The Nation January 26, 2013

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•The convict being led out of the court... yesterday.

Inset: His wife, Tessy, caves in to emotion after judgment was handed down.

PHOTOS: PAGE 7 Abayomi FAYESE

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THE NATION, SATURDAY, JANUARY 26, 2013

PDP crisis: Tukur moves to break governors’ ranks ...battles to regain party control •Fate of Kema Chikwe, legal N adviser, other NWC members hangs in the balance ATIONAL Chairman of the People’s Demo cratic Party (PDP),Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, has opted to break the ranks of the party’s governors who are currently locked in a battle with him for the soul of the party.

He is also determined to move decisively against some members of the PDP National

Yusuf ALLI, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

Working Committee (NWC) who are unwilling to cooperate with him.

The affected NWC mem-

bers are the National Woman Leader, Dr. Kema Chikwe; the National Legal Adviser, Victor Kwon; the National Youth Leader, Alh. Garba Chiza; and the National Auditor, Chief

Bode Mustapha.

Party sources said yesterday that Tukur had started reaching out to some PDP governors on the need to give his administration a chance and

From left: Special Adviser on Education to Lagos State Governor, Otunba Fatai Olukoga; Senator Ganiyu Solomon; ViceChancellor, Lagos State University, Prof. John Oladapo Obafunwa; and Senator Oluremi Tinubu, during the presentation of the 2012 TETFUND Special Intervention Approval Letter to the Vice-Chancellor at the main campus, Ojo, Lagos.

October 1 bombings: Okah’s associate bags life jail A

Federal High Court, Abuja yesterday sen tenced Edmund Ebiware, an associate of the MEND leader, Henry Okah, to life imprisonment after finding him guilty of complicity in the October 1, 2010 twin-bombings in Abuja.

His conviction was based not on his active participation in the bombing, but because he failed to report the plot to the President or the police.

Ebiware, who broke down in tears after Justice Gabriel Kolawole pronounced judgement, was specifically accused of withholding information on the planned attack by not using reasonable means to leak the information to the President and Peace Officer to foil the planned attack.

"With all my struggle for the Niger Delta, this is what they are using to pay me back.

God is the greatest judge," the convict said.

The prosecution called six witnesses, while the convict was his own witness.

Justice Kolawole said that from the evidence before the court,there was a link between Ebiware and the leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger-Delta (MEND), Henry Okah, ahead of the bombings.

Justice Kolawole cited the analysis of Ebiware's phone call logs as tendered by the PW5, Wasiu Agbaje, and said the convict was in contact with Okah who was convicted in South Africa on Monday for masterminding the Abuja bombings.

The court also relied on the testimony of PW4 who told the court that the accused informed him that Okah was not happy about the Amnesty Programme because some

Kamarudeen OGUNDELE, Abuja

militants were excluded.

The court also recalled the testimony of the PW2 who said the Special Investigation Panel (SIP) set up by the government established that Henry Okah was in constant touch with the convict from the planning stage.

A text message retrieved from his mobile phone reads: "The independence hurricane, I was deeply involved. Shake the nation. Good morning".

The court said the convict, in his statement, explained that by independence hurricane, he meant the independence bomb blasts.

Justice Kolawole said the conviction will serve as a lesson to the larger society because every Nigerian has a duty to ensure peace in the society.

Reviewing the testimony of the witnesses, the trial judge said the Prosecution Witness 4 (name withheld) was the only one with a weighty evidence against the convict. He, however, raised concern on why the PW4 was not charged along with the accused because he had fore-knowledge of the October 1 bomb blasts.

The judge said he would take the witness of the PW4 with caution, but expressed doubt if the defence witness was a witness of truth.

The court said the convict was not consistent in his oral testimony and written statements.

Besides, he said, the convict did not substantiate his claim that Henry Okah threatened him even though he claimed he told his wife.

Okah himself was con-

victed on Monday by a South African court for masterminding the Abuja blasts. He was found guilty on 13 counts related to terrorism.

He also faces life imprisonment.

Once Justice Kolawole pronounced that "the accused is hereby found guilty as charged" yesterday, Ebiware cast a glance at the ceiling and began murmuring.

His counsel, Gordy Uche, pleaded with the court to consider the circumstance in which the accused begged for separate trial to prove his innocence.

"The accused is a young person not up to 35 years. He is married and has two children who are still of tender ages. My lord will see that the accused person on his own volition and believing in his own innocence applied for and granted a separate trial," he said.

He added that Ebiware also had no previous record of conviction. In the sentence, Justice Kolawole said he was touched by the plea for leniency by the defence counsel and the fact that he had no criminal record and has two children of tender ages.

He, however, said the essence of judgment is to serve as deterrent and to seek to reform the convict.

He said:"When court gives sentence, it must make sure it maintains a balance because if the sentence is too harsh the goal of reform may not be achieved".

Justice Kolawole said he was mindful of the sad effects the October 1 bombings had

on the country.

He said: "Perhaps if the convict had reported the case, it would have saved the calamity.

"Many of the victims are yet to recover and may not fully recover from the injuries sustained.

“The convict is hereby sentenced to life imprisonment".

The judge ordered that his two phones should be confiscated as items with which the accused was convicted.

"It is my hope that the convict will shun the company of individuals he cannot guarantee their character. It is a lesson for the larger society," the judge said The judge added that it is the duty of all Nigerians to report suspicious activities that may endanger the peace in the nation.

Others still standing trial on the bombings are Charles Okah and Obi Nwabueze.

The fourth accused person, Tiemkemfa Osuvwo, died in Kuje Prison.

The accused are standing trial over their alleged involvement in the Independent Day Abuja twin-bombings.

The accused are charged for allegedly waging war against the state in order to intimidate President Goodluck Jonathan, an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 37(1) of the Criminal Code, Cap 77 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (LFN) 1990.

They are also accused of terrorism and conspiracy to commit treason, contrary to Section 40 (2) of the Criminal Code CAP 77, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (LFN) 1990.

keep the party united.

The rapprochement,it was gathered , is to enable Tukur secure a simple majority of members for the purpose of convening a meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) to pass a vote of confidence in him.

According to sources, if Tukur succeeds in earning the confidence of the governors, he would have sealed the hope of the sacked National Secretary of the party, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, from regaining his seat.

The PDP governors, most of whom are backing Oyinlola, are looking forward to the NEC of the party to take their pound of flesh from Tukur.

The last meeting of the NEC was held in July 2012 and the fears of a possible vote of no confidence on Tukur has been delaying a fresh session.

It was learnt that some of the PDP governors, including a few ones from the SouthSouth and South-East, have bought into Tukur’s agenda.

But the PDP Chairman and his foot soldiers were not sure of securing majority support from the governors as at press time.

A reliable source said: “Tukur and his loyalists have initiated moves to break the ranks of the PDP governors.

Governor Rotimi Amaechi is alleged to be a powerful force in the PDP Governors’ Forum, but with the deft moves, there might be a split within the ranks very soon.

“It is not known how all matters connected with the running of the party would be presented to the party’s NEC when and if it meets. It is believed that the Tukur camp is waiting for the current situation to thaw while attempts are to be intensified to break the ranks of PDP governors.

“It is also not yet clear how state governors and other stakeholders would be able to contain attempts to sweep the carpets from under their feet through financial inducements to certain strategic members of PDP’s NEC. “Tukur’s special advisers brought from outside are said to be coordinating the moves to finally nail the PDP governors permanently and have advised Tukur to be playing on soothing words to be able to ambush and check the governors when he decides to move.

“The advisers are also said to be prevailing on Tukur to remove the party’s National Woman Leader, Dr. Kema Chikwe; the National Legal Adviser, Victor Kwon; the National Youth Leader, Alh. Garba Chiza; and the National Auditor, Chief Bode Mustapha who are believed not to be on his side.”

Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano State, however, expressed confidence that the party would overcome its present crisis.

He said: “We have 23 out of 36 governors. We have two-thirds of the National Assembly; we have councillors and chairmen everywhere.

So, we have this large number staying in the house. Even with you and your wife, you will find out that it is not honeymoon every day. Some-

times, you disagree or agree; sometimes you disagree to agree or agree to disagree.

“All these things are happening even between you are your wife, we are not talking of a large family or community, and we are not talking of Nigeria .

“So, many things are bound to have caused disagreement between the members, in between the leaders and those at ward level, but PDP has got its own mechanism of settling dispute. I am sure God’s willing, very soon we will come to the end of the dispute and we come and work as a family.”

It was learnt that to cut the NWC members to size, Tukur has decided to integrate most of their deputies into the party’s machinery.

Another source said: “Since the NWC members have supposedly become rebellious, the game plan is to enhance the status and roles of their deputies. I think they are taking advantage of the fact that these deputies were hitherto sidelined in the scheme of things by all NWC members.

They do not attend meetings and they have no operational base at the PDP National Headquarters.

“The PDP NEC is believed to be largely populated by the party’s governors and loyalists. Others being targeted are ex-officio members and state chairmen and secretaries who are perceived to be loyal to PDP governors.

“The arrowhead of the Tukur camp in this regard is a deputy member of the NWC who is aggrieved after being checked of alleged excesses and from illegal usurpation of the responsibilities of the permanent staff of the PDP. “The said deputy became a willing tool because the removed National Secretary, Oyinlola, had taken administrative steps to check him. It is now time to pay Oyinlola back in his own coin.

“But Tukur is stealing the moment by trying to elevate the deputies to NWC members to prevent future rebellion.

“The deputy members of the PDP National Working Committee were, during the week, awarded a monthly allowance of N350,000 to win them over to Tukur’s side in the event of holding a NEC meeting at which occurrences within the party could be discussed and major policy decisions taken.

“To earn the confidence of the deputies to NWC members, they were told that Oyinlola had served as a stumbling block to the payment of their allowances.”

A source in the Oyinlola camp said: “It is most wicked of anybody to say Oyinlola refused to approve funds or allowances for the deputy NWC members without due consideration of the totality of the recommendations made to him.”

ADVERT HOTLINES: 08023006969, 08052592524 NEWSROOM: LAGOS—01-8962807, ABUJA — 07028105302 COMPLAINTS: 01-8930678

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JANUARY 26, 2013

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THE NATION, SATURDAY, JANUARY 26, 2013

Navy Captain Olubolade (retd), Gen. Adebayo (retd), Otunba Adebayo and Governor Fayemi and wife at the funeral service.

Ministers paying their last respects at the graveside.

Ex-Anglican Primate Adetiloye buried amid encomiums

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HE remains of the late Primate of the Anglican Communion, Most Reverend (Dr.) Joseph Adetiloye were buried in his home town, Odo-Owa, Ekiti yesterday. He was buried at St. Paul’s Millenium Anglican Church where the funeral service was also held.

The revered cleric died a few days before his 83rd birthday. The sleepy community witnessed an unprecedented number of visitors in its history as the Christian wake and funeral service were graced by the family members and many others from all walks of life.

The state Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, his wife Dame Fayemi, Police Affairs Minister, Navy Captain Caleb Olubolade (retd), former Governor of Western Region, General Adeyinka Adebayo (retd), former governors of Ekiti State, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, Ayo Fayose and Segun Oni were among dignitaries that were present at the funeral.

Taking his Bible reading from 2 Timothy 4: 7-8, the Primate of the Church, Most Reverend, Nicholas Okoh, admonished the congregation to see the occasion as an opportunity to mend their relationship with their creator.

He said: “Late Adetiloye struggled with man and sin and the elements of the world. He has finished the fight and now at rest. He has entered the eternal presence of God into eternal salvation.

“We are not here to help him, that is not possible now.

We are here to see the possibility of changing our lives to make meaning here and hereafter. If you don’t understand it, I say to you that you need Jesus. You need him to make a case on the last day. If you have not settled with him, this is an opportunity to have a spiritual birth so that your future can have eternal meaning.”

He described the deceased as “a committed and powerful evangelist both locally and internationally. It is by divine arrangement that he is being buried today that we celebrate St. Paul who was a great servant of God. He waged a total war against secret societies and we should not in any way rehabilitate or revive it in the name of religion.”

The widow of the deceased, Titilayo Oyinola, in a chat with newsmen,said she would forever remember him as a man who loved God so

•He was a dependable leader — Jonathan, Fayemi Innocent DURU much. “ He was a lovely and wonderful man of God. He loved to see everybody happy. He could go to any lenght to do this. He wanted fulfilment for everybody in a righteous way,” she said.

Governor Fayemi displayed a rare sense of humility when he was called upon to address the people by calling on Captain Olubolade, the representative of President Goodluck Jonathan to address the congregation.

Addressing the people, Captain Olubolade said: “ As you are aware, President Jonathan travelled and just returned and it an honour for me to represent him. We are gathered here to celebrate him who rose from humble beginning to become the head of the Anglican Communion. He undoubtedly excelled in his assignment while alive. He was a humane and a dependable community leader who was loved in return by people within and outside the country. President Jonathan commiserates with the family, the people of OdoOwa, Ekiti State and the people of Nigeria.”

Governor Fayemi’s respect was, however, rewarded as he was immediately recalled to speak after Captain Olubolade.

“This is a celebration of life that was totally committed in all its sacrificial sense to the work of God. I am privileged to consider myself as one of his sons” the governor said, adding that “the late Primate’s Iddo Declaration speaks to all politicians in this land to declare that never again shall we spill the blood of our people on the altar of politics.

“I, as the governor, stand here to say that I will abide by this declaration. I want to on behalf of the politicians here present and others in the state say that we would all abide by it. I am putting N5million into the service of this church to assist in the propagation of the faith and evangelism which Baba lived and died for.”

In his tribute titled ‘The Primate on a Hill’, the governor described the late cleric as a fearless man who spoke the truth always. He said : “My earliest memories of Baba as we endearingly called him dates back to my days as a student of Christ School, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti, Nigeria. Baba

used to live on top of the famous Agidimo Hill within the school. Baba was an integral part of the school life in that anytime we students ran into trouble with the school authority, the principal would run up to Baba on the hill for intervention. Baba would often come down and mediate in the impasse, ensuring the return of normalcy before he left.

“In the last years of his glorious life, though Baba was a global citizen, he demonstrated his love for the land of honour, Ekiti State, by refusing entreaties from more cosmopolitan states of the federation to settle down in retirement in his native OdoOwa. Baba’s presence in the community no doubt raised its profile, not only consider-

ing the numerous distinguished visitors who paid homage to him, but also on account of him frequently putting his weight seeking solutions to issues that affected his kinsmen.

“In fact, the last time I spoke with him was when he called to discuss details of an ongoing project. However, Baba never laboured the goodwill and love he knew I had for him; majority of the times he called for the purpose of checking on my welfare and praying for me. The people of Ekiti State, Nigeria are extremely glad to have had Baba spend his last years with us.”

Governors Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State and their Ogun State counterpart, Governor Ibikunle Amosun, also paid tributes to the late

indefatigible man of God. In his tribute titled ‘ Uncanny and Photographic Memory, Governor Fashola said: “Primate Adetiloye was truly a man of virtue and greatness.

We are thankful to God for sending us his servant, indebted to the late Primate for his worthwhile contributions and proud to be counted him amongst our eminent citizens in Lagos.

“On behalf of grateful Lagos State, including my wife, Abimbola, the government and the people, we thank the family for graciously lending their son, brother, father and grandfather and pray for his joyful repose with the Lord. It is no less than he deserves.”

“He will be foundly remembered for being always on the side of the people and

for his active involvement in the struggle for demilitarization and enthronement of democratic rule in the country. I urge the family not to mourn, but thank God Almighty for his life in the belief that he has transited to heavenly glory. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace,” Governor Aregbesola stated in his tribute titled ‘Active Involvement in the Struggle for Demilitarization’.

Governor Amosun, in his tribute titled ‘A Life of Uncommon Dedication, said: “The Most Reverend Adetiloye lived a life of uncommon dedication to the service of God and humanity. During his 11years’ reign as the Primate, the Church of Nigeria witnessed spiritual transformation and complete eradication of secret cults. His messages on the pulpit were distinct and critical of a better society.

Gun attack on Emir of Kano: We’re closing in on more suspects —Police, SSS T

HE Police and the State Security Service (SSS) say they have made appreciable progress in their investigation of last Saturday’s gun attack on the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero.

Four persons, including the Emir’s driver and palace guards, died in the attack, while two of his sons were wounded.

Alhaji Bayero and his two sons on Sunday flew to the United Kingdom for medical attention in the aftermath of the attack.

Deputy Force Public Relations Officer, Mr. Frank Mba, who spoke to our correspondent on the telephone yesterday confirmed that some suspects are already in the police net and that the findings of the investigation will be made public at the appropriate time.

Spokesperson for the SSS,

•Emirate Council endorses ban on motorcyles Gbade OGUNWALE, Assistant Editor, Abuja/ Kolade ADEYEMI,Kano Ms. Marilyn Ogar, also said on the phone yesterday that the operatives of the Service is on the trail of more suspects.

“All I can tell you is that some suspects are being held over the incident and security operatives are still on the trail of others in an operation that started immediately after attack”, Ogar stated.

Sources informed our correspondents that some suspects were brought to Abuja from Kano Tuesday night and have been undergoing interrogation.

Mba said the police are keeping quiet on the investigation so far in view of the sensitive nature of the case and its wider implications for the public.

Revelation on the investigation at this point,according to him,is capable of jeopardising the entire process, stressing that because of the personality involved, any clue for now must be closely guarded.

The police spokesman appealed to the public not to hesitate to volunteer any information that could be useful to the team of investigators. He pledged that such information would be treated with uttermost confidence.

Kano State Deputy Gover-

65 Nigerians deported from Europe

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BOUT 65 Nigerians were yesterday de ported from Europe, an official of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has disclosed.

The FAAN official, who declined to be named in print, disclosed that the Nigerians were brought home aboard a chartered flight which landed at Murtala Muhammed International Airport Cargo section in Lagos.

He explained that the Nigerians were deported from

European countries of Spain, Bulgaria, Romania and the United Kingdom.

It was learnt that they were brought back home for immigration and related offences.

The source said the deportees arrived the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos about 7:40 a.m.

They were 48 males, 12 females and five children.

He explained that some of the deportees were alleged to possess invalid documents.

He said eight out of the deportees, including three females, were deported for alleged criminal offences.

He added that the eight persons were immediately arrested on arrival by policemen and taken to the Criminal Investigation Department, Nigeria Police, Ikoyi, Lagos in a Toyota pick-up with registration number "Ontario AZKC-549".

It was learnt that five male deportees initially resisted arrest, but later succumbed.

nor, Alhaji Umar Ganduje, announced on Sunday that some suspects had been arrested in connection with the attack. But he did not say how many people were arrested.

Although no group has claimed responsibility for the attack in which Improvised Explosive Device (IED) and gunshots were used, the pattern of the assault bore the imprints of the Boko Haram sect.

Meanwhile, the Kano Emirate Council yesterday threw its weight behind the state government on its ban on commercial motorcycles following the attack on the Emir.

Alhaji Abbas Sanusi, Wamban Kano, told reporters at the palace that the government action was in the right direction.

The Wamban declared that even before the attack on the Emir, commercial motorcycles were regularly used to perpetrate crimes in the state.

He described the ban as timely and good for the security of the people.

He called for public support for the ban.

But he pleaded with the government to provide alternative jobs for some of the commercial motorcyclists who may have lost their means of livelihood by the action of the government.

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THE NATION SATURDAY, JANUARY 26, 2013

EFCC seizes Ibori's property, arrests two for smuggling $240,000 to Dubai

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HE Economic and Fi nancial Crimes Com mission (EFCC) yesterday said it has attached a property belonging to former governor of Delta State , James Ibori, who is serving a jail term in the United Kingdom (UK).

It also said its operatives arrested wo men- Moghalu Maduakonam and Esho Femi David- at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport , Abuja, for allegedly attempting to smuggle $240,000 out of the country.

The Head of Media and Publicity of the anti-graft commission, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said Ibori’s property was attached on Thursday.

He said: “The property situated at No 5, Alpha Beach Road , Lekki, Lagos , is suspected to be one of the proceeds of money laundering for which the ex-governor was convicted in the UK. “The attachment of the property is the fall out of continued efforts by the antigraft agency to trace, find and seize properties that were acquired with stolen funds by the former governor.

“The property is a mansion with a mini-reception at the ground floor and detached Boys Quarters.

“Two occupants of the house, Moses Abu and Kay-

Yusuf ALLI, Managing Editor, Northern Operation cee Kasim, were interrogated and made useful statements.”

It was learnt that the EFCC exercised its powers in line with Interim Forfeiture Clause in its Act. Section 26 of the Act reads in part: (1) “Any property subject to forfeiture under this Act may be seized by the Commission in the following circumstances – (a) the seizure incidental to an arrest or search; or (b) in the case of property liable to forfeiture upon process issued by the Court following an application made by the Commission in accordance with the prescribed rules.(2) Whenever property is seized under any of the provisions of this Act, the Commission may – (a) place the property under seal; or(b) remove the property to a place designed by the Commission. “(3) Properties taken or detained under this section shall be deemed to be in the custody of the Commission, subject only to an order of a Court.”

On the arrest of Moghalu Maduakonam and Esho Femi David at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport , Abuja for attempting

to smuggle $240,000 out of the country,the EFCC said:“While Maduakonam was traveling to Dubai, United Arab Emirates with $200,000.00 which he failed to declare; Istanbul, Turkey- bound David declared only $5,000 out of $40,050 in his possession.

“The suspects have made useful statement. They will be charged to court as soon as investigation is concluded.”

A Federal High Court sitting Abuja and presided over by Justice Adamu Bellohad, on January 23, convicted one Abulrasheed Ibrahim for the offence of money laundering.

He was arrested on Wednesday, November 7, 2013 by operatives of the commission as he prepared to board a Dubai , United Arab Emirates-bound Ethiopian airline, at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport when he declared the sum of $45,000 but a search revealed additional $143,858.

Justice Adamu Bello ruled that 25% of the total sum, which is $188,858 be forfeited and paid into the Federal Government Treasury by the court accountant and the remaining money returned to the convict through his counsel.

•The main building of the seized property

•The entrance

Sanusi defends rates as inflation eases

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NTEREST rates have brought stability to the economy even as inflation pressures have eased, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, has said. Inflation above 12 per cent “is a problem” for economic growth, Sanusi said in Bloomberg interview at the World Economic Forum in Davos yesterday.

Consumer-price growth may be close to 10 per cent in January, though keeping it at less than that for the rest of the year “will be very difficult,” he said.

He said: “High rates have delivered stable exchange rates, an increase in reserves, and stable inflation.I don’t think we should take that for granted.”

The Monetary Policy Committee, last Monday, left the benchmark interest rate unchanged at 12 per cent for an eighth consecutive

Collins NWEZE meeting.

He said that while inflation eased to 12 per cent in December, it remains above the central bank’s goal of below 10 per cent. “It’s natural that the Ministry of Finance will want to see lower rates of interest because of the huge cost of debt and it’s also natural that the private sector will complain about the rates of interest because of high borrowing costs,” Sanusi said.

“But higher rates of interest are the price you pay for a high inflation environment.” The outlook for inflation is “pretty good” and the average for the rate this year will be lower than the 12.24 per cent recorded in 2012, Sanusi added.

The CBN pegs the naira at about three per cent above or below 155 per dollar by selling foreign currency at twice-weekly auctions. “The

CBN will hold off on lowering borrowing costs while it monitors government spending “and until we actually believe that inflation is coming down and lowering rates will not in any way undermine the tremendous achievements we’ve had,” Sanusi said.

High interest rates have fueled foreign investment in Nigeria’s stocks and bonds, increasing the risk to the economy if inflows reverse.

Short-term inflows are “less than 20 percent of reserves,” Sanusi said. “We have enough at any point in time to fund any outflows of portfolios. It’s something that, if it continues too long, it will be a source of concern, but at the moment, it’s not.”

He said the economy will probably expand by about seven per cent this year and cited figures from the statistics agency. The government’s budget predicts a growth of 6.5 per cent.

Four killed, 20 injured in factory explosion

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least four persons were killed and 20 others gravely injured yesterday in an explosion at the Nigeria Distilleries Ltd (NDL),in the industrial town of Sango -Ota, Ogun State.

The boiler of the distillery on the Lagos - Abeokuta road unexpectedly exploded at 10:30am spewing hot water and other hot substances on the staff handling the machine.

The four died on the spot with their mangled remains scattered all over the floor of the boiler hall.The others who suffered various degrees of burns and skin bleaching, were rushed to hospitals in Ota and Ifo, eyewitness told The Nation.

It was gathered that the explosion occurred when the workers were mixing one of

Ernest NWOKOLO, Abeokuta

the company’s products.The explosion shook the factory and adjourning buildings.

Efforts by our correspondent to get the views of the management of the company on the explosion were futile, as he was told to come back on Monday.

Ambulances belonging to

the company and those of Fidson Drugs and Avon evacuated the injured to hospitals.

However, the Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in a telephone interview, said only two persons were killed, while one person was injured in the explosion.

CORRECTION The election which brought Governor Henry Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State into office took place on February 11, last year and not 12, as indicted in the article, titled: How Governor Dickson observed his vacation, published on Page 49 in this edition. The error is regretted —Editor

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Changing times and fortunes

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HERE is no doubt that banks and bankers have fallen on bad times and fortunes in these hard times when people find it hard to make ends meet globally.

Nowhere is this more acknowledged than in usually buoyant Europe where both the people and governments earnestly believe that bankers are the architects of the misfortune of both the state and the people. A Conference of Businesses in EU and Latin American and Carribean nations took place in Santiago the capital of Chile on January 25th. . . This confab provides a unique opportunity to compare the changing fortunes of these two parts of the world since the global financial and economic meltdown started in 2008. Before this the 6th EU – Brazil Business Summit took place in Brasilia, Brazil on January 23.

Also during the week the 44th President of the USA Barak Hussein Obama was sworn on for a second term and he made the usual brilliant and moving speech from which the experts have distilled the new challenges he is determined to address in his second and final term as the helmsman of that nation. Those priorities in themselves will shock and please Americans and Africans in turn and will show indeed that the world is moving on and all of us are no more that the six blind men who touched a part of an elephant and thought they had seen it all when all they experienced was just a part of the whole.

Thirdly, in Greece, which is in a bitter debt crisis and socially disruptive austerity measures, the former finance minister George Papaconstantinous who started the much hated austerity measures has been charged to court for deleting the names of his relatives from the Lagarde List. This is a list named after Christine Lagarde the MD of the IMF and former Finance Minister of France who was given the list by some HSBC bank workers and who in turn gave the list to the Greek government some time ago.

The list contains the leading tax evaders in Greece and was the source of a Name and Shame Campaign by the Greek government to make such people pay their taxes and reduce the burden of austerity borne mainly by the poor, which has been the cause of the street an-

ger and demonstrations in Greek cities. If you recall that towards the end of 2012 a journalist Costas Vaxevanne was brought to court by the government but later freed for publishing the list you will see how the fortune of the Minister and that of the journalist have changed indeed for good or bad.

Let us go back to the EU-Latino /Carribean Conference - CELACin Santiago in Chile on January 25th and make a comparison of the economic and financial status of the two regions of the world.

Europe still remains the most prosperous continent of the world contributing a third of world GDP and is the biggest foreign investor in Latin America. But the EU is in economic turmoil and debt crisis and Spain and Portugal are amongst the debtor nations of Europe stigmatized as the PIGS nations with that acronym translating into Portugal, Ireland, Greece and Spain.

Incidentally Both Spain and Portugal were the former colonial masters of Latin America with Portugal holding sway in Brazil while Spain ran the rest of the Latino na-

‘

tions in the region.

Today, the nations of Latin America have moved millions of their people away from poverty lines and millions more have joined the middle class. None of the Latino nations is facing debt crisis like Argentina did in 2001 when it defaulted and exploded in crisis, like the EU nations and zone are reeling in right now.

Brazil is preparing to host the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Olympics and both are ecpected to generate growth and boost the Brazilian economy. Brazil is also a prominent member of the BRIC nations – namely Brazil, Russia, India and China. The BRIC nations are seen as the emergent, global economic and financial powerhouse of the 21st century and no EU nation is amongst them. Even Argentina in Latin America has struck oil and has recovered from the harsh IMF conditionalities which made its economy prostrate and caused riots in Buenos Aires, its capital similar to the new riots in, Spain and Lisbon, Portugal nowadays.

So the good times are there in the US for both immigrants and gays.

As for global warming or climate change this has become an old issue in that nature has defied the predictions of the scientists and shown them to be largely alarmist or even downright wrong

’

Really, between these two regions especially between the Latinos and their former colonial masters one can recall the saying that the mills of justice may grind slowly but they grind exceedingly fine.

The Washington Post in its report on – line on the 57th Inauguration of the US president had the headline – Obama calls for greater equality – observed that the Obama Inauguration speech highlighted three modern challenges to pursue in his second term. These are fighting climate change; welcoming immigrants and ensuring gay rights. Obviously then, it is the gay rights community that is the greatest beneficiary of the Obama second term as it has been pointed out that this is the first time any US president has referred to gay rights in a speech. Actually immigrants too all over the world should breathe a sigh of relief as Obama stressed he would lead the US towards being the land of opportunities for all immigrants, just as the founding fathers wanted it to be.

So the good times are there in the US for both immigrants and gays. As for global warming or climate change this has become an old issue in that nature has defied the predictions of the scientists and shown them to be largely alarmist or even downright wrong. This is because glaziers have expanded when Scientists said they would thaw, and storms and tornadoes have increased in frequency and intensity in some instances they have predicted otherwise.

However, it is with regard to ensuring gay rights that I think Obama too has realized he was charting a different, new and controversial course altogether even in the US. With regard to Africa some will be distinctly shocked at his mission on gay rights. This is because here in Nigeria and at least in Uganda in East Africa the governments have passed laws banning lesbianism and homosexuality and the laws are popular in these nations, no matter what the Americans may think about gay rights. Britain has reacted violently as it were on these ant gay laws and gone on to withdraw

aid to African nations like Lesotho and Malawi which depend on such aid massively.

That to me is ethnocentrism on the part of the British although they too may think it is the anti gay community that is being ethnocentric or biased. That also must be what Obama had in mind in that part of his second Inaugural Speech when he said almost lamentably – ‘Being true to our founding documents does not require us to agree on every contour of life. It does not mean we all define liberty in exactly the same way or follow the same precise path to happiness. But it does require us to act in our time‘.

Obama surely has acted and is understood by his American audience while his African admirers are stupefied and alarmed by his all – American stance on enforcing gay rights. Anyway since Africans don’t vote for a US president I think Obama does not need to lose any sleep over African horror on his fight to enforce gay rights in the US. Let us look at events in Greece again where the former Finance Minister Papaconstatinou is to face trial for removing the names of his relatives from the Greek State Name and Shame list of tax evaders. The former Finance Minister has alleged he is being singled out because he introduced the austerity measures. But what did he expect? What is good for the goose must be sauce for the gander and he who comes to equity must come with clean hands. That really is the measure of the accountability and transparency expected of him and that is why he must have his day in court - to explain his role and even exculpate himself if he can, for the law is no respecter of persons.

Austerity measures involve retrenchment of bread winners, layoffs and unemployment, and these may not have been necessary in Greece if the Minister’s wealthy relatives had paid their taxes as expected, and as when due. That is what this Minister must account for, as in his former capacity as Minister of Finance driving austerity measures, he was expected, like the fabled Caesar’s wife, to be above reproach.

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JANUARY 26, 2013

9

10 COMMENTARY

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JANUARY 26, 2013

In defence of presidential umbrage Knucklehead With Yomi I F there is any positive point to be taken away from President Goodluck Jonathan’s on-the-spot assessment of the state of infrastructural decay at the Police College, Lagos, it is the fact that it indicates that after all, our President is far from being clueless as most of his critics would want us to believe. As should be expected, most Nigerians wasted no time in joining the bandwagon of Facebook and Twitter ‘abusers’, labelling Jonathan “clueless” all because he fingered his enemies as the brains behind the Ikeja Police College rot. And there lies my problem with the Nigerian electorate. They are simply difficult to govern.

They complain over every step taken in the name of governance.

They complain incessantly over the hilariously unique brand of good governance that our President exemplifies. Oh, come off it!

You can accuse the President of anything but definitely not a charge of inability to handle all the problems confronting this country...in his own way. Surely, a clueless person would not have answers to all questions like he has been doing lately. Please, you may wish to have another view of the interview conducted

by Christiane Amanpour where the President scored himself high on power supply, saying: “Power is one area that Nigerians are pleased with this administration. I prefer you ask ordinary Nigerians on the street of Lagos or Abuja this question.” Ha! Holy Moses!

Question is: must we heckle for heckling sake? Or are we saying that the President should keep quiet while critics run him out of Aso Rock? By the way, I am of the opinion that Jonathan’s indignation against the media and the yamheads that allowed the filming of that great institution is justified! In fact, no one worthy of being described as a patriot would have allowed such sacrilege. What exactly was the television station trying to prove by showing footages of police trainees queuing to answer the call of nature in open and dirty spaces; scrambling to be part of a sharing ratio of 50 trainees per fish head; bathing in the open; adopting the ‘shot put’ method in the disposal of human wastes; and sweating for sleeping space in overcrowded, poorly ventilated and stuffy dormitories that could pass for an utterly unkempt prison in saner climes? Didn’t it occur to these dumb heads that these processes are deliberately designed for the trainees with the aim of getting them psychologically prepared for the arduous task of policing in the country and sadistically taming citizens in the open prison called Nigeria?

They said the environment under which the police are trained is dehumanising and lowers the integrity of trainees. And I ask: how? Has any policeman complained to the public or has that affected the “your boys dey here” mentality? Besides, if the environment under which officers are trained were to be squeaky clean, would it have been easier for trainees to, with lightning speed, adjust to the real condition of the police stations and barracks? Or have we not given a thought to what it would cost the authorities to maintain a Shock Therapy Unit whereby freshly recruited officers would be lectured on how to cope with the ghetto lifestyle of police barracks should the government succumb to the call for an upgrade of the police colleges of which the Lagos centre is described by one of the interviewed senior police

officers as “the best in the country?’ How long, really, can the pig last outside its stinking sty?

On a serious note, I am shocked that Nigerians have refused to see the business sense in this whole matter. They dissipate needless energy on the social media, faulting the Otuoke-born leader for his “un-presidential remarks” by quipping: “This is a calculated attempt to damage the image of the government, as the college is not the only training institution in the country.” They said he missed an opportunity to show leadership and seize the moment to explain what his administration would do to the correct the rot of countless years. Haba, what else do we want him to do? Has he not reminded us that he should not be blamed if he was annoyingly slow in correcting the decay he inherited from our long inglorious past? Has he not explained that these things take time and that 2013 promises better prospects of regular electricity supply, infrastructural development, employment generation and a robust security network? So, why can’t impatient citizens exercise some patience with our leader’s ‘Papa Go-Slow’ principles of leadership so that we can all benefit from the good luck that 2013 holds?

Still on the fish head matter, a bird whispered to Knucklehead that some smart foreign investors are already asking questions on the magical formula being used in sharing the poor thing.

Even Arsene Wenger, the coach of my favourite EPL club, Arsenal, would sacrifice an eye to learn one or two economic lessons on the Almighty Theory of feeding 50 men with one fish head.

Yet, here in Nigeria, we are shouting blue murder. In the first place, must trainees eat fish or even its fins? In fact, we ought to thank the police hierarchy for their magnanimity in sparing the fish head to ordinary trainees while they manage the softer parts!

For this great sacrifice, all they get as rewards are visible pot bellies. Oh, what a great sacrifice!

Predictably, the Action Congress of Nigeria joined the fray for all the wrong reasons. It lampooned Jonathan for demanding to know how a private television station’s camera “penetrated’ the walls of a 70-year-old institution, with a collateral damage of exposing its stinking innards to the world. Playing the role of an unsolicited advisor, the party went to say that: “Mr. President, those comments were totally unnecessary, and they put a damper on what would have been a great moment for you. Terrible as the state of the Police College in Ikeja is, it represents a tip of the iceberg when compared with the pervasive rot in police barracks and police stations as well as the generally poor welfare of the police.” What gall! Why should any unremunerated citizen or political party dare to render quality advice that seems to put them above dimwit fat cats in high places? Rot ko, eyesore ni.

I wonder why Dr. Doyin Okupe has not taken exception to this outright fallacy by the ACN. Yes, our policing system may not be the best in West Africa but it is definitely not the worst. All it takes for the government to prove this is to commission a highpowered committee to understudy policing in the sub-region; submit a report to be examined by another white-paper drafting committee; and leave the razzmatazz of the great findings to Minister Labaran Maku to handle! For a man who conveniently

Odunuga

E-mail:yomi.odunuga @thenationonlineng.net SMS only: 07028006913 maintained a permanent smirk on his face while announcing a magical 80 per cent daily electricity supply in all the nooks and crannies of Nigeria in 2012, dabbing the police rot with sweetsmelling fragrance should be a piece of cake for Nigeria’s innovative Information Minister! Even if the result turns out to be negative, I doubt if that should be a veritable ground for making a “calculated attempt to damage the image of an administration’s” transformation agenda?

And so, Mr. Jonathan was right on point for lashing out at those whose calculators only work to perfection whenever the subject was an assessment of his performance in government.

His riotous outrage is not without validation. Why were those cameras not focused on the millions of jobs that have been created since Jonathan became President? Why can’t the affected television station zoom its camera on the smiling faces of inpatients at our hospitals as they receive qualitative treatment from doctors who no longer go on strike? Why, for crying out loud, can’t they run a documentary on the historically unique state of our public schools and juice it up with the stories relating to the world standard graduates that we now bake here at home?

Didn’t they know that parents no longer send their children to Ghana and Togo for secondary and tertiary education? Have they not seen the high reduction in the money being wasted on medical tourism? Were they not there when the First Lady visited Iginla Hospital for medical check-up only to make a brief shuttle to Wiesbaden, Germany to collect the result? How about the transformation of Nigeria into an investors’ paradise in the face of explosive insecurity? Why are these ungrateful Nigerians courting the rage of Jonathan by directing their camera lens on the activities of a ‘local terror group’ called Boko Haram, an insignificant institution like the police college or the corruptive tendencies of some bad apples in high places?

Why are they drawing the President’s ire needlessly? Why are these persons confusing our rulers since it is mutually agreed that they are yet to be blessed with true leaders. They make all the right noise about voters’ power but hardly make wise use of it on Election Day. They sell their votes for a pot of porridge and still have the balls to demand for accountability from the one who bought their conscience. They want to eat their cake and still have it as takeaway. Why can’t they understand the unwritten code of the deadly game and join the bandwagon of those who applaud blind larceny. Why can’t they settle for the usual crumbs and watch as the nation slides further into egregious rot? Why?

NMA holds 1st National Health Summit in Asaba Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State (seventh left) flanked by members of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) during a courtesy visit to the governor during the ongoing 1st National Health Summit by the association in Asaba.

??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

From left: Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu; Governor Uduaghan; his deputy, Prof. Amos Utuama; and Senator Ifeanyi Okowa during a gala night by the state government to mark the summit

From left: Chairman, Senate Committee on Health, Senator Chris Nwabueze Ngige; and National Chairman, NMA, Dr. Osahon Enabulele, during the summit.

PHOTOS: HENRY UNINI

Puzzle over gruesome killing of 27-yr-old ex-bank woker in Ogun community

Don’t sell out on PIB

•Pages 18&19

•Pages 20,21&22

Kwankwaso to Northern Senators, Reps:

11

THE NATION, Saturday, January 26, 2013

•Emir’s Palace

Kano’s

week of

•Emir of Kano, Ado Bayero

•

terror They have killed my joy, laments victim’s widow

12

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JANUARY 26, 2013

O

NE week after the grievous attack on the revered monarch of Kano, Alhaji Abdullahi Ado Bayero, the atmosphere in the city has been dogged by fear. Residents now sleep with only one eye open, just as security agencies continue to restrategise on how best to tackle the antics of terrorists who have continued to unleash terror on Kano and its people.

Alhaji Ado Bayero, last Saturday became one of the high profile victims of terrorist attacks as gun men riding on Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) and motor bikes in the ancient city of Kano unleashed their venom on his convoy.

He escaped death by whiskers. In that attack, though the emir survived, about six people, including his driver and guards, lost their lives, just as many others sustained varying degrees of injury. Worse hit in the attack was the condition of the two of the emir’s children, Alhaji Nasiru Ado Bayero (Turakin Kano), District Head of Nassarawa and Alhaji Sanusi Ado Bayero (Ciroman Kano), District Head of Dala who sustained serious injuries and are currently receiving treatment in a London hospital, where the revered Emir is also taking a rest.

As at the time of filing this report, security agencies were yet to make public the stage of investigation into the matter, even as it has been reported that some arrests had been made.

However, a top security source told our reporter that a special investigative team has been mandated to thoroughly investigate the attack on the emir and report straight to Abuja. “I must tell you that The Presidency is interested in the case. This is not just a mere job considering the personalities involved. If you remember, President Goodluck Jonathan personally promised Nigerians that the culprits must be fished out and brought to book; and all I can tell you is that we are making progress—very soon, the cat will be let out of the bag.”

The Nation also reports that some traditional rulers in Kano perceived to be eyeing the emir’s throne have been invited by security agencies for questioning.

Though the picture is not yet clear whether the attack on the emir was perpetrated by the Boko Haram sect or purely an assassination bid, The Nation gathered that security agencies are putting all theories to use so as to unravel the mystery surrounding the attempted murder on the Kano’s most powerful emir. The mood in the palace, however, remains melancholic, bleak and sad, even as intrigues continue to play out, as no one can ascertain who goes for what.

In its effort to further tighten security and curtail the menace of terrorism in Kano, against the backdrop of the devastating attack on the emir, the Kano State Government has banned motorcyclists popularly calle achaba from carrying passengers in the state. In a statewide broadcast last Tuesday by the Acting Governor, Engr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, to the people of the state, he announced that as from Thursday ( January 24), motorcyclists, both private and commercial, would be banned from carrying passengers within the Kano metropolis and the local government areas.

According to Ganduje, who spoke in Hausa, “This action by the state government became necessary in order to secure the state from the unnecessary

Who is going to be ‘there for me? Who will cater for us? Femi was the breadwinner of the family and now he is gone. What happened to all our dreams? All that we planned together, to give our son the best of education? They have killed my dream; they have killed my joy

,

1

•The emir, Alhaji Ado Bayero

Window’s lamentation:

‘Who’ll cater for me and my 12-yr-old son now?’

•Kano Christains embark on three-day prayer and fasting Kolade ADEYEMI, Kano security challenges that it has witnessed for some time now. We will also ensure that every motorcycle is duly registered so as to ensure the safety of the owner and the security of the state. And we are also calling on the motorcyclists, both private and commercial, to go their respective local government areas and register.

“This action by the state government became necessary following a series of security reports on the situation in the state, and after consultations, coupled with the commercial viability of the state. The government now deems it necessarythat as from Thursday, motorcyclists would be stopped from carrying passengers within the metropolis and the council areas.”

Less than six hours after Ganduje’s broadcast, gunmen shot dead seven people at the Dakata axis within the metropolis. One

person was injured. The Nation learnt that all those who were killed in the attack were nonindigenes of Igbo, Kogi and Yoruba extraction, who had lived in the area for over 15 years. They had assembled as usual in an open place under a tree where they were playing draft and discussing family issues.

According to an eye-witness account, gunmen on motor bikes at about 5 p.m. stormed the area, made a few inquiries and opened fire on the hapless gathering.

Madam Victoria Dupe Ekundayo (44) lost her husband in the Dakata attack. The woman, who could not hold back tears while narrating the incident to The Nation, described her murdered husband, Femi, as “a brother, friend and confidant.”

She wondered how she would manage to raise their 12-year- old son, Femi Junior, in the absence of his father.

“Who is going to be there for me?

Who will cater for us? Femi was the breadwinner of the family and

2

•1&2: Vehicles attacked on the emir’s convoy

now he is gone. What happened to all our dreams? All that we planned together, to give our son the best of education? They have killed my dream; they have killed my joy.

“Femi never offended anyone.

He was not a politician; he was not a trouble maker. He was not the talking type, he always minded his business. What did he do that they killed him in such a brutal manner? Oh, what a wicked world! I know that the God I serve shall surely reward the killers of my husband.

“Those who have made me a widow—I have nobody in the government, we are just ordinary

Nigerians struggling to survive.

Why did they decide to kill my husband in such a senseless and gruesome manner? My God will judge them,” Victoria sobbed uncontrollably.

According to her, she saw her husband last when he decided to go outside and join his friends who were playing and sharing jokes, while she got busy with the evening meal. A few minutes later, she heard gunshots, and she tried to enquire after the noise had died down, there she was, faced with the lifeless body of her 54-year-old husband and others who were shot by the gunmen!

“I screamed and tried to wake

13

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JANUARY 26, 2013 •Arinola now

When it first appeared as a lump on one of my breasts, I was shocked when doctors said it was a sign of cancer... I wasn’t really convinced that it was cancer, considering the prevalence of wrong diagnosis in many of public hospitals in Nigeria. Before I knew it, it had gone out of control

‘

•Arinola before the illness

Arinola Akinbola, 32, used to be full of life, but the mother of one is now a shadow of herself. No thanks to a lifethreatening breast cancer that has laid her back for months now.

T h e niggling disease first reared its head sometime in 2006, when it appeared in form of a lump on one of Akinbola’s breasts but she mistook it for a ‘minor’ Keloid that would soon vanish.

But what the ex-banker thought was a minor ailment soon punctured her once bubbling life after it refused to heal.

She had visited several public and private hospitals without

,

remedy to her problem.

“When it first appeared as a lump on one of my breasts, I was shocked when doctors said it was a sign of cancer and that the only remedy was the removal of the affected breast to prevent it from worsening. I wasn’t really convinced that it was cancer,

32yr-old suffers breast cancer, needs N3.5m for treatment in India considering t h e prevalence of wrong diagnosis in many of p u b l i c

hospitals in Nigeria. Before I knew it, it had gone out of control and I now live with excruciating pains everyday,” recalled Akinbola who cut a pitiable sight on her sick bed.

After visiting many public and private hospitals without any solution, she was again referred to a specialist hospital where she was admitted for treatment. She was, however, thrown out of the hospital when she could no longer afford to pay for her treatment.

“I have been to many hospitals, both public and private, but I was discharged by doctors at the last private hospital where I was admitted for treatment because I could not defray my medical bill. As you can see, this is my parent’s residence and I have been here for months now. I decided to move in with my aged parents because my husband alone cannot look after me because of his job demand.”

There is, however, hope for the distraught Akinbola, as Forte Cancer Hospital in New Delhi, India, has confirmed that her infirmity can be permanently cured.

But the problem is the N3.5 million required to carry out the treatment which the dying Akinbola cannot afford.

In the medical opinion of Dr. Devavrat Arya, Senior Consultant, Medical Oncology, Fortis Cancer Hospital, India, he explained that Akinbola’s case demands “a review of slides, blocks and testing will require chemoport insertion. This requires chemotherapy on a weekly basis before the completion of treatment.”

To this end, she is appealing to members of the public to help in raising the money needed for her treatment.

“We have got in touch with Fortis Specialist Hospital in India, and doctors at the hospital have confirmed that my condition has not gone worse as to defy remedy. I have been told that the solution is a major surgery that could contain the cancer once and for all. But we have spent a lot of money since the sickness went out of control and cannot afford the sum of N3.5 million requested by the hospital for the comprehensive treatment.

“It is almost a hopeless situation and I have since been counting my days on earth and that is why I want to appeal to kind-hearted Nigerians to rescue me from the jaws of death by helping me to raise the money.”

A United Bank for Africa (UBA) account number 2033986180 has been opened in Akinbola’s name, while she can be reached on 07032265300.

‘Who’ll cater for me and my 12-yr-old son now?’

•One of the vehicles on the emir’s convoy

home town, Aiyeteju in Isanlu Local Government Area of Kogi State.

Meanwhile, christians in the

•The late Femi’s 12-year-old son him up, but he was gone, gone without saying goodbye. Femi was gone forever, and so suddenly.”

The remains of the late Femi, who before his death was a weaver, have been taken to his

troubled state have effect yesterday embarked on a threeday intensive fasting and prayers for God’s intervention, following

the insurgency of the Boko Haram militants which has plunged the state in crisis. The spiritual gathering involving all christian denominations in the state is ostensibly in search of peace.

Tagged: “Universe Week of Prayers”, the programme will be held at the St. Charles Catholic Church.

Speaking to reporters in Kano, the state Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Bishop Ransom Bello, said the security situation in the state calls for spiritual intervention for peace to return to in the commercial city. Bishop Bello said he was convinced that only the Almighty God can restore peace in the city and the country at large.

Hence, the universal week of prayers.

He used the occasion to plead with the government to adopt a

is going to be there for me? Who will carter ‘forWho us? Femi was the breadwinner of the family and

now he is gone. What happened to all our dreams?

All that we planned together, to give our son the best of education? They have killed my dream, they have killed my joy. Femi never offended anyone

,

more pragmatic approach to addressing the problem, pointing out that selective killings of Christians and sometimes Muslims is compounding the situation. According to him, the Federal Government has not done enough to end this conflict by failing to bring sponsors of the insurgency to book.

“President Goodluck Jonathan should demonstrate greater political will in dealing with this ugly situation. All those believed to have played different roles in promoting the Boko Haram saga, no matter how highly placed, should be dealt with appropriately,” said the CAN boss.

Speaking on behalf of the Kano State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ibrahim K. Idris, the command’s spokesman, ASP Magaji Majia, told The Nation that greater measures have been taken to ensure the security of lives and property in the state.

“As you can observe, we have been holding a series of security meetings and already, some concrete measures have been taken, like the ban on commercial motorcyclists and also, a task force has been constituted to enforce the ban. What we don’t do is to reveal our strategy, but I assure you that security is on the red alert.”

14

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JANUARY 26, 2013

‘I arranged the kidnapping of my ex-boss’s wife for vengeance, not for money’

A

N alleged sponsor and leader of a seven-man kidnapping gang, Chukwunonso Ejike (34) has confessed that he formed the gang in order to take a revenge on his boss and relation named Tony (not real name) for allegedly jeering at him when his child died. Narrating an incident that transpired between him and his boss, the indigene of Ekwulobia, Aguata Local Government Area, Anambra State said: “I

Ebele BONIFACE worked in his (boss’s) company between 2004 and 2007. The woman I later married was also working in the same company as a sales representative. She later became the best sales representative in the company because she was hardworking and she generated millions of naira for the company

every week.

“She was later given an official car and her salary was raised to N90,000 per month. At the end of 2007, my boss settled me with N250,000. I later travelled to China on a business trip. I spent four years in China but was later deported to Nigeria because my visa expired. When I got back to Nigeria, I started my own company.

I became an importer of jewellery.

“Returning from China after four years of leaving Tony’s company, I thought it wise to marry the woman I loved and had worked with before I travelled abroad. I did not know that the marriage would ignite hatred from my boss.

My wife is the kind of woman every man would like to have because of her beauty, intelligence and hard work. My boss became jealous and started insulting her.

“At times he would bark at her, asking her why she did not see any other man to marry than me. He called me all sorts of degrading names like ‘never-do-well’ and ‘deportee’.

“My wife later got pregnant but lost the pregnancy in the second month, which to me was spiritual.

When she took in again, the baby died in her womb. I had already accepted the loss of my babies as the will of God or a natural thing when I heard that my boss, who is equally my relation, was making jest of me and celebrating the death of my children, saying my wife and I thought that without us, his company would fold up.

“To add insult to injury, the company’s management collected her car and pushed her out of the company without a sack letter. It was two weeks after she was pushed out of the company that the baby died in her womb.

“I felt bad about the way my wife was pushed out, having worked

for the company for eight years and making sales between N10 million and N11 million every month. A person who is working hard and bringing in millions of naira monthly would most likely record bad debts. There was a time she complained that one of her customers ran away with N500,000.

“Her monthly salary was N90,000, but there was no month she received up to that amount as salary. At times, she was given N26,000 as salary. She never received her basic salary since she started working there.

“When the man started his evil plans against my family, the company’s lawyer wrote a nonsense letter that my wife was indebted to the company to the tune of N3.2 million. Eight years is long enough to get such amount as bad debt, because my wife generated millions of naira for the company •Continued on Page 22

15

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JANUARY 26, 2013

Saturday

THRILLER

Heart-rending story of victims

Segun AJIBOYE and Innocent DURU

18

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JANUARY 26, 2013

Puzzle over gruesome killing of 27-yr-old ex-bank worker in Ogun community •Strangled to death and dumped on her bed naked

•Bosede’s lifeless body

•The rope with which she was strangled •Bosede before her death

•The net with which she covered her head before her attack

T

HURSDAY January 10, 2013 was not a typical day in Ososa, Ogun State. The bright morning soon turned mournful.

In broad daylight, the innocent life of a 27year-old ex-banker, Bosede Otakoya, was allegedly snuffed out by unknown persons. The motive behind the killing, just like the identity of the masterminds, remains a dark mystery.

Bosede’s itinerary indicated she had woken up hale and hearty on the day of the unfortunate incident. At 7.30 am, she bade her workbound husband goodbye and led her kids to their school. She returned home at about 10.30 am oblivious of the evil men lurking around her home. She was about to have her bath at 11:00am when she was seized by unidentified men. They allegedly tied a rope around her neck and strangled her to death.

Her brutal killers were not done yet. After killing her, they dragged her body into her room and dumped it on the bed before they fled the scene.

“I was shocked and still cannot get over the shock as I speak. I don’t know why some heartless fellows would cruelly killed my innocent wife,” said her crestfallen widower, William Indien, a native of Warri, Delta State.

•The spot where she was attacked

Kunle AKINRINADE He gave a graphic account of the last moment he shared with his late wife. “She was full of life on the day of the incident. As usual, she woke up early to prepare her kids for school. She wished me well when I was leaving home at 7.30 am and promised that she would fetch some water before I returned in the afternoon. I had no inkling it would turn out to our last moment as husband and wife.

“When I returned to our residence at No 2, Oke-Ala Street, Ososa, around 2pm, I did not see any sign that she was at home. So I called out her name several times but couldn’t get any response. When I checked on her in the backyard, I saw that she had fetched a lot of water. I also noticed a lot of water spilled on the floor. Then, I saw the door to her room opened and was shocked to find her cold body on the bed, naked!

“She was seized while fetching water and strangled to death with a rope before being dragged into her room where her lifeless body was placed on the bed. I had been living in that house for six years before I married her

•Mr Indien, the widower

and I never thought that the building could someday turn into a scene of horror; I am still terrified by the incident. She was such a harmless woman who abhorred enmity with people and only God will judge her killers.

“I was the one who reported the incident at Ososa Police Post but I was referred to Odogbolu Police Station. Police condoned the scene of the incident and asked a few questions. We have since buried her on the instructions of her parent.”

For residents of the community, it was also a shock to discover her lifeless body a few minutes after the dastardly crime was accomplished. “I was shocked when I rushed to the scene after being told by a neighbour; her killing was the height of callousness by those responsible for her gruesome death and this is the first time a heinous crime like this would be committed in this community,” recalled a source who asked for anonymity.

Speaking with our correspondent, a relation of the family of the deceased, Mrs. Omolara Lawal, said: “I got a call from Bosede’s mother to come over to Ososa. She told me that her daughter had been killed by unidentified persons. When I got to the scene, I saw the clothe she wore last on the floor outside while she lay on the bed naked. The rope used by her assailants to snuff out her life was also on the floor, while a strand of her artificial hair was found on the floor. I noticed some bruises on

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THE NATION, SATURDAY, JANUARY 26, 2013 her body and a lot of dirt-stains which suggested that she must have struggled with her killers before she was overpowered. “ Unanswered posers, however, trailed the brutal killing of the mother of two. Was it actually a case of murder? Could it be a case of attempted rape turned awry or a failed abduction turned deadly? These were the questions on the lips of not a few sympathisers.

In his opinion, a resident, who simply identified himself as Omolaja, said: “Well, I want to believe that clueless as Bosede’s death may seem, there are a lot of things to be considered in order to unravel the mystery surrounding her death. To me, she must have resisted a rape attempt based on the fact that her body revealed she had actually struggled with her assailants. Otherwise, why would her killers resort to stripping her naked before killing her with a rope allegedly tied round her neck?

“However, one cannot rule out the possibility of a forcible abduction gone awry.

Sadly, she was hurriedly buried at dusk by her family members without the police being allowed to carry out autopsy on her body.

A post-mortem would have unravelled the circumstances surrounding her death and probably lead to the arrest of the masterminds.”

Another sympathiser, who craved anonymity, explained that the deceased might have fallen victim of a well-orchestrated assassination.

“She was likely a victim of pre-meditated assassination. She must have been trailed to her residence by her killers shortly after dropping her kids in school. I strongly believe that she was not a victim of rape or failed kidnap attempt. Her killers only tried to cover their tracks by placing her body on the bed after carrying out their evil mission. But the motive behind her killing is what no one can tell and the puzzle will endure for long because her family had foreclosed police investigation into the remote cause of her assassination.”

Bosede’s mother, Mrs. Maryam Otakoya, 46, relived the last moments shared with her deceased daughter.

“Although, we lived in the same town but the last time I saw her was during the Eid-elFitri celebration. Our meeting was to sort out certain misunderstanding she had with me.

She had actually treated my homilies with levity; hence, I summoned her to further enlighten her and she obliged. She was such an easy-going person and hardworking. She

She was seized ‘while fetching wa-

•Bosede (in academic gown) during her graduation from a computer school

was a former staff of Ososa Micro-Finance Bank Ltd., before venturing into the sale of foodstuffs. On New Year day, I greeted her on the telephone in the morning and wished her the best as the year progresses.

“I never knew that it would be our last conversation. I would have gone to her home but I was to visit a sick acquaintance in the hospital. It was there my phone became flooded with calls from family members who asked me to return home quickly. I knew something was wrong because the callers were crying on telephone. I got to the scene and saw my daughter’s lifeless body, bruised and naked on the bed with a tell tale sign of the rope used to kill her. ”It is difficult to determine the motive of her killers; whether they wanted to rape or kidnap her; however, their motives remains devilish. She had been living with her husband in that building for some years now and there was never anytime we heard that women were raped or kidnapped in their neighbourhood. Their house is just a stone’s throw from the Ososa Central Mosque, hence, it is not in any way isolated from the community. We learnt from a source that Bosede was heard at about 11 am shouting for help while being strangled by her assailants but the people in the neighbourhood thought she was having a confrontation with her husband.

We were told that she had just finished fetching water and was about taking a shower when she was brutally killed.

“The matter was reported at the Odogbolu Police Station but we told detectives from the station that we would like to have our daughter buried immediately because her death was clueless and that we did not suspect anybody.

Besides, we would not have buried her to date if we had permitted further investigation by the police. We did not want her body to be dumped in the mortuary for months all in the name of conducting autopsy. We have left the masterminds to God, the ultimate Judge. At the moment, all I am asking from God is the grace to look after her two kids, Precious, 7, and Michael, 2.”

The position of the bereaved family to hurriedly bury their beloved daughter, according to Bosede’s 50-year-old father, Mr. Sunday Otakoya, was because “we felt that there was no need throwing the entire community into palpable fear because we cannot finger anyone as being responsible for the death of our daughter. The police had asked us whether we wanted to make any case but we declined. Although, we are still mourning the loss of our first daughter in cold blood and the mourning may not abate soon but we do not want to cause unnecessary panic in this community as the police may resort to indis-

ter and strangled to death with a rope before being dragged into her room where her lifeless body was placed on the bed. I had been living in that house for six years before I married her and I never thought that the building could someday turn into a scene of horror; I am still terrified by the incident. She was such a harmless woman...

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criminate arrests of innocent people under the guise of carrying out their investigation. We are leaving the matter in the hands of God and as Christians, we believe that He will judge our daughter’s killers accordingly before too long.”

Confirming the incident in a telephone conversation with our correspondent, the Public Relations Officer of Ogun State Police Command, Mr. Muyiwa Adejobi, said: ”I have confirmed the story from the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Odogbolu Division and he explained that it was a case of Sudden and Unnatural Death(SUD). He also said that the deceased was found dead in her room and that there was nothing to confirm that she was killed by anyone.”

With 25 grandchildren, 80-yr-old bags Akakputu title in Enugu

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ITH 25 grandchildren and four great grandchildren, Ezinne Bernadette Amalu qualified for the conferment of the Akakpulu title. It is a title and honour given to women of such cadre by the Imezi-Owa community in Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu state.

Madam Amalu at the ripe age of 80 felt younger as her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, brothers, sisters and in-laws decided to c e l ebrate her attainment of the Akapkulu grade.

At her ImeziOwa home country, it was a great feasting day as the female children of Madam Amalu came in their turns with their husbands to present gifts to her.

Also her granddaughters with their husbands did same.

Smiling in high spirits, Madam Amalu told our reporter: “I am extremely happy. My illness and the pains in my

legs have all disappeared. It’s wonderful. I thank my off springs and in laws for this honour. In fact, I feel younger as if I am the same age with them.

“I thank God for all His blessings. Everything I achieved is not by my might but that of God. Everything is God’s doing. It’s only what He said that happens.

I will ever remain grateful to Him.” Gabriel Amalu of the The Nation’s Editorial Board member, Madam Amalu’s son said it is not easy to attain the Akapkulu cadre.”

“We thank God for mama. She has been a great inspiration to us.

We will ever remain grateful to her for her counselling while we were growing up. We also thank God for keeping her for us today and pray to Him to continue keeping her for us,” Amalu prayed.

•Mama (sitting) and her grandchildren

•Mrs Amalu

20

INTERVIEW

THE NATION, Saturday, January 26, 2013

In spite of his tight schedule, Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Rabiu Kwankwaso, spared about two hours in Kano for a midnight interview with a select group of journalists. Besides demonstrating his capacity to work for long hours, Kwankwaso bared his mind on burning national issues without losing sleep over its backlash.

Our Managing Editor, Northern Operation, YUSUF ALLI, captures his mood.

How far have you gone in your second coming as a governor? What are the things you will do differently this year for your state?

ET me take the opportunity to thank the good people of Kano State for finding us worthy of being elected or re-elected in 2011. I believe that was solely based on our performance during our first term between 1999 and 2003.

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The years between our leaving office in 2003 and re-election in 2011 gave me an ample opportunity to reflect on what we did during our first four years. There were many things that we noted which we would have done much better and there were things that we did very well. So by the time we came back in 2011, from day one, we hit the ground-running action and many people are surprised at how fast we have been moving.

But then we are in a hurry to perform because we have only four years to be in government before the next elections. So, the last one and half years has seen Kano being transformed in many areas like education, health, transportation and water supply, to mention a few sectors.

We have built well over 1,500 classrooms, 750 offices, a great number of toilets in primary schools thus far. Recently we added another 90 blocks of Kwankwasiya classrooms.

They are everywhere in Kano for all to see.

In addition, the community orientation committees in all the 44 local governments are rehabilitating classrooms. in the council areas. So We We have given them N10m each.

People have also donated in cash and kind towards the schools' rehabilitation. Interestingly, ordinary people in these councils are using their donkeys to collect sands from streams and rivers in support of the ongoing work. Many artisans are also lending their skills to the school rehabilitation projects free of charge in the 44 local governments. Now education sector is owned by the Kano people of Kano . They no longer see the schools as government establishments they could strip of broken windows or roofing sheets.

We are also feeding our children five times a week in these schools and give them two sets of uniform every year.

This has encouraged them and their parents to embrace education which has in turn bolstered the school enrolment drive in Kano .

Our teachers are also being encouraged in several ways. Teachers now get their salaries on the 25th of every month, they are being re-trained and they are very happy.

We have also established four additional mega secondary schools in the state. We have what we call Zanbaki in Ungogo. We have one in the Albasu Local Government Area. One in Agwan and one in Kano city, the one we call Governor's College. We have also established boarding schools in each of the senatorial districts.

Why are you collaborating with Niger Republic on French as a language?

Yes; we are partnering the Niger government on this project. We are doing this for these children to go to Niger Republic and have their education in French. It is a French-speaking country. We find this very necessary and very important in view of the place of the French language in the world and because many people from Niger Republic come to Kano for commerce. We are also sending 100 teachers to China to study the Chinese language. We want them to come back and establish schools here that will teach Chinese because Chinese is the future.

Does this mean that Kano does not need the federal almajiri schools since your administration has done so much in the education sector?

Exactly! The almajiri issue is a big nuisance to all of us.

The best way to eliminate the almajiri syndrome in this part of the country is to establish so many schools and mobilize children to go to school.

Everybody has now seen the danger of not investing in these children. They will wake up one day and realize that they are rejected by the society and they will take arms and fight the society. We have also established the North-West University in addition to the Kano University of Science and Technology which we established during our first administration. On top of all these, the state government has decided to sponsor anyone in this state who makes first class or second class upper in his/her first degree for their master’s or doctoral degree.

What of road infrastructure?

Each local government in Kano has five kilometres of dualised road with street lights and we have 44 local government areas. If you multiply 44 by five you will get 220 which is more than the distance from here to Kaduna . Major roads entering the city are all being worked upon right now. We have a river that cuts across the city, and we intend to cover it completely and construct a road on top of it. We are also building flyover bridges. We have also cleared Kana clean of refuse. We also have many water projects in Kano with the aim of putting water in every household in the city. Even now, just one and half years into our tenure, we have already made water provision a nonissue in the state as residents continue to gain access to pipe-borne water. We will ensure that Kano looks like real Kano not what we inherited in 2011.

What is your administration doing in the health sector?

Most of our hospitals are being rehabilitated. We are ensuring that nurses, doctors and all officials of the hospitals go to work. We are buying many equipment in all areas for the hospitals. We want to bring Gwarzo Hospital to international standard and then we'll work on others. We have also purchased 10 brand new mobile clinics that are moving around to give health support to our people.

•Governor Kwankwazo

Kwankwaso to Northern Senators, Reps:

Don’t sell out on PIB What is your impression of the ongoing constitution amendment?

My personal opinion is that we don't need constitution amendment at this time. What we need is constitutional enforcement. Our constitution is adequate. Most of the things in the constitution have their origin in the constitutional conference of 1994-95. For instance, the issue of 13% derivation, I was part of the people that supported it and the military accepted it. As far as I am concerned, the general feeling is that we want to see practical things on ground. I believe that the people of Kano State are good. Nigerians generally are good. They are not worried whether it is party “A” or party “B” that is government or whether a Christian or a Muslim is ruling. All what the people want is who will come and make life better for them.

Constitution amendment is just a diversion, a waste of time. I think all this is coming from the National Assembly because it would benefit the federal lawmakers. That benefit, in my opinion, is that they would put the cost of the exercise in the budget and nobody will query them. Even if they are queried, they will still have the final say. Not only do they allocate money to themselves, they decide agenda.

Now we hear that they have promised some zones that they would create additional states for them. But we say bring the criteria. Is it by population land mass, resource?

Now that I have mentioned the National Assembly, they will say we don't know what we are talking about. We know what we are talking about. Some of them have reached out to state assemblies; they have so much time and resources to talk to our speakers to tell them what they want. Now they are talking about autonomy for local governments.

They say that state governments have been oppressing local councils through the joint account system, abusing it, and that is why the local governments can't deliver. But I would say that in this part of the country, the right calibre of people are not going into the politics of becoming councillors, chairmen and so on.

THE NATION, Saturday, January 26, 2013

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INTERVIEW and allowances like they are doing in the National Assembly. We hear that in addition to salaries, allowances for them, their aides, their allowances, some get N45 billion or N50 billion per quarter.

Let us analyze N45 million. This amounts to N15 million per month and half a million naira per day for every member, whether you are speaking, whether you are in the beer parlour enjoying yourself, half million naira, you are getting that every day. What sort of business will you do in this country to get half a million naira everyday. That is in addition to other things?

My concern is the people on the street. They will run into crisis, if this is obtainable and we are endangering the political class. You see, what we are saying is that the sort of autonomy people are talking about for the National Assembly today will just kill this country. I was in the National Assembly as the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives. I know what I did and I know what others did to instigate the fall of that republic. State House of Assembly will sit down in Kano and decide that every day, they will get half a million naira. They are not the only people; they are so few. They should not take everything, if we want to see our state flourish, Under normal circumstance, a governor should understand the issue of development more than the chairmen of the local governments, especially in this part of the country.

Do you think the National Assembly is becoming too powerful?

I had an opportunity to be in this office from 1999 to 2002 and that was when Governors’ Forum was Governors’ Forum. I don’t think members of the National Assembly have the guts to abuse governors. But now, the National Assembly is so powerful that even the governors are just nothing.

The most powerful group of persons or bloc in Nigeria in the political circle today, in my opinion, is the National Assembly. They dictate the tune, they decide what everybody in this country should get, even other tiers of governments.

They want to decide what state assemblies and local governments should get and that is the problem and that is why we are praying that we should have checks and balances.

Without checks and balances, I could see a situation where we would run into a serious crisis. There has to be some checks and balances and that is why I believe that at that level, at least from the issue of budgeting, they have to look at it. Now, I understand that the executive proposed a budget benchmark of $75 per barrel, but now it is $79. What is that $4 meant for? Did Mr. President send other projects to the National Assembly to accommodate that $4 or who is using that 4$.

Isn’t it meant to provide critical infrastructure for Nigerians?

You see, the President took the budget to them with $75, and they added $4. We did not hear the President send or add some irrigation, agriculture or water projects and roads. All we hear is that the National Assembly now increased it to $79. What will happen to the $4 per barrel? For constituency projects or allowances? You see, during ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration, he tried as much as possible to check these things. The late President Umaru Yar’Adua had wanted to go to court on this issue of budget.

But they are independent of the executive …

We , governors, are also independent of the National Assembly. I am a governor, I don't do what they call the security vote here. Whether it is right or not, we don't believe in it here. A salary should be determined by a body. What they want do is try and transfer such things to the state assembly. That means, I will sit here and because they have independence they should give themselves whatever allowances and salaries. If they bring it to me, whether I approve it or not doesn't matter, they will do it. That is very dangerous.

What are your grouses against constituency projects?

When President sends a budget, they include what is called constituency projects- roads, hospitals, water, and so on. They have constituted themselves into another executive arm of government, competing with President, governors and local government chairmen.

A legislator has no business in coming to his own constituency to construct roads. Just recently, I went to a local government area to condole with them on the death of their state assembly member. When I was coming back, I asked them to take me around. When we came back, I asked them, who did that road, a former House of Representatives member said it was his constituency project and the road is not tarred.

It is just a road with culvert and that road is connected

to the Kano-Maiduguri Road. We have many of them in the state; we have many of them in the entire Northern region and probably in the East, what they call constituency projects.

We have more than 100 primary health care centres in Kano . Every member, every senator is coming to build primary health care facilities. Some of them are not even paying our people compensations. They will just build it and leave it. I have not seen any member who has come out to say I built this in my local government area and please take over. They are all abandoned there.

Now that money for 100 primary health care centres that are littered around the state would have been better for Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital with a properly constructed and round diagnostic centre to save my people from going to Egypt , India and so on.

What of joint account?

We (the governors) are in favour of joint account. Of course, if I am not in favour of it, I don’t see today how each of the local governments working together with us will construct five kilometres of a dualised road in addition to all other projects we are doing. The opening balance of each of local government in this state is an average of over a N500m for 2013. Before we came, local governments were not paying salaries; they were just sharing the money. Now for you to say we should send money directly to the local government in Kano is to destroy what we have already built with the local governments in the state. And who say local governments are complaining?

Should governors enjoy civil immunity or criminal immunity?

There is need for immunity at this particular time in our history because people have turned themselves into not opponents but enemies. What we want is for governors to concentrate and do their job. That is not to say if you have a genuine case, you cannot go and submit a petition against a governor. I left government for eight years, I was in EFCC, I was in ICPC, and others. Eight years is a short period of time. If there is no immunity, we will continue to distract governors, some of whom had gone through election tribunals, the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court to validate their elections. It is only armed robbers who go and break house and take money, but governors have to go through a certain system to do it. The same thing with the president. So, the system is always there to expose any erring governor at the end of his or her tenure. Immunity for now, I believe is okay so that a governor can concentrate. When he finishes in four years or eight years, take him to court.

Your Excellency, the general impression out there is that governors just junket about and that they are not really working...

That is the mistake people are making. I am a governor. If you see me in London, you should ask me what I am doing there. Even if you see me in Abuja , you should ask me question. If I am in Kano , you cannot say what are you doing in Kano . If you are a member of the National Assembly coming to Kano, I will ask you who did you come to see? A governor has the choice of sleeping and denying the people the sleep or you don't sleep so that your people will have the opportunity to sleep. The choice is always there for every leader, every governor and even every president. But I believe you have to work hard; that is the only way your people can get work, can go to school and have a supportive infrastructure. If the governor does not work, there is no way any commissioner would work, and there is no way that government can function very well. In Kano , we don't sleep. We are working very hard and the people are happy with the government.

What is your take on the power sector reform?

On the issue of power, we support power reform in principle, but the way and manner Kano Disco was sold is not supported by this administration. We believe that we were not properly consulted. We believe that those who bought the disco are not competent. They cannot do it and electricity is so important to all of us. That is why we wrote a letter to BPE, petitioning on the sale of this asset because we have spent so much money in the distribution of electricity in Kano State . During our first term, we electrified over 600 towns and villages. Now, we have done so much. When we came back, over 30 local government areas had no electricity because the system was vandalized and so on and so forth. Now, they are all done. We spent billion of naira to do that. Now for you to sell Kano Disco without properly consulting us amounted to shaving our head in our absence and that is not acceptable.

What option is available to you?

If somebody is shaving your head in your absence, Continued on page 22

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But the main issue is the PIB and any other law that will amount to more money from the treasury against the interest of the poor should not be acceptable, even to the rich. Here in Kano, we have what we call the Kwankwasiyya ideology which is meant to cater for the poor

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Why do governors oppose autonomy for state Houses of Assembly and local governments?

No! We do not want autonomy for Houses of Assembly and LGAs. There are two federating units (federal and states). That is what the constitution says. Now, the other thing is the local government and the state assemblies.

You see, what we have in the National Assembly is what they want to transfer to the 36 state Houses of Assembly and that is not correct. What we have there is that today, only the Almighty Allah can moderate what is happening in the National Assembly. Nobody else can do it.

So, what they want is to transfer this sort of thing to the 36 state assemblies. That means I will sit here as a governor, members of the state Assembly will have independence, they will give themselves salaries and allowances which they think should be due to them.

If they bring this to me, whether I approve it or not, it doesn’t matter, it has to be done because it is their money and that is very dangerous.

We do not want autonomy for state Houses of Assembly because they want to determine their salaries

THE NATION, Saturday, January 26, 2013

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‘National Assembly is becoming too powerful’

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Continued from page 21 what do you do? They shaved our head in our absence and we said no. If you want to shave our head, invite us, let us sit down.

Have you received any response?

We are yet to get it, but we must get it. If we don’t get it, we are ready to go to any extent to get justice Are you saying you are ready to go to court?

We are ready to go to court, anywhere What is the attitude of the North to the debate on the Petroleum Industry Bill? What is your view?

PIB is part of the game. You see in this part of the country, we are so weak to the extent that every sort of rubbish is good for us. I remember the onshoreoffshore thing where some people were looking for 13% to 50%, even 100%; all sorts of figures. Now, when we mentioned the issue of on-shore/ offshore dichotomy which was wrongly done, many people were not happy and it is like we should shut up. Maybe, next time, we should be asking people what to say and what not to say before we talk to the press.

But the main issue is the PIB and any other law that will amount to more money from the treasury against the interest of the poor should not be acceptable, even to the rich. Here in Kano, we have what we call the Kwankwasiyya ideology which is meant to cater for the poor.

If the rich decide to take more from the poor, I think it will not be in the interest of the rich. We see what is happening in the North. The crisis started in the North East which is the poorest in the North. It spread to the North-West. Now it has conquered the North-Central. And I think it is our collective responsibility to stop it from moving because the next thing it can do is to move to the South.

Constitution amendment is just a diversion, a waste of time. I think all this is coming from the National Assembly because it would benefit the federal lawmakers.

That benefit, in my opinion, is that they would put the cost of the exercise in the budget and nobody will query them. Even if they are queried, they will still have the final say. Not only do they allocate money to themselves, they decide agenda

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The next thing is to ensure that we stop it. What else do you expect in a situation where people are so poor? Of course, you can bring all sorts of theories, state governments in the North are not doing this and that or chairmen of local governments are not doing this and so on.

A situation where people will get money and they will hardly pay salaries and they have no money to do developmental projects, while others have got surplus is not good. I think that should not be acceptable to the rich. It has to be addressed.

And that is why we are saying that anything that has to do with taking money from the treasury of the country

•Governor Kwankwazo to give it to the ones who have got much more should be looked into. That is why we have cautioned our people, especially our legislators, because we believe that during the on-shore/offshore debate, money exchanged hands.

There is no doubt about it. Otherwise, nobody will go and vote against his own interest, if he doesn’t have bigger interest, and that is why we raised the issue of on-shore/off-shore and it is still there.

We always caution our members in the National Assembly that we are not sending them there for poverty alleviation, that they should not go there and think they have crossed the line now and they have arrived. They should

go and protect our interests.

The North is currently at its lowest ebb in history. Everybody is calling us names, including parasites, that we have nothing to offer, that we should go and sell our goats. This is the time we should come together and work as a team to fight against these challenges so that we can have a better Nigeria . I believe in one Nigeria . We have to come together and make sure the system works. Otherwise, if we take this route of selfishness, I don't think we will make any progress.

In the political class, everybody is haunting one another and so on and so forth. We have to be honest to ourselves and make sure that the system works, otherwise, people will take to selfishness, taking everything for themselves and their families.

Will PDP survive the crisis of confidence between its National Chairman and sacked National Secretary?

We have 23 out of 36 governors.

We have two-thirds of the National Assembly; we have councillors and chairmen everywhere. So, we have this large number staying in the house.

Even with you and your wife, you will find out that it is not honeymoon every day. Sometimes, you disagree or agree; sometimes you disagree to agree or agree to disagree. All these things are happening, even between you and your wife. We are not talking of a large family or community, and we are not talking of Nigeria .

So, many things are bound to have caused disagreements among the members, in between the leaders and those at ward level but PDP has got its own mechanism of settling dispute I am sure God’s willing, very soon we will come to the end of the dispute and we come and work as a family.

‘I arranged the kidnapping of my ex-boss’s wife for vengeance, not for money’ every month. So, it should not be a surprise if she has N3.2 million as bad debt. It shows that my wife was working hard. Otherwise, the bad debt would have been higher than that.

“It is on record that upon the so- called bad debt, the company still bought a new car for her. I told my wife to stop working for the company because they were exploiting her. Her basic salary was supposed to be N90,000 monthly but she was only paid 26,000 and N30,000 at times. The highest amount she ever received as salary was N35,000.

“So, I did what I did out of anger. That was what pushed me to kidnap my boss’s wife. I started the plan when my second child died. When I lost her, my boss was celebrating saying all sorts of rubbish. Hence, I decided to revenge by kidnapping his wife. I did not do it for money. I did it to revenge.

Explaining how he executed the kidnapping, he said: “Four of us had been together as friends and traders at Idumota Market on Lagos Island where we sold pharmaceutical products. Nwabueze (one of the suspects) served one master, while two others and I served different masters. When I got angry after spending four years abroad and came home to be insulted by Tony, I started thinking of how to revenge.

One day, I met Ifeanyi and Obinna and we sat down at a beer parlour, drank and discussed. I told two of them about my problem. I brought the idea on how to kidnap my boss’s wife and three of us thought over it.

I told them that my boss’s wife was a wicked woman and that we should go ahead and kidnap her to revenge the death of my child.

“They said they did not know how to go about it. I then called Nwabueze and told him my discussion with Ifeanyi and Obinna. I asked him how we could get guns for the operation and he said he could lead us to people that would supply guns. That was how we met Chimebere, Chidiebere and one Afeez who is still at large. They invited us to their site at Mile 2 area, Berger side where Tokunbo cars are sold.

“That day, we were six in number. But on the day of action, three of us did not show up. Chimebere agreed to provide the arms for the operation. Note that before

that day, I used the company car they gave my wife to market and bought a long pipe, bent it to look like a pick four of them and took them to the house of my gun and painted it black. I showed it to the gang before boss for familiarisation. We later came back and we went for the operation. lodged in a hotel in Ketu. In the morning, we left for “Early in the morning when the woman wanted to Ogudu side where my former boss has his company. go to work and the gate to the house was opened, Already, I had shown them the type of car the woman Afeez dragged her inside her car. As the woman was driving, her house and her dress sense. wanted to shout, I brought out the fake gun and “When they kidnapped the woman, they kept her pointed it to her. She thought it was a real gun and she somewhere in Ikorodu. The husband later paid complied. We drove her to Ikorodu Hotel and kept her $70,000. I did not do it for money. They gave me there for four days. Ifeanyi called the husband and he $12,500 only, which I changed to naira at the rate of paid us $70,000. They gave me N1.2 million as my N150 per dollar. I did not follow them to the scene that share.” fateful day.”

The fifth suspect, Ifeanyi Nmaduagu (32), a native of The second suspect, Nwabueze Richard (23), a Orlu, Imo State, said: “I sell drugs at Idumota Market. native of Ihiala, Anambra State, My role in the operation was to described himself as a driver. make calls to the victim’s He said: “That fateful day, I was husband and negotiate for watching at the end of Unity Street. ransom. When we had discussed Three boys, Chidiebere, Chimebere what to tell the husband, I told I did what I did out and Afeez entered the woman’s car him to bring $300,000. The of anger. That was while Obinna drove the car. My role woman begged us to accept was to watch during the operation. $70,000.” Chimebere said he what pushed me to After the operation, I was given my received N1.5 million as his own kidnap my boss’s own share.” share of the money.

The third suspect, 40-year-old The sixth suspect, Chidiebere wife.

I started the Obinna Nwankwo, who hails from Nwoye (21), from Iza Efio, plan when my Arodizuogu, Imo State, said: “I am a Ebonyi State, said: “I am a trailer trader in Idumolta Market. When the driver. They gave me the role of second child died. woman was held in the car, I sat in the driving them in the car from the When I lost her, my front seat and we drove to one hotel at place we picked the woman to Igbogbo area of Ikorodu.” where we hid her. I was given boss was celebrating The fourth suspect, Chimebere N1.5 million as my own share.” saying all sorts of Udokwe (23), said: “I knew Nwabueze The Lagos State Commissioner at Berger area where he sold trailer of Police, Mr. Umar Manko, rubbish. Hence, I parts. He met me where we used to eat directed Abba Kyari, decided to revenge and drink and said his brother came Superintendent of Police in back from China and was annoyed charge of the Special Antiby kidnapping his with the man he had served before Robbery Squad (SARS), to fish wife.

I did not do it travelling abroad for the ill-treatment out Afeez from wherever he is and insult he gave his wife. He said hiding. He said the arrest of the for money. I did it to they planned to kidnap the man’s wife suspects was a combined effort revenge but the problem was how to get the of the State Intelligence Bureau gun with which to carry out the (SIB) and the Special Anti operation. I told him I knew what to Robbery Squad (SARS) of the do. After one week, I went to the Lagos State Police Command.

,

Continued from page 14

,

23

I'm tired of playing the lover boy 窶年ollywood actor

LOCATION

BACKSTAGE

SNAPSHOT

REEL NEWS

MUSIC

SCREEN

Edited by: VICTOR AKANDE

Tel: 07029013958

E-mail: victor_akande@yahoo.com

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THE NATION, SATURDAY, JANUARY 26, 2013

Femi Adebayo SEE PAGES 28-37

窶｢Femi Adebayo with Funke Akindele on set of a movie

24

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JANUARY 26, 2013

STAND BY! h

Wit

VICTOR AKANDE

E-mail: victor_akande@yahoo.com Tel: 07029013958 (SMS only)

I

THINK

nt part of An importa s of any the succes is its civilisation late the mu ability to e t led to the factors tha f other success o s.—Eric civilisation rt Reine

FESPACO on my mind

dream of FESPACO every passing day; my reverie is multifaceted and could be likened to that nostalgic feeling that keeps drawing one to his place of ancestry. Yes; my ancestry of African origin, especially when pitched against my expedition of the film cultures in Europe, UK and America. For FESPACO, a French acronym which when translated to English, means Pan African Film and Television Festival, I haven't had enough.

'Enough'? That is definitely overstretched, because I attended that film festival, just once. And for this gathering of filmmakers in Africa, holding every two years in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, my near-zero experience happened in 2007. We had flown late in the evening in a chartered jet, courtesy of the CEO of AMAA. And because of logistics, one of which was for us to land at the presidential wing of the country's airport, our flight was delayed. Getting to Ouagadougou at dusk and getting back to other exigencies in Lagos the next morning, didn't leave much for me to enjoy of that city, let alone activities of the festival.

If FESPACO had shared any common ground with festivals like Cannes and Berlinale, it is on the fact that this former French colony, even though it's among the world's poorest countries, has traditionally placed a high value on culture and an official government policy that supports the arts.

That culture, which is ultimately lacking in Nigeria, is only being enjoyed partially by filmmakers from foreign institutions like the French Cultural Attaché, British Council and Goethe Institute. It would be especially difficult to forget the contribution of Pierre Barrot, former head of the French Cultural Attaché to Nigeria.

My reverie for FESPACO is twofold: the sight and sound of an African country shut down for eight days in the name of film, and the need for Nigeria to understand, get acquainted and play along the line of politics of the biggest and longest-running film festival in Africa.

FESPACO, through its dusty environment and sometimes outdoor screening of films under the stars, presents an adorable memory of the old days of the Yoruba travelling theatre. This is what adds to the fun of an African film showsame which cannot be imagined

My reverie for FESPACO is twofold: the sight and sound of an African country shut down for eight days in the name of film, and the need for Nigeria to understand, get acquainted and play along the line of politics of the biggest and longestrunning film festival in Africa in the modernised and cold climes of Cannes and the Berlinale. I recall that Cameron Bailey, a regular at the event once described the thrill of FESPACO as being about the intangible, and the dust giving the filmmaker an emotional and psychic value.

But perhaps beyond this thrill for a tourism-freak journalist, is the need to follow the trend of the film business which has put Nigeria behind in several regards. Nollywood filmmakers have mooted the idea among themselves, of a possible boycott of FESPACO-they wonder why Nigerian entries cannot win the Etalon D'or, the festival's golden prize, or even the condescending Video/TV category, since the highest prize calls for films shot on 35mm.

But when in 2011, a Nigerian film, Champion of Our Time, directed by Mak Kusare, won the second place prize in the video category, it should have been clear to us, that the objective of FESPACO is not for films coated with glamour and merely treating subjects of social life. That film, directed by Kusare, a young filmmaker with the will to win, and who had gone ahead to do thematic campaign series for the BBC, was later to win a laurel at the Home Video Integrity Award (HOMEVIDA) in Nigeria. The reasons cannot be farfetchedapart from the film's ability to thrive on technical grounds, it tells a heartwarming tale of a child in a wheelchair and her struggle to participate in a secondary school television quiz competition. Obviously, the film is a story of hope that further touches on the child, mother

WRITE TO US!

and the society at large.

You don't find such films on the shelves of the typical filmmaker in Nigeria, let alone in the archive of film awards or festivals. This is why Nigeria; the world's second-largest film producer, is relatively poorly represented in the competitive sections. However, efforts by filmmakers like Tunde Kelani and Kunle Afolayan, had fared well in the video film category of FESPACO, especially in 2011.

Talking about the few Nigerian films that have made it to the FESPACO top prize category; they are films done by Nigerians in the Diaspora. For example, Restless City which competed in 2011 was done by Andrew Dosunmu, a Nigerian film-maker who lives between New York and Nigeria.

However, the first time that a Nigerian film had won the Etalon D'or was in 2007, when Newton Aduaka's film entitled Ezra clinched the prize. That victory by Nigeria also marked the third time that a film from Anglophone Africa had taken the festival's grand prize since it was established in 1969.

Aduaka's success in 2007 followed that of Ghanaian Kwa Ansah's Heritage Africa and South African Zola Maseko's Drum in 1989 and 2005 respectively.

But perhaps we need to encourage ourselves more because Newton Aduaka is back. His new film; One Man Show, shot on celluloid, has been shortlisted to compete for the grand prize. Also in competition from Nigeria, but in the video category, is Heroes and Zeroes by Niji Akanni.

Next week, we shall take a look at the conservative nature of FESPACO and the seeming discrimination between works of filmmakers from Francophone and Anglophone African countries.

But I urge us that we must remain in FESPAC O to make FESPAC O work.

Cheers!

Do you watch Nollywood movies? What do you think of the Nigerian motion picture industry? Send your review of any movie or short essay on any topic of your choice about the film industry in not more than 200 words. Send entries by e-mail to: victor_akande@yahoo.com or SMS your short comments to 07029013958

SNAPSHOTS

y a U nta a r r M bags UN Peace

Ambassador honour

N

OLLYWOOD actress Mary Data Uranta, has joined the league of United Nations celebrities' Ambassador for Peace in Nollywood. She joined the likes of Omotola Jalade, Ini Edo, Chika Ike, to mention a few. Other recipients of the award which held last Sunday include J Martins, Sunny Neji, Zaaki Azzay, and Madam Modesty.

The honour came at a Lecture/Award and Gala Nite of the Universal Peace Federation (UPF) and Youth Federation for World Peace (YFWP) held in Lagos.

Speaking on the award, the River State born actress who represented her State at the Abuja Carnival, consecutively in 2010 and 2011 said,” I feel humbled by this award. And I must say it's quite timely, coming at a time when I'm working on a youth initiative programm e for students with in the Niger Delta region which will come up

by God's grace second quarter of this year”.

Jim Iyke in spat with Linda Ikeji

P

OPULAR blogger, Linda Ikeji perhaps got the reaction she expected from Jim Iyke, when recently, she published semi-nude picture of the actor on her blog.

Linda's post which was captioned 'Jim Iyke Shows Off Six Pack', reads: “Every time I write about this dude, he comes after me on Twitter, but I must do my job na. Nice body.”

True to her premonition, the actor has hit back at her on Twitter.

Apparently, Jim wasn't happy with some of the comments Linda's post elicited, which were harsh.

He blamed the blogger for not taking them out.

Moments later, Jim's reply came: “It is my handle and my space. I do what I please with it. If that Hermaphrodite witch and her lame employees don't like it, then let them go hug a transformer!”

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JANUARY 26, 2013

26 Winner of the season 1 edition of Destiny Child Gospel Talent Hunt, Israel Funsho's journey into limelight may have just begun but he's an enigma whose grass to grace life experience will certainly touch, inspire and change lives! A millionaire now, with a brand new car, Israel's foray into fame started last year when he auditioned for the reality TV show in Abuja, not picked, he went on to Benin where he was eventually picked.

In this interview with MERCY MICHAEL, the young man opens up on his struggles, pains, and eventual victory

I've forgiven my father for abandoning me for 29 years…

— Israel Funsho

Y

OU emerged winner of Destiny Child Gospel Music Reality Show. How did you get to know about it in the first place?

I got to know about the reality TV show via the media. It was also announced in church. I just felt I had to go for it. It was that platform that I've been waiting for.

Tell us about the journey that brought you here?

When I went to Yar'Adua Center for the auditions, that's the Abuja region, I wasn't picked actually but I was one of the first fifteen. Someone told me at the beginning of this year that God said that this is my year of reward. People call me a church boy, like I don't know anything more than church and that's why I was poor and so on. But last year, there was a specific word for me; that 2013 is your year of reward for service.

And I was expectant. I was waiting.

What would it be? So when Destiny Child Gospel Talent Hunt came up, I was like wow! First time ever, gospel Talent Hunt! This had to be it. That was why when I went for the audition in Abuja and I wasn't picked, I felt I had to go again.

So I went to Benin for the auditioning.

I told the producer that if they hadn't picked me at Benin, I would have followed them to Lagos. But of course, they picked me in Benin and that was how we started. Twenty four of us came into the house. We had another auditioning. They were going to pick sixteen. When it was my turn, they had picked fifteen already and five of us were left. These guys to me were good, sweet guys, tight guys. They needed just one more person. Eventually I was called upon and was told that I made it to the house. I almost broke down the KOGA gate that day. That was just it.

What made you stand out? Personal quality…

Worship…I'm a worshipper. I enjoy worshipping. I can worship for 24hours.

Give me something else to do, I will do it, yes, well but it won't be as good as worship. That expresses my passion, my love for God. And the reason for this is because of the story of my life.

My mother had issues with my father.

It's a long story...

She made an attempt like 11 times, herself and my grandmother to abort the pregnancy. When I say attempt, I mean every option you can think of to abort a pregnancy. She just didn't want it to come. But here I am. What else would I say is the reason for my living? If you find me doing secular music, won't you tell me that guy, you're crazy. There is a God that kept me. That's just the reason.

Can you recall what it was like those years without a father?

I was actually giving birth to in Kano.

In 1991 we came to Ilorin. I and my mum relocated to Ilorin. My mother did a lot of things. I remember when we came to Ilorin, her first job was, you will buy bread from the bakery and then you will bring it to her to go sell it for you.

Israel Funsho and wife receiving the car key

That was what my mum was doing. I Redeemed Christian Church of God, The was about ten, eleven years then. That Zion Nations, to be precise. I was was able to train me in primary school. sleeping in that church. I was there for 8 Secondary school, myself, I did one or month. I wake up before everyone comes two things. But very striking about me in morning for morning prayers and I'm was people liked to come around me. the last to remain in church. Later, I left They just want to love me, to be good to when it was not just working. I had me. While in secondary school, I realized someone who called me to come to that I could sing. I sing people here me Akure, still church music thing. I went and want to give me something. there. That was where I met Femi Sometimes, I run back home to show my Ashana, my only threat back at the boot mum and give her some. camp, for the very first time. We became friends. We were singing Now, when I finished my together and all. I spent secondary school, it was My producer 8months there as well. I harder. I was a science said some didn't have a place of mine student, was because I I was just squatting. He eventually finished as things to me own; will take me to a friend's commercial student. I studied when I told her place, where I will sleep for Business Administration. that I didn't like two, three days, leave, Immediately, I was out of then go to someone else's secondary school, I got want him to and place. I got tired of that like admission to Kwara State come up on 8months again.

Polytechnic to study Electrical Electronics Engineering. I was stage. She told But God so good, January in my ND 2, when it was 2010, someone called me and me about her told me hard to get money, withdrew to come to Abuja to own story and direct the music in their from school. I went to LAOTECH, I wrote the preThey were ready to the fact that church. degree exam for the same pay N20,000. And I thought it Destiny Child was a good start. That was course. I passed but it was hard to pay when the is all about the how I started having little admission was out. So I lost savings. That was the that again before eventually, I gospel. What is Redeemed Christian Church decided to go and study the basis of of God. It was a new parish.

Business Administration. I pastor there pastor Kunle gospel?

Love, The got an admission into Osun Shoyele, I knew him when I forgiveness... was in Abuja the first time.

State Polytechnic to study Business Administration. Of He didn't get to give me an course, being my State, at accommodation. I was least one or two people were able to sleeping in Hebrew Hotel, in the same come through for me so that was it. In hall of the church with my stuff. Now, school I get bikes from people to ride, do things well so bad for me, I really deliveries, whatever change I get, I put wanted to safe enough to get a place for them together. I sold all sort of things, myself, at least, a place to put my head. recharges card, anything I could lay my In between all that, I met my wife and hands on. With that I was able to finish things began to change. I came more my ND in 2006. And that was it. I serious because I had a woman. couldn't go on struggling.... So I decided How old were you then? to face music and of course, gospel I was 27 when I met my wife. That was music. I left Ilorin, came to Abuja. three years ago. That made me a little bit When I got to Abuja I was in The more serious with my savings and all. It

went on and on like that. I got a better job at TREM Vision House, to direct music as well. The pay was better and that was it. I got married in that church and that was before Destiny Child came up.

How were you able to convince your wife to marry you?

I pray a lot. When I met her, about six months after I met her, I told her “I know you are going to be my wife but I don't want to talk about it now”. I just said that jokingly. So we became friends. We did that for like six months before I eventually went all out to let her know my intensions.

I remember I proposed to her with a five hundred naira ring from the Mallam. I put it in an envelope and she cried. I thought women cry when you propose to them because the ring is so beautiful, environment so cozy and all. Up till now I still sometimes wonder why she was crying. She accepted to marry me. She said yes! And that was it.

You met your father for the first time at the grand finale of the show?

The first time I saw him was on screen. When I saw that face, I felt like, oh my God! So this is this man. Immediately, I felt like not seeing him again. I went back to my producer Mrs. UCheena and was like, I've seen him but I don't want him to come on stage, don't bring him on stage, not now, he's never being there. My mum has never appeared with me on Kwara TV, let alone AIT, that everybody is watching…

So why didn't you invite your mum?

I couldn't afford it. If you noticed, my wife wasn't around as well. I wished for anything more than my wife to have being around on that particular day.

Even though I wasn't sure I was going to win, it would have being nice to have her around.

How did he get to reach you in the first place?

My aunty saw me on Facebook. She was looking for her brother's children because the man is a very good footballer, not on pitch, you get (Laughs).

He has a lot of us around. We are now like 28. So I heard. So my aunty just took it upon herself to search for us.

She saw me on Facebook, my phone number was there and she called me. She was in Abuja. We met; talked and we became very close. That was January last year. On Tuesday, New Year day, I called her to tell wish her Happy New Year. She told me she was in Lagos with her husband and children. I thought, oh great! And I told her to please just come to KOGA on Wednesday with her families. Next thing, she was like my dad will come too. I pulsed for few seconds and I said, “Okay no problem”. “Let him come”. And that was it.

I expected to see a lot of outpouring of emotions on that day but it wasn't so.

Why? My producer said some things to me when I told her that I didn't want him to come up on stage. She told me about her own story and the fact that Destiny Child is all about the gospel. What is the basis of gospel? Love, forgiveness and all so she said we had had to show the very reason why Destiny Child is here. I had no reason to start feeling whatever way again saying him. Besides, I forgave him a long time ago.

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JANUARY 26, 2013

27

Waje, Nse, Doyle in the Tunnel

F

OR musician, Iruobe Waje the New Year comes with a new love; acting. Simply known as Waje in ga Adeyinka i with Gben entertainment circles, the songstress is •Mrs Ajimob starring alongside Patrick Doyle, Femi Jacobs, Nse Ikpe-Etim in a new movie with the working title Tunnel.

Due for an April release, Tunnel is directed by Stanley Ohikhuare and is said to be the debut movie of Waje. The movie tells the story of a young pastor, Lade (Femi Jacobs), and his wife, Shade (Waje) who has a daughter who falls ill, but must try all they can to battle and save her as well as their troubled marriage.

Are the Idol hopefuls

Falling Apart?

T

Laffmatazz

gets Oyo State First Lady backing

F Kupa Victory is back!

H

E appeared on the scene in 1998 with an album, No Contest. This time around, Kupa Victory returns with a brand new CD and song titled Ijo Wa. The song which brought Victory back to his fans who have waited for so long for the dancehall artiste has been on air waves across the country since early October 2012.

However, fans, reggae music lovers or call it music lovers, are commending his latest effort on Facebook, twitter and even sending emails to him for a great come back.

The song features a new kid, popularly known as Henry Knight and the song is so energetic and danceable and radio friendly as well.

Nightclub DJs are already making the song their favourite when it comes to hitting up the dance floor.

The single with its accompanying instrumental version is released on Groove Tyme Entertainment, a label owned by Victory himself.

OR ace comedian Gbenga Adeyinka, 2013 definitely holds better things. Only a couple of days ago, news went to town that the Oyo State First Lady, Mrs. Florence Ajimobi has endorsed his popular comedy brand and one of the biggest concert in the city of Ibadan; LaffMatazz with Gbenga and Friends coming up this Easter Sunday, March 31, 2013.

Report says that, the endorsement came during Gbenga Adeyinka's courtesy visit to Her Excellency in company with his Laffmatazz crew.

The concert which is billed for March will hold at the popular Jogor Center in Ibadan it is said will feature the best of music, comedy and dance. The GCON (Grand Comedian of the Niger) it is said has promised to do the unusual with this year's event judging by the roll call of guests expected.

Speaking on what to expect with this year's Laffmatazz with Gbenga and Friends, his Publicist, Seun Oyedele says “This year's concert will be better than the rest as we plan to do the unusual this time around. We are keeping the guest artistes to our chest for now, its deliberate but in the coming days we will reveal them”.

Speaking on why the First Lady gave her support, Oyedele said “One of her most striking features is her love and respect for family and strong moral values, attributes she sees in the Comedian. Mrs. Florence Ajimobi has very strong family values which help drive her passions and to a large extent, define who and what she is about.”

Julius Agwu plans auto-biography

P

OPULAR comedian, actor and singer Julius Agwu is currently said to be working on his auto-biography which will be unveiled on his 40th birthday coming up 7th of April if things go as planned. The entertainer will also launch his TV show - Jokes Apart, which he has been working on for the past five years, according to reports.

The book, which is yet to be titled, is being edited by award winning poet and writer, Toni Kan. The comedian hands seem to be full with activities as he is slated for another Valentine' day event tagged Festival of Love with Julius Agwu at Hilton Abuja on February 16th, 2013.

The evening of music and comedy will feature Wizkid, Burnaboy, Bovi, Daniel de Humorous and a host of others.

HERE were some harsh words from the judges' table on Sunday night, as Nigerian Idols went into the second round of the top 30, and saw some high-flying audience favourites come crashing down to earth after a series of disappointing performances throughout the night.

After a stellar group performance of Bill Wither's Lean on me, the second round of 10 failed to sparkle, and even the easygoing judges Yinka Davies and Jeffrey Daniel joined guest judge Naeto C in criticising the lacklustre performances that occurred on performance night.

Immaculate Victoria, was the first on the chopping block for the evening, performing Blame it on the Boogie

by The Jackson 5. “You lacked connection with the audience,” said Jeffery, as he told the young contestant off. Unfortunately, Kemi's performance of Usher's There Goes my Baby, followed along in the same vein, failing to impress the judges. Mr. Richie's take on Bruno Mars' Lazy Song failed to pass muster with the tough judges as well, and a bewildered Yinka had to tell the contestants to “calm down” backstage.

The two strongest performers of the evening came from two unlikely sources. The bespectacled, Dani Angusnicknamed “the accountant” by Jeffreytried a diva song choice, and it worked! His choice of Mariah Carey's 'We Belong Together', was surprising, however, Dani was able to eke out a few words of praise from the high table. Moses Adigwe gave the strongest performance of the night, tackling Amy Winehouse's 'Back to Black' and pulling it off with aplomb. The judges agreed: his performance signalled that the competition was back in business. “What you have done today is what we have been looking for all night. The Nigerian Idol material is back!” said Jeffrey Daniels.

y a d h t r i b e s i r Surp bash for

Timi Dakolo S

INGER and song writer Timi Dakolo last Sunday, January 13, 2013 was treated to a surprise birthday bash by his wife Busola.

Timi who attends House on the Rock after church service was driven to VI where the party was held for him.

The party which held by the poolside had a number of celebrities most of who also attend House on the rock.

From the entertainment industry include Ochuko one time Project Fame Finalists, Eric Arubayi, Onos Ariyo, OC Ukeje, Pheel, Cobhams among others.

It was tipped off to be an emotional moment for the artiste who wasn't expecting such.

It will be recalled that Timi and Busola last December narrowly escaped death in the helicopter crash which claimed the life of the Kaduna State Governor Patrick Yakowa, Former National Security Advicer Andrew Owoeye Azasi and others in the afternoon of Sunday, December 15, 2012. Dakolo, who was expected to perform at the closing ceremony of the River State Carnival (Carniriv), was meant to fly along with the governor and five others but opted out, deciding last minute to travel by road.

•Timi with wife

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THE NATION, SATURDAY, JANUARY 26, 2013

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In the Yoruba movie industry, the name and the man Femi Adebayo has become a strong force.

In this interview with DANIEL POPOOLA, Femi talks about the year 2012 and plans for 2013 as well as his success as an actor/producer, the influence of his thespian father on his career

OW was the year 2012 for you?

To God be the glory the year 2012 was a wonderful year for me and I hope 2013 will surpass the previous years, for me, my family and my career.

What made it standout?

Yeah, when you are talking in term of award, I could term 2012 as my year of awards because I received a lot of awards. Jelili, Sonto Alapata, Ayekoto, a story by Sharafa Deen Olabode, are some of movie which earned me most of the awards.

Others were based on my performance generally.

The reason why I tag it my year of awards is, knowing that there other wonderful actors who can perform the same roles better than I do, yet I was chosen to be honoured. The basis of the award I cannot tell but this has challenged me more knowing that a lot of people out there are watching me. It has become a source of motivation for me in the sense that if am called upon to act any role, I will go for it.

How do you intend to maintain the tempo having raised the bar for yourself last year?

It is a very big challenge really but with God I will surmount any challenge that comes my way as far as interpreting movie roles is concern. I promise not to disappoint my fans who have continued to support my career.

What should we be expecting from you this year?

2013, I have a lot in the pipeline. J15 media network will continue to advance in so many areas, my outfit, under which I have J-15 School of Performing Art. I also have three projects this year, of which one of them I've been shot already.

Presently I'm working on is Ila (tribal marks). I want to make a research on the reason why we have tribal mark. Ila is one movie which news is all over town.

People are ready to see it. Also there is Sonto Alapata which has been to the cinema and there was a wonderful turn-up and it's going to be out by the end of January.

What inspired Sonto Alapata?

Sonto Alapata is not a comedy. It is a story based on the life of a butcher. From the research I was able to carry out, 80percent of uneducated people are butcher while 20 percent of the butcher are educated. In the course of my research, I met a butcher who had a master's degree. When I went further, I discovered that most of these butchers are very rich. Like where we shot the movie, the chairman of the butchers drive an expensive car, a watch it and they still continue to laugh. Now, what Toyota Camry and a Land Cruiser and most of them makes Jelili different? It is different because even the even live in mansions and are landlord of their own; birth of the idea is very unique. I was with my and that is to tell you that these people are very friends and one of them farted and everybody comfortable but many people look down on them in started laughing. I then paused for a while the society. I found it very interesting. to wonder why these guys were During the festive periods, I called on I said to myself there must be butchers to come and kill our ram for us My success laughing. something about this farting issue and but in the process when these guys has nothing to then I went to work. Another reason I came, we started interacting, I got to went to work on this movie is because I know that most of all these butchers are do with my was tired of being a lover boy. This story graduates and they are very sensible. me the opportunity to show my father. I got gave And I also found out that they are very fans another side of me and when they well organized. Before you can be my first saw the movie, they were all happy. allowed to kill a cow, you must have How challenging was it at the onset? obtained a license to do. Honestly, it movie role was a shock to find out some of these Given my background, I can say I was during an things which was why I decided that I born to do this. I knew a lot about the must let the entire world know about it. of make believe, all I had to do audition and world Sonto Alapata is out to teach a lot of was study every character I am given the title of that and then interpret it properly. Then I butcher lessons and a lot of people outside there so that they will know had to get myself mentally ready to movie was how to relate with this set of people and draw a line between my character and not to even look down on them.

Owo Blow, my real life. Playing a lover boy should affect my real life because if you With all the works you have done, produced by not allow your character to affect your real how many awards have you won? it means you are not an actor. For Tade Ogidan life I have won so many awards, both in instance, I met a colleague of mine who Nigeria and internationally and I cannot in 1995 said he was waiting for the movie Jelili remember all of them to come out so that he will criticize me Back to the Jelili project, how will negatively; but according to him when you describe the reception? the movie came out I shocked him. So the biggest The Jelili movie will remain ever green. I see it as challenge I have come across is the pressure of ever-green because in different homes, they still playing every role differently.

‘My wife and I are still together’

How many movies have you produced so far?

To the glory of God I have produced eight movies.

Another movie you performed perfectly well in is Ile Alayo, how challenging was it?

I did Ile Alayo after Jelili, you know we have promoters and we have marketers, because Jelili was a huge success, there was so much pressure to produced another one and I made them understand that I can produce a comedy without acting in it and that is why I experimented with in Ile-alayo, in Ile Alayo I did just a scene. It is another fantastic comedy. The lead characters there included Adebayo Salami, Bayo Bankole, Olaiya, Odulade Adekola, Dorris Simon, Mercy Aigbe, Ayanfe Adekunle, and Wale Akorede.

Without the influence of your father, do you think you would have come this far?

Why? Destiny will surely take its place but my dad being an actor has been a plus to my career. But my success has nothing to do with my father. I got my first movie role during an audition and the title of that movie was Owo Blow, produced by Tade Ogidan in 1995. I got the role even when Tade Ogidan didn't know that am the son of Adebayo Salami. There is no doubt that daddy has been instrumental in my career because I have ran to him time with number. I go to him severally in handling some press issues. So dad been in the same industry

If anybody reads any material on the internet and believe it, that is stupidity

ntertainment

with me has been a plus.

Did you find it difficult, switching from law into acting profession?

You know, if God says yes, nobody can say no.

Being an actor and a lawyer is God's design. I am a lawyer by training. I am an actor by inheritance. It is divine and that makes it very easy for me. If you give me any role at anytime, I don't think there is any role I can't interpret. I was called to bar in the year 2003, I went further to bag my masters in law in 2006. Although it's two different professions, I believe that with God all things are possible. Being a lawyer, it's a profession have been trained to do. I have been trained for that and I know it well enough. What I've been called to do by God should be different from my profession and that is divine.

Is true that you want to abandoned theater for politics?

I cannot quit acting for politic. Acting is a call from God. But talking about politics, it is a wish because within me I see the qualities of a good leader. If I have the opportunity of serving the people I will serve the people in my own capacity. It is not a do or die affair. I have two lucrative professions already; entertainment and law are very lucrative professions. Why I want to go into politics is that I just see it has an opportunity to render service to humanity.

Are you a Nollywood actor?

That is the general names for actors in Nigeria.

But some Yoruba actors separate claim they are not Nollywood actors.

Why? Anybody can say he is this or that; it is a matter of choice. I can stand up tomorrow to say that I am a Chollyhood actor, it is a choice.

Nollywood or any name, I don't think any of it is registered with the Nigerian government. The only recognized association is the Association of Nigerian Theatre Art Practitioner which is the only registered body but when you look at the name of the association, the name should accommodate all the tribes we have in Nigeria. But when we talk about the English, it is been dominated by the Ibo's. Irrespective of the names we call ourselves, we still falls under one umbrella.

How will you access the industry when you started and now?

As far back as when I started it wasn't as good as this. There was no endorsement then, and the standard of living of the actors then cannot not be compared what we have now. Our production was not as good as now. As time goes on our story line has become something interesting so we are getting there gradually.

Are you still with your wife?

Do you want to come to my house to confirm? I said it that I don't want to answer any question concerning this again.

If anybody reads any material on the internet and believe it, that is stupidity. So before anybody can believe any story, you have to come to my house to confirm. I have no privacy, when you come to my house in Ibadan; you will find me and my wife together.

37

ntertainment Stella Damasus and Daniel Ademinokan unveil

fashion store

M

OVIE Director, Daniel Ademinokan and Nollywood actress, Stella Damasus have strengthened their ties as both partners have unveiled a multimillion fashion store in Abuja called Code 55.

Daniel explains how they got the name Code 55: “People say there is a mystery about me and they say the same thing about Stella. But trust me, may be you have to buy a decoder before you can decode who we are. For the 55, I was born 31 July and Stella is 24 April. If you add 31 and 24, you will get 55”, he said.

It may interest you to know that Stella and Daniel are partners and both co-owner of

Index Two Studios, a production company and their partnership is the birth of Unspoken, their first co-produced movie on the stable of Index Two Studios.

Daniel said earlier this year, “Stella and I jointly own a production company called Index Two Studios. This is our first work together professionally but we've been friends like forever.

We shot it in Douala, Senegal.

This recent development will definitely be another talking point for close watchers and fans alike who have been watching both Stella and Daniel with keen interest especially when he (Daniel) and actress, Dories Simeon ceased to be husband and wife sometime last year.

Tinsel's Uru Eke blasts:

‘Iyanya is not my spec’

T

ALENTED actress, Uru Eke who recently moved to Nigeria to squarely face her acting career has come out to reveal that rave-of- the moment, Iyanya is not the kind of man she would date. The thespian who currently features in the TV series, Tinsel revealed that much on the last episode of Rubbin' Minds on Channels Television hosted by Ebuka Obi-Uchendu.

“I don't wish I were Tonto Dike; I don't think I can handle the drama that she gets herself involved in. Iyanya! Oh, no way! Iyanya is not my spec,” she said when variously asked about both celebs.

The pretty actress also revealed that her favourite meal is Ugba but she unfortunately cannot prepare the meal. Uru also said that she cannot be caught dead with Baba Suwe.

“I love Ugba definitely; it's

about my most favourite meal.

But I can't make it. I didn't go with my mum into the kitchen when she was making it. I cannot be caught dead with Baba Suwe. I feel he will make me look like an idiot!”

•Uru Eke

Dayo Amusa holidays abroad

A

CTRESS, Dayo Amusa is presently taking a break after completing her new

•Dayo Amusa

movie titled Unforgiveable. The actress is said to have spent the last quarter of last year shooting the new movie which is presently in post-production stage, gearing up for the cinemas in the later part of this year.

The actress took the game a notch higher in the Yoruba movie genre with the introduction of two Nollywood big names Mike Ezuruonye and Desmond Elliot who directed the movie.

Few years back, Amusa joined the movie industry as an actress, later a producer, and to become an investor by opening a school for children at crèche, kindergarten and primary levels.

Karanka: Madrid don’t have

Agnelli: Buffon deserves

aggressive players

Ballon d'Or AFCON 2013

Pg 33

Pg 30

Taoussi: We still have a chance Saturday, January 26, 2013

Anichebe

eyes FA Cup

round of 16

with Everton N

IGERIA international, Victor Anichebe is expected to lead Everton attack when they visit the Reebok Stadium to take on Bolton Wanderers today for the fourth round of the FA Cup. The winner of this weekend's contest will reach the final 16 of the competition and judging by his lineup in the previous round at Cheltenham, it seems David Moyes is intent on playing his strongest side throughout the FA Cup. Therefore, Tim Howard is

expected to start in goal.

In front of him, Leighton Baines has been playing with an ankle injury and may get a rest, allowing Oviedo to come in. The Costa Rican has recently impressed in Everton's second-string and is due a run-out.

Elsewhere, in defence, Heitinga may be given a game to allow Sylvain Distin an afternoon off, but otherwise Moyes is likely to go for his strongest selection.

Further up the pitch, Moyes could

well deploy his midfield as they finished on Monday. That would mean Fellaini dropping deeper with Osman in the middle, flanked by Pienaar and Naismith.

In attack, Anichebe was one of the few to impress against Southampton. The Nigerian should start, and it would make sense to bring in Mirallas just off him, to step up his return to fitness.

After a patchy few months, Nikica Jelavic may be used from the bench in this one.

Alternatively, Moyes could opt for Mirallas as a substitute, or in place of Naismith, and keep Jelavic in attack, supported by Anichebe.

To reach this stage, the Toffees disposed of League Two Cheltenham in the previous round, by a convincing 5-1 scoreline.

Championship Bolton were less emphatic, but secured an equally impressive 2-0 win away at Premier League Sunderland, having originally been held to a 2-2 draw.

THE NATION JANUARY, 26, 2013

30

By

M

Eagles' Performance is Manifestation of a Damaged League

I

kernel of the damage spoken in the opening lines of this piece on which I rest the case that winning the AFCON in South Africa is not of any significance except for the record books.

Most of the players we are parading in the national teams are products of a league that has been damaged over time. Counting from as recent as 2000 when Pepsi’s sponsorship of the league lapsed, how many times have we witnessed disruptions in the league. By the time Globacom came on the scene in 2002, the league was running on reserve tank and just about when it was getting some stability in 2004, another sponsorship crisis erupted leaving the league on shaky limbs in 2005. The sponsorship crisis did not help the problems of officiating, mediocre club management and general poor administration that stunted the game.

The only growth center in the league has been increased sponsorship rights fee that has had no corresponding growth in other areas.

Players’ development has only been in the area of securing all manner of contracts with third rate European clubs with no attempt made by successive Federation and League Board management to set a template for, and enforce rules on club-player relationship.

Some commentators have faulted Keshi’s alleged unending experiment with squads while some have praised him for what they consider his success in instilling discipline in the team. None of these positions catch my fancy because my disposition is that Keshi is simply doing a job to earn a living and not that he truly finds any sort of aspiration with his conditions. Some have had to commend the Federation for organizing friendly matches which they consider as an enabling tool for Keshi to raise a formidable team. To others, the resource-wasting exercise of camping domestic league players is an added impetus for building a national team. I had hoped some countries will come and copy this invention of Keshi as an acceptable method of national team grooming. I hiss.

The only reason Keshi was unable to maintain a stable squad all through the qualifiers and friendlies can be traced to his difficulty in finding the right personnel that compare to his time as a player. The reason for this is that the hub on which football revolves have been badly damaged with no one seeking to reverse the run. It is the damage in the league over decades that have made it near impossible to discover another Keshi, Oliseh, Okocha, Kanu, Finidi, Rufai, Amunike, Okechukwu etc after the 1994 era. When you check the period these players evolved, you’ll find out they’re mostly pre-1985 era when there was still a modicum of strength in the league.

Today, the poor gate-takings MKO Abiola cited in disbanding his club has only improved in venues like Kano and Aba but only to the extent that we see the crowd but hardly get to know if the revenue declared is commensurate to the numbers on the stands.

AKINLOYE

AFCON 2013...AFCON 2013...AFCON 2013...

Harry Iwuala RRESPECTIVE of the outcome of yesterday’s second round matches in Group C between Nigeria and Cup holders, Zambia, we must now come to terms that our football has been seriously damaged.

It beats me when Nigerians throw luck and some sort of religious weight at calamitous situations rather than facing the challenge squarely towards finding a resolution. This has been the chosen path by many of us since the arrival of Stephen Keshi as the Super Eagles Manager, with many electing to flow on hope that something will give and we get it right. No sir! It doesn’t work that way…football is both art and science that must require systematic diagnosis for remedies to apply.

It does not matter anymore if we even go ahead to win the 2013 AFCON because that will further worsen the developmental challenges we have on hand. As far back as December 1987, the defunct African Concord Magazine ran a story anchored by Kunle Solaja in which they x-rayed the decline in the nation’s football and all those who featured in that print documentary except the then Nigeria Football Association (NFA) Chairman, Group Captain John Obakpolor (retired) were unanimous that the ship of football was wrecked. Quintessential Mitchel Obi, speaking as the Acting Editor of Guardian Express captured the rot in the following words; “our football is drifting, the leadership too is drifting. The system is sick. All the departments of the game are sick”.

The prompting for the story was the poor performance of Nigerian clubs in continental competitions and the disgraceful outing of the Flying Eagles at the Chile’87 World Championship. There was also the decision in that same year of owners of the two leading clubs, Leventis United and Abiola Babes to disband the teams. Late Chief MKO Abiola, the Chairman of Abiola Babes was said to have been piqued by the amount sent to the club as returns from match ticketing and as a businessman, he knew it cannot be sustained. Complaints over officiating were also fingered as one of the factors that made the clubs’ financiers withdrew.

In a recent conversation with Mr. Taye Ige of Hotsports Limited, from whom I obtained this old magazine, we wondered if all the problems identified then as weighing down football have ever gone away. Ige joked that a child who has been diagnosed of an ailment since 1987 and hasn’t been cured must be an ‘abiku’. But my position was different as it baffled me that a country can be facing same challenge over and over for decades. Kids born at that time are among our Super Eagles players today and yet we still haven’t gotten it right with the League.

Listen to Obi in an excerpt from that report, “the NFA must undergo a fresh orientation. The staff must be taught to understand and respect the importance of the national league and accept it as the hub on which the Nigerian football rotates. Nothing must disrupt it”. This then is the

35

SLIMANI •Islam

S RE ary U u n XT 6 Ja isia FI rday 2 t v Tun o s u Sat ry Coa a v Toguary o r v e I Alg i 27 Jan Africa ola h Ang day out Sun cco v Slands v o s Mor Verde I e p Ca

“There is hope” A

LGERIA forward Islam Slimani believes his side is capable of bouncing back from their 1-0 loss to Tunisia when they face Togo and Ivory Coast.

The 24-year-old was unlucky not to hand the Fennec Foxes the lead in the first half of that match as his powerful header came off the crossbar with the goalkeeper nowhere near the ball.

However, he says Vahid Halilhodzic’s men should take some encouragement from their positive play as

they look forward to their last two group matches. "(Against Tunisia) We played well and dominated almost the entire game, but we were unlucky not to score, something that proved to be fatal later,” Slimani told reporters. “We created several chances but the ball would not go in.

“The match against Togo is decisive for us, we have to get a win to stay alive.

“There are still two games and there is hope; that hope is the quality of our game.

“Until now I have not seen a developing team like ours creating so many opportunities.”

Algeria will face Togo at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium on Saturday, before taking on Ivory Coast four days later.

AT LARGE

Taoussi: We still have a chance

08050246155 atlarge84@yahoo.com

Eagles: Between victory and defeat T

said.

“We made a lot of mistake

s tonight.

It took a bit of time for our players to catch the rhythm of this game. The first half was not good but we recovered well in the second half.

The Moroccan people will be disappointed with the way we played in the first half. But we still have another three points to play for.”

•Taoussi

explained.

"There are a lot of players that are playing at the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time so it is normal that with a bit of inexperience you begin to tumble a little bit."

The 29-year-old admits that his troops paid the price for a nervous start against Bafana Bafana, failing to ever find a real foothold in the game - but that their campaign is far from •Manucho over.

"In Gabon last year, Sudan also qualified in this manner so let's hope it is Angola's turn," he asserted.

Angola rely heavily on Manucho's ability to find the back of the net something he has not been able to do matches. yet at this year's competition - and he Speaking after Angola's 2-0 loss to knows this needs to be rectified.

NGOLA skipper Manucho believes that his team's failure South Africa on Wednesday, the "Obviously any goal scorer feels striker refuted suggestions that they to fire on all cylinders at the pressure because teams tend to mark were not living up to their potential.

Africa Cup of Nations is in part due them a lot and that is what is "In 2006 [when we qualified for the happening to me," explained the to inexperience.

World Cup] we had a lot of The Sable Antelopes find themselves former Manchester United player. "It experienced players but that is not bottom of Group A after registering is up to me to respond correctly to just one point - courtesy of a goalless the case at the moment, the team is that." undergoing a rebuilding process," he draw against Morocco - in two

Manucho:

Inexperience showing

A

Atlas Lions eye redemption

Ghana's Wakaso could face punishment for

H

slogan G

HANA's Mubarak Wakaso was already facing a one-game suspension for his second yellow card of the group stage but could also face further punishment after revealing a religious slogan in a goal celebration.

Wakaso pulled his team shirt over his head to reveal a T-shirt with the words "Allah is Great!" after scoring from a penalty in Ghana's Group B meeting with Mali on Thursday.

Wakaso was shown a yellow card by the referee for his celebration, ruling him out of Ghana's likely crucial group game.

It wasn't clear if the booking was for pulling his shirt over his head or for the slogan he displayed.

FIFA rules don't allow players to make religious or political statements during a game.

OROCCO coach, Rachid Taoussi said he is still optimistic his side can reach the knockout stages of the 2013 Orange Africa Cup of Nations.

This is after Morocco were held to a 1-1 draw by tournament debutants, Cape Verde at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban. It was the second successive draw for Morocco in this edition of the continental showpiece.

Morocco’s Youssef El Arabi had saved his country from the jaws of defeat by a motivated Cape Verde side when he scored a goal with just over 10 minutes to fulltime. His goal was crucial in keeping Morocco in the mix as the final weekend of group stages nears.

In his post-match analysis, Taoussi said his players paid the price for having underestimated Cape Verde before the game.

“I realised that we didn’t take Cape Verde as serious as we should have so we played in an irresponsible way.

There is a difference in the way we played and the way we planned for this game,” the Morocco head coach

•Wakaso

AVING stumbled to their second consecutive Africa Cup of Nations draw, the Moroccan camp are hoping a late turnaround can keep their tournament hopes alive.

The Atlas Lions were left licking their wounds after they failed to beat AFCON newcomers Cape Verde on Wednesday, with a late goal from Youssef El-Arabi earning them a 1-1 draw.

For a team with such a rich football heritage and a squad with a number of players established in Europe, the result was a frustrating one.

"A very disappointing result because we hoped we would win this game," defender Ahmed Kantari told Football411.

"Unfortunately we were bad in the first half and while we were better in the second half it was not enough to win games."

Morocco now need to beat South Africa on Sunday to book their place in the quarter-finals and having seen the hosts burst into live against Angola, Kantari knows this will not be an easy

task - but one that is achievable.

"We are confident because we have a lot of good players in our team, players who play in big teams so we have to be strong mentally," he explained.

Lions coach Rachid Taoussi conceded after the match that his side had underestimated the strength of Cape Verde.

"I realised that we didn't take Cape Verde as serious as we should have so we played in an irresponsible way. There is a

difference in the way we played and the way we planned for this game," he said.

"We made a lot of mistakes tonight. It took a bit of time for our players to catch the rhythm of this game. The first half was not good but we recovered well in the second half.

"The Moroccan people will be disappointed with the way we played in the first half. But we still have another three points to play for."

Taofeek Babalola REPORTING from

SOUTH AFRICA

HE major problem which man faces day to day is error.

He grows older by the day and gradually begins the race to the end of his days on the earth the moment he was born.

With each step he takes, it is either that of error or towards efficiency.

Both walks with him at any point in time, but the choice of which operates in life at any point in time depends on the first step he took.

The 13th African Cup of Nations finals kicked off in South Africa last weekend, five goals having being scored in the first few days which points to the possibility that the competition will record more goals than the previous editions. The team that made the least mistake between now and the end of the tournament will go home with the trophy. The responsibility of ensuring fewer errors are committed is in the shoulder of the leader of the pack who should notice the mistakes and put them in the past through corrective measures. The truth is that he is also open to errors and his error could be responsible for the mistake which his team made that cost his side victory and probably the trophy.

Cote d’ Ivoire would have won the trophy last season. They were the strongest of all the sides and the world had tipped them to emerge the champions for the second time.

They got to the final alright, but when it mattered most, the Elephants lost their strength and eventually bow through penalty shoot-out, a game of chance. They were victims of the spirit of weakness, otherwise known as error, which usually attacks man at the point of his weariness.

Winning a competition, like the Nations Cup, goes beyond putting together a team of eleven players; it goes beyond having a football philosophy, culture and money. It goes beyond having good players and having them play for the big clubs in the world. There must be the presence of agreement. It is also unity of purpose, with all parts of the body working together in equality. The leader also known as coach must be on the same page with the players and the administration and not working in cross purposes. Agreement cannot be defeated. It is an answer to the spirit of error. It makes you to be efficient and crowns your hard work with success.

The spirit of agreement is what we need to turn our country and football around. It is the solution to winning the World Cup in 2014 and beyond. If one part is sick, the whole body will be affected. If the administration is slack, expect a spill over in other parts of football. If the coach is not a good one, the team will be bad.

Of the 20 players that Nigeria took to South Africa, only two are on the pay-roll of one of the big clubs in Europe. Others struggle to make the first team of their various clubs in lower leagues and are part players.

They have found crossing from the east to the west difficult while few who succeeded only survived for few seasons and soon shipped back to the east. Our players who have the gift to play the game did not go through the refiners but blacksmiths so are not fit for the use in the king’s palace. Opinion is still divided over John Mikel Obi’s proficiency among Chelsea’s fans with a section criticizing his inclusion in the first team for games.

He is probably one of the few players in the team who consistently in the past six seasons not having scored a goal and has been found to have propensity for committing errors both for club and country. He joined Chelsea from the north having played for Lynn Oslo of Norway and fitted to their football system without any difficulty. The standard of football in Nigeria and Norway are comparable and our footballers should be able to make headlines in that part of the world with their football standing on faulty foundation.

Our football woe at the international level is being attacked at the head. The problem is in the foundation. A house built on faulty foundation will be a caricature. The physician is treating wrong ailment using wrong solution. The woe will only get worse and the treatment will compound the problem.

With billion of naira sunk into the game every season, Nigerian football should be among the best ten in the world. The last FIFA rankings placed the country at 52 which indicates that it is not responding to treatment. Even countries who had not won anything in their existences are ranked above Nigeria who has won two Nations Cup titles and Olympic soccer gold and silver medals.

Do not get disappointed if Super Eagles are not playing to expectation in South Africa. They can only reproduce who they are and what they have. The foundation is faulty and could only attract the spirit of error into their midst. The country is not working as one and they can only give birth to what is in their surrounding.

•Mikel

THE NATION SATURDAY, JANUARY 26, 2013

‘The crowd kept pushing us’ B AFANA Bafana midfielder Dean Furman admits that the support his team got from the Durban fans was crucial Bafana Bafana midfielder Dean Furman admits that the support his team got from the Durban fans was crucial in South Africa’s 2-0 win over Angola.

Following a poor opening game 0-0 draw with Cape Verde last Saturday, the South Africans managed to overcome their critics to bounce back in emphatic fashion to secure a 2-0 win over Angola.

Furman, who didn’t feature in the opening game of the Africa Nations Cup, was named Man of the Match at the Moses Mabhida Stadium and admits the team’s spirits were lifted by the

•Furman

home crowd.

"The support was incredible, you could feel it•Mikel as you were playing the crowd just kept pushing us on," he commented after the match.

"It was the kind of encouragement the players needed, especially as things didn't go the way we wanted them to in the opening game.

"You could hear them getting louder as the game went on and that was motivation enough for the lads to keep their heads down and guarantee the win.

"We're just really happy about the three points, and the way we played to get them."

South Africa now top Group A with four points, ahead of Morocco, Cape Verde and Angola.

Antunes: Cape Verde should be taken seriously C

APE Verde Islands are much more than just a fairytale story at the African Nations Cup and have the potentials to regularly compete in top continental events, coach Lucio Antunes has said.

"My team is not as weak as you guys think," the coach told reporters as he basked in the glory of Wednesday's 1-1 draw with former champions Morocco in Durban.

Added to the point they picked up in unexpectedly holding hosts South Africa in last weekend's opening game, the smallest country to ever compete now have a realistic chance of reaching the quarterfinals.

"We have won both home and away against some good teams in the past and even held Portugal to a draw away a few years ago. We are

strong home and away and we've got some fantastic players," Antunes said.

"We showed we have a great collection of players like South Africa, Morocco, Nigeria, the Ivory Coast, Ghana," he said, smiling as the names rolled off his tongue.

"My players can play at Chelsea, Manchester United,

Milan, Real Madrid, Barcelona. They can go there."

A late equaliser from Morocco denied the Cape Verdians a memorable win but the islanders did score their first ever tournament goal in a performance that belied their inexperience and profile.

"It was a night to

congratulate Cape Verde football, a big night for our country. It was a just result and now we have a chance to progress.

"I'm very happy with a night of great dignity for our football and I must offer congratulations to my players. We have the respect of all now because we play good football," Antunes said.

Bafana hopes to repeat 'heroics' of 1996

A

FTER Bafana Bafana’s 2-0 win over Angola, South Africans are now developing more interest in the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations.

Until the game with Angola in Durban on Wednesday, the average South African was skeptical about the home team.

•Antunes

They had little confidence in the Boys - as the team in popularly known - and that state of mind was strengthened by the dour barren draw on the opening day against debutantes Cape Verde.

Attendance on the first day at the expansive Soccer City was anything but capacity and on Wednesday it was no better yet with the performance and the fact that their team is one point away from the quarter finals, South Africans are now taking to the team.

“We have been used to disappointments. The team has not been performing well and we feared they will shame us on home soil. At least now we can go cheer them and give them the final push to the quarter finals,” said Bibo Mphuleza a shopkeeper.

But Bafana Bafana are not out of the woods yet. They must produce an even better performance when

they play Morocco in Durban on Sunday.

A draw could be good enough for them but if they lose and Cape Verde collects three points off Angola on the same day in Port Elizabeth, the home nation will not have a team in the competition any more. Cape Verde and Morocco, who played to a one all draw in Durban, have two points each. Angola has one.

Coach Gordon Igesund says the spirit in the team is now returning while former Bafana Bafana captain Lucas Radebe says the team can repeat the performance of 1996 when they won the cup on home soil.

“We can perform beyond expectation. What the team needed was a performance that will bring confidence in the squad and they have achieved that. Now they need to make it to the quarters and from there it will be easy to go all the way,” said Radebe a member of the 1996 winning squad.

National School Sports Festival and Africa Junior Athletics Competition

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WO main developmental sports competitions will take place in the first quarter of 2013. The National school sports festival comes on in January while the Africa junior athletics championship comes up in march. These competitions are veritable sources of fresh and young talents for future development and challenges. This paper examines the ways and means of boosting developmental sports programmes and making the best of proceeds.

It should be stated that developmental competitions are ways of sowing the seed for the emergence of future champions for Nigeria. In order to achieve this goal steps, concrete steps must be taken by the authorities. It is expected that in the course of these competitions, machinery must have been put in place to identify and select good performers. Identified athletes, subsequently must be subjected to the following procedures 1. Screening: the screening of selected athletes must be thoroughly undertaken. For the emergent athletes from the National school sports festival, much more work must be done. a. To ascertain whether the identified athletes are students and of the right school age. b. To establish if the athletes have nutritional deficiencies c. To ascertain the athletes suitability for the events in which they competed d. To plan for the athletes subsequent athletic and educational development.

As a follow up to the foregoing, the school sports federation of Nigeria and relevant agencies of government and private sector must work out the modalities for their development, providing scholarships and upkeep allowance. A key component of this project is the design of a training programme to be supervised by competent professional personnel that includes coaches, sports psychologists, nutritionists, medical doctors and others. It is the duty of this corps of personnel to monitor and evaluate the progress of the athletes. Those who are not showing any sign of improvement or positive response to training should be taken out of the programme to give opportunity to fresh talents to join in the programmes, as this exercise is continues.

For the African Junior Athletics competition, it is of course, expected that most of the competitors would be similar in their demographic characteristics with the school boy athletes and should be subjected to the same screening procedures and developmental programmes as earlier stated. In both cases, performance standards must be established. Those who measure up to the established standard will remain in the programme and move forward, while those who fall below, are weeded out.

In all, it should be further stated that the development of athletes is a scientific process. It should be managed by those who are eminently qualified professionally to provide the needed leadership. Bounteous harvest of champions can be reaped if the right environment is created for the talents to excel in their events.

This brings to mind the fact that during EKO 2012, that is, the National Sports Festival in Lagos, some talented sports men and women were selected, documented and handed over to the National Sports Commission.

The National Sports Commission was very enthusiastic about talent hunting during the festival.

As a member of the observatory team that participated in the talent identification and documentation exercise, I am aware that a comprehensive report on the programme has been submitted to the authorities.

There is evidence from all accounts that Nigeria has abundant sports talents. All we need to do is to take the necessary steps to develop them for our own good. It is important for the National Sports Commission and other sports agencies to rise to the challenges of harnessing and developing these emerging talents from the National Sports Festival, Africa Junior Athletics and other competitions.

God Bless Nigerian Sports.

THE NATION SATURDAY, JANUARY 26, 2013

32

I want to win

Karanka: Madrid don’t have

aggressive players R

EAL MADRID assistant coach Aitor Karanka has rejected claims that his side are too aggressive on the pitch in the wake of the dismissals of Fabio Coentrao and Angel Di Maria in their 1-1

Falcao: I’m not thinking about a transfer

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18 15 12 11 9 10 9 9 8 8 7 6 7 6 5 5 5 4 4 3

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1 2 4 2 5 1 3 3 5 4 5 5 1 4 6 5 4 6 5 7

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1 3 4 7 6 9 8 8 7 8 8 9 12 10 9 10 11 10 11 10

GF 66 42 50 31 30 27 27 24 31 29 25 24 21 24 23 18 20 16 20 24

GA

23 18 20 30 17 36 32 29 27 25 31 29 30 40 32 29 25 21 36 42

GD

43 24 30 1 13 -9 -5 -5 4 4 -6 -5 -9 -16 -9 -11 -5 -5 -16 -18

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•Sagna

M

ANCHESTER UNITED midfielder Tom Cleverley vows to pressure Fulham tonight as the Red Devils target FA Cup glory.

The Cottagers travel to Old Trafford at the weekend in the fourth round of the competition and Cleverley intends to be all over the opposition.

"At home, if we've got teams under a lot of pressure,•Kompany they can struggle if we don't give them a second to breathe," said the 23-yearold England international, quoted in The Sun. "We've played some really good stuff fast, one-touch football."

•Zabaleta

HE Emirates defender's longterm future is in doubt as he is yet to agree a new contract and the current deal runs out in 18 months. Sagna, 29, has not won a single trophy since joining from Auzerre for £7million in 2007.

The right-back has also angered boss Arsene Wenger earlier in the season by criticising the club for allowing the likes of Robin Van Persie and Alex Song to leave last summer.

H e t o l d atlantiquefootballclub.com : “Honestly, I'm under contract with Arsenal and I give everything so long as I am under contract with my club.

Before leaving, because I will leave here one day, I would like to win something with my club. I don't want to answer yes or no now because in football you never know what will happen.”

Asked about the team's progress, he said: “Slow. We had problems starting for several reasons, we lost important players. Some new ones arrived as well. We know it takes a bit of time for everyone to be ready.

“The rest of the season will be very, very hard. With teams like Manchester United and Manchester City who never give up. But we want to do the best second half of the season possible.

We have to go as far as possible in the Cups. We're outsiders (for the Champions League) but we still

have quite a bit of pressure. The fact we haven't anything for quite a while means people are expecting a lot from us.

“We miss Van Persie he carried the team on his own last year and he's doing it again with United this season. It's incredible. With a player like him it clearly makes the difference. He's impressive. I didn't think he was capable of doing what he's doing. He had quite a lot of injuries. Scoring so many goals isn't given to everyone.”

Quizzed over which is the best team in the Premier League, Sagna has no doubt. He said: “It's United, they're stronger, more solid. Over the duration it's them. Even when they struggle in games they manage to win.”

Cleverley targeting cup glory Asked how important the competition is to United, Cleverley said: "It means a lot. Our last FA Cup win was in 2004 and it's a trophy I want.

"Playing at Wembley is one of the best feelings of your career. I've been lucky enough to have played there five or six times but I always want more.

"We've got a few players who haven't won anything in this country yet - like me. So anything we're involved in, I want to win.

"At the start of the season, the first thing I

wanted was to be injury-free. I want to

Zabaleta set to face Stoke

S

•Hill

OME might see an FA Cup run as an unwelcome distraction to QPR's fight against relegation but captain Clint Hill won't hear of it. tonight’s fourth round fixture against MK Dons is a repeat of last year 's third round tie, in which a lastminute Heidar H e l g u s o n equaliser earned a draw at Stadium MK before Danny Gabbidon finished the job at Loftus Road.

Not only is Hill determined the Rs won't be run so close this time, but he believes a good cup run will breed confidence for their league battles.

He said: “Last season we were lucky to get a draw at their place, so we will be way of them.

make as many appearances as I can and help the team win some silverware.

"We've got the experience of last year and we know how hurt we were. There's a great team spirit now.

There was last year, too, but there's a good feeling around OTTENHAM midfielder Scott the place, which is Parker has claimed his five fantastic. months in the treatment room "To me, it just feels last year were a blessing in l i k e a g r o u p o f disguise, as his body needed time winners." to recover from the battering it has

T

"They play a similar style football to us and are very difficult to play against. They have a good manager and a good work ethic.

“When I was at Tranmere we had some massive FA Cup games against the likes of West Ham and Middlesbrough, so I know how MK Dons are feeling.

They will be out for a scalp and will be up for it big time.

“But we will definitely be up for it too. A win is a win and it gives you great confidence going forward.

"Our away form has not been that good, but the FA Cup win at West Brom last week gave us the confidence to come to West Ham and get a point.”

•Parker

Norwich City will not be victims of FA Cup upset — Forbes

E

X-CANARY Adrian Forbes is not expecting another of his former clubs to pull off an FA Cup shock at Carrow Road but he believes they are better equipped to achieve the more important goal of regaining Football

League status.

Former winger Forbes spent three years at Luton Town, who provide the opposition for Norwich City in Saturday's fourth round tie (3pm), and has positive memories of his time at Kenilworth Road.

In 2001-02, his first season after a £60,000 move from City, he helped the Hatters clinch promotion from the former Division Three, and in his final season at the club he scored a career-best 14 goals before moving on to Swansea.

"After this 30-year period, the trophy has subsequently been away from Italy for five years. My hope is that Gigi manages to halt the negative run by bringing it back in the next two years.

"Given that just one goalkeeper, [Lev] Yashin, has had the honour of lifting it, I think it would be a correct acknowledgment of what Gigi means to Juventus and the world of football as a whole."

The 34-year-old Buffon inked a new deal with Juventus until June 2015 on Wednesday.

M

ANCHESTER CITY have been boosted by the news that Pablo Zabaleta should be fit to face Stoke in the FA Cup .

The Argentina international suffered a foot injury in the 2-0 win over Fulham in the Premier League on Saturday and was forced to limp off but he is confident of being available for the trip to the Potteries.

City's other first-team right-back Micah Richards is still recovering from knee surgery, so the inclusion of Zabaleta in his squad would be a boost to City manager Roberto Mancini.

"I took a kick on the top of my foot which caused me a lot of pain afterwards and that's the reason it was better that I came off," Zabaleta told the club's official website.

"It looks better today, but there is a little discomfort when I walk or run so it is a bit sore and needs to settle down a little.

"Thankfully, the scan showed there was no serious damage. I should be fine for Saturday but it will be a couple of days before it is 100 per cent again.

"I did some bike work on Monday morning and on Tuesday I will try some running so I'm sure I will be available for the game against Stoke."

Parker: Rest has done me good

•Cleverley

UVENTUS president Andrea Agnelli feels that Gianluigi Buffon deserves to win the Fifa Ballon d'Or before he retires as a reward for everything he has done for football.

Barcelona star Lionel Messi has won the previous four editions of the prestigious individual award, but club supremo hopes that the Italy international can bring the prize back to Serie A in the upcoming years.

"History states that from 1978 until 2007, the Ballon d'Or was regularly won by players competing in Serie A," he said at a press conference.

despite foot injury

QPR captain eager for FA Cup success

Pts 55 47 40 35 32 31 30 30 29 28 26 23 22 22 21 20 19 18 17 16

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— Sagna

Spanish Primera Liga Team

The Ballon d'Or

before I quit Arsenal

FIXTURES

1 Barcelona 20 2 Atletico Madrid 20 3 Real Madrid 20 4 Real Betis 20 5 Malaga 20 6 Rayo Vallecano 20 7 Valencia 20 8 Levante 20 9 Real Sociedad 20 10 Valladolid 20 11 Getafe 20 12 Sevilla 20 13 Real Zaragoza 20 14 Athletic Bilbao 20 15 Espanyol 20 16 Granada 20 17 Celta Vigo 20 18 Osasuna 20 19 Mallorca 20 20 Deportivo 20

Agnelli: Buffon deserves

something

Copa del Rey draw against Valencia on Wednesday.

The Blancos have now seen five players sent off since the winter break, with Antonio Adan, Sergio Ramos and Kaka preceding the aforementioned duo, but the 39year-old feels his players are being treated unfairly.

"We don't have aggressive players.

The images are there for all to see.

You only have to watch them to reach the right conclusion," he stated at the post-match press conference.

"The majority of the game was played without aggression, yet we have had Coentrao and Di Maria sent off. People have watched the match and they've all seen that we had two players sent off. It's surprising ..."

ADAMEL FALCAO has again insisted he is not thinking about leaving Atletico Madrid and says his sole focus is lifting silverware at the Vicente Calderon.

The striker has been linked with clubs such as Chelsea and Real Madrid over the past few months, but even though he can see himself playing in another league at some point in the future, he says that is not at the forefront of his mind at present.

"I'm really at home with Atletico and I'm still under contract here," the Colombia international was quoted as saying by Fifa.com.

Sat 26 Jan "I'm sure that I'll taste life in another Celta Vigo v Real Sociedad league at some point in my career, but Levante v Valladolid right now I'm only thinking about my Real Zaragoza v Espanyol club, in growing as a player and doing Deportivo La Coruna v my bit to help us keep winning trophies."

Valencia The 26-year-old also had his say on the Sun 27 Jan title race in La Liga, and admitted that Real Madrid v Getafe Atletico are in for a tough task if they are Rayo Vallecano v Real Betis to leapfrog leaders Barcelona.

Barcelona v Osasuna "We're aware that it'll be tough to claw Mallorca v Malaga back the lead Barcelona have, though as Athletic Bilbao v A/ Madrid long as there's still a mathematical Monday 28 January chance we'll keep on fighting," he added.

Sevilla v Granada "Our main objective is securing a place in the Champions League. We're very GOAL SCORERS clear on that.

"It's hard to compete because of the Goals budget some of Spain's most powerful Player Team 29 teams have. They've got the best players Messi Barcelona in the world, while we're just gradually Ronaldo Real Madrid 18 growing stronger as a team."

Falcao Atletico Madrid 18 Los Rojiblancos currently sit second in Aduriz Athletic Bilbao 12 the Liga table, trailing Barcelona by eight Ruben Castro Real Betis 12 points.

Soldado Valencia 11 Piti Rayo Vallecano 9 Negredo Sevilla 8 Vela Real Sociedad 8 Higuain Real Madrid 8 Postiga Real Zaragoza 8 Aspas Celta Vigo 8 Hemed Mallorca 7 Manucho Valladolid 6 Victor Mallorca 6 Fabregas Barcelona 6 •Falcao

33

taken in recent seasons.

Parker's fitness issues began to catch up with him long before he put his body on the line to play for England at Euro 2012 last summer and the 32-year-old midfielder has conceded the break he was forced to endure may work in his favour as he returns to peak fitness.

"I think my body needed that rest because I've played a lot of football for many years now and that was probably the longest I've been on the sidelines," Parker told the Tottenham website.

"I was out for five months, but I was in the gym every day for the best part of four months of that time, doing conditioning and strength work. I think the break has really done me good and I feel fit and sharp.

"I touch wood when I say it, because football can come around and bite you on the backside, but I feel really good. Now I'm looking to establish myself back in the team and push on from there. I've had a few games now and I'm raring to go and get right back into it."

Parker's return has been perfectly timed for Spurs boss Andre VillasBoas after he lost combative midfielder Sandro for the rest of the season due to injury, with the club's reigning Player of the Year emerging as the ideal man to fill the void left by the Brazilian in the heart of his midfield.

•Buffon

Allegri targets top-three finish

M

ASSIMILIANO ALLEGRI remains hopeful that AC Milan can secure a top-three finish this season in order to qualify for the Champions League.

The Rossoneri have climbed to sixth spot in the table after a disastrous start to the 2012-13 campaign, and Allegri is pleased with the way they have bounced back in recent months.

GOAL SCORERS Player Team

"We are going through a good moment where we are doing well.

After our initial struggles where we lost many points, we're getting better," he told Sky Sport 24.

"When things go against you it is tough, but let's see where we can finish in this campaign. Now the club have decided what they want in the future, and short term we want to get in to the top three even though it won't be easy.

FIXTURES

Goals

Cavani Napoli Di Natale Udinese El Shaarawy AC Milan Pazzini AC Milan Lamela Roma Klose Lazio Osvaldo Roma Gilardino Bologna Hernanes Lazio Milito Inter Milan Jovetic Fiorentina Totti Roma Denis Atalanta Bergessio Catania Rodriguez Fiorentina

17 14 14 11 10 10 10 8 8 8 8 7 7 7 7

Sat 26 Jan Lazio v Chievo Juventus v Genoa Sun27 Jan 2013 Bologna v Roma Parma v Napoli Udinese v Siena Sampdoria v Pescara Atalanta v AC Milan Cagliari v Palermo Catania v Fiorentina Inter Milan v Torino:

Seria A Table Team 1 Juventus 2 Napoli 3 Lazio 4 Inter Milan 5 Fiorentina 6 AC Milan 7 Roma 8 Catania 9 Parma 10 Udinese 11 Torino 12 Chievo 14 Bologna 15 Sampdoria 16 Cagliari 17 Pescara 18 Genoa 19 Palermo 20 Siena

P 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21

W 15 13 13 12 10 10 10 9 8 7 6 7 6 6 5 6 4 3 5

D 3 4 4 3 6 4 3 5 7 9 9 4 3 4 5 2 5 7 5

L 3 4 4 6 5 7 8 7 6 5 6 10 12 11 11 13 12 11 11

GF 45 41 32 33 38 38 44 29 29 32 25 19 26 22 20 17 21 18 20

GA 14 19 21 23 25 28 35 27 27 31 24 31 28 29 37 39 34 34 31

GD Pts 31 48 22 43 11 43 10 39 13 36 10 34 9 33 2 32 2 31 1 30 1 26 -12 23 -2 21 -7 21 -17 20 -22 20 -13 17 -16 16 -11 14

THE NATION SATURDAY, JANUARY 26, 2013

E

VENTS at the 29th Africa Cup of Nations have truly shown that indeed, football is the bridge that helps to link many countries to reality and even to the future.

The history of the Africa Cup of Nations has been told several times by historians with the facts and the capacity to deliver, and some of us have read different accounts, which all, however, agree that the championship has helped the African continent together more than any other device in the past halfcentury.

On Saturday, the 29th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations started in South Africa with the host nation, in the garb of Bafana Bafana, taking on little-known Cape Verde, a country of just about half-a-million people!

Actually, if not for football, there are very few areas of endeavour that would bring South Africa and Cape Verde together on an equal footing. But on Saturday, 19th January, the Cape Verdians dared to dream and even their few noisy supporters inside in the National Stadium in Johannesburg shared that dream.

Having cut to tiny bits the four-time champions Cameroon, stopping the

Inside The

Glass House WITH AMINU MAIGARI

Football as building block of nations (1) Indomitable Lions from the Cup of Nations finals for the second successive edition, the Blue Sharks had the courage and even the pomposity to think they could win matches at the Cup finals and progress to the knock-out rounds, where as they say, anything can happen.

The flag of Cape Verde stood side-by-side with that of the Rainbow Nation and both starting squads sang their different national anthems, shoulder-toshoulder. In the jungle of football, all animals are equal!

And the result on the field showed that there are no longer small teams in the

game; only small minds remain. The Cape Verdians carved the biggest opportunity of the match and could have won if they were a bit more adventurous.

Angola and Morocco also finished scoreless the same day, before Group B took us out of the scoreless salon as Ghana drew 2-2 with Democratic Republic of Congo and Mali pipped Niger 1-0.

Yes, we know Democratic Republic of Congo to be strong but considering the unease in that country, everyone thought the team would be too distracted to do anything tangible.

Instead, they came from two

goals down against one of the championship favourites and drew level, even threatening to scoop all three points in Port Elizabeth.

Mali is presently in a serious state of war. Only last week, Nigeria and a few concerned nations sent troops into that country to restore a semblance of order and stop the insurgents. But on the field of play, it was all positives for Mali as they became the first country at the finals to record a win, following Seydou Keita’s goal in the 1-0 defeat of fellow West Africans Niger.

Ethiopia last participated at the Africa Cup of Nations 31 years ago, at Libya 1982. But that counted for nothing

The Elephants promise to grow in strength the three points.

We managed and it felt good to win them,” observed Max Gradel.

And the Elephants have promised to grow in strength throughout the tournament.

“The objective is to grow in strength. We were lucky towards the end. We have players who are capable of making the difference at any moment and that is what’s most important.

Everyone can appreciate the quality of the game in his

Halilhodzic seeks redemption at Africa Cup of Nations

•Gervinho

V I

N fact, it was a desperate victory grabbed in the 88th minute by Gervinho, while Togo saw themselves refused a goal in a rather contentious manner during the second half.

The Elephants were still as dangerous as usual in attack, although only in fits and starts against the Sparrowhawks, but also showed worrying signs of feverishness within their defence, a weakness which could have cost them

own way.

The most important thing is the three points. We came to win six matches. We can say that the first step has been taken successfully. We have five matches remaining that we have to concentrate on,” announced the Manchester City midfielder, Yaya Touré.

Didier Drogba and his teammates had a recovery workout session late Wednesday morning an will be back at training on Thursday at 18h30.

dearly had it not been for a big Copa Barry on the night between the sticks.

“We lacked tempo, rhythm,” admitted Wilfried Bony at the end of the match.

“We made a lot of mistakes,” bemoaned captain Didier Drogba.

But they achieved what matters, the victory that Sabri Lamouchi’s men prefer to focus on as indicated by Didier Ya Konan: “It was difficult, but we managed to win the three points.”

“The essential today was

AHID Halilhodzic remained in the dugout long after the final whistle, trickles of sweat pouring down his face, staring into space.

Algeria had played well, but still lost to Tunisia in their opening game of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations after a stunning late winner

by Youssef Msakni reduced the Fennec Foxes' chances of reaching the knockout stages.

But, more than anything, that late goal brought back some bad memories for the 60-year-old Bosnian. Three years ago, Halilhodzic had a similar experience. At the time he was coaching Ivory Coast – taking one of the best generations of African

footballers to the World Cup and losing only one out of 24 games before an Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final against Algeria.

In that match, his Ivory Coast team went 2-1 up in the 89th minute through Kader Keita, but then everything crumbled in just 60 seconds. The Algerians equalised in the next minute and scored a winner in extra-time, knocking Ivory Coast out of the competition.

Halilhodzic, harshly, paid with his job and was replaced by Sven-Goran Eriksson.

"It was very hard for me to digest all that. It still is," Halilhodzic says in an exclusive interview.

when started against the Cup holders, Zambia at the Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit on Monday. The Zambians went ahead just before half time and then the Ethiopian goalkeeper got a red card and everyone thought they were in for a horrible hiding.

It didn’t work that way.

Instead, the Ethiopians fought harder and played better and got the equalizer. Game ended 1-1.

Champions against 30-year absentees!

And what about the match between our Super Eagles and Burkina Faso?

We thought we had it in the bag, and even with a man down, we controlled the game and should have added to the tally. But what did we have? In the very last second, a slip and the spoils were shared. Very painful.

The following day in Rustenburg, Cote d’Ivoire shot ahead against tiny Togo and thought they were in the driving seat, until the Togolese, who played well, equalized. It took a moment of brilliance from Gervinho, two minutes from time, to give the Ivorians the full points.

The north African derby provided all the fireworks and more, and it took Tunisia with a touch of

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HE national coach of the Fennecs, Vahid Halilhodzic, was taken aside by Algerian journalists following their press conference on Thursday morning in Rustenburg.

While he was getting ready to climb into his car to join his players, the Algerian media present criticized his arrogance, his lack of respect and his lack of cooperation towards the press.

“Do you want me to invite you into my hotel room?” retorted Halilhodzic to the representative of the official Algerian press agency, APF. “No, I am not interested,” replied the latter before a CAF body guard encouraged the coach to get back into his car.

Accompanied by goalkeeper Rais Mbolhi, the national coach of the Fennecs delivered comment ahead of his team’s crucial clash against Togo tonight in Group D. After suffering a defeat at the hands of Tunisia 1-0 in their first Africa Cup of Nations 2013 match, the Algerians will have no room for error against the Sparrowhawks.

“We know what we have

•Halilhodzic

brilliance late on to edge the game and, would anyone have expected South Africa, which failed to beat Cape Verde, to cage Angola? But they did. Two goals and the Bafana Bafana were no longer shedding tears of a possible group phase elimination.

Of course, things are still somewhat fluid in Group A and even one-pointer Angola can still make it into the quarter finals. But with four points from their two matches, the Bafana Bafana are much better off in harvest and confidence that they were after their opening game.

And then, Morocco and Cape Verde played to a 1-1 draw. How many of those who dared predict the match could have correctly predicted a goal for each team? Morocco, champions in 1976 and runners-up in 2004, at par with the debutants and supposed neophytes.

There have been a number of other matches since Wednesday, i n c l u d i n g t h e Zambia/Nigeria match at Mbombela, but what remains indisputable is the huge role that football plays in international relations and as precious image builder for every nation of the world.

Algeria coach blasts journalists to do. We must secure a win, that’s it,” stated the Algerian ‘keeper.

And despite the big disappointment suffered against the Eagles of Carthage, the Algerians remain very determined ahead of their last two matches of this first round.

“This team is capable of reacting and we will do everything to win our next two matches. They want to show that they did not deserve this result,” explained coach Vahid, who insisted on protecting his players.

“Let the players be, it’s Vahid’s fault,” he advised the Algerian media present at the press conference.

Algeria will meet Togo on Saturday for their second Afcon 2013 Group D clash at the Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg (kick-off at 20h00 CAT).

36

Saturday, January 26, 2013

PAGE 36

•McIlroy

MCILROY Named 2012 race to Dubai European Tour Golfer of the Year

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WESTWOOD Golf camps launched

L

EE WESTWOOD is launching a brand new coaching initiative – Lee Westwood Golf Camps. Lee hopes that his name will encourage junior golfers to attend the three-day coaching camps which have been successfully trialed at his full-time schools in Cheshire and Essex.

More than 30 venues and PGA Professionals will be playing host to the 3 day coaching camp aimed at 7 – 16 year olds. The PGA professionals will deliver the tuition following the structure set in place by Lee and his team. During the course of the Camp there will be a number of Skills Challenges which will create a national leaderboard. The top golfers at the end of the season will win a place at the Lee Westwood Golf Camps National Final, where the best performers from the Lee Westwood Golf Tour and Lee Westwood Golf Camps will compete.

•Westwood

WOODS DATING Olympian Skier

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IGER WOODS has been quietly seeing Olympian skier Lindsey Vonn, according to the new issue of Star.

“He wants to marry again,” an inside tells Star, “and thinks Lindsey could be the woman.”

The 37-year-old golf icon and

Vonn began seeing one another in November. He’s been hot on Vonn’s trail as of late, watching her ski in the World Cup in Austria, then taking her on an Antiguan vacation, according to the magazine.

Lindsey finalized her divorce to skier Thomas Vonn this month after

splitting in November 2011. The 28year-old, who bears a slight resemblance to Tiger’s ex Elin Nordegren, has shown off her sexiness in Sports Illustrated‘s Olympic Swimsuit Edition and Maxim‘s Hot 100 list.

Ryder Cup stars Kaymer, Garcia share 4-way lead halfway through Qatar Masters

R

YDER CUP stars Martin Kaymer and Sergio Garcia were among four players tied for the lead at the Qatar Masters after the second round on Thursday.

The leaderboard was crowded, with 15 players within three shots of the leaders, thanks to mainly calm conditions at Doha Golf Course.

Kaymer (67), Garcia (66) overnight leader Ricardo Santos of Portugal and Marcus Fraser of Australia were at 9-under 135. They had a one-shot lead on five players, including former U.S. Open champion Michael Campbell (68).

Three shots behind after the first round, the former top-ranked Kaymer took

the lead thanks to his short game. He holed a chip from the fringe on 13 and made several long putts including a birdie on the ninth.

Kaymer had a bogey-free round that featured five birdies.

The understated German felt his round was merely "OK," and believed his score would not be enough to hold up over the last two rounds.

"I played a lot better than the last few rounds I played, especially in Abu Dhabi," Kaymer said. "But I was a little fortunate today, a few putts that dropped, but on those greens that happens sometimes, and I think 9 under is a good position to be in."

Garcia, coming off minor

eye surgery last year, said the pristine conditions allowed him to hit a full range of shots including "draws, fades, high, low, things like that."

"I definitely feel like I played a little bit better than

yesterday," the Spaniard said. "Hit a good amount of good shots. I gave myself a lot of good chances for birdies. Hit some good putts that didn't go and then made some nice ones, too."

•Kaymer

ORY MCILROY has been named The 2012 Race to Dubai European Tour Golfer of the Year, capping a sensational year for the World Number One. The 23 year old Northern Irishman succeeds Luke Donald as winner of the coveted award, having also replicated the Englishman’s previously unprecedented achievement of winning both The Race to Dubai and the US PGA Tour Money List in the same season.

In August, McIlroy captured his second Major Championship, claiming the US PGA Championship at Kiawah Island by eight strokes and in doing so set a new record for the largest winning margin in the Championship, beating the seven stroke triumph of Jack Nicklaus at Oak Hill in 1980. It also matched the winning margin he achieved during his maiden Major triumph in the 2011 US Open Championship at Congressional.

He also won three times on the US PGA Tour – in The Honda Classic, the Deutsche Bank Championship and the BMW Championship – and played a vital role in Europe’s victorious Ryder Cup winning team, before ending a magnificent personal year by winning The European Tour’s season finalé, The DP World Tour Championship, Dubai, in style, birdieing the final five holes on the Earth course to triumph by two strokes.

That fifth title worldwide in 2012 also meant McIlroy finished The European Tour season with record earnings of €5,519,118, beating the previous mark of €5,323,400 set by Donald last year, as he became the youngest player to win the Harry Vardon Trophy since Scotland’s Sandy Lyle in 1980 and the fourth youngest in total behind Seve Ballesteros, Dale Hayes and Lyle.

McIlroy can now add The Race to Dubai European Tour Golfer of the Year award to his list of accomplishments in 2012, which includes winning the Golf Writers’ Trophy on this side of the Atlantic as well as the PGA Tour Player of the Year honours in the United States.

38

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JANUARY 26, 2013

Entertainers to create shows for 100 years of Nigeria

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ONSIDERED as a uniting force outside of football, the entertainment industry has been co-opted into plans by the federal government for the centenary celebrations of the existence of the Nigerian nation At a forum with stakeholders in the music and movie sector in Lagos on Wednesday, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim, intimated the entertainers on the proposed activities and the need for them to be a part of the project.

The event, which held at the Yellow Chili Restaurant, Joel Ogunnaike, GRA, Lagos had the Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke in attendance.

Anchored by veteran actor, Kanayo O Kanayo, the meeting witnessed a flurry of stars from the Yoruba, Hausa and the English language film production wings of the industry.

Duke, in his opening remark, said the federal government deemed it necessary to involve the entertainment industry because the entertainers are the bedrock of the Nigerian brand and the creative power house of African continent.

He described Nollywood as a great contributor to the culture and tourism status of Nigeria as well as a huge foreign exchange earner outside of oil. Duke, urged the filmmakers not to falter due to the challenges being faced by their members, but take a frontal seat in the centenary project as creative people.

"I enjoin you to seize this opportunity as a sacred duty to contribute in several ways and strengthen the Nigerian brand," he said.

Senator Anyim, who presented a 24page paper titled "The Centenary Project: Concept Document", asked the entertainers to develop a position

T

•Senator Ayim addressing while Sanni Muuazu and the Minister of Culture look on

programme that will be fuse into the larger centenary celebrations calendar.

He noted there had been unfavourable reactions regarding why the celebration is not necessary-one of which is the criticism that the Nigerian nation was forced by the colonial masters through the amalgamation, but that it is important to leverage on the strength of oneness and celebrate the country's achievements together.

The SGF who noted that: never in history had justice been totally achieved, by a people, said there is the need to develop certain legacy projects, including a city that will serve as a hallmark of the centenary celebrations.

"The essence of the project is to strengthen the unity of Nigeria. Let us emphasise the need for us to remain as a country and to become what the world wants us to become,” he said.

He said as a way of involving the private sector on patriotic projects, the

Celebrities unite for

OP Nigerian actors, comedians and musicians will finally unite under one roof on Sunday, February 3rd to praise and worship God, like never before, at the Lagoon Restaurant, Victoria Island at 4pm, as the third edition of the annual Shift Celebrity Prayse holds in grand style.

Organized by Pastor Paul Emmanuel of the Cornerstone Ministries, Shift Celebrity Prayse aims at gathering Nigerian entertainers alongside their fans in appreciation and thanksgiving to God for gifts of talents, health and life, while fostering unity within the industry.

Featuring an array entertainers including Julius Agwu, Chinda, AY, Aisha Abimbola, Midnight Crew, Olu Jacobs, Alibaba, Genevieve Nnaji, Tim Godfrey, Segun Arinze, MI, Ibinabo Fiberesima, Tuface Idibia and many more, the freeaccess event will parade celebrities in an unusual atmosphere of soul-lifting prayers, praises and worship to God. Speaking at a recently held press conference, the convener, Pastor Paul Emmanuel enthusiastically stated, “We would recall that the past few years have been turbulent for the industry with the passing away of veteran entertainers and journalists; the likes of Sam Loco Efe, CD John, Ogbonna Amadi, Enebeli Elebuwa, Christy Essien Igbokwe, Sunny Okosun, Dagrin, Abagana just to name a few. Aside appreciating God, it is a platform to avert future tragic occurrences.” He added.

“This is a noble cause and I believe every entertainer should come together, this time, to seek the face of God in a unified environment. I also see this event as a major means of promoting oneness in the entertainment industry” added AY, one of the major supporters of the event.

Shift Celebrity Prayse

•Midnight crew

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federal government has said it will not put its money into the project.

“It is important to note that government has decided not to put money into the project. It is going to be funded by the organized private sector. This is what we must continue to do to ensure that private expenditure in issues of national importance is a culture that we all should start getting familiar with," he stressed, adding that whatever programmes the filmmakers will be doing, they should

understand that government will only come in by canvassing for private sector support for the project.

Anyim who disclosed that a theme song has already been recorded by music icon, Onyeka Onwenu, said President Goodluck Jonathan will flag off activities leading to the celebrations on February 4, 2013 in Abuja.

He noted that the programme is not to promote anybody or any administration, saying that It is only by coincidence that it is during the tenure of president Jonathan that the country clocked 100 years.

Kanayo, who spoke on behalf of the entertainers, assured that the industry will evolve with a position paper as soon as possible. He said the letterhead to be used will not carry any particular guild but that it will come as a project of the entire Nollywood industry. He noted that this will be to forestall any form of controversy among the various guilds and associations.

Among the celebrities at the forum were: Mahmood, Ali-Balogun, Zeb Ejiro, Chico Ejiro, Bukky Wright, Stephanie Okereke, Alex Lopez, Fidelis Duker, Francis Onwoche, Joke Silva and husband, Olu Jacobs, Segun Arinze, Charles Novia, Greg Odutayo, Jide Kosovo, Sanni Danga, Sani Muazu, Sunny MacDon, Lillian Amah and Chinedu Ikedieze, of the 'Aki

Oluseyi drops Bamijo

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USIC act, Oluseyi Solagbade, has finally dropped his much awaited album, Bamijo (Dance with Me). The Afro Gospel album, released after his USA tour in December 2012, is a 12 tracker with heavy percussive idioms presented under free style wind and string instrumentation.

“The new album is a result of God's intervention in my life. It is simply an invitation for people to come rejoice with me because I was once blind and now can see,” says the artiste who is also the leader of the Black Face band Bamijo is the fourth album from the easy going artiste, coming after Matuwo, Black face and No King as God. Oluseyi revealed that he is working diligently on the video for the title track, Bamijo, even as he had shot some of it in his just concluded USA tour.

“My music is a fusion of different genre of music in Africa. I can conveniently say it is what we call pandiatonism, a combination of chords.

So am just using that idea to create new kind of music style. To me, originality is a basic phenomenon; when your music is original your art will definitely be a futuristic one,” he further explains.

Also, his monthly gig, 'Art Café with Oluseyi', is billed to resume very soon in

collaboration the French Cultural Centre. The inspirational groove that will serve as 'hypnotherapy' to everyone is a platform to promote authentic music in all artistic forms, the artiste says.

Adepoju’s new album eulogises Fayemi

ENOWNED Ewi exponent, Chief Olanrewaju Adepoju's Fayemi N Dabira, which he waxed in honour of the Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi last December, is fast turning a toast of many households, especially across the South West.

Released on the stable of Lanrad Records Limited, the album, a product of Olanrewaju's trademark intellectual acumen, features thought-provoking tracks like: Fayemi N Dabira, 8-Point Agenda, Out of the Shadows and Awon Akoni Ekiti.

Intellectually woven in the artiste's characteristic idiomatic expressions, Fayemi N Dabira, like the 8-Point Agenda, comes with enlivening delivery, itemising the ground-breaking exploits of the governor within two years in the saddle.

He urged Ekiti people to uphold their unshaking faith in his administration and work for its continuity.

Out of the Shadows is the title of Fayemi's new informative book where he recalls his experience the hellish days of the military days. Adepoju referred to the book and

•Adepoju

Dada ALADELOKUN, Assistant Editor described it as a must-read for all.

All lovers of history, especially of gladiators dead and alive in Ekiti land would appreciate the track, Awon Akoni Ekiti. With free-flowing delivery, he recalls

•Oluseyi

the legendary exploits of warriors including the late Fabunmi Okemesi, Faboro of Ido, Balogun Okirikiri Bata of Efonland and Aduloju Ogbigboni Oran.

The veteran poet who is in his 70s, also reeled off big names like the late Gen. Adekunle Fajuyi, Gen. Adeyinka Adebayo; Adegoke Olubunmo, renowned Prof of Mathematics; Prof Bamitale Omole, US-based Dr. Funmi Falusi; ex-Ekiti Governors Adeniyi Adebayo, Ayo Fayose and Segun Oni. Legal luminaries Chief Afe Babalola; Chief Wole Olanipekun and Femi Falana are not left out of the roll of honour. So are: Chief Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, a foremost industrialist; Profs Moses Akinola Makinde and Akinjide Osuntokun; Chief Ayo Ogunlade, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, Dele Alake and Michael Omoleye, all journalists, among others.

A musical analyst, Dr. Remi Omolade said of the album: “I have taken the pain to listen to it many times over; it is a pure intellectual and award-winning work by the artiste who, to me, has long deserved a national honour.”

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LIFE

Society Profile

STYLE Gossip Interviews

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JANUARY 26, 2013

39

Why I’m in love with red - Sam and Sarah boss

Folake Oyemade

S PAGE

44&45

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THE NATION SATURDAY, JANUARY 26, 2013

With KAYODE ALFRED

E-mail:kayflex2@yahoo.com

About Rotimi It's now a Oladele's world apart new love T

O

he world of celebrity is full of spiteful splits and bitter break-ups. Making the separation of former beauty, Nike Oshinowo, and Dr. Tunde Sholeye look like one of the most amicable ever. This is official. The six year marriage of ex-beauty queen, Nike, to popular socialite, Tunde Soleye, has collapsed. Happenstances investigation revealed that the couple is no longer together, in spite of several interventions to resolve their differences.

Those who should know informed Happenstances that the union broke down a few months ago and all efforts by family members and friends to resolve the differences between them have been unsuccessful.

The lovebirds confirmed that they now live apart. According to Nike Oshinowo, who spoke to one of the society journals, "Yes, it is true that we live apart." Her hubby, Dr. Tunde Sholeye, also spoke about their troubled romance: "We are a couple, but we are now living apart. There is nothing new about it. We are no longer living together. We are trying to make up.

We are still friends."

It would be recalled that the romance between Nike Oshinowo, who was crowned the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria in December 1990, and Dr. Tunde Soleye began when they were introduced by Segun Awolowo Jnr., at a function. And by January 2007, at the home of Nike Oshinowo's mother in Magodo area of Lagos, an introduction was done, with family members and friends in attendance.

n w o d s le tt se ly al n fi o w n o ej D la o Bis

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Society Profile

Gossip Interviews

TEL:08035733605

For Nike Oshinowo and Tunde Sholeye:

f course, his wife knows. Dr. Rotimi Oladele, exManaging Director of Nigerian Tribune and now, Chief Executive Officer, Megavons West Africa Limited, Lagos, is into a new passion. But it is with his work.

Besides, if the workaholic is not in his office supervising work and treating files, he is either abroad on official trip or in church service outside official hours. Not given to frivolities, he has no business with gossips.

Happenstances spent moments at his Somolu office during the week. That the management of the company under him has taste shows in the new-look being worn by the entire structure. The comfort at the company's reception as well as in other offices is an indication of the management's regard for its staff and visiting public.

From the security men, the receptionists to his personal secretary, the entire workers were a lesson in social tact and courtesy. They were on their toes in sprightly mien.

Any visitor to the premises would easily conjecture that they sipped from the same fountain with their boss, Oladele.

But how does this man relax? Many often ask. “I relax on my job. It is part of me,� he told Happenstances.

&STYLE

LIFE

hen the information filtered into society journals many weeks ago that preparations were at an advanced stage for the wedding of Bisola Dejonwo, the daughter of popular society lady, Wosilat Okoya, many took the story with a pinch of salt. Wosilat Okoya-Seriki worked round the clock to ensure that the wedding met the high standard the Okoyas are known for, when we talk of A-list parties.

Wosilat's elder brother, Aare Rasak Akanni Okoya, and her husband, Demola Seriki, the Otun Aare of Lagos, gave her maximum support so that the very stylish woman could make a bold statement. This was accentuated last week when Bisola Dejonwo tied the nuptial knot with her heartthrob, Babajide Paul Tokan in Lekki, Lagos. The beautiful Bisola finally bade goodbye to spinsterhood on an occasion, which could be described as carnival-like. The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Fashola; Otunba Subomi Balogun; Justice Shola Oguntade and wife, Dupe; Terry Waya; Prince Samuel Adedoyin; Otunba Niyi Adebayo; Mike Okiro and many A-list guests were in attendance. It was an event that wore the tag of success from whatever perspective one chooses to view it.

Ken Olumese set to retire

A

ny moment from now, veteran club boss and the owner of the Niteshift Coliseum will call it a day from the business that gave him fame and fortune. If what insiders told Happenstances is anything to go by, then, Ken will soon retire. There is no official statement to that effect though, the only Nigerian governor whose government has no term limit or a cabinet, in recent times has cut back his dayto-day involvement in the management of one of Nigeria's most enduring clubs. According to an insider, the retirement plan is soon.

The Edo-born socialite has been a night entrepreneur for ages and is one excellent manager who has weathered several stormy economic climes, despite many setbacks in the past.

He redefined club business in Niteshift Coliseum.

42

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JANUARY 26, 2013

You can be chubby and with KEHINDE OLULEYE E-mail: kehindefalode@thenationonlineng.net Tel: 08023689894

M

•Toolz

ANY people believe that being thin is being beautiful. But it is no longer a secret that you can actually be big and still look bold, trendy, stunning and beautiful.

A lady of impeccable class and style in the person of Beat FM Presenter, Toolz Oniru, is someone we respect a lot when it comes to fashion. Yet she is not slim, but she is bold and beautiful. She wears anything that suits her and this makes her comfortable and glamorous.

It is important to take pride on being healthy and looking respectable. Beautiful women come in all sizes and shapes.

The days when full-figured women were severely limited in their fashion choices are, fortunately, in the past. Designers and retailers now realize that offering fashionable plus-size clothing is smart business.

Full-figured women know that who you are is not defined by what size you wear. You can look wonderful and feel great in the body you have. And with so many plus-size women’s clothing options now available at every price point, there’s no reason you can’t look your best. Looking for plus-size petites? A prom dress or wedding gown, goth or rockabilly?

It’s all available for full-figured women and teens.

•Adewunmi Yesufu

•Jennifer Eliogu

How t o rock a n oversi zed blouse

•Eniola Badmus •Jennifer Eliogu •Banke Meshida-Lawal

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THE NATION, SATURDAY, JANUARY 26, 2013

Necklaces in vogue

•Short Chokers Necklace

•Unique Design Choker Necklace

W

I

NAUGURATION Day turned into Groundhog Day when First Lady Michelle Obama stepped out at the Commander-in-Chief’s Ball in a gown

by Jason Wu and shoes by Jimmy Choo, both designers she wore for the 2009 inaugural ball.

Michelle Obama wore a custom ruby-coloured chiffon and velvet gown by Jason Wu, Jimmy Choo shoes and a ring by Kimberly McDonald. Wu tweeted that he was “#Inshock!!!” Her choice is a huge coup for the designer; four years ago, the First Lady picked a white, oneshoulder dress by the thenemerging talent for her husband’s first Inaugural Ball which made Wu a household name.

Kate Betts, author of Everyday Icon: Michelle Obama and the Power of Style, recently told an online fashion website, “If you look back at many First Ladies’ second inaugural gowns, they make more of a statement about the individual rather than the position and the moment.” With the repeat of Wu at this evening’s festivities,Mrs. Obama seems at ease with her definition of First Lady Style.

•Ebun Aboderin

am

ilo

la

Ad

eg

bit

e

•Delphine Okoronkwo

•Wosilat Seriki

•Jessica Okaro

•Nkiru Anumudu

USA First Lady -Michelle Obama

•Grace

•Daisy Danjuma

Egbagb

e

•Geometric Chokers Necklaces

Michelle Obama’s inauguration gown

HEN you want to know how passionate a lady is about her dress sense, check what she wears to complement her clothes. A beautiful necklace will help any lady to get a pass mark in a situation like this.

The assorted array of neck ornaments that we have today can be worn on both African and Western dresses, gowns, skirts and tops, boubous, dinner wear, iro and buba.

So, you complement your good look with it this season.

•D

•Vintage Chokers Necklaces

•Hot Choker Necklace

44

THE NATION SATURDAY, JANUARY 26, 2013

If you are a regular traveller on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, you would have noticed a distinctive red building at Mowe, Ogun State with Sam and Sarah Garments boldly written on it. Those who are conversant with the ongoing revolution going on in Osun would surely talk about the free uniforms for students in the state. GBENGA ADERANTI met with the woman who is partnering Osun State government in providing the uniforms. She is Mrs. Folake Oyemade, the CEO of Sam and Sarah, owners of Omoluabi Factory. In this interview, the woman explains the uniform revolution, her choice of red colour, fashion sense and so on. Excerpts:

‘What you should find in a trendy woman’s wardrobe’ Y

ou have red cars; your buildings are painted red. Why red?

Folake Oyemade

Red is a very strong colour. I'm sure you will agree that it is one of the primary colours. We are a very strong company, and that is why we have chosen such a significant colour.

So why the names Sam and Sarah?

Why don't you take that as my own little secret? I just love these two names, and the names are precious to me. That is what I want to say.

Your firm is gradually taking over South West. Apart from your presence in Mowe, Sam and Sarah is visible in Osun. What does this say?

I will say God has been good. Our business is growing, and this is brought about by help from God, hard work and the quality of our services and products.

What is your relationship with the Osun State government?

Our relationship can be described as partners in progress. What I'm actually doing is that I have a passion for the image of Nigeria. I have a passion for people. I have a passion for success, and these are the major things that have spurred me into starting the Sam and Sara. If it were just about money, I would make more money trading than being in the manufacturing sector in Nigeria. It is a very hard sector. In fact, it takes the grace of God to break even if you're in the manufacturing sector in Nigeria.

Problems ranging from power failure to currency fluctuation to manpower, name it, everything is there. The manufacturing sector in Nigeria is a sector that involves all areas of business.

It involves actually manufacturing the product from the beginning; it involves marketing; it involves accounting; it involves just about every area that you need to touch in business.

Take for instance, most uniform companies abroad do not involve in manufacturing. They simply trade.

They get a manufacturer they give the quality or standard or whatever. They dub it for them. They basically will just market and sell. But, in our own case, we're involved in everything. We're the producer ; we are the manufacturer; we are the sales people; we are the everything. So it is very difficult to be in that sector in Nigeria.

Now coming back to your question as being a partner

with the government of the state, as a CEO of this company, I watch with keen interest what every governor seems to stand for and what each governor seems to represent. I've been able to know that Governor Aregbesola loves his people.

I'm a people person. I believe so much in the welfare of people. The Bible says we will always have the poor among us. It is the duty of those who are more comfortable to take care of the less-privileged, just like it is the duty of government to take care of all citizens, both the rich and the poor.

And the governor of Osun caught my attention as somebody who cares so much for the welfare of his citizens, and that is why as a company, we identified him as somebody who has a common interest with us. That is why we have been able to work together as partners in progress. And one of the greatest reasons for the floating Sam and Sara Garment Manufacturing Company is to employ a lot of people, to put food on the tables of a lot of Nigerians. That vision is still much around with us and we keep doing that. We keep increasing our manpower from time to time. There are other businesses that have the potential to expand, but if their owners don't have the kind of passion that I have, they might have diverted the money into other things. We usually make sure that everything we are doing, we're peopleoriented. We want to employ to keep a lot of young people out of mischief, out of robbery, out of 419, out of so many evils we have in our society.

It is also out of this passion that we have even gone into exports. We're rebranding Nigeria . In most of these Western countries, when you mention Nigeria, the next thing they think about is fraud. We want fraudulent people to have a change of heart. We have the largest population in the whole of Africa, and this population can be used for the betterment of mankind and to even make our lives better here.

Why did you adopt the name, Omoluabi, for a subsidiary of Sam and Sara?

Because it is a joint venture between our company and the government of Osun State . You know Osun people are called Omoluabi. In line with that, we decided to name the factory Omoluabi Garment Factory. I should let you know that the purpose of the free uniforms in Osun is to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor. The government doesn't want a situation whereby a student will appear in tatters in school because his parents are poor, while some other children will appear sharp and clean when going to school.

Some people would want to argue that providing free uniforms for pupils in the state is unnecessary, considering the lean allocations it gets from the Federal Government?

That is something I think the governor and his cabinet should be commended for. You see when people go to school not well dressed , it affects their output. It affects their concentration.

Research has shown that when a child is happy with himself, when he is confident, his concentration is higher as he will love going to school because that will give him another opportunity to wear that garment he loves so much.

I believe the governor has also done that to even improve them. He wants them to make them feel that they are somebody.

But beyond that, it might interest you that a lot of people are poor to the extent that they can't even afford school uniforms. Because when we visited those schools, I was close to tears. Some of the children were wearing their elder brothers' shirts because the shirts were not looking good. May be the uniform is supposed to be a red and white checker shirt, and he now wears a red checker shirt, a hundred per cent polyester brown sokoto with another one under it.

You can actually see patches on another torn one and you can see the patches on it. That is the level of situation some people faced with in that state. Can

45

THE NATION SATURDAY, JANUARY 26, 2013 you imagine such a situation. So I believe that in line with trying to make them comfortable, he decided to do that for them.

In what way is the project going to generate employment and what is the number of people being engaged in your organisation?

We are positioned to employ up to 3,000 people in Osun and the beauty of it is that the way we have designed our factories is that you don't have to be a tailor to work with us. Any person, as long as he can read and write, can be picked up from the street and taught to stich things together because we do what we can call mass production. So in our factory, one person does not start a job and finish it. To make a short, for instance, we could have 10 people doing different things, so it is so easy to pick somebody up and say you're making only collars or any other particular part of a dress.

It doesn't take anything from us to train anybody to work there. The beauty of it is that we're not placing anybody on any salary, as the work you do determine what you earn. If you're actually hardworking, you can actually earn much money from working for us in the factory. It is not even only to generate employment, it is also to train and empower them. Before the opening of that factory, we've brought some of them from Osun to our Mowe factory.

We have trained a number of them already. As we speak, we have quite a number of people on ground in Osun and we will train more.

For how long will this project run?

For as long as the state wants it to run.

What will happen to the project after the present dispensation?

It is only a government that does not want good for its citizens that will say the project should stop. We provide good uniforms at very affordable prices for the government.

Where do you source you materials?

We get everything locally. These initial ones (uniforms) have been given out by the government free, but subsequent ones will be given to them at cheap prices.

Why are you into the garment business?

I have a passion for it. I'm a peopleoriented person. I have a passion for helping people. It is just to put food on the table of a lot of Nigerians.

W h y garment

in particular?

It is likely because I'm a very fashionable person. I like clothing a lot, though I did not study fashion designing. I have always been in the clothing business. When I started business in my early 20s, I was selling clothes. I love it when people turn out nicely. What the government of Osun has done is something that should be emulated at the federal level. There are some colours that should not be worn as uniforms.

You see a lot of students wearing shocking colours that should never be used as uniforms because the people that have made decisions are not professionals. They will just come up with ridiculous colours. In this 21st century, countries that are extremely poor, such as Bangladesh and Pakistan, make sure that their students turn out nicely, while going to school.

Which colours are not good ?

There are some colours that look too shocking.

They are not good for students. Some schools wear lemon green. Lemon green is like a traffic light colour. It is not good. White is also not okay. The colour of uniform should be subtle. It should be calm and peaceful. It should not be shouting. Some use colours that don't match.

They combine colours together and they come out ridiculous. A school skirt should never have slit. It is not done anywhere in the civilized world. You know what I mean by slit. They cut their skirts at the back.

What some of these girls do is to overcut them, and this thing, among others, can lead to prostitution and all kinds of things among secondary school students. But when a professional is being invited to design, he will be able to advise on the right colour and right styles for the students. You will be surprised that some of the boys in the same class with the girls lose concentration because they will be looking at the skirts. What Osun has done is something every state government in Nigeria should do, even the Federal Government.

Will you advise other state governments to provide uniforms for students of public schools?

I will once again mention Bangladesh because it is part of the poorest countries in the world.

Nobody goes to the tailor with fabric and says sow a shirt like this. The world has moved beyond that. It is high time the federal government waded into this situation. They should invite professionals who will choose the right colours, the right styles and make sure that these things are easily accessible to students. What they will all need to be doing is that all these uniforms should be available in local markets and people will just go and buy. The policy has reached the level that right now in Osun State , you can't easily tell the child of a poor man from the child of a rich man because as we speak now the uniforms that the public schools are wearing are better than those of private schools in Osun State. To a lot of these students, the uniforms are the best they have ever owned in their lives.

The governor has given them a sense of belonging. In fact, when we were going round taking measu reme nts, I was really touched with what I saw. It was like the whole state has heard that the government has brought people that are going from school to school, taking measurements.

So the moment our vehicles arrived, you would see commotion. The students would not wait for the principals to order them to come out for measurements. Everybody would rush to queue.

Talking about uniforms in Nigeria, there are different organisations using uniforms. We have the police and the military in this regard. What would you consider a fitting uniform for professionals like policemen?

Well, what I think is wrong with the police uniforms is the fact that they don't have proper outfitters.

A situation where fabrics are being given to force men to go and give tailors to sew is very unbecoming.

I don't think it is only the police.

Some other forces are doing the same and it should never be the case.

It is even a security risk because anybody that can lay hands on a fabric that looks like that can just go and stitch anything. That is why we sometimes have cases of impersonation here and there.

Abroad, all those forces have their outfitters who are the people making and supplying uniforms to the government. If these people want to buy extra, they go to these outfitters at special stores. We should really wake up in this nation and get out this nonsense.

I wouldn't say they are creating jobs for these tailors because these tailors will be catered for, if they are working in a factory such as ours. I think it is high time we began to turn our population into advantage in this nation.

You said you went into the fashion business early. How would you describe a trendy woman?

A trendy woman is the woman that knows what looks good in her wardrobe and wears it. The woman that can identify what looks good in her wardrobe and decides to stick to that because it is not everything that everybody can wear. If you have a particular shape, there are garments that you should wear. There are garments you don't go near them because they won't look good on you.

That is a trendy woman.

Would you d e s c r i b e yourself as a trendy woman?

I believe I please myself and I try to observe all the r u l e s a n d regulations of dress sense.

Where do you get what you wear?

Everywhere I see what I like I buy.

You have been in this industry for‌ Decades I will say.

Are you not worried about the state of the textile industry in the country?

I'm worried. I must tell you because it doesn't seem to be moving forward as much as it is supposed to. It is moving forward a little bit at least with the help of the Federal Government through the Bank of Industry.

There are other things that need to be done besides funding. In Ghana, for instance, they have a school where they train tailors, pattern masters and others that work in the factory.

The training makes it easy for their factories to

A trendy woman is the woman that knows what looks good in her wardrobe and wears it.

The woman that can identify what looks good in her wardrobe and decides to stick to that because it is not everything that everybody can wear

Folake Oyemade people say there are no jobs. There are jobs, but our people are no ready to do the kinds of jobs that are available. This is not supposed to be the case because a serious-minded person should only refuse to do something illegal or something morally wrong. But you should do anything that is legal, that is morally right. If you need a job, you should be ready to take up a one.

I think generally speaking, the country needs reorientation. We need to reorientate our minds.

The Federal Government should look for a way to reorientate the average Nigerian. It is not just about money. There is what we call job satisfaction. There is what we call being fulfilled as a person. I'm fulfilled because I'm doing what I want to do, but it looks to me that quite a number of us regard fulfilment as naira and kobo because if you ask me what I'm doing in the manufacturing sector, I will say it is about fulfilment. I love to turn things around when they are not nice. I love to say I'm the one that made it beautiful. This thing is being turned around because I've applied myself to make it beautiful, but unfortunately it seems to me in this environment people with this kind of mindset are not many.

What is your plan in the next 10 years?

Without saying much, to the glory of God, we've almost fulfilled quite a number of our missions, number one being the foremost garment-making company in the country. We have two factories, and we are grateful to God. Second, we are determined to change the face of garment making in Nigeria. We are gradually getting there now with the partnership with Osun. We have been able to change the face of uniforms in Osun State. If you go there now, they are looking so beautiful, so smart. It is a gradual thing. We are still doing the distribution; it is not all schools that have got theirs, but every school will soon get. We are still giving them. That is part of our missions. Another mission is to employ as many Nigerians as possible. We are trying in that area. As we speak now, our staff strength is over 500. When Omoluabi garment factory is fully operational, it is going to be morĂŠ than that because we will be in a position to employ about 3000.

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THE NATION, SATURDAY, JANUARY 26, 2013

‘

The environment that the place creates is sure breathtaking, especially for those in love with nature

’

•Horses grazing on the club’s lawn

T

HE first thing that hits one on entering Abraka Turf and Country Club is the overwhelming hue of green. A vast stretch of expansive wellmanicured land bursts into one’s vision heading for the reception area of the resort.

Green, the colour of nature, has the effect of giving the feeling of calmness and tran-

quility. That is what Abraka Turf and Country Club offers.

It is a boutique resort that its choice of location is spot on in terms of what it offers for those who are stepping out of the hustle and bustle of existentialism to relax, reflect and re-fire.

The feeling of being close to nature is further accentu-

ated as one drives towards the reception area. On both sides of the road sturdy healthy horses lazily nip at the green grass, occasionally using that tails to drive away inconspicuous flies. They raise their heads as if to see the intruder that is disturbing the quietude the paradise-like environment. They don’t seem to mind the

drizzle from the sky that has made a patch on their backs.

The entrance of Abraka Turf and Country Club nestles at the Delta State University town of Abraka. For the uninformed , nothing much about the town suggests that it would have such place like the expansive Abraka’s garden. To get to Abraka, one could take a

commercial vehicle to the place. From the town, most of the residents can easily direct one to the turf. The entrance to the turf is not too spacious and does not give one, a firsttime visitor, a real clue to what awaits one inside the turf.

However, on crossing the gate and entering the compound, one is struck by the large expansive green of well-mani-

moters and organizers of the event, will tremendously impact the local economy with visitors hopefully taking time off to visit and patronise interesting tourist sites before jetting back to their destinations.

Speaking at the launch press conference in Lagos, Lawson said: “Camora is the first of its kind in West Africa and is borne out of the need to organize and give order to the entertainment industry, exposing more opportunities for investment, home and abroad, while showcasing our core African values. It is designed as a platform to additionally expose the industry as a whole to potential customers, investors and government, while also aiding the understanding of the entertainment industry and its benefits by companies and governments and how it can be used as a tool for social and economic change.

“With over 50,000 participants expected, including many visitors from outside the country, you can imagine the huge tourism potential and revenue-earning opportunities that will be generated. Airlines, petty traders, transporters, hotels, eateries, clubs, local joints, artisans, artifact sellers and SMEs, among others, will benefit greatly from this event.”

Speaking further, Lawson said the event would hold annually as the first major event in the Nigerian entertainment calendar, adding that there are plans to extend the project to other parts of Africa.

“We have created a massive entertainment platform to develop the industry and improve the lot of stakeholders.

We urge corporate bodies and brands to partner us to realize this laudable objective. We are convinced that they will get value for their investment,” Lawson added.

Tourism News

Camora to boost tourism in Lagos

T

HE country’s tourism potential will receive a major boost as Camora, Africa’s biggest entertainment business experience, comes to Lagos this year.

Camora is a four-day multileveraging entertainment business platform. The event, which will draw exhibitors from every sector and sub-sector of the Nigerian entertainment scene, will incorporate a trade exhibition, live artiste performances, both from established and budding acts, and business seminars. The theme of the project is “MORE....giving the entertainment industry and Africans something MORE to EXPERIENCE at CAMORA” Over 50,000 participants are expected to grace this premier entertainment experience in Africa which is scheduled to hold in the second quarter of

L-R :Mr. Yomi Adedeji, CEO, Sofcom/Magio; Mrs Temitope Jemerigbe, MD, DKK; and Mr. Dom Lawson, CEO, D58 Productions Company, during the press conference on the Camora Entertainment Business Platform

the year. A good number of these participants will be Nigerians in the Diaspora and other foreign nationals from

Africa, America and Europe.

These, according to Mr. Dom Lawson, the CEO, D58 Production, who are the pro-

cured lawn that stretches as far as one’s eyes could take in. Dotted on the lawn are buildings for accommodation and other activities.

On the right as one drives in are the rows of single luxury duplexes, stylishly designed to bring out their beauty. These are further accentuated by the flowers and other ornamental plants planted around the buildings. On the right, however, is the lush stretch of green, well- manicured lawn. On the lawn are horses that lazily graze on the grass. Looking a little further is a dense mangrove forest that reminds one that one was in the Niger Delta.

Behind this jungle lies the famous Ethiope River. The environment that the place creates is sure breathtaking, especially for those in love with nature. Driving a little further on the right, one would come to the reception area which is eye- popping.

Outside the reception, there is the crystal clear swimming pool, table tennis and snooker rooms and a restaurant.

Although the club is open to the public, facilities at the club could also be enjoyed by being a member of the Abraka Turf Club. The club members and their family

Naija 7 Won ders

T

HE Project Director of the Seven Wonders of Nigeria(Naija 7 Wonders) and travel expert, Mr. Ikechi Uko, is proposing to build an aviation musuem for Nigeria using the abandoned aircraft as exhibits.

In a proposal he developed for the aviation managers, he suggests that Naija 7 Wonders be allowed to develop an aviation musuem in Nigeria that will warehouse some of the disused aircraft.

“Nigeria needs an aviation musuem with a hall of fame that will inform, preserve and promote aviation history of Nigeria, the players and the incidents that have shaped the industry over the years. This musuem will fit properly with the transformation agenda of the government of leaving lasting legacies on the

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THE NATION, SATURDAY, JANUARY 26, 2013

•A view of the Polo field members enjoy memorable and serene holidays in the luxury villas and chalets.

The turf boasts of exquisite cuisine served at its delightful restaurant and bar. A few outdoor activities at the turf include polo, horse riding, archery, fishing and clay pigeon shooting, rowing and a whole lot more.

Abraka’s unique combination of location, country club atmosphere, luxury accommodation and friendly staff can really make one feel at home and want to stay there as long as possible. Even without bothering about the outdoor and indoor fun facilities, one could decide to go on an adventure by venturing into

the jungle towards the Ethiope River. But the advice is that this should not be undertaken during the rainy season. The road to the river is carved out with thick wooden planks, but these could be tricky after downpours as the surface of the wood becomes slippery. But for those who could brace it to the river bank, they would be rewarded with beautiful sight of a clear river that is worth all the trouble of trying to reach the river bank.

Abraka Turf Club is open to both individual and corporate members. As a corporate member, all club facilities are at one’s disposal. Other facilities at the turf club include a-state-of-the-art conference

centre that can comfortably seat 75 people. There are facilities for personal computers, laptops and take-away memory sticks. The turf has equestrian facilities for polo and horse riding and has the best stables in the country with various breeds of horses, ranging from local to argentines.

Other activities to be enjoyed at the club include archery, clay pigeon shooting, lawn tennis, squash, canoeing, snorkeling and also a driving range for golfers. The turf provides equestrian facilities for polo and horse riding. Classes are available for beginners and leisure riding for the experienced.

A private country club that has been created to function at the highest levels of luxury and guest satisfaction. Located in the exotic region of Nigeria’s Delta, Abraka Turf and Country Club has taken on a leading role in the nation’s leisure and catering industry and prides itself on its ability to deliver exquisite services.

The resort includes perfect villas, chalets, and caters to high-end clientelle that includes families, vacation seekers, campers, as well as corporate groups. Abraka Turf and Country Club comes fully equipped with state of the art facilities and the outdoor activities include golf, tennis, canoeing, kayaking, polo, horseback riding, fishing and deep river diving.

•Pool side of the Club

Won ders proposes museum for disused planes

•An old plane

ground. It is part of the ideals set out by the Seven Wonders of Nigeria project which is to present Nigeria in a new light to grow national pride and generate tourism income.

“An aviation museum, the first of its kind in this region, will attract tourism traffic and will educate and empower a new generation of aviators. In-

stead of destroying the aircraft, they can be put to beneficial use in educating the youths and drawing tourism income. Some of the aircraft are out of production and can be treated as vintage crafts if well packaged.

“Naija7wonders is proposing to work with the authorities to make this project a suc-

cess in the shortest possible time using time-tested methods.

“As a travel promoter, I do know that with the co-operation of stakeholders, the musuem will be up and running within a calendar year,”the proposal said.

Naija7wonders is the search for the unique wonders of Nigeria, a project started with over 50 judges, including journalists, tour operators and other professionals.

After 24 months, seven unique sites were chosen as the seven wonders of Nigeria. These sites are Obudu Mountain Resort, Sukur Landscape in Adamawa, Oke Idanre in Ondo State, Benin Moat, Kano Walls, Osun Groove and National War Musuem, Umuahia.

•Governor Dickson relaxing with a book

How Governor Dickson observed his vacation

F

OR Governor Henry Seriake Dickson, the reward for hard work is more and more work. This explains why he can’t just stop serving his people even at the expense of his comfort.

It will be recalled that since Dickson was overwhelmingly elected governor of the littoral state of Bayelsa on February 12, last year and sworn in on February 14, same year, he had not gone for vacation until January 7, this year. Many Bayelsans had expected him to enjoy a month’s break in view of his hectic schedules coupled with the trauma he had, as a result of the plane crash in Bayelsa State, which snuffed life out of Governor Patrick Yakowa of Kaduna State, the immediate past National Security Adviser, Gen. Andrew Azazi and other compatriots, but the governor shortened the break to 14 days. What a country man! Yet he cut short his vacation to work, flew to Dubai to hold crucial meetings with some of the international investors that turned Dubai to a global economic, tourism and infrastructural cynosure.

Before the governor stormed the United Arab Emirate, he stayed in Abuja for a few days. During his stay, he compared notes with some of his former colleagues at the House of Representatives, experts on miscellaneous matters and exchanged banters with some of his close friends and family members.

He also took advantage of the vacation to have more quiet times with his Creator, God Almighty; he reviewed government activities, focused on the present and projected into the future.

The governor’s engagement in Dubai culminated in the signing of an MoU between Government of Bayelsa State and GEAP International to establish a commercial rice farm and revive a palm plantation in Bayelsa State. The parties also agreed to establish a strong and viable production, processing and distribution network. Aside being a joint venture partner of GEAP International Group, Bayelsa State will facilitate the scientific and commercial study of rice and palm plantation growth and distribution. In addition, Bayelsa State will actively assist in the establishment of relationship between all relevant government agencies with GEAP and provide legal and regulatory assistance. And subject to receiving initial positive technical reports on water and soil analysis, GEAP agrees to bring into the state the required technological and human expertise hosted by the Bayelsa State Government.

The MoU was preceded with the inspection of Steel Plant, Cold Storage Facility by Governor Dickson and a meeting

Francis AGBO, (just back from Dubai) between the governor and the CEO of GEAP, one of the biggest globally acclaimed investors that turned around Asia and Middle East, Mr. Mahendra Patel, in his office.

Mr. Imad Saba, an international investor and CEO of Capital Asset Management who was on the team of Patel signed on behalf of his firm.

The first Executive Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief DSP Alamiesiegha, who lives in Dubai, former MD of NDDC, Chief Timi Alaibe, PDP Vice Chairman, North East, Alhaji Mohammed Wakil, security consultant, Major Lancelot Anyanya (rtd) and this writer witnessed the signing of the MoU. Though the governor didn’t unwind, the voracious reader that he is took time off to read many books on leadership, history, the making of Dubai and books on agriculture. As he told me, one of the problems of Africa is the shrinking of reading politicians. “I love reading books and I can’ t stop reading because I am not an allknowing governor. In fact, some of the books I have read have redoubled my resolve to diversify the Bayelsa economy to be agro- based as well so that we don’t just depend on oil alone,” he added.

Indeed agricultural revolution is the centre piece of the Dickson administration. A few months into his administration, government partnered a Hungarian and Danish firms, Ostertrade Engineering/ DPP International Kft respectively to establish and manage cassava farms, establish cassava starch processing factory plant to produce 10,000 tonnes of local and modified starch with a high and beneficial value chain that would trickle down to the grassroots. Already, all papers to that effect have been signed and work at the site is progressing at a frenetic pace. The factory is expected to generate over 5,000 jobs for Bayelsans.

The expectation is for the governor to expeditiously implement government’s side of the bargain with GEAP so as to en-

‘

He also took advantage of the vacation to have more quiet times with his Creator, God Almighty; he reviewed government activities, focused on the present and projected into the future

’

able Patel and his team move to work the way he did on the cassava initiative.

With the success of the cassava initiative in Bayelsa State, many state governors and their representatives are reportedly talking with the firms to replicate same projects in their states.

The governor returned to Nigeria last Sunday having exhausted the leave and resumed duty on Monday. He was received by a retinue of government officials led by the Secretary to Government, Prof.

Edmund Allison Oguru. Governor Dickson called on Bayelsans to sustain their support for his administration and urged all Nigerians and, particularly, the religious leaders to pray for the unity, peace and security of Nigeria.

The governor also told news hounds that even though the vacation was short, the period afforded him the opportunity to redirect his energy towards serving his people. He said he was mentally and physically prepared more than ever before, to implement government policies and programmes and promised to take more critical and tough decisions for the development, peace and security of Bayelsa State.

Sure,for those that know Dickson,they call him Mr. Courage and Conviction, and nobody can take that away from him, like him or hate him.

If he is convinced on any matter, he summons the courage to implement it. A good example here is his critical free and compulsory education which has revolutionised the education sector in the state.

Just a few minutes after taking the oath of office, the governor declared free and compulsory education in primary and post-primary schools in the state. Today, government provides the following items free to pupils and students: textbooks,uniforms,sandals,bags and writing materials.

There are ongoing construction of additional 200 modern schools in the state, three international secondary schools in the three senatorial zones and two schools for gifted children.

Before Dickson came to judgment in Creek Haven, no governor dared to implement free and compulsory education.

The thinking, especially during the immediate past administration, was that if there was free and compulsory education,there won’t be enough money for the power elite to share. The tradition at that time was for politicians to use secret cultists and other criminals as tools for oppressing political opponents and for rigging elections. But not Dickson.

•Agbo, a journalist and public affairs analyst, lives in Yenagoa.

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JANUARY 26, 2013

50

Give us this day our rich mamas

G

ODSON and I became friends not too long ago. I had actually noticed him for a while but other than the smiles shared across a few meters; I never really had the chance to speak with him. Then one day, I came back from work and while the gate was being opened for me, Godson crossed my path. I had just bought some groceries and it occurred to me that I could give him something out of my bag. He was surprised and he didn’t even have to say thank-you because the smile on his face said it all.

After that, we actually started exchanging some form of greetings. Then on a Sunday afternoon like that, Godson paid me his first visit. It was amused as he went about checking things out. When he saw one of my fez caps, he asked if I was a ‘nigga’. That got me laughing. Then one day he came and saw my partner and ran away. When I asked him why he took to his heels, he said he didn’t want anybody to beat him in my house o.

I make him enjoy each visit with the sweet things I always gave him. I soon got nicknamed ‘Godson’s wife’ by his mother.

But it has not always been so good between me and Godson. Sometimes he would tell me point blank that he didn’t want my friendship again. In fact, once or twice, he has stormed out of my house. Most times when we fight, it is always because I’m taking ice-cream and I’m not sharing it with him or I’m taking something sweet that I wouldn’t want to give to him because his mum may have warned me earlier that he’s on drugs to stop his jedi-jedi (dysentary).

Just last week, after one of such fights, Godson told me he didn’t like me again, and immediately, he started getting close to my hairdresser who gave him some of the groundnuts she was eating. She instantly became his favourite and I didn’t have anything to share. Hmmm…

If it were not for my partner who has come to enjoy Godson’s visit so much that he wants to see more and more of him, I’m sure that with my one and off habit of not having sweet things, Godson might have forsaken my friendship totally. As I do this page though, he’s sitting in a corner eating the watermelon I served him. Today we’re friends and tomorrow, we shall continue to be friends because my Godson is just three years old and at that age when they can be very funny.

But what should we make of grown men who still behave like Godson? These are men who wouldn’t even want to be friends with you if you’re not rich. There are so many men like that who size you up to be sure they can get bread and butter from you before they come close.

I have been getting too many mails from men who make it clear that it is rich women they prefer. One of such men sent the following mail to me last week: My Name is Francis, your regular reader, I’m 26yrs. I want a rich woman for marriage. Age is not a barrier, call me on 08033809323.

Okay, if age is no barrier, then a woman of 60 can be appropriate so far she has enough money to throw around!

I must have published so many of such mails that one of my fans cried out last week when he sent his own mail:

Fraudsters invade Hearts

I

stopped the matchmaking segment of Hearts about two years ago because some shameless and unscrupulous people were using it to dupe people. I cried when certain cases were reported and I couldn’t imagine harm coming the way of anybody through an avenue I desired to use to make people happy.

I gave in to pressure from genuine people and I started matchmaking again only to be woken up to the reality that ladies especially are forming syndicates to dupe people. I have received so many mails from men about a particular girl who calls herself Dami. I found out that to get her arrested may take long, but we can at least warn our men NOT to contact any of the Females For Love telephone numbers or emails we have published in recent times.

To have a feeling of the kind of fraud I’m talking about, please read the mail below:

Good day madam, I observed most young men looking for wife these days are placing so much emphasis on the ladies being rich.

I think God says a man should provide for his family and not the other way round. Please we want to read your article to educate those lazy gold diggers. Abiodun is my name. 08037237642.

Abiodun, thank you for that observation. I must confess that I’m troubled by that trend too. But I have been careful not to be too morally instructive on this page as I have come to realize that we are all different. Some of the ladies out there wouldn’t mind supporting a man; you know. It is different strokes for different people.

One thing I’m sure of is the fact that just like my little Godson, most of the men who ‘love’ their women for the sake of money would always threaten to leave the moment there’s no longer sweet things to give to them. It is clear from the beginning that being rich is the name of the game so there must always be goodies to share.

I cannot say much to the men who desire rich women because I cannot despise them of their desires, but I have just one question

Hearts With Adeola Agoro E-mail: libranadeola@yahoo.co.uk Tel: 08023162609

Males for Love

•Ma, please help me out I am Femi, 40, father of one, Christian from Ekiti, need a single, divorcee or widow as wife. Her age between 35 and 38, 4 serious relationship.

Contact me on 07060917544.

•My name is lfeanyi 37 base in Onitsha need a very big and fat lady for serious relationship. My no 08056745449.

Hi Ms Agoro, Thanks for your advice asking us to always text readable messages worthy of public consumption.

Meanwhile, am Adebiyi, 70, lives at Agbado,still searching for a soulmate of between age 45 & 50 Contact 08!58952726.

Cheers.

•Aunty Adeola. I am 42 years old with one child. I am a civil servant working in Lagos. Please I need a Muslim lady .her age should be in between 27 and 37 years old. She must be someone that is ready for marriage. She must be a Yoruba.

•Azeez, 33 years young professional need a serious Muslim lady based in Lagos for a serious relationship that will lead to marriage soon. Call or text 08089991682.

•My name is Adebayo, 30years, lives in Shomolu, Lagos need a serious minded n cute, must be working class lady, between 25-30years for serious relationship. Call 08032244913.

•Kingsley 40 an edo business man, lives in Mowe Ogun State, need a serious lady between 22 to 35 for relationship that leads to marriage and she must be.

Hi Ms Agoro, thanks for your advice asking us to always text readable messages worthy of public consumption.

Meanwhile, I’m Adebiyi 70, lives at Agege. I need God fearing, here is my number 08053867697. Bado is still seaching for a soulmate of between age 45 & 50 contact 08!65952726. Cheers.

I am Joe, an engineer working in Port Harcourt. I’m 37 yrs and needs a lady from any part Nigeria who must be psychologically ready for marriageÌ. pls contact me with dis phone number.

for them for them – would you rather be a respectable and responsible hardworking man or be in the same category with a diaper-wearing three year old boy? It is for them to decide.

Please Note: From now on, apart from the counseling part, other parts like matchmaking and your mails would be left unedited. The text messages would be published the same way they are sent to me to enable you judge firsthand the qualities and capabilities of those whose numbers you see here. Please bear with me.

Lost contacts

My names are Akpomiemie A . Enunuaye from Delta state. I pray to see again Ngozi Charity Owaoma who hails from Umuahia (by the market ) in Abia State. We saw in 1988 at Silver Spoon Street, Apapa, Lagos. Her younger sister’s name is Rose.

Please call me with 08038776916, 08026445780, and 08053093053.

Re: Me and the oga madams Re: Me And The Oga Madams. I have been reading your column for over one year now and I found the above a masterpiece for mankind. It was short, pungent, incisive, educative, truthful and a down to earth advice from you. It was an all- time panacea in arresting forces that break homes.

It was most thoughtful of you. If this sort of advice had been embraced by many in the past, the joy in them would have known no bounds today. It’s a pity. GOD BLESS YOU. Keep up the good job. I hope women who are desirous of keeping their homes do read you. That piece said it all. Kudos Madam.

K.ADIGUN. 07042426020.

Re: Me And The Oga Madams. I can’t believe u penned those words considering your beauty, brain and your elegance. You rarely find the kind of women you beautifully described in your ‘modern world of today’. However your ilk are the real women God gave the world. The others only fill the numbers. Please continue to be the good wife you are to your “gift” and our men folks.

I read your piece every week. Generally, I read the column to have a glimpse of people’s idiosyncrasy as regards love matters. Hun! Sometimes, to laugh heartily about some dumb questions people asked like the young man of 22 years of age looking for his granny as a lover and so on and so forth. But today, you earned my respect for your piece on ‘Me and the oga madams’. Indeed, you are worthy of the role you are playing for the society. May God continue to strengthen you to live up to the demands of a counselor and role model to the society. Aunty, best of regards. Toyyib, Akure.

I am extremely in love with u. Why? We share same in common—— pragmatic, frantic, sincere, factual, socially experienced, down-to-earth, intelligent, diligent, purposeful, romantic, unbiased, humane, e.t.c. Good luck and keep the flag flying as God will continue to bless, preserve and crown your efforts in life with Glory. Amen. 08023033692.

Adeola, as a sociologist cum social welfare worker for the past 30years I always read and analyse your column in The Nation on Saturday. ‘Me and the oga madams’ was a good one. 36yrs ago when we got married it was ‘my D’ now it is ‘our Daddy’ and ‘our Mummy’. Happiness radiates everywhere. We praise the Lord. Ayoola, Ibadan. 08058517680.

‘My Oga’, ‘My Lord’. Nice name to give your man. Let me surprise you with dis one: I overheard a wife telling her friend she charges her husband b4 giving him her body. Reason: Says Guy Is Stingy, D Only Time To Get Money From Him Is When He’s Beggin To Thrust.

Thank you so much Deola. Your piece on me and the oga madams was awesome. I learnt this the hard way until I learnt to be submissive simply because I felt I was a younger woman and he an older man, so I could get my way with him. But when I drew close to God and much older women, he is literally eats from my hand now and I’m settled. Lima Lima, PHC.

Dami Odunayo Adebayo GOOD afternoon to you, madam. Please, I want to inform you about the fact that some of the ladies who sends their data to your column are frauds. Two weeks ago, I met a girl, Dami (08098403326) through your column. She told me her names is Dami Odunayo Adebayo. I called her regularly and I fell in in love with her. She later told me her real name was Omotol and, that she only used Dami because the newspaper page was public and she didn’t want anybody to know she was looking for a man through the medium. She said she was at the University of Abuja and wanted to visit me in Akure. She said I should send some money to her, which I did. Later she called to say the money I sent as transportation (N6, 000) was not enough because there was hike in transport fare. I sent more money to her.

A few hours after her departure, I called her line only to be told by the person on the line that she owner of the phone was involved in an accident around Okene, Kogi State. He said he needed to commence treatment immediately so that she would not die. He sent his bank details and told me to deposit N15, 000 fast. I complied immediately and left Akure for Okene.

As I got to Owo, Dr. Adetayo called again telling me Omotola had lost a lot of blood and that her blood group is not available in their blood bank and that they needed another N15, 000 to buy blood from another hospital. I told him I was already in Owo on my way to Okene. He told me to go back to Akure and deposit the money into his account. By the time I got to Okene, Dr Adetayo’s line was not going again. I tried my fiancé’s line and guy who called himself Nnamdi picked it and told me he picked the phone from the scene of an accident. I asked him how I could see him and he said it was not possible. I combed all the hospitals in Okene and I was told there had been no incident like that. It was then the scales fell off my eyes and I knew that I had fallen for a ruse. Thanks - Mayowa Oke, Akure.

N.B: Omotola Odunayo Afolabi a.k.a. Dami has had her profile published in The Sun

From left: Rev. Akinwale Kayode, Van Michael Kayode, Rt Rev. George Bako (rtd) and Rev. Gabriel Afolabi, during a service at St. Paul’s Church Bread Fruit, Lagos

51

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JAUNARY 26, 2013

“A

RE you ok? You look sick!” Don said, sitting besides her on the couch. But she moved as far away from him as possible, looking at him as one would gaze at something that was particularly repulsive.

“Baby, what’s the matter?

Did something happen while I was away?” he asked, getting up to stand in front of her.

But she rebuffed him and shouted: “Don’t come near me. Stay away from me!”

Then seeing the confused look in his eyes, she said: “Why Don? How could you be so mean, so wicked?”

“What are you talking about?” he asked in a perplexed tone.

She did not answer but simply pointed at the computer screen. When he saw what was there, he slumped on a chair, his head buried in his hands.

There was silence for a while then she began to speak.

“You knew I was the accident victim all this while after I had told you the story of what happened to my leg. Yet you kept quiet. Why didn’t you say something? Why?” “I’m truly sorry, Helen. I know now that I should have spoken up but I was afraid,” he said.

“Of what?” she queried.

“I was afraid I would lose you. At that time, I had begun to develop feelings for you and my thinking was that, if you knew the truth, you would not want to see me anymore. And I couldn’t bear that to happen,” he explained.

“That has always been your problem. You only think of yourself! What about me? Do you have any idea of what I went through? If it were not for the two students who found me by the roadside after you had knocked me down and run away, and who took me to the clinic, maybe I would be dead by now. Your wicked and cowardly act almost cost me my life and all you can say is sorry! Look at my leg. I walk with a limp today because of you!” she stated angrily.

“Please Helen, forgive me and my friends. We were very young then and you know young people do all kinds of stupid and crazy things,” he pleaded. Then continuing, he added: “That incident has haunted me for years. Initially I thought the person I knocked down was dead. But the following day, when there was no news of the death of a student, staff or someone else by accident on campus, I felt re-

lieved. Shortly after, we left school for the last time and we all dispersed to various places.

I never knew in my wildest dream that you were the one.

So, you can imagine my shock when I found out. I decided not to get involved with you as my conscience kept bugging me. But I couldn’t stay away from you. Please, honey, forgive me. Don’t let this come between us now at this critical stage in our relationship.

Please,” he begged, taking her hand in his. But she flung his hand away and jumping up from the chair stated: “It’s too late now. The thought of marrying someone like you, who could do what you did to me, makes me sick.

This wedding is off. Don’t bother calling me or looking for me to beg me to change my mind because I won’t.

Loser!”

And picking up her handbag, she marched out of the house closely followed by Don who kept pleading with her.

“Please, Helen! Don’t go!

Let’s talk this over. We can sort it out. You know I love you!

My life will be empty without you...”

A mother’s counsel “Look my daughter, I know what he did was wrong. Even your father and I were shocked when you told us he was the one that hit you all those years ago back in school. But the young man has said he is sorry. That it was a mistake he regrets till today. Since he has apologized and seems repentant, why don’t you forgive him and continue with your wedding plans?” said Helen’s mother about a week later.

They were in the living room of their home having a mother-daughter chat.

“Mama! Is that all you can think about now- the wedding?” Helen said.

“Yes o, my child. Your marriage is important to me. I want you to settle down and start giving me grandchildren. So, you have to forgive him and continue with your plans,” she insisted.

“That can’t happen now. It’s over between us,” Helen maintained.

“Why are you so stubborn and hard-hearted? I didn’t bring you up like this! Even the Bible says we should forgive those who have trespassed against us. So, put the past behind you and move on with your life,” she stated.

Helen shook her head.

“I can’t Mama. What he did is too terrible for me to forgive. Or forget,” she insisted.

“So, are you going to just

Touch of Fate (3)

throw away such a beautiful relationship because of your unforgiving spirit? Think carefully, my daughter and don’t do something you will regret for the rest of your days. I know how much you love the young man. Just look at you.

You are a mess. Since your break-up, you’ve not been eating or sleeping well, either.

You have stopped going to the office, claiming you are sick.

My child, pull yourself together and use your head. Let go of your anger so you an embrace the future,” she advised.

Back in her room that night, Helen lay on her bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep.

Her mother’s words kept ringing in her ears- ‘He says he’s sorry. Forgive and take him back. He’s your one true love.

Don’t let him slip away because of your stubborn heart!’

“But what he did was too bad.

How could I forgive him so easily? Let him feel some of the pain I felt when he nearly killed me all those years ago.

Idiot!” she said to herself, her heart hardening against him once more. The following day, when Don came to the house as he had been doing since the split, she refused to see him as usual or pick his calls.

“Why don’t you at least see him, hear what he has to say?”

her mother pleaded with her.

Helen had gone to her room and had refused to come out as soon as she heard Don had arrived.

“Tell him to go away. I don’t have anything to do with him anymore,” she stated.

“You tell himself. Stubborn child!” her mother said angrily as she stormed out of the room.

A short while later, Linda, her younger sister came into the room quietly. She sat staring warily at her big sister for a while then she said: “Sister, you can tell me to go to hell and mind my business.

But I’ve to speak my mind. Have you not punished Brother Don enough? You need to see him.

He looks so sad, so lost. I feel so sorry for him.”

“Why is everyone taking his side. What about me?” she asked in an angry tone.

“Forgiving him is for your own sake too. By punishing him like this, you are also hurting yourself. I see how much pain you are going through and it breaks my heart,” Linda said.

To her surprise and shock, Helen broke down and began to cry. Great, wracking sobs shook her body and she wept bitter tears of anguish and regret.

Linda held her close and comforted her as best she could...

Two days later, Helen returned to work. She tried to put

on a bright face but everyone noticed she was not her usual cheerful self. During their lunch break, Tina cornered her and began to bombard her with questions.

“Is it true that you and Don have broken up? What happened?”

“Who told you? Busybody,” Helen stated teasingly.

“But is it true?” she persisted.

Helen sighed before saying: “Yes. We’ve split. The wedding has been cancelled.”

“Ah! It’s a pity. You two were so much in love. That guy loves you so much. He had eyes for nobody else but you,” she said.

Then she added excitedly: “Now that you two have broken up and he’s now free, that means I can have him for myself. Waoh! I can’t wait to see him again!”

“Hey, hey! Hold it there? See who?” Helen asked frowning a little.

“Don, of course. He’s free so he can date someone else now, abi,” she said.

“Date who? Don’t you dare!

If I see you near him, I will kill you!” Helen threatened.

“Ha! Na which kin thing be this?” she stated in pidgin.

“You say you no longer want him, yet when I show interest in him, you get mad. You better make up your mind about

And the circus begins ... (2)

S

O, as another round of politicking and scheming begin, Nigerians are not fooled by all the promises the politicians make. They know they are just ploys that will usher in another set of lightfingered, kleptomaniac public officials with the sole agenda of draining the nation’s coffers dry. It’s all about money and power. Period.

When the campaigns begin in earnest, only very few will have the kind of qualities that will mobilize human thinking to solving our numerous prob-

lems. Thinking that will result in certain questions being asked and long term plans for the country’s development made.

For instance, how many units of housing will the nation need in the next ten years or so to accommodate its teeming millions particularly in its sprawling urban centres?

How many new jobs do we need to create so that young graduates (and the not-so young jobless adults) can have something meaningful to do when they leave school? How

many megawatts of electricity do we need to generate so as to end the epileptic power situation that has been plaguing this country for years and which has become a national and international embarrassment?

How much do we need to fix our pot-holed riddled roads and highways so that Nigerians will stop dying needless deaths on these death-traps called roads? How many new schools need constructing and how many need renovation so that our children can study in befitting environments and not under trees or cowsheds that pass for classrooms? How many hospitals need new equipment, life saving drugs and well trained staff? And the list goes on. As you can see, the business of governance, which is all about giving citizens good quality of life, is not

a child’s play but serious business.

That is why we need seriousminded people to manage our affairs. Unfortunately, that has not been the case with us. All we’ve been saddled with are selfish-minded people with myopic minds and ‘poverty mentality’ whose sole aim for entering politics is the accumulation of riches. Wealth that in most cases, they don’t even need. Seriously, how many houses does a man need to be comfortable and happy? Even if he has 50 houses, he can only live in one at a time. The rest will be lying empty like abandoned properties. Yet some of these people have twice that number both in the country and other parts of the world.

All in the same country where millions of its citizens live under bridges, dirty and diseaseinfested slums and other decrepit places not fit even for

animals. You need to visit some of these places and see the way many Nigerians live and you will weep. Due to the kind of job we do as journalists, we see these things regularly and I tell you, it’s a sight that can break the heart of even the toughest person.

Anyway, as these looters continue in their stealing spree, there are two salient points we need to point out to them. The first is that there is no bank in heaven. So, all the loot they are accumulating will remain here on earth when they die, causing problems for their children and family members. Secondly, no man after his death is remembered for how much material wealth he has been able to gather during his lifetime. It’s his life’s work and how this has impacted on his community and society at large that is talked about years after he

what you want before it’s too late. You don’t appreciate what you have. That guy is one in a million. You better go and sort out whatever issues you have with him before I or some other girl snatch him from you for good. Yeye girl.

So confused, she doesn’t value what she has. Besides, what am I supposed to do with the bridesmaid’s dress that has already been made?” she queried, before leaving the table.

Helen smirked at her, making faces at her retreating back. **** One week later, on a Saturday evening, Don stood at the small balcony at the back of his flat, which overlooked the backyard. There was a small guava tree that was just starting to bear fruit, a couple of banana trees and other plants.

But he did not notice the luxuriantly growing vegetation.

He stared far away into the horizon, his thoughts deep, gloomy. His dark mood was in sharp contrast to the radiant scene high above him where the slowly setting sun was painting the sky in vibrant shades of red, pink and orange.

Uppermost in his mind, was the thought that he had lost Helen for good. Thinking about it was driving him crazy and he felt so helpless as if there was nothing he could do to salvage the situation. He couldn’t even see her or talk to her as she had kept avoiding him. With his shoulders slumped as if in defeat, he kept staring moodily ahead, at nothing in particular.

Then a voice that he had been longing to hear for days intruded into his gloomy thoughts.

“Our wedding is just a few weeks away and instead of distributing the wedding IVs, you are standing here, wasting time, just staring into space. Or don’t you want guests on our big day?”

Don turned round slowly, not speaking, just taking in the lovely sight before him, a look of surprise, joy and relief on his face. Then he said: “Helen!” and quickly walked towards her.

She spread her arms wide.

“Welcome home, baby,” he stated softly as he held her in a tight embrace. Just then, the sun dipped behind the horizon and disappeared. The old day was gone. And a new dawn would soon begin...

The End •Send comments/suggestions to psaduwa@yahoo.com or 08023201831.

has passed on. MKO Abiola, one of the richest Nigerians in his time, is remembered more today for his philanthropic work which touched the lives of many including institutions, than for his many properties, wealth and other material things (most of which have been mismanaged by his family anyway).

So, Mr Looter, the next time you inflate a government contract by 500 percent just to accommodate your kickback, which you will then go and stash in a Swiss account, remember this: you can fool man but not God. And though His judgement might be slow in coming, but come it surely will. For there’s no escape for all these thieves in high and low places, who have brought so much pain and suffering on their fellow citizens just to acquire wealth they don’t need and can’t finish even if they live for 200 years.

•Concluded

FAMIL Y HEAL TH AMILY HEALTH

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THE NATION, SATURDAY, JANUARY 26, 2013

Health equipment you should have at home: Blood pressure monitors The sphygmomanometer is used to measure (arterial) blood pressure (BP). The word comes from the Greeksphygmós (pulse) and manometer (pressure meter). The device was invented by Samuel Siegfried Karl Ritter von Basch in 1881.Blood pressure is expressed in millimeters of mercury (mmHg) because of the original method by the manual sphygmomanometer that uses a mercury column.

Blood pressure readings are given as two numbers such as 120/80 mm Hg indicating systolic and diastolic pressures. Systolic pressureis the blood pressure when the ventricles (lower chambers) of the heart are contracting and pushing blood to the various parts of the body. The diastolic pressureis the pressure in between contractions when the ventricles are relaxed. Several measurements should be taken to be sure of the accuracy of your measurement. Normal systolic pressure

A simple OMRON® sphygmomanometer is less than 120 mm Hg and normal diastolic pressure is less than 80 mm Hg by traditional and high-accuracy clinical sphygs using a mercury column. Digital sphygs give normal values of 135/85 mm Hg. Hypertension is a systolic blood pressure that is greater than 140 mm Hg and a diastolic blood pressure that is greater than 90 mm Hg. There are different types of sphygs but the convenient one for home and layman use is the digital or electronic sphyg. There are battery-operated digital models as well as models that can be plugged into an electric socket.

Sphygs are sold at pharmacies and supermarkets for the equivalent of about $30 USD and upwards. These home blood pressure monitors are simple to use and you do not need a sthethoscope like some clinical sphygs (mercury sphyg) require. The clinical sphyg is used by an expert who listens to heart sounds

The Advocate® Blood Pressure Monitor (model KD575L) features a large memory capacity and comes with four “AA” batteries, cuff sizes: 9-inch - 12-inch (22cm x 30cm) or 15.7-inch - 18-inch (40cm x 46cm) and measures systolic and diastolic pressures as well as pulse rate. through a stethoscope (auscultation) and records corresponding pressures by the mercury manometer. Digital home sphygmomanometers work by measuring the mean arterial pressure electronically (oscillometrically) and computing the systolic and diastolic measurements.

Digital sphygsmay use a cuff placed around the upper arm, the wrist, or a finger at about the same vertical height as the heart while the subject is seated with the arm supported.The digital sphyg is best used for routine BP monitoring especially by healthy midlifers and elders. Patients with some diseases such as arteriosclerosis; arrhythmia; preeclampsia; pulsusalternans; and pulsusparadoxus will not get accurate measurements with a home sphyg. Whether for the arm, wrist, or finger, the cuff size is important. If the cuff is too small, a higher pressure is recorded and if the cuff is too large a lower pressure is recorded. If the blood pressure is about 10 mmHg different between the left and right arms, the subject may have coarctation of the aortaand the doctor can discuss this with the subject.

Each digital sphyg unit consists of an arm cuff and a small meter. I did a brief “window shopping” for readers on the Internet to see how easy it is to get these products. If you do not have one at home and want to purchase one, you can also look out for them at your local pharmacists, supermarkets, and gift stores and see if the prices and qualities are comparable. Always look for a professional organization’s sanction or approval label or some official backing or stamp on any medical equipment that you buy so that you know

Health Matters With DR MIKE OYAKHIRE 08170268670 email: drmikeoyakhire@yahoo.com

A

Nation’s ability to face conflict in any strategic direction depends on many factors, which when examined thoroughly can be found to be interwoven . Issues bothering on the economy, technology and health are worthy of consideration in the sense that it is difficult to be extremely poor and be able to escape deadly diseases and ill health .It is equally difficult for anyone to successfully acquire knowledge and skills in the name of capacity building when extreme poverty and hunger are whiplashing over 80% of the population.

Stem cell research and genetic engineering have become tools for scientists in clinical and experimental Anatomy as well as others in Agriculture and Bioengineering to redesign humanity ; almost any type of food can now be artificially produced, and in any quantity and even quality as desired.

Based on evidential facts and figures, information is now available on how proto oncogenes can undergo mutation to become oncogenes , and from there cause cancer by causing excess production of

growth factors, particularly when other check mechanisms fail. Through genetic linkage analysis, the presence of some diseases that run in families have been traced through several generations and have become better understood For the Nigerian African, only very few medical conditions occur naturally. Majority are either within the spiritual and paranormal provinces or poisons sent by enemies, real and imagined. Not much has been achieved to persuade ordinary people to break with this tradition due

it is reliable and worth your money and trust. Some of the ones I saw were at the online mart Aliexpress and Walgreens Pharmacy (online).

Aliexpress has a collection of affordable models and Walgreens has more variety and some more sophisticated and more expensive models.

The Chinese manufacturers have made consumer products easy and accessible and it is possible for everyone to be able to get a good enough sphyg at an affordable price.Some of the models available are as follows. At Aliexpress the Digital Wrist/ arm/cuff Blood Pressure Monitor Heart Beat Meter Sphygmomanometer (simply the sphyg) costs about $11. Various models cost more (up to $150).

They are easy to operate by sitting in the recommended position, wrapping the cuff around your arm, andpressing the start button to start measuring. The specifications of the model include: storage of measurements, single or all measures (systole and diastole pressures, and heart rate); 3 minutes automatic power sav-

The Clever Choice® Talking Blood Pressure color codes each reading for easier interpretations or BP and heart beats. It can store records for two

The Clever Choice® wrist model is handy for travelers and costs about $22. ing device; and high-accuracy.

The OMRON two user mode tracks readings separately for two persons, detects irregular heartbeats, and the cuff fits 9-17 inch arm circumferences. It is compatible with Microsoft HealthVault and allows you to connect the unit to your computer using the included USB cable to log, track and share your readings online (for example with your doctor). Amongst other features, it has TruRead which automatically takes 3 consecutive readings one minute apart and displays the average, following internationally recognized guidelines. It also has AM/PM averaging which means that with a touch of a button you can review an eight week history of your weekly morning and evening blood pressure averages. It has irregular heartbeat detector that can alert you to irregular heartbeats while your blood pressure is being measured. It claims to be clinically proven as accurate and the #1 doctor

recommended brand. It comes with 1 AC adapter, 1 USB cable, and 4 AA batteries.

Whether you are at home, travelling, or in a foreign environment, you can track your blood pressure conveniently from your arm, from your wrist, or from your finger.

This is important for travelers.

Often, the air, the food, the pollution, and other factors in a new environment can drastically affect your blood pressure and these simple devices allow us to avert health disasters.

The OMROM® series tend to be more comprehensive and more expensive and the prices range from low Dr. ’Bola John is a biomedical scientist based in Nigeria and in the USA. For any comments or questions on this column, please Email bolajohnwritings@yahoo.com or call 07028338910

New frontiers in anatomy and the millenium development goals

In focus: Stem cell research and genetic engineering

in part to the numerous challenges they face, which include poverty, ignorance and disease. Beyond that not much attention is being given to these areas as compared with countries like China , Malaysia, South Africa and Ghana The MDGS aim to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger by the year 2015(goal six) The fear is that there is nothing SMART on the ground as we approach the target date to give the assurance that this will not go the way of the others like health for all by the year 2000. Perhaps serious Nations are not waiting for such proclamations before they do some thing; they don’t wait

•Patient will no longer surfer memory loss

for situations in relevant sectors of their economy like power, health and education to deteriorate to levels where declarations will be made. In medical practice, emergency situations declare themselves either before they reach the Physician or as complications of disease processes, and Doctors are by training ever prepared to handle them with the injunction; primum non nocere meaning, first do no harm. This approach is worthy of emulation and can be reasonably copied just like the social marketing mix copied from the social sciences has been found to be relevant in community medicine.

It has been suggested that if capacity building is about formal education and skills acquisition for empowerment, then emerging frontiers in Anatomy particularly, stem cell research and genetic engineering should be given a place on public agenda, and be enabled to reach the table of policy makers. Laboratories where these activities are taking place are located in places not too far from Nigeria, and some of the departments are headed by Nigeri-

•Dolly was successfully cloned using cells derived solely from the mother at the Roslin institute Scotland, in february 1997. No sperm was involved This sort of enterprise will provide enough protein food for every one; more employment opportunities not only for graduates, but industries producing meat, leather etc.

One only needs to consider ethical issues and further research to clarify issues of safety ans, who are at times amused at the sort of treatment people from this country travel outside to get.

Apart from the huge benefits derivable in health and

food production, each single process in the laboratories can generate huge employment opportunities for graduates in human anatomy as well as in allied medical and allied sciences With more Universities being established here in the Country, more graduates will come out having no where to work and live a healthy life. The situation is particularly bad for graduates in Human Anatomy, for whom there seem to be very little opportunities in Nigeria.

Some of them have described their general situation as ‘ leading someone with two legs out onto a cul de sac and having one of the legs sawn off’. This should not be the case if things are done properly.

Some concerned persons have suggested restructuring organizations like the Fire service, the Federal Road Safety corpse, the Nigerian Civil Defence corpse and the Nigerian police, with a view to accommodate graduates from various disciplines.

The argument is that additional on the job training can be provided for young healthy graduates to work as Paramedics, in any of these organizations, as first responders.

To be continued

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JANUARY 26, 2013

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THE NATION SATURDAY, JANUARY 26, 2013

Ijebu South West Diocese dedicates buildings

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HE Anglican Diocese of Ijebu South West has dedicated its newly-completed Bishops Court and three other buildings.

The dedication of the buildings, which coincided with the diocese’s third anniversary of its inauguration at Odogbolu in Ogun State, was marked with pomp and pageantry by the congregation who turned out en-masse to celebrate the day.

The three other buildings dedicated by the Rt. Rev. Babatunde F. R Ogunbanwo, the Diocesan Bishop, were the Diocesan Secretariat, the bishop’s chaplain’s house and the diocesan service quarters.

Nine other bishops, priests and numerous prominent parishioners from the 10 archdeaconries, which make up the diocese, attended the ceremony. The occasion also witnessed the presentation of plaques to 12 eminent parishioner leaders of the diocese for their different forms of support and assistance in the development of the diocese.

In his exhortation, the Diocesan Bishop attributed the landmark achievement to the grace of God and the willingness of the parishioners to contribute to the cause of spreading the gospel.

Dr. Ogunbanwo urged the congregation not to be weary in their service to the Lord, assuring them that God to whom such services were rendered, would most certainly reward them beyond their imagination.

Defending his decision to execute the four projects simultaneously, Dr. Ogunbanwo remarked that God had told him that He had men and women in the diocese that He would use to accomplish all the four projects within a short space of time.

The bishop said: “My advice to all our parishioners is that they should always be positive. Do not believe that anything is impossible. There is nothing that God cannot do. And our

Emir of Fika laments attacks on monarchs Duku JOEL, Damaturu

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HE Emir of Fika, who is also the Chairman, Yobe State Council of Chiefs, Alh. Mohammadu Abbali Ibn Mohammadu Idrisa, has described the attack on the Emir of Kano as most unfortunate.

The Emir called on security operatives to tighten security around monarchs, and added that “It is unfortunate that custodians of culture have become targets of dastardly attacks by the insurgents.”

Apart from security, Mohammadu Abbali Ibn Mohammadu Idrissa also called on government to initiate youth-oriented programs, which he said will solve youth restiveness across the country.

It will be recalled that the Emir of Fika narrowly escaped death last year when he was attacked by a suicide bomber after Friday prayers near his palace at Potiskum. His police orderly was killed in the attack.

In similar fashion, the Shehu of Borno was attacked by a suicide bomber after Jumat prayers in Maiduguri.

As part of other measures put in place by security agencies to ensure the safety of the monarchs, our correspondent observed that military checkpoints have been erected near most palaces in Damatruru, Potiskum, Gashua and other major towns in the state.

A security source, who pleaded anonymity, noted that the measure is an earlier measure to ensure the safety of the monarchs.

•L-R Bishop of Ijebu South Rt. Rev. Babatunde Ogunbanwo his wife (Mrs.) Olatundun Remo Diocese Rt. Rev. Michael Pape, Ajayi Crowther Diocese Rt. Rev. Oduntan Olukemi and Rt. Rev. Olubayo Obijoke at the thirt Anniversary of the diocese of Ijebu South west Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) and dedication of diocesan office compalin held at Odogbolu Ijebu in Ogun State on 13-1-2013

God will not use angels to achieve what may seem impossible to you. He will use ordinary human beings like you and me to achieve what many people may consider impossible.”

The Rt. Rev. Ezekiel A. Awosoga, Bishop of Ijebu Diocese, from whose ecclesiastical territory the Diocese of Ijebu South/ West was excised in January 2010, described the event as “a milestone”.

According to him, “What I have observed here is the mani-

Varsity student arraigned for beheading girlfriend for denying him sex A 500-level student of Federal University of Technology, Minna, Godwin Lawani Idoko, has appeared before a Minna Chief Magistrate Court, for allegedly beheading his girlfriend, Ramatu Isa, on January 1, 2013, for refusing him sex.

According to the charge sheet read by Chief Magistrate Moh’d Gimba Gabi, the accused was said to have committed culpable homicide offence punishable under Section 221 of the Penal Code.

Idoko was alleged to have beheaded his victim for refusing him sex after he had paid Ramatu, who sold groundnut, an agreed fee of N2000.

The father of the victim,

Jide ORINTUNSIN - Minna

Mohammed Isa, reported the killing of Ramatu at Bosso Police Station.

Idoko’s neighbors had earlier called the attention of a police patrol team to his strange movements, which later led to the discovery of the headless body of Ramatu in his Rafin Yasin residence.

When asked if is guilty of the charge, Idoko refused to take a plea, but demanded for the interpretation of Section 221, a development which forced the trial judge to explain that the offence carries a death penalty if an accused person is

•Oba Adeyemi

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HE Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, has said until those saddled with the responsibilities of governance are really committed to Justice and fairness, the much-needed peace, harmony and progress in the country may be difficult to achieve.

Oba Adeyemi stated this when he received the Arewa Community in the SouthWest, who came to sympathize with him over the recent fire incident that razed part of his palace.

The paramount ruler noted that all sorts of oddities and abnormalities would always rear up their ugly heads in any society where honesty is abhorred.

"Let's us look at every facet of our nationhood. Why are we groping for political order since our political independence? Why do we experience brain-drain in our universities?

Why is it that we tend to drift away from truth and naked facts as a people? Why is it that our leaders find it so easy

Aregbesola explains lion share of budget to road construction

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sub-sector in 2013.

A statement by the Director, Bureau of Communications and Strategy, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, quoted Governor Aregbesola as saying that in view of his government's commitment to ensure that roads are in good condition throughout the State, a sum of N24.61billion out of N30.21 allocated to the sub-sector has been voted for road rehabilitation and construction alone in the 2013 budget.

The governor said that since

He then refused to say anything further, demanding to see his lawyer and the neighbors who reported him to the police.

The prosecutor, Inspector John Atumeyi later told the court that the matter is still being investigated, and prayed that the accused person be remanded in prison.

The Chief Magistrate Gabi assured the accused of legal representation in view of the enormity of the offence. He then adjourned the matter to March 14, 2013 for further hearing, while giving orders that Idoko be remanded in Minna Prison.

Bode DUROJAIYE, Oyo

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HE governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has disclosed that his government allocated lion share of 2013 budget capital spending to transportation sub-sector because of the administration's belief that it is a vital catalyst for economic and industrial development.

A total sum of N30.21 Billion or 25.38 per cent of the capital budget has been allocated to transport for the execution of the various projects in the

found guilty.

After the explanation by the judge, Idoko told the court that he didn’t behead the victim, saying he merely stabbed her on the neck. ‘’I did not behead the lady. I only stab her on the neck when she refused to agree to my demand for sex after she has collected the N2000 we agreed. ‘’Instead of allowing me to make love, she forcefully held and squeezed my manhood and bit me on my palm before I stabbed her on the neck. It was at the Bosso Police Station that I was told she was beheaded,’’ Idoko told the court.

Good governance will end social tension- Alaafin

OPC holds annual thanksgiving HE Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) Tuesday, in Lagos, held the 2013 edition of its annual thanksgiving service.

The service, which attracted a large crowd, held at the Abule-Ado, Lagos home of the National Coordinator of the group, Otunba Gani Adams.

For several hours, members of the group, who turned out in colourful attires, worshipped and sang praises to God for preserving their lives. The sermon, which was delivered by Apostle Olusoga Raphael, dwelt on the power of worship and praise in the worship of God. According to the man of God, singing praises to God is a very good way to receive blessings from Him. “It is not everybody that knows how to pray. God is happy when He is praised with beautiful songs and praises. It was the weapon employed by David to become the apple of God’s eyes.”

In his speech, the National Coordinator of the OPC, Otunba Gani Adams advised members of the group to always pray, saying prayer is the key to the success of any human being.

Relating his own experience with prayers, the OPC leader said, while most people view members of the group as idol worshippers, the group is largely populated by Christians and Muslims.

festation of the grace of God. Like the bishop said, when he started, he never expected that this kind of thing could happen but God has made it possible by stirring the hearts of the people to rise up and give a helping hand to him, especially the major donors who took one structure or another. So we bless the name of the Lord. We pray that God will continue to bless those that He has used to make this day what it is and what we are witnessing.”

the inception of his administration, construction and rehabilitation of inter and intra-city roads have remained one of its top priorities, saying government identifies road construction and maintenance as essential to achieving economic and socio-political end.

Aregbesola noted that in the current fiscal year, government will award new contracts which include the construction of roads, such as the East Bypass Road Osogbo (18 km), Iwo -

Osogbo Road (58k), Gbongan Osogbo Road (25k).

Others are ongoing rehabilitations of township roads across the state including, rehabilitation of township roads in the six (06) zones (83.66km); 21 roads in Osogbo (25. 35Km), 15 Ilesa Township Roads Rehabilitation (29.09km); GbonganOdeyinka-Orile-Owu-Araromi Road (44. 43km); Dualisation of Osogbo-Dagbolu International Market - Ikirun Junction/ Alamisi Market (9.52km).

to deceive us and lose credibility each day? Why is it that some sections of the country feel alienated and cheated, resulting in attempts to opt out from the rest of the country?

We celebrate and reinforce falsehood and hypocrisy, while justice, fairness and honesty have all been jettisoned."

Oba Adeyemi explained that for several decades, the Hausa people have lived harmoniously in Oyo metropolis without let or hindrance, adding that this mutual relationship and understanding made him to appoint a ruler for the Hausa community.

"Both the Hausa and the Yoruba in Oyo metropolis are living like brothers and sisters.

They do things in common and

there has never been any instance when the two tribes engaged each other in violence or acrimony. Every citizen, irrespective of his or her ethnic background should feel free to live in any part of the country without fear of intimidation."

Earlier, the leader of the community, Hajia Ramatu Lawal, described the Alaafin as an "epitome of justice, honesty, peace and progress", adding that his invaluable contributions towards national cohesion, progress and development are unequalled.

Similarly, the Vice-Chancellor, University of Abuja, Professor James Adelabu, visited the ancient palace to commiserate with the Alaafin.

Sokoto SUBEB boss calls for traditional ruler’s involvement in education Adamu SULEIMAN, Sokoto

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HE chairman of the Sokoto State Universal Education Board (SUBEB), Prof. Musa Maitafsir, has advocated the active involvement of traditional rulers in the running of education at all levels.

He said the involvement of the traditional rulers is the only panacea to achieving and resuscitation of educational standard in the country.

Maitafsir, who made the call in Sokoto yesterday during a visit to him by members of the state's community education forum, noted that they were hitherto involved in the running of the education sector as against the current fire brigade roles they play in the running of education.

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THE NATION, SATURDAY, JANUARY 26, 2013

Ezu River tragedy: 15 bodies to be exhumed Monday

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HE Anambra State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Lawrence Ikeako says the autopsy so far conducted on some of the corpses found floating on the Ezu River last weekend was revealing.

He gave no details but told The Nation yesterday that the remaining corpses will be exhumed on Monday for autopsy to establish the cause (s) of their death.

He said details could only be revealed at the conclusion of autopsy on the remaining corpses.

The first round of autopsy on three of the corpses was conducted by two government pathologists and one from the police.

The state government has vowed to find out the brains behind the dumping of the dead bodies in the river.

Dr. Ikeako and his local government counterpart, Lady Azuka Enemo, visited the scene again yesterday in furtherance of government’s investigation of the incident.

The commissioners were accompanied by the traditional ruler of the community, Igwe Kenneth Okonkwo.

Enemo was, however, shocked to see a governorship aspirant on the platform of the PDP arrive there accompanied by four female traditional dancers.

The commissioner expressed disgust that some people are playing politics with the tragedy.

He said: “What has happened is pathetic; this does

Nwanosike ONU, Awka & Odogwu Emeka ODOGWU, Nnewi not call for celebration but a sober reflection. Some politicians have come with dancers. This moment calls for sympathy instead of merriment.”

He said the community had been fumigated to prevent any health hazard.

15 of the 18 dead bodies evacuated from the River were buried at the bank of the river, while three were taken to Nnewi by pathologists for autopsy.

•’Autopsy quite revealing’

Similarly, two more corpses were afloat the Ezu River Amansea and that of Ebenebe yesterday evening, even as the Anambra State Government announced it was exhuming all the buried corpses for proper autopsy.

Commissioner for Health, Dr Lawrence Ikeakor announced this when Chief Obinna Uzoh, President of Obinnah Uzoh foundation visited the Ezu River to donate over 10,000 bags of sachet water to the affected com-

munities. Uzoh promised to bring water tankers daily for the people until the issue is resolved.

He said police pathologists and other experts in pathology have been involved to get to the root of dead bodies discovered in Ezu River including the fresh discoveries.

One corpse was seen at the Ezu River Amansea while one was said by the villagers to be floating down the Ebenebe Ezu River as

sighted by farmers plying the river with a canoe.

This brought to 6 corpses sighted after the mass burial of 18 including the three taken away for autopsy.

The Nation reports that criticisms trailed the hasty burial of the corpses, hence the state commissioner for Health said the autopsy for three corpses were not enough to draw conclusions on others buried, hence the new order for autopsy on all the corpses.

•Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State shopping at Exclusive Shop, Abuja, shortly before the Economic Council meeting... yesterday dent of the year, Miss Rosaline Ijendu of the Department of Electronic Engineering, said that she dedithat the last four years have cated her success to God training that our university for you all,” he said.

In his remark, the Pro- witnessed massive infra- who granted her wisdom offers and the test of knowledge required to earn the Chancellor of the university, structure transformation and the strength to excel.

Prof. Sam Igwe commended and academic excellence. university degree.

“I dedicate this success to “The governing council is God for his special love and “I expect you all to be the VC and management proud of your accomplish- team for the positive trans- happy to leave the univer- care, knowing that without sity better than it met it,’’ he God, this feat could not have ment and not to allow the formation of the university.

“Without fear of contradic- said. prevailing socio-economic been possible,” she said.

The best graduating stucondition in the country to tion, we can equivocally say diminish the value of your achievement.

“I am optimistic that you will all fulfill your destiers, Maxi Okwu, Willy Chris OJI, Enugu HE Enugu State Governnies,” he said.

Ezeugwu and Eneh signed a ment has described as laThe V-C urged them to be mentable, efforts by a Chibuike Amaechi (Rivers) statement that the picture was good ambassadors of the fake. university wherever they group in the state to create were shown in the picture But in a statement signed by doubts over the authenticity of standing and chatting with Chief Press Secretary to Govfound themselves.

“I am also optimistic that a picture of Governor Sullivan Governor Chime in London on ernor Chime, Chukwudi very soon, you will be able Chime and three other gover- Tuesday, last week.

Achife, the government disand willing to give back your nors that was published in But a group, which called it- missed the claims made by the widow’s might to the devel- most national dailies last self Save Enugu Group said the group. opment of your alma-mater. Wednesday. picture was fake.

It said that the group insistGovernors Godswill Although two members of ing that the picture was fake “I urge you all to face the future with courage as it Akpabio (Akwa Ibom), the 5-man group agreed that was “another desperate and holds numerous potential Gabriel Suswam (Benue) and the picture was real, three oth- futile effort to deceive the pub-

116 UNN graduands bag First Class HE University of Nsukka on Friday, announced that 116 students of the 2011/2012 batch of graduates bagged first class degrees.

The university Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Bartho Okolo, disclosed this in Nsukka during the university’s 42nd convocation and award of Bachelors degree and certificates.

He said that out of 18,150 graduates, 116 excelled in First Class, 4,405 made 2nd Class Upper Division; 10,048 made 2nd Class Lower Division and 2,633 went home with 3rd Class.

He said that while 154 managed ordinary pass, the remaining 794 obtained diplomas and certificates.

“I want to congratulate you all on enduring the rigorous

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Nwanosike ONU, Awka

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HE Subsidy Re-Investment Programme (SUREP) has concluded the recruitment of three thousand school leavers in Anambra State, saying it was devoid of any political partisanship.

FormerAnambra State House of Assembly Speaker, Anayo Nebe, and chairman, SURE-P community service, women and youths employment, said the programme was on ground in Anambra State. He noted that the documentation process was still ongoing.

Nebe said the exercise in Anambra had been a huge success.

According to him, “At the moment, the recruits have not commenced work, which is why people do not feel the impact of the scheme. But in a matter of days, when the documentation process comes to an end, the impact will be very glaring “The participants are being selected from different parts of the state. It is non-partisan, as nobody was selected on the basis of political party, religion or other primordial sentiment.

For the first phase, each local government area has four communities.

“By this, we will ensure there is spread. We want every local government area to have a feel of the scheme. It is a continuous exercise, some may be involved in road maintenance, others may be sent to other areas, as choice of projects differs from community to community.

“I want to state clearly that this is one of the best programmes of the President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.

The government has earlier shown in so many ways that it is one with a human face, a government that is not elitist, a government that bothers about the welfare of the youth and women, “ Nebe said.

Govt, group trade words over Chime’s picture

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Bayelsa govt constructs 41 roads, 18 buildings in one year AYELSA State Government says 90 percent of the ongoing projects including 41 road projects, 18 buildings, a multi million naira worldclass Diagnostic Centre and a multi-door Court House will be completed and due for commissioning as part of the activities marking Governor Seriake Dickson’s one year anniversary.

Contrary to fears being expressed in certain quarters, all ongoing projects being undertaken by the administration will be completed within its life span.

SURE-P ends recruitment of 3,000 school leavers in Anambra

Conducting newsmen round some of the project sites within and outside the state capital, the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Lawrence Ewrudjakpor said the decision to open up the state is aimed at attracting local and foreign investors.

“Our dream is to make Bayelsa the Dubai of Africa.

Governor Seriake Dickson has given us the task and it must be accomplished.

“When we took over, there was nothing to write home about in terms of infrastructure and that is why the governor was angry to de-

velop the state. All the ongoing projects as well as the ones earmarked for construction would be completed within the tenure of the present administration.

“The government embarked on this massive construction projects because Bayelsa State is backwards and has nothing to report on, unlike its other southern counterparts.

Therefore, the target of this administration is to restore the lost glory of the state and make the state measure up to the other states in the southern part and a befitting state capital.

“It is also to prove that governance in Bayelsa State can have a face contrary to the negative opinion that nothing can work in Bayelsa State.”

The Commissioner for Works, in an interview with newsmen, told the people to put away fears of projects being abandoned, as the government is conscious of what it is doing and is desirous of developing the state.

That is why they put in place engineers to supervise the projects.

Some of the road projects as listed by Mr. Ewrudjakpor included the three senatorial

roads, re-construction and dualisation of Ekoli bridge, Tombia-Etegwe road, expansion of Eradiri road, construction of Bayelsa Airport road and construction of outer ring road.

Also enumerated were the building projects such as the world-class diagnostic centre located within the premises of the Melford Okilo Memorial Hospital, four secretariat annexes, Multi-door Court House for the state Judiciary, Nigeria Prison’s Service, Governor and Deputy Governor’s lodges in Yenagoa, Sagbama and Nembe.

lic.”

He said that though the government, ordinarily would not have wished to take issues with anyone on such a clear matter, it was appalled by what he described as the group’s regrettable effort to impugn the integrity of the governors who had appeared with Chime in the picture as well as that of the newspapers that published it.

The statement reads: “The claim by the so called Save Enugu Group, that a picture of Governor Chime and his Akwa Ibom, Benue and Rivers counterparts in London was fake can only be described as lamentable.”

A member of the group, Ray Nnaji had praised the government in releasing the picture.

Nnaji described the development as a good omen because “we can now heave a sigh of relief that at least we know where our governor is.

Nnaji, however, condemned the earlier media hype that the governor was on vacation.

“Now that we know his whereabouts, our concern has been assuaged.”

The debate in Enugu has now shifted from the whereabouts of the governor to when he will return.

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THE NATION SATURDAY, JANUARY 26, 2013

Ezu River tragedy: Youths castigate Enugu government, commend Gov Obi YOUTHS from Ugwuoba, a border town with Anambra, under the aegis of Youths for Protection of Environment have lamented the lacklustre attitude of the Enugu State government and its officials towards what they called “Dead Body Tragedy” that befell them.

They lamented that five days after some dead bodies were found in Ezu River, officials from Anambra State have been visiting the place and supporting their people with relief materials, while no official from Enugu has visited or at least sent a councillor from Orji River to find out how the people of Ugwuoba have been surviving.

Chairman of the group, Pascal Ozo-Mgbachi, commended Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State and his officials as well as the State Police Command for their efforts since the discovery of the bodies in the Ezu River. They said that if Governor Sullivan Chime were in the country, he would have visited them.They asked the acting governor, Mr. Sunday Onyebuchi to try and identify with his people at all times, especially in time of distress.

2015: Opposition will provide leadership to salvage Nigeria, says Tinubu

ORMER Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has said the amalgamation of the opposition parties - Action Congress of Nigeria(ACN), Congress for Progressive Change(CPC) and the All Nigeria Peoples Party(ANPP), will provide the "rare leadership" required to put Nigeria back on the path of sustainable growth and development.

Tinubu said though nearly everybody can steer a ship or run the affairs of a country, only a person of extra - ordinary leadership qualities can rescue the drifting ship of a state and the future of her people.

The National leader of the ACN, who spoke with reporters in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, after the commissioning of the first fly - over (Lalubu - Ibara - Totoro bridge) built by Governor Ibikunle Amosun's administration, said the merger talks of the opposition parties are going on "fine," stressing that the only way to upstage the Peoples Democratic Party in 2015 is for the oppositions to team up .

According to him, the opposition owes it a duty to become "more pro - active" to wrest governance from the PDP controlled government

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Ernest NWOKOLO, Abeokuta and provide the development agenda for Nigeria.

Tinubu who noted that the ACN controlled states are delivering on the dividends of democracy because of the quality leadership of its governors said if the Independent National Election Commission(INEC) could be transparent in the conduct of elections like what obtained in the last polls in Ghana, the country and the citizens would be the better for it.

The Are - Ago of Egbaland, expressed the confidence that the merger would work this time to provide leadership

and hope to the nation.

Tinubu said: " If the youth don't have a future in this country and with the roller coaster Poverty Development Party(PDP), we have to change that and have to be pro active to able to change Nigeria for the better. And the only way we could that is come together under one platform to ignore seperationists and become unifiers, in order to grab the ship of the country that is adrift ,and chart a new course. " Nearly everybody, and we have seen it demonstrated ,can steer a ship or say they are in-charge of a country but it takes rare lead-

ership, extra - ordinary leadership to chart the course of national development when the issue of the state and the ship of a nation is adrift."

He said ACN won elections in some states outside the SouthWest particularly in Benue and Taraba during the last exercise but added that the party was rigged out.

"The merger thing is coming on fine.In every political environment you have hills and valleys. There are sincere people, our commitment to merger is not for us, it is for the country. It is not for today only, it is for tomorrow and the future of our youth, the liberty and freedom of the journalism profession.

"We are in the SouthWest,

our political opponents would want us hemmed in, they want us restricted to South West but we won the election in Taraba State, I know that but they rigged us out; we won in Benue, I know that but they rigged us out; even in Kwara, the victory there was questionable and I'm bold to say that, we require transparent power."

He lauded Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State , for what he called his phenomenal achievements and his victory at the election petitions tribunal.

"The challenge is that of INEC.You have seen what has happened in Ghana:transparent, validated, verifiable election results that occurred there. If this giant has elephantiasis, we will treat it,"he said.

NPAN heads for Appeal Court in battle against APCON regulations

By Eric Ikhilae

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HE Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN) has appealed the ruling of a Federal High Court in Lagos, which declined jurisdiction over a suit it filed suit against

the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON).

NPAN had, in the suit marked: FHC/L/CS/1067/2012, questioned the propriety of some provisions of a law by APCON, requiring media houses to summit advertisement materials for vetting by the council.

It argued that the provisions contained in Article 21 and 137 of the Nigerian Code of Advertising and Sales Promotion (NCASP) are inconsistent with the provisions of Section 39 of the Constitution, guaranteeing the freedom of expression and to hold opinion.

In a ruling on January 10, Justice Musa Kurya upheld the preliminary objection raised by APCON, and held that NPAN lacked the locus standi to file the suit; declined jurisdiction and dismissed the case.

In its notice of appeal dated January 21, NPAN raised five grounds of appeal and prayed the appellate court to allow the appeal and an order setting aside Justice Kurya’s ruling.

NPAN also prayed the court for an order for the hearing and determination of its originating summons, as a court of first instance in line with the provision of section 15 the Court of Appeal Act, 2004. Similarly,it wants the court for an order granting all the reliefs being sought on the originating summons.

On the first ground, the appellant argued that the trial judge erred in holding that it lacked locus standi or enforceable right to institute the suit against APCON. It contended that, as a body established to promote the interest of its members, it was with its right to challenge regulatory provisions affecting the interest of media houses in the country.

“It is in consonance with the objects for which the plaintiff was registered to institute an action to nullify any legislation or subsidiary instrument, which adversely affects the interest of its members,” NPAN said. It faulted the lower court’s decision on the ground that the judge failed to consider all averments in its supporting affidavit, but relied only on paragraphs 12 to 17 in reaching a conclusion.

NPAN argued that the judge’s failure to consider all its processes, including its constitution, which it attached to the further affidavit dated November 21, 2012was in violation of its right to fair hearing. It contended that the trial judge erred in holding that it failed to seek and obtain the court’s leave to su in representative capacity.

It faulted the court’s decision that its suit was a representative one. It argued that the Federal High Court Rules 2009 did not provide that a plaintive must seek and obtain the court’s leave before suing in representative capacity.

NPAN argued that the trial judge erred in dismissing the suit on the grounds that the plaintiff lacked locus standi and that the court was without jurisdiction to hear the case. It argued that the judge ought to have struck out the case, upon holding that the plaintiff lacked locus standi , rather than dismissing the suit.

It also faulted the trial judge for dismissing its suit “when he ought, in law, to have proceeded to the hearing of the originating summons on its merit and grant all reliefs being sought by the plaintiff.”

•From left: Bauchi State Commissioner for Works, Mr. Bukata Bukar; Governor Isa Yuguda and State Director-General of Projects, Mr. Aliyu Jibrin, during the foundation-laying ceremony of the Bauchi State International Airport in Bauchi...yesterday

Boko Haram: Dialogue only option for govt to end crisis, say experts E

XPERTS have said the only way to end the insurgency of Boko Haram and promote peace and social justice in the society is by adopting the principles of dialogue, tolerance and coexistence by both the Federal Government and the media.

The experts also stressed the need to infiltrate the camps, hearts and thoughts of the insurgents with the rhyme of love.

Speaking at a one day conference titled: ‘The Role of the Media in Education in Nigeria’ organised by the Nigerian Turkish Nile University (NTNU) yesterday in Abuja, Dr. Chigozie Enwere, the Head of Political Science NTNU tasked the media on uniting the nation by its peaceful reportage In his paper on “Reportism and the Role of the Media in Conflict Resolution in Developing Countries: A Gulen Conceptual Approach”, Enwere said: “there exists a mutual interdependence between media reports and the operations of violent conflict. The reportage of acts of violence attracts wide readership

Gbenga OMOKHUNU, Abuja leading to unprecedented increase in sales and maximization of profit.

“Conflict is escalated when the media adopts the Concept of Realism in its reporting styles, the Machiavellian principle of Double Morality; the use of stereotyping in its reporting strategies and Portrayal of violent actions of the par-

ties”.

Enwere said reporting conflicts in developing countries should take strategic approach based on the component of fairness.

According to him: “the issue of applying strategy in the media reporting to achieve a define objectivity is inevitable; the objective could either be constructive or destructive depending on the style of report and the

object of the conflict.

“For this reason, we are soliciting that the only method of reporting in resolving conflicts is through the issue of dialogue because one thing is sure: conflict is inevitable when dialogue fails, in order to revive peace in any society we develop the institutional proponent of dialogue, tolerance and coexistence as enumerated by Gulen theory.

Total moves staff out of Abuja

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RENCH oil major Total has moved its staff from the Nigerian capital Abuja following the kidnapping of a French national last month, Chief Executive, Christophe de Margerie, said on Friday.

This is the first time in recent history that a company has said it has evacuated foreigners from Nigeria’s capital due to security concerns. Western diplomatic sources told Reuters earlier this week that embassies were not planning to remove families of their staff from Abuja.

“What we do first is to limit the number of expatriates, not because they have more rights to be protected than the others, but because they are a more interesting target, if I may

say,” de Margerie told France 24 television.

He did not elaborate on the number of staff moved.

“In Nigeria, we have three installations ... We moved our people from Abuja, which is the city that is most at risk, to Lagos and Port-Harcourt, and if necessary, we move them back to Paris,” he told the TV channel on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos.

Nigerian Islamist group Ansaru kidnapped a French national last month in the remote northern town of Rimi, close to the Niger border.

The group threatened to continue to target the French because of the country’s support of military action in Mali and its decision to ban the full face veil.

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WAR IN MALI

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JANUARY 26, 2013

Mali rebels destroy bridge near Niger border

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EVARE, Mali — Islamic extremists based in the Malian town of Ansongo have destroyed a bridge near the Niger border, officials said yesterday, marking the first use of explosives by the insurgents since the start of a French-led military intervention exactly two weeks ago.

The explosion shows that the extremists remain a nimble and daunting enemy, despite gains by the French, who have recaptured three towns from the insurgents and on Friday pushed toward the Islamist stronghold of Gao, one of three provincial capitals controlled by the alQaida-linked rebels.

Djibril Diallo, the village chief of Fafa, located 20 kilometers from the bridge, said by telephone yesterday that residents of his town had called him to confirm that members of the Movement for the Oneness and Jihad in West Africa had travelled toward the border with Niger to the outskirts of Tassiga on Thursday, before destroying the bridge crossing into the town. The rebel group, also known as MUJAO, traveled from the locality of Ansongo, roughly 40 kilometers from Tassiga.

“That’s exactly right. They exploded it. It was last night at around 9 p.m. The Islamists left their barracks in Ansongo after the airstrikes, and headed toward Niger. They caused the collapse of the bridge near the town of Tassiga, not far from Niger,” said Diallo.

Julie Damond, a

spokeswoman with aid group Doctors Without Borders, which has a team in Ansongo, said no injuries were directly related to the explosion. However, several people were being treated in the Ansongo hospital after a bus they were riding in fell into a hole in the bridge caused by the blast, she said by telephone from Bamako, the Malian capital.

The attack recalls insurgent tactics used in Iraq and Afghanistan. It appeared aimed at stopping the

advance of African troops, stationed in neighboring Niger, who are expected to travel by road into Mali past Tassiga in order to retake the strategic town of Gao. However, the bridge is not the only way to cross the body of water, said Ibrahim Ag Idbaltanate, a former deputy in Mali’s parliament from the district where Tassiga is located.

“It’s a bridge that is especially used to cross the canyon during the rainy season, when there is a lot of

water. But you can make a detour of 5 to 10 kilometers and find another way to continue on the Niger-Gao road,” he said.

However, the bombing of the bridge in Tassiga should cause concern about the strategic bridge leading into the city of Gao itself, said several officials.

An elected official from northern Mali, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he feared reprisal, said that fighters belonging to MUJAO were seen on the

bridge leading to Gao overnight, and there were reports that they planned to bomb it.

They then abandoned the idea.

“Their intention was to dynamite it. But finally they decided not to. I don’t know why they abandoned their plan to do so,” the official said.

Despite these setbacks, Mali’s military and French forces pushed toward Gao on Friday, in their farthest push north and east since launching an operation two

Mali army pushes farthest east toward city of Gao

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•French soldiers prepare ammunitions at a military airbase in the Malian capital Bamako

‘Never leave’, shell-shocked Mali residents tell France

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IABALY, Mali - Residents of Diabaly feared for their lives when French air strikes pounded their small town in central Mali, shaking their homes and turning the pickup trucks of Islamist fighters into burning, twisted metal.

Despite that, they are grateful to France.

Children in bare feet and tattered T-shirts now play among the trucks’ charred wreckage — a visible reminder that the town was the focus of the French-led war against al Qaeda-linked rebels bent on carving an Islamist state out of the Sahara.

“I’ve told the children not to play with the trucks but I can’t stop them,” said Adama Nantume, a retired farmer whose home was blackened by

the laser-guided air strikes that landed meters from his door. “Everyone here is happy about what the French have done.”

Diabaly, once a buzzing trading and agriculture hub, is now a forward headquarters for French troops piling into Mali since the Islamist rebels launched a dramatic offensive toward the capital in earlyJanuary.

French air strikes halted the Islamist advance and Paris has vowed to rid Mali’s north of the militants for fear they will create a base for international attacks.

France says its military will leave once the Islamists are defeated and Mali is returned to stability, with the aid of an African force. But many Diabaly residents never want

them to go.

“I hope that the French stay for eternity. If they leave, I will leave,” said Alou Gindou, a 46year-old driver. “If it were not for the French, we would not be sitting here today.”

Many residents waved and roadside boutiques flew the tricolor flag as a column of French armored personnel carriers, jeeps and supply trucks trundled north along the route from the capital Bamako to reinforce Diabaly on Thursday.

Nantume was sitting beneath his mango tree when the convoy of Islamist rebels sped past toward the center of town on the evening of January 14, extending their reach south from their desert strongholds of Kidal, Gao and Timbuktu.

“Everybody panicked and people began to flee,” he said.

Mali crisis: US admits mistakes in training week. enough ethics training. local troops third Islamists seized the north “We were focusing our

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HE US military commander in Africa says the Pentagon made mistakes in its training of Malian troops now trying to oust Islamists from the north.

Gen Carter Ham of United States Africa Command (Africom) said its forces had failed to train Malian troops on “values, ethics and a military ethos”.

He spoke after reports of abuses by Mali government troops taking part in the French-led counter-offensive.

Meanwhile, air strikes have been reported near the northern city of Gao. The militant stronghold came under fire as the military operation entered its

weeks ago to retake land controlled by the rebels, residents and a security official said Friday. The soldiers were seen in the town of Hombori, according to residents, who said they stayed several hours in the area before heading back westward.

“They were in eight allterrain vehicles and two armored vehicles,” said Maouloud Daou, a resident of Hombori. “They asked us if there were Islamists in the town and we told them they had left. People were very happy to see the Malian and French military.”

A Malian security official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to journalists, confirmed the advance.

of Mali last year and have imposed a strict interpretation of Sharia, or Islamic law, on its inhabitants.

France intervened militarily on 11 January to stop them advancing further south.

However, human rights groups have since accused Malian troops of killing Arabs and ethnic Tuaregs as they advance north.

The claims caused alarm in the West, particularly in the US, which has been training troops in Mali and neighbouring countries to tackle the militant threat for several years.

Gen Ham said Malian troops were given plenty of tactical training, but not

training almost exclusively on tactical or technical matters,” he told a forum at Washington’s Howard University on Thursday.

“We didn’t spend probably the requisite time focusing on values, ethics and a military ethos.”

The general said not enough was done to convince Malian recruits that “when you put on the uniform of your nation, you accept the responsibility to defend and protect that nation, to abide by the legitimate civilian authority that has been established, to conduct yourselves according to the rule of law”.

“We didn’t do that to the degree that we needed to,” he added.

“I went into my room and crouched in a corner. Bullets were flying everywhere and hitting the house.”

He said the air strikes began not long afterward as night fell and lasted until the rebels melted away two days later.

“As the planes circled, the jihadists tried to hide their trucks and they hid some here next to my house. The ground was shaking, the air was filled will bullets and there were explosions. The inside of the house was incredibly hot. I thought I would die,” he said massaging his palms nervously.

Wasted ammunition lay scattered in the dust alongside an unexploded rocket propelled grenade near Nantume’s house.

Residents said they were amazed by the precision of the air strikes, which hit no civilians and left buildings in the maze of mud houses nearly untouched. A French officer said the air strikes were conducted by jets using laser-

guided targeting.

Malian military officials said residents claimed to have seen Abu Zeid, a feared al Qaeda commander, among the Islamists that attacked Diabaly.

The cross of Diabaly’s church, which served the minority Christian community, lay in the churchyard, torn from its perch by the Islamists before they fled.

Oumar Coulibaly, an unemployed resident of Diabaly, said life had become more difficult in the aftermath of the fighting.

“Villagers from around the region used to come to Diabaly to trade millet, fish, and cattle, but they have stopped. Many of our neighbors left and never came back.”

He hoped French forces would stay to secure the town.

“The jihadists said this was a war about religion and that their enemies were the military and the French. But we know this is false. They brought us this war. It was the French who stopped it,” he said.

ALI’s military and French forces have pushed toward the Islamic extremist stronghold in the city of Gao, in their farthest push east since launching an operation two weeks ago to retake land controlled by the rebels, residents and a security official said Friday.

The soldiers were seen in the town of Hombori, according to residents, who said the troops stayed several hours before heading back westward.

“They were in eight all-terrain vehicles and two armored vehicles,” said Maouloud Daou, a resident of Hombori .

“They asked us if there were Islamists in the town and we told them they had left. People were very happy to see the Malian and French military.”

A security official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to journalists, confirmed the advance.

Hombori is located 150 kilometers beyond the current line of control in Douentza, which came back under government forces earlier in the week. The eastward push puts them just 250 kilometers away from Gao, one of the three main northern cities held by Islamists since last April when the rebels took advantage of the chaotic aftermath of a coup in Mali’s capital.

Malian soldiers, with help from French military and troops from other African nations, are attempting to recapture northern Mali from Islamic extremists.

The Islamists have retreated from several cities in central Mali but still control the north including Gao, Kidal and Timbuktu.

ECOWAS’s chiefs of defence staff summon fresh meeting

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HIEFS of Defence Staff (CDDs) of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) are scheduled to meet in Abidjan,Cote d’Ivoire today with a view to assessing the impact of the deployment of the Africanled International Support Mission to Mali (AFISMA).

Troops from some member states are already in Mali to stop the terrorists operating in the northern part of that

Augustine EHIKIOYA, Abuja

country.

The meeting is expected to accelerate the deployment of AFISMA in line with the United Nations Security Council resolution on Mali.

The Communication Unit of the ECOWAS Commission said ahead of the meeting yesterday that it is the second by the CDDs in 11 days and is “ in response to the 19th January 2013 extra-ordi-

nary summit of regional Heads of State and Government towards an accelerated deployment of AFISMA, within the context of the UN Security Council Resolution 2085 of December 2012.”

Also expected at the oneday meeting are heads of police of member states, the Special Representative of the President of the ECOWAS Commission, the Force Commander and the Chief of Staff of AFISMA.

THE NATION SATURDAY, JANUARY 26, 2013

SPORT EXTRA

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AFCON 2013...AFCON 2013...AFCON 2013...AFCON 2013...AFCON 2013...AFCON 2013...

Eagles walk tight rope S

UPER Eagles were again pegged back by the defending African Cup of Nations champions Zambia in a 1-1 draw on Friday in a Group C match at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelpruit.

This was the classic game of two halves – Zambia dominated the first period, but Nigeria stepped up after the interval.

Emmanuel Emenike gave Nigeria the lead in the 57th minute, when he won set up

by Mikel Obi after he stole the ball from Chisamba Lungu.

Kennedy Mweene drew Zambia was in the 85th minute when he slotted past Enyeama after Ogenyi Onazi was adjudged to have brought down Emmanuel Mayuka.

Zambia were the livelier of the two teams in a goalless first half and created the better chances.

They enjoyed more of the possession with Southampton striker Emmanuel Mayuka’s header missing the target early on, before Kalaba fired at the Eagles goal on 16th minute, off a Chisamba Lungu

cross.

Six minutes later, playmaker Kalaba’s cross-shot was saved

by Nigeria’s goalkeeper Enyeama.

Nigeria elected to play long balls thereby cutting off the Zambia midfield to reach the goal qucker.

Chelsea midfielder Mikel Obi failed to score from the penalty spot in the 26th minute after David Nkausu brought down Ahmed Musa inside the box.

Obi’s effort beat a diving Kennedy Mweene, but came off the foot of the post.

On 29 minute, skipper Enyeama was again called to duty when he had to dive full stretch to hold firmly to a Chisamba free-kick from outside the box.

In the 36th minute, big defender Stopilla Sunzu’s header off another free-kick, flew across the Eagles’ goal, before Chris Katongo then scoffed his shot at goal no thanks to the sandy Mbombela Stadium pitch.

Enyeama again came up big in first half stoppage time when he went down to deal

superbly with a dangerouslooking Chisamba effort from the right flank.

Nigeria got off to a flying start immediately after the break as Emenike troubled the Zambian defence severally and it was not long before he would score his second goal of the tournament.

Emenike gave Nigeria the lead in the 57th minute, when he was set up by Mikel Obi after he stole the ball from Chisamba Lungu.

On 72 minutes, Enyeama

saved off the feet of Kalaba as the Chipolopolo poured forward in search of an equalising goal.

Kalaba again set up substitute Collins Mbesuma on 81st minute right inside the box, but the big striker’s shot was too weak to trouble Enyeama.

Mweene drew Zambia level in the 85th minute when he slotted past Enyeama after Ogenyi Onazi was adjudged to have brought down Emmanuel Mayuka to see the game end 1-1.

A

penalty, which surprised even Zambia, saw Mweene casually dink home an equaliser, with qualification from the group stage all down to the final matches on Tuesday.

Ideye, others shocked at Mikel’s miss

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HE trio of Brown Ideye, Bright Ejieke and Eguweke were shocked after John Mikel Obi failed to put Nigeria up after he failed to convert from the spot kick after Ahmed Musa was hacked down in the box by Nkausu in the 25th minute.

The trio who were in prayers before the Chelsea star was about to take the spot kick expressed shocked after a cool goalkeeper Kennedy

From Rasaq Oboirien, South Africa Mweene pushed the ball to his right corner for Nigeria’s second corner.

• Ideye

A

S

• Nigeria's Emmanuel Emenike, right, challenges for the ball against Zambia's Davies Nkausu, left, during their African Cup of Nations Group C soccer match at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit, South Africa

•Blames referee for denying Nigeria victory

E

FTER failing to claim their first 3points in AFCON 2013 via a controversial penalty awarded to Zambia by Egyptian ref on Friday, Nigeria’s Super Eagles may likely arrive at Rustenburg today for their final Group C game against the Walyas of Ethiopia, billed for Tuesday.

Rustenburg which is close to Sun City has no functional airport and it’s about five hours drive by road from Nelspruit.

To overcome jet-lag, the Coach Keshi led squad is expected to fly either via South African Airways or one of the locally

From Rasaq Oboirien, South Africa operated flights to Johannesburg from Nelspruit and then connect Rustenburg by a two hours drive by road.

At the time of filling this report, NationSport could not confirm the hotel CAF or the AFCON 2013 LOC has approved for the Super Eagles; stay in Rustenburg.

An unconfirmed report has it that Eagles may likely stay in the either of the hotels vacated by Togo or Tunisia, as the duo will be slugging it out Nelspruit in the final Group D match.

Enyeama, Mikel rage at Egyptian ref

Oliseh: Don’t crucify Mikel X INTERNATIONAL, Sunday Oliseh, has appealed to Nigerians not to crucify Super Eagles midfielder, Mikel Obi for missing a penalty in the country’s 1-1 draw against Zambia in their second Group C match of the ongoing African Cup of Nations in South Africa.

Mikel would have given Nigeria the lead on the 26th minute when Davis Nkausu clumsily knocked Ahmed Musa’s feet out from under him, leaving the center referee with no other choice

Eagles hit Rustenburg today

CONTROVERSIAL PENALTY

Burkina Faso whacks Ethiopia 4-0 LAIN TRAORE scored twice as Burkina Faso overcame the dismissal of goalkeeper Abdoulaye Soulama to see off Ethiopia 4-0 in Group C of the Africa Cup of Nations.

The Lorient striker had already put the Stallions in front when Soulama was shown a straight red card for a deliberate handball.

However, they quickly recovered from the blow with Traore, Djakaridja Kone and Jonathan Pitroipa adding further goals to lift Burkina Faso to the top of the group standings.

Earlier in Group C, goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene spared holders Zambia’s blushes as his late penalty enabled them to come away from their clash against Nigeria with a 1-1 draw.

All four sides in the group had a point after the two opening games were both drawn but until five minutes from time Zambian progress appeared under threat, with the Super Eagles taking a 57th-minute lead through Emmanuel Emenike.

However, a highly contentious

SUPER TUESDAY

By Akeem Lawal than to award a penalty. The Chelsea star stepped up to take the spot-kick, but failed to score.

However, following the miss, several Nigerian fans took to social media including Facebook and Twitter, blaming the Chelsea midfielder for stepping out to take the penalty.

In his reaction after the match, Oliseh, a former Captain of the Super Eagles, said Mikel’s performance should not be judged by the missed penalty, but for his contribution to Nigeria’s 57th minute goal where he set up Emmanuel Emenike for the opener.

“In as much as he (Mikel) missed a penalty, Nigeria still went ahead afterward.

It is what we did after we went ahead that we should look after. So people who are castigating Obi Mikel on social are media is unfair, somebody has to step up to take the penalty anyway”, he noted.

The 1994 Africa Cup of Nations winner, however went on to blame the Egyptian center referee, Ghead Grisha for given a cheap penalty thereby denying Nigeria of victory.

The referee, seeing something that few others did, gave a penalty for the Chipolopolo in the 85 th minute after minimum contact on Emmanuel Mayuka by Ogenyi Onazi.

Mweene stepped up and dispatched a beautiful spotkick past opposite number Vincent Enyeama.

“This referee has no excuse and it just explained why FIFA don’t take a lot of African referees to the World Cup. How can you blow this kind in a match like this? If you have to blow every time a player is held by the other one, then you’ll have 40 penalties in a game because each time there is a corner kick, players hold one another. This is unbelievable, not just because I’m a Nigerian, but it’s a shame to African football,” he said.

UPER EAGLES’ stand-in skipper, Vincent Enyeama and John Obi Mikel at the end of 90minutes raged at Egyptian ref for awarding a soft penalty to Zambia which Kennedy Mweene converted in the 85th minute to hand his team a point.

The Eagles’ duo, while exchanging pleasantries with the Copper Bullets players to show spirit of sportsmanship, confronted the Egyptian ref to voice out their displeasure over his call to award a penalty to the AFCON 2012 defending champions.

Enyeama stressed to the ref that it was a fifty-fifty ball challenge more so Zambia’s Mayuku did more of the shirt pulling and not Onazi.

From Rasaq Oboirien, South Africa The ref rebuffed Enyeama and Mikel’s claims by walking away to the dressing room with his assistants.

• Enyeama

TIT BITS From Innocent Amomoh, South Africa

Keshi must ‘stand up’

R

EPORTS awash in the media in South Africa is that Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi is being blamed for not standing up permanently when his team pulled a 1-1 draw last Monday against Burkina Faso which now puts them in a difficult situation as they attempt to progress in the ongoing Nations Cup.

It was scooped that after the match against Burkina Faso, some officials of the Nigeria Football Federation gathered at the Stay Easy Hotel lobby and openly criticized Keshi for not standing up throughout the encounter and see it as a mark of technical deficiency. So how long Keshi ‘stands up’ during a match will determine his level of technical alertness.

South Africans convert garages, others to accommodation

S

OUTH AFRICANS are in a rush to convert their car garages and other landed properties into rooms for accommodation as football fans, administrators and Journalist alike continue to throng the venues hosting the Nation Cup

matches to either catch a glimps of their darling teams, or to perform their official duties. All the Hotels available have been fully booked, while the rate of securing a descent accommodation has skyrocketed.

62

THE NATION SATURDAY,JANUARY 26, 2013

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 25-01-13

NSE-ASI gains 44 basis points HE Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) at the close of business yesterday sustained its bullish sentiments, by adding 44 basis points to the benchmark index. This extended the uptrend to three successive trade sessions this week.

Though Dangote Cement dropped two per cent value, the additional gains recorded by a handful of other capitalised stocks pushed the market northward.

However, bullish investors dominated the activities table. This transacted deals, volume and value went up by 62.3 per cent, 70 per cent and 66.5 per cent respectively.

The uptrend was boosted mainly by value gains recorded in some mid and large capitalised stocks such as Access Bank, Nestle, GTBank, Total, Diamond, UBA, Cadbury, International Breweries, Zenith and Dangote Sugar.

On the price movement tables, the positive outlook was retained with advanced stocks logging 47 against 16 bearish ones. On every decliner, advanced stocks appreciated at the rate of 2.94.

The market gained 137.27 absolute points, representing 0.44 appreciations, to close higher at 31,583.49 points.

Market Capitalisation

T

•organises workshop on FIMM

By Tonia Osundolire

gained N44 billion representing 0.44 per cent growth, to close higher at N10.103 trillion.

Volume of shares transacted dropped to 552.868 million valued at N6.223 billion in 6,563 deals, compared to 798.29 million shares worth N5.13 billion exchanged in 6,976 deals on Wednesday.

Volume dipped by 30.7 per cent while value grew by 21.4 per cent and 10.96 per cent.

GT Bank emerged the most traded stock. It sold 69.67 million shares valued at N1.73 trillion and exchanged in 558 deals. FBNH, Unity Bank, Zenith Bank and IPWA Julius Berger led gainers with an increase of N4.68 kobo to close at N51.52. This was followed by International Breweries, Unity Bank, Diamond Bank, AIICO, Transcorp, Flourmills, Eterna Oil, CAP and MRS. Meanwhile, in quest to further deepen the capital market and focus on product diversity, the management of The Exchange has concluded plans to introduce Market Making Initiative for the Fixed Income securities on The Exchange as a follow up to the successful introduction of market making on equi-

ties.

As part of activities heralding the kick-off of the Fixed Income Market Making (FIMM) programme on The Exchange, a market-wide workshop has been slated for January 29, 2013 to intimate market stakeholders with the rules and operational guidelines of FIMM. According to the Head, Product Management of the NSE, Mr Dipo Omotoso, the workshop will bring together experts in Fixed Income Market Making with other key capital market participants such as broker/dealers, settlement banks, Pension Fund Administrators, Insurance companies and regulatory authorities.

About 400 participants are expected to take part in the workshop.

Offering an insight on the initiatives, Omotoso said that The NSE FIMM programme will operate a ‘hybrid’ market which will allow Fixed Income Market Makers to provide two way quotes and licensed broker/dealers of The Exchange to submit orders as it is currently done.

“These quotes and orders interact on the order book to “discover’ the best price for a security”.

He explained further that The Exchange is introducing FIMM programme to enable flexibility and ease of trading; transparency; diversification; additional income stream as well as improved liquidity in retail side of bond market.

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 25-01-13

NEWS 63

THE NATION SATURDAY, JANUARY 26, 2013

C

OACH Stephen Keshi has said Nigeria will now focus on their final Group C tie against Ethiopia on Tuesday after they drew with Zambia.

The Super Eagles could again not defend their lead as

Keshi sets sight on Ethiopia after second draw they allowed defending champions to fight back and cancel out Emmanuel Emenike’s 57th minute

Henry Nwosu: CAF wants Nigeria out

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X-EAGLES’ star, Henry Nwosu has lampooned the centre referee that officiated the 2013 AFCON Group C Match day 2 tie between Nigeria and Cup holders Zambia, a tie which ended 1-1 apiece Friday evening.

An angry Nwosu in a telephone chat shortly after the match, said the referees gave some dubious calls in the Eagles’ last two matches showed that CAF had already hatched a plan to ensure that Nigeria exits the biennial competition early.

He stressed that the spot kick should never have been given, describing it as a daylight robbery.

The former Eagles’ captain however, expressed his optimism that Nigeria would still pick a ticket to the quarter final but wasn’t sure if they

From Tunde Liadi,Owerri would cross the next hurdle when they face any of the two countries presented by Group D. “This can never be a penalty.

CAF and that centre Referee have a plan against Nigeria. They had already mapped out their strategy to ensure the Eagles are eliminated. He is a very St***d referee. How on earth could that be a spot kick?

“Nigeria will still qualify but we are not going to go far in the competition. This is a complete shame to African football,” an angry Nwosu expressed.

With this latest draw, the Eagles have a paltry 2 points from a possible 6 out of 2 games and are in a must win tie against the Walyas Antelopes next week to nurture any ambition of progression into the next round.

Yobo hails Omeruo, Oboabona

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IGERIA captain Joseph Yobo has hailed the performance of Kenneth Omeruo, who stepped into the breach left by his captain’s absence during the 1-1 Africa Cup of Nations draw against Zambia on Friday evening.

Omeruo hardly put a foot wrong and formed a near-perfect partnership with Sunshine Stars captain Godfrey Oboabona.

“He was very good and you have to give credit to the young

lads. They played a good game.

If not for a bad calls by the referee they would have kept a clean sheet,” says Yobo, who was left out after failing to recover fully from a knock in Nigeria’s opening game against Burkina Faso.

“I strained my ankle a bit when I want for a tackle early in the game and the medical team felt I was not ready to come back. But I am working hard to get back to full fitness and be ready for our last game,” he added.

opener on Friday.

Nigeria and Zambia have now recorded two points apiece in as two matches.

“We wanted the three points today with due respect to

Zambia, they are a great team and have been together for the past four years and also they are the defending champs,” said Keshi.

“All the same, I’m happy with

the result.

“We just have to get ahead and forge ahead against a very good Ethiopian team.”

When both teams last clashed in Addis Ababa two years ago,

the match ended in a 2-2 draw with Nigeria needing a lastgasp equaliser.

The Eagles vs Ethiopia clash will kick off at 6pm Nigerian time at Rustenburg.

The permutations begin

•Continued from Back Page

haps, the coaches trained the players on such kicks. The flipside is that bigger stars than Mikel have lost penalty kicks. I dey laugh o!

I still don’t understand how an average height player, such as Godfrey Oboabona, can function in the central defence for the Eagles, when he plays at the right back for Sunshine FC of Akure.

It is laughable that the defence is the Eagles’ worst department, yet the coaches, except Daniel Amokachi, played in the defence for Nigeria in their heydays, with Ike Shorunmu in goal.

Our coaches blow hot air about the strength of the team. Yet it is apparent that it lacks depth, in terms of finding substitutes who will change the tide of games whenever they are introduced.

The Eagles have left their best players in their European clubs. The home-based experiment is laughable, more so when some of them may not be fielded at all.

Aside the wrong deployment of players, fans watched in awe as the Eagles played without direction against Bukina Faso. They were unable to string passes together to rip apart the Burkinabes’ predictable formation. Little

wonder they didn’t know what to do when it was time to keep the slim 1-0 lead in the closing seconds.

Nosa Igiebor forgot that he was a defensive midfielder and stayed far apart from the defenders, leaving a lacuna which the Burkinabes exploited. Our coaches didn’t observe this major flaw throughout the game. This explains why some people keep rooting for foreign coaches when our soccer is in dire straits.

The Eagles were tactically inferior to the Burkinabes.

Our players stood behind their markers, hence when they launched their tackles, they were quite vicious to attract yellow cards, culminating in the red card issued to Ambrose for a second bookable offence.

Interestingly, Mikel Obi excelled in the central midfield position where he plays at Chelsea. I hope that the coaches have seen his best position. They have to look for players who can complement his effort.

A major flaw of our domestic coaches is their inability to read matches and make changes.

Globally, some coaches recruit match readers to help them. They limit their job to providing the templates,

which other technical hands implement. It is, however, difficult to say whether it was Keshi himself who did not know the value and need for match readers or it was that he saw one in his Nigerian assistants.

Or better still, he never wanted one. But given the way things are panning out in South Africa, for the Nigerian team, you will agree with me that the Nigerian bench is in dire need of a sound and technical match reader.

What is clear in the Eagles’ technical crew is that Stephen Keshi’s assistants cannot give him the support he needs.

They are not experts in any department of the game as seen with the disjointed game that we played against the Burkinabes.

Looking at the Eagles’ bench during matches, tells the story of how well or badly the players exhibit their skills. The coaches only sit on the bench and watch like spectators.

They only hold their heads when we miss chances, like the fans in the stands.

Even when they stand up, of course, after a scare in our goalpost, they give signals that look like passing vehicles in a gridlock. The players don’t improve their performance.

Instead, they diminish.

Emmanuel Emenike has

earned his shirt, not because of the goals that he has scored but his predatory instinct in front of the goalpost.

It is difficult to describe how the Eagles have played in the two matches. It is also impossible to believe that we have 12 players playing in both games plying their trade in Europe. Yet they haven’t shown us the stuff that made them compete with the best in the world. They have been a complete letdown. We have been unable to deliver passes to rip open the defences of the opposition.

On Tuesday, the permutations will include the need for Eagles to beat Ethiopia resoundingly and pray that Zambia and Burkina Faso play a draw for Nigeria to top the group.

We want to top the group because we know the implication of not doing so, especially if, Cote d’ Ivoire tops her group. Can these Eagles beat a resurgent Tunisia? I doubt it.

Not with our lethargic displays so far.

Did Eagles coaches see how Burkina Faso with ten men scored three goals against a complete Ethiopian side?

Our saving grace if we do qualify will be that the Ethiopians will not confront us on Tuesday with dogged determination.

TOMORROWPUNCHLINE IN THE NATION

SATURDAY, JANUARY 26, 2013 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM VOL.7, NO. 2383

If anything, the decision of Obama to ignore Nigeria in his visit to West Africa is capable of depressing or irritating Nigerians who have been under the impression that Nigeria is the giant of Africa, simply because it has one of the three largest economies on the continent —Ropo Sekoni

I

N spite of her honest admission that the process of reforms still has a long way to go in Nigeria, there is still the prevalent optimism that runs through the new book by the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, that considerable progress was made towards ‘Reforming’ a hitherto ‘Unreformable’ Nigeria during the Obasanjo presidency. This column disagreed with this view last week contending that the country remains as ‘unreformable’ as ever today despite Dr. Okonjo-Iweala’s best efforts between 2003 and 2007. Of course, the economic team under her leadership made valiant efforts to launch reforms in several sectors – the budgetary process, public procurement, fiscal transparency, re-invention of the customs and ports, revitalisation of the civil service, privatisation of unprofitable state enterprises and tackling the country’s debilitating debt crisis among others. But today, the country is again heavily indebted. The civil service remains as lethargic and unproductive as ever. The budgetary process is still grossly inefficient and lacking in efficacy. Nigeria remains a cesspit of abominable corruption. Privatisation has become another profitable mechanism for criminal enrichment. The oil sector remains as opaque as ever while an abundantly blessed country remains unfathomably under the spell of oil dependency.

As I argued last week, the fundamental problem was that the reform process between 2003 and 2007 was undertaken as an essentially technocratic and elitist enterprise.

As Dr. Okonjo-Iweala writes on page 124 of her book, “It was clear to me from the outset of the reform process and the formation of the Economic Team that President Obasanjo saw the team as technocratic and wanted to keep it that way. He also had political advisers, and he was politically adroit himself.

He wished for this team to focus on economic issues. Initially, we also clearly saw ourselves in this light. We would keep away from politics since in any case most of the politicians left a lot to be desired”. This gulf between politicians and the reform technocrats is well documented in the book. Nowhere, for instance, does Ngozi OkonjoIweala makes any reference to the manifesto of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP). In fact, she mentions the PDP only once in a book that runs into nearly 200 pages. What this tells us is that the PDP was and remains essentially an election winning machine. It is not guided by any grand policy goals or vision. Since the PDP was philosophically, programmatically and ideologically famished, it had to surrender policy direction and leadership to a group of technocrats who held the party in utter disdain and saw their loyalty as being first and last to the President personally.

The Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala-led technocrats therefore crafted the National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (NEEDS) entirely on their own and later vigorously marketed the programme to the political class! But the politicians were supposed to have won elections based on a so-

Preconditions for meaningful reforms

•Okonjo-Iweala cial contract with the electorate as regards a policy platform to be implemented. However, there was hardly any nexus between NEEDS and the PDP manifesto with the result that many leading members of the ruling partywere not only lukewarm but openly subversive of the reform agenda.

Reforms in a democracy cannot be ends in themselves. Efficient budgetary processes, transparency in public procurement or a more effective civil service are means to the qualitative delivery of specific promises to the electorate by a political party. A political party can only be meaningfully judged by the electorate on the basis of its success in fulfilling its pre-election promises. The PDP can confidently assert that it will win future elections emphatically partly because, despite the dismal state of the country under its watch, it is difficult to pin the party down to any specific policy platform.

The party has no doubt been a huge success in holding down the Nigerian cow for the various factions of its ravenous elite to con-

tinue milking the dying animal to their heart’s content.

In the second republic, the National Party of Nigeria (NPN), despite its nebulous ‘One Nation, One Destiny’ mantra, concretely committed itself to reviving agriculture (Green Revolution) and the mass provision of shelter. On its part the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) had its four cardinal programmes: Free education, free health care, full employment and rural integration.

Alhaji Aminu Kano’s People’s Redemption Party (PRP) had far reaching radical policies to liberate the talakawas of the North from the chains of feudal tyranny. The nearest we have to these policy-oriented parties in this dispensation is the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) with its emphasis on the provision of affordable education, health care, massive job creation and radical modernisation and expansion of infrastructure. Meaningful reforms are thus possible only when a disciplined, visionary, focussed and purposeful political party is at the vanguard of the process.

A second precondition for meaningful reforms is a visionary, committed, decisive yet restrained presidency. Under our current

‘

Since the PDP was philosophically, programmatically and ideologically famished, it had to surrender policy direction and leadership to a group of technocrats who held the party in utter disdain and saw their loyalty as being first and last to the President personally

,

constitution, the presidency is the centre of gravity of the governance process. The wellbeing of the polity depends largely on the energy and dynamism of the presidency.

The Nigerian presidency, I have said before, is perhaps the most powerful political office in the world. It has been deliberately granted such enormous powers to be able to hold the country together and be a positive force for development. But the fierce contest by contending social groups for this plum position has had fractious implications for the polity. Moreover, only a saint would have the enormous powers of the Nigerian presidency and not misuse it. Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely is an unalterable law of politics from which the Nigerian presidency cannot be exempt.

Since the commencement of this dispensation in 1999, we have seen the capacity of the president to castrate his own party, destabilise the opposition, ignore the National Assembly, muzzle the judiciary and utilize his vast powers of patronage for purposes subversive of democracy and development. As Sam Omatseye graphically put it, the presidency is an albatross on the neck of the nation. Taming its excessive powers is a necessary condition for meaningful reforms and modernisation. And this is also true of the expansive powers of the executive at the lower levels of government at state and local government levels.

The third precondition for meaningful reforms and transformation is the radical decentralisation of powers, resources and responsibilities from an overbearing and unproductive centre to the lower levels as I argued last week. The current so-called federal structure is abnormal and deformed.

Unfortunately, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala appears to believe that the current system is not even centralised enough. In her words on page 125 of her book “Another problem was that in Nigeria’s very decentralised governance set-up the governors of states controlled almost half of the country’s revenues and, according to the constitution, enjoyed considerable autonomy in the use of those resources. They also enjoyed immunity from prosecution, courtesy of the same constitution, and they had very little accountability to anyone”. In reality, the Federal Government controls more resources than all the states combined. Yes, there is monumental corruption at the state and local government levels, but this pales into insignificance compared with the rampant criminality at the centre. The solution to the problem is not more centralisation as Dr. Okonjo-Iweala’s analysis indirectly suggests, it is to enhance the institutional autonomy of the police, judiciary and anti-corruption agencies to deal decisively with corrupt elements at all levels. Right now, corruption cases are prosecuted at the behest of the presidency and mainly against its perceived adversaries.

That is surely no path to the much desired reforms and transformation. I enjoin opposition leaders and their strategists to read Dr. Okonjo-Iweala’s book. There are useful lessons there to guide future action.

Ade Ojeikere on Saturday talk2adeojeikere@yahoo.com

The permutations begin

H

ERE we go again. All manner of per mutations are being arranged to con vince ourselves that the Super Eagles will go beyond the second round matches at the Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.

As we propound the theories whereby our group mates must beat the others for us to qualify, we must remind ourselves that a second place finish pitches us against the Elephants of Cote D’ Ivoire. Did I hear you sigh “O Lord, have mercy on us”? That will be the day for us to truly measure the depth of the destruction of the game and how we have allowed sentiments to becloud our judgment in deciding how to change our fortune. Some may argue that the Ivoriens are not “indomitable”. But they must recognise the fact that they would want to beat Nigeria en route to lifting the trophy, if

they truly want to be crowned African champions. But such intricate matches bring the best out of the Eagles, even if it means not lifting the trophy. Eagles know how to play for pride. I digress.

We hate to be told the truth. We repeat the same mistakes and expect changes. Nigerian coaches ask for free-hand to run the team’s technical functions, yet they always inflict on us pain and anguish with every competitive game.

The talk of our foreign legion transforming into good coaches based on their experiences with their European clubs has blown up in our faces. We really don’t know where to start after every poor outing by the Eagles.

And it really hurts because we would have wasted time. We keep rebuilding the team, with many cynics asking when this house will be fully built.

Pundits cannot understand how the Eagles

with an armada of stars, can play such unimaginative football. Could it be the case of the Falcon no longer hearing the Falconer?

Could it also be that the coaches didn’t give them the script to pummel the Burkinabes?

What was it that the coaches were saying to the players in the dying minutes? Many would want to know, especially as we cannot fathom how the Eagles lost three valuable points with 39 seconds left on the clock.

Did they see the big clock inside the stadium? The South African coach kept drawing Bafana Bafana’s attention to his wrist watch in the closing minutes of the team 2-0 victory over Angola. Did our Eagles get any instructions as the match raced to the backbreaking close?

With the Eagles, thunder can strike on the same spot severally. Otherwise, how do you explain our coaches’ inability to fix the team’s wobbly defence after the Cape Verdeans

ripped it apart in a pre-tournament friendly?

In the game against Cape Verde, the coaches replaced Efe Ambrose with Omeruo.

Why they chose to field him against Burkina Faso remains a mystery. As the team’s defence wobbled against the Cape Verdeans, the coaches made changes that stabilised it.

Shouldn’t Ogenyi Onazi have started the game against Burkina Faso, given the remarkable form he showed in the friendly matches?

Do our coaches know where our players’ best positions are? We saw how Efe Ambrose held tightly to Lionel Messi as the central defender for Celtic FC of Scotland over the two legs of the UEFA Champions League.

Yet they fielded Ambrose in the right back position. Were the coaches expecting a miracle from him? Again, I was aghast when our coaches picked John Mikel Obi to take the penalty kick against Zambia. If they knew the players’ potentials, goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama would have taken it.

Enyema takes such kicks for his club. Per

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