine societal harmony and wellbeing, necessitate the enactment and enforcement of various regulations to check the excesses of such marketers and protect the public from unsavoury effects of unwholesome communications.

“We are, therefore, constrained to remind political candidates, their supporters and communication and mass media organisations of extant regulations on the design and publication/broadcast of political advertisements.

“These regulations require, among other things, that political advertisements: • deal with issues (campaign manifestoes, promises, etc) and avoid negative reference to political opponents, other than crit-

icism of their policies; • avoid the use of foul or abusive language as well as false, distorted or unsubstantiated claims or misrepresentations of facts; • should not exploit or incite ethnic, religious or other sectional interests; • should clearly indicate the identity of the sponsor of the advertisements (anonymous or unidentifiable advertisers are not allowed to place advertisements in the media); and • like every other form of advertisement, political advertisements are required to be submitted for pre-exposure approval by the Advertising Standards Panel (ASP).”

The council added: “What we see today, is a clear manifestation of mindless abuse of freedom of speech and flagrant breach of these regulations which, if unchecked, is capable of plunging our country into an orgy of violence and anarchy.

“We are appalled that the publishers and managers of some of the national newspapers have grossly compromised their patriotic and professional ethics to the lure and lucre of advertisement patronage by political candidates. They have brazenly abandoned their gate-keeping duties and accepted all manner of insensitive, irresponsible and spurious advertisements in contravention of the nation’s advertising regulations and in disre-

gard of several preemptive engagements with APCON. “Some of the newspapers have acted the ostrich, publishing editorial materials that pretend to support and promote issue-based and responsible political communications while at the same time, shamelessly publishing very provocative and desperately misleading advertisements.

“One is constrained to ask, ‘where does the loyalty of these media organisations lie? To the politicians who patronise them with unwholesome adverts or to the Nigerian people who are misled or incited by such advertisements and are thereby exposed to grave danger?’

“We wish to once again warn media organisations against the consequences of publishing spurious advertisements in disregard of extant regulations, especially the pre-exposure approval by the ASP, which seeks to prevent publication of all forms of unwholesome advertisements.”

The council warned that it might use the instrument of law enforcement agencies to forestall any move to plunge the country into avoidable anarchy through “the irresponsible activities of political candidates, their supporters and consultants or the negligent self-serving actions of mass media organisations.”

‘

HE All progressives Congress (APC) Presidential The advertisement Campaign Organisation signed

by Governor of (APCPCO) has petitioned the Inspector General of Police, Ekiti State Mr. Ayo Suleiman Abba, and the Chair- Fayose, ostensibly to furman of the Independent Nation- ther the electoral fortune al Electoral Commission and political advantage (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, on the Peoples Democratic Party’s of his party man, Presi(PDP’s) advert sponsored by dent Goodluck Jonathan, Ekiti State Governor Ayodele is in bad taste and capaFayose wishing its presidential ble, if not checked, to uncandidate, Gen. Muhammadu dermine law and order Buhari, death.

The petition by the director in our country before the general of the campaign organ- general elections... isation and Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, condemned the PDP and Fayose for From Tony Akowe, Abuja portraying Gen. Buhari as a dead man walking, to scare Nigerians from voting for him in the February 14 election.

He said the portrayal of Buhari as a man likely to die in office just like past northern leaders like Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, General Sani Abacha and General Murtala Muhammed was “morbid and reckless” and that such irresponsible political advert is not only “in bad taste, but also capable of undermining law and order in the country.”

The strongly-worded petition was copied to the Director General of the Department of State Security (DSS), and the editor-inchief of the two newspapers that published the advert as well as the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON).

The two paged letter reads: “I wish to, on behalf of the APC Presidential Campaign Organisation, draw your attention to the above named newspaper advertisement that appeared on January 19, 2015 on the front pages of two national newspapers, namely, The Sun and The Punch.

“The advertisement signed by Governor of Ekiti State Mr. Ayo Fayose, ostensibly to further the electoral fortune and political advantage of his party man, President Goodluck Jonathan, is in bad taste and capable, if not checked, to undermine law and order in our country before the general elections, which starts on February 14, 2015.

“In the advertisement captioned “Nigerians be warned”, the sponsor, Mr. Ayo Fayose, went morbid and reckless in his effort to attract support for his favoured candidate in the forthcoming elections.

“The Ekiti governor depicted the presidential candidate of APC as a man who may likely die in office the way the former Head of State, General Murtala Mohammed, former Head of State, late General Sani Abacha and former President, late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua died in office for the simple unscientific reason that the APC presidential candidate was 72 years old.

“You will agree with me that advertorials of this kind that insinuate the death of a man who is still alive is unbecoming, irresponsible and downright insensitive. It is capable of causing the breach of the peace across the nation and exacerbates the current unsavoury state of national insecurity and thus, put a huge strain on your office.

“It is also important to point out that the advertisement is a breach of the accord on non-violence signed by the presidential candidates of all political parties taking part in the February 14 election, including the two leading political parties - the PDP and the APC. “We further wish to state that the advertorial is not only sinister and inhuman in its intention, it is also un-African and offends the sensibility of all decent men and women in any society.

“We hereby respectfully demand that you use your exalted and responsible office to investigate the origin of the said advertorial and the motives of the latter with a view to calling the sponsors to order and prevent a repeat in the interest of peace in our country.

“Please, accept the assurance of my highest regard.”

‘

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015

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NEWS

I’ll make you champions, Ambode promises Ajegunle youths

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HE All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode, has promised residents of Ajeromi-Ifelodun the kind of human capital and infrastructural development to make them champions.

He spoke at a rally in Ajegunle, Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government Area.

Ambode said: “I am so proud and happy to be back among my people, having worked and lived here before.

“My dear people, I know what you need because I am experienced in the matters of good governance, and what I promise you is continuity of the excellent service that will make your lives better and prosperous.

“The kind of sustained development I will introduce into Ajegunle will further exploit the rich human capital located here.

“We will create standardised recreational, vocational and technical infrastructure that will make world champions out of talented Ajegunle youths.”

He urged them to exercise their civic rights, firstly by collecting their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and shun violence.

“It is your civic right to get your PVCs and vote; and, I am here to tell you to vote wisely for experience and continuity.

As we prepare together to

•Don’t postpone elections, Fashola tells INEC

By Emmanuel Oladesu, Group Political Editor and Miriam Ekene-Okoro

achieve this victory, I urge you all to shun political violence, both prior and during the elections.”

The APC candidate said the people will get “more of good governance” in Lagos by ensuring that they also vote the APC in the presidential elections.

"We have many entertainment, sports men and women here. We will give you sport centres so that champions can be produced here. Also we will create entertainment centre here."

Governor Babatunde Fashola presented Ambode to the crowd, describing him as the “experienced leader” who will unify Lagos much more and take the state higher.

He warned yesterday against the postponement of the general elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), saying it was dangerous for democracy.

"We say no to postponement. There should be no postponement."

Fashola added: "The passion with which the people voted for him when he said he had no shoe is the pas-

Southsouth will collapse the nation's economy if Jonathan loses the election.

"Nigeria will not divide if Jonathan loses the February 14 election.

He faulted the transfer of the Commander of the Rapid Response Squad ( RRS), a police formation financed by the government, Hakeem Odumosu, arguing "The RRS is the unit that responded to violence and crime in the state. And last week, they transferred the commandant out of Lagos.

Whoever they bring should not forget that he has relations in Lagos.”

The party chairman, Chief Henry Ajomale, berated the opposition for being shortsighted, adding that “whoever criticises the progress the state had enjoyed so far is not qualified to lead Lagos”.

He extolled Ambode’s capabilities and administrative experience, which make him best fit to lead Lagos into further excellence.

The APC Chairman presented flags to the Lagos West senatorial candidate, Olamilekan Adeola, House of Representatives candidate Taiwo Adenekan, and House of Assembly candidates Kolawole Taiwo and Ladi Balogun.

sion with which Nigerians will vote him out.

“President Goodluck Jonathan deceived us. He made promises and he has not fulfilled them. He has breached the 2011 social contract between him and Nigerians.

"Your message of change is reaching Abuja, New York and London. They know you are ready. We will drive them out of Aso Rock with your brooms and votes.”

He flayed the President and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for their intolerance.

Describing the APC as a mass movement, he said: "The promise of a greater Nigeria is greater than the ambition of one man. This is the people's desire. Nobody can stop it."

The governor chided the PDP governorship candidate Jimi Agbaje for promising to cancel the Lekki toll, saying his promise translated to a decision to reduce employment opportunities.

Defending the government’s borrowing, he said his administration borrowed money to fuel the fire of development across the 57 councils.

The governor also faulted Agbaje for saying that the

Buhari for Ondo tomorrow

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HE All Progressives Congress(APC) in Ondo State will receive the campaign train of General Muhammadu Buhari and his running mate, Prof.Yemi Osinbajo, tomorrow.

A statement by the Chairman and Secretary of the APC Media Campaign Committee, Tunde Imolehin and

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

Charles Titiloye, urged supporters to come to the Democracy Square, Oja-Oba, Akure, to welcome the candidates and the governors.

The statement called on residents to ensure that they collect their Permanent Voters Cards(PVCs)

‘Ijebu state my priority’ From Jeremih Oke, Abeokuta

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HE People Democratic Party (PDP) House of Representatives candidate in Ijebu Central Federal Constituency, Osunubi Adewale, has said the creation of Ijebu state is important to him.

Adewale said Ijebu land has not felt the presence of the Federal Government in the past few years but vowed to impact positively in the lives of his people if elected.

He said: “Creation of Ijebu state and constituency projects lead my manifesto. I also vow for my people to attract Federal Government’s presence in Ijebu land.

“This is very important because we have not had Federal Government projects in the land for some few years now. I want to touch the lives of my people in a unique way.”

Sacked CRIN workers protest From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

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INETY five sacked workers of the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN), Idi-Ayunre, Ibadan, Oyo State, yesterday staged a protest, demanding their reinstatement.

The protest, which began at 7:30am around Adebayo estate, was led by the State Coordinator, Campaign for Democratic and Workers Rights (CDWR), Comrade Abiodun Bamigboye.

The sacked workers who wore black shirts, carried placards with inscriptions such as:”No to militarisation of CRIN”; “Akoroda lacks the power to sack workers”; “Reinstatement of 95 illegally sacked workers”; “We demand for the promotion of our staff as at when due”; “No to ejection of any CRIN workers from their quarters”; “Akoroda must stop harassing and intimidating CRIN workers now “.

Bamigboye said the 95 workers were arbitrarily “sacked”

by CRIN’s Executive Director Prof Malachi Akoroda for “exercising their right of freedom of association and expression”.

Two of the sacked workers- Yinka Ajibola and Mrs Oladipo Olabisi- said being out of a job for a year has been hectic.

They appealed to the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) to suspend its strike for the National Industrial Court to give a verdict on their case.

CRIN’s spokesman Simeon Olukotun said they should wait for the industrial court’s verdict.

Ekiti to cancel HIV test for couples

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•From right: Aregbesola; Senator Babajide Omoworare; Member, House of Representatives, Rotimi Makinde; Baale OkokoIpetumodu, Chief Julius Adeboye; former Commissioner for Tourism Sikiru Ayedun during the visit.

Committee to probe Osun violence coming

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SUN State Governor Rauf Aregbesola has set up a committee to investigate the violence between Ipetumodu and Ashipa communities in IfeNorth Local Government Area.

The communities engaged in a communal clash over a disputed land and their market days. Four people were injured in the fracas.

Aregbesola spoke when he visited the communities.

He frowned at the destruction of property in the towns.

The governor berated the communities for falling short of the ethos of ‘omoluabi’ that the state is promoting.

“We have all seen what crises and communal clash can bring, what we can gain

is nothing but loss, agony, pain and the gnashing of teeth. We should now see reasons why we should not fight.

“If we are sure that we are not going to gain any development from it, why should we hurt ourselves? “ I am happy that peace has

returned to the two communities.

“I will now go back to set up a committee having seen the extent of damage.

“The committee will be given six weeks to come out with its findings and recommendations.”

The governor assured the

communities that the February 14 elections, which the All Progressives Congress (APC) will win, will end unemployment.

He said government can only thrive in an atmosphere of peace, urging them to learn from what is happening in some parts of the North.

Mimiko’s associate joins APC

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N associate of Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko, Brig-Gen Funso Oyeniyin, has dumped the Labour Party (LP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Gen Oyeniyin, who is from the same ward as the governor, said even though he is “related” to Mimiko, they differed in political ideology.

He said: “This is not a party but a movement which is changing the orientation of Nigerians. I made up my mind immediately I studied the party’s manifesto and found out that it meant well for the masses.”

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

Oyeniyin was received by the state chairman, Isaac Kekemeke, who said he joined the APC because it was a divine arrangement.

Kekemeke said the impression that Mimiko is the only renowned son of Ondo Kingdom must not be allowed to continue.

He said other sons of the town must be given opportunity to use their potentials to contribute to the development of the nation.

HE Ekiti State government may ban the compulsory HIV/ AIDS test demanded by churches and mosques before prospective couples are joined in wedlock.

A bill is before the House of Assembly to enact a law to make the policy an offence.

The Project Coordinator of the State Agency for the Control of AIDS (SACA), Dr. Charles Doherty, said this in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, yesterday.

There was an awareness walk round major streets of Ado-Ekiti, which was led by the wife of the governor, Mrs. Feyisetan Fayose.

Mrs. Fayose canvassed for increased support in terms

From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado-Ekiti

of medication and awareness against stigmatisation of people living with HIV/ AIDS Doherty said: “The bill is in the House of Assembly, it proposes to ban places of worship from demanding HIV test from prospective couples.

The SACA project manager noted that it was illegal for priests or other religious leaders to mandate prospective couples to go for HIV/ AIDs test before marriage.

“It is illegal for any individual or organisation, especially religious bodies, to mandate people to go for HIV/AIDs screening.”

Solidarity walk for Buhari, Osinbajo

By Remi Adelowo

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HE Physically Challenged Association of Nigeria (PCAN) staged a solidarity rally and walk for the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and his running mate, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.

Tagged the Green Day for Change, the event was held yesterday at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos State.

The physically challenged, comprising the deaf and dumb, blind and amputees in their hundreds, marched on Akerele, Randle Avenue, Lawanson Road, Ojuelegba back to the stadium.

The PCAN State Coordinator, Akeem Salawe, called on his colleagues to embrace the APC and vote for Buhari in the February 14 presidential election.

Speaking on behalf of the deaf, Fred Emmanuel, who spoke through an interpreter, also urged those present to vote APC. He said: “We are tired of the suffering being inflicted on us by the Goodluck Jonathan-led administration. We have resolved to end this suffering by voting for Gen. Buhari and Prof. Osinbajo.

“I urge everyone present to obtain their Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC), which is our weapon to vote out the PDP.”

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015

8

NEWS Oyo, private sector, sign pact on taxes

Family rejects advert

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HE Oyo State government and the organised private sector have signed a bilateral agreement on the control of gas emission, double taxation and water provision.

The exercise took place at the mini conference hall of the Agodi Gardens, Parliament Road, Agodi, Ibadan, yesterday.

Governor Abiola Ajimobi said the government will not engage in any indiscriminate levy of taxes on private sector without a concrete agreement with their representatives.

He said Oyo remains one of the lowest states in terms of Internally Generated Revenue, stressing that most people often evade taxes.

Ajimobi said the present administration will create an avenue for business development and give a sense of belonging to every citizen.

Women mobilise for APC

By Leke Salaudeen GROUP, Women’s ProClimate Federation of Nigeria, has promised to mobilise votes for the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and his running mate, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.

The Chairperson /National Coordinator, Mrs Ekaette Enitan Sanusi, said by doing so, they are securing the future of their children and bringing about the desired change in the polity.

She urged all Nigerians, especially women, to vote for Buhari on February 14.

“With a distinguished track record in national service and his chosen profession, a General Muhammadu Buhari presidency will be pro-people, pro-democratic, pro-empowerment, pro- justice, pro-stability, pro-growth, pro-children, pro-gender, pro-family, proyouth, pro-religion, pro-business, pro-security, pro- transparency, pro- accountability, pro-good governance, pro-human rights, prorule of law.

“We are women mobilising voters for the Buhari and Osinbajo presidency. We are women mobilising Nigerians to chorus loud and clear enough is enough.”

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Debate for candidates

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HE African Foundation for Environment and Development (AFED) will organise a debate for National Assembly candidates in Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State on Tuesday at the NATA Secretariat, Iyana- Iyesi, Ota, Ogun State.

AFED, according to its Executive Director, Adeshola Afariogun, was established with a focal point on democracy and good governance alongside health, environment and agriculture.

He said the debate will be organised in conjunction with about 40 trade associations and groups in Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government.

Afariogun said: “The debate is crucial because of the position and relevance of Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government and in Nigeria as a whole. “ Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government is the most populous and industrialised council in the state and one of the second most industrialised local government in the country.

“The local government is the second largest in Ogun State and prides itself as the host of the second oldest storey building in West Africa, the Vicarage of the St. James Anglican Church built in 1842.”

•Ajimobi (right) with Chairman, Kakanfo Inn, Chief Lekan Are (left) and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Adedamola Are at the meeting.

LASAA to sue PDP over illegal outdoor adverts T HE Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency (LASAA) has said it will sue the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its affiliates for the violation of its constitutional mandate.

The agency accused the party of displaying campaign materials of its candidates without recourse to laws regulating advertisement.

The agency’s solicitors, Priory Terrace Solicitors, which confirmed the development yesterday in company of the agency’s Legal Adviser, Mrs. Oyeyemi LekanOsunmakinde, said the court processes had been concluded and that these would be filed immediately the Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) calls off its strike.

The law firm’s representative, Hafiz Shoremi-Balogun, said:

By Adeyinka Aderibigbe

“The hallmark of every civilised society is supremacy of law. No one is above the law. Every person, institution and authority is required to comply with the spirit and letter of the law.

“It is therefore illegal for PDP and its sympathisers to embark on indiscriminate display of political campaign materials in defiance of applicable laws.”

“It is more worrisome that these acts of illegality are being perpetuated by those who ought to know. The campaign materials which are mounted on street lamp posts in the state, which have been

paid for by other advertisers, is not only a breach of the law, it is also a calculated attempt to frustrate the economic objectives of advertisers, who have paid for the right to advertise on these poles.”

Mrs. Lekan-Osunmakinde said: “Multi-million naira advert contracts have been cancelled by advertisers as a result of the acts of illegality embarked on by the party.

“The essence of advertisement is maximum publicity and exposure.

However by illegally placing their campaign materials to obstruct those lawfully placed, the rights of others are being violated.”

No grudge against Folarin, HE Minister of State for the says Akinjide Federal Capital Territory

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(FCT), Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide, has dispelled the rumour that she has a quarrel with the Peoples Democratic (PDP) governorship candidate in Oyo State, Teslim Folarin.

The minister, who spoke at the launch of the campaign for PDP candidates in the state at Ona-Ara Local Government, Ibadan, said she is “solidly behind” Folarin.

She said it was the plan of the opposition to destabilise the party.

The minister appealed to the Southwest to vote for President Goodluck Jonathan, saying the President was passionate about the nation’s unity.

According to her, Jonathan has transformed Nigeria beyond expectation through his Transformation Agenda. She said the administration

L

From Tayo Johnson and Jeremiah Oke, Ibadan

had continued to promote unity and quality education at all levels.

Her words: “A vote for Jonathan is a vote for the creation of Ibadan state, and development of Southwest.

Mrs. Akinjide hoped that President Jonathan will secure maximum support from the Southwest states.

“As far as I know, President Jonathan will get overwhelming votes from the Southwest states,” she said Party leader Yekini Adeojo, while handing over the party flag to the candidates, urged the electorate to vote for President Jonathan and all other candidates, adding that they are different from the opposition parties.

•Ms Akinjide

“All we need is your votes for PDP and you will definitely enjoy the dividends of democracy. Please get your permanent voter’s cards, vote and protect your votes.

‘We’ll hold candidates responsible AGOS State Commissioner of for supporters’ violence’ Police Kayode Aderanti has

threatened to hold parties and their candidates responsible for acts of violence perpetrated by their supporters.

Aderanti, who spoke in Lagos yesterday, said the police have met with parties’ leaders and road transport workers.

He reiterated the need for politicians to eschew violence and keep Lagos safe.

“We have been talking with parties and their leaders. We have had discussions with them on the need to keep Lagos safe.

“We have also met with leaders of all the road transports unions on the need to eschew violence and to preach the same message to their followers.

By Precious Igbonwelundu

“Next Wednesday, we shall be meeting with all the governorship candidates for the same reason and the meeting will be attended by all government security agencies.

“People are worried about the activities of party supporters and miscreants. That is not the way it should be.

“We should tolerate each other, create space for everybody to participate, build confidence and keep the state safe.

“For the sake of the people we claim we love so much, violence should be eschewed.

“On our part, let me state that the

police will not tolerate it. We will go all out to ensure Lagos is kept safe for everybody to live peacefully.

“We are going to be very tough on all the miscreants and we will ensure that Lagos remains safe before, during and after the elections.

“If they don’t want to stop their supporters from violence, any party whose rally turns violent will be held accountable.

“Any candidate or party whose supporters engage in violence will be held to account for their misbehaviour. “ We cannot just have them encourage and promote violence in their rallies and go away.”

CHIEFTAIN of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prince Adelani Adeniji-Adele, has dissociated the Adeniji-Adele family from the comments made by Prince Ademola Adeniji-Adele in an advertorial in The Punch.

In a statement in Lagos, AdenijiAdele said: “This is to state that the comments in the advertorial placed

by Prince Ademola Adeniji-Adele in The Punch are personal to him and were made purely on his own without reference or consultation with me or his son, Prince Sultan Adeniji-Adele (an APC member in the Lagos State House of Assembly) or even any member of the family.

“Consequently and on behalf of Sultan, myself and the family, I wish to dissociate the family from the advertorial by Prince Ademola Adeniji Adele, where he made insinuations about a particular party and leader.

“We wish to state further that our loyalty to the APC and its leadership remains as strong as ever.

“The public should note that it is only Prince Ademola Adeniji-Adele who can best describe why and on whose behalf he made those comments.”

‘State Boys of Osun aren’t violent’

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EMBERS of a group, popularly referred to as State Boys, are not violent.

The group is made of young people from various strata of the state.

They assist the government in social mobilisation for its developmental activities.

A social commentator, Ayo Akinola, said this yesterday in a statement.

His comments followed an allegation against the government by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the August 9, last year election, Senator Iyiola Omisore.

Akinola said the State Boys are youths who identify with the policies and programmes of the government ,such as O-YES and other youth empowerment programmes .

He said: “Contrary to the claim by the Omisore camp that the government will make use of the “Boys” to disrupt proceedings at the tribunal, the youth are well mannered, professionals and well educated boys and girls, who are passionate in helping to move the state forward.

“The allegation is baseless and a crude way to score cheap popularity and unwarranted sympathy.

Omisore stands rejected by Osun people and he knows this.”

Monarch thanks Ajimobi From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

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YO State Governor Abiola Ajimobi yesterday received an unusual applause from a traditional ruler.

The Onilala of Lanlate, Oba Abdulateef Oladoke, was close to tears as he relived how Ajimobi reinstated him four years after he was deposed by his predecessor, Adebayo Alao-Akala.

The monarch spoke while receiving the governor at his palace during his campaign in the town.

But for Ajimobi, the monarch said, he would have remained in the trenches forever.

He said: “Alao-Akala removed me without a cause. But Ajimobi redressed the injustice. I am so grateful to you. You wiped my tears when they removed me for four years. I will be eternally grateful.”

Ajimobi later addressed a crowd of supporters at the city centre where he reeled out the achievements of his administration.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015

9

NEWS NIGERIA DECIDES

•Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (middle); the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in the state Akinwunmi Ambode (third left); his running mate, Dr. Oluranti Adebule (third right); APC’s State Chairman, Chief Henry Ajomale (second left) and Ambode’s wife, Bola at the All Progressives Congress PHOTO: NAN (APC) rally in Ajeromi/Ifelodun Local Government Area...yesterday.

•Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun being welcomed to Obete Ward 9 for the continuation of his Ward-to-Ward campaign for re-election in Odeda Local Government Area...yesterday.

•Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole (left), his deputy Dr Pius Odubu (middle) and Woman Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, Dr Victoria Amadasun at the APC rally at the Okpujie Primary School, Uromi...yesterday.

•A cross-section of the All Progressives Congress (APC) supporters at Gen. Muhammadu Buhari’s presidential campaign in Sokoto, Sokoto State...yesterday.

•From left: United Progressive Party (UPP) presidential candidate, Mr Chekwas Okorie; Owerri monarch, Eze Emmanuel Njemanze; the party’s governorship candidate in Imo State, Mr Osmond Ukanacho; Okorie’s running mate, Mr Umaru Bello and Ukanacho’s running mate, Prof.

Proteus Uzoma when they visited the royal father before their campaign in Owerri...yesterday.

•From right: Enugu State Governor Mr. Sullivan Chime; Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and Enugu West Senatorial District candidate, Sen.Ike Ekeremadu at a PDP rally in Ndeabor, Aninri Local Government Area...yesterday.

•Benue girls on street parade when President Goodluck Jonathan took his campaign for re-election to Makurdi, Benue State...yesterday.

PHOTO: UJA EMMANUEL.

•Kwara State Governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Dr Abdulfatah Ahmed acknowledging cheers from party supporters at Patigi during the APC campaign tour to Patigi Local Government Area...yesterday.

•Yobe State Governor Ibrahim Gaidam (right), his deputy, Abubakar D. Ali (second right), State Assembly Speaker Adamu Dala Dogo (middle) and Campaign Organisation’s Director-General Sidi Karasuwa at a zonal rally of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Gashua,Yobe State...yesterday.

With them is Senator Ahmed Lawal. .

•From left: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Leader in Oyo State, Chief Yekini Adeojo; Minister of State, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Oloye Jumoke Akinjide; the PDP governorship candidate in Oyo State, Senator Teslim Folarin and Chairman of the party in Oyo State, Mr. Yinka Taiwo at the PDP rally at Olorunshogo Akanran, Ibadan...yesterday. PHOTO: FEMI ILESANMI

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015

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NEWS My priorities,

by KOWA presidential candidate

T

•From left: Mrs Banigo, Wike; First Lady, Dame Jonathan and Sekibo, at the PDP governorship rally in Okirika Local Government Area of Rivers ... yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

My quarrel with Amaechi, by First Lady

F

IRST Lady Dame Patience Jonathan claimed yesterday her quarrel with Governor Rotimi Amaechi was because of her love for the Okrika.

She urged the people of Okirika to vote overwhelmingly for President Goodluck Jonathan and Nyesom Ezenwo Wike.

Mrs Jonathan spoke in Okirika yesterday during the PDP governorship rally.

She was accompanied by Wike, his running mate, Dr Ipalibo Banigo, Minister of Sports Dr Tammy Danagogo

and Senate Committee on Defence Chairman George Sekibo.

Mrs Jonathan said Wike remained the hope of equitable distribution of development projects across Rivers State.

She noted that she had issues with the Amaechi administration following the alleged plot to destroy all the Okirika waterfront and redistribute the land to other people. She said if people vote Amaechi’s anointed candidate, he would effect Amaechi’s land policy.

Mrs Jonathan said: “It is a done deal. The Okirika

people are for the PDP. Our votes will all go for the PDP. I am here to say when the time comes, our people will line up for PDP. “For development to be consolidated, we must vote for President Jonathan, Barrister Wike, Senator Sekibo and other PDP candidates.

The President will continue the projects that will develop Rivers State. PDP means well for Nigeria. PDP is the answer.”

She urged the Okirika people to “remain resolute in their resolve to ensure that PDP candidates emerge vic-

torious”.

Mrs Jonathan said Wike would enhance development in Okirika and ensure that the people were involved in the development process.

She said: “It was because Amaechi decided not to develop Okirika that I refused to work with him. I will never allow anyone to drive Okirika people to ocean. I will always be with the Okirika people.”

Wike said he would never destroy the Okirika waterfronts.

He said he would sandfill

Okirika to ensure that more people had access to land for vital economic development.

“We will create a development-friendly environment in Rivers State and in Okirika, we will enhance the participation of the people in governance. Rivers State is for PDP and PDP will win all the elections. The APC has failed the people and there is no way that they can win in our state,” he said.

Rivers State PDP Chairman Felix Obuah thanked the Okirika people for their overwhelming support for the PDP.

Oshiomhole: Fed Govt’s N2.4b project fraudulent

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DO State Governor Adams Oshiomhole has described the Federal Government’s N2.4 billion water project as a fraud.

Speaking at Uromi during the campaign of the All Progressives Congress in Edo Central on Wednesday, Oshiomhole said: “The problem we have today is that in the books of Abuja, PDP says they have brought water to Esanland. If you ask the Onojie of Ugboha, the Onojie of Uromi and all the other Onojies in Esanland, they will tell you that there is no water in Esanland. They came to my office and said they are not going to allow the vice-president to come.”

Oshiomhole queried the completion of a N2.4 billion Esan Water Project, saying no such project was executed in the area.

“For 16 years, year after year, PDP keeps promising they will give us power, yet no power. APC State government gave you transformers but you still don’t have light because transmission and generation, required for the transformers to produce light, have been sold by PDP Federal Government to their relatives.

“PDP has failed the nation.

Instead of light, they produce darkness.

They couldn’t produce jobs, hence millions of Nigerians are

From Friday Otabor, Benin

unemployed and there is no light, industries cannot function. Are we going to allow them remain?

“PDP brought kidnapping to Nigeria. Are we going to fold our arms till they kidnap us all? Today, we are told that part of Nigeria is occupied by insurgents.

What is insurgent? Were they sleeping? They took one local government, two local governments, three local governments and they couldn’t respond to the extent they took the village of the chief of defence staff,” the governor said.

Oshiomhole said the Edo State government would make available N20 million for the reconstruction of the Uromi Market, which was razed by fire.

He said, “I am on my way from Ubiaja for the APC rally and I felt the need to see for myself the extent of damage by the fire outbreak in this market recently. We do not know those responsible for this devilish act but God is on his throne watching every one of us.

“Just to say that government is aware of the huge financial loss by the traders.

The essence of governance is the provision of welfare and

ameliorating the sufferings of the people, hence Edo State Government will assist the victims with N20 million.

This money will be given to the local government chairman before next Monday”, he assured.

The Governor Rally Train was at Ubiaja, Esan South East Local Government Area, Uromi in Esan North East Local Government Area and Ugbegun-Ebudin in Esan Central Local Government Local Government where he presented the various candidates, including Mr Francis Inegbeneki for Senate, Comrade Onikolease Irabor and

•Oshiomhole

Gideon Obhakhan for House of Representatives, Henry Okpamen and Anselm Adima and Victor Edoror for House of Assembly.

HE presidential candidate of KOWA Party, Prof. Oluremi Sonaiya, has said she will give more attention to education and reduce unemployment rate, if elected.

Sonaiya spoke yesterday in Abuja when she visited the camp of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Durumi area of the Federal Capital Territory.

Accompanied by her running mate, Mr Saidu Bobboi, she said they were in the camp to share in the terrorism victims’ pain and to see what her campaign organisation could do for them.

“Your condition is deplorable and unacceptable; there are many challenges confronting this country and we are here to pledge that we will address some of these problems.

“We are out to bring change that will bring development in this country; our campaign is focusing on infrastructural development such as good roads, pipe borne water, electricity and many more.”

A spokesman of the IDPs, Mr Bala Yusuf, thanked the party officials for the visit.

Society authors book on Onwuliri

T

HE Parasitology and Public Health Society of Nigeria (PPSN) yesterday in Abuja immortalised the late Prof.

Celestine Onwuliri with a book, titled: “My Society and Prof. C.O.E Onwuliri.’’

The book was presented to the Minister of State for Education, Mrs Viola Onwuliri, the wife of the late Onwuliri.

Prof. Chinyere Ukaga, the PPSN President said the book was written and produced by members of the society in fulfillment of the promise made at the burial of late Onwuliri.

“We have been able to fulfill the promise we made to you at the burial of your late husband; which is to immortalise his memory and name.

“This we have partly done through the production of the society’s book.

“Within the book, members have tried to recount their various experiences and encounters with your late husband in appreciation of how he touched their lives.’’

Huge crowds welcome Ayade to Cross River North

T

HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Cross River State, Prof. Ben Ayade, has promised to be fair to all parts of the state.

He spoke duringa tour of the five local government areas of Cross River North. He was received by a record crowd at each stop.

In each of the campaign stops, Ayade got overwhelming endorsements.

In Obudu, Ayade was welcome by excited supporters who stormed the Obudu Township Stadium to receive him.

They chanted “The eagle has landed”, “The best choice for the people of Cross River”, “Thank you Imoke for remembering Northern Cross River”.

They described Imoke as a man of justice and equity who ensured that all the three senatorial zones took turns to produce a governor, adding that they would ensure a 100 per cent vote for President Goodluck Jonathan at the presidential election, as well as other party’s candidates in subsequent elections.

While thanking the people for what he called the show of solidarity, Ayade urged

them to go out and obtain their voter cards as that was one of the ways to show their support for the party and its candidates.

Over 500 pupils of Saint Justine’s Primary School, Beten in Bekwarra Local Government Area, were in a jubilant mood when the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), led by the governor and chairman of its Campaign Council, Senator Liyel Imoke made a stopover to inspect an ongoing expansion projects being executed by the state government in the school.

The pupils, who chanted “Thank you sir, God will

bless you, thank you sir”, explained that their action was in appreciation of the party’s Ayade’s donation of exercise books and other instructional materials to them.

Imoke, who introduced Ayade as the next governor of the state, hailed the pupils for appreciating their benefactor openly, not minding that they were not expected to take part in politics. He urged them to take their studies seriously.

According to him, “I see in you great sons and daughters of this town so you must study hard. Some of you will be commissioners, ministers, legislators, governor or even

the president.”

The PDP candidate, while addressing supporters at a rally in Abuochiche, Bekwarra Council Secretariat, said he would reorganise the rice production sector, which the people were famous for, to enable Cross River become a major rice producing state as well as reduce its dependence on importation.

Ayade said the nation spends about N4 billion on rice importation annually, noting that if the sector was properly harnessed: “Cross River will add economic value to the nation.”

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015

11

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

OPEC, oil firms clash at Davos over price collapse

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PEC defended its de cision not to inter vene to halt the oil price collapse, shrugging off warnings by top energy firms that the cartel’s policy could lead to a huge supply shortage as investments dry up.

The strain the halving of oil prices since June is putting on producers was laid bare when non-member, Oman, voiced its first direct, public criticism of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries’ November decision not to cut production but instead to focus on market share.

Oil prices have collapsed to below $50 a barrel as a result of a large supply glut, due mostly to a sharp rise in U.S.

• Oil marketers praise govt on pump price reduction

By Simeon Ebulu with agency report

shale production as well as weaker global demand.

The rapid decline has left several smaller oil producing countries reeling and has forced oil companies to slash budgets.

Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, the heads of two of the world’s largest oil firms warned that the decline in investments in future production could lead to a supply shortage and a dramatic price increase.

Claudio Descalzi, the head of

Italian energy company Eni Spa, said that unless OPEC acts to restore stability in oil prices, these could overshoot to $200 per barrel several years down the line.

“What we need is stability…

OPEC is like the central bank for oil which must give stability to the oil prices to be able to invest in a regular way,” Descalzi told Reuters Television.

He expected prices to stay low for 12-18 months and then start a gradual recovery as U.S. shale oil production began falling.

But both OPEC and Saudi Arabia, the group’s largest pro-

• From left: Chairman, Association of Stockbroking House of Nigeria Mr Emeka Madubuike, President, Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers Mr Albert Okumagba and Acting Director General, Securities and Exchange Commission Mallam Mounir Gwarzo during a Meeting between SEC and Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers in Abuja...yesterday.

Fed Govt reserves coal licences for power

T

HE Federal Govern ment has reached a resolution that the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development should reserve the lisences for coal solely for power generation purpose.

According to a source, the Minister of Power, Prof.

Chinedu Nebo and Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Arch Musa Sada took the decision in order to boost production of coal to power.

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 John Ofikhenua, Abuja

Said the source: “There has been so much synergy between the minister of Mines and Steel Development and Minister of Power. And they agreed that nobody should be given a license to mine coal if the coal will not be used for power generation.

“Recently more coal licenses have been issued to those who have committed that the coal they eventually

mine, be used for power generation. And for the first time in Nigeria, there is so much work going on now on coal for power generation.”

The Federal Government has targeted to generate 1,000 Mega Watts (MW) from coal.

Available studies have shown, Nigeria’s coal belt covers over eight states and is capable of generating about 5,000 MW of power if fully developed.

Konica Minolta introduces C1100 series press

S

KYSAT Technologies Ltd ( preferred partner and distribution of (Konica Minolta Business Solutions Europe GmbH in Nigeria and Ghana yesterday launched the Konica Minolta Bizhub C1100/C1085 series press.

Speaking at the launch in Abuja, Managing Director, Skysat Technologies Nig. Ltd, Izzat Debs said that the company was hopeful that sophistication of the new product would help customers to improve the quality of their jobs.

His words: “We are highly confident that the state of the art press will significantly help our customers improve the productivity and quality

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

of their printing with many fantastic features, among which, are excellent color reproduction, low cost per print, high productivity, higher resolution , better paper handling (55gms to 350gms), wider range of size (A3+), better duplex/registration, a newly developed suction feeder, and a newer user friendly efficient controller, and a full range of finishing options such as perfect binding, saddle-stitching, folding, and stapling.”

Debs noted that the launch was one of the many other previous series of exhibitions organised by the two firms to promote digital print solutions began three year ago.

ducer, stuck to their guns.

“If we had cut in November we would have to cut again and again as non-OPEC would be increasing production,” OPEC Secretary General Abdullah alBadri said in Davos.

“Everyone tells us to cut. But I want to ask you, do we produce at higher cost or lower costs? Let’s produce the lower cost oil first and then produce the higher cost,” Badri said.

“Prices will rebound. I saw this 3-4 times in my life.”

Al-Badri said the policy was not directed at Russia, Iran or the United States.

State-run oil company Saudi Aramco Chief Executive Khalid al-Falih also appeared unfazed, saying that although it could take some time, the oil market will eventually balance itself.

Meanwhile, notwithstanding the clamp-down on some filling stations over alleged refusal to immediately revert their pump price to N87 per litre as against the previous N97, the Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria has commended the federal government for the initiative on pump price reduction and vowed its members will con-

tinue to support government particularly in areas where it benefits the citizens.

“We commend the Federal Government initiative to ameliorate economic hardship on generality of Nigerians by taking the bold step of reducing pump price,” said the Executive Secretary MOMAN, Mr. Femi Olawore.

According to a statement released after a meeting with PPPRA and executives of Oil Marketing companies in Lagos, Olawore said “Major marketers in the country are committed to continue to support government particularly in areas where it benefits the citizens.

It will be recalled that the federal government had at the weekend announced a sudden and an impromptu reduction in fuel pump price to N87 as against the former price of N97.

However, stakeholders in the sector were caught unawares, and due to lack of details on directives and the logistics challenge of effecting changes across the country were unable to immediately comply. This prompted the Weights And Measures Department of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment

• Petroleum Resources Minister and OPEC President Diezani Alison-Madueke

to move against some filling stations by clamping down on them last Tuesday.

Olawore who revealed that marketers have started complying with the new directive, however said it will be pretty difficult to guarantee instant and hundred percent compliance with over 30,000 stations nationwide with an average of 6 pumps per station, giving the marketers a total of 180,000 pumps to be adjusted.

Specifically, the oil marketing chieftain said, “pump technicians have to traverse the length and breadth of the country at short notice to make changes.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015

12

THE NATION

BUSINESS

AGRICBUSINESS

e-mail: agrobusiness@thenationonlineng.net

The dry season is usually a challenging period for farmers. With an average precipitation that is below 60 millimetres and lack of watering holes, farmers face many challenges in planting. But with the efforts of the Federal Government to address this problem, farmers may no longer be left dry when the weather gets harsh, DANIEL ESSIET reports.

Dry season: Irrigation farming to the rescue D RY-SEASON farming is not profitable for crops production. This is because there are no irrigation facilities in most parts of the country.

Some farmlands receive yearly rainfall of about 20 inches. Many farmlands in the North lhave become degraded. Areas that used to be covered by trees and homes have been deforested. Also, the climate is changing the outlook of farming.

Farmers face unpredictable weather brought on by climate change. Sometimes the rainy season comes late; at other times, it ends early.

Sometimes the rains come late and hard, causing floods. At other times, rains don’t come at all, causing drought. With these weather changes, it is difficult for farmers to plan which crops to grow, when to prepare land, when to plant, and how to plan other farming tasks.

Worst hit are those from the North who have to respond to serious weather changes, making it difficult for them to farm during dry season, which runs from October to May. The weather during this period is much hotter and drier. For this reason, farmers adopt various agricultural practices to confront these differences in weather patterns.

But the Federal Government has taken some steps to address the situation.

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, said the Federal Government has okayed the release of N14 billion for dry season farming.

The funds underscores the importance government attaches to dry season farming.

Director, Federal Ministry of Agriculture Alhaji Mohammed Yusuf, who spoke in Bauchi at a stakeholders meeting of the Growth Enhancement Support (GES) Scheme, said agricultural input would also be provided to farmers under the dry season farming programme.

He said in Bauchi State alone, the Federal Government provided incentives to 10,000 dry season rice farmers.

According to him, each farmer received three bags of fertiliser at 50 per cent discount and 25kg of improved rice seeds.

Yusuf said more than 400,000 farmers from 19 participating states were being supported under the 2013/2014 dry season GES scheme.

He said: “The effort produced more than one million tonnes of rice during last year’s dry season farming with just over 200,000 farmers drawn from 10 states.

“We intend to double or even triple the production this year.

“We have already carried out sensitisation campaign across the state, identified genuine farmers, enlightened them and assessed their level of preparedness in respect of land and source of water.

“I am happy to inform you that our farmers are ready; they have prepared their lands in clusters and ready for planting. Very soon, we will commence distribution of the input.”

The director advised farmers to utilise the input to expand their production capacity, adding that the problems of processing and marketing had been addressed through the value chain initiative.

Director, Dams and Reservoir Operations, Federal Ministry of Water Resources, Dr Emmanuel Adanu, urged farmers to embrace irrigation farming, as it can deliver greater crop yield than rain-fed farming.

He noted that irrigation farming was more productive because it was usually regulated and more focused than rain-fed farming.

According to him, that is why people in the South are being encouraged to use the dams in their areas for irrigation.

“We are encouraging people in the South now to go into irrigation farming even though we don’t have a long period of dry season for them to do continuous irrigation.

“So, we encourage them to go into some irrigation because the production from irrigation normally is better than rain-fed agriculture,”

he said.

Adanu said the North engaged in irrigation agriculture more because it has a longer period of dry season and abundant expanse of land than the South.

The Manager, Asaba Area Office of BeninOwena River Basin Development Authority, Mr Charles Ovweigho, said dry season rice farming would soon start at Illah, Delta State after the inauguration of Illah irrigation project.

He said the N200 million project was for dry season rice farming.

He explained that 100 hectares, out of the 200, earmarked for rice farming, was irrigated for dry season farming.

“The contract for the irrigation was awarded in 2012 and the project will soon be inaugurated by the Minister of Agriculture,” he said.

Ovweigho said the farm project extended to the neighbouring Ebu community, where 100 hectares of land was acquired, adding that 15 hectares had also been cleared in the community.

He said interested large-scale farmers would be allowed to farm on the land after fulfilling some obligations.

“This is a Federal Government project and it is all over the country; no restrictions or discrimination is placed on anybody,” adding that interests of host communities would be protected.

Ovweigho said farmers on the land, only paid for the cost of land preparations, adding that when the irrigation system becomes operational the cost would also be subsidised.

The government is said to have earmarked 230,000 hectares in 10 states under a pilot scheme to commence dry season farming.

To support the Federal Government, MARKETS II programme of the United States Agency for International Development(USAID) trained 2,229 lead farmers on best agronomic practices in dry season rice farming. Following the success of the 2013 pilot dry season rice programme that reached an initial 3,005 rice farmers in three states, MARKETS II continues to expand on the potential to improve farmers’ livelihoods and meet increasing demand for paddy.

Last year, the dry season rice programme has been expanded to 10,000 rice farmers in Sokoto, Kebbi, Jigawa, Kano, and Niger states.

The project conducted demonstrations on the use of a motorcycle-mounted water pumping device for irrigation and established 17 technology transfer centres (TTCs) in the northern states using fertiliser deep placement technology. The TTCs serve as learning sites for networked farmers.

Stakeholders have urged the Federal Government to ensure early completion of the various irrigation projects spread across the country to ensure the success of the dry season farming programme, food security and prosperity for farmers.

The challenge, however, is that farmerdriven investment in small-scale irrigation is spreading without much government’s support in creating an enabling environment where farmers have information on the various systems, financial services to help them invest, and market access to sell produce.

Another constraint is the lack of detailed hydro-geological mapping for the nation as a whole. This is because successful rainwa-

•Esther Audu, member, Women in Agriculture (WIA), Kogi State’s chapter

ter harvesting in on-farm ponds can depend on soil type and rainfall patterns, and works best on moderately sloping land.

Finding a way to do mapping with some economies of scale and making the information public or available to smallholders would change the landscape and economics entirely.

One of those affected is Mallam Kabiru Musa. Sometimes, when he has to do some work in the farm, he leaves his home early and work before the sun becomes scorching. He has to plough the land to grow millets and to control weeds. But in recent years, climate change has made his preplanting activities challenging. This is because it makes rains more unpredictable.

The farmlands get more degraded. The fertility of soil decreases thus posing threats to agricultural production and resulting in lower crop yields and endangering the livelihoods of smallholder farmers.

Where they have to apply input and use improved seeds to get high yields, there is shortage of water, attributed to the changing climate. Sometimes the rains stop or it does not rain during the season. Musa is worried about the increasingly harsh weather as the rainy season is becoming short and some of his crops need three months rainy season to grow to harvest.

It is not in the North alone that farmers face dry season challenges. Farmers in the Southwest are also confronted by challenges farming during the dry season.

Programme Corodinator, Farmers Development Union (FADU), Mr Victor Olowe, said it is difficult for farmers to grow okro and other vegetables that need much moisture.

According to him, farming is becoming more challenging yearly with changes brought by hotter temperature.

Not only is it difficult to make decisions about what to grow, but yields have dropped. Climate change also is interacting with other pressures on the land, such as deforestation and environmental degradation, to reduce farmers’ ability to cope.

To this end, the farmers have had to work with extension to advocate practices such as

‘The Federal Government should ensure early completion of the various irrigation projects across the country to ensure the success of the dry season farming programme, food security and prosperity for farmers’

•Alhaji Abubakar Yahaya, a rice farmer in Kebbi State

•Muhamadu Bello, a rice farmer in Sokoto State

using input, planting trees, using droughtresistant crops, early-maturing crops, diversification into other activities to adapt to the changing climate.

Generally, he explained that the changing climate is shifting weather patterns, reflecting in increasing number of hot days.

He said the government can help to cushion the impact by supporting smallholder irrigation to improve productivity and incomes. This will also involve encouraging farmers to embrace irrigation systems, such as pumps and on-farm ponds, freeing them from rain dependence to grow crops yearround, and to grow more high-value crops. In response, farmers are trying many things.

They are growing new crops, trying droughttolerant varieties, and changing other farm practices.

Publisher, Agro Nigeria, Mr Richard Mbaram, said he had witnessed a lot of efforts by the government to offer solutions to challenges faced by small farmers on drylands.

According to him, Dr. Adesina has articulated his passion and commitment to smallholder agriculture, and a strong desire to improve the lives of millions of impoverished smallholder farmers and their families living in the drylands of the country.

Mbaram said the Federal Government’s intervention policy on rice has boosted rice production.

He acknowledged the attestations of the governors of Kebbi and Kogi states, and the billions of naira invested by the private investor-driven interest groups, saying they were an endorsement of the government’s policy by the private and public sector.

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THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015

COMMENTARY LETTER

EDITORIAL

The choice before Abians

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Enough •Now that the certificates of General Buhari have been unveiled, we should now turn to issues T long last, the result is in. General Muhammadu Buhari’s education is as he claimed. In the past few weeks, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) propaganda machine went to town and ratcheted up the emotions of detractors and even fair-minded Nigerians against the candidacy of the All Progressives Congress (APC) flag bearer.

They labelled him a liar and impostor in what was brewing as a certificate controversy.

He had claimed that his certificate was with the Nigerian Army, and they should provide the paper to quiet the tension triggered by the matter. The Nigerian Army did not show much zeal until a few days ago when its spokesperson, Brig.-General Olajide Olaleye, announced in a press conference what was an apparent contradiction. The army affirmed that he had graduated but “neither the original copy, certified true copy, nor statement of result is in Gen. Buhari’s personal file.”

What happened to his file? Did anyone interfere with protocol and slipped into the file room and salted it away? How did the general rise from a humble officer in the early 1960’s to become not only the head of some commands and even fought a civil war and commanded a division that routed invaders of this country? Was the army so careless that it recruited an uncertificated Nigerian that soared to become the commander-inchief of that army? Did someone want to smear the army’s name?

These are questions that must be answered. It is not only embarrassing to the general, it should be a matter for crimi-

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nal investigation. A soldier of that standing and prominence could not have risen without a clear documentation. How can the army affirm a premise and lose the proof, and come to the public eye and expose its own inefficiency? In a day where the army bumbles in a fight against Boko Haram, which is defeated often by a smaller Chadian army, this is not a time for the esteemed Nigerian Army to expose itself over a small matter like certificate location.

Or is it some members of the political class that infiltrated the file room and carted away the paper to deepen suspicion of a fibbing general?

That explained why General Buhari was compelled to give a press conference, and he described the controversy as inspired by “mischief.”

Well, he was proved right. Copies of the certificates have been unveiled. It is now clear, on the evidence of the certificate copies, that he sat for the University of Cambridge West African School Certificate Examinations and obtained five credits in English Language, Geography, Hausa language, History and Health Science. He had a pass in Literature in English. His examination centre number is 8280 and candidate number is 002 and the examination took place in 1961.

The authenticity of the Cambridge printout of the results affirms his claim a day earlier that the late General Shehu Musa Yar’adua was his classmate.

Was the drive to slur the image of the general driven by mere politics or intended to use the political class to damage the army? Or was it an earnest quest

to fulfill the requirements of the constitution? The constitution requires any aspirant to the position of president to have at least a secondary school certificate or its equivalent.

How come a man who graduated from the American War College that approximates with a master’s degree does not have his secondary school certificate?

It is an irony all-Nigerian that his maximum certificate is available but not his subordinate papers.

A lot of distracting rhetoric has overwhelmed this certificate saga, and we believe it is high time any further hoopla over it was laid to rest. The candidate has run for political office, that is the presidency, more than once, and it is now that some mischief makers want to make storms over it.

There are more important matters about the economy, education and inequality to address and not a trifling like a bogey of a certificate scandal.

‘A lot of distracting rhetoric has overwhelmed this certificate saga, and we believe it is high time any further hoopla over it was laid to rest. The candidate has run for political office, that is the presidency, more than once, and it is now that some mischief makers want to make storms over it’

Ondo bank robberies

• The state should learn from Lagos and its neighbours in curbing this menace

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NCE bitten, twice shy”. This best described the situation of the banks in Akure, the Ondo State capital, which hurriedly closed shop on Monday, following a rumour that armed robbers were planning to attack some banks in the town. A bank official said their bosses asked them to close operation for the day. “We don’t want what happened in Ikare-Akoko last week to happen to us, so, immediately my boss received the information, he ordered us to close for the day”, she said. Customers who were on their way to the banks were denied access even as those already inside were anxious to get out, to avoid being caught in any crossfire.

Coming less than a week after armed robbers invaded three banks in IkareAkoko in Akoko East Local Government

‘State governments that want relative peace in their domain have also had to help the police either directly by way of funding or by providing the police with requisite tools. We can only hope the Ondo State Police Command would honour its promise to fish out the armed robbers with a view to making them pay for their crime’

Area of the state, in which about 20 people were killed and an undisclosed amount of money carted away, the panic was understandable. According to reports, the armed robbers who attacked the banks on January 13 came in about four vehicles and blocked all routes leading to the area where the banks are located. They killed some people in the banks as well as gunned down five others in their bid to escape with their loot. They also reportedly killed at least three policemen at a nearby police station. Indeed, the entire town was taken by surprise and schools remained closed the second day because parents were afraid of releasing their children to go to school.

Even though the police promptly responded to the robbery scare on Monday when alerted by the banks, patrolling the areas where the banks are sited in armoured personnel vehicle, the bandits appeared to have had a field day during their simultaneous operations in the three banks on January 13. Sadly, this was not the first time such rumour would throw the state capital into panic. Last November, a similar rumour made the rounds in the town that armed robbers were planning to rob some banks. The banks hurriedly shut down.

This kind of panic is not good for business because each time banks shut down abruptly, businesses suffer.

Moreover, robbery and insecurity generally have remained a major issue in many parts of the country. Yet, provision of security is a basic responsibility of government. In Nigeria’s peculiar

federalism, the Federal Government controls the Nigeria Police Force and people have questioned the effectiveness of this centralised police system. Unfortunately, the argument for state police has not gone down well with those in power at the centre. Yet, it is becoming obvious that the present arrangement is no longer adequate if truly the country is to have an effective policing system.

In some states where there is relative security, like Lagos, the state government has invested heavily in security. Indeed, it has even set up a security trust fund through which it has been able to provide some essential gadgets for the state police command.

Without doubt, this has helped the command tremendously in its efforts at combating crime. This is a template that some other state governments have adopted and it appears the best that can be done in the circumstance. The fact is that even though the Federal Government has the lion’s share of the country’s resources, it has not been able to provide adequately for the police force. So, state governments that want relative peace in their domain have also had to help the police either directly by way of funding or by providing the police with requisite tools.

We can only hope the Ondo State Police Command would honour its promise to fish out the armed robbers with a view to making them pay for their crime. This is the least that is expected of them now.

IR: Recently while addressing a group of women who paid him a courtesy call, former Head of State Chief Olusegun Obasanjo was quoted as saying “Good governance comes from the selection of leaders. It is up to you to decide who you casts your votes for, because if you throw away your votes you have lost out’’.

I guess he should have said “if you allow your election to be rigged after casting your vote, you have lost out mightily”. True words indeed nevertheless except that as usual, it was coming from a notable Nigerian who like other past office holders, only become paragons of virtue after they have left office.

In the next few weeks, Abia State like the rest of the country will be conducting its governorship elections after its first real campaign since the creation of the state. I use the word “real “literally because Abia has never had what you might call a real campaign or election, hence what we have had in the past were coronations. Orji Uzor Kalu while leaving office picked his successor and coronated him. Now his replacement T.A Orji (Ochendo) is attempting to coronate his own successor in the person of Okezie Ikpeazu. If we should let them succeed we might as well declare Abia State a monarchy. This is why the choices we Abians make in this election will be the most momentous of our political lives.

The Abia electorate cannot get it wrong again by allowing the imposition of another handpicked member of the Ochendo family because if we do we will have no one to blame but ourselves. Past electoral exercises in Abia informs us that they were somehow rigged.

Not that it was absolutely necessary for them to do so, since all the four elections Abia were basically oneparty affairs, once under PPA and later PDP. They were more or less no contest elections. The opposition was non-existent.

While it will be wrong for us to sit back and let Ochendo and his group steal the elections, I believe also that we may be giving them too much credit for their rigging prowess in view of the fact that the political environment in the state has changed dramaticallyfrom what it was four years ago. For instance, this time around, there are real campaigns by two formidable candidates. While one candidate, Alex Otti is formidable on the basis of his intellect and administrative antecedents, his opponent’s only claim to formidability is the billions of state money being spent on his behalf. The electorate are also more aware, and if I am right, determined to fight to secure and protect their votes.

It is highly improbable that the PDP will not attempt to rig the election. This is because as one Havard scholar Biodun Jeyifo recently asserted, “the PDP will never attempt to clean up the augean stables of filth and rot it has created, but rather attempt to rig itself into perpetuation and misrule” and as is the case with Abia State. If they succeed in doing so, they will be emboldened to raise impunity to new levels and we the citizens of Abia will be astonished by new forms of monumental corruption, waste and mismanagement as we have never seen before.

This is our chance to make things right as we may never get a chance like this again for another eight years. We must listen to the words of Obasanjo when he recently said” Find out the track record of achievements of those you want to vote for. What have they achieved in the past and not what they have said”. We know Alex Otti. We know his record of achievement in the past. We know of his excellent academic credentials, his managerial expertise and his determination and resolve to bring change to Abia State. Voters must vote right and vote for change. Change they believe in, as Obama would say.

They also must not leave their vote to chance or expediency. As Henry David Thoceus once said “A wise man will not leave the right to the mercy of chance”.

• Nnanna Ijomah, New York

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THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015

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CARTOON & LETTERS

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IR: “When the first bridge was built, it was during the presidency of Nnamdi Azikiwe; the second Niger bridge will be built under the presidency of Azikiwe Jonathan.” “I will go on exile on the completion of my term in office if I didn’t build the bridge by 2015".

President Goodluck “Azikiwe” Jonathan made that promise in his remarks at a Town Hall Meeting held on August 31, 2011 in the commercial city of Onitsha as part of activities marking his one-day visit to Anambra State. The issue of Second Niger Bridge naturally came up during the Town Hall Meeting since Jonathan had during his campaigns for the 2011 presidential ballot promised to construct the bridge if elected President.

To convince his audience that serious efforts are being made to build the bridge, he invited Works Minister Mike Onolomemen and Finance Minister Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to brief the people on what was being done about the construction of the bridge. Typically, Onolomemen reeled out the technical details about the design of the bridge and the companies bidding to construct it, while Okonjo-Iweala unfolded the financial arrangements being made to construct the bridge.

At the end of the meeting, some of the participants, among them, a businessman, Prince Arthur Eze were so thrilled that they urged President Jonathan to seriously consider seeking re-election in 2015.

Prince Arthur would be less enthusiastic about President Jonathan’s re-election bid if he were to be interviewed on the subject today. If he exudes the same sentiments and excitements over Jonathan’s Presidency beyond 2015, it would be because of something else. And it would because of

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Jonathan and Second Niger Bridge identity politics.

A few days ago, the president was seen inspecting the “Second Niger Bridge map” on his campaign trip to Anambra State! This is an indication that no starting block has been signposted in a swathe of empty space where the bridge was supposedly “erected”! After four years of deceptive and hollow platitudes the president who chiefly identified himself with the Ndigbo couldn’t fulfil a

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simple electoral promise.

Now, the basic presumption amongst majority of the Igbos is that President Jonathan is one of their own. But the more entrenched this politics of overt sentiment and identity surface, the more extreme and widespread poverty that plagues them under the same administration with severe intensity. Yet, the poverty visited on the Igbos by the PDP government is the same thing as the one witnessed

amongst the Kanuri, Yoruba, Niger Delta or any other tribes.

The most annoying aspect of next month’s election is not about President Jonathan’s 2011 broken promises which he repeated in 2015. It’s not entirely because of stunting virtually all the national institutions, namely, education, Military, Police, Judiciary, EFCC, ICPC, and the like. It’s the avowed threat of the President’s men to declare him the winner of the election before the election

ever takes place.

The PDP and its presidential candidate may wish to continue to persuade and manipulate the few who are unable to see beyond the facade and fascist enslavement inherent in the party for all they care. The height of electoral impunity is when a political party or any government for that matter wishes to subvert the people’s mandate and interests and declare itself victorious in total negation and against the electoral aspiration of the electorate. Nigerians are looking up to that watershed, when they will determine their destiny at the polling booths, comes February 14.

• Erasmus Ikhide, Lagos.

Fayose’s denigration of Yar’Adua’s memory

IR: It would be unusual for President Jimmy Carter to make an unkind remark about President John F. Kennedy : they both were members of the Democratic Party. What might be offbeat is to hear a president mention in a feature interview that another president from the opposite camp is his best friend. Carter so described Gerald Ford even though both were of different political camps.

Real statesmen rise above pettymindedness, they conquer self, consider the feelings of other people and desist from demeaning the dead.

Whilst it is in order for the electorate to worry about a presidential candidate’s (and other officeseekers) state of health and mental well-being to direct the wearisome day-to-day affairs of state, it is improper, and ill-advised to have statesmen make derisive statements about the health of these contenders in a discourteous manner to score cheap political point, in this case, the fitness of Buhari

to run for office as credited to the Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose to the “effect that General Muhammadu Buhari does not enjoy good health.”

Worse yet, mischievous, if a passing reference is made to a deceased statesman, particularly with the comparison between, the late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and General Buhari.

This linkage calls for concern: Nigerians do not speak ill of the dead especially if that person was a good leader.

The late president who by the way belonged to the same party as Fayose (PDP), was his national leader and should be celebrated, not otherwise. The late President was not arrogant, overly-humble, nationalistic in his views, never, religiously opinionated. Yar’Adua was prudent enough to understand his ally and political rivals, he reasoned with several, saw situations with them and, not about them, and negotiated an armistice that saw the end of militancy because he understood what most leaders do

not know: situational awareness.

Great countries are celebrated because of the power of collaboration; he was wise enough to know that all people, of differing faith matter. He embraced alliance, the same way most middle-eastern countries do with western industrialists leading to their vibrant economies, one imagines how unfledged these countries would have been without western involvement despite their insularly partisan religious orientation.

He was never weak and refused to be despoiled by the frills of power and was ready at a point to submit his office to the opposition if it became clear that his ascendancy to the office was rigged in.

He almost turned Nigeria into Ghana where incumbents lose elections.

He was not known to scapegoat the opposition and tried to disrobe some people duplicitously robed by the establishment.

Under him, there were shadowy (faceless) cabals who tried to hijack his presidency, but they remained

just that: faceless because they lacked guts. But in our day, we have assemblages gutsy enough not to wear veils, who have chosen to daringly make scathing pronouncements promoting ill-will.

Umaru Musa Yar’Adua had a directorial belief which made him a man of exceptional sterling quality, “I think people should know that you derive the greatest satisfaction from serving others, rather than serving yourself, I would want more and more Nigerians to define themselves also in this light of service to the nation and service to humanity,” he said.

It is incumbent upon the PDP to polish the image of Yar’Adua by carrying out his programmes perceptively the same way Lyndon Baines Johnson did after the assassination of President J.F Kennedy.

Could the governor of Ekiti State show democratic-sportsmanship by not joining issues with the dead?

• Simon Abah.

Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015 16

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COMMENTS

Through the looking-glass • (To the ‘press boys’ or ‘Gentlemen of the press?’)

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

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OW, the truth has fewer moments. History is as we tell it and every day, we fabricate new histories with sore rhetoric. Our fitful dalliances tender fresh traceries of chaos in cataclysmic garments we love to adorn as needle points, on the pasty bosoms of our motherland.

Fangled stitches, in-bred strife and hate-entanglements resonate in our news pages, on to the streets, into our strife-torn yards. And so we re-enact towering tragedies on impulse, fabricating new beginnings from no ends and disastrous endings from bogus beginnings.

All these because we crave a new car; because we lust for a trophy wife, ‘nouveau riche’ status and concubines. Our lust for money pushes us to do several hideous things. Every hour, it turns thousands who could have overcome its darkness into eternal addicts to the base and inane. For the love of a lousy buck, many a Nigerian journalist dies, everyday.

The Nigerian journalist will sell his closest friend and colleague, and the entire Fourth Estate out at the blink of an eye.

Now, everybody stares at us with contempt. Naked in the storm of their maddening glare, we have grown to know insult; now we love and understand it as inseparable part of our calling.

Nothing distinguishes us from dispensable hooligans-for-hire save our obsequiousness to serve, albeit with remarkable élan, and our desperation to function as anything and everything, including a soundboard for clichés and sham realism –innate essence of our socio-politics. We have become the stamen that lets down the azalea, the comforter that brings grief, and the emissaries of needless hate.

One hundred and fifty six years of print journalism and 56 years of broadcast journalism yet we are still that pitiful band with no lasting legacy save all that could be termed loathsome and fundamentally offensive.

The grammar of our language has since been fathomed by those whom we seek to chaperon. The tenor of our thinking, owing to our customary habit of allowing each sentence trail off in sophistry and confusion, tears at our reasoning and cochlea meaning nothing, substantiating naught and denoting only calumny, deceit, greed and all that cowardice and double-speak ever gives.

Our lamentations are of bad leadership but even now that we are in position to unlearn every perfidy that we have learnt and denounce the hypocrisies that drives us to beatify shams and delusions as the soundest of truths while we can-

‘But who is it that actually listens? Who are those whose lives we impact by our pretentious lines and mercantile intellectualisation? The trodden perhaps or could it be our benefactors in power?’

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HE Nigerian music industry is enjoying a boom no doubt. Artistes are snapping up multi-million naira deals left right and centre and smiling to the bank. So strong is this new awakening that gone are the days when musicians were seen as never-do-wells. And guess what; schools are cashing on the opportunity by introducing music into their curriculum and the catch-them-young bug has bitten Nigerian parents as they now go the extra mile to purchase musical instruments for their children as the drive to replicate WizKid and Davido in their off springs goes into overdrive.

And what is more? Corporate bodies are not left out of the scramble as brand managers have discovered the awesome power of music in driving their products and this has given birth to a multi-million naira industry. But the question is, how has the boom reflected on the goose that lays the golden egg? How has the boom impacted the lives and careers of the majority of Nigerian musicians?

The Nigerian music industry has definitely come a long way against the backdrop of the dark ages of the late 80s to late 1990s which witnessed the total meltdown of structures which once made it the envy of the world as legends like James Brown, Paul McCartney and drummer, Jim Baker, either relocated to the country to pursue their careers or came here to record platinum selling albums in their search for African sound. Those were the years when Oliver De Coque’s album, Identity, sold over two million copies and Fela rejected an offer of $100,000 USD to remix his songs by his American manager, Jim Bishop.

However, with the downturn in Nigeria’s economic fortunes in the early 80s, the music industry was one of the first casualties as it was hard hit and this gave rise to piracy which ultimately led to the exit of the big three labels, Sony Music, Premier Music and Polygram from Nigeria. Their exit created a shock which culminated in runaway piracy which crippled the industry and led to the relocation of a lot of artistes to the West while some like Bongos Ikwue quit outright and found success as a building contractor.

However, nature abhors vacuum. The vacuum created by the exit of the big three created a leeway for the rise of Ajegunle music which produced stars like Daddy Showkey, Daddy Fresh and African China to mention a few. It led to the rise of what is now known as the afro-hip hop revolution of the late 1990s thanks to Kennis Music, Ray Power and AIT. Ever since, the industry has continued to grow, attracting talents from the Diaspora, patronage from blue-chip companies and telecoms giants with Nigerian sound dominating the African stage and going global, winning rave reviews and numerous awards in the process and above all, laundering Nigeria’s battered image!

Despite these giant strides, majority of Nigerian artistes are still living in squalor and poverty. Nigerian artistes have no unifying platform – a sad development.

onise reality as the genesis of farce, we dither.

We do not inform. We do not educate. Not enough anyway, for every story and analysis we have run till date beclouds every parameter that we have set, to identify and challenge true leadership when it wavers in our face.

We are still the watchdogs desperately playing lapdogs and regretfully, junkyard dogs of the ruling class. Our “fearless” barks still resound like the chatter of enfant terrible rodents crisscrossing our dilapidated rooftops.

We do not speak to power although we love to beat our chests that we do. If we do really, then we would have enlightened the electorate to the candidate whose politics deserve our mandate and patronage; we would have alerted the electorate to those expectations and demands we are meant to enshrine and perpetuate in the face of political campaigns primed only to befuddle and entertain.

If we are truly as visionary as we claim to be, we wouldn’t find much substance in such issues as the religious inclinations of Muhammadu Buhari nor would we find much to interest us in incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan; we would not find much to project as the likely benefits of keeping President Jonathan in power come February 14.

We would rather be bent on reflecting the citizenry’s insistence that their mandate counts in the election of the proverbial candidate whose leadership will titillate measure, while his deeds become the thrust of timeless odes and narratives.

If we truly possess dauntless intelligence, professionalism and understanding of our socio-poli-

tics, we would teach the nation to explore the politics and soul of at least one candidate in order to trust him.

We would have set the agenda for every manner of campaign that every manner of “messiah” would incorporate and propagate. We would write through decadence and filth to silence the neurotic tick-tock of midnight before it smothers totally, the sunny whispers of dawn.

Were we as patriotic and professional as we claim to be, we would endeavour to become something more than disposable pawns in the designs of political parties and candidates with the most hideous plans; we would write not what we have been paid to write but what we honestly ought to write.

If we are truly as honourable as we would like to be addressed, we would strip every candidate and their apologists of the smokescreen that deceives, like the leverage of incumbency, wealth, power and deceitful imagery we continually launder and foster; we would present each candidate in the light of his vanities, idiosyncrasies, politics and citizenship of humanity and every time, we get to interview him – no matter how desperate he is to be portrayed as the best president or governor Nigeria would ever have. We would, among other things, ask the questions that reveal and infuriate, not just because it is trendy and impressive to do so but because it is those questions they labour to avoid that matter.

If we are truly the statesmen we pride ourselves to be, we shall desist from profiling the candidates that emerge in the light of vanities we seek to satisfy, like our desire to own a house, acquire a posh car,

join an elite club, foot education bills and increase our bank accounts; all these things we shall hopefully acquire under the leadership that improves and furthers, if we could take the pains to install it.

Today, we see the death of chivalry and reason because we are desperate enough to demean the powers of our Fourth Estate. We have chosen to play errand boys to even the least honourable political public office holder, party chieftain and thug.

That is why for all the bluster we muster, pimping and syndicating highfaluting articles, “Special Investigations” and “Truths of the matter” that are as relative as our inclinations to submit and play dumb, we remain among other things, emissaries of distrust and rancour and pitiful pawns in the designs of every contestant and godfather with a deep-pocket.

We do not get it, still; although we think we do just because we manage to pretend to do so. We are still as impotent as our words.

Beneath our bloated affectations of high character, our lives remain sketchier than we wish they are but our people do not know so. Thus some of them read us and listen, still.

But who is it that actually listens?

Who are those whose lives we impact by our pretentious lines and mercantile intellectualisation? The trodden perhaps or could it be our benefactors in power? If only we could understand our strength and substance, we would know that there is no true activist except us; we would know that there is no powerful kingmaker than we could ever become. Perhaps we do, we are just too selfish for

Open letter to Nigerian artistes

By Kevin Luciano Gabriel It is pertinent to note that the need for a strong and virile union for artistes cannot be over-emphasised because without a union, there can be no industry. Remember the African saying which posits that while one can break a broom stick effortlessly, the reverse is the case for a bunch of broomsticks.

The baseline is that for artistes to enjoy the growth of recent years, they need to throw away their egos and belong to a strong and virile union which will protect their interests. A close look at the industry will reveal that only a fraction of artistes are beneficiaries of the boom. Is it not ridiculous that multinationals like Guinness, Hennessey among a host of others are declaring billions of dollars annually as profits but this is not reflecting on the majority of Nigerian musicians?

The Nigerian music industry is replete with tales of talented musicians who made millions of naira and then went bust before finally succumbing to terminal diseases that could have been treated. Why is it that whenever artistes are sick, they have to go cap in hand begging for a lifeline when in their active years they worked in a multi-billion naira industry? The reason is not far-fetched. It is the absence of a virile union which will not only protect the industry but also set up structures for its continuous sustenance and growth.

Rewind to 2004: Star Mega Jam and 50 Cent is in town.

Before we could say Jackie Robinson, all hell is let loose as Eedris Abdul Kareem insists on being treated fairly like his American counterpart. Though he got the beating of his life and his career never recovered from the move, today, his fellow musicians are reaping the benefits of that sacrifice. All this would never have been achieved but for the sacrifice Eedris Abdul Kareem made when he put his career on the line to demand for equal treatment for Nigerian artistes. While various stories have emerged about what motivated Eedris to make that move, we cannot deny the fact that it kick-started a new awareness which culminated in the betterment of the fortunes of musicians. It is pertinent to note that before this, Nigerian artistes travelled by road to shows across the country in rented buses while their foreign counterparts flew first class! That singular move Eedris made sent a signal to brand managers that the Nigerian artiste had come of age and so should be treated right. However, it is not yet Uhuru as a lot still needs to be done to harness, consolidate and finally, maximise the potentials of the industry.

Today millions of naira is lost to digital downloads at bus stops and shops across the country. Alaba International

Market, which used to be the hub of piracy, has bowed to the sheer power of the internet due to free downloads and this has created a new wave of pirates. Armed with a laptop and a modem, this new wave of pirates are robbing artistes blind, fleecing them off millions of naira on a daily basis but the question is, who will bell the cat? Your answer is as good as mine. It is these artistes whose intellectual works are being abused and this only further underpins the need for strong and virile unions which will regulate digital downloads and by extension, improve the lot of Nigerian musicians.

But the question is, are Nigerian artistes ready for change?

Imagine what would happen if D’banj, Wizkid, Davido, P Square, 2face and some others stage a march on the Lagos House of Assembly to demand for the implementation of anti-piracy laws. The results would be awesome because of the influence they wield!

Twelve years after the release of Shakomor, the song widely believed to be responsible for the musical renaissance of the last 16 years, the Nigerian music space continues to grow employing millions of Nigerians and laundering Nigeria’s image abroad but majority of our artistes are living from hand to mouth. Consequently, the need for unity in Nigerian entertainment industry cannot be overemphasised. Artistes must put their egos aside and agree to work for a united industry.

A stitch in time saves nine so goes the popular English saying. The gains of the last decade and half could be totally lost unless artistes unite. Once more, the time is here, an opportunity is on the horizon for Nigerian artistes to unite and move the industry forward and bring back the glory of the 60s and 70s. But first, they must throw away their garments of pride and unite for that change which they all so desire.

•Gabriel is chairman, PMAN caretaker committee

‘Today millions of naira is lost to digital downloads at bus stops and shops across the country. Alaba International Market, which used to be the hub of piracy, has bowed to the sheer power of the internet due to free downloads and this has created a new wave of pirates’

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015

22

COMMENTS ‘Progress is impossible without change.”—George Bernard Shaw

T

HE People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is gradually evolving as a party with desperate antics. This, without equivocation, is a consequence of the emergence of the first real opposition to a sitting federal government in the nation’s history.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has made this possible through the tenacity of purpose of its leaders. With palpitating defeat staring PDP and President Goodluck Jonathan in the face, the party will stop at nothing, including descending to the abyss of everything immoral, to pass across messages of hatred and destruction up its sleeves.

The PDP is doing this through its avalanche of flamborines of which Ayodele Fayose, governor of Ekiti State is topmost of those with high nuisance value.

Fayose is known for everything but decency and he was at the apogee of his nuisance when early this week, he published an advertisement in the newspapers depicting nothing but pathological hatred for the northern part and, serious contempt for human life. To the political loose canon from Ekiti, he was playing politics of Jonathan’s re-election, but to millions of Nigerians and the world, that advert was just a reflection of the best that the PDP comprising people like Fayose and clueless Jonathan can offer Nigerians, Ekiti and other parts where their ilk exist.

In the controversial advert titled: ‘Nigerians: Be Warned! Life and Death,’ published on the front pages of some national dailies including surprisingly, the revered Punch, he displayed pictures of late Nigerian leaders of northern extraction who died in office including Generals Murtala Muhammad, Sani Abacha and President Umaru Yar’Adua.

He ended his mischievous list of pictures with that of the APC presidential candidate in the upcoming February 14, 2015 presidential election, General Buhari with a question mark and his age; and an additional highlighted message: “enough of state burials.”

By this last statement, he, a mere mortal, is playing God by undoubtedly portraying the north as being incapable of producing leaders that can outlive their tenure in power.

To now put up an innuendo that Buhari may suffer same fate on ground of age if voted into power by Nigerians that are currently yearning for his leadership is not only ob-

R

ECENTLY, the Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose placed an advert on the front page of The Punch suggesting that the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Muhammadu Buhari, will die in office if elected president.

The advert, which has the pictures of Murtala Muhammed, Sani Abacha, and Umaru Yar’Adua – past Nigerian leaders who died in office was accompanied by excerpt from the Bible book of Deuteronomy 30 verse 19. ”Nigerians be warned! Nigeria…I have set before thee life and death. Therefore, choose life that both thee, and thy seed may live,” it said, suggesting that General Buhari represents death, while his rival, President Goodluck Jonathan represents life. The advert put a huge question mark over the picture of General Buhari, which was placed beside the pictures of the late leaders. The advert then asked its readers: “Will you allow history to repeat itself?

Enough of State burials.”

It is crystal clear that Fayose and his cohorts are not only desperate, they are playing God by professing death for somebody on account of age and election.

Fayose’ divisive advert is enough to plunge the country into political cum ethnic crisis, especially at this critical period when the polls are gathering momentum. If not, why was the advert placed on a day that President Jonathan was in Sokoto State for campaign rally? It may not be out of place to infer that the move was part of the Peoples Democratic

‘It is crystal clear that Fayose and his cohorts are not only desperate, they are playing God by professing death for somebody on account of age...’

08110000117

Fayose’s tirade against the north

• Ayodele Fayose noxious but also satanic - sadistic politics taken too far. Empirical evidence the world over has shown that the age a man gets to power is no sole determinant of how long he will live. An example will suffice here: Nelson Mandela (1908-2013) became SouthAfrica’s president on May10, 1994 at a ripe age and left power voluntarily on June14, 1999 and lived for years after before dying at age 95 on December 5, 2013. Apart from getting to leadership positions, if the 2014 World Health Statistics report published by the World Health Organisation (WHO) that put Nigerians’ life expectancy at 54 years is anything to go by, then someone like Fayose and even the president could be questionably said to be nearing their graves and should not be elected into office ab initio.

Fayose has not shown penitence over this inhuman gaffe as demonstrated through a statement he issued through his Chief Press Secretary that he has no apology for the controversial advertisement published on Monday. He is still warning Nigerians of the consequence of electing Buhari as the nation’s president, not on espoused principles and salient issues of national significance but on petty plank of age and unfounded health challenge.

This column is not unmindful of the usual antics and propaganda of an electoral season like this but will definitely not subscribe to the reprehensive antics displayed by Fayose in his paid adverts on the APC’s presidential candidate. The cacophony of disapproval from the public which greeted the publication is a reflection of the consideration of the advert as being thoughtless from a man and a party that cannot be considered less. By that act, Fayose has amplified his tactless as a man lacking in consideration for others. People like Fayose are thriving because the PDP in 16 years of misrule of Nigeria have merely succeeded in breeding people of questionable character that have sadly become politically ingrained as gleaming beasts.

The PDP campaign mouth organ has made a tepid rejection of the advertisement even while at the same time describing, in wild epithets, Fayose’s puffed-up deluding status in the ruling party and Ekiti state where he governs. What an offensive way of approba-

tion and reprobation at the same time in the party’s laborious but futile bid of extricating itself from the condemnable act due to the deafening backlash it has garnered in public space. Even the presidency has not come out publicly to denounce such an odious advertisement placed with Ekiti tax payers’ money by Fayose with the sole aim of better positioning the president in his reelection bid. All reasonable Ekiti indigenes, anywhere in the world, should come out and condemn, like millions of other Nigerians have done, the Fayose advertisement against Buhari that has put the state’s name, once again, on the world map for the wrong reason.

That thoughtless advertisement with no respect for human life or dignity should be treated as a message from one of the president’s staunchest overzealous henchmen.

The people of the north should get the message inherent as meant to denigrate its respected hegemony. The voters from this region should deploy their votes come February 14 to push President Jonathan out of power. The reality of the day is that Nigerians are fed up with PDP, especially Jonathan’s eggregious misrule and are really itching for CHANGE. This publicly nauseating advertisement is just because the ruling party, the president and his rotweillers cannot fathom the cyclonic demand for real change, courtesy of the APC. Now, they have taken, albeit unsuccessfully, refuge under the demand for Buhari’s original certificates. When they realised that bait would not deter the people from sticking with Buhari, they have changed tactics, cooking up phantom health issues on the man in the process.

Fayose is a notorious politician who has found himself in power for the second time simply because of the majesty of democracy that saw Ekiti people vote out Kayode Fayemi for whatever disagreement they had with his leadership style. The same Ekiti democratic wave is brewing across the country against President Jonathan and a million Fayoses cannot stop Nigerians from all the geo-political zones that are fed up with Jonathan from voting PDP and his presidential candidate out on February 14. That is the issue that the Fayose advertisement has further pushed to the fore -The need to guarantee APC’s promised change in the coming general elections.

Fayose death wish for Buhari

By Bamidele Olayinka Party (PDP) strategy to see if the forthcoming polls would be scuttled or postponed as result of induced violence or provocation of the North.

But the North and the APC’s reaction to it have shown that they are more sagacious politically than President Jonathan and his PDP cohorts. Fayose and the PDP have forgotten that there is no correlation between age and death because sickness and death knows no age or tribe.

Even if the likes of Sani Abacha, Murtala Mohammed, and Umaru Yar’Adua died in office as presidents of the country at different times, why would Fayose single out deceased former presidents of the country from the North in the advert? Have Fayose and the PDP forgotten that General JTU Aguiyi Ironsi from Abia State, like Murtala Muhammed, was killed while in office as Head of State? Or is it, as stated by the Buhari Campaign Organisation, that the PDP and its agents are planning to kill Buhari if he wins the election?

Just like Fayose, every Nigerian has antecedents, and we know ourselves well.

It is often said that leopard can never change her colour. A pig will ever remain so no matter how many times you bathe it.

Claiming change of character in old age is a ruse; one cannot learn using left hand in old age.

In PDP and the Presidency are many characters like Fayose who believe they know better than Nigerians. Unfortunately for them, Nigerians know them well as accidental and opportunistic leaders. One of the presidential aides recently declared that wat is better for the country to disintegrate, instead of APC winning the presidential election! Those behind the

retinue of advertorials for President Jonathan’s re-election in print and electronic media are greatest beneficiaries of subsidy, aviation and power sector scams. They have used the money to form different support groups for President Jonathan’s re-election. Two of them that symbolized fraud and corruption before Jonathan’s government were from Southeast zone. They lack character and integrity, but these are President’s friends who are driving his campaign with the country’s looted fund. These are people being celebrated in the Presidency today where corruption, sycophancy and mediocrity are being adored, celebrated, and encouraged.

With this calibre of people hobnobbing with President Jonathan, Nigerians were not surprised at Fayose’s action. In the coming days, many more of such provocative, insensitive and divisive adverts, actions or comments will emanate from the president’s camp, because they have no useful message to give Nigerians.

Fayose’s advert has also shown that those who claimed to be working for President Jonathan’s re-election are indirectly working against it, by doing more damage to his image.

Again by the advert content, Fayose has agreed that Buhari will win the election, except that he wishes that he will die in office like Abacha, Muhammed and Yar Adua. What a daft and preposterous thinking by those who call themselves leaders! Recall that some of the President’s cohorts have been comparing him with great world leaders like late Dr. Nelson Mandela, US President Barack Obama and others without showing the correlation between Jonathan’s personality and that of these great world leaders. Unlike people

like Fayose and other supporters of Jonathan’s re-election, the issue at stake now is not about age or death, it is about leadership, antecedents, performance and the future of the country. Besides, God is the creator and controller of the universe and not a mere mortal. Politicians must draw a parallel line between God and politics of hatred, because of its consequences. The holy writ says: “But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them.”

• Olayinka, a cleric wrote from Ikeja, Lagos.

‘In the coming days, many more of such provocative, insensitive and divisive adverts, actions or comments will emanate from the president’s camp, because they have no useful message to give Nigerians.

Fayose’s advert has also shown that those who claimed to be working for President Jonathan’s reelection are indirectly working against it, by doing more damage to his image’

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015

23

Newspaper of the Year

AN 8-PAGE PULLOUT ON SOUTHEAST STATES

Once upon an illustrious town

FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015

PAGE 25

No Yuletide accident in Aba, says FRSC

•PAGE 27

•PAGE 38

Anambra celebrates community peace ‘ I

T was clear that the relief was felt even beyond the remote community. The Deputy Governor, Dr. Nkem Okeke was there on behalf of his boss, Chief Willie Obiano. So were various dignitaries including traditional rulers and community leaders.

It was a special day for Nibo and its people in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State. For seven years the community boiled over, kinsmen rising against one another. For that long, the town had no traditional Prime Minister or Onowu, in local parlance.

Even the traditional ruler, Eze Ugonwanne Ngene, who still managed to retain his throne, could not celebrate it. The Ofala, the grand feast marking such ceremonies, simply could not hold.

Why? Nibo was in turbulence.

Thankfully, all that is in the past now. A new Onowu, Prof. Simon Nnama, has been inaugurated.

Peace has returned and everyone, including the Obiano administration, was happy.

At inception, one of the first things the governor did was to mount a campaign for community peace and cohesion. It looks as if his efforts are paying off.

The internal squabble halted any form of development in the area.

This put off some indigenous

It was a special day for Nibo and its people in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State.

For seven years the community boiled over, kinsmen rising against one another. For that long, the town had no traditional Prime Minister or Onowu, in local parlance

•From right: Dr. Nwosu, Okelekwe’s wife Anulika, her husband Kodilichukwu and a guest at the event

,

From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

people who wanted to help those in need especially the physically challenged and widows.

In those horrible days, things stood still except the Eke Market which was functional, while the presence of government was

•A masquerade at the event equally minimal.

The Nation gathered that the conflict was essentially about leadership. Some aggrieved members of the community, it was said, were opposed to the monarch and made their opposition known. While

that lasted, a few others helped themselves to community’s till.

The conflict is over. The community is united under its king. The Ofala feast has returned and everyone made merry and did their best to forget the past.

Ezike Nibo, as the monarch is ad-

dressed, also took time to recognise some sons of the land, while the community equally chose and installed its traditional prime minister.

•Continued on page 26

Group urges Jonathan to order PDP youths freed GROUP, Abia Youths for Enthronement of True Democracy (AYETD), has appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan to order the Department of Security Service (DSS), Abia State to release three Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) youths arrested by the security outfit.

The three persons were said to

A

be among some PDP faithful who demonstrated Umuahia against the choice of the party’s Abia governorship candidate when President Goodluck Jonathan visited the state last week as part of his nationwide re-election campaign tour.

In a statement, the group’s coordinator, comrade Israel Mba Ekenta in appealing to President

Jonathan for the release of the arrested persons said under the 1999 constitution as amended, individuals have the right to protest when they felt they were not fairly treated.

AYETD said it was wrong for men of the DSS, Umuahia to have arrested the placard carrying members who it stated were only trying to draw the president’s attention to

what had been happening in the state chapter of the PDP. The group said it was no offence for the people to have used a legal and civilized manner to draw the attention of the president and other national leaders of the PDP to an issue if left unnoticed and unattended to could cost the party fortunes.

According to AYETD, “It was

wrong for the men of DSS in Umuahia to have arrested party members who were protesting against the highhandedness and injustice meted out to some people by the PDP in the state”.

The group threatened to take legal action if the arrested persons were not released without further delay.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015

26

THE SOUTHEAST REPORT When it was thought that his ordeal at the hands of abductors late last year had been adequately reported, the victim, UGOCHUKWU UGORJI-EKE, our Umuahia correspondent, reveals in his own words some of the most horrifying things his abductors put him through

N

OVEMBER 16 last year was a normal Sunday for my family. We woke up to face the challenges of the day such as writing my story for Southeast Report which is published every Tuesday. After that I went out to buy some things for the family and pick up some materials for a story I was working on.

On my way back to the house at about 7.15 pm I stopped in front of my house to call my wife to open the gate so I could drive in. Just then, men numbering about four started banging on my car door and trying to force it open. One of them was pointing an AK 47 at me.

When I opened the door of the car they quickly took away my wedding ring and my wristwatch before snatching my two phones that were in the space between the two front seats, while others were busy searching my pockets for the little cash that I was carrying then which was about N2,450. Therafter, they dragged me

•Mr. Ugochukwu Ugorji-Eke (fifth left) and family members after the thanksgiving service at Methodist Church Nigeria, Aba, Abia State

Four rainy days in the bush with kidnappers into their car.

Inside their car they forced me to lie down while they sat on me forcing a face cap on my head to cover my face and warned me not to try to look at their faces before driving off to an unknown destination. On the way they were making calls to some people to meet them at a coded point.

When we got to their coded point,

I was dragged out of the car and forced to lie on the grass, while my slip-on shoes were taken away.

One of them placed the gun at my cheek and said, “Feel it, if you mess up I will waste you and what is your wife’s phone number?”

I told them that I still had another phone with me in case they searched me and found it on me. I am sure

they would have shot me thinking that I intended to make calls with the phone. Then I gave them my wife’s phone number and they placed a call to her and placed the phone on my right ear and said, “Tell her that you have been kidnapped”.

When the call went through I told my wife, “My dear I am being held, she said by whom, the police? I said

Anambra celebrates community peace •Continued from page 25 The wind of change has finally reconciled all and sundry with monarch and some of the community’s sons and daughters promising development.

Special recognition was given to the community’s new traditional Prime Minister, Prof. Simon Nnama and Chief Kodilichukwu Okelekwe in an event that took place at Nibo Civic Centre and witnessed by the Aanmbra State Deputy Governor, Dr. Nkem Okeke.

Traditional rulers from the 177 communities in Anambra state were led by the Igwe of Nnewi, Kenneth Orizu and Igwe Peter Anugwu of Mbaukwu.

For members of the community,

the honor given to one of their own Chief Kodilichukwu Okelekwe by their monarch was a well deserved one.

He was given the traditional title of Ebubechukwu–Uzo (meaning the one who puts God first).

The political scientist and business man has been a source of hope and motivation to the less privileged and the needy in the society not only in the community but beyond.

Okelekwe before his education and rise to stardom was being ridiculed in the area in those days as epitome of poverty which he also attests to.

The area was jam packed and the event wore a majestic look with decorations and different uniforms by groups that ran riot.

The mention of Okelekwe’s name by the monarch elicited jubilation.

Singers praised the man they described as the messiah of the poor.

Mr. Chigozie Nwankwo, 67, said: “We are excited because this young man can starve his family to make sure that others do not suffer because he saw and experienced poverty.”

The traditional ruler of Isuanaoma in Awka North Local Government Area, Igwe Uchenna Okpalaunegbu, who described himself as the recipient’s friend, told The Nation that the title on Okelekwe was a confirmation of his life “He is somebody that has touched lives, he believes strongly in living for others and this is the testimony”

•From left: The VC, University of Nigeria (UNN), Enugu Campus, Prof. Ben Chukwuma Ozumba; Registrar, Mr. Anthony Okonta; Librarian, Dr. Mrs. Chinwe Ezeani and Bursar, Mrs. Chineze Obi at a briefing on the PHOTO: OBI CLETUS institution’s 44th convocation

Dr. Harry Obi-Nwosu, a community leader in Umudioka, who came to witness the event, told the Nation that Okelekwe’s recognition by the community was well deserved as a man of integrity and honour.

“I have known him as a gentleman that loves to help the poor; if not for the crisis in Nibo community, the people would have recognised him many years ago before other communities could do that.”

Before now, in 2009, Okelekwe had been recognised as Ezechimelu (God’s anointed king) of Oko kingdom in Orumba North Council Area. In 2011, the monarch of Awka, Obi Gibson Nwosu gave him the title of Ochendo (the people’s shield).

Chief Victor Umeh, who is the National Chairman of all Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), was equally among the recipients of traditional title from the sleepy community.

The Deputy Governor, Dr. Okeke, who stood in for Governor Obiano, commended the people for the return of peace in the area and the orderly conduct of the event.

However, he assured that the state government remained committed in ensuring the security and welfare of its citizens as evidenced in the crime-free Yuletide period.

Ezike Nibo, Ugonwanne Ngene, before conferring the titles on the recipients, said they were chosen as special people to play special roles in the community because of what he described and their impeccable characters.

Despite the crisis that nearly brought enmity to the people and their leaders, the monarch described Nibo as a blessed community where all the basic amenities of life were endowed in abundance.

While he was called up to step

no, some gentle men are holding me.” Then they took the phone from my ear and told my wife, “Madam we have kidnapped your husband, don’t call the police or the army else, we will kill him. Just cooperate with us”, and they switched off the phone.

One of them said, “Please call her

‘

•Continued on page 27

This is very emotional to me and I cherish it because I never lobbied or made any discreet moves to be recognised by my people, I was only communicated 72 hours to the event and one of the greatest things that can happen to any man is to be recognised by his people

,

forward for his title, tears rolled down his cheeks but he managed to acknowledge the huge chants of his name by the people.

He told The Nation that he cried because of what the community had gone through in the past and when he remembered his past when poverty reigned supreme in his life.

“And that is what motivated me to be doing whatever I am doing today in the society and I have been in this charity job for the past 20 years and if I have the means, I will do more”.

“This is very emotional to me and I cherish it because I never lobbied or made any discreet moves to be recognised by my people, I was only communicated 72 hours to the event and one of the greatest things that can happen to any man is to be recognised by his people.”

The President General of the town Union, Dr. Innocent Akuvue described the day as a turning point in the lives of the people of the community.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015

27

THE SOUTHEAST REPORT Once upon an illustrious town

I

T is still a puzzle that the community, from which came some of the country’s brightest minds, lies in ruins, forgotten by almost every government.

That is the story of Arondizuogu in Ideato North Local Government Area of Imo State, one of the few communities that are yet to reap the dividends of democracy.

The collapsed roads and dilapidated infrastructure tell tales of long years of neglect and abandonment by successive administrations at the state and federal level.

The community is reputed to have produced some of the eminent Nigerians who fought for the nation’s independence including the late Mbonu Ojike, Dr. K.O. Mbadiwe and W. C. Onwenu, among others.

Many expected brighter fortunes, not the sorry picture before the eyes, considering the number of its successful people in strategic positions in government.

From one end of the community to the other, one can hardly point to any project either completed or ongoing. The Federal Government road that passed through the community linking Onitsha the commercial hub of Anambra State and Enugu State, has been abandoned and in a terrible state of disrepair.

To tackle these challenges, eminent sons and daughters of Arondizuogu, led by Chief Osita Okereke, the Director General of the National Taskforce on Illegal Importation of Small Arms and Light Weapons formed the Arondizuogu Political Forum, as a platform to promote the interest of the community.

Speaking during the inaugural meeting of the Forum, Okereke, who is also the pioneer President

•A failed portion of the road undergoing temporary repair From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

General of the group, said that, “after a brainstorming session and reappraisal of our town we unanimously concluded that our Arondizuogu which produced illustrious sons that assisted other patriotic Nigerians to fight for independence, has remained static and politically demobilised without any meaningful progress”.

He said, “When you look around the whole of Arondizuogu you will

hardly find any state or Federal Government presence. The only Federal Government road that connects Arondizuogu with Onitsha and Okigwe has been allowed to decay without any attempt from government to repair the road.

“Arondizuogu is one of the very few towns in Nigeria that is balkanized into three Local Government Areas of Ideato North, Okigwe and Onuimo without any of the headquarters in •Continued on page 40

‘ When you look around the whole of Arondizuogu you will hardly find any state or Federal Government presence. The only Federal Government road that connects Arondizuogu with Onitsha and Okigwe has been allowed to decay without any attempt from government to repair the road

,

Four rainy days in the bush with kidnappers •Continued from page 26 and let her know that their car is in front of their house as she may not be aware.”

A call was once again placed to my wife and when she picked the call, they said, “Madam open your gate and take your car and your child’s material in the car, we have gone with your husband”.

At this point I was handed over to another set of people who quickly

blindfolded me and tied my two hands at my back and dragged off to God-knew-where. According to the two men who took me into the bush we started walking from 8pm till 1am when we stopped where they wanted us to spend the night.

There I was told to sit down after they had gathered some leaves; meanwhile my hands had swollen beyond a standard boxer’s boxing gloves.

When I sat down my two hands were

tied to two different trees, while my legs were tied together. I laid down there and shortly after it started raining.

It rained for the four nights I spent in the bush with black ants having a feast on my body and was only given bread and sachet water twice on Monday night by 11pm and Thursday morning by 4 am.

Meanwhile they were calling my wife and demanding for the sum of

N20 million while the two with me were demanding for N5 million. I kept telling them that I had no such money and that as a journalist that it will take me working for the rest of my life without spending a kobo from my salary to earn such amount of money.

We kept haggling for price to the extent that they asked me to sell something to raise money, “I told them that I had nothing to sell except my two cars which when sold will not produce such amount of money.

One of them said, “Is there nothing else you can sell, I said, Ok tell my wife to take our house documents and go to a money lender for the sum of money [huge sum] which she did”.

When they got the money I was realised at about 9.30 and I got to my house an hour later on Thursday 20th November. I came out to hear that

‘

•All Progressives Congress supporters at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri

my case had been the talk of the town and country, on the radio, television newspapers, CNN and the social media.

I cannot thank my professional colleagues enough especially the Abia NUJ, The Nation family, especially the MD Mr Victor Ifijeh who kept calling my wife to know what was going on, the AGM Port Harcourt plant, Shola O’Neal, Southsouth Editor, who visited me after my release and the state governor Chief Theodore Orji who mobilised the security men in the state to ensure that I was released, and the security agencies in Abia state.

My special thanks goes also to my wife, Patience who never slept all through that harrowing period and my children who missed me, my good cousin, Chief Okoji Nmaju, Chief Ogba Nwokoro President General of my town union, Dr Onyii Ogelle and his brother Uche and others too numerous to mention. May God bless you all.

The two men who took me into the bush said we started walking from 8pm till 1am when we stopped where they wanted us to spend the night. There I was told to sit down after they had gathered some leaves.

Meanwhile, my hands had swollen beyond a standard boxer’s boxing gloves. When I sat down my two hands were tied to two trees, while my legs were tied together

,

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015

28

THE SOUTHEAST REPORT

‘Jonathan has failed Ndigbo’ SOCIO-CULTURAL organisation, Ndigbo Unity Forum (NUF), has expressed its disenchantment with the Jonathan administration, saying it has failed to live up to the promises made to the Southeast.

The forum in a communiqué signed by its president Augustine Chukwudum and Secretary-General Chinedu Onyebuchi, said the development amounted to neglect and marginalisation, a clear proof that the administration did “not appreciate the unalloyed support of the Southeast.”

“We unanimously agreed that having failed to fulfill most of his electoral promises to the Southeast region when compared to other geopolitical regions in the country, that it is now obvious that the President Jonathan-led government does not appreciate the unalloyed sup-

A

•Chukwudum

From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

port of the region.”

The group said Dr Goodluck Jonathan has failed to “deliver on the Second Niger Bridge as he promised in 2011, and rehabilitate about eighty per cent of death traps of federal roads in the Southeast.”

The NUF also accused the government of reluctance to upgrade the Akanu Ibiam and Sam Mbakwe airports to international standard.

The group, which said it was helping to unite Ndigbo through seminars and orientation sessions, among others, so that they can speak with one voice on issues that affect them, added that its members were disillusioned because the federal government had not built any industrial estate in Anambra and Abia states and that the Jonathan administration had been unable to harness the agric potentials of Enugu, Ebonyi and Imo state, “thereby denying the youths from Southeast employment in these sectors.”

The NUF also dismissed the claim the president made a little over two weeks ago while on a campaign tour in the region that he has rehabilitated 2,000km of roads in the Southeast within the past four years.

The group said Dr Jonathan “promised to upgrade Enugu Airport to International standard within 18 months in office if he is re-elected for second term,” but “this is another plot to hoodwink Ndigbo so that we continue to be their political slaves who we are today unless we wake

•The Second Niger Bridge yet to be completed from our slumber and reject this PDP president candidate because he has nothing to offer Ndigbo.

“The Onitsha seaport was commissioned on August 30, 2012 amidst fanfare by President Jonathan; it is three years now, but we have yet to see a canoe not to talk of a big ship there.”

The NUF said its members resolved to ensure that only candidates who have the interest of the Igbo at heart will have their votes.

“Ndigbo Unity Forum is calling on all eligible voters to vote for credible candidates notwithstanding party affiliation.” [We also] want to inform the various candidates vying for elective posts, from governorship candidates to State House of Assembly candidates, to start enlightening us on their manifestos or risk rejection at the polls.”

The NUF assessed the perfor-

mance of the region’s governors, saying that “notwithstanding the abysmal performances of Governor Theodore Orji and Governor Martin Elechi of Abia and Ebonyi states, I can say without fear or favour that the other governors in the region have done fairly well. For instance, Governor Obiano has done well in the security sector and also Governor Rochas Okorocha has also impacted the live of our people positively through his free education scheme.

Mr Chukwudum expressed his disappointment with the nation’s agric plan.

“It is shameful that a country that arguably has about fifteen to twenty per cent of the world’s natural resources still has people who live on below one dollar a day. Personally I believe that federal and state governments can do a lot by investing in the

agricultural sector; it is shameful that a country like Nigeria that has the capacity to feed the whole of Africa still imports agricultural products…I also believe that the federal and state governments can show that they are sensitive to the plight of the common man through building of industrial estates and also encouraging young entrepreneurs with loans and also providing a conducive environment for them to flourish.

On te controversial Rev Fr. Ejike Mbaka, who lampooned President Goodluck Jonathan, the NUF president said, “Rev. Mbaka…is in order; he did what was expected of a good citizen. When a government is not doing well it is the duty of every well-meaning citizen to call the government to order. We all know that President Goodluck Jonathan has not delivered on his numerous promises.”

•Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha with Justice Mary Odili and Chief Judge of Imo •Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation (ZSF) Chief Executive Officer, Imam Abdullahi Shuaib, presenting the key of a motorcycle to Mr Musa Obi in Aba, Abia State. With them is Mallam State, Justice Pascal Nnadi during the Nigeria Bar Association Week in Owerri Ma’aruf Ahmed

•Chairman/CEO, Innoson Group, Chief Innocent Chukwuma (left), with executives of the company and those PHOTO: OBI CLETUS of Shacman

•Alex Otti decorating his deputy, Dr. Mrs. Eme Uche

Newspaper of the Year

AN EIGHT-PAGE PULLOUT ON THE SOUTHSOUTH STATES

MO TORSPOR TS MOT ORSPORTS

•PAGE 31

•Rijau

IT was a joyous moment for officers and men of the Sapele Police Division, led by the Divisional Police Officer, Mr Mamma Sale Rijau, CSP, as the Delta State Commissioner of Police, Mr Alkali Baba Usman inaugurated a modern police station.

•PAGE 32

PAGE 29

BOB-MANUEL

SAPELE POLICE

MOTORSPORTS rank low on the list of sporting activities of most Nigerians, particularly people in the Niger Delta, Okao Uduagbon, President of Motor Sports Club of Nigeria, said he and his team of hardcore motor sport enthusiasts are determined to change that.

•Uduagbon

FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015

A traditional ruler, His Royal Majesty, King Disrael Gbobo BobManuel, the Gbobo II, Owokosi Xi, is worried about miscreants in his domain. The monarch has a plea: “Please help me clean the area of miscreants.”

•HRH Bob-Manuel

•PAGE 35

‘How we killed my married lover in Port Harcourt’

•Ime

•Ms Odikagbo

She asked if I will like to be arrested, I said ‘no’. She now went to the man’s kitchen and brought polythene bag which she wore on the man’s head and sat on it. As the man was struggling, I held his head until the man was motionless

I was arrested on December 10, brought here (at the SCID), and showed picture of lifeless body of Bankole. I don’t know who killed him. The relationship lasted for over a year. I am not so certain because we related a long time on the internet before we met in real life • SEE STORY ON PAGE 35

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

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THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015

NIGER DELTA REPORT FEATURE

NIGER DELTA REPORT FEATURE

JTF’s carrot-and-stick approach I

LLEGAL oil bunkering, pipeline vandalism and other forms of oil theft in the Niger Delta have continued despite years of military operations. But the Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Pulo Shield appears to have pulled a master stroke.

In his reign, the Commander JTF, Maj.-Gen. Emmanuel Atewe, seems to have found the curative pill for the ongoing economic sabotage and environmental menace in the region. He is speaking the language of carrot and stick.

First, the commander has launched some empowerment and poverty reduction programmes to identify with the plights of oil-bearing communities which continue to languish in penury despite hosting the mainstay of the economy.

Atewe after touring most of the creeks within nine months he took over the command of JTF, realised that most of the oil-producing communities were provoked to engage in oil theft or to harbour and shield oil thieves because of their poverty-stricken conditions.

They lack drinkable water because their main hydro source had been polluted by oil exploration and exploitation. They lost their sources of livelihood (fishing and farming) because their land and rivers had been contaminated by constant oil spillage. Most of them have no access to quality education, healthcare, electricity and other facilities.

Therefore, to ameliorate the suffering of the rural communities notorious for oil theft, JTF, has commenced medical mission, enlightenment campaigns and sinking of boreholes for portable water.

One of the communities to benefit from the outfit's medical rhapsody is the Igbomatoru in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, Bayelsa State.

People from the community were falling over one another as they scrambled to get medical attention from the team of medical experts employed by the JTF. At the end of the exercise, more than 2000 people suffering from various ailments were treated. Others whose medical conditions were beyond the team were referred to specialist hospitals with JTF promising to foot the bills.

The Surgeon and Chief Medical Officer, JTF, Lt. Com. Samuel Akinyemi led the mission. He had in his team opticians, consultant, general medicine and social workers.

From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

People were tested freely for blood sugar test , HIV, blood pressure and other health conditions. Drugs were given out freely. The people in need of eyeglasses and lens received them without paying a dime. A borehole was also sunk in the community.

Maj.-Gen.Atewe, who was represented by Akinyemi, thanked the Igbemotoru community for their support in the fight against illegal oil bunkering and oil theft in the region. He restated the JTFs commitment and readiness to eradicate all oil-related criminalities in the region.

He assured them of the commands support to the community especially in the areas of provision of social amenities. In his response on behalf of the community, the Chairman Community Development Committee (CDC), Mr. Morris Jonathan thanked the commander for his selfless service and assured him of the communities readiness to support his campaign on zero tolerance to oil theft.

JTF has also lined up many other communities to visit with its medical missions and other interventionist projects. As part of the carrot approach, the outfit further embarked on confidence building patrol to discourage youths from engaging in oil theft.

During the patrols, town hall meetings involving community chiefs, women and youths were held on the environmental, health and economic dangers of illegal oil bunkering and pipeline vandalism. T-shirts with an inscription, "shun any act of illegal oilrelated activities", were distributed to the locals.

Narrating the success of such approach while rendering the scorecard of the JTF in the year, the outgoing Media Coordinator, Col. Mustapha Anka, said it had rekindle hope of better life in the rural areas. He said communities were beginning to view themselves as part of the war against oil theft.

He said the outfit was combining its humanitarian interventions with aggressive military operations. According to him, no fewer than 253 vessels were impounded by JTF within nine months of its operation against illegal bunkering, oil theft and pipeline vandalism in the Niger Delta. The vessels, he said, included 53 ships and 200 barges.

He said since Maj.-Gen. Atewe assumed the command of the outfit, JTF has recorded many success stories. He

•illegal bunkering vessel set ablaze by JTF

noted that over 840 illegal refineries were destroyed within the period.

He said hundreds of Cotonou boats and thousands of drums and jerrycans used for illegal oil bunkering activities and oil theft were seized and destroyed by JTF. He said the command uncovered a hideout used for illegal oil bunkering beside a pipeline belonging to the Nigerian Petroleum Development Com-

pany (NPDC) at Ekiogbo junction along Warri-Ughelli North and Eleme in Delta and Rivers states.

He recalled that the troops of JTF patrolling River Ramos in Agge flow station, Ekeremor Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, arrested 19 illegal bunkering suspects.

Atewe said the troops further located and destroyed four militant camps in the region. He said the Nigeria Agip

Oil Company (NAOC) had testified that it witnessed increased in oil production because of the command's aggressive patrols of the region.

He recalled how the command arrested Jarret Tamede, Peter Dulian and 10 others for attempting to vandalise and siphon crude oil from one of the pipelines belonging to Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) at Chanomi creek in Delta state after

the suspects failed to bribe the Commander, Sector 1 with $65,000.

"The command made concerted efforts by organising series of arbitrations and mediation meetings between the International Oil Companies (IOCs) and host communities across the region," he said.

Apart from fighting oil theft, Anka said JTF had also contributed in ridding the region of other criminalities

Akpabio and his Legacies B

Y the time Godswill Obot Akpabio steps aside from the Government House, Uyo, as Governor of Akwa-Ibom State come May 29, this year, the story, if fair and honest, shall be “A man was here”.

He would be likened to a poor wrestler that sent giants crashing vis-à-vis the level of development he engendered for the well-being of his people.

Three distinct periods or eras could be realized since the creation of the state. They are BA, AE, and AA. While BA stands for before Akpabio; AE stands for Akpabio’s Era; and AA stands for after Akpabio.

Godswill Akpabio, variously referred to as the emerging African Tiger shall occupy the Akpabio’s Era (2007-2015AE).

Governments and Administrations that went before Akpabio, shall be classified as the BA Era (1999-2007) while Governments and Administrations that came after Akpabio shall be classified as the AA Era (2015-2019).

Akwa-Ibom is both a state on course and one taking shape.

The opening up of the state and moving it forward in terms of progress and development are some of the project areas in view.

The new road networks, free education, free health care de-

By Sunday Ekong

livery, the pipe-jacking or the underground tunnel technology drainage system, the independent electricity power plant, with the largest capacity for job and wealth creation which is the catalyst for small, medium and large cottage industries, general infrastructural development and urban renewal, the revamped Akwa-Ibom State Transport Company (AKTC), the modern International Stadium, described as one of the world’s best, among others are some of Akpabio’s unsurpassable achievements.

In the process of achieving these goals and more, records are broken and new ones created; some of which may be difficult to meet if not impossible to beat. This gives a cause of worry about the kind of succession that must definitely raise standards.

While most projects require extra time to accomplish, continuity, in most cases, is the way out.

Successive administrations in Akwa-Ibom State had failed to imbibe the spirit of continuity, a situation that had left most lofty government projects abandoned. Here is the root cause of

our fears and worries. It is said that the employee is as efficient as the employer. It may also be the contrary though. Succession makes sense and must be both realistic and attainable.

I believe that a leader should be found faithful. Public policy and administrative initiative characterized by transparency and accountability are reasons for my support for the peopledriven policies and programmes of the Godswill Akpabio-led administration which have already taken Akwa-Ibom State to greater heights. The leadership element therefore should not be under-rated.

Quality leadership which engenders robust policies and programmes must be dynamic, effective and efficient.

There are only a few things that the administration of Godswill Akpabio did not successfully realize. This is so because no one is perfect and man does better than his best. The industrialization of Akwa-Ibom State therefore becomes the priority programme on his hand over note to his successor.

It is this priority area that whoever succeeds him as governor of Akwa-Ibom State should focus attention on in order to ensure that the level of socio-economic and political developments already attend in the State are sustained •Akpabio •Ekong was Travel Manager with Daily Times Limited

such as piracy and cultism.

"This led to the recovery of cache of different arms and ammunition, smoke grenades, speedboats, pumping machine including communication gadgets and generators", he said.

He thanked the Federal Government, Ministry of Defence, Defence Headquarters, service chiefs and other institutions for their support against economic sabotage.

Help me rid my kingdom of miscreants, Kalabari monarch pleads T was supposed to be a political campaign by the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate representing AkukuToru/Asari-Toru Federal constituency in the National Assembly, Dr. Dawari George, who is seeking reelection. But His Royal Majesty, King Disrael Gbobo Bob-Manuel, the Gbobo II, Owokosi Xi, used the opportunity to express concern over miscreants in his domain.

The monarch made an unusual plea to the lawmaker: “Please help me clean the area of miscreants.”

Looking around the communities visited, including Buguma, Abonema and Ido communities, it was easy to understand why the monarch made the appeal. Walking around the streets in the area, dozens of youths could be seen hanging around, smokin Indian hemp . Some of them looked mean and seemed like boys who would do anything for money.

The monarch noted that there was need to improve the security of the area if the Kalabari kingdom wants to experience development.

He said security is the most important thing to them considering the terrain which nature has made available to them. He said his people enjoy travelling on the water than road, adding that for them to do their business freely and enjoy their movement in the creeks and on the roads, the issue of security must be addressed.

The monarch also pleaded with the lawmaker to discuss with his counterparts who are representing the area in different capacities to facilitate the only road in Kalabari Kingdom linking Degema, Buguma and Abonema. He revealed that he had made a lot of efforts to ensure that Federal Government repairs the road.

“Please help us provide security and clean up the place of miscreants to allow us travel in peace and do our businesses freely, especially through our creeks. We enjoy travelling on the water instead of road.

I don’t feel comfortable travelling in the bus, a distance from Abonema to Port Harcourt is like travelling to Kano. But on the sea, one feels comfortable without any form of heat. The security of the area is very important to our people; I know you as a very quiet and peaceloving person. I enjoy your leadership influence. There is no member of your party or your supporters that you will ask to sit down and he or she will disobey. That shows they respect you. Just like I have told the other parties, the Kalabari area needs peace. We are not ready to witness another crisis that probably could lead to burning of houses. We are not ready to run away from our communities because of violence.

“All we want to do is to participate in party politics and to bring development to our area. Tell your supporters that you are a man of peace and you want the process to be peaceful. I have no doubt that you will enthrone peace in the area so that we would be alive to vote for the candidate of our choice. This is your constituency. We are aware of your contributions to the development of our communities. The empowerment programmes which you brought to the area and so many other projects you initiated, we are happy about them.

“There are things I believe that you should spearhead, particularly in Kalabari. Though you have mentioned quite a lot of them, I am happy about that, but as a federal lawmaker, I will want you to work

I

•The monarch blessing George From Precious Dikewoha, Port Harcourt

with your colleagues and ensure that the only road we have in Kalabari that is connected to Degema, Buguma and Abonema should be constructed. That road is in a state of despair. I have personally mentioned it to Mr. President, but it is the task of the lawmaker to push for it.”

He went on: “I want to advise you, like you have always done in the past, try to remember your constituency and create an opportunity to hold meetings with us because there are so many things you have done in this constituency that we are not aware of. Some of these projects I am just hearing about it today, some I heard it from people. Be that as it may, on behalf of the people of Abonema, I bless you and pray for you to go and bring peace and development to our land.”

George thanked the monarch for accepting him and his supporters in his palace and for appreciating some of his constituency projects sited in the area and other Kalabari communities.

On the monarch’s call for improved security, the lawmaker said: “To end insecurity in the area is the responsibility of all. You will not see me on the Election Day carrying guns and other weapons; it is the same youths who are supposed to carry their voters’ card to vote that may engage in violence on the election day.

“Look, leadership is the ability to inspire people to follow what you believe in. I will not sponsor anybody to engage in violence, but I will rather preach against it. Today, apart from the local government,

there are no businesses and company in my constituency because everyone is scared of insecurity. Insecurity has been the setback of the development of our communities.

So, we are responsible for it because those of us who find ourselves in the position of power have failed to let the people know that when there is no peace, development cannot take place. First and foremost, I will ensure that peace reign in the area so that all those projects I have initiated and those yet to be initiated can be executed and sustained.”

George recalled his convenant with the people in 2011. He said although he might not have fulfilled all the promises, he had done a lot to justice his call for a fresh mandate. “We believe that for us to be fair, there is need for us to renew that mandate so that we can continue with what we have started.

When we started, we told them that legislative work is mainly for lawmaking but we will concentrate more on the oversight function which include development, planning and empowerment.

“What I have done is to attract many projects, particularly in education and water, which have been identified as a major challenge in the area. We have also built bridge, general empowerment, skill and unskilled projects and other programmes that will re-position our people to be able to run their lives as they should. We also try to provide leadership so that despite the challenges we can work together and live in unity, we can make progress for ourselves and the community. I have introduced a platform that will bring change and foster relationship among our people. And when this is done, all other development can flow.”

‘ Please help us provide security and clean up the place of miscreants to allow us travel in peace and do our businesses freely, especially through our creeks

‘

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015

31

NIGER DELTA REPORT

First circuit in Nigeria set for Edo W HEN Niger Delta Report met Okao Uduagbon, he was brimming with enthusiasm and the glint in his eyes as he spoke revealed how much love he has for motorsports. Although motorsports rank low on the list of sporting activities of most Nigerians, particularly people in the Niger Delta, Uduagbon, President of Motor Sports Club of Nigeria, said he and his team of hardcore motor sport enthusiasts are determined to change that. He said they are committed to popularising the sport and elevating it into the mainstream of sporting activities in the country.

Uduagbon, who spoke with our reporter in the wake of hosting the first superbike race - the Edo Super Bike Road Race - said his interest is to improve biking in Nigeria.

“Motorcycle racing is the only sport many Nigerians are not currently taking part. We believe that if we introduce this sport, it can create opportunity for development of the youths, the host communities, boost tourism, and all-round economic gains for the country.”

He said he bought his first bike in 2005, but conceded that many people that have been riding for much longer than that, adding: “Some bikers in Nigeria have been in this sport for over 35 and even 40 years. So, in relative terms, I am a new biker.”

He said he chose motorcycle sport because of his love for biking, noting that there are about 5000 bikers in Nigeria.

“I am a biking enthusiast. So, the interest was first of all personal and we decided to find a way to make a personal interest be of benefit to the larger society. We actually started the motorcross racing in 2012. Motor-cross is the riding of motor bike on sandy tracks and till date we have had eight races before we graduated to the superbike category which is the Edo Super Bike Road Race. The first Superbike race was held November 29th 2014 in Edo State. Our interest in motorcycle sport is geared towards making Nigeria be a part of the global motorcycle sports family and transferring the likely gains to the people.”

Uduagbon said his foray into the sport came while watching a motorcross event on television, adding, “It just struck me like a bolt. And I asked myself the question, ‘why can’t we do this? I woke my wife and asked her the same question. I told myself we had sand everywhere and there are bikes everywhere, at least the Okada (regular motorcycle) version, it looked too simple to me, and that was how motor-cross took off.”

To test the waters, he did a motorcross in 2012 and started doing a monthly event, which has now gradu-

FEATURE

From Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

ated into annual event and also have competitions during Easter celebrations. But having introduced motorcross to Okada (regularly motorcycles), he said the challenge was to take it to the next level.

“Some of my friends who were super-bikers asked me to organise an event for them because clearly their bikes cannot do motor-cross races. So, this was another challenge. What do we need? We needed a good tarred road that would be closed to traffic for the period of the race. In road race worldwide all that was needed was for the roads to be closed for specific hours and the routes are often lined with spectators. For us in motor-cycle sports it looked simple and we said to ourselves let us find a road we can shut down for some hours and do the superbike race.

“Having enjoyed tremendous support from the people and government of Edo State, and that of His Royal Highness, Prof Gregory Akenzua, Enogie of Ebvobanosa, who is patron of Motorcycle Sports Club, we said let us go back to where our efforts have been appreciated and let them know we want to raise the level and actually engage in superbike racing. Again we found support and on November 29th 2014 we held the third governmentsupported superbike race in West Africa and we are hoping to attract motorbike fans, enthusiasts from all over the world.”

Uduagbon called for support from government, corporate bodies and individuals to help unearth and nurture the enormous potentials available. In three years, he said the body intends to make the Edo Super-Bike Road Race the flagship motor sports event in West Africa and to attack global recognition.

To achieve the target, he disclosed that there would be “reasonable prize money” and support through medical and insurance, adding that such incentive would attract superbike aficionados from as far as Iceland, “because for those of us in motor sport adventure is, first of all, a key ingredient of your interest in motor sport.”

“You must have that sense of adventure. I did not find many Nigerians in Silverstone, but to get to Silverstone it’s like you are on a Pilgrimage, when you get there you will find that you are one of over 120,000 fans that have come from all over the world. I hope that we continue to enjoy the support of the Edo State Government because the benefits of a vibrant motor sport culture rooted in Edo State cannot be quantified in employment generation, revenue, and the feel-good effect. It will make the Edo man and woman and Nigerians feel

•The podium place finishers:1st was jack Affara (Palestine),2nd Ngugu Armstrong (Delta)and 3rd Ikhide Izokpu (Edo)

•The bikers before start of the race

good.”

In spite of the beautify picture he painted, the MSCN chief listed lack of awareness of the benefits the sport and perception that it is a dangerous game create a stumbling block. “I think a lack of awareness of the benefit of motor sport is a major challenge, but I accept this and we will try to educate the people to the benefit accruable from motor sport.”

He further disclosed that effort to get the relevant sports authorities’ backing had not been successful because of bureaucracies and hurdles. “The FIM (the world governing body) requires that in some of their competitions you represent your country, they say get a letter from the NSC that they can deal with you. So when we send participants for international events, they can be officially recognised as Nigerians. We met the past Minister for Sports, Bolaji Abdullahi and we submitted a proposal and we were told to set up in 24 States at our own cost before we get a letter. This is some of the peculiarities of Nigeria. It is that letter that is stopping our affiliation to the

international body and open up more opportunities. South Africa has only four circuits, Zimbabwe has only one.”

In spite of the challenges, Uduagbon said his council is forging ahead, revealing, “The Evbobanosa locals where the superbike was held last year know the benefits of this annual race to their community, so the first thing is education we need to educate a lot of people that motor-sport can be done safely. Secondly, capital is another challenge. We will like to have more and better of everything. At the last race the biker bought fuel themselves, we will like that indigenous oil companies step in in this regard, hotels can also subsidise accommodation costs.

“I use this opportunity to appreciate the Enogie of Evbonosa community, Prof Gregory Akenzua, for donating to our club 130 acres of land and the Edo State government for giving certificate of oc-

•Uduagbon

cupancy and also the promise to build the first asphalt circuit in Nigeria. We are eagerly waiting.”

Celebration as Jekennu bows out of Port Harcourt January 18 was a special day in the life of Air Vice Marshall Ajibola Augustine Jekennu. He was celebrated for his era as the Commander of the 97 Special Operations Group (S.O.G) at the Port Harcourt Air Force Base, reports BOLAJI OGUNDELE

W

HEN the Commander of the Port Harcourt Air Force Base, 97 Special Operations Group (S.O.G), then Air Commodore Ajibola Augustine Jekennu, got promoted towards the end of last year to the rank of an Air Vice Marshall, those who understand the operations of the military knew it was time he moved to an office fitting for his new promotion. Having served the office of the Commander for almost a year, February 2014 to January 2015, he has now left Port Harcourt to serve in a higher capacity.

The people he had lived with in the Port Harcourt Air Force Base for many years would not just let him go like that; there is so much attachment

connecting the two star Air Force General to a lot of the people within the barracks and the larger Port Harcourt community. Like he said while giving his testimony during a thanksgiving service held in the Nigerian Air Force Protestant Church, A.V.M Jekennu said if he was given the time and privilege, he had much to say about virtually everyone present in the over-crowded church auditorium because they had all affected his life one way or the other.

The day, January 18, started out with a thanksgiving service at the church , followed by a lavish reception at the officers mess, hosted by the AVM, his wife and children. It was only in the church that speeches were

•Air Vice Marshall and Mrs Jekennu

made, including the sermon, delivered by an Air Force Clergy, Squadron Leader (Reverend Canon) Otowo, titled “Lifted despite the odds”. Save the sermon and the testimony of the AVM at the church, not much of

speeches were seen at the two segments of the celebration.

When summarising his experience on the job over the years and the feeling of being celebrated after so many years, AVM Jekennu said: “It has been

a fulfilling time, having served here several years and it’s just normal that when you serve in an organisation you crave for advancement, promotion from time to time, so getting to a level where I got to command a unit was personal fulfilment for me and it gives some kind of satisfaction that my imputes have not been in vain. Basically, I’ll say I feel accomplished, haven commanded 97 S.O.G.” On what is next after his tour of duty to Port Harcourt as Commander, the AVM said since the Air Force headquarters is the one in charge of the movement of all men and officers, he would first go back to the headquarters.

“Normally the headquarters of the Nigerian Air Force deploys us; so, I’m going to the headquarters of the Nigerian Air Force.”

He advised those coming behind him, saying: “They should work hard and put in their best. There’s no hardwork that is ever wasted; sooner or later, it pays off.”

32

33

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015

NIGER DELTA REPORT FEATURE

NIGER DELTA REPORT COVER

A modern home for Sapele

Rijau and others at the unveiling of the DPOs quaters, administrative building and borehole

I

W

‘

When we embark on this kind of project, we are only setting examples for junior officer to emulate.

I would rather advice the junior officers to emulate the IG and CP because they are the ones we are emulating. They should learn from our senior officers because when you work and people appreciate it you would become satisfy

•The quarters

T was a joyous moment for officers and men of the Sapele Police Division, led by the Divisional Police Officer, Mr Mamma Sale Rijau, CSP, as the Delta State Commissioner of Police, Mr Alkali Baba Usman inaugurated a modern police station built by the division.

The structures, which included a befitting DPO office, an administrative office, a 2-bedroom DPO quarters and borehole facility, were built through the effort of CSP Rijau, who has left marks in several police stations across the state, before his elevation as DPO of the largest division in Delta state.

The edifice, which is a legacy of the highly respected police officer, was built through communal effort and the goodwill of the police officer who has earned the sobriquet of a 'Crime Buster' among his colleagues and members of the community.

CP Usman was effusive in his praise of CSP Rijau and promised to

‘How we killed my married lover’ police

From Shola O'Neil, Warri

mention his sterling qualities and dedication to duty to the Inspector General of Police, Mr Mohammed Abba.

"This project has been constructed with the cooperation of officers and men and community members, to reduce crime rate to its barest minimum.

Sapele, being one of the largest divisions in Delta State, the station was faced with some constraints which hindered efficient performance."

CP Usman admonished police officers in the state to borrow a leaf from the dedication and commitment shown by the Sapele DPO over the years and to redouble their effort towards reducing crime and making the society more peaceful and safer.

He said: "Over the years, there had been repeated cases of serious crimes such as armed robbery, murder, kidnapping and illegal oil bunkering

among others and therefore charge his men to work harder to raid the area of the socio-vices."

Niger Delta Report gathered that the construction of a new DPO Office and administrative office has brought a relief to the DPO and his administrative officers, who hitherto had to squat in the same overcrowded general build of the station.

Members of the Ekpan Police Community Relations Committee who attended the ceremony, said they were not surprised by the stride of Rijau, remarking that as DPO of the strategic Ekpan Police Division, he transformed the station and built a perimeter fence to secure the station.

"He does not rely on handout and other sources of fund, which has helped him to maintain his integrity, he is innovative and creative. He was the one who built a DPO's quarters as well as developed some new lockup stores to generate revenue to the station."

‘

The presence of two serving members of the Delta State Executive council, Majority Leader of the State House of Assembly, Hon Monday Igbuya, two local government council chairmen, traditional rulers, members of NURTW and the state and local chairmen of PCRC, who attended the event were clear testimony of the super cop's goodwill.

Speaking with our reporter after the ceremony, the police top brass disclosed that he personally supervised the construction of the new building to ensure that not only was it done properly, but that the cost was brought to the barest without compromising on the quality of materials used.

He revealed that he pooled resources and support of members of the community, who he had earned their trust to join and partner with the station to combat crime and develop the station as was the case in the new building.

•Rijau

He said: "What you are seeing today is the effort of the community, you are seeing the borehole in the station now, the new administration and DPO's office. We also have a new two bedroom building in the DPO's quarter now. All this were put in place during my time and I thank my God for it", CSP Mamman Sale Rijau said.

According to him; "I have work with the people diligently, they carry me along and I carry them along too hence I was able to put this in place. This is what the IG have been preaching, that the police cannot do it alone and that it will take the effort of members of the public for the police to achieve it purpose of policing the society.

"I can say I have the spirit to transform wherever I am posted to, I like to leave a good mark which I exhibited when I was in Ekpan. When I was in Ekpan, police goes outside the station to fetch water, so I dug a borehole there, renovated the other two making it three. I put a new structure there

too like this one. Anti-Robbery Office, I renovated it, the DPO's office I also renovated it and so many others and I am very satisfied.

"I am from Niger state, but Delta has been my home. I feel where you are working, you should transform it and that's what I am doing".

"When we embark on this kind of project, we are only setting examples for junior officer to emulate. I would rather advice the junior officers to emulate the IG and CP because they are the ones we are emulating. They should learn from our senior officers because when you work and people appreciate it you would become satisfy.

"Everything is not about money because if it was money, I couldn't have achieved this, I have the power to pocket the money meant for this project, but I said legacy first. I supervised this job myself from starting to ending and I feel satisfied that people are appreciating it."

HEN a rig worker, Bankole Charles met 28year-old Ms Loretta Odikagbo on Badoo, a social media platform in 2013, he did not know he had started a relationship that would end his life. Their relationship flourished until it came to a stormy end on September 19, last year.

Before them, the bond had gone sour when Ms Odikagbo, at the peak of her affection for the man, discovered he was married with children.

The news did not go down well with her.

When she confronted the late Charles, who hailed from Ondo State, he confirmed it and allegedly promised her a car as settlement.

However, for whatever reason, he failed or was unable to keep to his promise leading to a chain of events that culminated in his unfortunate end.

Ms Odikagbo, an Ordinary National Diploma holder in Marketing from the River State Polytechnic (RIVPOLY), confirmed in an interview at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) last week that in company of some accomplices, she stormed the Woji, Port Harcourt residence of her estranged lover, who was an employee of Halliburton Nigeria Limited, under the cover of dark and killed him.

She was not found out until a team of four policemen led by Mr. Joseph Okpamen, an Inspector, of the Homicide Department of the SCID, busted the gang and forced them to break their covenant to maintain sealed lips over the killing. The SCID team first traced Ms Odikagbo to the residence of her other boyfriend whom she was putting up with at Rumukpokwu, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area on December 10, last year.

Police discovered that she did not execute the heinous job alone. She reportedly went there with 30-yearold Ime Francis Moses (Jr), a university dropout and native of Eket in Akwa Ibom State, and another accomplice, a tout.

Ms Odikagbo and Ime are cooling off their heels in police cells. The tout is still at large, but the police have vowed to arrest him at all cost.

Ms Odikagbo told Niger Delta Report: “I was arrested over the death of my boyfriend Late Charles Bankole. I conspired with my friend and took my in-law to his house to harass him so I could get some money from him, which led to his death; but I was not there when he died, I was at the Automated Teller Machine (ATM). There is a third person that can tell the story of how he died but unfortunately, he has not been arrested. So, he is not here now. This story can’t be complete if the third person is not arrested.

“I am 28 years. I met Bankole on the internet. I initially did not know that Bankole was married; overtime I discovered. He actually promised to settle things with me. He talked about buying a car. When I hinted this to my in-law (Ime), he said he had a way to help me get what I wanted from him and I conceded to the idea.

“On the agreed day, I moved into Bankole’s house and waited for them there. He came with another of his friend. I opened the door for them.

They came in. His junior started tying Bankole up. Ime was holding a torch which they came with because this happened in the night and there was no electricity supply and it was raining heavily.

“At a point, I decided to go to the ATM with his (Bankole’s) card to withdraw some money from his bank account. One of the two men decided to go with me. So, my in-law (Ime) was left behind with Bankole who was

•Ime and Ms. Odikagbo at the SCID, Port Harcourt From Rosemary Nwisi, Port Harcourt

still alive when we left.

“He (Ime) later met me at the ATM point to get some money from me.

He informed me that he called a taxi driver to carry some things from Bankole’s house (supposedly some of his property). I told him that I was going because it was already late at night.

“I was arrested on December 10, brought here (at the SCID), and showed picture of lifeless body of Bankole. I don’t know who killed him. The relationship lasted for over a year. I am not so certain because we related a long time on the internet before we met in real life.”

Asked if Bankole ever promised to marry her, she said: “No, we never discussed marriage.”

On why she was enraged when she found out he was married, she said: “I was not actually angry, but he did not just tell me he was married. At a point we were serious with the relationship but when I discovered his marital status, I was disappointed and decided to pull out to continue with my life but he insisted on buying me a car instead to calm me down. That was what happened.”

Asked how she was able to get her victim’s ATM card and pin, Ms Odikagbo said: “He gave me his ATM card and pin number under duress.

He told me that he had N130, 000 in that account, but I got N120, 000 from the account.

“I am a student of Bori Polytechnic in the Department of Marketing. I have just completed my OND and about to go for my HND. I did one year internship with NARUFUS Inter-Bricks Company.”

Expressing remorse over the incident, she said: “I feel so terrible and primitive. I am guilty of the crime.

Bankole was my first internet boyfriend; I am not used to meeting people on the internet or Facebook. I

blame my action on hanging out with wrong friends.”

The Eket-born Ime disclosed that he dropped out of the university after securing his admission with a forged certificate, adding that he was conscripted by Ms Odikagbo for the dirty deal.

“Loretta called and informed me that her boyfriend owed her some money, which he was supposed to use and settle her out of their broken relationship but he was turning her up and down.

“I promised to help her get the money out from the man. On the day agreed, she called me and picked me up at my street junction, from where we proceeded to pick another boy she had earlier called for the job, but the boy came and declined going with us. On our way out from the boy’s junction, we met another boy who I know that loads taxi at the junction there. I called him and she explained to him what she wanted to do that night; he agreed to go with us.

“When we got to the man’s house, she went in while we stood under the staircase of the one-storey building he shared with other occupants, waiting for her instructions. I was holding a torch light which she gave me money to buy and a holding a car window winder, which looked like a gun, while the boy was holding a rope and cellotape she brought.

“After a while, she came and opened the door for us. We got in through the kitchen, where we stood before she called us to come to the bedroom where she was with the man.

“When we stepped into the room, I pointed the torch light on the man and told him that he befriended our sister for such a period of time, and pushed her out empty and without shelter, no settlement.

“The man pleaded that we should wait, that he was going to settle her.

At that point, she started to slap the man all over his face and used the tape to tape his mouth, after which the other boy tied his legs and hands.

“It was then she asked the man for his ATM card and pin; she got them and went to the ATM point with the boy, while I was left with the man in case the pin failed. While they left for the ATM, they carried the man’s phone and laptop.

“After a while, she came back to me at the man’s house. I asked her to come let us go, she said, ‘no’, that the man knows her very well, that if we should leave him at this junction, he will definitely come after her, and that when he gets her, she will mention my name. She asked if I will like to be arrested, I said ‘no’.

“She now went to the man’s kitchen and brought polythene bag which she wore on the man’s head and sat on it.

As the man was struggling, I held his head until the man was motionless.”

Asked how much he was paid for the job, Ime said: “It was not a job, but an assistance I rendered to Loretta. I tried to persuade her to leave the man at the point we had tortured him, but she insisted on going down with me if the man comes after her. She gave me N28, 000 only. I feel very guilty for the action.”

Police Public Relation Officer (PPRO) Ahmad Mohammad, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said: “I want to use this opportunity to warn members of the public to be careful with friends they got through social media; because these are people you do not know their background, and upbringing. There are so much you may never know about them.

“Again, I want to appeal to members of the public to continue to cooperate with us the way they helped us in arresting these suspects, Loretta and Ime. I want to assure members of the public to continue to repose confidence on the police. We have all that it takes to investigate matters beyond the imagination of common Nigerian, like what happened in this case.

There was nothing to trace these people with but they were tracked and arrested.”

34

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015

NIGER DELTA REPORT FEATURE

•Cross River State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate Prof Ben Ayade addressing supporters at a campaign rally in Ogoja.

•Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole addressing the Okumagbe of Weppa Wanno, His Royal Highness George Eghabor Omoaze 1, during the visit of the governor to introduce the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates in next month’s elections to the royal father.

How military transferred houses to us, by UNIBEN T ‘ HE properties in dispute at the University of Benin (UNIBEN) were transferred to it by the military government, the university’s management said on Wednesday.

It said the military governor of old Bendel State, Col. George Innih, authorised the transfer.

Among land and property transferred to the university, it said, include the Ugbowo Campus, the Ekenwan Road Campus, Staff Quarters and Club allocated to the University at GRA, and the Arts Theatre, Airport Road.

Agents of the state government allegedly demolished some houses on the land occupied by some university staff.

Special Adviser on Media and Communication to Governor Adams Oshiomhole, Mr. Kassim Afegbua, said what the government did was in line with the rule of law.

“What we have simply done is to recover and repossess Edo State Government’s assets, located around

By Joseph Jibueze

Government House in GRA,” he was quoted as saying.

But the university, through its legal counsel, Mr Hannibal Uwaifo, at a news conference in Lagos, exhibited documents exchanged between the government and the university during the transfer process.

In one of the letters to the school by the Ministry of Education, dated 23 September 1974, the government acknowledged the transfer.

The acknowledgment followed the education ministry’s letter to the Permanent Secretary of its counterpart, Ministry of Land and Housing.

The letter reads: “Since it your ministry that is directly in charge of all government buildings, it would be appreciated if you could take steps to get the above-mentioned properties transferred to UNIBEN either by an edict with a schedule of the said properties or an appropriate gazette notice indicating the said properties.”

We have evidence showing that part of the conditions for the take-over of UNIBEN by the Federal Government led by Gen. Yakubu Gowon was that properties being used by the university as at April 1, 1975, would remain UNIBEN’s properties.

‘

The university said the government should have waited for the outcome

of its appeal against a judgment of a Benin High Court on the properties, which was in Edo State’s favour, before carrying out the demolitions.

According to Uwaifo, the judgment was delivered on December 16, last year. Not satisfied with the decision, the university filed a notice of appeal on December 17.

It also filed a Motion for Stay of Execution of the judgment on December 19, and the processes were served on the government.

It was learnt that the government claimed not to have been served with the processes, but Uwaifo exhibited a proof of service dated December 22, 2014.

The university’s ground of appeal is that the judgment by Justice E. O. Ahamioje “is against the weight of evidence”.

UNIBEN is urging the appellate court to allow the appeal, overturn the lower court’s judgment and grant its claims.

In the motion on notice, the

university had prayed “for an order of this honourable court staying execution of judgment in this suit No B/74/2013...pending the determination of the appeal.”

The state government claimed that the properties were loaned to the University by the Midwest government.

But the university insists the properties were given to it during its take-off.

“We have evidence showing that part of the conditions for the take-over of UNIBEN by the Federal Government led by Gen. Yakubu Gowon was that properties being used by the university as at April 1, 1975, would remain UNIBEN’s properties.

“Liabilities that were owed to the university by the Midwest government would remain their liabilities.

“Most of those houses were uncompleted. It was the Federal Government and UNIBEN that took time to complete them,” Uwaifo said.

NDDC earmarks N1bn loan scheme for farmers

T

HE Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) on Wednesday said it had earmarked N1 billion “revolving” loan for farmers in the Niger Delta region.

This is contained in a statement issued in Port Harcourt by the commission’s Head of Corporate Affairs, Mr Iditoye Abosede.

According to the statement, the loan scheme is in partnership with the Bank of Agriculture (BOA).

The statement quoted the commission’s Managing Director, Mr Bassey Dan-Abia, as saying that the scheme would boost agricultural activities and production in the area.

“NDDC is fully committed towards boosting agricultural production to becoming a reliable economic base for the country.

“We are also partnering with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) to inte-

grate rural dwellers into agricultural entrepreneurship,’’ it said.

The statement said the commission on Monday inaugurated a two-week Agricultural Entrepreneurial Training for farmers at Vika farms in Uyo, Akwa Ibom.

It said the commission had recently distributed 100 tractors to various ministries of agriculture and corporate societies in nine Niger Delta states to boost food production and reduce unemploy-

ment.

According to the statement, the 180 tons daily rice processing plant at Elele Alimini in Rivers would soon be revived through a private sector partnership arrangement.

It said that the Federal Government’s various agriculture programmes had led to the transformation witnessed in the sector and had set the stage for Nigerians to go back to farms.

•Dan-Abia

Bayelsa SUBEB snubs sacked teachers

T

HE Bayelsa State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) has snubbed a directive by the National Industrial Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, to negotiate out-of-court settlement with 51 teachers allegedly sacked illegally by the board.

The Niger Delta Report gathered that Liverpool, despite promising to obey the order, has been playing to the gallery.

The suspension of the teachers in 2013 by the board vide a radio announcement had generated public outrage.

From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

The teachers, who were owed arrears of salaries before the suspension, accused the board and the state government of denying them their only means of livelihood without following the civil service due process.

Having exhausted all internal processes to get the board reinstate and pay them, the teachers last year took their matter to the National Industrial Court.

But a document obtained at the Festus Keyamo Chambers, a legal firm handling the matter, showed

that the court had in June 17, directed the state government to resolve the matter.

The court after adjourning the matter was said to have been waiting in vain for the report of the settlement.

According to the document, Liverpool, on August 12, had promised to ensure that the teachers were reinstated with their salaries paid.

The chambers in a letter dated August 25 and signed by Omonade Mathew had appealed to Liverpool to fulfill his promise.

Mathew told the SUBEB Execu-

tive Secretary that the affected teachers were going through unbearable hardship since they lost their jobs.

“We do sincerely hope and believe that you will use your good office towards ensuring that what is just and fair is done”, he appealed.

Mathew also sent a similar letter to Governor Seriake Dickson, urging him to end the two-year suffering of the teachers.

It was, however, gathered that six months after the court order, Dickson and Liverpool, have failed to act on the agreement.

The affected teachers are said to

be frustrated over the careless attitude of the government to their plight.

When contacted on the telephone on Thursday, Liverpool said out of court settlement was suspended because the counsel for the teachers brought a court summons in the process of the settlement.

“We were in the process of settling the matter out of court when the lawyers for the teachers brought another summons. For now, the matter has been suspended as we have to attend to the summons first,” Liverpool said.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015

36

NIGER DELTA REPORT COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

I

T is not by power. Neither is it by might.

Might has nothing— absolutely nothing— to do with it. It is all about brain and not about brawn. Physical looks cannot also be a judge. Have all the muscles in the world and it still does not change the fact.

The fact on my mind centres around who is qualified to be called a man. Built, gait and the possession of manhood have been used to distinguish between a man and a woman. But, it really should go beyond all that. Masculinity should be more about taking responsibility for one’s action. Anyone who does anything that he is not bold enough to admit and instead lies about it or simply just keep mum should be de-robed of his status as a man until he is ready to live up to its ideals.

For weeks now, men without spine, men of brawn—and please permit me to add— who lack humanity and conscience have put Rivers State, the Lagos of the Southsouth, on the spot.

It is either they are shooting guns or they are throwing bombs. And when they do it, they hide their faces. They act under the cover of the dark and masks.

Aside guns and dynamites, they also use machetes and other dangerous weapons.

Heads have been broken. Necks have been twisted. Arms have had hot leads pumped into them. And there was a woman whose back was reshaped with bullets. It is simply a tale of blood— which has left sorrow and tears in many homes.

The other day, I received the picture of a man on a hospital bed somewhere in dear Rivers.

Blood was gushing out of the middle of his head. It looked as though his skull was broken.

His name, I found out, is Emenike. In the picture, he looked dead. In fact, he was reported dead and condolences were sent to his friends and families. The picture was to illustrate a story for the next day’s edition of this paper.

But, we simply could not use it. It was gory.

My Editor, Gbenga Omotoso, cringed on seeing the picture and simply screamed: “We can’t use this. It is gory.”

He was not the only one attacked that day.

Others were too. They were at a meeting when they were swooped on by men of low moral standing, men who are so-called because of their physical possessions.

It is baffling why anyone will agree to be someone else’s thug. Poverty of the mind seems to be the only reason I can think of.

Regular poverty does not explain to me why a man, whose children are probably abroad having the best of education or attending one British or American international school in Lagos or Togo, will turn another man’s children into thugs after arming them with guns, dynamites and machetes and some miserable cash that cannot take them out of poverty.

These little tin gods sit on their wooden thrones and dish out evil instructions.

There is an interesting ring to the violence in

OLUKOREDE YISHAU

ABOVE WHISPERS

•A weekly intervention on Southsouth people and matters

olukoredeyishau@gmail.com

Cowards of Rivers

‘

It will not be well with all who arm other men’s children with guns, dynamites and cudgels to kill and maim— all in the name of politics. It does not matter to me what party the sponsors of this horrendous acts belong •Deemua... Alive to tell the story

Rivers. Jerry Needam, who speaks for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, alleged that the Chief of Staff to Governor Rotimi Amaechi, Chief Tony Okocha ordered political thugs and APC supporters to attack a former chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government, Timothy Nsirim at a function in Rumueme. Needam described the alleged attack as “criminal, barbaric and animalistic”.

Nsirim, he claimed, was physically battered

by Okocha and sustained major injuries all over his body and had his clothes torn to shreds. “The

LAST WORD

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

‘

The Comrade governor (Adams Oshiomhole) 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

‘

––– Edo APC Rep candidate Gideon Obhakhan

‘

PDP, therefore, calls on the Inspector General of Police and the Rivers Commissioner of Police, to arrest and prosecute Tony Okocha.” He described Okocha as lawless and blood-thirsty.

But Nsirim’s father, who is the King of Rumueme community, Nyeweli Omunakwe Nyeche Nsirim, burst his son’s and his party’s bubble when he accused his son of using thugs to disrupt the All Progressives Congress (APC) rally. According to him, the APC stalwarts in the community duly obtained the blessing of the chiefs to organise their political rally. He

described as false the claim by the PDP that Okocha and APC supporters attacked the former council chairman. The question I ask is: Is the traditional ruler lying against his son?

It is gratifying though that Police Commissioner Dan Bature has condemned acts of violence. He even called a meeting of the leaders of the major political parties in the state. The PDP and APC traded words at the meeting. Bature has vowed to unleash the law on offenders. We are watching.

One thing is clear, the bulk of those at the receiving end of the madness in Rivers are of the APC. The PDP says the APC is the one throwing the dynamites and attacking its own to buy sympathy. Really?

Several APC supporters on their way to the official flag off of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari’s presidential campaign in Port Harcourt were attacked by gunmen near Harry’s Town, in Degema and Sakpenwa, in Tai. The cowards were not bold enough to do it without hiding under face masks. They left many unconscious and in their pool of blood and fled into anonymity to spend the filthy money from their cowardly masters.

Ask Aadum Pya-Alu , Beatrice Deemua, Sorbari Npebee, Barbe Jack, Victory Vinam and Wisdom Akpogbara and they will tell you tales that not only touch the hearts but break them.

Pya-Alu’s leg shot by the cowards tell all the story; Beatrice’s back-arm can never forget the day hot leads were pumped into it; Npebee, who was shot in the head and neck, is lucky to be alive to tell the story; and elated is Jack for not dying as a result of the gun-attack on his stomach; so is Vinam, who was shot in the leg; and Akpogbara must be thanking God that the bullet he received on the head for daring to identify with Gen. Buhari’s aspiration did not kill him. One wonders what they think about the police’s claim that they were victims of armed robbery, yet their valuables were not taken.

My final take: It will not be well with all who arm other men’s children with guns, dynamites and cudgels to kill and maim— all in the name of politics. It does not matter to me what party the sponsors of this horrendous acts belong. They will live long to reap the fruits of their evil deeds. By the grace of the Almighty God, they will not reap anything good as a result of militarising the electoral process. Shame will be their rewards; disgrace will be their lot; and in the end, they will repent and serve the living God truly and only then will they get respite. For now, I decree peace out of the lives of these cowards of Rivers, who see themselves as the Alpha and the Omega.

It is time the people looked at the quality and characters of those seeking their votes. I advise that agents of violence, irrespective of political affiliations, should be rejected through the Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVC). Chikena!

BY MIKE ODIEGWU, PORT HARCOURT

Dickson, TAN and First Lady

T

HE Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN), a campaign group for President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election bid, is enmeshed in controversies with Governor Seriake Dickson.

Keen observers expected TAN and the government to work harmoniously on the Jonathan project. TAN, at the national level, is known for its passionate and fierce campaign for Jonathan’s re-election. The group is believed to have been founded to explore, expound and express the benefits of the President’s Transformation Agenda.

Dickson is not only the kinsman of Mr. President, he is also a Jonathanian advocate who from the inception of his administration vowed to pursue Ijaw national interest with the protection and projection of Jonathan’s Presidency the key element of the Ijaw affairs. In words and deeds, people believe that Dickson has not deviated from his averred support for the President.

Despite similarities of purpose, TAN and Dickson have been living like cat and mouse Where then is the missing link? In fact, the subject of acrimony is the fate of the Creek Haven, sobriquet for the state’s Government House, in 2016.

The governorship election holds in the state in 2016 and it is expected that the governor will be seeking a reelection.

There are reasons within the state government to believe that TAN has an ulterior motive in Bayelsa beyond the purpose of galvanising support for Jonathan’s reelection in February. The group is said to be working to ensure that the

governor does not return to the Creek Haven.

The group’s body language is also confirming the suspicions of the governor and his camp.

First, was the sudden entrance of the group into a state considered by many people as lacking meaningful opposition to challenge Jonathan’s reelection. Curiously, the group has started gaining ground and setting up permanent structures in the state. Already, it has secured an edifice as its secretariat along the Isaac Boro Expressway in Yenagoa. The group is also making plans to inaugurate the secretariat.

If the reelection of the President is the reason for TAN’s coming into the state, what then does it need a permanent structure for a secretariat especially considering the fact that the Presidential election is next month? This is the question agitating the minds of the camp of Dickson.

Besides, the camp of the governor also reasons that TAN’s agenda in the state is a suspect following the sudden change in the group’s leadership structure.

Initially, when Jonathan’s re-election was its only mission, the group was headed by the Chairman of the Bayelsa State Local Government Commission and former Speaker of the old Rivers State House of Assembly, Chief Talford Ongolo.

But Ongolo and some loyalists of the governor woke up one day to discover that they had been unceremoniously stripped of their functions.

The restructuring of TAN’s leadership undoubtedly became an issue and fueled the existing suspicion. Matters came to a head when it was reported that the interest and ambition of

the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, was the reason behind TAN’s rebirth.

Dame Patience is said to have an ambition to remove Dickson and replace him with her friend and domestic aide to the President, Mr. Waripamowei Dudafa.

Her sudden resignation as a super Permanent Secretary in the state’s civil service, her alleged influence in the posting of the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Valentine Ntomchukwu, to the state and her other underground activities are said to be geared towards realizing this ambition.

Therefore, TAN is said to be the first lady’s vehicle to drive her Dickson-must-go ambition.

On this premise, TAN is suspected to be repositioning itself for the task of leading anti-Dickson’s campaigns, formulating and executing strategies to outsmart the governor and kick him out of his seat.

Since the TAN imbroglio started, there has been sharp division in the state chapter of PDP. Opponents and enemies of the governor have run to TAN to form a formidable force with the First Lady against Dickson. The group is now headed by the First Lady’s associate and former deputy Governor, Chief Werinipre Seibarugu.

The governor issued a pack-and-go order to TAN. Before pronouncing the order, the governor had accused TAN of subversion. But TAN fired back at the governor saying he lacked the powers to order its exit from the state. It is only hoped that the gladiators will not use the innocent blood of the masses to settle their political scores.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015

37

THE SOUTHEAST REPORT

Monarch alleges attack ‘ over Buhari’s title The chieftaincy title was O given by the monarch and

NE of the oldest traditional rulers in Ngwa, Abia State, His Majesty Eze Isaac Ikonne may sue the chairman of the state traditional rulers’ council, His Majesty Eze Eberechi Dick for alleged defamation of character.

The Ngwa king claimed that the monarch’s council chair maligned his character in a purported text message and radio announcement over the conferment of a chieftaincy title on the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Gen Muhammadu Buhari.

As part of his nationwide campaign tour, Gen Buhari, accompanied by Imo Senator Chris Ngige and other stalwarts of the APC, visited Ikonne on January 10 at his Aba palace where the monarch conferred the title of Ogbuagu 1 on the General.

Eze Dick has denied smearing Eze Ikonne’s character. He also told the reporter on the phone that the state traditional council was not against honouring Buhari with a title, only that Aba where the Ogbuagu 1 was conferred was not a recognised kingdom.

The chieftaincy title which was given to the APC presidential candidate by the monarch and other members of his cabinet, according to the Ngwa monarch, was bestowed on the APC presidential candidate as a sign of love and to strengthen ties between the two ethnic groups.

Eze Ikonne has come under heavy criticism from different quarters especially the opposition party over his action.

The Enyi 1 of Aba has threatened legal action against the chairman of the state traditional rulers’ council.

In a letter to Eze Eberechi Dick by counsel to Ikonne, K.C. Nwufo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, copies of which were sent to the state governor Theodore Orji, the AIG Zone 9, Umuahia, Abia Commissioner of Police, the Area Commander, Aba Area Command of the Nigeria Police, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, the Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate and others, the revered monarch alleged among many things that Eze Dick in an announcement on the state-owned radio station, purportedly signed by him, described him (Ikonne) as a non-native of Osusu Aba. The traditional ruler said he has been on the throne of his community for over 40 years, adding that for Eze Dick to allege that he was not from Osusu village was defamatory.

According to him the Abia State traditional rulers’ council chairman would soon be summoned at the appropriate place to prove and justify his claims.

The letter titled, “Your defamatory text messages to various traditional rulers in Abia State against attending meetings summoned

by HRM I.A Ikonne”, reads in part: “That you sent text messages to some traditional rulers of Abia State origin directing them to desist from further attending meetings in the palace of HRM (Eze) I.A Ikonne because such meetings are allegedly political, otherwise they will face the ugly consequence of such attendance.

“That you have no legal and moral right to send text messages to traditional rulers not to attend meeting in our client’s palace on the allegation that such meetings are political.

“That no traditional ruler, including our client is a politician. HRM (Eze) I.A Ikonne is not a card carrying member of any political party and as such, he does not belong to any political party.

“That as a traditional ruler, our client is a father of all persons in Nigeria and thus is duty bound to receive any person, including a politician who visits his palace to pay him a courtesy call. This does not make him a politician.

“That it is on record that you received politicians who paid you courtesy visits in your palace. This we believe did not make you a politician or your receiving them a political meeting, unless you say otherwise.

“It is this unfounded propaganda of yours that you have contrived and used to deceive and manipulate the Abia PDP governorship candidate, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu into believ-

other members of his cabinet as a sign of love and to strengthen ties between the two ethnic groups. The Enyi 1 of Aba has threatened legal action against the chairman of the state traditional rulers’ council.

Eze Ikonne said he has been on the throne of his community for over 40 years, adding that for Eze Dick to allege that he was not from Osusu village was defamatory

•Abia State Governor Theodore Orji addressing the people at a construction site

,

From Sunny Nwankwo, Aba

ing that our client is against his candidacy.

That you are not doing him any good by such wicked contrivance because you are depriving him of the votes of the natives of our client’s community who would love to meet him one-on-one when he visits our client’s palace.

“That our client has been on the throne as a traditional ruler of his community for about 43 years now and so it is absolutely false and petty for your Highness to allege that he is not from Osusu village. This is defamatory and which you will soon be summoned at the appropriate venue to prove.”

Justifying that the traditional title given to General Muhammadu Buhari doesn’t have any political undertone, Eze Ikonne in a telephone interview said he had in the past given chieftaincy titles to notable Nigerians such former president Olusegun Obasanjo, wife of the president, Dame Patience Jonathan, former governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, former Anambra State governor, Dr. Chris Ngige, former senate president, Adolph Wabara, former deputy senate president Ibrahim Mantu among others and wondered why the one he gave to Gen. Buhari should be causing ripples in the state.

Reacting to the development, the All Progressives Congress (APC) party chairman in the state, Hon. Donatus Nwankpa described the purported suspension of Eze Ikonne by the Abia State traditional rulers’ council and null and void, adding that the monarch has the right to give traditional title to whomever he deemed fit for such an honour.

Nwankpa argued that the traditional rulers’ council doesn’t have the right to suspend Ikonne as he stressed that Enyi 1 of Aba didn’t commit any crime honouring a man who according to custom went to acclimatize with the traditional ruler that overseas where he had come to draw its peoples support.

While maintaining that APC would not want to drag itself into insulting the traditional rulers said “APC is a party that respects the traditional institution and traditional rulers, but we will not fold our arms to watch the image of the traditional institutions dragged into mud.”

When contacted on his phone, Eze Eberechi Dick said as the chairman of Abia State Traditional Council, that he was not aware of any announcement on Eze Ikonne’s suspension.

On the purported message sent to traditional rulers asking them not to attend any meeting in Ikonne’s palace, the chairman Abia State traditional rulers’ council replied, “he has the right to summon his cabinet members for a meeting but not to summon other traditional rulers elsewhere, he doesn’t have any locus.

•The usually busy Nnamdi Azikiwe Road in Aba, Abia State deserted as residents wound down to celebrate the New Year in their villages

•Chief Imam of University of Nigeria, Nsukka and Vice President-General, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Sheikh Adam Abdullahi Idoko presenting a laptop to Amir (President), Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN) Nsukka Branch, Yusuf Ridwanullah, the during the 1st Zakat Distribution Ceremony of ZSF in Enugu State.

•Chief Imam of Nsukka, Enugu State, Alhaji Yakubu Abdullahi Omeh (right) presenting a sewing machine to Mr Sufian Daud Muhammed at a Zakat distribution ceremony of Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation (ZSF) at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu. With them is ZSF Operations Manager Mallam Ma’aruf Ahmed.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015

38

THE SOUTHEAST REPORT

T

HE Aba Sector command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has said that there was no recorded case of road crash in Aba, the commercial nerve of Abia State, during the festivities.

The Sector Commander, Akachukwu Chika-ero also said 36 persons were arraigned before a mobile traffic court set up by the agency during the period for various traffic offences.

Chika-ero, in an interview with our reporter, attributed the success his command recorded to the continued road safety awareness campaign at various motor parks in Aba and its environs mounted by the corps before and in the run-up to the Yuletide as more people and motorists came into Aba. He disclosed that out of the 36 persons that were arraigned before the mobile court for reckless driving in December, 35 were convicted of various offences while one person was discharged and acquitted.

The Aba sector chief of the FRSC said the commission was not ignorant of the fact that Aba, being an economic and trade centre, usually hosts traders and individuals from neighbouring states of Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Rivers, Imo states, including their counterparts from such West African nations as Ivory Coast, Benin, Niger, among others, who come to buy one product or the other during festive periods.

Lauding his officers on their dedication, commitment and display of high level of professionalism while discharging their duties even when they had cause to be angry, he ad-

‘

As part of measures to curb to the barest minimum the rate of accident on our highways and checking excesses of drivers, we are planning in 2015 to introduce a speed limit device for motorists to install in their vehicles and it is our belief that it will be warmly embraced by all motorists because it is for their safety and that of their passengers

•Personnel of the Abia Sector Command of the FRSC

No Yuletide accident in Aba, says FRSC From Sunny Nwankwo, Cynthia Ndulue, and Rejoice Iwuala, Aba

mitted that such feat wouldn’t have come without some challenges.

Speaking on the command’s readiness to sustain their efforts, he further called on motorists using the Aba Ikot-Ekpene, Aba-Port Harcourt, Aba-Umuahia express-

ways to obey and maintain traffic regulations guiding driving on the highway, reminding them that his men will always be on the highway to check and penalize any driver that flouts driving code.

He also disclosed that as part its routine measures to stem drivers’ excesses, the agency through the use of a mobile court would pros-

ecute and sanction drivers that flout traffic regulations on the Highway, adding that the public awareness campaign would be a continuous one.

“As part of measures to curb to the barest minimum the rate of accident on our highways and checking excesses of drivers, we are planning in 2015 to introduce a speed

,

•Personnel of the Abia Sector Command of the FRSC on duty

limit device for motorists to install in their vehicles and it is our belief that it will be warmly embraced by all motorists because it is for their safety and that of their passengers,” the FRSC Aba sector boss disclosed.

Chika-ero thanked the media for supporting and partnering with the agency in educating and enlightening the public on the need to be safety conscious while making use of the roads, advising drivers to desist from alcohol intake, making and answering calls while on steering and any other act capable of putting their lives or that of their passengers at risk.

It could be recalled that the Commanding Officer RS9, Corps Marshal Samuel Obayemi, presented by the Zonal Head of Operations at the end a sensitization exercise in Aba ahead of the Yuletide with the theme “Road Safety, a Shared Responsibility, it Depends on You” said that the essence of the exercise was to remind all road users in the southeast and the country at large that they have a responsibility to play in ensuring safety on the roads within the festive period and beyond and promised that by the end of the exercise, FRSC personnel that would be deployed on the roads would work optimally to ensure that road users in Aba and within the RS9 zone drove to their destinations safely.

Once upon an illustrious town •Continued from page 27

•A section of a road damaged by erosion in Arondizuogu

Arondizuogu, resulting in total marginalization of the community”.

He continued that, “after the meeting, we concluded that Arondizuogu lacks the political leadership and the only way forward is to rediscover ourselves and come together under one united platform to aggressively tackle the underdevelopment confronting our people.

“Politics in Arondizuogu will no longer be business as usual and whoever thinks that he can undermine the power and influence of the of the APF does so at his own peril”.

He disclosed that the Forum was founded “to provide political leadership to our people with a view to ensuring that we claim our rights and attract meaningful considerations from government. To liaise

with the Federal Government if need be in order to protect the interest of our town and attract Federal projects and infrastructure to our communities.

“To fight and promote the interest of any Arondizuogu person anywhere in the world provided the course we are fighting is a legal course. To identify Arondizuogu sons and daughters seeking elective positions and support them with our resources and extract commitment that would protect the interest of Arondizuogu”.Also speaking the Vice President, Arc Chidi Okoli, described the current state of the community as totally unacceptable, and adding that, “despite the community decides who governs the state, it has not been given its fair share of the dividends of democracy. Arondizuogu has been neglected and this cannot continue.

We are going to be partisan and support any candidate that will develop the community”.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015

39

40

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015

With ekpoita :funtreatsvilla@yahoo.com / 08077706130

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

ACROSS

DOWN

1. Celebration (9) 6. Greeting (2) 7. Documentation (6) 9. Indelible Mark (4) 10. Former (2) 11. Spread Out (3) 12. Final (4) 14, Resounding Noise (4) 15. In direction of (2) 16, Myself (2) 17. Eager (4) 19. Young Boy (3) 20. Father Christmas (10) 24. Being (2) 26. Tinkle (6) 27. Perform (2) 28. Tease (6)

1. Impression (4) 2. Cereal (4) 3. Created (4) 4. Amuse (6) 5. Celebration of Christ’s birth(9) 8. Free Air (6) 11. Paths (5) 13. Clawed 18. Deserve (4) 19. Juvenile (3) 21. Story (4) 22. So be it (4) 23. Musical Note (2) 25. Gladness (3)

SANTA PUZZLE Find alternative words to the clues below and fill them in their spaces in the grid.The answer to the first word on the grid “ORICK” has 4 letters which should be placed in their spaces in the grid being 1,8,6, and 15 as shown besie the word. The star word, an 11letter word denoting the yuletide will be revealed when done .

1

Story of the Christmas Tree

9

10

11

POETRY

The Legend of Christmas Tree

2

8

3

7 4

5

6

Just how powerful a symbol is the Christmas tree?

Any Christmas tree, given the right kind of attention, can be perfect, and even humble things take on exalted meaning in the eyes of Christ.

• “The First Christmas Tree”Did you know that an oak was the inspiration for the first Christmas tree? In this informative story, we learn how an eighth-century monk named Boniface chopped down an oak tree to prove an important religious point, and ended up viewing a small fir sapling as a miracle.

• “The First Christmas Tree Lights”Ever wonder about the origin of Christmas tree lights? This story tells how Martin Luther changed the Christmas tree tradition with the addition of lights, the result of his frightening walk through the dark woods. It reveals the fascinating fact that Christmas trees were originally hung upside down, without lights.

• “The Perfect Tree”This delightful story is told from the perspective of a small, unremarkable tree that worries whether it will be suitable for Christmas. Through the inspired care of a family, it fills the bill perfectly. Try reading this uplifting tale to a child — it will teach him or her some valuable lessons about caring for others.

• “The Tale of Three Trees”What if Christmas trees could talk? What would they say? In this profound Christmas tale, three trees have grandiose hopes for their wood after they’re harvested, and all three are disappointed — temporarily. Eventually, they all play meaningful roles in the life of Jesus Christ. Make this inspirational story part of your family’s Christmas tradition.

• “O Christmas Tree” The brief on Christmas Tree Stories ends here with the story about a “special” Christmas tree everyone thought was too small. Read ‘O Christmas Tree’ to find out how this special tree turned into a bright, beautiful spectacle that would remain with one happy family forever.

Pep Talk

Humour * What did Adam say to his wife on the day before Christmas?

Answer:It’s Christmas, Eve! * What for the trumpet of Ken was kept in the freezer?

Answer: Because he loves cool music. * What is the popular carol in Desert?

Answer: Camel ye Faithful. * Why the Christmas tree can’t stand up?

Answer: It doesn’t have legs.

“The spirit of Christmas is the spirit of love and of generosity and of goodness. It illuminates the picture window of the soul, and we look out upon the world's busy life and become more interested in people than in things”. - Thomas S. Monson

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 23 2015

42

PEOPLE THE NATION

A FOUR-PAGE SECTION ON SOCIETY

Lola, daughter of the Chief Medical Director (CMD), Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Prof Adewale Oke, has tied the knot with her beau, Adedayo Aluko, writes PRECIOUS IGBONWELUNDU.

Pomp as LASUTH CMD’s daughter quits spinsterhood

I

T had all the trappings of a society wedding. Exotic cars, classy venues and ‘A’ list guests. Last Saturday, the high and mighty turned up at the wedding of Lola, daughter of Chief Medical Director (CMD) Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) Prof Adewale Oke and her beau Adedayo Aluko at the Catholic Church of Presentation on Oba Akinjobi Way, GRA Ikeja.

The reception was held at The Haven Events Centre also on the same street.

The church’s parking lot was full before the mass started.

Dressed in an immaculate white flowing gown with silver accessories, the bride was all smiles as she clung to her husband throughout the event, which had guests such as Oba Rilwan Akiolu of Lagos; Chairman, Zenith Bank Chief Steve Omojafor, Governor Babatunde Fashola’s mother, Mrs Omolara Fashola and Madam Olabisi Jolaosho.

The ensembles in the marquee had a touch of glamour.

The décor was a blend of class and royalty with the beautifully lit hall divided into two sections for the comfort of guests of each family.

While Oke’s guests were ushered to take their seat on the right side of the hall, those who honoured Aluko family with their presence were seated on the left side.

Neatly dressed and delectable ushers stood beside each table in the about a thousand capacity hall, attending to requests from the guests while awaiting the commencement of the reception.

Food and drinks were inexhaustible and guests were served as many times as they requested. The live Band and the Master of Ceremony (MC) delivered on their contracts as beautiful renditions and rib-cracking jokes kept everyone present busy while waiting for the couple to arrive the hall.

As the crowd anxiously waited for the newlywed to mount their thrown-like seats, ushers on instruction, walked through the aisle to appeal to bystanders to give way for the couple and the bridal train to dance and walk through.

The love-birds still clinging to each other, danced to D’Banj’s hit song, “You don make me fall in love”, and other contemporary Nigerian music, occasionally waving at those who came to celebrate them.

The reception eventually commenced with an opening prayer led by a Catholic Priest, Rev. Edmond Akpala, after the parents of the bride and groom had danced, separately, to the high table accompanied by their friends and the couple received royal blessings from the monarch.

Omojafor, who chaired the occasion, described the union as a celebration of love.

He admonished the couple to take the advice given by the Priest seriously, adding that they must commit themselves to making their marriage work.

“He who finds a good wife has his days longer. The couple did their home work well to discover each other. I pray God will guide, protect and provide for them so they live a good life.

He warned them that a time will come when a little problem will ensue, noting that they must solve it on their own and find a solution.

“Not even your parents will help. Pray all the time because it will give you all you need to live a happy life. Marriage is not all about money. Leave your friends out of your intimate life,” said Omojafor.

After the chairman’s remark, the couple cut their wedding cake and had their first dance, with the bride out-shining the groom with her dance moves.

There was also dance time for the bride and her father, after which the bridal train struggled for the bouquet and all present toasted towards a beautiful and fulfilling union for the couple.

During an interview after the mass, the bride’s father, Prof Oke said he was happy his daughter has found happiness, though he would miss her.

“For me, it is a day of mixed feelings. I am very happy as a father that my daughter has found happiness. I will miss her presence in the house, but I know that is how God wants it. From

•The couple, Adedayo and Lola

what I have seen between them, they are going to be living fine,” he said.

The groom said he was captivated by his bride’s beautiful smile the first time they met.

“I met my wife in Bowen University in 2003. I was attracted by her smile and beauty. I proposed to her in my room, just the two

of us. It was just a romantic time in the house. I am happy our relationship has blossomed into marriage and I am grateful to her for accepting to make me the happiest man,” he said.

Lola was also full of praises for her husband, describing him as “a wonderful person”.

•More pictures on page 43

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015

43

SOCIETY POMP AS LASUTH CMD’S DAUGHTER QUITS SPINSTERHOOD

•Bride’s parents, Prof Oke and his wife, Kemi

•Groom’s parents, Mr Akin Aluko and his wife, Anike

•Oba Akiolu flanked by Sir Omojafor (left) and Mrs Fashola

•Chief Segun Oshunkeye and his wife

•From left: Captain Olawale Oke; Mr Tunde Jolaoso and his wife, Comfort

•Dr Tunde Ladele and his wife

•Mr Soji George and his wife, Prof Bukky

•Olori Titilola Akiolu and Olori Fadeke Akiolu

ALL PROGRESSIVES CONGRESS (APC) GOVERNORSHIP CANDIDATE, MR AKINWUNMI AMBODE MEETING WITH MUSLIM COMMUNITY OF LAGOS STATE

•From right: All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship candidate, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode; his running mate, Dr Idiat Adebule and Justice Ishola Olorunnimbe

•Baba Adinni of Lagos, Sheikh AbdulAfeez Abou flanked by Shiekh Tijani Gbajabiamila (left) and Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria chief missioner Sheikh AbdurRahman Ahmad

44

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015

SOCIETY WEDDING BETWEEN OLUWASEUN NOIBI AND HER BEAU OLUWATOSIN ADELUSI IN LAGOS

•Groom’s mother, Mrs Iyabo Adelusi and Mr Soji Farotimi

•The couple, Oluwatosin and Oluwaseun

•Bride’s parents: Mr Tola Noibi and his wife

•Mr Foluso Jinadu (left) and Mr Niyi Adewunmi

•Former Ekiti State Deputy Governor Prof Modupe Adelabu (right) and Mrs Adeola Yesufu

•Mr TK Jinadu and his wife, Bunmi

•Chief Dipo Ani (left) and Chief Dayo Olawaiye •From left: Mrs Sayo Jinadu; Mr Awokulehin and Alhaji Kareem

•Mrs Gbemi Egbeyemi (left) and Mrs Tutu Awobiye •Lagos businessman Mr Bisi Akinola

•First Custodial CEO Mr Kunle Jinadu (left) and Dr Ayo Olaiya

•Mr Wole Ogunleye

PHOTOS: DAYO ADEWUNMI

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THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015

SOCIETY The Yewa Union, Lagos has launched a magazine and inaugurated its executive committee at the Chemical Engineering Hall of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), OLATUNDE ODEBIYI reports.

Y

EWA Union is a nonprofit, socio-cultural organisation with the aim of bringing development to Yewa land in Ogun State, last Saturday launched its magazine and inaugurated new executives to run the affairs of the union.

With its members clad in traditional attires and gathering at the Chemical Engineering Hall in the University of Lagos (UNILAG) that afternoon, it was obvious to everyone that the union was about to usher in a new set of people to run it affairs and launch its in-house magazine.

UNILAG Vice Chancellor (VC), Prof. Rahaman Bello was passing the baton to Alhaji Ayo Adeyemi, the founder and leader of Islamic Mission Organisation International, as the new Chairman of the Association.

Guests exchanged greetings and banters as they entered the venue. The chairs in the hall were set in rows as the high

COMMUNICATE YOUR IDEAS Why not good?

S

Change Change of of baton baton •From left: Prof Bello; Alhaji Adeyemi and Dr Salako

table was covered with silver fabric.

Mr Femi Dosunmu anchored the event.

A member, Ustaz Saminu Adeshina said the opening prayer which was followed by the rendition of Yewa and Ogun anthems.

Prof Bello told the members of the union to take their destinies in their hands, adding that they have to develop the land by coming together at all times and take their own share in developing Ogun State.

He said his tenure was quite challenging, but thanked God for what he was able to achieve believing that the new administration will build on the foundations laid.

He told the new Chairman that he would support him anytime he calls for his support, urging him to create an agenda for the development of the area.

“He has started well and I am sure that he will do well,” he said.

The inauguration of the new officers followed. It was conducted by the out-gone legal adviser of Yewa Union, Gbolahan Gbadamosi, while Prof Bello did the investiture of the new Chairman of the Union, Alhaji Adeyemi.

Alhaji Adeyemi said he felt challenged as the new chairman because he spent his early childhood in Yewa land and he knew how undeveloped the area is.

“The area has never been lucky to be developed by any successive government. Yewa Union should demand what belongs to that area from any government. We are demanding for our rights from the government to develop our land just as other areas in the state are being developed,” he said.

He urged Yewa people to

expect development, from his administration.

The event continued with the launch of the magazine for the union tagged: The Yewa Union. It was coordinated by a Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Ogun State, Gboyega Nasiru Isiaka, who urged the new Chairman to ensure that he fulfils his promises. He then wished him the best.

A former Commissioner for Health in Ogun State, Dr Kunle Salako said the union has being able to put together sons and daughters of Yewa land residing in Lagos and created a common agenda for them, which include the development of their land of births.

He urged the new chairman to bring together his experience and exposure in life to bear on the union, saying he was convinced that the union would move to greater heights.

ONIGBONGBO LCDA END OF YEAR PARTY

•From left: Ayo Arobieke, Hon Idowu Obasa and Mrs Asumpta Onyekachi

•Alhaji Wakeel Kayode-Sadiq (right) and Pastor Tunde Odunsi

•Onigbongbo LCDA Executive Secretary,Alhaja Iyabo Akerele and Hon James Faleke

•From right: Mr Babatunde Oke; Akinola Rasheed and Alhaji Kehinde Onifade

AWARD

PRAYER

•The Concerned Progressives chairman Bishop Julius Olusanya (left) receiving an award from Mr Victor Segun Destiny from Evergreen Progressive Development Foundation of Nigeria

•Member Lagos State House of Assembly Hon Ramatallah AkinolaHassan flanked by Alhaja Wasilat Ariyo (right) and Mrs Evelyn Kpodoh at a prayer for peaceful election organised by JMF in Lagos

EVERAL years ago, one of my students who was quite brilliant had a result that was below expectation at the end of a semester. She was so disturbed that she came to speak to me about it. After pointing out to her that she didn't work as hard as she used to, I suggested that she should quickly put the temporary setback behind her and invest all her energy into the current semester. To my great surprise, the student didn't look pleased at all; rather, she looked at me and said, "Sir, why won't you just tell me things the way they are?" I wasn't quite sure I knew what she was

LANRE OLAOLU AMODU

(Ph.D) sospeak2lanre@yahoo.com.

07034737394 @lanreamodu

talking about, so I asked her to speak on. She said, "Sir, I expected you to come down very hard on me and tell me how stupid I was to

have made the poor result. You are not supposed to spare me at all, but here you are telling me something 'nice'".

"Well", I said, "if you are looking for someone to beat you down and add to your current depression, you've come to the wrong person. I'm sure you'll be able to find someone to help make you more depressed."

It seems to me that a lot of people have lived so much with negative words and reactions from people that they have come to believe it is the natural state of things. Like in the story above, some people feel you are not being sincere with them if you don't rub their mistakes in their faces like every other person does. Our society has become so negative that we believe bad news twice as fast as we believe good news. If you receive two text messages on your mobile phone, one stating that you just won N500,000 in a promo and the other stating that 180 people just died in a plane crash, which would you readily believe? How did we arrive at this point? How come we have got to a place in our lives where we doubt good and believe bad?

While I was an undergraduate, one of my lecturers saw me reading a comedy book and she asked me why I should be wasting my time on such a book. She insisted that I should have been reading a tragedy because it was closer to real life. Really? If life is so tragic, wouldn't it be double jeopardy to read tragic stories again? Abraham Lincoln made a profound statement which has been rendered in different ways but it generally states, "If you look for the bad in people expecting to find it, you surely will". Similarly, whoever looks for the bad in life expecting to find it will surely do.

Please don't misunderstand me; my argument is not that there is nothing bad in life or that you should believe every promotional hoax that comes your way. My argument is that you need a positive attitude to achieve positive result in life. According to Les Brown, "When life knocks you down, make sure you land on your back, because if you can look up, you can get up". That is what I call a good attitude towards life. Those who are depressed are in a state of hopelessness. Hope is the reason you wake up in the morning and try again despite the failures of yesterday. When there is no hope, people put an end to their lives because they don't foresee a better future. Rather than having a "No more" attitude, why not try a "One more time" attitude? Some attitudes close us up to possibilities of progress while some others open us up to them.

Here are a few suggestions of how you can build a positive attitude: •Find solutions in problems: Zig Ziglar once stated that though he was never into counselling, he had spoken to persons in psychology, psychiatry and ministry who counseled people, and they all agreed that not everyone who came for counselling needed a solution. According to him, "A lot of people are just looking for who to tell about it. And if you spoil the show by solving the problem, then they can't tell everyone about it. They want the attention that goes with the problem". This, perhaps, explains why a lot of people look for, hold onto and cherish problems. They need to be able to compare notes with other people. They may even begin to feel odd if other people are complaining and they don't have anything to complain about. Rather than 'enjoying" problems and using our situations to justify how bad our nation has become, let us look out for solutions and become examples of how one can beat all odds to succeed.

•Understand that you are special: You have something special to give that no one else can. Everyone was created with a gift to give to humanity; the discovery of that gift is what is called purpose. If you discover your purpose, you will realise that you are relevant, important and valuable.

Let that give you a reason to look forward to the goodness in life. Someone may ask, "what if my hope is disappointed?"

I will ask, "What if your hope is achieved?" Your glorious destiny is worth the try. Simply stop trying to become like someone else and develop your unique potentials.

•Think good and speak good: my favourite book says that from the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. What you see outside you is a reflection of what is inside you. If you give up on the inside, you will lack the physical energy to go on. According to Norman Dr. Amodu teaches at the Department of Mass Communication, Covenant University, Ogun State.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015

46

CITYBEATS

CITYBEATS LINE: 08023247888

Suspected robbery kingpin, seven others held T

HE Police paraded yesterday in Lagos eight persons for allegedly snatching N100 million cash from a man in Festac Town and robbing a Micro-finance Bank (MfB) in Cotonou, Benin Republic.

Their victim was said to be returning from Cotonou when he was robbed.

The cross-border robbery suspects were paraded with a Toyota Sienna bus, two AK 47 rifles and 11 AK47 loaded magazines, which were recovered from them. The weapons were hidden in a specially constructed compartment underneath the bus.

They are: John Nnamdi (42), their leader; Ifeanacho Igwe (35), Samuel Igbi (59); Anthony Umeh (38); Chineye David (29); Uchenna Eze (35); Victor Anamalechi (45) and Desmond Obinna (32). They were arrested following a tip off the police got last December 15.

The suspects told reporters that they participated in no fewer than four operations.

Nnamdi’s confession was said to have led to the arrest of others.

The gang leader said he got N20million from the Alakija operation, adding that he bought an Infinity Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) and other cars from his share. But Igwe said they got N28million each.

He said: “I got N28million and from the money I bought a tipper truck and a car. I also completed my mother’s house at Onicha in Ebonyi State and sponsored my younger ones in school. I was arrested in Cotonou and

•Gang snatches N100m cash from man

By Precious Igbonwelundu

jailed for 20 months because I went with a friend to buy guns to start my own gang.

“I was released on December 31 and I came to Lagos only for the police to arrest me on January 5 for an operation we carried out in 2011. When I received my own N28million from the Alakija operation, I ran away from the gang, destroyed my SIM card and bought another one. I bought a bus which I started using for commercial purposes and my tipper was carrying sand. But the tipper had an accident and killed someone. It also fell into a river.”

Nnamdi, who claimed that Shola (Chineye David) usually gave them information, said one Onyema contacted him for the Cotonou operation.

He said: “We entered the bank at night from the back and we tied the security guards who were sleeping. Victor specialises in opening safes and so, he was the one who opened the bank. We saw a bag there and used it in packing the money. We released the security men after our operation.

“When the money was shared, I got N7million. I bought a Sienna car for N1.5million in Lagos. We were not caught and we used this Sienna car for the operation. We don’t usually have problems at the borders because

•House built by a robbery suspect.

NDLEA finds cannabis in head-mistress’ luggage HE National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has foiled a 30year-old man’s attempt to smuggle cannabis to Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) in an headmistress’ luggage.

The drug, which weighed 130 grammes, was packed inside an alcoholic beverage , Alomo Bitters. The substance was detected at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) in Ikeja, Lagos.

The suspect, Nnadi Chibueze, allegedly concealed the drug and gave it to the woman to deliver in Dubai.

NDLEA Airport Commander Mr. Hamza Umar said: “As soon as the drug was detected, we conducted a follow-up raid that led to the arrest of the main suspect, Nnadi Chibueze. He has owned up to the

T

By Kelvin Osa Okunbor

crime and the case is being investigated for subsequent prosecution.”

According to Chibueze, the drug consignment was inadvertently given to the head mistress. “I personally concealed the cannabis inside one of the bottles of Alomo Bitters. The original plan was to send the drug to my brother in Dubai through a friend, but the consignment was given to the head mistress in error. When I was told that the goods were given to her, I was greatly disturbed. It was a great mistake that she was given the consignment that contained the drug,” he said.

The suspect, who hails from Imo State, claimed to be a 2008 graduate of Physics from the University of Cape Coast, Ghana.

•One of the paraded suspects...yesterday

they don’t check our vehicle. We hide our guns under the Sienna.

“What we got from the Alakija op-

eration was over $200,000 and when we shared the money, I got N18m.

That was in 2011. From the money, I bought an Infinity SUV. I am not the one who built the house as claimed by the police; the mansion in Igando is owned by my France-based brother.

“I used part of my money to start importation of musical instruments which I sold at Alaba International Market. I was arrested when Onyema called me to bring his international passport which he left in the Sienna. I did not know he had been arrested.

“I have gone for about four operations in Nigeria and Benin Republic; I have not gone to any other country.

We have never killed or shot anyone because we usually go at night and don’t shoot. I have never used charm, but I pray before going for operations.

“As a Catholic, I go for confessions, but I have never told the priest that I am an armed robber. I am from Obinwa in Abia State. I am married with a child and my wife is currently pregnant. She does not know I am an armed robber. I was arrested at Ijebu because I had a problem with someone over a vehicle. I regret my actions and I want an opportunity to change.”

Police Commissioner Kayode Aderanti said the suspects’ arrest followed a tip-off about thier activities in Iba, Festac and Igando.

He said the officer in charge of the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS), Abba Kyari, a Superintendent of Police (SP) , with two SARS decoy teams, stormed the suspects’ hide-out at Victory Estate in Iba on the LASU-Igando Road.

“The operational Toyota Sienna space bus with registration number KFC and two AK47 rifles with serial numbers 3610142 and UR4341 hidden in a specially constructed compartment underneath the Sienna bus were recovered from Nnamdi.

“The suspects confessed to several robberies including bank robberies in Port Novo, Benin Republic, a filling station and Bureau De Change in Mali; attempted robbery of UBA Bank, Sagamu Road, Ikorodu; several robberies in Port Harcourt, Kano and the biggest of it all, N100million successful robbery in Alakija, Lagos, from which Nnamdi John built a mega mansion at Igando, while Ifeanacho Igwe built a duplex in his village in Onicha, Ebonyi State.”

Foundation to disburse N79m Zakat

A

FAITH-BASED humanitarian foundation, Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation (ZSF), will on Sunday give out over N79million in Zakat proceeds to no fewer than 200 persons in the South.

The ceremony will hold at the Multi-purpose Hall of the University of Lagos Central Mosque in Akoka, Yaba, by 11am.

The beneficiaries will get motorcycles, deep freezers, tricycles, sewing machines, generating sets, cameras with printers, among others.

Cheques will be issued for cancer treatments, fibroid operations, hole in the heart surgery and eye treat-

By Tajudeen Adebanjo

ment. Some beneficiaries will get educational support and accommodation facilities.

ZSF and Jaiz Bank Plc Advisory Board Chairman Dr Umar Mutallab will chair the event; Prof Tijani ElMiskin, Deputy Secretary-General, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) and Dr Tajudeen Yusuf, Acting Head of Department of Actuarial Science, UNILAG, will deliver the keynote addresses.

Special guests expected at the ceremony include Company Secretary

of First Bank of Nigeria Plc Alhaji Tijani Borodo; Chief Security Officer of Forte Oil Plc Mallam Muhammad Bello Bala; President, Muslim Community of Lagos State, Prof Tajudeen Gbadamosi, representative of the U.S. Consul General Jeffrey Hawkins; Executive Director, Dangote Foundation Hajia Halima Dangote; Consultant Ophthalmologist/Chief Executive Officer, An-Nur Eye Centre Dr Halima Alimi; Chief Executive Officer, Baytuzzeenah Hajia Saidat Otiti; Chief Executive Officer, Arabel Hajia Shareefah Andu, and President, UNILAG Muslim Women Society Alhaja Tayyibat Gbadamosi.

FOREIGN NEWS

T

Ebola ebbing in West Africa, says WHO

HE Ebola epidemic in West Africa appears to be ebbing, with fewer than 150 cases reported in the past week, but efforts must be pursued to stamp out the deadly disease, the World Health Organization (WHO) said yesterday.

Sierra Leone remains hardest-hit, accounting for 117 of the 145 new confirmed cases, against 184 there the previous week and 248 the week before that, the WHO said in its latest update.

“Case incidence continues to fall in Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone,” the United Nations agency said, adding that disease surveillance was being stepped up in border districts of Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Mali and Senegal.

Every 10 days the number of new cases is halving in Guinea — where, at 20, the fig-

Liberia cremates 2,800 Ebola bodies

L

IBERIAN government said 2,800 Ebola bodies have so far been cremated following the outbreak of the deadly virus.

Ciatta Bishop, Head of the National Ebola Burial Team, disclosed on Thursday, in Monrovia, that the cremation and burial teams collected over 2,800 bodies across the country during the process for burial and cremation.

The Ebola team was set up in August 2014, when the virus overwhelmed the country due to lack of coordination and facilities to dispose of the Ebola dead.

She also said that no infection or death occurred among those cremating or burying Ebola bodies during the fight against the virus.

“Even though they were stigmatised and rejected by some communities and families, they actually stood up and held on to defending their

country,” she said.

Health authorities in the country say the drastic reduction in the number of cases and 12 of the 15 counties not reporting cases for a long time is an indication the virus is about to be defeated.

The WHO data showed that in Liberia alone, 3,496 people have died from the virus in the latest outbreak.

However, it said in its update released, that the case incidence has declined to low levels in the country.

The WHO’s Emergency Committee on Ebola said on Wednesday that passengers should still be screened on leaving Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone for temperature or other signs of infection.

In all, there have been cases of Ebola report•21,724 cases, including 8,641 deaths to date 21,724 ed in nine countries in the past year since the epidemic ure was the lowest since early more than 300 per week in began in Guinea, including August, it said. In Liberia, August and September, it takes 8,641 deaths, the WHO said. where confirmed cases last two weeks to halve, and in SiThe virus has been stamped week fell to 8 from a peak of erra Leone nearly 20 days.

out in Mali, Nigeria and Senegal, and there have been no further cases among foreign health workers returning to Britain, Spain or the United States, although a British nurse is recovering in hospital in London.

To date, 828 health care workers have been infected in the three worst-hit countries, including 499 who died, it said.

U.N. agencies need a final $1 billion to fight the deadly Ebola epidemic as experts move to a new phase involving a massive detective operation to trace remaining cases, U.N. Ebola chief David Nabarro said on Wednesday.

“Incidents of community resistance to safe burials and contact tracing continue to be reported in all three countries, although they are most common in Guinea,” the WHO said.

Ukraine crisis: Army retreats at Donetsk airport

U

KRAINIAN troops have withdrawn from Donetsk airport’s main terminal, scene of bitter fighting in recent weeks.

The government said the military still retained control of parts of the airport, but six soldiers had died and 16 had been wounded.

In the centre of the rebel-held city, shelling hit a bus, killing 13 people.

A spokesman for the president said he had called an emergency meeting to discuss the rebel attacks, which Kiev believes are backed by Russia.

It was the second such meeting of the day.

47

FRIDAY JANUARY 23, 2015

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

The political temperature in Osun State is changing.

The All progressives Congress (APC) and the People Democratic Party (PDP) have kicked off campaigns for parliamentary elections.

ADESOJI ADENIYI examines the contest for the Senate and the House of Representatives in the two major parties.

•Adeleke

•Omoworare

•Adeyeye

•Mrs. Omidiran

A

S next month’s general elections draw near, the two dominant political parties in Osun State - the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) - have put the crises trigged by their primaries behind them. They are gearing up for the general elections.

Even the ruling APC is not taking things for granted because of the changing political equation in the country. It is believed that the election will be different from that of 2011, when the defunct Action Congress (AC) swept all the three slots for the Senate, the nine seats in the House of Representatives and the 26 House of Assembly slots, leaving the PDP in the cold to manage its disgrace.

According to close observers, it was possible for the AC to achieve the feat because of the euphoria of the restoration of Rauf Aregbesola’s mandate at the Appeal Court, Ibadan, Oyo State. The 2010 victory at the Appeal Court was still fresh in the minds of the people.

Against this background, the people of Osun did not want to hear about the PDP. In voting for all the AC candidates for the 2011 general elections, the people said, “we voted for Aregbesola.” It is instructive that Osun was the only state in the Southwest that voted for the presidential candidate of the AC Mr. Nuhu Ribadu.

Today, the equation has altered slightly.

Aregbesola found himself in a dilemma during the recent APC primaries. He was caught between two options: supporting the serving lawmakers’ bid to return to office or throwing the race open to new aspirants.

Some of those aspiring to the positions were not happy when the governor eventually handed the tickets to the incumbents. Some termed it imposition, while some accepted their fate.

Aregbesola was compelled to support the serving lawmakers, both in the state and the National Assembly, as part of his re-election strategy last year. The governor had worked with the lawmakers to deliver on his promises to the people. The lawmakers supported the governor in their various constituencies by utilising their constituency allowances to provide democracy dividends to the peiople.

It is believed that some of the water, road and other projects in all parts of the state were made possible through the support of the lawmakers. Part of the conditions given by the lawmakers to assist the governor was that they should be given the ticket to return to their seats through next month’s general elections.

Today, in spite of the landmark achievements of Aregbesola, the feeling towards the APC is not what it used to be in 2010. The implication is that those contesting on the platform of the APC in some parts of the state may not have a smooth sail. Indeed, there is a glimmer of hope for the PDP candidates in the areas that may likely be affected.

The situation has been compounded by the fact that the same set of candidates received a similar treatment in the 2011 elections. For example, all the defunct ACN candidates who contested in their various constituencies alongside Aregbesola in 2007 general elections were allowed by ACN leaders to recontest the 2011 polls. Curiously, the same

Parliamentary race hots up in Osun set of lawmakers were still favoured at the recent primaries. Those not favoured by the development are threatening to rock the boat at the general elections.

They have vowed to ensure that the APC did not repeat the 2011 feat. While very few aspirants have submitted themselves to party supremacy and wisdom of party leaders, a majority of them are yet to come to terms with their inability to get the ticket. For instance, in Osun East Senatorial District, an APC aspirant, Sola Lawal, is dissatisfied with the victory of Senator Babajide Omoworare.

This is in spite of the fact that the primary was in favour of Omoworare. The PDP candidate in this district, Chief Francis Fadahunsi, a retired Assistant Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, may capitalise on this loophole to get the upper hand against his APC opponent. Interestingly, while Omoworare is from the Ife zone, which has four council areas, Fadahunsi is from the Ijesha zone, which has six local governments within the district.

But Fadahunsi, from Obokun Local Government, could only sufficiently boast of support from Oriade and Obokun. Being an incumbent Senator, Omoworare has largely

touched the lives of people in all the 10 council areas in the senatorial district.

Apart from this, Omoworare is favoured becuase the incumbent governor is from Ijesa zone of the Osun East and the people believe that the senatorial slot should not be given to the zone.

For Osun West, the former Minister of Youth Development, Senator Akinlabi Olasunkanmi, was unanimously adopted as the PDP candidate. It was used to compensate the former minister because he failed to clinch the governorship ticket, which he contested with Senator Iyiola Omisore, who emerged the candidate, but was defeated by Aregbesola in the August 9, 2014 election.

Olasunkanmi would have to slug it out with the first civilian governor of the state, Senator Isiaka Adeleke of the APC. Adeleke was defeated in 2011 by Senator Mudasiru Hussein. But, following his defection from the PDP to the APC, after a fight between him and Omisore a day to the PDP governorship primary, Adeleke has become formidable. He supported Aregbesola’s re-election. He delivered his constituency and beyond for the APC. This is in spite of the fact that his kinsman, the former

‘Even the ruling APC is not taking things for granted because of the changing political equation in the country. It is believed that the election will be different from that of 2011, when the defunct Action Congress (AC) swept all the three slots for the Senate, the nine seats in the House of Representatives’

Speaker of the House of Assembly, Hon, Adejare Bello, was the running mate to Omisore. He delivered Ede North, Ede South, Egbedore and Ejigbo for the APC in the governorship.

This was perhaps, the reason why he was favoured for the ticket, instead of Hussein and the former Chief of Staff to Oyinlola, as well as the chairman, Osun State Local Government Service Commission, Mr. Peter Babalola, who had defected long before him from the PDP to the APC. Babalola, who was popularly known as Peter Power, later changed his nickname to Peter Action when he defected to the defunct ACN. But, he cannot stand up to Adeleke, who refers to himself as a giant. Adeleke’s chances are bright, despite the protest from Hussein, who believed he should not be sacrificed for the party. Adeleke has a large following from his former party, the PDP. He is counting on his generosity and popularity in local governments in the Osun West district.

In the Central District, cerebral Senator Sola Adeyeye, no doubt has paid his dues from the days of the Alliance for Democracy. He is a consistent progressive. As the Chairman of the Aregbesola Re-election Campaign Committee, he played a prominent role in working for the success of the party.

He facilitated the defection of Oyinlola, who was sacked as the PDP National secretary to the APC. Notable politicians in the APC are from his senatorial district, including former interim national chairman of the APC and former governor of the state, Chief Bisi Akande, Oyinlola and Chief Tunji Abolade.

He has their support in the contest against a lesser known PDP candidate, Dr. Daisi Aina.

Aina is the Chairman of Regent Group of Companies.

For the House of Representatives, all incumbent APC lawmakers were returned, except for Atakumosa East/Atakumosa West that has its case pending. Hon. Lasun Yussuf was returned for Osogbo/Olorunda/ Irepodun/Orolu federal constituency and Hon. Yinka Ajayi for Ila/Ifedayo/ Boluwaduro federal constituency. Hon. Femi Fakeye made Egbedore/Ejigbo/Ede North/ Ede South Federal Constituency.

Hon. Gafar Amere was also returned for Iwo/Ola-Oluwa/Ayedire Constituency. For Irewole/Ayedire/Isokan Federal Constituency, Hon. Mrs. Ayo Omidiran got the ticket. Rotimi Makinde got the ticket for Ife Central/Ife East/Ife North/Ife South and Area Office.

For IlesaEast/Ilesa West, it is Hon. Ajibola Famurewa and Obokun/Oriade for Nathaniel Agunbiade.

For the PDP, the issue of consensus was popularised during its primaries, except in some areas like Iwo Ola-Ouwa/Ayediire Federal Constituency where two aspirants contested the position. For instance, in Osogbo/Olorunda/Orolu/Irepodun Federal Constituency and Ede North/EdeSouth/ Ejigbo/Egbedore Federal Constituency, delegates unanimously chose their candidates on a consensus platform. The situation was the same in Ifelodun/Boripe/Odo-Otin Federal Constituency, where a consensus candidate also emerged. Wole Oke was endorsed as the flag-bearer of the PDP at the House of Representatives primaries in Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency. For Odo-Otin/Ifelodun/Boripe Federal Constituency, Kayode Oduoye, got the clearance as the flag bearer.

Ismail Kolawole of Boluwaduro/Ila/ Ifedayo Federal Constituency would fly the PDP flag to contest for the House of Representatives seat.

For the Oriade/Obokun Federal Constituency, Hon. Wole Oke, PDP’s candidate will take on the incumbent Hon. Nathaniel Agunbiade. The federal constituency is one of the few, where the PDP, through Wole Oke, had an impressive performance in 2011. Oke, who participated in the PDP governorship primary poll but lost to Omisore, is set again to battle the APC candidate that defeated him in 2011 election.

It is believed that Oke would put all he has into it because he is aiming to to be the Speaker of the House of Representatives when it inaugurated after the election. Oke is counting on his two term membership of the House, where he was once the chairman, House Committee on Defence.

THE NATION FRIDAY JANUARY 23, 2015

48

almost 30 minutes that he ‘ For spoke, President Jonathan never promised Nigerians anything, but used the whole time attacking past leaders

‘

President Goodluck Jonathan stunned the audience at the commencement of his presidential campaign in Lagos when he said his generation has failed the nation. Assistant Editor LEKE SALAUDEEN who was at the venue revisits the rally and its implication for his second term bid.

Jonathan’s re-election campaign on shaky note

•From left: Alhaja Safurat Abdulkareem, Jimi Agbaje, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, Alhaji Mu’azu and others at PHOTO: ISAAC JIMOH AYODELE. the PDP rally in Lagos.

P

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan started his re-election campaign in Lagos recently on a shaky note. The event was witnessed by prominent leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), including Vice President Namadi Sambo, Senate President David Mark, National Chairman Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, governors and governorship flag bearers.

Chieftains of the party took turns to address the crowd. They include the Co-ordinator of the President’s campaign in the Southwest and Ondo State governor Dr. Olusegun Mimiko; Chairman of the National Campaign Committee Col. Ahmadu Ali; Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State; the PDP leader in Lagos State, Chief Olabode George, and Ekiti State Governor Mr Ayo Fayose.

They did their best to extol the virtues and achievements of President Jonathan and urged Nigerians to endorse his re-election in February. Mimiko, for instance, described President Jonathan as the most criticised, abused and insulted leader in this country. He said given his performance, Nigerians across the country can feel the impact of his administration in agriculture, power supply, education and resuscitation of rail system.

But, the campaign experienced some awkward moments, when Ali mounted the podium. It did not quite jell with the audience when the National Campaign Committee chairman uttered the following statement: “The PDP is the agent of change. We fought for democracy when others fled the country. We have remained in power for 16 consecutive years.” He added that Nigerians should vote for the party, for the above reasons. The message was lost on the audience because neither Ali, nor his other colleagues were known to be associated with

the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) and other civil rights organisations that fought military for the return of democracy.

As if Ali’s goof was not enough, President Jonathan also stunned the audience when he said that his address would be directed at young people, especially those aged between 18 and 23, who will be voting for the first time this year. More than 80 per cent of people present were 30 years and above. Invariably, President Jonathan considered this category of voters inconsequential to his re-election bid.

The audience had expected the President to explain what he has been doing in the past six years and what he intends to, if reelected. Instead, he spent more time talking about those criticising his government. Some observers expressed dismay and disappointment at the inability of the President to utilise the opportunity offered by his campaign outing to tell Nigerians what he has done for them since his assumption of office. The same President Jonathan had earlier admonished parties and candidates to dwell on issues agitating the minds of Nigerians and how these can be solved.

Jonathan also shocked the audience when he said his generation has failed and urged the youth to vote for young people. He said: “I do not want to address old people like me because we have failed completely. We are spent already.

This election is about young people. It is either you vote for the

young people to be relevant in this country or your vote will be irrelevant. We have just introduced our governorship candidates and you can see that many of them are within your age bracket.”

Despite saying his generation had failed the nation Jonathan still went ahead to urge the youths to take their destiny in their hands by voting for the PDP. He did not explain how or why a vote for a failed and finished generation within the PDP would be more beneficial to the country’s youth than a vote for the same category of persons within the APC. The President vehemently condemned and rejected the allegation by his opponents and critics that his administration was soft on corruption. Attributing his success in fighting corruption to the innovation introduced into fertiliser distribution, Jonathan said the emphasis of his administration was in preventing corruption from taking place, rather than jailing those who loot the treasury. To him, that is more effective way of fighting corruption.

On security, Jonathan said the blame for the poor combat readiness of the Armed Forces should not be heaped on him because he inherited a weak army, navy and air force that had not been properly funded and equipped over the years by his predecessors. According to him, these people did not buy anything for the Nigerian soldiers. “Ask them what they did with the defence budget throughout the whole time they were in government, no equipment was bought for the armed forces,” he

added. He was, however, not specific on which of the successive administrations.

To the criticism that a poorly equipped army was deployed to fight Boko Haram insurgents, Jonathan said: “Nobody equips the Armed Forces overnight.

They are built over the years. Even if we spend $10 billion today, it cannot immediately equip the Army, Navy and Air Force because their capacities are built over the years. It takes a period of time”.

Public affairs analyst, Dr. Friday Ibok was disappointed that President Jonathan turned his maiden campaign into a forum of attacking personalities, rather than address the issues that are critical to the welfare of Nigerians. He said as a presidential candidate what the audience and those watching him live on television wanted to hear from him was what he had done in the past six years as President of Nigeria and what he would do in the next four years if he was re-elected.

Ibok said: “For almost 30 minutes that he spoke, President Jonathan never promised Nigerians anything, but used the whole time attacking past leaders. I am worried because as a President he should know better. Members of his campaign team should have prepared for such a critical public function.

“He admitted failure when he said his generation has failed the country and urged the youth to vote for the young ones if they want to be relevant in the country. What Mr. President was saying is that the salvation of this country lay in the hands of those within the age bracket of 18 and 23. So, the elders who travelled from different parts of the country to witness his campaign inauguration at Tafawa Balewa Square in Lagos are inconsequential and risked their lives for nothing. The irony of it is that Jonathan is still canvassing for their votes to win.

It is unfortunate.”

In his response to President Jonathan’s utterances, the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Asiwaju Bola Tinubu said Jonathan’s problems are personal, not generational. The former Lagos State Governor asked him to consider his deficiencies as his personal failure and that of his party, the PDP. “It amounts to an error for the President to generalise the shortcomings as generational failure.

If the President doesn’t know the history and responsibilities of his office, he should quit the office and go back home,” he said.

Convener, Nigeria Voters Assembly (NVA), Comrade

‘The audience had expected the President to explain what he has been doing in the past six years and what he intends to, if reelected. Instead, he spent more time talking about those criticising his government. Some observers expressed dismay and disappointment at the inability of the President to utilise the opportunity offered by his campaign’

Mashood Erubami carpets the President for failing to run an issue-based campaign. According to him, it is very disheartening that President Jonathan has continued to chase shadow leaving the substance out of his campaign in all the states he has visited.

Erubami argued that “he has at his own instance widened the gap of disconnect in the heart of those who have decided to use the 2015 election to change their lives by removing their destinies from the hands of Jonathan and likes of Femi Fani-Kayode, so that a new order could emerge from the hands of new leaders who abound in the APC which today represent the greatness that Nigerians are seeking.”

He said buying equipment for the army, navy, air force and police is not an end in itself, but a means of achieving the end of peace and security in the land.

“Those who failed to equip the security agencies did not do much because the nation was not under the current siege under which Jonathan has put the country and his people. During the Buhari era, even under the Ibrahim Babangida’s administration, our children were not stolen, no group of political thugs gang up against the people nor steal their commonwealth unabashed as under the Jonathan. Security agencies were not as partisan and irresponsible like we found in the Department of State Security (DSS) and the police misbehaving today under the clueless, unimpressive and un-rehearsed administration of Dr. Jonathan.”

Student activist Jerry Agbeyegbe, who watched the inauguration of the President’s campaign on television, was shocked to hear the President saying his generation has failed the nation.

He believes President Jonathan came to such conclusion out of sheer frustration and disappointment.

“I think the President is overwhelmed with the problems of insecurity, corruption and mismanagement of the economy which his administration has failed to tackle head on. It is wrong to his own ineptitude to conclude that his generation has failed the nation.

The problem is leadership deficiency which is peculiar to the people at the helm of affairs. The buck stops on Mr. President’s table and he must accept responsibility that his government has failed.

Erubami was not impressed with President Jonathan’s handling of the abducted Chibok girls who have spent close to 280 days in captivity, reported scams in the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), police pension fund, missing $20 billion oil money, $9 million arms deal, oil theft and power outage. The human right activist said what Nigerians are expecting to hear are the reasons for monumental failure of President Jonathan on these issues, despite the power he wields under the constitution and the resource available to the country which can be used to fix the country.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015

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THE NATION

BUSINESS BRANDS & MARKETING

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

•Children with Down Sydrome

‘Hope Rising’, a cause marketing by FirstBank Nigeria Plc, aimed at helping people living with Down Sydrome, has ended. More firms are embracing the initiative to give back to society, reports ADEDEJI ADEMIGBUJI.

Cause marketing: Taking social issues a notch higher

C

AUSE marketing is becoming a trend among top brands to help address some social problems. It is an initiative under which corporate brands spend part of their marketing budget on a campaign with a theme of social relevance. The aim is to raise awareness about social issues.

It is often deployed by the fastmoving consumer goods sector but banks are now also embracing it to build their goodwill. “Unlike corporate giving or philanthropy that involves a specific donation that is tax deductible, cause marketing is a marketing effort that sustains relationship that is not necessarily based on a donation. It’s an investment on social causes in the market where you operate and enjoy great marketing deals. It is becoming a fad among private companies in Nigeria,” says Boye Omotoye, a brand communication/Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) expert.

Last year, FirstBank kicked off a cause marketing campaign tagged Hope Rising. Its Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications, Folake Alli-Mumuney, explained why the bank invested on this campaign. She said it was created to sensitise the public on the plight of people living with with Down Syndrome and engender positive social transformation.

Though it is relatively new in Nigeria, it has enjoyed acceptability globally for four decades. The first known case of cause marketing in the United States was in March 1974 when Carr & Associates International, a United States (US)-based tax and financial consulting firm, was formed by John T. Carr to “give back” to society by engaging in charitable causes and businesses to support each other.

The organisation was promoted

by Carr; it focused on enlisting businesses to give back referral fees on what they should have spent on marketing; and direct those funds toward the charitable cause of the buyer.

FirstBank kicked off its Hope Rising campaign on radio with 13 episodes. The programme, which took

off on September 2, last year, aired on Rhythm 93.7 Lagos on Tuesdays ( 9 – 9.15am) with repeat broadcast on Fridays (9- 9.15am). It ended in November.

According to Alli-Mumuney, it was designed to give hope and add value to its diverse stakeholders.

She said the campaign highlights the challenges of Down Syndrome and explores efforts at combating the disorder, through advocacy and public enlightenment.

She explained that the disease was selected by the bank, based on its enduring deal with the Down Syndrome Foundation, which began in 2009.

She said the Foundation was established in 2001 to champion the cause of people living with the disorder but have not been able to tackle the misconceptions associated with it, due to its little knowledge by the public.

Some of the objectives of the campaign, Alli-Mumuney explained, include engaging stakeholders, such as the government in promoting awareness, advocacy and education on the Down Syndrome disorder, developing and nurturing a culture that promotes the employment of preventive measures, as well as the importance of treating the down syndrome.

For instance, all the episodes educate the listeners on the disorder through the various characters used in the drama series.Greg and Maryam, the major characters in the first episode of the series, typify the average couple through which most of the information about the disorder is disseminated. Through the couple, the listener is informed that contrary to the notion about down syndrome being a disease, it is actually a genetic condition that causes delays in the way the child develops both mentally and physically.

With an attempt to demystify the disorder, the radio campaign explores education as one of the pivot on which Hope Rising delivered the campaign message to enhance impact. “Hope Rising educates on the disorder and called them to action on the need to go for regular checkups to ascertain the health status of the unborn child on time,”

she said.

Also, GTBank has been investing in campaigns to educate people on autism - a neural development disorder that impairs social interaction and leads to repetitive behaviours. Autism, like other challenges, arises from insufficient development of a child’s physical, emotional or intellectual capacity.

GTBank, however, launched a yearly Autism Support Initiative tagged GTBank Orange Ribbon, aimed at creating awareness for this condition using various foundations who have expertise in autism to drive the campaign.

The recent interest in cause-related marketing may have stemmed from American Express, which coined the phrase in 1983.

Following various pilot schemes

in 1981, American Express developed a campaign, which donated funds to some non-profit organisations as part of the San Francisco Arts Festival.

Essentially, every time someone used an American Express Card in the area, a two cent donation was triggered and each time new members applied for a card, a larger contribution was made. The marketing goals that American Express had for this programme were exceeded. Card use was reported as having increased significantly and relationships between American Express and their merchants also improved as a result of the promotion.

Citing an IEG, Inc. study, $1.11 billion was spent in 2005, an estimated $1.34 billion in 2006, $1.44

billion in 2007 and $1.52 billion in 2008 and $1.57 billion in 2009 as total marketing budget for cause marketing across the globe.

Experts believe that this is so because “cause-related marketing is a useful marketing tool that business and non-profit organisations are increasingly leveraging.”

Also, according to the Cone Millennial Cause Study in 2006, 89 percent of people (between ages 13 and 25) would switch from one brand to another brand of a comparable product (and price) if the latter brand was associated with “good cause”.

The same study also indicated that a significant percentage surveyed would prefer to work for a company that was considered socially responsible.

‘How to drive customer loyalty’

T

HE success of many global brands has been traced to creating attractive partner and customer value propositions using effective communication.

The publicity and goodwill generated around the recent partnership between Chivita 100 per cent and Manchester United Football Club is a testimonial to how effective communication strategies have not only endeared consumers to the fruit juice, but also helped increase its sales.

Brand observers said the deal has boosted Chivita’s growth, especially with the level of deployment of online, television, print and out-

door campaigns.

From reviews of the partnership in the media and on prominent billboards and Rapid transport buses, expert said the strategy has been effective in creating and sustaining brand loyalty.

This is also being measured social media; for example, the Facebook. “Communication of the partnership has ensured that the number of likes on the page crossed the 200,000 threshold and is approaching 250,000,” Chivita brand handlers said.

According to its Head of Marketing, Probal Bhattacharya, the company developed a communication

strategy for publicising the partnership which has been effective.

“For us at Chi Limited, our style of placing premium on our consumers cannot be compromised and it drives the way we engage with them through advertising strategies that are informative, exciting and rewarding. ‘’We embarked on the journey to adopt a 360 degree marketing philosophy and engagement platforms that are veritable and accessible to our consumers. We are happy that through the communication mix deployed in the campaign, the consumer response has been very encouraging,” added Bhattacharya.

Nigerian Idol 5 unveiled

O

PTIMA Media Group and Etisalat Nigeria have unveiled the season five television reality, Nigerian Idol.

The Executive Director of Optima Media Group (OMG), Nigerian Idol franchise owners, Mrs. Ugochi Pedro, said the reality show has established its mark as a leading talent hunt platform that provides opportunities for budding music stars to be discovered and nurtured for stardom.

“For five years, we have been on this interesting journey of changing lives and helping people achieve life dreams. The key thing for us is to see these discovered talents become the real stars they are designed to be. We are taking this commitment to a new level this season. Nigerians can expect many exciting moments ahead,” she said.

Also, Etisalat Director, Brands and Experience, Mr. Enitan Denloye, described this edition of the Nige-

rian Idol show as “a season of differentiation” that will raise the bar in the show.

Meanwhile, three judges have been appointed for the season.

They include Afrobeat star, Dede Mabiaku; vocalist Yinka Davies and R’n’ B crooner, Dare ‘Art’ Alade.

The winner will get N7.5 million, a brand new car, a recording deal worth N7.5 million and some electronic devices.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015

50

THE NATION

BUSINESS

E-mail: toniaitose@gmail.com

Sms : 07035302326

SHOPPING

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

Want a gift for Val? Branded Coke is it!

T

HREE weeks away from February 14, a date commemorated worldwide as Valentine Day otherwise known as lovers’ day, there is already a flurry of activities in major cities across the federation as shopping frenzy for gift items by all and sundry has started.

Interestingly, one gift that seems to have stolen the heart of many is the new branded Coca Cola drink. The drink seems to be the shoppers’ choice.

Shoppers, who were sighted buying the new coke at Shoprite, Ikeja, expressed satisfaction as they bought coke in large quantities with their name written on its acns and plastic.

For Babajide Adebayo, the innovation should be replicated by other brands. “This is a laudable concept. I have always known Coca Cola to set the pace, while other follows. I am not sur-

J

Job creation, others our focus, says Jumia

UMIA recorded a tremendous growth in 2014 achieving major milestone and breaking new frontiers since inception.

In 2015, the firm promises to further ensure quality retail and an even improved customer services for the Nigerian shopper.

The firm promises to work harder to be the Amazon and Walmart of Africa making stronger their Human Capital Development with the aim to double the size of Jobs created in 2014 through expansion of various aspects of their business.

The firm had 1,500 000 applicants in 2014, a whopping 83percent of the Nigerian graduates yearly.

Also with the Jumia Academy, geared at building entrepreneurs out of every single ‘Jumian’, Offline Manager Jumia Nigeria, Afam Anyika said, “We will continue to discover and nurture such talent in growing the nation’s economy and eventually creating many more job opportunities for young Nigerians. As has been the case some employees who left

L

Stories by Tonia ‘Diyan

prised,” he said.

Adebayo added that the innovation would help him spend less this Valentine.

“I will spend less for Valentine this year. All I need do is to purchase a pack or half of the new branded Coca Cola with my girl’s name and I know she would love it. The brain behind this innovation must have had Valentine in mind when they inscribed ‘Share a Coke with Ibrahim’ on its bottle. It could be someone else’s name, he said.

Ikechukwu Nworfor, another shopper who is excited about the innovation said it gives him the opportunity to find affordable gift items for his loved ones. “The timing is right. These people surely know how to arrange things; this is a good gift concept any day, any time.”

Besides serving as gift packs for Valentine, most people also con-

IKE any regular working class Nigerian, Samuel Roland dresses up and leaves his home in Iyana Ipaja, Lagos, every morning for his business at Ogba. He returns to his family of five (a wife and four children) in the evening with his day’s earnings.

Mr. Roland’s first three children are plying their ways through primary school. The last is the latest addition to the family with no burden, but worries the parents with increasing expenses. His wife does not work.

He does not own a car, but he can afford transportation fare for himself and his family. He does not suffer lack of food, as he confirms that he and his family eat three square meals every day. He pays his utility bills diligently and wears the best of the outfits he can afford.

Mr. Roland is a mobile vendor at the Ogba motor park where he advertises his goods by himself everyday from 8:00am till evening and sells as much as he can. His business thrives solely on

Jumia through the years have moved on to start profitable businesses of their own backed with adequate knowledge transfer , best practice, innovation and technological knowhow where needed.”

He added, “As it has always been our culture, in 2015, we will ensure an all-round satisfying customer experience further increasing the capacity of our delivery infrastructure for better and faster delivery services across all 36 states in the country including the FCT.” The Nation Shopping learnt that Jumia’s Market place has also become a force to reckon with in the retail industry as it provides a veritable platform where merchants can meet and interact with a nationwide audience, constantly empowering SMEs which is a significant driver of the nation’s economy.

Having also given customers an even wider choice of assortment of premium products from both local and international brands alike to choose from, Jumia is saying, the year will be an experience that will further redefine retail shopping and consumer behaviour in Nigeria.

sider them as souvenirs. Sharing his experience with The Nation Shopping, Fred Nwosisi said it is a special collectors’ item anytime, any day.

Justifying the need for the products, a representative of the Coca Cola Company, who asked not to be named because he is not authorised to speak on behalf of the company, confided in The Nation Shopping that those customers who want branded bottles in large quantity will have to be referred to the company’s head office where the contractor and the producer will take such orders, according to him, this offer is available only to customers who want to purchase hundred cartons and more.

“The unique thing about this whole thing is that the price remains the same despite all the interesting features in designs and labeling,” he said.

The source advised that a customer who is not patient enough to look for a coke can or plastic branded in his name, can decide to pick for his/her spouse, family members or friends. This, he said, is encouraging people to share

•The new branded plastic Coke

and show love to others around them which is one of the essences of the idea aside to boosting sales and make profit.

To help the search process easy for the shopper, the item is placed in batches with names from the western part of the country placed separately from those from the east and the north, and English names such as Henry and Ann were on display.

The idea of separating the name came up when shoppers’ complained of how difficult it was for

Konga set for more African markets

H

AVING closed 2014 with remarkable successes, Konga is looking to expand to other countries in Africa this year.

According to its Head of Public Relations, Olatomiwa Akande, Konga started last year with a renewed focus on satisfying customers. A highly lauded feature by Konga was the launch of its own logistics unit called KExpress.

Today, KExpress boasts a fleet of over 200 vehicles in less than five months that has greatly enhanced Konga’s order fulfillment to customers all across Nigeria; this is in addition to Konga’s partnerships with other third party courier companies across Nigeria.

With the expansion of the website through its Marketplace platform, SellerHQ, Konga provided customers with a wider product offering and the added advantage of even more competitive pricing. With this, it now has over 150,000 prod-

ucts for its customers to choose from. Today, almost 10,000 sellers are registered and are actively advertising and trading on Konga.com.

The highly talked about Yakata Sales in November delivered a record breaking N600 million in sales and closed at a 1,440 per cent sales increase compared to its 2013 edition. Konga sold 500 per cent more items in the two days of Yakata sales than it did in all of 2012.

Over 40% of the people who shopped during Yakata had never made an online purchase before.

With a significant part of Konga’s orders generated from mobile devices, this is a clear pointer that mobile is the way Nigerians will shop online in the future.

The company now boasts of over 700 employees. It prides itself as an equal opportunity company with females making more than half of its staff population.

‘Mobile vending taking firm root’

By Oluwatoyin Adeleye

his oratory power and his ability to convince passengers to patronize him. Another mobile vendor along Oshodi express way, Abdulazeez Adigun leaves home every morning, carrying his big bag of plantain chips to the road side, where he walks in the middle of the traffic, exchanging money for each pack of chips that leaves his hand.

Gone are the days when one had to walk long distances or drive through traffic to get basic goods and services. From the guys carrying electronic materials and food items, including drinks, in traffic, to the lady that jumps into buses carrying a bag full of pharmaceutical products which she introduces to prospective customers in an attempt to encourage their patronage; including the yoghurt sellers wheeling their bicycles with an attached cooler of yoghurt.

Mobile vending affords custom-

them to identify their names or name of loved ones.

Believe Odiase, a shopper said he gave up after searching for a can of coke with his name branded on it. “When I couldn’t continue with the search to buy a bottle of Coke, because I have other things to do in the mall, I gave up and picked a bottle for my daughter whose name is Cynthia. Perhaps, I will find time to come search for mine at weekend; it is worth the fun and sharing,” he said.

ers ease of access to materials they need to acquire on as short notice as possible and at the fastest pace. It is as easy as rolling down the windows of one’s vehicle on your way to work and you can get almost anything you want, or entering into a commercial bus and your needed product is in front of you and at cheaper rate sometimes.

Mr. Roland, who sells herbal products at Ogba bus stop in Lagos, says the business is profitable. According to him, he makes about N15 000 at the end of every week. For him, graduate unemployment exists only in the imagination of people that are not creative or lazy.

A Business Administration student of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, he manages to cater for his family, including his education and that of his children. With his education and occupation, Roland also combines his music talent on which he dazzles his audience in churches as often as he is

given the opportunity, with the stage name, Ojima.

“Seeing people such as me shouting in the garage to attract patronage is very rewarding. You not only make profit, you also acquire very good oratory skills. It helps you to master the art of public speaking and you must convince your customers to buy the product. I can even talk to the president now, without fear,” Mr. Roland said.

A plaguing challenge on the business, however, rests on the quality of products sold by mobile vendors.

The products are not affiliated with a certified retailer and the sellers rarely maintain the same position for too long, hence the fear that the goods are substandard or out rightly fake. Counterfeiters do not make the case any easier with their dubious ways of selling fake items to unsuspecting customers.

Angered and vengeful, Mrs Onwenu Chisom vowed never to patronise roadside vendors any-

Konga opened its engineering center with a mixed team of seasoned & young, passionate engineers. The company also launched hubs in South Africa and China.

Konga also launched an Online Seller Academy for e-Commerce.

With this novel initiative, Konga is committed to provide its online sellers’ community free self-service learning and training tips, allowing merchants achieve exceptional sales results through their online stores.

Today the company has over 1.2 million fans on Facebook and more than seventy-five thousand followers on twitter.

Konga received several prestigious awards and recognition in the course of the year. And in just two and half years, Konga appears to have run straight from the cradle, and is blazing the ecommerce trail in Nigeria today. more since she was deceived into buying a phone that had no battery in traffic. Her tale recalls the verbiage, once bitten, twice shy, as she lamented, “I didn’t want to buy that phone that day, but I needed a small phone urgently and there was no time for me to visit any of the mobile phone dealers in the market, so I just risked buying from one of these boys running about in traffic, not knowing that I would regret it”.

There is much happier news from Adewumi Adeleye, an engineering student of a prominent private university, who was wearing her sun shades proudly, recently purchased from a mobile vendor.

Mr. Roland also confirmed that another setback for his business is the mentality of many Nigerians that cheap products mean fake products. According to him, all kinds of people, including millionaires buy his products and even make special orders from him, but it is only those who believe in the potency of herbs.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015

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MONEYLINK

CBN’s intervention firms up naira

T

HE naira recovered from its record lows this week after the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) increased forex trading limits and sold dollars to commercial lenders, dealers said.

The unit rose 0.45 per cent to close at N188.35 after ending at a record low of N189.20 for the two previous sessions.

Liquidity conditions have deteriorated as the naira slumped because dollar inflows from foreign investment and other sources have

Stories by Collins Nweze

dried up. The CBN has to intervene and sell dollars into the market, but that is burning up its foreign reserves.

The apex bank increased foreign currency trading position for commercial banks to 0.5 per cent of their capital base from 0.1 per cent to shore up interbank dollar liquidity. Italy’s Eni also sold $10 million to buy naira for its local operations, dealers said.

“These policy reversals are not ideal for central bank credibility, but are a step in the right direction in terms of improving spot naira liquidity. Overall these, sort of policy changes are just delaying the inevitable currency devaluation which we believe will happen after the elections,” sub-Saharan Africa economist at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Oyinkasola Anubi, said.

According to a circular released yesterday, the CBN said funds sold

to commercial lenders would be used for funding letters of credit, other invisible trades, but should not be resold to bureau de change dealers.

The apex bank reduced dealers open positions from one per cent to zero in a bid to stabilise the currency after it was devalued by eight per cent against the dollar in November. Last week, it allowed banks a 0.1 per cent net position but warned them against speculative activity.

UBA plans Angola, South Africa expansion

Fidelity Bank inaugurates project for Police

F

IDELITY Bank Plc yesterday commissioned perimeter fence for the Nigerian Police Divisional Headquarters in Victoria Island, Lagos.

Speaking at the event, Fidelity Bank, Executive Director, Lagos and Southwest, I.K Mbagu, said the fence which stretched to the Ahmed Bello Way, is part of the lender’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), adding that the bank is committed to the wellbeing of the people and good of the environment where it operates.

“We are happy to build the perim-

eter fence for the Nigerian Police. For us at Fidelity Bank, we always want to improve the lives of the people within the community where we operate. We always want to be involved in the communities where we operate and contribute to the people’s overall wellbeing,” he said.

He stated that aside the project, the lender has also executed other CSR initiatives in communities where it operates. He listed the building of boreholes and renovation of school buildings and orphanages across different states, among projects the bank has delivered to its publics.

Mbagu called on other corporate organisations to join it in supporting the society and making it better for all to live in. “We want to call on everyone to join us in building the nation because government alone cannot do everything,” he said.

Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, C.K. Aderanti praised the bank for the gesture, saying the project remains part of the lender’s CSR initiative. “What Fidelity Bank has done is a demonstration of what it stands for, which is service to the communities where it operates.

“We want other stakeholders to support the Police Division, by donating vehicles and other logistics to make our work of protecting the society easier,” he said.

The Police chief also said the Victoria Island Division should be among the best in the country because of its strategic position in the commercial hub of the economy.

He praised the bank for executing the project, adding that the force will continue to seek public support in providing it with the needed tools to fight crime and protect businesses within the state.

ECB launches last-ditch programme to revive euro economy

T

HE European Central Bank took the ultimate policy leap by launching a government bond-buying programme which will pump hundreds of billions of new money into a sagging euro zone economy.

The ECB said it would buy government bonds from this March until the end of September 2016 despite opposition from Germany’s Bundesbank and concerns in Berlin that it could allow spendthrift countries to slacken economic reforms.

Together with existing schemes to buy private debt and funnel hundreds of billions of euros in cheap loans to banks, the new quantitative easing programme will pump 60 billion euros a month into the economy, ECB President Mario Draghi said. By September next year, more than 1 trillion euros will have been created.

“The combined monthly purchases of public and private sector securities will amount to 60 billion euros,” Draghi told a news confer-

ence. “They are intended to be carried out until end-September 2016 and will in any case be conducted until we see a sustained adjustment in the path of inflation.”

Bonds will be bought on the secondary market in proportion to the ECB’s capital key, meaning the largest economies from Germany down will see more of their debt purchased by the ECB than smaller peers.

The prospect of dramatic ECB action had already prompted the Swiss central bank to abandon its cap on

•CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele

the franc while Denmark, whose currency is pegged to the euro, was forced to cut interest rates in anticipation of the flood of money.

The Danish central bank intervened to weaken the crown ahead of the announcement. Former ECB policymaker Athanasios Orphanides said action was long overdue. “The ECB should have already embarked on QE,” he said.

“Now that the situation has deteriorated, the ECB will have to do much more.”

U

NITED Bank for Africa Plc plans to expand to Angola and South Africa as the economy of Nigeria, its largest market, is pummeled by falling crude oil prices. The lender is currently operating in 19 countries on the continent.

The lender will move to the southern African nations as part of its next “phase of expansion,” Chief Executive Officer, Phillips Oduoza has said.

He told Bloomberg TV Africa’s Eleni Giokos in Davos. that he didn’t expect oil prices or the Nigerian currency to continue their decline.

Nigerian companies and the Lagos-based bank are “adequately protected” against a drop in the value of the naira and the price of oil, Oduoza said.

He pointed out that the naira probably won’t be devalued further and loan defaults are unlikely to increase, he said.

The economy is struggling to cope with crude prices that plunged by more than half in the past six months.

Policy makers responded by devaluing the currency in November, increasing interest rates to a record 13 per cent and proposing spending cuts.

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

125.78 9.17 1.12 1.19 0.63 1.39 1,734.52 1,101.29 112.61 121.16 1.67 1.29 1.32 0.95 1.17

125.70 9.08 1.12 1.19 0.62 1.33 1,734.52 1,100.53 112.30 120.30 1.62 1.28 1.32 0.93 1.17

C/PRICE 3.15 3.88 13.80 3.85 36.99 5.05 16.50 0.95 1.53 5.09 82.00 8.58 35.99

CHANGE 5.00 4.86 4.31 3.49 2.75 2.64 2.23 2.15 2.00 1.80 1.23 0.94 0.42

LOSERS AS AT 22-01-15

SYMBOL

O/PRICE

RTBRISCOE INTBREW PRESCO IKEJAHOTEL UBN REDSTAREX MOBIL CHAMPION OKOMUOIL NASCO GUINNESS GUARANTY ZENITHBANK

0.76 21.89 29.70 2.82 3.85 3.99 157.06 6.33 23.90 6.25 130.00 20.96 17.10

C/PRICE 0.70 20.80 28.22 2.68 3.66 3.80 150.00 6.09 23.30 6.10 127.02 20.58 16.82

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

Inflation: December

CHANGE -7.89 -4.98 -4.98 -4.96 -4.94 -4.76 -4.50 -3.79 -2.51 -2.40 -2.29 -1.81 -1.64

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

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

CBN EXCHANGE RATES January 22, 2015

8%

Monetary Policy Rate

GAINERS AS AT 22-01-15

SYMBOL O/PRICE MANSARD 3.00 PORTPAINT 3.70 UNIONDICON 13.23 CUSTODYINS 3.72 FLOURMILL 36.00 NAHCO 4.92 OANDO 16.14 WEMABANK 0.93 UBCAP 1.50 ACCESS 5.00 WAPCO 81.00 UAC-PROP 8.50 UACN 35.84

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

252.8881

254.4024

Euro

206.2617

207.4968

Swiss Franc

191.0537

192.1977

Yen

1.4067

1.4151

CFA

0.2759

0.2959

236.8538

238.2721

Yuan/Renminbi

26.8726

27.0344

Money Supply (M2)

N16.42 trillion.

Credit to private Sector (CPS)

N17.2 trillion

Primary Lending Rate (PLR)

16.5%

NIGERIAN INTER-BANK OFFERED RATES (NIBOR)

WAUA Tenor

20-01-15 Rate (%) Rate (%) 21-01-15

Overnight (O/N)

10.54

11.17

Riyal

44.4622

44.7284

1M

11.94

12.18

SDR

237.1233

238.5432

3M

13.08

13.33

6M

14.03

14.17

FOREX RATES

R-DAS ($/N)

167.29

168.29

Interbank ($/N)

162.75

162.75

Parallel ($/N)

185.50

185.50

GOVT. SECURITIES YIELD – SECONDARY MARKET

Tenor

Jan. 22, 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

54

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 22-01-15

Restructuring: UTC replaces board

U

TC Nigeria Plc yesterday took a massive sweep in its ongoing restructuring exercise with the replacement of its entire sixman board of directors.

A regulatory filing obtained

by The Nation yesterday indicated that a new board of directors has been constituted to reflect the change in the ownership interests and key points of restructuring, which had saved the ailing food company from being delisted from the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).

The new board of directors included Mr Olaoluwa Akinkugbe, as chairman, and Ms Imoni Akpofure, Mr Offong Ambah, Ms Olubunmi Fayokun, Ms Olatoyosi Kolawole and Mr Adedotun Sulaiman, as directors.

The new board replaced the previous board under the chairmanship of former director general of the NSE, Apostle Hayford Alile and other directors including Mr. Fola Adeola, Engr. Kadri Adebayo Adeola, Mr. Deji Alli, Mr. Bode Adedeji and Mr. Victor Gbolade Osibodu.

The new chairman of board of directors, Mr. Akinkugbe, is currently the National President of the Nigerian American Chamber of Commerce.

He is also on the boards of many companies and associations including Mouka Ni-

By Taofik Salako Capital Market Editor

geria Limited and Lagos Business School Alumni Association.

UTC Nigeria’s share price yesterday remained unchanged at its nominal value of 50 kobo, the price it has been for many years.

Sources in the know said the change in the board of directors was the crux of recent restructuring initiatives.

UTC Nigeria had last year listed among companies to be delisted by the NSE for failure to comply with post-listing requirements, including poor and late submission of earnings report, a recurring failure that had earned it sanctions and fines in the previous years.

The company however had reached out to the NSE with details of its restructuring programme. This staved off the delisting.

The NSE had in late June 2014 issued a three-month notice of compulsory delisting to some 24 companies for various corporate governance and postlisting failures, especially nonrelease of financial reports and accounts for several years.

The affected companies included Investment and Allied Insurance Plc, Goldlink Insurance, Afroil, Rokana Industry, IPWA, West African Glass Industry, Nigeria Wire and Cable, Starcomms,

Daar Communication, Mtech, Big Treat, G.Cappa, FTN Cocoa Processing and UTC Nigeria.

Others included Stockvis, Nigeria Sewing Machine, Jos International Breweries, Capital Oil and Golden Guinea. The NSE had indicated that while the five of the companies including Stockvis, Nigeria Sewing Machine, Jos International Breweries, Capital Oil and Golden Guinea were penciled for delisting because they failed to regularize their listing status, other companies were being delisted because they have failed to submit requisite financial and operational statements.

The Exchange however later confirmed that 14 companies have started some steps to regularize their listing status. These included Goldlink Insurance, Rokana Industry, IPWA, Daar Communication, G.Cappa, FTN Cocoa Processing, UTC Nigeria, Stockvis, Nigeria Sewing Machine, Capital Oil and Golden Guinea Brewery.

The NSE had told The Nation then that it might consider a bouquet of waivers and incentives for ailing companies that have opted to restructure their operations in order to meet the stringent corporate governance standards required of quoted companies.

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 22-01-15

55

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 23 2015

COMMENTARY

D

EAR Nigerian youths, This letter was first written to you over a year ago. It is being addressed to you again today through this medium for an obvious reason. Nigerians of my age and beyond (60+) never had cause to be so addressed when we were like you because the situation that warrants the writing of this letter never arose in our youth days. Let it be known to you that except life and sound health, none of Allah’s bounties to man is as treasure-able as youthfulness. The definition of youth varies from place to place and from faith to faith. But generally, youthfulness spans from the age of puberty (at 16) to that of reasoning (at 40).

That is the second stage of human life as it follows that of adolescence. It can be said therefore that the juiciest part of human life is what people call youth. And whoever is blessed with it is blessed with all hopes of life.

Youthfulness is the spur of ambition and risk. It is the period of determination and resolution. It encourages attraction between genders and engenders association across ethnic and religious boundaries.

All efforts in human life that yield results in old age are made at youthful age. To an average youth anywhere in the world, the sky is never the limit. There are still many other firmaments beyond the sky.

Youth is the stage of hard work. It is the stage of planning. It is the stage of vision and mission. That is why the youths of any nation are seen as the bone marrow of such a nation and the beacons of the future. And fortunately, youths invariably constitute majority of the existing people at any given time in any given nation.

The youth before now In the years past when life had meaning and culture had value, youths were seen as the pride of the nation. They were the natural arrows fixed to the parental bows which were often used to shoot through the iron gate of life. This was the case in Nigeria before and during the colonial era. And after the country’s independence, the youths constituted the glory and hope of their parents. Their role in the family encouraged the bearing of many children as they partnered with their fathers in tilling the farm lands and in harvesting the crops.

In short, they formed the live wire of their families. When a father was said to be rich in those days, it was only because he had many children (male and female) who constituted the workforce of the family. The father’s pride then was not just the number of children he had but the volume of contribution made by those children to his wealth. Thus, children were considered as wealth.

In those days, youths were not just helpers of their parents on the farms or in their trades they also assisted them in training the younger ones. Yet, they had the highest regards for those parents in their utterances and in their conduct. The level of discipline in those days was such that boys were handled by their fathers while girls were mostly handled by their mothers.

And the mothers dared not utter a word while any child was being subjected to discipline by the father. In a nutshell the upbringing of a child was the main key to societal serenity.

Change of trend Today, Nigeria is a different story altogether. The youth of yesteryear have become the elders of today. They have left the chord of discipline that escorted them into the world of decency to the new train of indecency. And that chord is no longer suitable for either today or tomorrow as the trend has changed dramatically. The current trend began in January 1966 when some uncultured youths in military uniform, spurred by blind youthful ambition, threw the value of age and experience to the winds and killed the then leaders of the Nigerian nation in what was called a military coup d’état. By that unfortunate act they plunged the nation into a precipitate civil war that rendered the youth wild and eroded the value of youthfulness.

For 13 years thereafter, the vagabonds remained in power using whim in place of experience. And when a brief civilian interlude came on board in 1979 for only four years, the vagabonds perched on the governance again and like hungry vul-

FEMI ABBAS ON femabbas756@gmail.com 08115708536

Advice to Nigerian youths tures, they fed on the carcass of democracy to their fill. Through that unbridled usurpation of power, the so-called Nigerian military weaned themselves from the ladle of integrity and destroyed whatever was left of their nomenclature.

Here we are today, looking desperately like a starved hawk and hanging restlessly in the balance like a gagged hyena. Virtually every Nigerian has forgotten the real cause of our calamity. The cry everywhere is now about the effect of that calamity on the nation. No one endeavours to look back and see where the downfall started from.

And without looking back, there can never be any correction as to how to rise again. A Yoruba adage states axiomatically that when a toddler falls down while struggling to walk, he looks forward to see if there is any adult around to lift him up. But when an adult slips and falls down fortuitously he looks backwards to examine the cause of his fall.

That is the difference between experience and potential. Banking on potential to govern a nation that requires experience as did the eaglet Nigerian military some years past can never bring any meaningful result. Both potential and experience have their role and chance in any society. But neither can take the place of the other.

The difference You the youth of today are different from those of yesteryears in many ways and the differences are clear. The youth of the past were very hardworking and dedicated.

They served their parents diligently and stood by them in all circumstances. They sought their parents’ advice and learned from the latter’s experiences. You the youth of today are very lazy, slothful, time wasting and lackadaisical in your attitude to life even as you are served by your parents from infancy to old age. Yet you despise those parents and treat them with disdain like nonentities. You believe that those parents had worked on your behalves and that you are only in the world to enjoy the fruits of their labour.

The youth of the past were patient contended and full of respect for the elders. They were humble, obedient and always eager to learn as they queued up before the elders for knowledge. You the youth of today are very inpatient, greedily ambitious and you see yourselves as masters of knowledge when in actual fact you are slaves of ignorance.

Unlike the youth of the past, you are mostly empty-headed, very arrogant, highly materialistic and hastily avaricious.

You always want to start your lives from the peak of your parents’ achievements without asking about what those parents had gone through before reaching that peak.

You spend money lavishly without working for it and you never think of bearing any responsibility either in the homes or in the society. You are generally characterised by all the conducts that were classified as shame in the past. To you, shame has its price. And as long as you can pay that price

in coins by whatever means, you are important in your own estimation. Thus, shame, as far as you are concerned, is a vital aspect of culture which has no negative effect on your lifestyle. As a matter of fact you have taken shame for pride.

If a few youths of the past can be described as a bunch of problems for their society, due to their public misconduct, majority of you today’s youths are the real cogs in the societal wheel of progress. To you, life has no meaning except it is heavily coded in money.

Your slogan that “long life is irrelevant in the absence of money” is a testimony to this assertion. That life span in Nigeria has dropped so drastically is due to your disappointing lifestyle which often creates hypertension for your parents and leads to their early deaths.

Few parents talk of heirs nowadays because those of you who are supposed to be their heirs have long thrown away the toga of worthy heirs. In the past, mothers were not known for staying with their daughters in the latter’s matrimonial homes while leaving their husbands behind without care. This strange but new trend that has almost become a part of Nigerian culture arose because of the incompetence of today’s young women, even after many years of training. Thus, despite the ubiquity of young men and women, there is scarcity of husbands and wives just as there is dearth of fathers and mothers.

Virtually everything that matters to you today’s youths is devoid of our known core value. By your measure, the value of life can be found only in the volume of currencies.

Causes of generational change Whenever there is cause to review the current generational trend with the intention of righting the wrong, you the youths of today are often quick in pointing accusing fingers mischievously at the generations ahead of you saying they caused the debacle. But while pinching the back of the elders you often forget that sooner or later you may become elders whose back will be pinched by the youths that may succeed your own generation. You have forgotten that most of the scientific discoveries and technological advancement of your age which lured you into roguery were not available for the past youths.

There were no such things as hard drugs, cyber crimes, armed robbery, insurgency, sophisticated fraud through manipulation of figures and forgery of signatures. There were rare cases of rape, child trafficking, audacious prostitution and day light murder with impunity as are rampant among you today.

To you, all these crimes are either professions or callings in which you actively thrive. Thus, you do not believe in the existence of any demarcation between decency and indecency an indication that ‘family name’ which was highly valued in

‘To rekindle Nigeria’s old hope or create a new one for the future, the youth of today must return to the established values of the past. It was through those values that the tranquility of the world was once solidly upheld’

the past has no meaning to you. This is why you are perceived as the most potent weapons of hooliganism by today’s Nigerian devilish politicians, who are mostly youths.

Unlike most youths of the past, you were sent to school by your illiterate parents but your goal was mere certificate (as meal tickets) rather than knowledge (as propeller of quality life). And what you acquired in those schools in the name of education is hardly worth the paper on which your certificates are printed.

For most of the years you spent in school, your preoccupation was either cultism or other frivolous activities that have no bearing with education. That is why most of you turn out to be unemployable university or polytechnic graduates. A few of you who secured public employments have been discovered to be sheer misfits on those jobs as your competence remains questionable.

Implications The implications of all these are many.

While most of you are not quite useful to the present you are also not hopeful about the future.

There is hardly any major crime in Nigeria today that is not principally committed by you today’s youths all in the quest for money. It seems that the only language you understand is money and only those who can speak the language of money command your respect.

Many centuries before our time, an Arab poet intuitively came up with a sonnet that fits perfectly into today’s Nigerian situation. He said: “Here is the era against which we had been warned through the admonitions of Ubayy Bn Ka‘ab and that of Abdullah Bn Mas‘ud; an era in which truth would be totally rejected while falsehood and insurgence would be glorified and held aloft; Should this era linger without any change (of attitude) neither cry at a funeral nor smile on the announcement of a new birth would be experienced”.

Which of the situation expressed in the above poem is not applicable to Nigeria today. What impact does religion have on the society again?

We used to know of motor spare parts.

Today, spare parts are no more of motor but of human beings. And the most active merchants of this queer business are you the youth of today. When we talk of illegal oil bunkering, it is the business of the youth. When we talk of kidnapping, it is the business of today’s youths. When we talk of suicide bombing and terrorism, it is the business of today’s youths.

And all these are for money and nothing else. Where is Nigeria going from here?

Conclusion The aim of this expository letter is not to malign or denigrate the Nigerian youth of today. The children of this columnist are youths like you who do not inhabit an exclusive island. But preaching is like a muddy book surrounded by men and women of honour all of who are garlanded in immaculate regalia. No one of them will be spared if the mud is splashed either by accident or by design. As a onetime youth and now a father qualified to be called an elder, it is not expected of my type to start throwing stones at other peoples’ houses while residing in a glass house. But truth knows no boundary. It cruises on a track of frankness like a surging train which minds no gored ox. To rekindle Nigeria’s old hope or create a new one for the future, the youth of today must return to the established values of the past. It was through those values that the tranquility of the world was once solidly upheld. And it was through deviation from those that the world became as restive as it is today.

If tranquility must return as wished by many, you, the youth of today, must change your loins for the better. And that is the only atonement that the world requires (from you) to return to a state of tranquility.

Thus, the ongoing political campaigns in the country and the subsequent elections coming up next month, in which you are active participants will show the place of hope or otherwise of your future.

We are all in the same boat of life. If you work towards wrecking it you have much more to to lose. Just remember that as you lay your bed so you will sleep on it. I pray God to guide you aright.

56

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015

NEWS Coward soldiers stalling Boko Haram battle, says NSA Continued from page 4

L-R, Director Engineering Infactructure Dr. Mohammed Dauda, Executive Director Large Scale Industry Bank of Industry Alhaji Mohammed Alkali, MD/CEO Bank of Industry, Rasheed Olaoluwa, Director General National Agency For Science and Engineering Infracture ( NASENI) Dr.Mohammed Sani Haruna and divisional Director Large Scale Enterprises, Josehp Olatunde durining a courtesy visit by the management of Bank of Industry to the National Agency For Science and Engineering Infrastructure in Abuja yesterday PHOTO: AKIN OLADOKUN.

APC rejects Jonathan administration’s call Continued from page 4

our Data Centre and then concoct the allegation that we are planning to hack into INEC’s Data Base, it did not fly as INEC said its Data Base cannot be hacked. They launched an aggressive campaign to convince Nigerians that our presidential candidate is not qualified to run because he has no secondary school leaving certificate, but that also did not fly, as the certified results of his Cambridge examination have now been published for all to see. ‘’They went and procured a fake report showing our candidate is suffering from pros-

tate cancer, hence he is not fit for the high office of President, but their antics were discovered when the health institution that purportedly issued the report disowned it. ‘’Now they have launched their last set of jokers, which include hiring willing hands to make the television rounds saying there is no way the elections could hold next month, ostensibly because INEC is not ready, even when the electoral umpire has said it is ready to conduct the polls. ‘’There are also alleged plans to stage-manage some high profile cases of violence and arson, for which the opposi-

tion will be blamed and then its leaders arrested in droves, all in an effort to scuttle the polls. For those who find these hard to believe, we ask them to look at the sheer madness of a state governor placing a newspaper advert wishing our presidential candidate dead!

The possible repercussions of this kind of provocative act are better imagined, had our party not been a peaceful party. ‘’In view of the above, we have decided to take our case to Nigerians and indeed the global community, so they can prevail on President Jonathan to allow the elections to hold as scheduled and to make

acommitment to respect the outcome,’’ it said.

APC said never before has there been so much desperation on the part of any government to remain in office at all costs, even when it is clear for all to see that that government has run out of luck.

The party however called the attention of the President and his party hawks to a quote by the preeminent Indian leader Mahatma Ghandi, hoping they will learn a lesson or two from it:: “Remember that all through history, there have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they seem invincible. But in the end, they always fall. Always.”

Buhari Campaign, Atiku: no to postponement Continued from page 4

structure and a loss of sound national image. Nigerians have never had it so bad.

“Hence, any delay or postponement of the elections amounts to testing the patience of the people. We are all tired of a corrupt government, one full of ineptitude, incompetence and lack of ideas. Nobody can scut-

tle our hard-earned democracy in Nigeria.”

The Organisation also said that it preferred to engage the PDP campaign spokesman, Femi Fani Kayode, on issues that have the potential to bring the greatest good for the greatest number of Nigerians.

It said that said it was laughable the PDP would not let-go of

the educational qualifications of the APC presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari, even when the matter has been laid to rest.

“It is not our desire in the APC Presidential Campaign Organisation to join an individual who has a record of talking to please the moment on any petty issue.

At some point in the recent past,

it was convenient for Fani-Kayode to say this of the APC and its leaders: ‘What Nigerians need now is to join hands with the APC leaders, Major-General Muhammadu Buhari and Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to move the nation forward.’ Today, a Fani-Kayode sees no desecration in recanting that same position, just to satisfy his convenience.”

town seized by the sect in a January 3 raid, which reportedly led to the death of over 2,000 people but which the military authorities put at no more than 150.

Col. Dasuki added: “That wasn’t that much of a multinational task force; it was by name (only), because they were all supposed to be physically there,” when in fact most were not.

He added that the headquarters was being moved to the nearby Chadian capital N’Djamena, but that “Nigerians don’t see what the use is” of the regional force.

Defending the funding of the military, Col. Dasuki said that the list of equipment lost in Baga included six armoured cars with 4,000 rounds of heavy ammunition in each, as well as artillery pieces.

“Anyone who is saying that our soldiers are not well armed is not telling the truth.

We had a lot of cowards, and it turned out there was a problem in the recruitment process … There were a lot of people who joined because they wanted a job, not because they wanted a career in the military. These are the people who ran away.”

Col. Dasuki said the shortcomings in army recruitment were being fixed and that the

army was now going through retraining, with British assistance. He added that two British trained army units had helped recapture Mubi in Adamawa State, taken by Boko Haram last October.

He is confident the army could be reformed and retrained.

“We have not only laid the blame on the soldiers. We have put officers on trial who have shown very poor judgment,” Col. Dasuki insisted.

But he also had a clear message for the rank and file: “If you don’t want to fight, get out of the army. Don’t make excuses, saying that you’re poorly equipped.”

The national security adviser admitted that the last major procurement of equipment for the army was more than two decades ago, but he stressed that sophisticated equipment was not essential for counter-insurgency.

Dasuki said that Nigeria was taking a “holistic” approach to the counter-insurgency, looking at the political and social causes of radicalisation. He estimated that 70% to 80% of Boko Haram fighters were from the Kanuri, an indigenous group with ancient roots in north-eastern Nigeria, who have since been eclipsed by the Hausa and Fulani people.

Govt to recall troops from foreign mission Continued from page 4

He vowed that the crimes committed against Nigerians in Baga or anywhere in the country would l not go unpunished Omeri described Boko Haram insurgency as a threat to regional and international peace and security which requires the concerted action of Nigeria and friendly countries to combat.

He said there was need for a troops surge in operational areas which may require recalling Nigerian troops from peace keeping missions abroad to enhance the opera-

tional capabilities of the Nigerian military.”

“Nigeria and her neighbours will also improve on the effective management of their borders while the Abuja Regional Intelligence Fusion unit will also collaborate with the Intelligence Coordination centre in Chad in inteligence sharing” “Offer of military and humanitarian assistance from regional and international bodies will be deployed along Nigeria’s common borders with neighbouring countries with a clear mandate, command and control as well as rule of engagement,” Omeri said

Jonathan should lead well, says Akanbi Continued from page 4

and devotion to the right ideals of our nation.

At the event, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammed Sa’ad Abubakar was represented by the Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar. Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) chairman Prof. Attahiru Jega was represented by Dr. Chris Ehimoga.

Present were former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Muhammed Uwais, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Sulieman Abba, Governor of Osun State Rauf Aregbesola, who was represented by Segun Bada, Ambassador Ibrahim Gambari, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, represented by Jemilu Gidado and John Cardinal Onaiyekan, the Catholic Archbishop of Abuja.

The Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, speaking on behalf of the Sultan of Sokoto, said electoral violence was usually promoted by desperate politicians who want to win elections at all cost.

He blamed post-election violence on the non-implementation of recommendations of several panels set up to investigate past electoral violence in the country.

Calling on Nigerians to get their priorities right, he urged them to vote for leaders who will look at the next generation and not those looking forward to the next election.

He called on INEC not only to ensure credible, free and fair elections but be seen to have conducted credible, free and fair elections next month.

He also urged the Federal Government to stop all manner of propaganda but rather to build trust in the people.

Jega, who was represented by a senior INEC official, Dr. Chris Ehimoga, noted that there are currently huge problems associated with the distribution of the PVCs. He, however, said that the Commission would do it all to ensure that the cards get to their owners before the elections, which are slated for February 14 and 18.

He added that the electoral umpire would do its best to ensure that all the processes leading to the 2015 elections run smoothly.

Jega warned politicians to stop buying PVCs as they will be useless to them during the polls.

He said: “We have learned from our past mistakes. We

want to ensure that all voters have their PVCs. We hear that politicians are going about buying voters cards.

“Whether you have 10,000 cards in your possession, only voters cards that are brought by their right owners will be used.

“I, therefore, want to urge politicians to stop buying PVCs because we are going to use card readers.

“You cannot snatch ballot boxes during the election because they will be useless.

Those who snatch ballot boxes will have nowhere to take them to because we have back up for the results immediately the votes are counted and announced at the polling units.

“We are promising this country the very best of elections.”

Former Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. General. Abdulrahman Dambazau, lamented that the country’s unity had come under intense threat as the 2015 elections draw near.

Gen. Dambazau said: “At no time in the history of this country did we find ourselves so divided along ethnic and religious lines than now.”

The former COAS lamented

that the military had been politicised.

He said: “On the other hand, one can argue that the process of politicisation of the military began in January 1966 which led to the termination of the First Republic.

“The beginning of an extended involvement of the military in politics, it is equally worthy to know that the last 15 years of the current democratic dispensation has witnessed the politicisation of the military and even the police. Both institutions have been distracted from their constitutional duties.”

He noted that there is the certainty that attempts would be made to rig the 2015 elections.

On how to achieve free and fair elections, Gen. Dambazau said elections should be conducted with integrity.

“How do we conduct elections with integrity in a situation where all the outgoing governors have anointed their successors and those who have opportunity to seek reelection are given automatic tickets?” he asked.

He insisted that there was no need to postpone the elections.

Gen. Dambazau urged INEC to be neutral by ensuring that

no contestant is shortchanged.

Nigerians, he said, should reject rigging.

He called on security agencies to be neutral and support INEC to to deliver credible elections.

“The security agencies must not allow themselves to be used to intimidate the electorate,” he said.

Urging the media to avoid biased reportage of the elections, Gen. Dambazau urged all Nigerians to work together to ensure peace and stability.

“The voters should refuse to be unduly influenced by politicians,” he added.

Former Minister of Education Mrs Oby Ezekwesili said the elections could only be said to be credible if they are conducted with a minimum of international standards.

On what Nigerians would like to see as a good signal that Nigeria will be winner in the elections, Mrs. Ezekwesili said: “You will see something like this. The elections will be conducted and concluded with results announced according to a minimum level of international standard of free and fair elections.

“That there are no pre-election, election and post-election violence or acts of destabilisa-

tion that threaten the tenuous state of security in our land.

“Therefore, it will be that following the elections, all segments of the Nigerians society would relate together and despite disagreements about the path we have decided to choose, would comply with the basic tenets of rule of law and seek redress of electoral conflicts through the rule of law.

“That a clear winner emerges from the electorate or judicial processes that follow with a national spread of ballot sufficient enough to make them a president of the entire Nigeria.

“That the transition process for the present administration to a new one, whether it is the existing party or the opposing party, will happen on the 29th of May, 2015.

“Also, the convening of the 8th National Assembly and the newly elected Senators and Representatives from across the country will happen.

“That the entire Nigeria populace would at the end of the election process choose to remain citizens of Nigeria, regardless of the pull by politicians to drag the citizens into their never ending struggle to control power rather than to offer service.”

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015

57

NEWS Uba, PDP make inroads into Anambra East

Impeachment plot against Elechi thickens

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HE long-speculated impeachment plot by members of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly against Governor Martin Elechi yesterday deepened, as some lawmakers were alleged to have gathered signatures from their colleagues.

Sources in the Assembly told our reporter on condition of anonymity that some lawmakers had been induced.

They said this was in addition to the N10 million each, said to have been given to them by an Anambra-born businessman.

Another source in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)

From Ogochukwu Anioke, Abakaliki

From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

in the state, who did not want to be named, noted that the lawmakers were, however, hesitant on the impeachment in order not to hurt President Goodluck Jonathan’s presidential ambition.

They were said to be weighing the implication of such action, as the presidential election is near.

The Presidency was also said to be burdened by guilt in the treatment meted out to Governor Elechi, a staunch supporter of the President, by PDP’s national leadership during the November 2014 primaries.

Ambode promises good governance

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HE governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, has assured Lagosians of good governance.

Ambode, who campaigned yesterday at Ajegunle in Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government, said if voted into office, he would ensure that the people enjoyed the dividends of democracy, which would include the building of a world-class stadium to facilitate the discovery of talented sports men and women.

He implored residents not to vote for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), warning that voting for the party would amount to backwardness.

His words: “Let me tell you, PDP is full of those deceiving people. Don’t let them deceive you because they don’t have anything to

By Tokunbo Ogunsami

offer. We will create an employment trust fund where you can access funds.

We will do everything possible to make life comfortable for you.”

At the rally, a group, Akinwunmi Ambode Komittee of Friends (AA’KON), urged Lagosians to shun violence and thuggery before, during and after the elections.

The body’s Media Director, Elder Cornelius Olopade, decried violence and thuggery, saying they destroyed life and property.

He enjoined people to vote for Ambode and other APC candidates to ensure the continuity of the dividends of democracy, such as good roads, health care, free and qualitative education, housing and others put in place by Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola.

Must Ndigbo sink with Jonathan?

•Continued

from Back Page

The sheer ineptitude that characterized the exercise caused the death of 19 and injury to scores of hapless Nigerians. One would expect the president to summarily dismiss such a fellow. But he is still glued to his soiled seat, an ugly reminder of President Jonathan’s crippling inertia.

What about the mind-numbing matter of handing Nigeria’s maritime security to an erstwhile renegade who raised arms against the country? One can list over a dozen sordid cases of unspeakable graft and gross dereliction of duty under Jonathan’s charge.So much for achievement and leadership.

Two: Did he fulfill his promises to Ndigbo? Let us admit and admonish that it is not about Ndigbo. If Jonathan had been a great president for all, his specific promises to Ndigbo may not matter. His promises to Ndigbo would be a topic for another day but suffice it to say thatNdigbo have not enjoyed any extraordinary benefits or favoursunder Jonathan.

In summary, Ndigbo must refrain from voting sheepishly; we must eschew the sentiments of four years ago; we must be clear-headed. Also, let us ignore that horde ofAso Rock contractorsposing as Igbo leaders, whosay Ndigbo has endorsed Jonathan;ask the right questions and vote wisely.Igbo wu Igbo, ucheunu o di kwaya e? Kaanyi were ire anyiguoezeanyionumakanaanaghiagwaosintisi agha esule.

Fayose: who unleashed the dragon?

To think that this fellow, Ayo Fayose, is the governor of a state with the fate of millions of Ekiti people placed in his hands? One would think he learned some useful lessons from his past stint in office which came to an ignominious and abrupt end. Apparently he neither learned a thing nor changed a bit.

Are there no wise and learned people in Ekiti anymore? Why are they living with a bull in their china shop and no one is speaking up?

Why won’t Fayose face the onerous task of serving the muchdeprived Ekiti people? Why does he delight always in playing in the muck? From defiling the courts to routing the State’s Assembly and handing out stomach infrastructure chickens to policemen. Now it’s a morbid advert about heads of state that died in office and a hint that APC candidate, General Buhari might die if voted into office.

How would families of these demised leaders feel seeing their patriarchs in such grim light on the front pages of national dailies? Besides, death comes to us all… how can he tell he would serve out his term unless he has anti-dote to death?

Just because Fayose‘won’ election does not make him all wise. He surely needs help. There must be people in Ekiti who must make it a duty to offer him some wise counsel even if unsolicited.

•The Manager of St. Patrick Secondary School, Obollo-Eke, Rev. Fr. John Martins Chikan (left), at the presentation by former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi of N2million cheque to the Senior Prefect, Master Aba Candidus.

THE campaign train of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by the political godfather of Anambra State, Chief Chris Uba, was in two local governments yesterday in Anambra East, with the people declaring to vote for the party.

Although it was late in the night, the people waited for Uba and his entourage.

At Otuocha field, the senatorial flag of the party was given to former Minister of Transport Prince John Emeka. Ejike Nwene was given the House of Representatives flag.

At Nteje in Oyi Local Government, the state Chairman, Ejike Oguebego, gave the PDP flags to Ignay Nwene for the House of Representatives and Charles Obimma for the House of Assembly.

Addressing the crowds, Uba said they will benefit if they vote for President Goodluck Jonathan and other PDP candidates.

One killed, many injured in attacks on LP supporters T HE attacks on Labour Party (LP) members in Ebonyi State continued yesterday in Ikwo and Ohaozara local governments.

One person was confirmed dead.

A new Hiace bus was burnt down and property worth millions of naira were destroyed.

People, including the Ohaozara West candidate of the LP were attacked.

The Nation learnt that the attacks were carried out by suspected thugs allegedly working for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The Coordinator of Ikwo Central Development Centre, Chief Linus Amaga, confirmed the death of Mr. Ogo Nwakpu of Agubia Ikwo in Ikwo Local Government.

He alleged that the deceased, who was attacked by

From Ogochukwu Anioke, Abakaliki

suspected PDP thugs after LP's campaign, died, following complications, which arose from the injuries he sustained.

Amaga said another victim was in a critical condition in hospital.

He said it was regrettable that in the last one month, over 20 LP supporters had been injured by suspected PDP hoodlums.

His words: "PDP thugs have resorted to attacking supporters and candidates of LP, following the rejection of the party's candidates by communities and stakeholders.

"If PDP members are confident of winning the elections, why attack LP supporters?

Elections are not won in Abakaliki, they are won at the grassroots. "Having observed their rejection by the people and their inability to bribe them to vote for the party, PDP members have resorted to attacking our supporters and candidates.

"How many of us will they kill? Even if it is one person remaining in Ebonyi State that person will still vote for the LP. It has come to stay in the state.

"The people, because of the irregularities witnessed during PDP primaries, have realised that it has nothing to offer. They need a change and LP will offer that change with the emergence of Sir Edward Nkwegu as the governorship

candidate."

The Caretaker Committee Chairman of Ohaozara Local Government, Chaka Nweze, decried the burning of the campaign bus of the LP and the destruction of other vehicles and property worth millions of naira at his official residence and those of his aides by suspected PDP hoodlums.

He said items destroyed were worth over N6million, adding that the thugs also attacked the home of Mr. Chukwu Obini, the LP candidate in Ohaozara West and the home of the Local Government Liaison Officer, Mr. Onu Okoronkwo.

Police spokesman Chris Anyanwu confirmed the attacks and the arrest of six persons, adding that the command was investigating the matter and would arraign the suspects after investigation.

Okorocha, Ihenacho throw jibes at debate

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MO State Governor Rochas Okorocha and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) governorship candidate, Capt. Emmanuel Ihenacho, yesterday sold their manifestos to students of the Imo State University, at a debate organised by the Department of Political Science.

Two of the 11 governorship candidates participated in the debate witnessed by top officials of the institution, students and politicians.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate and House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha, Osmond Ukanacho of the United People’s Party (UPP) and Ken Ojiri of the Accord were absent.

Ihenacho promised to create jobs for unemployed graduates.

The APGA candidate, who was inter-

•Ihedioha, Ukanacho, Ojiri boycott exercise From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

mittently disrupted by the students, who chanted pro-Okorocha slogans, slammed the free education programme of the government, saying it was not backed by policies, which could create jobs for students after graduation.

According to him, “education is not an end, but a means to an end. It is not enough to give youths education but to ensure they are engaged after graduation. Otherwise, the programme will amount to nothing. What we will do when we take over is to build industries that will employ graduates.”

The Imo governor, who mounted the podium after Ihenacho, said the APGA candidate had no justification to pick

holes in his free education programme, noting that the other 10 candidates combined did not have the capacity to offer free education.

He recalled that before his emergence as the governor, education was the exclusive reserve of the rich, adding that the trend was reversed by his administration.

Said Okorocha: “You all know that before now, education was meant for the children of the rich. But today, the children of the rich and the poor go to school.

If you combine Ihedioha, Ihenacho, Udenwa and other candidates, they cannot offer free education. So, what does Ihenacho have to say about the free education programme?”

‘Party buying cards to disenfranchise voters’

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HE Abia State Commissioner for Information, Dr. Anthony Agbazuere, has alleged that one of the parties has begun house-tohouse buying of voter cards to clone them, disenfranchise the electorate and rig elections.

Addressing reporters in Umuahia on the outcome of the executive council (exco) meeting, he alleged that the party and its agents asked the electorate at Item in Bende Local Government to sell their cards.

Agbazuere said the matter

From Ugochukwu Ugoji-Eke, Umuahia

was being investigated and urged voters to resist selling their cards for any amount.

He said the exco congratulated Governor Theodore Orji for hosting the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) presidential and governorship campaign in Umuahia, noting that many people attended the event, following the governor’s achievements.

The commissioner hailed the people for their turnout

at the rally.

He said government awarded contracts for the installation of super solar-powered traffic lights at junctions in Umuahia, at the cost of N110million, to control traffic.

They are expected to cover Okpara Square, Federal Medical Centre (FMC), IsigateUmuwaya, BCA, Uzuakoli Road junctions and Government House roundabout.

Agbazuere assured that the projects would be completed before the end of the tenure of the Orji administration.

Church starts fasting, prayer THE annual fasting and prayer for the country have begun at Glorious Light Christian Chapel.

The programme started on January 5 and will end on Sunday.

The host minister, Apostle Synod Aguguam, quoting from Job 38:12-13, said the programme was to seek the face of God and receive miracles, adding that it would hold at 1B, Aina Abiodun Street, by United Estate 2nd Gate, off Ojodu-Akute Road, Alagbole, Lagos State.

He said Pastor Deepak Dhongde and others clerics are expected to minister.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015

58

NEWS

Bayelsa police chief kicks over threats on First Lady •Promises to deal with erring youths

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AYELSA State Commissioner of Police Mr. V a l e n t i n e Ntomchukwu yesterday warned some youth groups threatening to disgrace the First Lady Dame Patience Jonathan, if she accompanied her husband to Yenagoa for the February 5 presidential rally of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Two youth groups, under the aegis of the Bayelsa Youth Vanguard (BYV) and the Mangrove Boys of Bayelsa (MBB), in statements in Abuja and Yenagoa, dared First Lady to attend the rally.

The youth, who accused Mrs. Jonathan of instigating a political crisis in the state and working against Governor Seriake Dickson, vowed

From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

to embarrass and disgrace her at the rally.

But, Ntomchukwu, while addressing reporters in Yenagoa, urged the public to disregard the threat, saying it was the handiwork of faceless groups.

He said: “I want to appeal to the public to come out and welcome the President and the First Lady who have done so much for this country. So, these miscreants cannot disrupt the peace of Bayelsa.

“We have been enjoying peace and even on that day we will be celebrating because it is the day the President is coming not as PDP but as the President of Nigeria.

So, they cannot come and

undermine the President in his home.”

He said the police would provide security for the First Lady and other political groups visiting the state for rallies, campaigns and legitimate businesses.

He asked the BYV and the MBB to desist from making provocative and inciting statements capable of puncturing the peace in the state.

His words: “The police will deal, decisively, according to the extant laws, any such groups when arrested. I want to assure you that we are trailing the mangrove boys anywhere they may be.

“So, my advice is that these boys should just go away from the state because since they have done this publica-

tion, they have put themselves on a firing line and we are definitely going to pursue them.

“We are operating with intelligence and the agencies are at our disposal. As soon as we catch them, they will face the wrath of the law.

Even though they are faceless, any time they become visible we are definitely going to deal with them.

“We are asking well-meaning Nigerians to come forward and give information not only on these boys but on all criminal activities. We have identified them by their names and we are trailing them.

“They call themselves Mangrove Boys, so we are going to follow up on any information about mangrove boys, anything about creek activities, anything about underworld activities in the creeks and we will beam our light on them. I am warning them to please give peace a chance because once we get them, we will deal with them according to the law.”

PDP has always rigged out Ogboru, says Omo-Agege

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FORMER Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant and Labour Party’s (LP’s) senatorial candidate in Delta State, Obarisi Ovie Omo-Agege, has said the party’s governorship candidate, Chief Great Ogboru, was robbed of past victories.

He spoke in Warri on Wednesday at the launch of the LP governorship campaign.

The one-time secretary to the Delta State government said he was one of those who worked against the emergence of Ogboru through “PDP’s rigging pattern”.

Omo-Agege, now flying the flag of the LP for the Delta Central Senatorial District, said: “I have made my own judgment that Ogboru is the best material at this time to lead this fight for change and I can tell you this because I know in the past the man has won elections, but he’s been deprived. I can tell you that because I’ve been in PDP. All the elections the man has contested from the rerun early 2011 and later in 2011, the man has won all those elections but he’s been

From Bolaji Ogundele, Warri

deprived.”

Speaking at the campaign ground at the Warri Stadium, Omo-Agege added: “Ogboru has always won the governorship elections in the past. I know this because I was in the PDP when all the wayo was being done.”

LP’s National Chairman Comrade Abdulkadir Salam said Ogboru would lead the state to greater heights.

He said: “Through Ogboru, you will get empowerment. You will be delivered from the people using the money for your education for their own welfare.

He will ensure that development goes to every nook and cranny of Delta State.”

The party’s state Chairman, Tony Ezeagwu, expressed delight seeing the crowd, stating that Ogboru was the messiah sent to change the state.

“The messiah has come to change Delta State. We all believe that the change we have been yearning for a long time has come and the man to bring that change is Great Ovedje Ogboru.”

I’ll continue with Akpabio’s agenda, says Emmanuel

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•Peterside (left) and his running mate, Honourable Asita (right) and Eze S. N. Nwaeke, the Eze Umuihueze I Ndoki (Ononakume II) when they visited him as part of their campaign.

My support for Peterside is total, says Abe

T

HE Chairman, Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream) and Rivers South East Senatorial candidate on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has said his support for the party’s governorship candidate, Dakuku Peterside is total.

Abe said Peterside remained the best governorship candidate. He spoke at Oyigbo Local Government Area Secretariat during an APC rally, which attracted members and supporters across Oyigbo.

“In Rivers State, we have made up our minds, our next governor is Dr. Dakuku Peterside. My name is Magnus Ngei Abe and I am supporting Dr. Dakuku Peterside 100 per cent. That matter is settled and I have my reasons why I am supporting him.

“The first reason is that I know him. With Dr. Peterside, Rivers State is safe; the state will be in safe and competent hands. We have a governor we can talk to and he will listen to us because he is our friend and brother.

Therefore, the issue of governorship in Rivers State is settled.

“Then there is also the is-

Rivers monarch: APC fair to all

H

IS Royal Majesty, Robinson O. Robinson, Eze Ekpeye Logbo in Rivers State has hailed the All Progressives Congress (APC) for being fairminded and sensitive in its dealings with Nigerians.

He spoke at Ekpeye House in Ahoada during a visit by the governorship candidate of the APC, Dr Dakuku Peterside and members of the APC. The monarch, who described Peterside as a candidate of equity and justice, said but for the APC, the people of Rivers would have been led into another form of slavery.

He called on every true son and daughter of Rivers State to reject the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate because he is a product of impunity.

Rivers State, he argued, cannot afford to From Precious Dikewoha, Port Harcourt

sue of equity. We cannot have Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi as governor for eight years and then another Ikwerre man for another eight years. The name of this state is Rivers State; it belongs to all of us.

“Power must move round.

If it does not move round, it will not get to other people.

We are going to use our votes to move power away from Ikwerre.

“The third reason is that with Dr Peterside we are sure he will consolidate on

produce two governors for 16 years from one particular ethnic group.

“Rivers State is not only a multi-ethnic group, it is also divided into Upland and Riverine. A situation where one particular ethnic group continues to dominate government is unfair and unacceptable. We therefore endorse APC because it is a just and fair party.

“We have no reason to support one ethnic group that is perceived to be dominating other parts of our state. More so, we must support our son, who is the deputy governor-designate because the entire Ekpeye Kingdom and Orashi will be remembered.”

Eze Ekpeye Logbo led 46 other Ekpeye rulers to receive Peterside in Ahoada. The rulers wished him success.

the achievements of Governor Amaechi. Other persons who are in this race will destroy all we have laboured to build these years because of ego, pride and selfishness.”

Rivers APC Chairman Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya called on Nigerians to punish the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the party’s 16-year misrule in Nigeria.

According to Ikanya, the PDP represents retrogression, poverty, corruption, underdevelopment and an ugly past that must be

changed “if we hope to make progress as a country.”

He warned that the February elections are too important to be decided on reasons of tribal sentiments and emotions. He said Nigeria and Rivers State had suffered neglect and intimidation under PDP’s incompetent rulers.

“We must ignore their propaganda. We must vote for General Buhari, Peterside and all our candidates because our liberation begins with them.”

HE Akwa Ibom State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, has pledged to continue with the “uncommon transformation agenda” of Governor Godswill Akpabio.

Emmanuel spoke during PDP governorship campaign at Ikot Ekpene stadium. He promised to carry out a census of unemployed youths in order to employ them in the fields of different jobs that would be created by his administration.

He promised to carry the widows and women along in Ikot Ekpene. He said he would establish Ikot Ekpene International Market.

Akpabio said propaganda would not stop the PDP from winning. He said: “As a PDP state, we won’t allow propaganda to come into our state through opposition parties.

Marginalisation has been ruled out from Akwa Ibom state. Indeed, PDP has brought transformation to our state and our country through industrialisation, so therefore PDP is owned by all of you and not by an individual”.

He said he was impressed by the turn out of PDP faith-

ful for the campaign, and stressed that the crowd at the event was an indication that the people of Ikot Ekpene love and support him.

Akpabio paid homage to the Paramount Ruler of Ikot Ekpene, Edidem Okuku Augustus Assiak at his residence and presented Emmanuel to him as the next governor of the state.

The state PDP Chairman, Mr. Paul Ekpo, who presented flags to candidates contesting for the House of Assembly, House of Representatives and Senate, said Ikot Ekpene would vote and support PDP in the elections.

•Emmanuel

President’s sister for burial today

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RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan’s younger sister, Mrs. Nancy Jonathan-Olei, who died on Sunday, January 4, is to be buried today in Otuoke, Bayelsa State.

A statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, said Mrs. Jonathan-Olei’s body will leave the Otuoke Comprehensive Hospital Mortuary at 9 am for her residence in Otuoke, according to a funeral programme issued on behalf of the Jonathan and Otazi families.

Mrs. Jonathan-Olei’s remains, the statement said, would be received by her family and moved to the Dame Patience Jonathan

Square for a Service of Songs scheduled at 10 am.

It reads: “A funeral service for the late Mrs. JonathanOlei will be held at the St. Stephen’s Anglican Church at 1 pm after which her remains will be interred.”

“President Jonathan is scheduled to participate fully in Mrs. Jonathan-Olei’s burial programme,” it added.

The deceased is survived by her children, grand-children and siblings, including President Jonathan, Sir Ariolo Ebele Jonathan, Mr. Evans Jonathan, Madam Obebhatein Jonathan, Mrs. Dorcas Awo, Mrs. Stella Donald, Mrs. Aziboni Abuge and Miss Dagao-apu Jonathan.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015

59

NEWS

Aliyu planning to rig by imposing results, says APC

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HE Niger State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday said the call by Governor Babangida Aliyu that the people should accept any result declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in next month’s general elections was an indication that the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was planning to rig and declare fake results.

APC’s State Publicity Secretary Jonathan Vatsa alleged in a statement in Minna, the state capital, that the party “viewed the comment by the Governor as not only undemocratic but a clear message to Nigerlites and

•Governor: hold APC responsible for violence From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

indeed Nigerians that the PDP had made up its mind to declare any result and want Nigerians to accept it in good faith”.

But Aliyu said his call for the people to accept the results declared by INEC was misconstrued.

The governor accused the opposition of fanning the embers of violence.

Aliyu, when he hosted the Federation of Advocates for Fair, Credible and Peaceful Election, led by Alhaji Tanko Yakassai, on Wednesday, said the people must accept the results of next month’s

elections because “power belongs to God and he chooses who to give”.

Vatsa noted that by the governor’s utterances, the PDP was planning to rig the polls.

The APC spokesman noted that the ruling party had no hope of winning the elections in a free and fair contest, following the rising profile of APC in the state.

He added that the PDP’s hopes of retaining power had been further shattered by last Monday’s defection of its members, led by Deputy Governor Ahmed Musa Ibeto to the APC. Vatsa alleged that the PDP,

in collaboration with the INEC, the Department of State Security Service (DSS) and other security agencies, planned to declare fictitious results, contrary to the people’s votes.

The spokesman said APC would not accept any result that did not represent the people’s votes, adding that “enough is enough of election rigging in this country”.

He said: “We want to also appeal to our supporters, who are yearning for a genuine change from bad governance at all levels in this country, to ensure that they collect their PVCs. They

Death wish advert: ‘Jonathan should apologise’

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NORTHERN group, The Northern Youth Leaders Forum (NYLF), has given President Goodluck Jonathan a sevenday ultimatum to publiclly apologise to the people in the region over the death wish advert by Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose, against the All

Ahmed: Fed Govt has failed Kwara

From Barnabas Manyam, Yola

Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, or lose all the votes in the North’s 19 states.

The NYLF frowned at the advertisement, which was placed on the front pages of two national newspapers on Monday by Fayose to canvass support for Jonathan with a Bible quotation.

In a statement by its National Chairman,

Comrade Elliot Afiyo, the forum said if Jonathan failed to apologise within the seven days and call Fayose to order, the President and his the PDP would lose the North’s votes in next month’s elections.

The statement said: “We consider this act as a deliberate and conscious attempt to cause chaos in the country in order to call for election postponement; more so that it is coming from a leader and member of the ruling PDP. The silence from

PDP and the Presidency has given credence to this belief that the death wish advert was actually the handiwork of the Presidency and not that of Fayose alone.”

It added: “In this regard, we wish to state clearly that as much as the forum is trying to cool the overstretched nerves of Northern youths, it is absolutely necessary that the President personally dissociates himself clearly from this advert.”

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WARA State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed has said the Federal Government, controlled by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has failed the state.

The governor said the Federal Government has no achievement to point at in the state.

Ahmed spoke yesterday at Patigi, Kpada and Lade towns in Patigi Local Government Area during the All Progressives Congress (APC) campaigns.

The governor noted that the lack of Federal Government’s presence in the state, especially in the provision and development of infrastructure, became prevalent in the last six years of the Goodluck Jonathan administration.

He urged the people to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) before the end of this month to enable them vote for a progressive Federal Government under the APC. During a visit to the Etsu of Patigi, Alhaji Ibrahim Chatta Umar, the governor noted that if Nigerians failed to collect their PVCs, they would not be able to change the nation’s administration for the better.

should come out to vote and protect their votes to end the years misery in the state and the country.

“APC also wants to appeal to all its supporters not to be lured into selling their voter’s cards for any amount because that is the only weapon they can use to effect a genuine and positive change in the state and the country.”

But the government, through the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Israel Ebije, accused the APC of planning to cause trouble during the elections.

It said: “How can the statement of Governor Aliyu, calling on Nigerlites to eschew violence and accept the outcome of the next general elections, be viewed as plans to rig? It is indeed very sad for any responsible political party to be directing the thinking of its supporters towards a violent poll, despite efforts by the leadership of the PDP and APC at the centre to have peaceful elections.

“It must, therefore, be made categorically clear that the Niger State chapter of the APC is preparing for a violent poll. We must, therefore, hold them responsible, especially now that the party is blackmailing the governor, the PDP and INEC, even before the elections.”

PHOTO: NAN

Fire razes students’ hostels, store in Jigawa

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From Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse

The head of the one of the rescue teams and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) State Commandant Muhammad Gidado said three of the hostels were razed on Wednesday, at 9am, when the students were in class.

The NSCDC chief explained that three other hostels were burnt yesterday when mysterious fires started in them at 3am.

But he said nobody died in the incidents.

Gidado said students’ property were burnt in the fire.

According to him, the cause

of the fire was suspected to be electrical, because no kerosene stove or cooking gas was found during investigation into the incident.

Gidado said a combined team of the NSCDC and fire fighters prevented the fire from spreading to other buildings in the school.

Kwara governorship candidates to sign peace pact

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HEAD of next month’s general elections, the governorship candidates and party chairmen in Kwara State will tomorrow sign a peace accord, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said.

The State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr Emmanuel Onucheyo, spoke on the development yesterday in Ilorin, the state capital, at a stakeholders’ meeting.

He urged political parties

•INEC distributes 711,920 PVCs Kwara From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

and politicians to conduct themselves peacefully.

Onucheyo said INEC had distributed 711,920 permanent voter cards (PVCs) of the 1,032,970 received in the state.

The REC said the figure represented 69 per cent of the total PVCs collected, adding that the cards for participants in the continuous voter registration were being processed.

The stakeholders’ session

was attended by representatives of the political parties, security agencies, labour unions, among others.

Onucheyo said two polling units in Ekiti Local Government Area, where PVCs were snatched, were being processed for replacement.

The REC urged the residents to collect their PVCs, adding that those without the card would not be allowed to vote.

He said: “The PVCs of CVR and transfer cases are also be-

ing processed. They will be distributed as soon as they are received from the national headquarters. Card readers will be used in the 2015 general elections for accreditation.”

On the by-election into the House of Assembly, the REC explained that after consultation, it was resolved that the general elections had overtaken it.

In June last year, the lawmaker representing Kaiama

From James Azania, Lokoja

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GROUP, under the aegis of Kogi for Change (K4C), has begun the “One-on-One” and “Face-to-Face” campaign to enable the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, win next month’s elections.

The initiative, according to K4C’s Convener Tom Ohikere, would enable Gen. Buhari to have at least one million votes in the February 14 election.

Inaugurating the campaign committee yesterday in Lokoja, the state capital, Ohikere said K4C was spreading on the APC presidential candidate and the Kogi public.

The convener said the organisation was introducing “One-on-One” and “Face-to-Face” campaign strategies to educate the people about the positive change APC stands for.

Benue APC takes campaign to Zakibiam From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

T •Director, Department of State Security (DSS), Plateau State, Mr Adekunle Ajanaku; Rev. Blaise Agwom and Archbishop of Archdiocese of Jos, Rev. Ignatius Kaigama, at a security meeting with communitiy chiefs, religious leaders and youth leaders on the February general elections in Jos ... yesterday.

IX students’ hostels and store of the Federal Government College (FGC) in Kazaure, Jigawa State, have been razed.

But the source of the fire could not be confirmed at the time of filing this report last night.

It was learnt that the fire occurred on two occasions.

Kogi group targets one million votes for Buhari

state constituency, Haliru Mohammed, died.

Onucheyo urged stakeholders to ensure free, fair and peaceful elections.

Police Commissioner Salihu Garuba, who was represented by Deputy Commissioner of Police Zanna Ibrahim, said the force was committed to peaceful polls.

The state Director of the State Security Service (SSS), Mr. Alkali Tanimu, promised that security agencies would be neutral, fair and professional in their conduct.

HE Benue State All Progressives Congress (APC) supporters yesterday converged on Zakibiam i Ukum Local Government Area for the kick-off of the party’s campaign in Benue Northeast Senatorial District.

Over 5,000 former members of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by a former member of the House of Assembly, Douglas Begh, defected to APC. Former PDP National Chairman Barnabas Gemade was presented with the APC flag as the party’s senatorial candidate for Benue Northeast.

UACN’s chair Udo Udoma’s mum dead

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ADY Grace Udo Udoma, the matriarch of the famous Udo Udoma family of Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom State, has died. She was 87.

Lady Udoma, the wife of the late Sir Justice Udo Udoma, a former Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria and former Chief Justice of Uganda, died on January 17.

She is the mother of Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, the chairman of the board of directors of the UAC of Nigeria (UACN) Plc and Union Bank of Nigeria (UBN) Plc. Udo Udoma was a former chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Lady Udoma, a wellloved community and women leader, was active in the Methodist Church of Nigeria.

She is survived by six children and several grandchildren, including Mr. Ayanti Udo Udoma, Mr. Inam Udo Udoma, both business executives.

She will be buried in Ikot Abasi on February 6.

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THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015

NEWS Buhari promises efficient infrastructure

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HE All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate Muhammadu Buhari yesterday assured Nigerians of functional infrastructure if elected.

Speaking during his campaign in Sokoto, he promised to tap the nation’s min-

•Sokoto stand still for APC candidate From Adamu Suleiman, Sokoto

eral resources for the benefit of all.

He also pledged to wage anti-corruption war and ensure the judicious use of recovered funds.

Buhari said: “We will also partner with the state government to boost agriculture; ensure provision of potable water and efficient health care delivery.

“Our concern is to provide better maternal and child healthcare services for the grassroots”, he said.

The Kangiwa square where the campaign was held was jampacked by Buhari’s supporters who swept the venue before the rally.

The sweeping was to “cleanse” the square of the effect of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s rally the previous day.

Many, including school children, who took advantage of the work free day declared by the government, thronged the venue in large numbers.

They came as early as 7am.

Buhari pledged to overhaul the security system and give more attention to the military to curb insurgency.

“We will make our security agencies the pride of our survival by ensuring adequate attention is giving to them in terms of welfare and equipment so that we can sleep with our eyes closed”,

he said.

Governor Aliyu Wamakko rejected calls by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki for the shift of next month’s election.

He described Dasuki’s call as unwarranted, adding: “APC and Nigerians are ready for the conduct of February elections.”

“It is clear that they are afraid. The rights and wishes of Nigerians must be respected if we are sincere as a democratic nation”.

It took Buhari over five hours to reach Sokoto from Gusau, the Zamfara state capital, where he held a rally the previous day.

The young and the old gathered to catch a glimpse of Buhari and his running mate, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.

The crowd stopped them enroute Sokoto, demanding to be addressed.

•A scene from the PDP campaign rally in Bauchi...yesterday PHOTO: AUSTINE TSENZUGHUL

Saudi King Abdullah dies at 91

S

AUDI King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, 91, has died in hospital, the state television announced early this morning.

The announcement said his brother, Salman, had become king.

Before the announcement, Saudi television cut to

Koranic verses, which often signifies the death of a senior royal.

King Abdullah had been in hospital for several weeks suffering from a lung infection.

The king came to the throne in 2005 but had suffered frequent bouts of ill health in recent years.

Lagos deserves 1% special fund, says senatorial candidate AGOS should get at least one per cent from the Federation Account to take care of its special needs, the Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Public Account Solomon Olamilekan Adeola has said.

Adeola, who is the All Progressives Congress (APC) Lagos West Senatorial candidate urged the electorate to be agents of change with their votes.

Addressing a Town Hall meeting of traditional rulers, community leaders, groups and various trade bodies at Ojo Local Government in continuation of his campaign, Adeola said on election day, voters should remember the suffering and hardship they had endured

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in the last 16 years of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rule, adding that they should use their votes to change Nigeria for the future generation. .“My coming here to meet you personally is to assure you that the seat belongs to you and I am going to represent you and not myself. I am here to tell you that I am the most qualified for this position with my 12 years cognate legislative experience at both the state and national legislature” he said.

The APC senatorial candidate said he would fight for the special status for Lagos state as the commercial capital of Nigeria that should get at least 1% special Fund from the Federal government. He said Abuja , the Federal Capital Territory, is getting 2%.

Adeola also said he would fight for the listing and recognition of 37 LCDAs as Local Government in Nigeria Constitution.

He promised to replicate the good representation he is reputed for in Alimosho where he has embarked on numerous community development initiatives, educational development of youth through provision of free GCE and JAMB forms, free healthcare, provision of transformers and boreholes as well as employment opportunities.

The Ojo Traditional Rulers in Council Chairman, Chief Saliu Balogun, said Adeola’s records in Alimosho is a pointer to the fact that he would perform at the senate if given the chance.

PDP has run out of lies against Buhari, says Oshiomhole

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DO State Governor Adams Oshiomhole believes the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has run out of lies and is fishing for new ones, “having failed with the school certificate lie they tried to pin on the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Gen. Muhammadu Buhari”.

Oshiomhole, who spoke during an inspection of road projects which culminated in a campaign at the Egor market in Upper Siluko area of the state capital, said: “I’m happy that you people are following what is happening and one young man said even Buhari doesn’t have a school certificate, if it’s just a NEPA bill he presents as certificate, it’s enough and the people will vote for him.

“Another said the other man has a doctorate in Zoology, but we can’t even get fish on our table. The truth is that everybody is tired.

“Today in this market, I’m sure you don’t have light. We have provided the electric poles and the transformer, but they will not give us light.

“So, the only solution is, after 16 years of PDP, they have exhausted their lies. We have to bring General Buhari be-

cause we want a leader with courage. When he says, ‘I will do’. He will do it. He is not a leader that will promise during campaigns, but will disappear after the campaigns.

“Today in Edo, they have enriched a few individuals, and they are telling us they are going to bring a lot of money to buy our votes. When they bring the money, collect it. It’s the money they stole from you.

But we will not vote for them.”

The governor urged the people, who have not collected their Permanent Voter Cards (PVC) to do so by going to the nearest INEC office at the local government area so as to be able to vote for APC candidates at all levels.

Spokesman of Egor Market, Mr. Egbon Edowonyi, said: “When PDP was in power, they could not fix this road.

They referred to it as waterside and blamed it on what they called mermaid. But you came; we do not know how you removed the mermaid and got the road fixed.”

On his part, Mr. Elvis Osamede said: “What the PDP is trying to do at the Federal level in relation to Buhari certificate, if at the end of the day, it is only NEPA bill that General Buhari has, Egor people are

•Oshiomhole

ready to vote for APC. All we are clamouring for is change.

“The people of Egor want to restate their commitment to vote for APC because since you came, we have been able to know the difference between light and darkness. We do not need to be told; it is quite obvious that those people that need change will support change in the political space of Nigeria.”

Oshiomhole then said: “The truth is that PDP never wanted to work. So, they find excuse to take the money without doing the job and today, you have seen by yourselves what is happening. And very soon, the road will be asphalted with streetlights. This will enable those who want to trade at night to carry out their trading activities”.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015

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TODAY IN THE NATION

FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

‘But who is it that actually listens? Who are those whose lives we impact by our pretentious lines and mercantile intellectualisation? The trodden perhaps or could it be our benefactors in power?’

VOL.10 NO. 3104

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

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LECTION seasons never disappoint.

There is always something entertaining or distressing, some inspiring words that rise above the fray or some gutter language that defies logic and decency. There are admirable efforts to build bridges and unify, just as there are rabble-rousing charlatans on behalf of maintaining the fault lines and divisions of ethnicity and religion that prevent national advancement. Add to this the mix of genuinely self-sacrificing motive to solve problems that lead some to present themselves for leadership position and the self-serving and egoistic urge that drives their supporters who fail to speak truth to power but engage in character assassination on behalf of their parties and candidates. All these have been represented in this election season.

Democracy is an expensive experiment in governance. Resource-wise, it is more expensive than a dictatorship of any kind—military, monarchical, or theocratic. For one thing, with any of the latter, you don’t worry about ballot boxes, PVCs, or trillions in campaign expenses. Democracy is also a system that brings out the best and the worst in human and national character. For many would-be leaders, there is no no-go zone in their bid to win an election. There was the legendary political warlord of Ibadan who upon being solicited for support by a prospective candidate asked the latter if he could lie or kill. For this infamous warlord the real test of political fitness is the readiness of a politician for maximum evil. While this is by no means essential to the democratic system, there is no denying the fact that it has become one of its enduring features. But as Lincoln would say, we may think that this makes democracy a flawed system until we compare it with the alternatives.

Putting ordinary folks in charge of making their choice of leaders is an incomparable good. And for whatever this is worth, the system also allows us to see human beings, including prospective leaders and their supporters, as they truly are. And in this season, we have seen a lot.

On January 15, Governor Fayose of Ekiti was widely reported as having alleged that Buhari has “health problems.” We were not told of the basis of the allegation. Fayose is not a physician. But he issued a statement which was made available to the media.

“Why is Obasanjo going after an old horse that may collapse mid-way?” the statement asked. “Nigerians should know the state of health of Buhari. His age and health cannot stand the rigours of the office. Nigerians deserve to know the health status of Buhari,”

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IME for strategic calculationsIn exactly 18 days, Nigerians will go to what promises to be an historic presidential election in her annals. There is no doubt that this exercise on February 14, 2015 will change the political and socio-economic configurations of our dear country, Nigeria whichever way the pendulum swings. This is the time for geo-political zones to make strategic calculations and pitch for desired positions in the coming dispensation.

As incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and General MohammaduBuhari (retired) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), two frontrunners in the coming election slug it out, where does Ndigbo stand? As a proudnwafor, I will be remiss to stand aloof and tell you, my brethren, that it does not matter how we vote on that day or that the outcome would be insignificant. No, Nigeria has a lot at stake and every ethnic bloc has something to gain or lose depending on how it votes. Let no one deceive you about this fact.

Will Ndigbo swim and sink with Jonathan?

In 2011, the Southeast cast the highest per centage of votes for President Jonathan’s election to office. Ndigbo voted him for various sentimental reasons that we all know too well, but understandably so.

Now, with first term about ending, should Ndigbo vote overwhelmingly for President Jonathan once more? Let us answer by saying that there is need for circumspection; there is need for wisdom and there is need to ask a few critical questions. Let us also add that it is insulting that it is being taken for granted that Ndigbo would blindly throw their votes at Jonathan. That must never be the case.

Circumspection: It was not Igbo vote alone that earned Jonathan presidency in 2011. Igbo vote alone cannot win presidential election in Nigeria, so since we are a collective, we

SEGUN GBADEGESIN gbadegesin@thenationonlineng.net

Campaign clowns, zonal zealots and partisan priests (1) the statement adds.

Notice here the combination, in the muddled thinking of a state governor, of a clearly legitimate inquiry about the health status of a candidate for the Office of the President, and a clearly absurd and baseless emphatic statement that appears to answer the inquiry with his own verdict: “His age and health cannot stand the rigours of the office.” If the governor sincerely wanted to know the status of the health of Buhari, like any other Nigerian, he can ask from Buhari’s campaign organization.

But Fayose is not after the truth; he is into playing God, as his next move clearly attested.

Buhari has an invitation from a United States Non-Governmental Organization to discuss his vision of Nigeria to an audience outside the shores of the country. Fayose and his aides, not wanting to miss an opportunity for political blackmail, decided to invoke the proverbial rain on Buhari’s parade. He is sick, they insisted, and the only reason he planned a United States trip was to see a doctor. They even allegedly faked a medical report with a diagnosis of prostate cancer! How much lower can Fayose go?

At that point, the PDP saw no evil. Indeed, the party apparently embraced Fayose’s aggressive tactic. For shortly after Fayose’s statement and following APC’s rebuttal claiming that “GMB is as fit as fiddle,” the PDP Presidential Campaign Organization called a news conference asking Buhari to “clear the air on issues surrounding his health.” Speaking on behalf of his party, Mr. Fani-Kayode insisted

’

At that point, the PDP saw no evil. Indeed, the party apparently embraced Fayose’s aggressive tactic.

‘

that PDP “would prefer that General Buhari himself clears the air and tells Nigerians himself that he is not mortally ill (my emphasis).

Continuing, Fani-Kayode said that “the rumour that he (Buhari) is suffering from prostate cancer is exceptionally worrying and it is incumbent upon each and every one of us to pray for him if this rumour is true.”

Now, this is of course, hogwash. PDP doesn’t think that anyone believes that it wishes Buhari well or that it is sincere about prayers for him. Note that at the same news conference Fani-Kayode made “reference to the health of late President Umaru Yar’Adua who died in office in 2010" as reason for the party’s worry.

This was on Sunday, January 18.

Fast forward to Monday, January 19 and Nigerians of various backgrounds were alarmed by the distasteful advert that confirms Fayose’s death wish on Buhari. “Ba ba n ja bii ti ka ku ko” is a Yoruba Omoluabi philosophy

STEVE OSUJI

EXPRESSO

steve.osuji@yahoo.com

•Columnist of the Year (NMMA)

Must Ndigbo sink with Jonathan? must be mindful where majority of our compatriots are leaning so that we do not end up being alone and lonely when the votes are counted.

Wisdom: no one can stop a moving train. If there is a national consensus that the time has come for a change, there is little Igbo vote can do to change that. If the overall mood of the nation is that of an urgent need for a change of dispensations, if there is a groundswell, a momentum sweeping through the land, then commonsense dictates that you cannot swim against the tide lest you sink.

Critical questions: And if Ndigbo are bent on sinking with Jonathan (assuming he is truly under the water gasping for breath), the logical thing is to ask ourselves: why do we want to sink with Jonathan?One, has he run the country well enough? Two, has he fulfilled his promises to Nigerians and in particular, Ndigbo? If the answer to these questions is yes, then let’s vote him even against the tide of a negative electoral prospect. But if nay, it would be foolhardy, if not sheepish to insist on voting him just because he has asked us to or because he is our ‘brother’.

One: Has he run the country well? In other

words, has he provided leadership; has he shown that he truly understands the import and significance of the number one job in the land? These questions are deeper than they seem. There are leaders but few can truly lead a country well. Few have the capacity, the acumen and the gravitas to hold a country together for four years. My submission is that President Jonathan has not proven that he can lead Nigeria. He appears a man of good heart and gracious spirit (especially when he is not politicking) but leadership is made of “sterner stuff”, to chip in a bit of Shakespeare. President Jonathan’s ability to lead Nigeria or lack thereof is a topic for another day. Let’s note for now, that he has fallen short of our expectations.

Of leadership and achievementDid he fulfill his promises? It is incredulous when some people outline rehabilitation of railways, airports, Benin-Ore Express road, etc. as some key achievements of this administration. Apart from the fact that these are paltry for a nearly six-year effort, right-thinking people know it is not about the effort but the vision, the strategies, the deliverables, the costs and overall

OLA TUNJI OL OLADE OLATUNJI OLOLADE

which simply means that whatever disagreement there is between us is nothing where death or its potential is at stake.

Beside mocking past leaders who died in office, Fayose’s advert places a question mark on Buhari suggesting that he could be next.

That Fayose is a cad is no longer in doubt. But the party that nominated him and gave him access to political power at the highest level of a state has some explanation to offer. This time, PDP disassociates itself from Fayose’s advert without admitting that it has edged him on and encouraged him all along. There is not a doubt that it is his capacity for this kind of recklessness, perverse reasoning and boorishness that recommended him to the party leadership in the first place. To disown him now is as dishonest as it is empty. After all, he is still on the National Presidential Campaign Committee, isn’t he?

In the matter of the big deal about paper qualification, it is amazing that with all the well-oiled attorneys at its disposal, PDP can focus for so long on a non-issue. But it is clear why this is a “big deal” for the party at this time. Buhari has a good chance of winning the election and if he can be stopped, God forbid, through death or legal disqualification on account of not possessing a “school certificate or its equivalent” it would be such a relief for PDP. The logical question is how is it that it has not occurred to the party that having attended so many professional institutions including the United States War College, Buhari’s paper qualification is not in doubt? And how is it that PDP lawyers have not been able to concede the futility of their course and be reconciled to Part IV Article 318 of the 1999 Constitution, which provides a copious interpretation for terms, concepts, and words that are not expressly provided for in the various sections? One of such is “School Certificate or its equivalent” which has any of four meanings, including the following: “Primary Six School Leaving Certificate or its equivalent and (i) service in the public or private sector in the Federation in any capacity acceptable to the Independent National Electoral Commission for a minimum of ten years; and (ii) attendance at courses and training in such institutions as may be acceptable to the Independent National Electoral Commission for periods totaling up to a minimum of one year— ” Hopefully, the campaign clowns would now focus on issues more serious and ennobling and worthy of the attention of Nigerians.

•For comments, send SMS to 08111813080 impact on the individual and nation as a whole. It’s about leading.

For instance, how can a president deign to be at work when under his bemused watch, corruption is ravaging the land and the damn thing is so odious that the whole world covers its nose because of the foul smell wafting from Nigeria? Examples are legion but a few outstanding ones would suffice.

First, the Petroleum Minister, Mrs. Diezani Alison Madueke is known to have wasted about N10 billion of public funds shuttling and carousing around the world. Note that this is not mere allegation because every flight is logged. But what is pathetic in this is not that a public officer played around with billions of public funds but the fact that she was buffered by the Presidency, the judiciary was suborned thus the National Assembly was cowed and hamstrung from calling her to account.The chain effect is that She did not only soil her office, she dazed the presidency, damaged the judiciary and the NASS. Why would any other minister subject himself to NASS’ oversight after Diezani’s refusal?

Second, how can we speak of any achievement when the economy has virtually been run aground? This administration seems dead on arrival with our strategic national asset – oil and gas - in the hands of an errant and uncontrollable minister? Instead of building new refineries and growing the sector, we have witnessed over four years of unmitigated looting and diversion of our oil and gas resources through dubious importation of products, phantom subsidies, opaque crude oil swaps, stealing and such miasma never experienced in the industry.

Third, one Abba Moro, said to be Minister of Interior organized an employment scam to fleece jobless youths.

•Continued

on page 57

•For comments, send SMS to 08111526725

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