The Nation June 07, 2015

Newspaper of the Year

Fresh Lagos tanker explosion razes 70 shops also 34 houses destroyed by blaze

G-7 Summit: President leaves Abuja for Germany Page 5

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Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

Vol.09, No. 3239

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

SUNDAY

JUNE 7, 2015

APC picks Lawan, Gbajabiamila to lead Senate, House Page 4

N200.00

Saraki supporters in disarray, boycott mock election Dogara stages walk-out with 15 supporters Akume, Monguno emerge candidates for Dep Senate President, Dep Speaker

•Men of the Lagos State Fire Service battling to put out the fire at Idimu, Lagos yesterday.

Photo: Olusegun Rapheal

BUHARI, OSINBAJO TO MAKE ASSET DETAILS PUBLIC AFTER VERIFICATION

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY JUNE 7, 2015

Plumber wants to keep working after $136 million jackpot

CAPTURED

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PLUMBER in Staten Island in the United States of America who won a $136 million Powerball jackpot wants to keep working — but also plans to “relax a little more.”

Anthony Perosi, 56, left his March 14 ticket pinned to the wall behind a basement pipe for six weeks.

A friend had told him where the winning ticket had been purchased, but she thought a teacher had won. So he took his time checking the numbers, which he had chosen randomly.

“When I saw all the numbers matched up, I panicked,” Perosi said. “I immediately called my son and asked him to come over right away!”

Anthony Perosi III did what he was told.

“I couldn’t believe what I was seeing,” said the 27-year-old. “I checked the numbers on my phone and it has been surreal ever since.”

The cash value of the ticket came to $88.5 million. The father decided to share his winnings with his son, split 70-30. So dad gets a net lump sum of $38.6 million after required withholdings, and son pockets $16.5 million.

“I honestly don’t know what my plans are right now,” said the elder Perosi. “I want to continue to work, but will be able to relax a little more and not have any worries financially.”

“I don’t have words for it,” said the son. “It’s just unbelievable and a big relief; like a big weight is off my shoulders.

I’ll probably pay some bills, take a vacation, and then really take some time to think and plan for the future.”

I feel your pain United States Vice President Joe Biden is a man acquainted with tragedy. He lost his wife and daughter in a car crash four decades ago at the start of his ? as?a senator. ? Yesterday ? ?he buried ? his ?son, Beau, ? who ? recently ? lost?his battle ? with?brain cancer ? ? President ? Barack ? Obama ? ? who?delivered ? career at? age 46.

(R) the eulogy at the funeral hugs Biden at St. Anthony of Padua Church in Wilmington, Delaware, United States.

PHOTO: AFP

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O prevent the 19 All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmakers from impeaching him during the few dangerous days left for that possibility between the inauguration of President Muhammadu Buhari and the inauguration of the PDPdominated 5th House of Assembly, Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti, his supporters and leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party contrived an offensive political and legislative stalemate, with the constitution as the principal victim. Artisans, unionists and a mob of troublemakers laid siege to the House of Assembly complex and erected barricades around Ado Ekiti, the state capital, to bar the APC lawmakers and their supporters. The objective was to frustrate the majority until the tenure of the 5th Assembly expired on June 5, 2015.

The Ekiti legislative crisis began after Mr Fayose, who claimed to be a changed man, failed to procure the defection of a majority of the APC-dominated legislature to the PDP shortly after he won the June 2014 governorship election. Only seven lawmakers crossed over to his side. He then proceeded to muscle the rest by a string of unlawful and unconstitutional measures, some of them direct, and others insidious. The seven defectors, with the governor’s imprimatur and the help of the police and other security agents still beholden to former president Goodluck Jonathan, then sat as a minority group and impeached the Speaker, Adewale Omirin, who was in command of the majority. The governor promptly recognised the impostors, got them to pass his budget, and approve some of his cabinet members.

APC lawmakers’ strenu-

sunday@thenationonlineng.net

Fayose’s autonomous Ekiti Republic ous efforts to impeach Mr Fayose repeatedly failed. The governor, streetwise, brutal and cantankerous, cajoled his supporters to take matters into their own hands. Hence the siege around the state, covering every entry and exit. For a brief moment, when the sacked Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Suleiman Abbah appeared to signal an independent and neutral direction for the police in the Ekiti stalemate, the APC lawmakers promptly directed the state Chief Judge to constitute an impeachment panel. The snag, however, was their inability to issue the notice from the Assembly complex as provided for in the constitution.

Consequently, the siege to the complex continued, bands of thugs roamed the streets, the governor himself and other

PDP leaders promised anarchy and any other violent and unlawful measure to defend what they described as the mandate freely given Mr Fayose by the state electorate.

They all hoped the lawlessness would end when the new PDP assembly was inaugurated and the fears of impeachment abated. In fact, referring to the window of impeachment opportunity briefly opened to the APC lawmakers, Mr Fayose virtually threatened insurrection. Hear him when PDP leaders paid him a soli-

darity visit: “We will not allow them to trample on the constitution...But we are assuring you that we are solidly on ground. You know it will get to a stage when the people will act like the constitution themselves. My party leaders just go home and rest.

We will be on ground like the nation of Israel to protect our territory.”

Apart from the fact that Mr Fayose is every whit unstable, as reflected in his messianic posturing and excesses, and is a remorseless liar, it is remarkable that both the police and

the federal authorities ignored and even abetted his threats.

This indifference sends very bad signals to the rest of lawful Nigerians and the whole world. Mr Fayose and other PDP leaders repeatedly talked about the world watching Nigeria. But do they think the world is dimwitted not to understand their lawless predilections? By encircling the state with thugs, erecting barricades at strategic positions, in an atmosphere where the police also helped to shut down the legislative complex, and the state security service showed disinterest in apprehending troublemakers and insurrectionists, Nigerians got the distinct impression that the constitution was nothing but an expedient and manipulable document in the hands of whoever can muster brute force and the

A cruel and despicable taunt

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OU do not have to like or support the APC to take umbrage at Governor Fayose’s audacious letter to President Buhari seeking leave of him to nominate the Ekiti representative in the

federal cabinet. The governor, notwithstanding his futile efforts, was unable to cite any relevant constitutional provision to back his effrontery. So, why did he write that needless letter? Simple. He lied his way to electoral victory in June 2014 and during the last polls, lied his way again to victory against APC majority lawmakers in the 5th Assembly in his dispute with them to stave off impeachment, and continues to lie most egregiously. For a man lacking in all scruples and decorum, it is not surprising that this consummate and pathological liar also lacks judgement and mod-

eration in virtually all things.

But it is also possible that he simply wrote the letter to the president to taunt or provoke him. He had abused the president during electioneering using the most malignant expletives possible, and he had all but cursed him and wished him the worst evil.

Now, President Buhari may indeed be a patient and reformed democrat, but it speaks volumes of the instability afflicting Mr Fayose that he hoped the president would grant him the honour of naming the Ekiti representative to the federal cabinet. Perhaps, Mr Fayose is

beginning to sense the wholesale abandonment the state will witness under him in the coming years, and not being a bright and hard working man, wishes to cite extraneous constitutional provisions to mitigate his unending political rascality and impending failure.

From all indications, Nigerians may be in the process of witnessing the unfurling of a great tragedy in Ekiti, as the disoriented and immoderate Mr Fayose declines from the depth of asinine display to the immeasurably bleaker depth of total loss of rationality.

devilry.

It was necessary for the federal government to inspire itself with the manner a former United States president, Dwight D. Eisenhower, ordered federal troops to escort the Little Rock Nine, a group of black students determined to attend Little Rock, Arkansas Central High School in 1957 against the wishes of the state governor and other racist segregationists. If the federal government had done this, if they had stood strong in defence of the constitution and articulated the arguments in favour of action instead of inaction and indifference, the sky would not have fallen, and the constitution, a metaphysical document far transcending its physical nature, would have exhaled that at long last Nigeria was governed by the rule of law, and by a group of individuals sworn to uphold and defend the constitution, no matter the consequences.

Mr Fayose and his PDP leaders gave the impression that because the governor won the June 2014 election, and PDP members overwhelmingly won the recent legislative poll, these victories justified their assault on the judiciary, the constitution, the civil populace opposed to their brigandage, and sanctions the constant and whimsical lockdown of the state whenever they pleased. By refusing to take a prompt and firm stand against the Ekiti subversion, insurrectionists elsewhere may be inspired to repeat Mr Fayose’s tactics and even deploy the horrendous lies he is famous for. For reasons difficult to fathom, the Ekiti APC lawmakers were left alone to fight Mr Fayose. It is a dangerous precedent which the country may yet rue in the near future.

By ADEKUNLE ADE-ADELEYE

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, JUNE 7, 2015

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OOR boy , even after suffering an electoral catastrophe on the scope of Hiroshima the wicked Yoruba enforcers will not leave him alone. They will not allow him to lick the wounds of rejection in silence and solitude. Even an attempt to honour his illustrious departed father has met with fierce resistance. The whole thing backfired and boomeranged in his face. Yet is a Yoruba axiom that honoring one’s parents is the ultimate filial compliment. If so, why must his own be different?

We are of course talking about our very dear aburo, Femi Fani-Kayode, Deacon in a remote incarnation, lately presidential bull terrier and illustrious scion of illustrious ancestors. But before this engrossing tale of fathers and their sons, and of the punitive politics of the Yoruba people and its retroactive severity race ahead of the griot, let us dispense with some customary formalities.

Despite the deep ideological chasm between us and our even deeper abhorrence of his politics, readers of the column would have noticed a cagey reluctance to come down hard on Femi. Rather than excoriate him for his political impieties, snooper often passes over the matter in stony silence and deeply felt regret.

The reason for this is a rather odd and awkward sense old charity and obligation. Femi holds snooper in almost reverential admiration. By his own written admission, snooper ranks near the very top in Femi’s pantheon of literary avatars. Even when one stoutly disagrees with or is working at political cross-purpose with him , one always thought that it will be rather graceless and mean to publicly castigate somebody who holds you in such high public esteem, no matter the affront.

But in commemorating his father and eulogizing him as a former deputy leader of the Yoruba, the younger Fani has raised a matter of public interest which should be addressed in the light of history and Yoruba politics in its military and post-military phases. The ire and flak from some commentators are predicated on the conduct of the father during the pre-military and military period and of the son during the military and post-military phases. We must now look critically at the fact.

During his eventful lifetime, S the rogue fuel shortage began to bite harder during the week, and as bodies of able men spilled into the streets hunting for the rare stuff the way frenzied pigmies hunt for rodents, our mind went back to the old man, Bros Akins Woroworo, a.k.a Atatalo Alamu. It has been a long time since he communicated with the outside world.

He has been in permanent mourning since the last fuel uprising failed, performing, as he claimed, the last rites for a nation in a terminal seizure of political epilepsy.

For good measure, he had buried his head in white sand at Maroko, ignoring the police and passers-by alike and often sending forth stupendous fumes of prohibited weeds from his massive ancient pipe. Occasionally he would barge into a nearby five star hotel to steal their food and to harangue the guests at the lobby.

Then he would return to his ostrichlike existence at the famed beach.

When snooper asked about the choice of Maroko and his punitive regimen, he observed that it was symbolic. “This was where the real tragedy of post-colonial Nigeria began when native men in uniform violently dispossessed native men without uniform of their land and property only to proceed to share the loot among themselves.”

As the fuel crisis entered its second week, snooper learnt of a major scam that bore all the imprimatur of the old devil. A man in Oworonsoki was claiming that he had turned water into petrol and was offering the stuff for sale at a heavily subsidized rate. We immediately smelled a rat, and our old friend. And to

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Fathers and sons

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nooping around With

Tatalo Alamu den to felicitate with his beau, the delectable Ms Toun Adeyemi.

Chomping at his custom made cigar, and unaware that the news was being beamed to the world, the legendary hell-raiser was said to have bawled at the former Mrs Onibokun: “Ah ah, O chop life? Enh, o ni lati chop life niiii”. The entire station went off the air. The rest is history.

But fair is fair and it is sometimes good to set the record straight however much the facts inconvenience us.

The truth will let us see the ways of history and the strange turns of elite conduct in moments of dire emergency . Femi Fani-Kayode’s efforts to romanticize the memory of his father posted on this Facebook account has met with blistering scorn and apoplectic disavowals. Many will have none of that nonsense. In the old West there seems to be no statute of limitation to injury done to the race.

Enter the inevitable Hardball.

Hardball is the witty, irreverent, brilliant and entertaining meta-column on the back page of The Nation newspaper. It is a reader’s delight any day, that is if you are not on the receiving side of its nettling scorn, and as the name suggests it is hard and packed with cujones. If Hardball was grudgingly willing to concede Fani’s deputy leadership of what is widely considered as an occupation government, the column took fearsome umbrage at what it considered the attempt by the son of Fani Power to leverage this dubious distinction and promote his father as a one- time deputy Yoruba leader.

Hear, hear Hardball: “ But to romanticize [Fani} as a force for public good, with all due respect to the loving memory of his relations, is pure balderdash. That was what FFK tried to do by dubbing him as “deputy Yoruba leader”. He was absolutely nothing of the sort”.

Absolutely? Snooper must now enter judgment against Hardball. At the first gathering of the Yoruba people after the second coup of 1966 and under the chairmanship of the then Colonel Robert Adeyinka Adebayo, the recently released Chief Obafemi Awolowo was unanimously named as the leader of the Yoruba people.

But to mollify the powerful conservative rump of the old reactionary tendency, Chief Remi Fani-Kayode was also named as deputy Yoruba leader.

It was a tense and fraught arrangement. The hard line, radically progressive Francis Adekunle Fajuyi would have had none of that. But Adebayo was of a more liberal and integrationist outlook. This cosmetic patch up left bitter wounds to fester.

Quick-witted and wonderfully survivalist, Fani himself knew that there was unfinished business in the air. Whether it was Chief Awolowo’s icy stare of disdain or his legendary scorning glare that did it remains to be seen. But soon thereafter, Fani packed up his things and relocated to England seemingly for good.

Future historians will have a lot to chew about this intriguing episode in Yoruba history and post-colonial politics. But as it was in that turbulent period, so it is in this equally tumultuous conjuncture.

Yoruba politics continues to be riven by elite division and bitter polarities which often spill unto the national canvas with dreadful consequences.

Snooper will not follow many in concluding that Femi has merely taken off where his father left, but it is useful to remind this gifted young man that if a man chooses to be on the wrong side of his people, no matter how high he climbs in the ladder of vindictive preferment, he can never be on the right side of their history. Case dismissed.

The Socrates of Oworonsoki

talking to you?” the increasingly agitated mogul scowled at the man. At this point, the old man decided to intervene.

“Listen, you fools”, he said and suddenly jumped up. “Have you idiots ever asked yourself why everything horrible and hideous in the world has a black adjective to qualify it? Black sheep, blackguard, blackmail, black spot etc. And now you want cheap black market petrol? Se mi ni baba yin ni? (Am I your father?) Yeye people. Just go and hide your head in shame.”

“Chineke!!! This crazy man has fooled me again”, the spare parts magnate groaned as the crowd began to disperse in sullen despair and displeasure. As the last of them slunk away in defeat, the old man fixed snooper with an unnerving gaze.

“See how meek and docile your people have become and you are expecting great changes. You have a revolutionary situation at hand but no revolutionists on hand. People are just making stupid noise all over. You cannot access the gains of a revolution without revolutionary efforts and strivings. It is only then that you can create your own courts and legal procedures that bypass the normal status quo. Human fuel shortage, that is the real problem, and it leads to paralysis and impotence in the face of evil, but..”

“But we must start from somewhere. At least we have voted out an evil government” I ventured.

“Shut up!” the old man screamed as he charged at me with his massive pipe.

•Fani-Kayode

Chief Remilekun Fani-Kayode ,SAN, QC,CON, Balogun of Ile-Ife, aka FaniPower, cut quite a dash through the country’s legal and political circles.

Tall, good looking and extremely charismatic, the supremely self-confident and brilliant lawyer was a man of magnificent presence. Born into wealth and distinction, the son and grandson of Cambridge graduates, there was something of a classical snob about the old patrician.

This disdain for the rabble and the masses was to lead his politics inexorably in the direction of fascism and his ideology towards Social Darwinism. Who are the odoriferous and hygienically challenged masses to protest when a body of men of superior intellect and superior breeding has volunteered to rule them? Tani baba won gan? It was straight out of the political manual of Benito Mussolini.

But this fascist mindset was going to be out of sinc with the radical populism and Black nationalism which was the driving ideology of the dominant Black intellectual and political elite of the decolonizing period.

Up to a point, Fani Power was being

Oworonsoki we headed, on a bleary day when the sky blew its top.

A human snake of a queue had formed from the Ogudu end joining the one coming from Alapere to form a serpentine confluence of distraught humanity. With much pluck and daring, snooper wangled his way through the queue. In a situation of near total anarchy where everybody is afraid of everybody, the gutsy fellow is usually a winner. When there is general disorder and insecurity, the person who has the mantra of order and security can get away with murder.

And lo, it was the old man indeed. He had set up shop at the weedy

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true to his elitist roots. One’s personal insertion in a social and political milieu often determines their ideological outlook.

Having been where only few Black people dared, having brilliantly excelled and beaten the White man at his own intellectual game, it was possible that Fani-Kayode no longer regarded himself as a Black person not to talk of being a Yoruba man, an African Aryan so to say. It was even noted that during their students’ days in England, what Fani considered to be Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s ill-fitting trousers and thick Remo accent were the butt of savage jokes and derision from the upper class, impeccably attired aristo with his Buckingham County glass cut vowels. This elitism and in your face reactionary conservatism may well be driving the younger Fani in the same direction.

In the event, Fani senior was as colourful as he was controversial.

Tales of his political derring-do abound and abide. For snooper, the most hilarious, possibly apocryphal, was when the great “Fani Power” was said to have walked into a live WNTV newscast completely soused and sod-

intersection of the multiple fly-over.

In the marshy background, the brackish and murky water of the Lagos lagoon foamed like fresh palm wine.

The old man eyed everybody with amusement and weary contempt.

Then he saw me.

“Ah Agbadagbudu boy, long, long time. You come for the show, too?”, he crowed.

“Bros, what is this?” I whispered.

“Ask the fools. Sebi na dem want cheap fuel?”, he screamed with much hilarity as he gestured wildly at the crowd. My fear at this point was that he could be lynched by the irate crowd if it was discovered that it has all been a cruel hoax. To my utter

surprise, the old man seemed to be enjoying the discomfort of the crowd.

In a show of sublime disdain, he even changed the topic as desperate men and women swarmed all over.

At this point, the crowd became rather unruly. A man who looked like a spare parts baron began to complain aloud.

“When are we going to get this thing now, abi na dis kind yeye talktalk we come for?” he growled. “ Shief, ankali fa, he who must drink hot pap must exercise patience”, an Ogbomosho man with deep tribal marks cautioned the increasingly agitated fellow.

“Shut up, Zebra crossing. Am I

Love in the time of Vuvuzela

T has been a colourful presidential inauguration pageant in Abuja. Nigerians are over the moon. It is a honeymoon that seems designed to last for a long time. For now, President Mohammadu Buhari can do no wrong. Journeys seem to end in lovers’ meeting, as their own WS has put it. Even old foes like the aging Creek contrarian, Edwin Clark, have chipped a word or two of endorsement in remorse and contrition. This is as it should be. The whistles of approval are blowing all over the place like a million primitive horns. It is love in the time of vuvuzela.

Snooper finds the presidential address plucky and inspirational but choppy and unduly chirpy in parts.

It doesn’t matter. Nigerians love the bit about Buhari not belonging to anybody. For too long, Nigeria has been held hostage by a heartless power consortium and their designated dingoes. Whether they will let him be without Buhari dropping some iron bricks on their back remains to be seen.

Like a veteran war correspondent, Okon has been embedded in Abuja all week. But of all the issues that should catch the mad boy’s fancy, it was the appearance of King Mswati the third, the hypergamous, energetic and punitively heterosexual ruler of Swaziland and Africa’s last absolute monarch, swankily attired and looking sharp and snazzy in bespoke suit. As soon as Okon

sighted the preeminent playboy of the southern hemisphere, he let forth a hoot of panic and admiration in parts.

“Bia, I been dey hope say no be you capture dem Cecelia girl I ben dey look for?” Okon hollered as he accosted the suave monarch who smiled back in regal bemusement.

A security official quickly moved in with a stern frown.

“What’s the matter” the rookie growled as he collared the crazy boy.

“I wan ask weda na him steal dem Cecelia girl, Dem say he get him own Sambisa forest for him Obodo”, Okon whimpered.

“Get lost”, the security man screamed as he pushed the mad boy away.

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY JUNE 7, 2015

NEWS

HE coast got clearer yesterday for Dr. Ahmed Lawan and Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila to become Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives respectively when the 8th National Assembly is inaugurated on Tuesday.

Their party,All Progressives Congress (APC) last night picked them as its official candidates for the two positions.

Lawan (Yobe North) will run with Mr. George Akume (Benue North) as Deputy Senate President.

He polled 32 votes out of the 33 cast at the mock election. One vote was invalid.

The 32 include the three from Katsina State, home state of President Muhammadu Buhari.

It was gathered that the Saraki camp had met at a different location in Abuja and decided to go for outright election on the floor of the Senate.

Yesterday’s session was preceded by horse-trading with APC Senators-elect breaking into groups for consultations.

The intense lobbying delayed the session to allow some Senators-elect to make up their minds.

Although the meeting was scheduled to start by 8pm, proceeding could not start until 10.26pm when the APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun arrived with members of the National Working Committee of the party.

At about 10.40pm, the leaders of the party began to address the 33 Senators-elect present.

After waiting in vain for the Senators-elect loyal to Saraki, the National Working Committee of APC proceeded with the primaries at about 11.16pm when it called for nomination of candidates.

At exactly 11.17pm, Chief Barnabas Gemade nominated Ahmed Lawan for the office of the president of the Senate.

It was seconded by Senator Oluremi Tinubu.

When the Chief Returning Officer, Mai Mala Buni( the National Secretary of APC) called for nomination for the office of Deputy President, Senator Ajayi Borrofice (Ondo North) nominated Senator George Akume. He was seconded by Comrade Shehu Sani( Kaduna Central).

At about 11.23pm, voting commenced with the Chief Returning Officer running through the list of 59 Senatorselect of the APC. The National Vice Chairman ( North East), Engr.

B.B. Lawal conducted the sorting and counting of votes.

Addressing newsmen on the outcome of the primary election, the Chief Returning Officer, Buni said the number accredited voters was 33, 32 voted for Lawan and one was invalid “By the powers conferred on he by the NWC of the APC, Sen. Lawan, having satisfied the requirements, is hereby declared elected for the Office of the President of the Senate and George Akume for the Deputy President of the Senate.”

Apart from Ahmed Lawan, some of the senatorselect in his camp at the ICC were Rabiu Kwankwanso, Bukar Abba Ibrahim, George Akume, Adamu Aliero, Ajayi Borrofice, Gemade Barnabas, Adamu Abdullahi, Jide Omoworare, Abu Ibrahim, Bayero Nafada, Gbenga

APC picks Lawan, Gbajabiamila to lead Senate, House • Saraki supporters in disarray, boycott mock election • 'Dogara stages walk-out with 15 supporters • Akume, Monguno emerge candidates for Dep Senate President, Dep Speaker • Buhari’s senators back Lawan

• Femi Gbajabiamila (middle) being congratulated by members elect of All Progressives Congress (APC) in the House of Representatives after his victory at the straw poll conducted by the National Working Committee of the party in Abuja, yesterday PHOTO: Abayomi Fayese From: Yusuf Alli and Tony Akowe, Abuja

Ashafa, Sola Adeyeye, Abdullahi Abubakar Gumel, Suleiman Hunkuyi, Ahmed Barau Jibrin, and Isiaka Adeleke.

Others were Kabiru Gaya, Nazif Suleiman, Nafada Ibrahim, Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu, Shehu Sani, Solomon Olamilekan, Kabiru Marafa, Lanre Tejuoso, Fatai Buhari, Mrs. Monsurat Sunmonu, Soji Akanbi, Bala Na’Allah, Gbolahan Dada, Umaru Kurfi , Abdulaziz Murtala Nyako, and Mustapha Sani.

A Senator-elect from Katsina State, Mustapha Bukar , who left Abuja last night for Germany to attend to his health,wrote a letter to Oyegun expressing his full backing for Lawan.

In his acceptance speech, Lawan said his victory was not only for the Unity Forum that is in the vanguard of his campaign but for the entire senate.

“We need to bring together every APC Senator.

This change cannot be a real change unless everybody is on board,” he said and promised to be “ just, fair and equitable.”

He also pledged to “ reach out to our colleagues who could not make it to this session so that the APC can be one family.”

Lawan’s rival for the position, Dr. Bukola Saraki and his supporters boycotted the process even after signing an agreement earlier in the day with the Lawan group to abide by the outcome of the election.

The decision of the party leadership to go ahead with the shadow election is said to have thrown the Saraki group otherwise known as Like Minds into disarray with some saying they should have participated in yesterday’s process and others insisting that they were right in boycotting it.

The group last night attributed its decision to stay

away from the mock election to the adoption of the open ballot system for the process.

It said that option was primitive and undemocratic.

The Like Minds,in a statement said it “shall not be part of a process that promotes undemocratic electoral process that may resort to rancorous and uncivil situation which inhibits the rights of individuals to vote for their choice,as this process will further divide us than unite members of our party.”

Several PDP senators elect are reportedly angry with Dr.Saraki for branding the 7th Senate as a failure and have vowed to vote against him on Tuesday.

The Lawan group on the other hand is confident about its chances on Tuesday.

Thirty- one APC senatorselect voted for Akume as the party’s Deputy Senate president candidate.Two votes were declared invalid.

It was preceded by the emergence of Mr. Gbajabiamila as the APC’s official candidate for the position of House ofReps Speaker.

After three hours of voting in the shadow election conducted for APC members interested in the position, Gbajabiamila (Surulere 1,Lagos), defeated Yakubu Dogara (Bogoro/Dass/Tafawa Balewa, Bauchi State) by 154 votes to 3.

Four votes were invalid.

A shocked Dogara stormed out of the International Conference Centre venue of the shadow election with 19 of his supporters.

Spokesman for his group, Abdulmumin Jibrin said the shadow election has no place in the APC constitution.

But moment afterwards, three of them retraced their steps and joined the rest of their colleagues.

One hundred and eightythree of the party's 209 Repselect signed the attendance register at yesterday's meeting, the APC National Secretary, Mallam Mai Mala Buni, said.

One hundred and sixty-one of the 183 voted at the straw

poll, with about 22 others either abstaining or leaving the venue.

Alhaji Tahir Monguno (Marte/Monguno/ Nganzai,Borno State) scored 153 votes to emerge the sole candidate of the party for the position of Deputy Speaker.

Dogara was understood last night to be trying to negotiate with the leadership of APC for the Office of Deputy Speaker.

He was however told that his move came too late in the day and that he should have done that before the primaries.

It was also gathered that he was contemplating a parallel primary election last night.

Party sources said the APC opted for the shadow election after all efforts to agree on a consensus candidate for the Speaker failed.

The atmosphere at the venue was initially charged but the tension soon gave way in the face of the transparency method adopted by the party's leadership.

The primary election was conducted after a water-tight screening of members-elect.

Members-elect began arriving the ICC as early as 9am while voting by secret ballot started at 2.26pm.

Before the commencement of the poll, the APC National Chairman, Chief John OdigieOyegun appealed for calm.

He allowed some members to address the session after which nominations for the Office of the Speaker were invited.

Announcing the result, National Secretary Bunu said:"By the powers conferred on me by the NWC of the APC as the Chief Returning Officer of the election, I certify that Femi Gbajabiamila, having scored the highest votes is declared sole candidate of the APC for the office of the Speaker of the 8th Assembly of the House of Representatives".

Congratulating the winners, the National Chairman of the party, Chief John OdigieOyegun said: "On behalf of the party and NWC, I congratulate the sole candidate of the office of speaker. The party wishes you well. More than anything

else, I congratulate all of you.

You have been exemplary. You have been patient.

"What is important today is that you (incoming members) have freely elected your leaders. This is what the APC stands for. This was done in the glare of cameras and everybody knew you were here. This is what this party stands for; this is what we must do. Internal democracy must prevail.

"I thank you for the example that you have shown today. The party will work and interact with you closely at every stage. Not the point of dictating with you, but to be on the same page in all issues that affects the nation.

"I want to charge you that from the minute you leave this hall; you must reach out to all members of the APC. As Mr. President did, so you must do and stretch your hand of fellowship to the other side. Please, I am not setting anybody down.

Most institutions today have suffered a lot of bashing.

"You must restore the confidence of the people in the House. It means sacrifice, leadership by example. We have cut down on waste. You have made us proud today and I am proud to be your chairman".

Responding after being declared the sole candidate for the Speaker, Gbajabiamila thanked members for believing in him and giving him the opportunity to lead them in the House as Minority leader and capping it with a mandate to be the Speaker when the 8th National Assembly is inaugurated.

He said though the APC had the strength to produce the Speaker alone, the position he is seeking will only be legitimate if elected by all members of the House irrespective of the parties they represent.

He said: "There are about 20 members of the APC that could not make it to Abuja and were not here. These members are part of my and Mongunu's group. Do, if you really add those numbers to what has been done here today, it is sufficient for the APC members to, on their own win the election to the office of the Speaker.

"But I have said this countless number of times and I will say it again: this is not the mandate that I seek. Legally, yes, we need 181 members to be the speaker and APC can provide that. But that is not the mandate that we seek. It will be legal, but it will not be a legitimate mandate.

"Legitimacy is found only when we get the votes across board, from all members of the House of Representatives. That is a legitimate mandate. That is what I and Mongunu will be seeking when we get to the floor of the House" Spokesman for the Yakubu Dogara Consolidation Group, Abdulmumin Jibrin dismissed the shadow election as an ambush by the APC leadership.

Jibrin said while the proDogara Reps were not being disrespectful to the leadership of the party, they were only insisting that the party should allow the next Speaker of the House to emerge on the floor of the House.

He said: "We stated it clearly that we will not participate in this election because it undermines the principle of the constitution of the APC. It undermines the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

"Our position is one and only: the next Speaker of the House of Representatives should be decided on the floor of the House on Tuesday 9th of June, 2015. That is what the constitution provided and that is our own position" Member elect for Soba Federal Constituency in Kaduna State, Barrister Mohammed Soba said they stood by the decision of the party to present a single candidate for the Speaker of the House.

He said the straw poll conducted by the party was not seeking to disqualify anybody who is interested from contesting.

Dismissing those who walked out of the meeting, he said: "What we are trying to do here is legal. We want to go to the House with one candidate for the position of Speaker.

Those that walked out are trying to team up with the PDP. That is why they are trying to stop the party from taking a position.

"We are not stopping anybody from contesting the Speakership when we get to the floor of the House. We are saying here is that we have only one candidate as a party and we will not support any other candidate when we get to the House. But anybody is free to contest.

"If you think you are popular, you go and contest. Many of those who walked out were former PDP members who joined the party. They have never been in the opposition before. So, I am not surprised by their action".

A top APC leader said last night that Dogara having realized the futility of his walk out " attempted to renegotiate with APC leadership for the Office of Deputy Speaker. But we said we cannot promise you deputy.

"We told him he should have withdrawn from the race to allow for reconciliation, realignment of interests and a revisit of power sharing. It was too late in the day for Dogara."

It was learnt that Dogara and his supporters were planning a parallel primary election.

But a top APC leader said the party might wield the big stick if there was any such parallel shadow election.

The leader said: "The party will enforce discipline if any ambitious member misbehaves."

THE NATION ON SUNDAY JUNE 7, 2015 R E S I D E N T Muhammadu Buhari is to leave Abuja today for the G-7 summit in Germany.

The summit takes place at Schloss Elmau, a 100-year-old castle-turned-resort nestled in a national forest in the Bavarian Alps. The President is to meet with his United States counterpart Barrack Obama.

Mallam Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, said yesterday that the President's invitation to the meeting "is a clear indication of the international community's willingness to cooperate with the new government of Nigeria."

Shehu said: "He is in a group of seven other Heads of State who were called in as guests. He will equally be holding key side meetings

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NEWS

Buhari departs Abuja for G7 Summit today with some of the seven Heads of State who will be convened at the summit.

"The international community is obviously acknowledging Nigeria's significant role in global affairs especially with the recent change in government."

Obama and Buhari are expected to discuss the Boko Haram insurgency in the Northeast.

The meeting is a follow up to that between Buhari and the US Secretary of State, Mr. John Kerry shortly after the inauguration of the Nigerian President penultimate Friday.

Officials in Washington D.C. said during the week that the USA will be dispatching a

team to Abuja soon to assist in the war against Boko Haram.

Boko Haram has increased its attacks and suicide bombings in the wake of the vow by Buhari to crush the 'mindless' and "godless" group.

The Washington Post reported yesterday that while the US is eager to defeat Boko Haram it is being cautious of offering a large increase in military assistance to Nigeria before the armed forces are restructured.

It quoted an unnamed senior US official as saying: "I think we might be seeing the end of the large battlefield phase of this, but if Boko Haram goes back to hit-andrun tactics, it could be even

harder for Nigerian military forces."

The paper said the United States is trying to navigate ways to support Nigeria's new leader, without violating American legislation that prevents it from giving aid to human rights abusers.

T

he All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday threw its weight behind President Muhammadu Buhari for his shuttle diplomacy aimed at forging a stronger regional front against the Boko Haram insurgency.

Buhari, Osinbajo's assets declaration to be made public after verification by CCB

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Shehu said yesterday that his principal and the Vice President remain committed to their pre-election promises on the matter.

He said the "declared assets and those of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo will be released to the public upon the completion of their verification by the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB)."

He hoped the process "will be completed before the expiry of the 100-day deadline within which they said they would do this."

He added: "the duly completed forms by both the President and the Vice President were submitted to the CCB on March 28th, a clear day ahead of their inauguration.

"This statement was warranted by the need to clarify some suggestions that the President and the VicePresident may not, after all,

declare their assets publicly.

"While such public display of concern is appreciated and valued, it must be said that it is a little precipitate.

"As required by law, the declaration and submission of documents to the CCB have been made, but there still remains the aspect of verification which the Bureau will have to conduct to authenticate the submissions made to it.

"In the circumstances, it is only after this verification exercise, and not before, that the declaration can be said to have been made and validated; and only after this, will the details be released to the public.

"There is no question at all that the President and the Vice President are committed to public declaration of their assets within the 100 days that they pledged during the presidential campaign.

Dangote commissions $500 million cement plant in Ethiopia

A

$500 million cement plant owned by Dangote Cement has been commissioned in Mugher,about 80 kilometres from Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital.

The plant which has an installed capacity of 2.5 million metric tonnes per annum (mmtpa) was inaugurated on Thursday with the president of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote saying more cement

plants were being built by his company across Africa to actualize its ambition of reaching an annual production of 62 million tonnes by 2017.

The company currently produces more than 40 million tonnes annually.

Ethiopia is currently enjoying a construction boom and requires a minimum of 2.5 million metric tonnes of cement per annum to keep in shape.

Dangote said the new

plant planned to increase its production to 42.5 cement in the near future and create about 7,000 jobs.

Apart from its plants in Nigeria, Dangote Cement has factories in South Africa, Senegal, Zambia and Tanzania.

It is currently building a $400 million factory in Kenya.

Aliko Dangote is Africa's richest man with a fortune estimated at $17.8 billion according to FORBES.

Obama is scheduled to spend today and tomorrow with Buhari and the leaders of Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United Kingdom as well as leaders from Iraq and Tunisia.

Nigeria, Tunisia and Iraq are attending a portion of the meetings dedicated to outreach partners. That meeting will include a discussion about terrorism.

Boko Haram: APC defends Buhari over Chad, Niger trips

• L-R Former Minister of Agriculture and President-elect of the African Development Bank, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, President Jacob Zuma, former Vice President and chieftain of APC, Atiku Abubakar when the former Vice President delivered a thank you letter from President Muhammadu Buhari to the South African leader on his support for the election of Nigeria at the election of the AfDB President.

ETAILS of the assets declared to the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB)

by President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo are to be made public once the agency concludes its verification of the claims, the Presidency said yesterday.

The Presidency announced penultimate Saturday that the First and Second citizens had submitted their assets declaration forms to the CCB in compliance with the 1999 Constitution, but the announcement sparked criticisms from some Nigerians who said the action felt short of their expectation.

They asked that the contents of the forms be made public as promised by the President during the campaign.

However, Buhari's Senior Special Assistant, (Media and Publicity), Malam Garba

An Amnesty International report during the week accused the hierarchy of the Nigerian military of human rights abuse in the course of the war against Boko Haram.

President Buhari has promised to probe the allegations.

5

"The President and the Vice President wish to thank Nigerians for their show of concern, and for the confidence they have shown in their leaders' integrity, as evidenced by the high pedestal of uprightness and expectations on which they have placed them."

The party said the President deserves commendation rather than criticism for his efforts. ''Boko Haram, which started off as a Nigerian problem, has now assumed a regional dimension, affecting many countries in West Africa.

Therefore, any solution to the crisis, if it is to endure, must be regional in nature, with Nigeria taking the lead,'' the party said in a statement in Abuja by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.

The APC said that since terrorism has assumed a global dimension, no nation, not even the superpower United States, can fight the growing menace alone. ''This is why even in our days in opposition, we advocated a regional solution to the crisis,'' it said.

The party said President Buhari's recent trips to Niger and Chad, two of the countries worst hit by the Boko Haram insurgency, showed that he understands the regional dimension that the insurgency has assumed, and that for any effort by Nigeria to yield positive results, it must seek the cooperation of its neighbouring countries.

It therefore urged the President not to relent in his efforts to forge a regional front against the terrorists, despite the "misguided criticism emanating from certain quarters." ''It is baffling that some opposition politicians wanted Nigeria to go it alone against Boko Haram, even as the terrorist group has taken its battle beyond the shores of Nigeria, to such countries as Cameroon, Chad and Niger. It is common knowledge that the

terrorists use these countries as launch pads for their attacks against Nigeria, and vice versa, and that they routinely engage in cross-boundary raids," the APC said. ''It is common knowledge that Boko Haram's tentacles have spread as far as Mali, the home base of the Movement for the Unity and Jihad in West Africa (MUJAO), a splinter group of the Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb. It is no longer a secret that Boko Haram has now affiliated itself to the Islamic State, seeing itself as the West African chapter of the terror group. How then, can Nigeria effectively deal with Boko Haram without seeking the assistance of other concerned countries?''

The party reminded critics that even the United States sought and has continued to seek a global coalition against AlQaida and Islamic State, despite the country's enormous military, economic and political powers.

APC said it was particularly delighted that President Buhari has continued to insist that the Nigerian Army is capable of leading the fight against Boko Haram, meaning that while there is nothing wrong in seeking the cooperation of Nigeria's neighbours, the country has no business hiring mercenaries to lead the battle. ''That vote of confidence in our military is the first step in the efforts of the Buhari Administration to restore the glory of the once-globallyacclaimed Nigerian military through morale boosting measures that will include arming and kitting the troops effectively and caring about their welfare so that they can more effectively tackle the terrorists,'' it said.

Nyako returns to Yola, 10 months after impeachment

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ORMER Adamawa State Governor Murtala Nyako, returned to Yola yesterday 10 months after he was ousted from office in a power struggle with the last State Assembly and the then ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.

Nyako subsequently fled the country fearing prosecution for alleged treason by former President Goodluck Jonathan after the ex-governor wrote him a letter in which he accused the federal government of dereliction of duty in the handling of the Boko Haram insurgency.

The former governor, who was welcomed by a large crowd at the Yola International Airport, arrived at about 11:00 am and drove in a convoy to the Specialist Hospital and Federal Medical Centre, Yola to console victims of June 4, bomb blast in Yola.

He later addressed supporters who besieged his residence.

He thanked them for their contribution in voting PDP out

of office.

"We need to support big brother Buhari, who will deliver," Nyako was quoted by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) as saying.

He said that he had been vindicated by what had happened since his removal from office and up to the formation of the new government.

Nyako was impeached on July 15, 2014.

Soon after the impeachment, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) declared

him and his son, AbdulAziz, wanted over allegations of conspiracy, stealing, abuse of office and money laundering.

In a statement issued in February, 2015, in Abuja by Wilson Uwujaren, the spokesman of EFCC, the commission said it froze the bank account belonging to Adamawa government shortly before Nyako's impeachment.

The commission froze the account as a precautionary measure to safeguard the state treasury amidst evidence of looting uncovered by its operatives.

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY JUNE 7, 2015

NEWS

Why we rejected N3bn official quarters -Ihedioha

2016: I am eligible to contest, says Sylva •Knocks PDP, Dickson, Jonathan

•Says N27bn new residences almost completed

From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa ORMER Bayelsa State Governor and leader of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Chief Timipre Sylva, yesterday confirmed his interest in next year's governorship election in the state.

But he said his fate will be determined by the party when picking who will fly its flag in the election.

Sylva who was denied reelection ticket in controversial circumstances in 2012 by the former President Goodluck Jonathan and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) subsequently dumped the party for the APC. "Bayelsans should not be worried about whether I run or not. What they should be worried about is whether APC is fielding a candidate or not. It is not about me. It is about the APC," he told reporters in Yenagoa.

"But you people should know that I am still eligible and qualified to contest under the law. But whether am running or not will be determined by the party. The APC will take the final decision and whoever the party picks will win Bayelsa State."

Sylva insisted that the ruling PDP in Bayelsa has lost its clout and is in for defeat in the 2016 election.

He said the support the PDP enjoyed in the last election in the state was borne out of fear of the Presidency and that with Dr. Jonathan out of power the people of the state have abandoned the PDP. He accused Governor Seriake Dickson of ruling the people with intimidation and instilling fear in them.

"It is the same thing Dickson is experiencing. He rules the state with fear and intimidation and when you rule by intimidating your people, then the loyalty is liable to break under any form of stress," he said.

"That was what happened during slavery and that was what happened with colonialism. Once you rule people by fear and not love, it will break. The time for that loyalty to break is now.

"I was in Otuokpoti community in Ogbia and I told them that the PDP is dead.

You can continue to shift the date of the party's burial forward.

"PDP has tried to postpone the date of funeral all the time.

I said that the PDP had postponed its funeral from 14th of February to March 28th.

"It is evident that the PDP died on the 28th of March, 2015. They only shifted the funeral by some few weeks.

The PDP is a dead party and by whatever way, I don't take anything into account because the party is dead.

"It is only the date of the funeral that has been shifted in Bayelsa again. When the date of the funeral is fixed, we shall invite you, the media, to celebrate with the people of Bayelsa State and the APC." Sylva faulted the heroic status accorded Jonathan for conceding defeat after the March election, saying the former President is undeserving of such accolade.

From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

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•The scene of the accident at Idimu, Lagos yesterday

PHOTO: Olusegun Rapheal

Fresh tanker explosion razes 34 houses, 70 shops in Lagos A petrol tanker exploded early yesterday at Idimu, a suburb of Lagos, setting about 34 houses and 70 shops ablaze, just four days after another petrol tanker caught fire at Iyana Ipaja also in Lagos.

The latest incident occurred a little after 00.20 hours when the driver of the ill fated tanker was overtaking another tanker at the Idimu Bus Stop.

The tanker overturned in the process, spilled its content on the road and immediately burst into flames.

The fire thus ignited spread to nearby buildings and could have caused more damage but for the quick intervention of the Lagos State Fire Service, eye witnesses said.

They were joined by members of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), the Police, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Lagos State Emergency Management Authority (LASEMA) for rescue operations.

Men of the Fire Brigade were said to have put out the fire by 6am.

There was no immediate report of loss of life.

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode visited the scene of the explosion in the afternoon to assess the situation.

He summoned Petroleum Products Tanker Drivers' Union and stakeholders to an emergency meeting tomorrow to address the incessant petrol tankerinduced fires in the state.

The governor said the number of tanker explosions in the state is disturbing and it was high time the state government sat down with tanker drivers to ensure it never happens again.

He said: "This is another unfortunate incident

•Ambode to meet tanker drivers, stakeholders tomorrow

By Miriam Ekene-Okoro

happening within one week.

Unfortunate, in the sense that, we are beginning to lose a lot of our assets and property to fire. I have been briefed that there were two tanker drivers actually competing on the road as at midnight including a commercial bus driver. As a result, the tanker driver lost control at the bend and it was 33,000litres of PMS and at a bend, in a sloppy area, you could see the contents went as far as five streets. We've lost close to 34 houses, 70 shops.

"We do not want this to repeat itself again. We have said it before, we need to address our tanker drivers and start to enforce our traffic laws. I have directed that the union of tanker drivers we would meet on Monday morning and we must make pronouncement relating to the usage of our roads.

Moved by the pleas of some residents who lost their properties to the inferno, the Governor directed the State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) to collate the names of victims with a view to providing immediate relief to cushion their pain.

Victims who were rendered homeless and those whose shops were affected by the inferno began to count their losses immediately.

A pitiable Yemisi Osinaike sobbed uncontrollably as she recounted how she watched her late father's house go up in flames.

"It was only yesterday (Friday) that I spent all the money I had to stock my shop.

Everything has been destroyed. Where do I start from?" she said, held by her friends before they took her to a safe distance away from the prying eyes of onlookers.

Kudirat Olusi, whose family house was also razed said she had just left her road

side store and was about to retire to bed when she heard what sounded like tankers over speeding by trailers.

What followed, according to her, was an explosion.

She dashed out of the house with only a wrapper tied across her chest.

She ran back into the house to warn her family and neighbours to scamper for their lives.

"Where do we start from now? Everything I had is gone with the fire. I took nothing out of the house. All my clothes, goods, including money from Alajeseku (cooperative union) that I collected yesterday were burnt," Olusi said, sobbing.

An eyewitness, Charles Ebohodaghe, watched the incident from a nearby three storey house where he has been residing since 1985.

He said: "It is one of the most dangerous moments I have seen since I've been living here. Truck drivers are often careless around here once it is dark and the road is slightly free.

"I was up there in my room when I saw this two trucks going at top speed, one trying to outdo the other. At the BRT end of Idimu, one caught up with the another but on getting to the bend one of the drivers lost control causing this accident.

"The fuel was just gushing into the gutter and everyone had to scamper for safety. The fire was so big and terrifying.

In no time all this area was engulfed by fire. These are all shops, usually fully stocked.

All were burnt. It is a disaster."

Another resident, Hakeem Salaudeen, said the inferno could be seen from afar with alarm ringing from all angles warning people to run for their lives.

Salaudeen gave kudos to men of the Lagos State Fire

Service and residents for their timely response that prevented the fire from engulfing an MRS filling station on the Idimu-Ejigbo road.

"The firemen were here on time and they worked till 6am. The youths were fetching water to quench the fire."

By dawn, the extent of damage hit the residents hard.

Shop owners who reside far away got there yesterday to see that their shops were gone.

Jonathan Obi, who runs two retail shops at the Idimu junction said he lost goods worth N4 million.

"This is what I use in feeding my family. Nothing in there was insured. They are all gone. Government has to come to our aide," Obi said.

Director of the Lagos State Fire Service, Rasak Fadipe, told journalists that his men got a distress call at 12:08 am, and mobilized rescue response team from Ikotun.

"On seeing that it was a major explosion, we had to mobilise others from Akowonjo, Sari Iganmu, Ikeja and Alimoso to ensure that the fire didn't get to the MRS filling station in the neighborhood, which could have spelt doom for the entire community."

The Idimu fire incident, according to him, brings to 888, the number of fire incidents recorded in the state from January to May 2015.

South West Coordinator of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Ibrahim Farinloye said that the full assessment of the incident was ongoing and in the next 24 hours, they would take stock of all the affected -- home owners, tenants and children -- to have them taken care of according to standard best practices.

ORMER Presiding officers of the National Assembly rejected the N3 billion official quarters provided for them in Maitama extension, Abuja for security reasons, the immediate past Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha has said.

He told reporters at an interactive/ valedictory session in Abuja that the houses were not located within the Three Arms Zone and the occupants were thus exposed to insecurity.

He said members of the National Assembly could not understand why only the legislature was left out in the allocation of official houses in the Three Arms Zone, whereas top shots from the Executive and the Judiciary live within the area.

He said: "We live in private residences. But when we came in we started battling for we knew we were not going to inherit any government building, but we knew there was need for official residences for presiding officers.

"We said this is three arms zone, you must go and do everything and find land. They brought every designer and we sat down until they found the place where they are building for the presiding officers. It's better. That is what I call the institutionalization of the legislature."

He added:"You have residence for the President and the Vice President, their own is exclusive. Then you have the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN and his contemporaries. So, why do you want to zone out the heads of the legislature to across the road...almost close to Mpape! It's across the road, its Mpape, after the military barracks. So why would you put us behind the military barrack, that is military confinement.

"And we said they must find a place. So we started battling. They said they had found a place, we said it was not for us, we won't live in it.

The Senate President, his deputy, the Speaker and his Deputy must live within the three- arms zone, because they are also part of government.

And today, those buildings are almost completed."

The immediate past minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mallam Bala Mohammed told, the House Committee on FCT last March that the new residences being built within the three arms zone would cost a total sum of N27.1billion.

The project includes residences for the Senate President, deputy Senate President, House of Reps Speaker and his deputy.

Each would have a guest House, ADC's House, Staff Quarters, Banquet Hall, Chapel, Mosque, Power House and Gate House.

The former official quarters were sold to the occupants at ridiculous amounts, causing some of the 7th Assembly Presiding Officers to stay in private houses.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY JUNE 7, 2015

NEWS

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Soyinka laments Chibok girls continued captivity N

OBEL Laureate Prof Wole Soyinka yesterday rued the continuous absence of the abducted over 200 Chibok school girls.

Speaking at the third convocation lecture of Kwara State University (KWASU) in Malete, Soyinka said: “no woman no nation.”

He spoke on: Faith, science and imagination in the temple of knowledge.

The literary giant added that the image of the captured girls, which went viral on the social media, still hurts him as a parent.

He said: “I don’t know about other people but that image hurts me even up till today, even when I am not looking at it.

“When I just recollect those depersonalised children under a tree perhaps, taken by their captors and

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

broadcast all over the world.”

He called for protection of institutions of learning across the nation, saying: “The temple of learning must be patented. There is no other option for the ultimate triumph of humanity over bigotry and hate than the solid foundation of the edifice that must house community of learning.

While lamenting the inability to rescue the girls, Soyinka said: “All 200 and 40 something of them are still missing; I will like to suggest that the iconic image of that struggle is the photographs of those young pupils in the open air taken by the brutal captors and broadcast all over the newspapers, international media, You tube, internet etc.

“That group of depersonalized, coward, terrified captured young children who were like all of you here, in search of the Golden Fleece when they were at the beginning of their journey.

“That image, which was published so widely and was taken by their enemies in a gloating manner, was meant to strike at our self consciousness as human beings, as parents and as citizens.

He added: “We sent them to take their first qualifying examination; up till today we cannot say whether they are alive, whether they are in slave or sold off.

“All we know is that they

have been dehumanised, brutalised and their childhood has been taken away from them. Sometime I wonder whether we are speaking of a remote, newly discovered planet or we are speaking of this very planet for which you and I stand today.

“Their captors are not without knowledge; they have learnt how to make bombs. They pride themselves in killing and maiming in absolute fidelity to corrupted ideology.

“They may have acquired even the most rudimentary knowledge of how humanity makes these weapons of destruction but they have failed to acquire how humanity sticks together as

beings of the same species; they exist on fragmented zones devoid any holistic crack of the human phenomenon in its entirety.”

He added that Boko Haram members “remain to a possibility that apart from claims to revelation, which is always subjective, dubious if not calculating and opportunistic opposition that there are other rules to the creation of the harmonious commonwealth of man.

“Yes, indeed, they have acquired the knowledge of the lethal destruction but they lack the sheerest acquaintance with the moral mandate of knowledge. They acquired the means of impeding; of imposing fear and intimidation; the elements superstitious dread;

the mystic hypes.

“Nothing new or original is happening. It is undergoing different forms of opposition. Within these borders, once our forebears got torpedoed on the high seas, the defenceless children had been compelled to retreat temporarily from the random bombs; suicide bombs; sightless projectors; from bomb assembled explosives the creation of man’s ingenuity.

“Space, science and the art of imagination can cohabit and indeed collaborate in mission of human’s advancement and even our spiritual intuition which we call religion. All contrary claims have been proven emptiness, destruction and delusion.”

NEMA takes over feeding of Borno IDPs one at the camp gets three From Duku Joel, Maiduguri

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HE federal government has agreed to take over the feeding and management of Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps in Maiduguri, capital of Borno State.

Maiduguri hosts 22 camps with over 100,000 inmates.

There are also 1.5 million others in host communities within the metropolis.

The take-over was part of a resolutions reached after a meeting at the weekend between the federal government and Borno State.

The Director Rescue and Search at the National Emergency Agency (NEMA), Air Commodore Charles Otegbade led the FG’s delegation while Deputy Governor Zanna Mustapha represented Borno State Government.

The stakeholders also agreed to immediately deploy 40 NEMA staff to Borno state from the National Headquarters to strengthen management of the camps and enforce standards in critical issues such as hygiene etc.

Otegbade said: “We came to town to ensure that every-

meals daily.”

Mustapha regretted the late involvement of NEMA in the humanitarian crisis caused by insurgency.

He however welcomed the intervention as signs of good things ahead in the new administration.

Briefing newsmen after the closed door meeting, Otegbade stated that NEMA has drawn a work plan for the IDPs, which will soon kick start.

According to him: ”For the next two months, we are going to be more involved in the management of the camps, we are going to contribute more than before.

“We anticipate that by the end of the two months we should be talking of getting the IDPs settled in their communities during which we are going to be thinking of what we will do in the reconstruction and rehabilitation.

“But if the situation is still the same and there is the need to continue to run the camps, we would continue to review our involvement towards improving the lives of IDPs.”

Oye is new APGA chairman •Maku emerges national secretary

T

HE All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) yesterday elected Dr Victor Oye as its national chairman.

He replaces Chief Victor Umeh, who led the party for years.

Former minister of information, Labaran Maku, also emerged as APGA’s new national secretary.

They were elected with others at the national convention of the party at Akwa.

Others include Mike Kwentoh as the National Organising Secretary; Ifeatu Okoye as Publicity Secretary and Chief Damian Ozurumba as national treasurer.

Umeh told the national delegates that he was leaving N40million in the party’s coffers for the new executives.

Giving a scorecard of his administration, Umeh said the party won 27 House of

From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

Assembly seats in Anambra; eleven in Abia, one in Bayelsa and one in Taraba.

He added APGA also won two House of Representatives seats in Anambra, one in Taraba and one in Abia.

He informed the APGA had about 20 court cases but triumphed in all.

He also handed over APGA’s certificate of registration to the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT) chairman, Governor Willie Obiano.

Obiano said APGA was in a rebound after making strong statements during the last national elections.

He assured the party has a great chance to be a viable opposition, describing the opportunity as a rare one the party must grab.

Oye said in the next four years, the party will build a cohesive movement devoid of acrimony and rancor.

• From left: Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Environment, Mrs Nana Mede; Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo; Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mr Danladi Kifasi and Permanent Secretary, FCT, Mr John Chukwu, during a Gala Night in celebration of the 2015 World Environment Day at the State House in Abuja at the weekend.

PHOTO: NAN

Stay out of politics, Abdulsalam advises religious leaders

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ORMER Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar (Rtd.) yesterday urged religious leaders to “stay away” from politics and politicking.

He spoke at the maiden National Peace Symposium organised by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at, in Abuja.

Abubakar, who was represented by the Chairman, InterParty Advisory Council (IPAC), Dr Yinusa Tanko, called for occasional bilateral meetings among faith- based organisations.

This, he said, will promote religious harmony and interfaith efforts.

Prominent religious leaders, including National Presi-

From Olugbenga Adanikin, Abuja

dent of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at, Nigeria, Dr. Mashhud Adenrele; National President of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor represented by Bishop Peter Ogunmiywa; Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, ýCardinal John Onaiyekan and National President, Progressive Judaism in Nigeria, Kaishina Temple Leader, Canakiya Pandit Dasa, among others attended the event.

Adenrele described religion as an opportunity to develop righteousness and virtue in mankind to get closer to God.

He said Christianity, Islam and traditional religion are meant to establish peace by preaching justice and fair play without discrimination, repelling evil with good and peacemaking.

He lamented most religious leaders however “pursue materialism, abandoning the people to their plight in their frustrating struggle for better life, politicise religion and thus condone the corrupt rulers in their exploitative and oppressive rule.”

Onaiyekan ý said there was need for religious bodies to offer themselves as tools of peace.

He advised religious leaders to avoid politics.

Rev. Willy Ojukwu of the Catholic Church, Abuja attributed religious tension and violence to ignorance.

Ojukwu said: “In the country like ours, what we really need most is to understand the real meaning of religion because most of the problem we have in the country is due to misunderstanding.

“Our beliefs seem to be one. It is based on ignorance that we differ and kill each other. Rather we should enlighten one another and eradicate ignorance.

“God did not say we should destroy one another.

So, if we hold on to this, we won’t kill or fight one another.”

Resident doctors threaten strike over unpaid wages

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ESIDENT doctors may embark on strike nationwide any moment from now, the President of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), DanJumbo Prince, warned yesterday.

He said an extensive industrial action has become inevitable because at least eight states owe doctors backlogs of salaries.

Prince spoke with newsmen in Ibadan while reacting to the conditions of service and

From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

facilities at the Ladoke Akintola University Teaching Hospital (LAUTH).

According to him: “Some state governments are owing our members their wages in Abia state for 12 months; Osun state for eight months; Oyo for six months; Benue State for six months; Lagos state for two months while in Rivers, Kogi and Plateau states, they are owing them four months.”

He said doctors cannot deliver safe, qualitative and effec-

tive healthcare to the masses with the development.

The NARD boss said:”Embarrassment has been our lots. Our children schools are on us. Landlords are threatening to evict. There is no food; no means of transport to work.”

Citing the Oyo state situation, he said: “Our members in LTH, Ogbomoso are yet to receive any salary since the beginning of this year, culminating to over five months unpaid salaries.

“With this, Oyo State gov-

ernment is deliberately and systematically killing LTH, Ogbomoso.

“We therefore appeal to Governor Abiola Ajimobi, well-meaning citizens of Nigeria and Human rights organisations to wade into this ugly situation of LTH, Ogbomoso, Oyo State to ensure adequate healthcare for the citizens.”

He warned that doctors may down tools in the next two weeks if the situation is not redressed.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY JUNE 7, 2015

NEWS

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NDDC: Ondo communities seek justice, equality From Damisi Ojo,Akure.

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ONCERNED indigenes of Ilaje/Ese-Odo in the riverine area of Ondo State, at the weekend, urged President Muhammadu Buhari to stop the alleged injustices in the appointment of key officials into the Niger Delta D e v e l o p m e n t Commission(NDDC) by previous administrations.

According to the protesting communities, Nine states in the Niger Delta region are members of the interventionist agency but since the inception of NDDC in 2001, all its executive positions have been rotated amongst only the five states of Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Cross Rivers, River and Delta, to the exclusion of Ondo state. ( ( “The NDDC Act stipulates that Executive positions in the NDDC shall rotate amongst the oil producing states of the Niger Delta starting from the state with the largest quantum of oil production to the least.

We appeal to the President Buhari to extend the appointment of the Managing Director(MD)or any of the Executive positions in the NDDC to the oil producing area of Ondo State for the sake of equity, justice and fair play.

“We plead with the incumbent Buhari’s administration to end the provocative discrimination by previous administrations in the appointment of Executive positions to the NDDC. It is unfair and runs contrary to the NDDC Act which clearly projected the principle of Federal character in the distribution of full time positions in the commission,” the group said.

Ambode plans traffic summit

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AGOS State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode on Thursday hinted of plans to convene a summit in the next few weeks to deliberate on traffic gridlocks in the state. The Governor spoke at an interactive session he had with Media Executives alongside his Deputy, Dr (Mrs) Oluranti Adebule and Secretary to the State Government, Mr Tunji Bello. He said traffic gridlocks which have become an integral part of areas like Apapa, Lekki, and others would be decisively

dealt with after the stakeholders’ summit where experts would proffer solution to the thorny issue that has resulted in the collapse of businesses in Apapa.

“The solution is not restricted to only Alausa, there are so many people who have ideas that we can buy from. So that Traffic Summit is a first of its kind because we are now dealing with practical issues”.

“The one that relates so Apapa, yes we thank God we are now at the centre. What you see at Western Avenue now was

done by Lagos state government.

And there are several federal government projects which we have committed over N51Billion into and which we have not been reimbursed for. I can assure you that in areas where we can do quick fixes, we would do it”, he said.

Responding to a question on the traffic situation at the Lekki Axis, the Governor said: “When you look at it, you will see that if I am to provide flyover it would take quite a while to complete

construction. The other option we are looking at is do we really need those roundabouts? It is an alternative solution which experts are looking at. We can change the course of traffic and use traffic lights. In the United States you don’t turn on your left. That is a quick fix. Flyover is medium term. I am deeply looking at immediate remedy, traffic control and flyover, experts would conclude and from there we would get permanent solutions”.

Hip-hop artiste, Jahbless escapes death

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RONTLINE Nigerian Hip-Hop act, JahBless miraculously escaped death when his Mercedes Benz R350, said to have been driven by his road manager, Damola Adetunji, crashed into a stationary truck laden with granite on Adeola Odeku Street, Victoria Island in Lagos State. The popular musician was not in the vehicle as at the time of the accident.

According to eye witness

accounts, JahBless had only a few minutes earlier, after headlining the day’s edition of Industry Night at Spice Route, in what could be described as a twist of fate, taken a decision to ride in another car in his convoy, in the company of his Business Manager, Mr. Babalola Idowu.

Sources say apparently due to the heavy rain of the night, JahBless’ car rammed into the truck which was parked indiscriminately on the road

without functional parking lights, caution signs, or reflective stickers.

Current situation reports say that Damola, who drove the car with registration number AAA 158 CM, is severely injured and was treated at St. Nicholas hospital on the island, while the other occupant of the car has been treated for slight injuries on the arm. Due to the critical nature of the injuries he suffered in the unfortunate crash, Damola has

since been transferred to the Ondo State Trauma Centre in Akure, Ondo State.

Jahbless, who is signed on to JE Records and recently released his star-studded third studio album “I am Me”, expressed gratitude to God for sparing his life and called on fans and well-wishers to pray for Damola’s speedy recovery. The artiste and his crew, according to close aides, are yet to recover from the shock of the sad incident.

Lawmaker hails signing of Tobacco control bill

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By Adetutu Audu

HE signing into law of the Tobacco Control Bill 2015 has been hailed by the Sponsor of the bill and House of Representatives member representing Kosofe Federal Constituency of Lagos State, Hon. Dayo Bush-Alebiosu. BushAlebiosu, while speaking with newsmen in Lagos as Nigeria joins the rest of the World to mark the 2015 ‘World No Tobacco Day’ said the last minute signing of the National Tobacco Control Bill into law will ensure effective regulation and control of production, manufacture, sale, labeling, advertising, promotion and sponsorship of tobacco and tobacco products in Nigeria.

The harmonized bill, which was sponsored in the House of Representatives by Bush-Alebiosu and in the Senate by Dr. Patrick Okowa, who is now the Delta State Governor, will also ensure balance between economic consideration and health implications of tobacco manufacture, use and exposure to environmental tobacco smoke, among other things.

Hon. Dayo Bush-Alebiosu who is the Chairman of the House Committee on Treaties and Agreements, said that the rates of smoking will drop and the health sector will spend money allocated to them on building its sector instead of using it for treatment of patients with tobacco-related cases.

He remarked that the law also includes ban on sales of cigarette to the underage that are the target of the tobacco industries as many children in Nigeria are affected as a result of Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) and are dying of Pneumonia and respiratory childhood infections.

•Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun (2nd left), his Oyo State counterpart, Senator Abiola Ajimobi (2nd right), wife of former President Olusegun Obasanjo and sister-in-law of the deceased, Bola (left) and son of the deceased, Kunle (right), during the funeral service held in honour of Obasanjo’s younger sister, the late Mrs Oluwola Adunni Obasanjo-Eweje at Owu Baptist Church, Abeokuta...yesterday.

Lagos Assembly: Obasa, Eshinlokun, Agunbiade, others for principal offices

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HE 8th Assembly of the Lagos state House of Assembly is finally ready to be inaugurated tomorrow, as the lawmakers agreed amongst themselves on how best to share the principal offices of the next session of the legislative House. Going by the resolution, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa from Agege 1 constituency will emerge as the next Speaker of the Assembly while Hon. Wasiu Esinlokun (Lagos Island 1) will be Deputy Speaker and Hon. Sanai Agunbiade (Ikorodu 1) is set to take office as the Majority Leader of the Assembly.

Also, Hon. Rotimi Abiru (Shomolu 2) may emerge as the Chief Whip. Other lawmaker said to have been penciled down for principal offices are Hon. Olumuyiwa Jimoh Apapa 2), Deputy Majority Leader and Hon. (Mrs.) Omotayo Oduntan (Alimosho 2) as Deputy Whip. The resolution, which followed weeks of disagreement amongst the legislators, according to sources, was reached following the intervention of leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC). ( ( The inauguration which was earlier scheduled for Thursday last week was postponed because of inability of the lawmakers to resolve the crisis created by the tussle for the Speakership position.

Following the resolution of the matter amongst the lawmakers at the weekend, the final list agreed upon by the APC lawmakers was taken to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu by two ranking legislators for approval.

With the latest development the only position left to be filled now is that of the Minority Leader which is to be occupied by one of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) member; and this is expected to be decided at the inauguration tomorrow.

Police begin search for suspected gang killers

By Medinat Kanabe OLLOWING the alleged shooting and killing of five youths who were said to be returning from a naming ceremony in the Ajah area of Lagos state last Wednesday, the Lagos State Police command has declared a manhunt for the suspected killers. It was gathered that the victims who belonged to a street group on Lagos Island were ambushed and shot dead by a rival group in a battle of supremacy while on their way back from the ceremony.

Speaking to Journalists yesterday, the Lagos State Police spokesman, Kenneth Nwosu said the Police is on the trail of the suspected killers. “We have set our dragnets and we are set to arrest them if they are caught.

We would not hesitate to charge them to court once they are found. As it is now, we are studying the root cause of the crisis with a view to bringing those involved to book. It would serve as a deterrent to others.

“Lagos State Police command does not give opportunities for hoodlums to reign supreme and we are committed to safety of lives and property of every Lagosian,” he said.

Inuguration: Remo indigenes F congratulate Amosun, Osinbajo

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NDIGENES of Remo Kingdom in Ogun East senatorial district of Ogun State have congratulated Senator Ibikunle Amosun and Professor Yemi Osinbajo, on their recent swearing in as the Governor of Ogun State and Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, respectively. Amosun and Osinbajo, who contested on the platform of the All Progressive Congress (APC), won the April 11 gubernatorial and March 28 presidential elections respectively.

The indigenes, under the umbrella of The Remo Group (TRG), also congratulated Ogun people for reelecting Amosun, saying they were not surprised by the decision of the electorate to return the governor for

By Dare Odufowokan, Assistant Editor another term. In a release signed by Rukayat Olaitan and Omolola Oduyebo, TRG’s Secretary and Spokesperson respectively, the group said: “We congratulate you, Mr. Governor on your victory.

With the giant strides you have recorded in our state since your assumption of office, particularly in the areas of roads, industrial development, education and i n f r a s t r u c t u r a l development, amongst others, you deserved another term in office.”

“No doubt, as our state and the Federal Government are under the same political party, APC, we urge your Excellency to collaborate and synergise with the new government of General

Muhammadu Buhari, and in particular with our kinsman, Professor Yemi Osibajo, who is an illustrious son of Remoland, to tap the manpower, natural resources, economic and industrial vantage positions which Ogun State occupies in the country.”

They however pleaded with Amosun to take the ample advantage of his second term to consolidate on his programmes, strive harder and complete ongoing projects on time, particularly the massive road constructions in parts of the state, adding that doing this would erase the negative belief in some quarters that second term governors doesn’t record further development, but a licence to amass wealth at the detriment of the people and the state in general.

The group described the emergence of Professor Osibajo in the presidency as a new dawn in Remoland and called on all sons and daughters of the ancient Kingdom to pray for and rally round the incoming administrations both in Ogun State and at the federal level, to ensure that the much sought development in the area is achieved.

The release further said TRG has been at the forefront of the campaign and mobilisation for socioeconomic and political emancipation of Remoland, because they believe that an area that produced the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, should not be backward in the scheme of things within Ogun State and in the country as a whole.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY JUNE 7, 2015

Pharmacists vow to fight quacks in Edo From Osagie Otabor, Benin HE Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Edo State chapter, has vowed to join hands with government to clampdown on quackery as well as rid the society of fake drugs.

It said a special task force it set up to fish out fake pharmacists in the state has become moribund because of proper coordination.

Chairman of PSN in the state, Pharmacist Christopher Iyare, stated this during the group’s familiarisation visit to the Commissioner for Health, Dr Aihanuwa Heregie.

Iyare noted that the Pharmaceutical Society in the state would be repositioned with a view to making patient consume correct drugs prescribed by doctors.

He decried activities of quacks in the profession, which he said has led to slow death of many patients.

The Edo PSN chairman said the body was ready to work with the government in the area of adequate drug delivery and ensuring quality health delivery.

He disclosed that the PSN week would soon carry out a house- to- house public awareness campaigns aimed at sensitising the general public against the incessant use of drugs and other related health issues in the society.

The Commissioner assured the PSN that the state government was open to collaboration with serious minded organisations.

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NEWS

Navy, JTF arrest three suspected oil thieves, vessels T HREE suspected oil thieves have been arrested by operatives of the Central Naval Command (CNC), of the Nigerian Navy, in Ekeremor Local Government, Bayelsa State.

It was gathered that the suspects said to be operators of illegal refineries and two of their boats christened, “Emmanuel”, were rounded up on June 4.

The Flag Officer

From: Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa Commanding, CNC, Rear Admiral Stanley Ogoigbe, said at the weekend that eight pumping machine allegedly used by the suspects to steal the product were seized by the naval operatives.

Ogoigbe, who handed the suspects over to the Nigeria

Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for prosecution, said they were arrested along the creek of Bilabiri in the west senatorial district of the state.

He said the suspects were tricked into taking a naval patrol team to an illegal refinery camp in the deep mangrove.

He said their speedboat

with the inscription, “Emmanuel”, gave them away as it tallied with another previously recovered by the navy at the illegal refinery camp The FOC reinstated the determination of the command and other security agencies to intensify the ongoing war against crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism and other criminal

•From left: National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Dr Okechukwu Oye; National secretary, Mr Labaran Maku and deputy national chairman, South, Chief Uche Okagbuo, at the National Convention of the party at Awka in Anambra yesterday Photo: NAN

Ijaw youths accuse oil companies of selling employment quotas

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JAW youths are at loggerheads with oil companies operating in Gbarain Ubie and other communities in Bayelsa State over employment quotas.

The youths accused the managers of oil companies of selling jobs and contract slots to persons and companies outside the state.

It was gathered that the national body of IYC mandated its Gbarain clan leadership to picket indicted companies and compel them to end the practice.

The IYC President, Mr.

From: Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa Udens Eradiri, led a team to Polaku community in Gbarain, Yenagoa local government area to discuss the matter in a joint stakeholders’ meeting with IYC Gbarain, Yenagoa and Epietiama clans.

Eradiri said the IYC would no longer fold its arms and watch oil companies shortchange Ijaw youths.

“The Gbarain Ubie oil platform is capable of engaging over 5,000 workforce but we are

suffering from lack of employments from the companies,” he said.

Eradiri said the meeting was convened to discuss employment opportunities for youths, community participation in fabrications and to give a final warning to oil companies to stop selling their quotas.

“We are here to look at the issues and communicate to the appropriate places and we shall go to the facilities to fish out those working there that are nonindigenes,” he said.

Eradiri said IYC struggle was predicated on political and economic power adding that the rising unemployment in the region was the reason behind upsurge in criminal activities and youth restiveness.

Also, the IYC Chairman, Gbarain Clan, Mr. Ebekeze Raphael, said the companies have over the years denied the communities their employment and contract quotas.

He noted that the communities suffer from lack of social amenities such as potable water, electricity noting that the

Rivers AG’s suspension: Lawyers call for resignation of NBA chair

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AWYERS in Rivers State yesterday demanded the immediate resignation of the chairman of Port Harcourt branch of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Dennis Okwakpam, over last week’s suspension of the former Rivers State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Wogu Boms.

The lawyers, under the aegis of Lawyers Network for Change, said the NBA Port Harcourt in the recent time has become an appendage of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Boms was recently suspended as member of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) by the leadership of Port Harcourt branch of the body.

Reacting to the suspension, the lawyers after an emergency meeting vowed not to allow the Port Harcourt NBA chairman constitute himself to an errand boy for PDP. Chairman of the group, Chuks Dike, said it is unfortunate for the leadership of NBA Port Harcourt to take such far reaching decision

From Precious Dikewoha, Port Harcourt against the former Attorney General of the state without deeming it proper to hear his own side of the story.

He noted that the suspension of the former Attorney General of the state by Port Harcourt NBA has confirmed the long

held belief and well known fact that the NBA Port Harcourt branch has been seriously compromised by the PDP. Dike said: “We are calling on the immediate resignation of Mr. Dennis Okwakpam as Port Harcourt NBA chairman.

“We want Port Harcourt branch to take the path of honour

and reverse the purported decision to avoid further balkanization of the already balkanized bar.

“We don’t want any clash of interest and we believe that NBA Port Harcourt branch is aware that the purported action is of no consequence as it does not affect the right of Mr. Boms to practice law.”

Buhari to flag off super highway in Cross River

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ORKS on the proposed Calabar Deep Seaport will commence in October, Cross River governor, Ben Agade, declared yesterday.

He stated this while on an assessment tour of the Creek Town Jetty and connecting routes that will serve as evacuation corridor for the deep seaport.

Ayade told newsmen: "My intention, first of all is that the evacuation route, which is the dual carriage super highway will begin in the next couple of weeks.

"So, within the next one or two weeks, I want to look at

Mr. President's programme and try to convince him to come and perform the groundbreaking ceremony for the dual carriage way."

The governor, who hinted that the design of the seaport is ongoing, added: "Tentatively, by 15th of this month, I should have the feasibility report on the project.

"By October, we should begin the actual construction of the seaport. For the road, I see that starting in two weeks.

"However, I just have to delay the commencement in order to get President Muhammad Buhari's approval

to come for the groundbreaking ceremony."

On the cost of the project, Ayade, while admitting it was huge, said: "The project is very expensive but only expensive as the mind conceives it to be expensive.

"But the good thing is that I have got very good colleagues of mine who are excited and eager to key into the project.

"I already have the equipment for the pilling work and I am donating the services of my company to the state at no cost. Accordingly, the cost is going to be cut down by half."

villagers suffered constant gas flaring.

Raphael said youths of the clan were not allowed to partake in an industrial training.

9

activities in the Niger Delta.

He solicited the cooperation of the public in the war against economic sabotage.

Receiving the suspects, the Deputy Commandant of the NSCDC, Aniekan Udoeyop, said they would be prosecuted to act as deterrent to others.

Also, Operatives of the Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Pulo Shield, apprehended a merchant vessel christened MV EUROPORT loaded with 1,500 metric tons of substance suspected to be stolen illegally-refined Automated Gas Oil (AGO) The 2,000-capacity vessel was said to have been arrested at the weekend following a tipoff.

The vessel was said to have been rounded up at Foruopa in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

The Coordinator, Joint Media Campaign Cehtre (JMCC) Lt. Col Isa Ado, said in Yenagoa no arrest was made as the suspects on board the vessel jumped into the sea on sighting the JTF troops.

Isa said the vessel was now in the custody of the JTF, adding that operatives operating in Eleme area of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, also arrested an illegal bunkering truck.

He said the 33,000 tonscapacity truck with registration number Anambra 784 AWK loaded with substance believed to be crude oil was arrested at Onne.

Isa said the JTF’s action would discourage oil thieves and criminally-minded persons from engaging in any act of illegal oil-related crime in the region.

He re-assured the public of the command’s determination to stamp out crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism and other criminal activities affecting the socio-economic development of the Niger Delta.

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY, JUNE 7, 2015

NEWS

Man sets house, self ablaze

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MIDDLE aged man, known as T o b e c h u k w u Ogbonna, who hailed from Ohuhu in Umuahia North Council Area of Abia State, on Tuesday night, set their house on fire after a failed attempt to butcher his mother and brother with a kitchen knife.

Tobechukwu was burnt to death before the fire fighters were able to put off the fire.

Ogbonna, who is believed to have been under the influence of hard drugs, had been threatening to kill his mother.

So, on that fateful day, he tried to butcher her with a knife but failed. Thereafter he butchered the family’s dog and proceeded to set the house on fire.

When The Nation visited the scene of the incident at 12 Bonny Street, Umuahia, on Wednesday morning, sympathizers were seen trying to assist residents of the building to evacuate the belongings they were able to salvage from the inferno.

An eye witness who is also a tenant in the compound, Mr. Joseph Mark, said the incident occurred around 11pm when an argument ensued between the victim and his mother.

According to the eyewitness, it was during the argument that the young man attempted to butcher his late mother and thereafter ran outside to kill their dog which was chained.

However, it was gathered that it was the loud shout from the mother as a result of the several machete cuts inflicted on her by her son that attracted the neighbours who promptly rescued her and took her to the hospital.

Mark said, “As if that was not enough, Mbe, as

From Ugohukwu Ugoji-Eke, Umuahia

Tochukwu was known within the neighbourhood, ran back into the building with the intention of attacking his elder brother who quickly escaped by scaling the fence of the building.

“It was at that point that he locked himself inside their apartment and within seconds there was smoke coming out and before we knew what was happening, fire has covered the roof and other parts of the building”.

Another eyewitness, Mr. Abdulfatia Oyadele, said the victim was a suspected drug addict who has been terrorizing the family and people in the area after taking dangerous drugs.

Speaking after helping to stop the fire from spreading to other buildings, the State Fire Officer, Mr. Chukwuemeka Okezie, said that about 11. 45 pm, the command received a distress call about the fire incident.

Okezie said that immediately the call came in, he mobilised his men to move into the area to stop the fire and also prevent the fire from spreading to other adjoining buildings.

However the injured mother who was taken to the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, is said to be receiving treatment and the medical team there confirmed that she is responding to treatment.

When contacted on telephone, the Police Public Relations [PPRO] of Abia State Police Command, Mr. Ezekiel Onyeke, confirmed the incident, stating that investigation has commenced.

Federal Medical Centre denies withholding union’s check off

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HE management of the Federal Medical Center [FMC] Umuahia, has denied withholding the check off dues of members of the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria [MHWUN] in its employ from being remitted to the union as alleged by the executive of the union.

The MHWUN in the state had earlier accused the management of FMC Umuahia, of withholding the check off deducted from its members under its employ which it described as a form of corruption and illegality.

Reacting to the allegation, the Medical Director [MD] of the hospital, Dr Abali Chuku, said the union has two factions and that remittances had been made to the other faction recognised by the hospital management as the legal union.

Chuku said it is not possible for the management to withhold the check off dues of the union deducted for the past three years, without paying same to the owners.

He maintained that the check off dues of the union members was paid to the Uchenna Obigwe –led faction until the recent NLC election in the state in which Obigwe emerged the new NLC state chairman.

Chuku said, “Accordingly, the proper thing to do was for the new leadership to formally write to the hospital management to inform us of

From Ugochukwu Ugoji-Eke, Umuahia

the new change in leadership in order to enable them make the necessary changes”.

The Union in a release signed by the Chairman of the State Caretaker Committee, Comrade Christopher Uche Ezekiel and the Secretary, Comrade Enyinnaya E. Ogbonna and made available to newsmen in Umuahia disclosed that the management has failed to release the check off it deducted from its members beginning from October 2013-June 2015 to the Union.

According to the release, under the procurement Act and Trade Union [Consolidations] Act as amended in 2005, the Union is empowered to remind the Medical Director of the Federal Medical Centre in Umuahia and its management that it is illegal, criminal and unlawful to deduct check-off dues without releasing it to the Union.

They therefore appealed to the hospital management to release to the union its accumulated check deducted from its members.

However the MHUWN had given the management of FMC Umuahia 21 days ultimatum to remit to it all dues deducted from the salaries of its members from October 2013 to June 2015 or face the union’s action.

•The South-East Co-ordinator of NEMA, Mr. James Eze (3rd right) with Chief Medical Officer of Toronto Hospital Onitsha, Prince Dr. Emeka Eze (on blue suit) during the visit of NEMA to the hospital where the fire victims were treated, with them are other executives of NEMA and SEMA. PHOTO: OBI CLETUS

I’ll not tamper with LG funds, G says Ugwuanyi OVERNOR Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has assured the people of the state that his administration will not tamper with the funds of the local government councils in the state.

Ugwuanyi, however, stated that he will put in place all necessary checks and balances to ensure that all council funds are judiciously utilized for the overall interest of the people, stressing that “our government will be a serious business.”

The governor made the declaration while briefing stakeholders of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the state at an interactive meeting held in Enugu during the weekend.

He reaffirmed his resolve not to take the people for granted and went further to announce his decision to make accountability the watch word of his administration in order to utilise the lean resource of

From Chris Oji, Enugu

the state for the betterment of the people, considering the adverse effects of the economic melt-down in the country.

Ugwuanyi assured the people of the state that his administration will commence actions the moment the new State House of Assembly is inaugurated.

He revealed that his administration had identified areas that require urgent intervention but is only waiting for the constitution of the new State House of Assembly to be able to present a supplementary budget that would accommodate its action plan for the immediate development of the affected places.

The governor who revealed that the members of

the incoming state legislature have promised to give the executive arm of government the maximum support and cooperation it requires to move the state forward, thanked the stakeholders for giving him support, as a matter of priority, to embark on rapid development of Nsukka town, 9th mile corner- Ngwo, Abakpa-Nike Enugu, Emene, Awgu, Oji River and other satellite towns in the state.

Ugwuanyi informed the stakeholders that the purpose of the meeting was to thank them for the support, interact with them and seek advice on how best to move the state forward and serve the people who voted them into power.

Ugwuanyi disclosed that his administration will reconstitute the State Elders Council to offer advice to the gov-

ernment on how to move the state forward. He also revealed that his administration will set up an Economic Committee to harness ideas on how to boost the Internal Generated Revenue (IGR) of the state through their wealth of experience, adding that a Tender Board will as well be constituted for the award of contracts in the state for transparency and accountability.

Other dignitaries that attended the meeting include: the Deputy Governor of the State, Hon. Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo, the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Chinedu Nwamba, State Chairman of the PDP, Chief Ikeje Asogwa, two Senators-Elect, Senator Gil Nnaji and Hon. Chuka Utazi, the State Chairman of ALGON, Hon. Cornelius Nnaji and other Council Chairmen, former Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, among others.

Ugwueke community agog over Obi’s visit to their school

T

HE sleepy town of Ugwueke in Abia State was agog over the visit of the former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi. He was accompanied by the respected son of the town and one of the foremost economists and the Managing Director of Cowry Assets Management Company, Mr. Johnson Chukwu.

Obi, who was at Ugwueke Secondary School, Ugwueke, encouraged the students to see education as their future, as that acquisition that would suf-

ficiently arm them for global competition. He also encouraged them to take interest in other extra-curricular activities such as sports, while shunning acts of indiscipline and other tendencies capable of affecting authentic self development.

After the interactive session with the students, who shared with him their problems, dreams and aspirations, Obi was conducted round the school by the Principal of the School, Mrs. Celine Imo, who was accompanied by some

prominent members of the community. In return, Obi donated two million naira (N2Million) to them to assist in the repairs of the school hall that was destroyed by fire. He assured the students that he would reach out to his friends for more donations to the project and other projects in the school that are key to proper training of the students.

Obi also thanked Mr. Johnson Chukwu for his abiding love and faith in the community as demonstrated by

his many acts of philanthropy. Eulogizing him as one of the best Nigerians he had known over the years, the former governor encouraged him to remain close to his people. He also called on wealthy Nigerians to contribute to nation-building by supporting worthy causes in education, health and other areas.

In her speech, the Principal of the School, Mrs. Celine Imo said that Obi’s visit was a major source of encouragement to them.

Address me as governor, not ‘His Excellency,’ says Ikpeazu

T

HE governor of Abia State, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, has directed that he be known and addressed as “Okezie Ikpeazu, PhD, governor of Abia State” and not as “His Excellency”.

This was revealed by his

T

HE seven special Sundays of the Christ Apostolic Church, Victory Land, 7, Ajiboye Crescent, Pleasure Bus Stop, Agege, Lagos, which commenced on May

addressed as His Excellency.

Emezue said that Ikpeazu wants to bring simplicity to governance in the country, which he demonstrated during his trip to Aba to flag off construction of road projects in that city.

He said that during that trip the governor met an accident and stopped to ensure that the victims were saved.

“He ordered that a crane should be brought from Aba to lift that fallen vehicle and save the victims”.

Seven special sundays of CAC

rate, M.O.E. Ige and Evang.

Samson Amao.

The theme of the programme is ‘Divine Breakthrough’. The service commences at 8.00 am.

From Ugochukwu Ugoji-Eke, Umuahia

Special Assistant on Media, Ugochukwu Emezue, while interacting with The Nation in Umuahia. According to Emezue the governor says it is only God that should be

3, continues today.

The programme ends on June 14.

Ministering is Pastors C.S.

Fasuyi, the Superintendent of Pleasure District of the church, S.A.O. Olatunji, district chairman, James Adeyanju, the cu-

11

THE NATION ON SUNDAY JUNE 7, 2015

T

HE race for the President of the Eight Senate in Nigeria, which has witnessed a lot of intrigues, entered the final curve on Thursday with the adjournment of the Seventh Senate sine die.

Maneuvering and horse-trading for the exalted position heightened even at the valedictory session that the upper chamber conducted to mark the end of the Seventh Senate.

The out-going Senate President, David Mark, however ruled out senators from the fold of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from the race.

Mark tactically reminded PDP senators that the leadership of the Eight Senate would be composed mainly of senators from the All Progressives Congress (APC) platform as members of the majority party in the Senate.

Mark's remarks may have foreclosed the clandestine moves by some PDP senators to form part of the Body of Principal Officers in the Eight Senate.

PDP senators angling for prominent positions in the Eight Senate are said to have been unhappy with the unexpected pronouncement by Mark that they should perish the idea of becoming part of the leadership of the Eight Senate.

Senator Ahmed Ibrahim Lawan who represents Yobe North Senatorial District and Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki of Kwara Central Senatorial District have already emerged as front runners for the plum position of President of the Senate.

Two groups, Senate Unity Forum, led

by Senator Barnabas Gemade and Like Minds senators with Senator-elect Dino Melaye as its spokesperson, have also emerged to champion the aspiration of Lawan and Saraki respectively.

While Gemade's Senate Unity Forum has thrown its weight behind Lawan's aspiration, Melaye's Like Minds senators proclaimed Saraki as its choice for Senate President.

With the inauguration of President Muhammadu Buhari's government on May 29, the question in political circles across the country is who will succeed David Mark as President of the Eight Senate? At press time the leadership of APC was in the process of conducting primaries to pick a sole candidate.

There have been claims and counter claims by the Senate Unity Forum and the Like Minds senators about who, between Lawan and Sakari, has greater number of APC senators backing him.

While the Senate Unity Forum projected the necessity for unity in the upper chamber even after the election of principal officers of the Eight Senate and to ensure that the rising standard of the Senate is sustained, Like Minds senators on the other hand have been harping on being independent minded in choosing the presiding officers of the Senate.

Gemade made bold to state in Abuja that the Senate Unity Forum is made up of many Senators from all geo-political zones of the country united in one common course to actualise the Senate Presidency of Senator Ahmed Lawan and Deputy Senate Presidency of Senator George Akume.

Like Minds senators on the other hand, claimed to be prepared to fight what they called "imposition from outside" and vowed to ensure the actualisation of Saraki's Senate Presidency with an unnamed Deputy Senate President from the North-East geopolitical zone.

What is not clear is whether the group of Like Minds Senators wanted to go it all alone without the slightest input from the party that gave them the platform to emerge as Senators.

It is also not obvious what the relationship of the APC senators and their party would look like if the lawmakers are left to completely dictate what happens in the Senate chamber without the party's guidance.

An insider apparently worried by the

SENATE PRESIDENCY

How senators may vote On Tuesday, the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria will chose its leadership. In this report, Assistant Editor, Onyedi Ojiabor and Sanni Onogu in Abuja project how senators are likely to vote as well as all the last minute intrigues.

emerged the Minority Leader then because he was an ACN senator as his party (ACN) has more senators in the Red Chamber than Lawan's ANPP. Also, the Lawan and Saraki's groups are not agreed on the mode of the primary election that should be adopted. While Saraki's group wanted secret balloting, Lawan's group preferred open balloting.

Besides the mode of the primaries and other areas of disagreement, the Saraki supporters are said to have demanded that the Kwara State senator should be preferred as a way of compensating the New-PDP members that merged with others to form APC. That suggestion, according to our source, was roundly criticized when it got to the hearing of the APC leadership. It was said that the leaders of the party unanimously frowned at such suggestions, as they admonished and pointed out to the canvassers that APC is now a family, a single political party and not one made up of segments.

While these debates are ongoing and supporters of the two leading contestants are wooing senators to file behind their candidates, we gathered that one of the groups has been spending money lavishly with the hope of inducing senators to vote for their candidate.

We gathered that President Muhammadu Buhari is not happy with the monetary dimension of this contest. Our source said the president's attitude is that the contest for the Senate President is an intra-party affair; "so he wondered why people should go to that length in such a family affair."

Voting pattern State-by-state findings of the likely voting pattern of the senators is as follows.

These projections may, however, be altered by the outcome of the APC’s efforts to pick a sole candidate.

•Lawan

•Saraki

development, wondered aloud, "Where in the world, maybe in a wonder land like ours, will the parliament work without contribution from the ruling party?"

PDP senators-elect are also not left out of the unfolding frenzy. The opposition lawmakers are known to have been working covertly to actualise the election of their preferred candidate.

Top on the agenda of PDP senators-elect retreat in Port-Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, was said to be how to ensure that the opposition lawmakers voted as a bloc during the election of the Senate President.

Observers believe that with 49 senators in its fold, PDP senators are determined to play a pivotal role in deciding who will be the next President of the Senate.

The unpredictable scenario may have informed the covert and overt scheming by the front runners in the Senate Presidency race to gain the support of greater number of PDP lawmakers.

Although PDP senators are considered the beautiful brides in the race, APC senators with their simple majority of 59 senators, have the ace.

APC as a political party is also fully aware of the scheming and is not sleeping over the matter. The leadership has there-

fore been meeting with the contestants or their supporters within the party.

Parts of the outcome of such meetings are the arguments of both the Lawan group and that of Saraki. For example, the Lawan group is believed to have convinced the APC leadership that the choice of the next Senate President should be primarily based on the highest ranking senator amongst the contestants. They also argued that the zone that garnered the highest number of votes for APC, aside the North-West, which has already produced the country's president, should be favoured to produce the Senate President. Added to these, they argued, is the need to compensate the North-East, which has never produced a top legislative officer like Senate President since 1999.

If these issues are finally adopted as the deciding factors, Lawan will emerge the Senate President.

However, supporters of Senator Saraki, are arguing that if the issue of ranking was such a primary factor, where was Lawan when Senator George Akume became the Minority Leader in the out-going senate? A source however confided to The Nation that when that question was asked in one of the crucial meetings with the party leadership, the Saraki group was informed that Akume

South-East In the South-East geopolitical zone, Abia State with three PDP senators, only one, Senator-elect, Mao Ohuabunwa, is said to have decided to back Saraki.

The other two Senators, Theodore Orji and Enyinnaya Abaribe are said to be undecided. Observers however say that Abaribe's closeness to Lawan may push him to vote for the Yobe lawmaker.

In Imo State also with three PDP Senators, Senators Hope Uzodinma, Samuel Anyanwu and Achonu Athanasius Nneji are said to be undecided and may vote according to their party's dictate.

In Enugu State with three PDP Senators, Ike Ekweremadu, Gilbert Nnaji and Utazi Chukwuka are said to be undecided but Ekweremadu is said to have sympathy for Saraki.

Anambra State with three PDP senators, Andy Uba, Uche Ekwunife and Stella Adaeze Oduah; only Andy Uba is likely to vote for Saraki due to his closeness to the Kwara Central Senator.

Senators Ekwunife and Oduah are said to be undecided and may vote according to PDP's dictate.

In Ebonyi State also with three PDP Senators: Samuel Egwu, Ogba Joseph Obinna and Sunday Ogbuoji, only Egwu is likely to vote for Saraki while the other two are said to be undecided.

South-South In the South-South geopolitical zone, Akwa Ibom State with three PDP Senators, namely Godswill Akpabio, Nelson Effiong and Bassey Albert Akpan are said to be undecided on who to vote for.

Akpabio who played a major role in the election of the other two senators from Akwa Ibom State is likely to decide how they will vote.

Bayelsa State senators, Emmanuel Paulker, Murray Bruce Ben and Ogola Foster, all PDP senators, are said to be for Lawan.

In Rivers State with three PDP senators,

•Contd. on page 66

12

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, JUNE 7, 2015

Ropo Sekoni

13

Page 14

Femi Orebe Page 16

SUNDAY, JUNE 7, 2015

Leading Nigeria aright tunjade@yahoo.co.uk 08054503906 (sms only)

President Buhari must get cracking

I

T was exactly 16 years on May 29 when Nigeria returned to civil rule, after about another 16 long and tortuous years of military interregnum. On that day in 1999, I remember some of the events at the Eagle Square in Abuja, where Chief Olusegun Obasanjo was sworn in as president. I was on the editorial board of ThisDay then, and I remember how I celebrated the occasion alongside some colleagues at one of the elite restaurants in the Yinusa Street area of Ikeja in Lagos. I ate a bowl of ‘fufu’ and ‘edikaikong’ soup and assorted meat usually associated with that eatery and later ‘washed’ it down with some bottles of Stout. Those were my days in Egypt, though.

I still vividly recollect some of these things because May 29, 1999 was a watershed in Nigeria’s history. I cannot say the same of any other May 29, whether in 2003, 2007 or even 2011, which only came and went like any other day.

It was a great day in that Nigerians, including myself, had looked on to Chief Obasanjo with great expectations. The new president then did not disappoint, at least in terms of speeches. One thing I keep remembering was his promise to “lead the country aright”. Could Obasanjo be said to have done just that by May 29, 2007 when he stepped down, after serving the two terms permitted by the constitution, and with his third term ambition having hit the rocks?

However, May 29, 1999 and May 29, 2015 are not exactly the same. Whereas the former was celebrated with pomp and pageantry (and understandably so because it was not easy sending the soldiers back to the barracks after they had tasted power), the latter was marked with pains in the hearts of millions of Nigerians who had dreamt big of what their lives and the country would be like 16 years after the country’s return to civil rule in 1999, only to find themselves in the unfortunate situation that bad governance has put the country in today; the fuel scarcity and all.

But, what the events of the last 16 years, particularly those of the last six years or so taught us is that it is possible for this country or any country for that matter to go under, and all it takes is for people to be silent when they should be talking. Many of what we witnessed in the period we would have sworn could never have happened in Nigeria a few years back. Yet, before our eyes, many brazen illegalities were committed by the people in power. We saw how governors had been impeached without the requisite number of legislators. We saw how generals were told to help the ruling party fix election. We saw our economy raped by rapacious politicians. We saw how about 20 percent of our oil was daily carted away and the government looked on helplessly. We saw how militants and ethnic militias were empowered, first to do the work of our navy and then to cause mayhem to scuttle or rig election. We saw how public funds were spent in a carefree manner and stolen by roguish public servants. We saw how those who were alleged to have stolen subsidy funds as well as other thieves walked in and out of the inner recesses of the seat of power. It was in our full glare that an inspector-general of police attempted to prevent National Assembly members from entering the assembly complex. Pray, what is the difference between Nigeria and some smaller African countries

•Buhari

that we have always seen as backward, because all these are the features that make us call them backward? Indeed, what have we not seen?

The lesson in all these is that Nigerians, as a people, must be vigilant. Most of these anomalies would not have occurred, or kept repeating themselves, if we had been vigilant enough. And this is irrespective of the political party in power. That eternal vigilance is even the more desirable now that President Muhammadu Buhari has taken over. I have pondered over his inaugural address which he read on May 29 and it seemed to me to address the core issues in the country today; from Boko Haram to armed robbery and kidnapping as well as corruption.

It also touched on the vexed issue of youth unemployment, power and others. The president even alluded to his being the president of all, which really intrigues me in the sense that it shows that he is learning fast. Once upon a time, it used to be ‘my people’ and ‘your people’. By and large, the president allayed fears about most of the frequentlyasked questions about Buhari. Indeed, I had wanted to write on this topic even before the elections, but held back because I did not want it used against the then presidential hopeful.

It is wise to first drive away the thief before telling the owner of the stolen property that he did not keep his property well enough.

Now that the thieves (both in the literal and metaphorical sense) have been driven away, we can now tell President Buhari some home truths that would be useful for his administration and the country at large.

The president has given a speech that shows he has a good grasp of the country’s challenges. But it is one thing to identify problems; it is another to solve them. I do not subscribe to this idea of ‘a problem defined is a problem half-solved’. If that is always the case, Nigeria would not be in a mess today because we have always had good analyses of our problems; that is to say we have always known what the problems are. Yet, we still have not been able to solve any of

“Within the next few weeks, one expects that the policy thrust of the new government would be crystallising. Already, nine days are gone out of the four-year tenure. That is how time flies. So, President Buhari should know that the ball is now in his court. He has talked the talk; he should now walk the talk”

them. What this implies is that it takes more than mere identification of the problem to solve it. The will to solve the problem is crucial.

It is this will that has been lacking over the years, and that is why we are where we are today; that is why countries that we were together on the backbenchers’ seat before have since abandoned us there. Indeed, it is in such countries that the expression ‘move the nation forward’ has meaning. It has become a cliché in Nigeria.

Every government here says it, yet, we are only moving forward in reverse.

The Buhari government sure has its job cut out for it.

The Goodluck Jonathan administration has done so much damage and this explained why I told those in the then ruling party who had not even allowed Buhari to be sworn in before asking him to do magic, to shut up. Some readers mistook that for an alibi for the Buhari government not to perform. But the point was not about making excuses for the government but to say those asking him (Buhari) to perform know the havoc they had wreaked on the country’s economy and therefore lacked the moral right to ask the new president to perform. I stand by that viewpoint.

All said, President Buhari must, as I said a few weeks ago, hit the ground running. Already, people are agitated; some are saying the government ought to have made certain appointments, fired some people and taken some decisions. They are complaining that the government seems too slow. I do not necessarily buy any of these. But that is in so far as slow and steady wins the race. Within the next few weeks, one expects that the policy thrust of the new government would be crystallising. Already, nine days are gone out of the four-year tenure. That is how time flies. So, President Buhari should know that the ball is now in his court. He has talked the talk; he should now walk the talk Nigerians want to start seeing signs that they at last have a leader who can truly lead the country aright. It is not necessarily by taking populist decisions but at least by beginning to lay the foundation of an enduring legacy that would wipe away the tears in their eyes all these years.

GEJ on my mind I had expected that President Muhammadu Buhari would have made public the part of his predecessor’s (Dr Goodluck Jonathan) hand over note bequeathing his (Jonathan’s) generator to us as he had promised. Since mum has been the word from the Buhari government on the matter more than one week after assuming office, I guess Dr Jonathan had reneged on that promise as usual. But I would not take it against him because it is impossible for him to ‘dash’ us what he himself would sorely need in his native Otuoke where he is spending his retirement. After all, even God did not tell us to love our neighbour more than ourselves. Rather, He admonished us to love our neighbour as ourselves.

CHIBOK GIRLS: STILL ON MY MIND

otufodunrin@thenationonlineng.net

08050498530(SMS only)

Fuel subsidy for whom?

H

OW much is the official cost of a litre of fuel? I am forced to ask this question which every Nigerian knows the answer to because my experience in the last two weeks has left me wondering if there is still a basis to claim there is an official price for the prized commodity.

Instead of the official price of N87 per liter, the cheapest I have bought a litre in recent weeks is N100 a few times, while I have most times paid N120-N140. At the height of my desperation to avoid being stranded in the office, I bought a litre for N500. I am told some paid more than this unbelievable amount when they had no other option.

I guess I and others who have been buying fuel at the exorbitant cost should be blamed like a petrol attendant told me. If we don’t buy the expensive fuel, the attendant said his manager will not be encouraged to ask him to sell at the price he admitted is too high for a litre of fuel.

The attendant is right. If we don’t buy the expensive fuel, marketers would not drink it as I argued at a station where an attendant claimed he was doing us a favour by selling fuel when other stations were closed.

I told other motorists who were prevailing on me to pay the extra N100 charge by the attendant for selling into a keg that it was wrong to do so since the oil marketers will still claim the subsidy for the fuel being sold to us at more than the official price.

But who is to blame? I and others who need fuel to go to work, our business and other important appointments and can’t afford to stay for hours on long queues at petrol stations that have fuel to sell at relatively cheaper rate or successive governments in the country which have mismanaged the oil sector?

How do we justify that we are an oil producing country yet we don’t have any functioning refinery and we have to import fuel at rates which have to be subsidized by the government?

Despite report s of agreement reached with oil marketers to begin lifting of fuel from major depots while the disagreement over the actual amount being owed is resolved, each fuel station has been selling at their preferred rate instead of the official price.

Not even threats by the Directorates of Petroleum Resources to clamp down on stations that sell beyond the official price has stopped many oil marketers from exploiting the scarcity to milk desperate fuel seekers like me.

Black market fuel sellers and other individuals have also taken advantage of the situation to sell at incredible prices while law enforcement agencies watch helplessly or as alleged in some quarters connive with them to get their own cut of the profit.

In the desperation to buy fuel, some have bought adulterated ones which have damaged car engines.

As it is, there seem to be no indication when the scarcity will be over. The government has lost control over enforcement of sale of fuel at official price and the oil marketers are determined to keep selling at the price that suits them.

Instead of subjecting Nigerians to endless hardship of the scarcity, the government should once and for all remove the so called subsidy on fuel and allow market forces determine how much to sell.

We are already getting used to buying at different rates from various stations. For those outside Lagos and major capital cities, buying fuel at more than the official price is not new.

The controversial amount being paid to oil marketers can be channeled to improving on many other infrastructural facilities which will reduce cost of transportation and reduce the need for everybody to keep their cars on the road.

As soon as possible the new federal government will have to give priority to reviving the old refineries and possibly build a new one but for now we have to do away with the so-called subsidy.

14

THE NATION ON SUNDAY JUNE 7, 2015

COMMENT

Parastatals and the ethic of change P

ARASTATALS were in the news most of the time during Goodluck Jonathan’s presidency. At some point, there were complaints that many parastatals, especially those with the power to collect revenue failed to remit such revenues to the federation account as and when due. At another time, it was the sheer number of agencies designed to assist the government in the governing process that caused concerns. To address this, a special committee under the chairmanship of Steve Orosanye was created to suggest ways of rightsizing and downsizing the plethora of agencies. The committee made its recommendations and very little (if any) was adopted. So soon in the life of the Buhari government, parastatals are coming back to the radar.

One of such agencies is the Federal Road Safety Commission, an agency with its origin in the vision of a stellar patriot who brought the attention of the nation to the needless and avoidable deaths on the country’s roads. As this vision was born during the era of military dictatorship, the FRSC became a child of military creation via the mechanism of decree during the military presidency of General Ibrahim Babangida. The decree that established this agency was transformed in the post-military era into the current Federal Road Safety Commission Act of 2007.

Today’s piece is not to argue against the existence of the FRSC. On the whole, the FRSC has been a useful agency, even though it came into being on account of the failure of the country’s law enforcement system. The birth and nurturing of FRSC is, though, the product of a fertile imagination, it would not have been necessary if the police force had performed its duty with respect to traffic management creditably. But the focus today is on how to save FRSC from overgrowth, particularly in terms of the power to make legislations that affect citizens without proper consultation with citizens and those citizens had elected as their lawmakers.

The latest announcement from the FRSC is to the effect that the Commission, in collabo-

Allowing the FRSC to legislate compulsory use of speed limiter by motorists, particularly private motorists is one way of over outsourcing governance and in the process shortchanging the democratic process ration with the Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) and the Nigerian Police, is in the process of making it mandatory for citizens to have speed limiters on their vehicles. According to the Commission, the rationale for this move is the conclusion that about 50% of road accidents in 2014 resulted from speed. Another cause of accident in the words of the agency is the continued use of “expired and used tyres” by motorists. Without doubt, the increasing number of accidents on the country’s highways should trouble all patriots and in particular an agency with the raison d’etre of eliminating or minimizing road accidents. But both the FRSC and the federal government should ensure that a policy with otherwise good intentions does not by way of the law of unintended consequence become a facilitator of corruption and abuse of citizens’ rights as well as of the democratic process.

The political moment of promised change and renewal is an appropriate one to look again at the multitude of agencies governing on behalf of the elected governments at the federal and subnational levels. Short of radical transformation of the police system currently in place, it is more likely than not that there will be need for an agency like the FRSC for some time to come. But the new government must not over delegate its lawmaking functions to agencies that are not elected by citizens to perform such functions. Allowing the FRSC to legislate compulsory use of speed limiter by motorists, particularly private motorists is one way of over outsourcing governance and in the process shortchanging the democratic process.

Looking through the published functions of the FRSC on its website, it is clear that it has “the responsibility to recommend works and devices designed to eliminate or minimize accidents on the highways and to make regulations in pursuance of any of the functions assigned to the Corps by or under the FRSC Establishment Act of 2007.” What is not clear in

the recent announcement on the installation of speed limiters on every vehicle is whether this is a recommendation to the governments or a fiat from the Commission. Whatever this policy is designed to be, it is necessary to have a public debate on the issue of mandatory use of speed limiters by individual motorists and by taking the issue to the National Assembly before it is enforced on the highways.

Similar regulations have gone unnoticed by citizens in the past. For example, making it mandatory for motorists to have in their vehicles so-called ‘C-Caution’ device to alert other motorists about a stalled vehicle on the road has more or less become a normal part of the culture of driving on our highways. However, citizens have not failed to complain that this regulation is passing the buck on the part of government. In cases of good road design that includes having a functioning shoulder for each highway, it would not have been necessary for motorists to spend meagre foreign exchange on imported road caution gadgets. Most motorists outside Nigeria do not know what ‘C-Caution’ device is. Another one is the moribund regulation on obtaining special permit to operate on the road vehicles with tainted glass. Except on rural roads, both the police and FRSC workers appear to have gotten tired of asking motorists to provide such permits, largely because citizens have resisted this arbitrary regulation.Another one is the requirement that drivers wishing to renew their license have to provide a certificate of attendance at a driving institute. In many FRSC driving license issuing centres, drivers are even told which driver education institutes to obtain their clearance from! Citizens have been going along with all these regulations but not without complaints.

The unfolding effort to make it compulsory for motorists to install speed limiters on their vehicles is similar to the regulation on ‘C-Caution.’Except for speed limiters in-

stalled by manufacturers during the building of a vehicle, individual speed limiter purchased and put in vehicles by drivers is not known to be effective in any country.

First, such device can be (and is often) ignored by motorists, as it chimes and stops after some time. Secondly, this is passing the responsibility of government to citizens.

Most of our roads do not even have visible speed limit signs. There are no speed detecting radars on our highways to assist highway police to track motorists who exceed speed limit and to caution motorists while they drive, as it is often the case in other countries. The agency may achieve its objectives better by also advising government on providing proper infrastructure including filling potholes before they become gorges on highways.

More fundamentally, how democratic is it for an agency to create regulations (legislations more or less) that impact on citizens’ property rights? Speed limiters are optional accessories that have nothing to do with driver’s capacity to comply with traffic codes, especially announced speed limits.

Good roads, speed radars, and even installation of cameras to check and issue tickets for exceeding speed limits are better and less cumbersome ways to ensure that motorists drive safely and within speed limit.

Over regulation has a tendency to be counter-productive. Making it compulsory for commercial and non-commercial drivers to install speed limiters on their vehicles smacks of avoidable over regulation and an un-necessary punishment of safe drivers.The new government—executive and legislative— needs to review the functions and powers delegated to agencies. Non-elected administrators should have the power to make laws.

In other countries that have considered ways of enforcing speed limits, their legislators, not administrators in parastatals, have initiated discussions that have included public debate on such matters. The culture of outsourcing legislation to agencies needs to come to an end under a Change Regime.The media needs to get interested in interpretative reporting of activities of parastatals while citizens need to insist on proper debate of issues that may affect them. Change is a process that requires all hands on deck.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY JUNE 7, 2015

COMMENT

15

The Service Chiefs must go They have not proved that they can handle the country’s security situation

L

IKE a festering sore, it is sad that the Boko Haram cankerworm is becoming intractable to the chagrin of all that cherish peace in the country and the world at large. Yet, our strong resolve is that the menace cannot continue despite the sect’s seeming defiance of maladroit official efforts to nip it in the bud.

Our latest concern is informed by the incessant daring attacks of the sect in the northeast.

Recently, the sect reportedly planted an Improvised Explosive Device that exploded at the Gamboru Market in Maiduguri, Borno State.

Though no life was lost, four persons were critically injured in the incident. What makes this frightening is that it occurred barely 24 hours after 26 persons reportedly died in an earlier bombing of a Monday market in the city.

Just last Thursday, a suspected Boko Haram suicide bomber detonated explosives as he was being frisked by soldiers at a checkpoint near a military barracks, also in Maiduguri. Sources said some people died in the blast. About an hour earlier, another suspected bomber attack occurred in front of the Jimeta Main Market in Yola, the Adamawa State capital. At least 15 persons were feared killed in that attack and over 30 persons injured. Again, the two attacks occurred barely 24 hours after a bomb planted by unknown persons exploded at a crowded commercial area in Maiduguri, killing innocent civilians.

Baba Abare, Chairman of Fika Local Government Area of Yobe State, while identifying the targets of the sect as Fika and Ngalda in Borno State, exposed the weaknesses of our security agencies. Fika is 150 kilometres west of Damaturu, the Yobe State capital, and shares common border with Gombe State. He disclosed that the insurgents usually scare people away with sporadic gunshots so that they can loot foodstuffs and beverages in shops. They also

T

HE expectation of every Nigerian for P r e s i d e n t Muhammed Buhari is to hit the ground running by seen to the realization of some of the promises he made during the electioneering campaigns.

When some representatives of foreign countries came to congratulate him on his success at the polls, they came with requests from their leaders for him to

A

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

•Editor Festus Eriye

•Managing Director/ Editor-in-Chief Victor Ifijeh

•Deputy Editor Olayinka Oyegbile

•Chairman, Editorial Board Sam Omatseye

•Associate Editor Sam Egburonu

•General Editor Adekunle Ade-Adeleye

with the president, are still thinking of coming up with a movement plan when they ought to carry out their commander-in-chief’s order, if only for its symbolic effect.

We appreciate the fact that militarily powerful African countries, including Egypt, have pledged to co-operate with the country in her fight against the Boko Haram terrorists. But, apart from solidifying military cooperation with neighbouring and even powerful countries of the west in the important quest of quelling the Boko Haram onslaught, we call on President Buhari to forthwith dispense with the services of these topmost military officers. This is because they have lost all moral and political rights to stand and pontificate on military tactics and policy before Nigerians that mostly view them as incompetent to deal with the insurgents.

President Buhari must act fast now by sacking the service chiefs. Indeed, he has gone a bit low by calling them to a meeting, which in actual fact they do not deserve in view of the laxity with which they treated the country’s security under the immediate past administration of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan.

The nation cannot afford to procrastinate on the issue of weeding out deadwoods from the military generally, starting from its top brass, because doing this will send the right signal about the new administration’s resolve to shed the toga of ineffective and corrupt past in handling the Boko Haram challenge. This is a task that President Buhari must quickly address so as to secure the trust and confidence of Nigerians. The major successes we have recorded in the battle against Boko Haram have not been the direct efforts of our military but through the assistance of neighbouring countries. So, on what basis are we still retaining the service chiefs?

LETTER

Buhari should stay at home

visit their countries for one bilateral agreement or attending one summit or the other.

We would like to call on our president to shelve some of those requests and face the task of rebuilding the comatose

Don’t under estimate fifth columnists

S soon as he was sworn-in President Muhammadu Buhari ordered the relocation of the military High Command to Borno State.

Even though this shows that Mr. President wants to take the fight to the terrorists, it is important for him not to pander to the whims and caprices of Nigerians.

He should first of all study the challenges that his predecessor had with tackling the insurgents. He should avoid wearing his

razed, during a raid, the Fika Local Government Secretariat, a magistrate’s court and the Divisional Police Station. The disturbing aspect is that the incidents happened in broad daylight and surprisingly, the insurgents escaped after hours of operation, in two Toyota Hilux vans.

But the questions are: how could the insurgents have escaped so easily in Hilux vans? Where were men of the Joint Task Force at the time of the incidents?

The insurgents are, regrettably, getting more intrepid and making a mockery of our military’s efforts, otherwise, what would have given them the effrontery of even attempting to invade Maiduguri and neighbouring states? We read reports of their being repelled at a point but the truth is that the loss of 16 lives in that military encounter shows the contempt in which the sect holds the military. This trend cannot continue, which is why we condemn the military topmost hierarchy’s foot-dragging on President Muhammadu Buhari’s inaugural address directing the military high command to move to Maiduguri, the epicentre of the insurgents’ ruthless activities.

We want the president to make good his promise to move the military high command to the Borno State capital fast. It is disheartening to note that the Service Chiefs, after the meeting

heart on his sleeve with respect to these insurgents.

It would be dangerous to under-estimate the power of the fifth columnists who worked in the shadows for the terrorist group. The Boko Haram and their collaborators and are still bent on dismembering Nigeria. Government should tread with caution even while applying the principles of war.

By Charles Iyare, Benin City,Edo State.

economy. It’s too early for those countries to be calling on the President to visit their countries when the situation on the ground needs urgent attention.

Nigerians have been passing through hardship

with what was inflicted on them by the past regime, hence the newly elected president should be allowed some time to put his house in order, before any official engagement outside the shore of this coun-

try.

We recognize the efforts of our foreign friends in assisting the country to overcome its present challenges, but it should give time for the new government to meet its obliga-

tions to the people who are in high expectation of realizing the task of solving most of the problems it inherited from the previous government, which has affected the entire lives of it citizenry.

We hope the international community’s would bear with us in this difficult time that country is facing now.

By Bala Nayashi Lokoja, Kogi State.

Government should include Merit award for Adamu Idris HE National Teachers In- semester. stitute (NTI) Kaduna He does not condone trupidgin in national discourse should please consider ancy and any form of examina-

N

IGERIAN pidgin has no status as an official language. In spite of that, it still needs to be included in any discourse like a presidential address, media chat that affects Nigerians at the grassroots. The purpose of this is to establish a sense of belonging with Nigerians.

During Presidential media broadcasts, most Nigerians at the grassroots do not understand the ‘big grammar’ that the president speaks to the people.

For instance, during the recent swearing-in ceremony of the President on May 29,

2015 a French-speaking interpreter interpreted to Frenchspeaking Africans. The organizers should have gotten a pidgin interpreter as well so as not to make it seem as if we were more interested in relating with Africans who speak French than with Nigerians.

Pidgin is our lingua franca and it cuts across religions, tribe and tongue in Nigeria. Our leaders should speak to us in a language we will ‘hear’ and understand.

Mary Igharo, Benin City Edo State.

T

giving a merit award to one of their staff in the Yola office. He is Malam Adamu Idris, is a very young and hard working person, who places great emphasis on moving the organization forward by accomplishing all assignments given to him.

This gentleman attracted my attention on how as the Desk Officer of the Institute’s centre at Yola for NCE programme ensures that things move according to the laid down rules and regulations in the conduct of lectures and the students, behave according to the guiding principles especially at the end of each

tion malpractices. He also ensures that each facilitator conducted his or her according to the timetable schedule. This has significantly improved learning as there is no any Course facilitator, that is found wanting.

It is also imperative to stress the fact, that he ensures that all the students get the study materials and they attend lectures.

He deserves commendation because of his diligence and total commitment in handling his responsibilities.

By Usman Santuraki, Demsawo, Jimeta-Yola Adamawa State.

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16

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, JUNE 7, 2015

COMMENT

Putting an end to the Ekiti conundrum N

OW that the possibility of the G19 impeaching Governor Ayo Fayose has receded into history, despite his serial illegalities, it should be time to revisit my article of April 19, 2015.

Titled: ‘Ayo Fayose –Before it is too late’ – it was the culmination of an introspection into the decade plus political crisis that has engulfed the state and made nonsense of its development. The result is that Ekiti has regressed even more than some parts of the country where guns had been booming for years. We have had an emergency administration declared, had a one day governor, just as there had been murders and attempted murders, linked to politics. On the positive side, we have had citizens, and others from outside the state who, in the relatively saner intervals, invested billions, especially in the hotels and tourism sub-sector. Today, they must be ruing the day they decided to invest in Ekiti as clients have drained out as a result of the rolling crisis. When I wrote the article, there was no way I could have thought things would get so bad ten individuals could be kidnapped in Ekiti in years, not to talk of within a space of two weeks, as we saw recently.

I did not stop at just writing the article but went ahead to contact, not less than 15 highly regarded Ekiti leaders and distinguished individuals , whose names I need not mention here, to help in facilitating peace between the warring parties for the sake of our people, and the development of the state. One direct result of these contacts was the

But he should need no telling now that President Muhammadu Buhari is no Goodluck Jonathan nor can the police and the security services, who were his real bulwark, any longer play deaf and dumb to his illegalities joint meeting, called by Chief Deji Fasuan, of the Ekiti Elders Committee and the rump of the Committee for the creation of Ekiti state.

Aare Afe Babalola who I did not contact, later called another Elders meeting which, unfortunately got stalemated. From that point on, the pugilists were left to their own devices but with the swearing in of the new PDP controlled House of Assembly this past week, impeaching Ayo Fayose by the G19 has now become an obvious impossibility.

But it will be the very height of illusion to think that our problems are over. In the article under reference, I reminded Governor Ayo Fayose of the fate that became President Taylor of Liberia and went on to say that given the Supreme Court decision, I will candidly advise that a consensus be reached that governor Fayose should run his term. I suggested he should, in turn, climb down from his high horse and apologise to Ekiti people for his serial illegalities and, henceforth, rule Ekiti in a civilized manner. I said he should do everything to return peace to Ekiti and that on the other hand, the G.19 should drop the impeachment process in the full knowledge that four years is not a life time. I went on to say, among other things, that for genuine peace, the governor should pay the G19’s outstanding salaries and allowances, ensure that normalcy promptly returns to the state House of Assembly as well as pay

the outstanding salaries of the officials of the previous administration. I then concluded by saying that the governor should not make the mistake of seeing himself as a sole administrator but should rather, let Ekiti take centre stage in all he does.

I did not fail to add that though I have been his constant critic, the time has come, to put a closure to all that for the sake of Ekiti. It is time for the two parties to sheath their swords, I pleaded.

We are now at an opportune time for Fayose to seek the path of peace since any fear of his impeachment has evaporated. Both now, and at his first coming, one of his biggest mistakes, which led to disastrous consequences at his first coming, was his undue reliance on federal authorities, especially Presidents who were themselves, masters of impunity. With that umbilical cord, he perpetrated, and got away with too many things. But he should need no telling now that President Muhammadu Buhari is no Goodluck Jonathan nor can the police and the security services, who were his real bulwark, any longer play deaf and dumb to his illegalities. He now has to play by the rules and should constantly remember that it was a PDP controlled House of Assembly that impeached him at his first coming. He must now, willy nilly, play according to the dictates of the Nigerian constitution. Governor Fayose must now begin genuine governance which has been in total abeyance since he became governor. And

in this, he already has his job cut out.

He must set out, post haste, to cashier his teeming thugs, local as well as the alleged elements of the Niger Delta Volunteer Force, retrieve all the guns he generously gave them, and turn into the gutters the drums of concentrated acid with which they were armed. He must ensure that these characters are fully paid, lest he creates another version of Boko Haram that will make life unbearable for both state and country as we have seen in the North Eastern part of the country. He must handle this task with maximum dispatch if we want to rid Ekiti of kidnapping and armed robbery which the present circumstances have birthed and encouraged. Ekiti can ill afford any of these crimes. He must equally turn attention to his army of adulating young men/women for whom he must now provide productive jobs as the devil finds jobs for idle hands.

He must fully realise that the hard task of governance beckons. If he has any developmental blue print for the state, this will be the time to bring it out as the omnibus ‘stomach infrastructure’ camouflage, for which he created a directorate, will suffice only for festivities but certainly not sufficient to answer the critical questions of development or of a decent daily survival. He cannot leave our elderly to their own devices, forever claiming there is no money. We all knew that his predecessor, out of the same

The task before NLC I actually expected the NLC to have taken serious umbrage when the news broke some two years ago that Nigeria was keeping the most expensive parliament. I thought the indignation should have come out as one instantly and collectively delivered expletive, complete with a compliment of phlegm: What the…!

I

WAS flabbergasted to hear that the outgoing National Assembly managed to pass 40 bills in 10 minutes. I have tried to come up with all kinds of excuses for it. They must have been working on those bills all the four years, and those things probably needed only minor adjustments to make them ripe, and that ripeness came right about…last week. I can just see the assembly men now, all in their starched and flowing agbada, sitting in their plush assembly chairs that sooooooooooooo fill me with envy, wiping their 25 million-Naira-amonth-manicured and pedicured brows as they hastily flipped over the bills, and exhaling their long held breath into one giant ‘Phew’!

The country however is not exhaling. It can’t. Our breaths are drawn in as we inhale in bewilderment, wondering what we needed the men for in the first place. I could have passed the bills, right on to my neighbor, who would then pass them on. What greater passing do you need? Seriously, though, what is the record in other countries? Since Nigeria has the poorest record in maternal death, infancy death, life expectancy, yet with the highest paid parliament, it is good to ask what the record is. The parliamentarian payout is also why the rest of the country has palpitations, both in its collective hearts and finances.

The most astounding thing is that

these assembly men do not perceive any contradictions in this interesting scenario. They are still jaunting around the globe, they and their families, like there is no tomorrow. Actually, it does appear as if there will be no tomorrows for the country, particularly when it comes to fuel s u b s i d i e s .

There have been so many arguments for and against fuel subsidy removals over the decades. In fact, it does feel like the arguments have been going on forever. The way it is now, it might be wise for mothers to make it their duty to tell their infants-at-arms first thing that now they have come into the world, and Nigeria in particular, it would be wise for them to know that there is a raging argument on over the removal of fuel subsidy: to be (removed) or not to be (removed). So, the infants will do well to quickly make up their minds where they belong on the subject. Silly, isn’t it? Just like a book I read in which an entire kingdom went into a debate on whether to break an egg at the front end or the rear end. I tell you, it had the entire kingdom divided down the middle into front-enders and rear-enders. So now, we are going to have our infants growing up as either Tobeans (subsidy removal men) or Nottobeans (subsidy retainer men).

Anyway, going by national records, there has always been one powerful body standing firmly in the way of subsidy removal: the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC). In fact, the body is such a strong Nottobean that it had the entire country queuing up behind it to protest against the Tobeans. And it worked, with a little loss of face, but it worked.

Now, the argument is picking up momentum again and now everyone is pitching his/her tent yet again on either side. This time, we do not know where the NLC will lead us but I have a take on the matter.

I know there are countries where there is no oil subsidy. Fuel is sold at the market forces by the procurers.

You must grant though that in those countries, everyone lays their cards on the table. Their parliamentarians do not use a quarter of the country’s gross earnings as their own unearned, unneeded earnings. Their presidents or prime ministers use the same means of transport like anyone else, not maintain fleets of convoys that mow the people down as those ones try to grope their ways through the mazes of poverty and want on the streets. No sir, the children of the leaders in those countries also attend the schools next door; not some select ‘oberseas’ schools of privilege. Need I go on?

Until we retrieve the country from the hands of the wasters so that we know exactly where we are, we are not qualified to talk about fuel subsidy removal. And this is where

the NLC comes in. NLC has been known to be an umbrella body for workers across the country, in the forefront on the struggle for the welfare of its members. It has struggled for a higher minimum wage for workers. It also employed its fight mechanism in the struggle against subsidy removal. I actually expected this same body to have taken serious umbrage when the news broke some two or three years ago that Nigeria was keeping the most expensive parliament and one of the lowest-paid working groups in the world. I thought the indignation should have come out as one instantly and collectively delivered expletive, complete with a compliment of phlegm: What the…!

Nothing came. So today, that parliament worked out its term and, on their way out, delivered us two, no three, slaps. One, the senate passed 40 bills in ten minutes flat at its last sitting as we said above, according to news reports. It seriously begs the question: what had been going on all the while the sessions were on? The House of Representatives could not even rally its own members to a sufficient number at the last sitting, according to more reports. You have to agree that fortysomething is a far cry in sufficiency from two hundred and something.

The second thing came in the form of a stupendous severance package slapped on a country made up of the poorest of the poor. The executive and legislature severing them-

paucity of funds, was paying N5, 000 monthly stipend to about 20, 000 elderly citizens which he cancelled on assumption of office. There must be something to replace this welfare scheme just as development must be seen in other sectors of the state economy – education, health, agriculture, etc.

For the APC, it is time for us to also sit back, and clinically interrogate, our problems with a view to arriving at a rapprochement. It is not strange having two or more competing groups within the same party. Though dysfunctional, as we have seen , time and again, in the Lagos PDP, the key thing is we must not relate like enemies. The more popular group will always emerge victorious at state congresses and that should, ideally, settle the matter. Political contestation, inter as well as intra party, is a constant feature of democracy. I have said it before, and it can still bear a repetition: APC’s problems in Ekiti are only skin deep and will be resolved to everybody’s satisfaction.

Our politicians, across board, should in view of what Ekiti has lost and suffered, honestly moderate their antagonistic relationships. If truly the interest of Ekiti is our focus, there is no reason our personal interests should predominate and I do not think any of us can claim to love Ekiti more than the other.

In conclusion, for all round peace and harmony to endure in Ekiti, our elders must tread the narrow path, be always objective and not be timid or afraid to talk truth to power. Failure to do these has been our nemesis. They must be peace facilitators, not partisans.

This they can do by ensuring that those in authority are not allowed to become demi gods just as the opposition should be kept on a leach to ensure that their activities are kept strictly within democratic limits. That we need peace in Ekiti, after a decade of self-inflicted crises, is self evident. Let us all work towards it. selves from national affairs would collectively collect a pay running into billions of Naira. And I think they are less than five hundred in all. And I asked two questions. One, does this money even mean anything to anybody any more? It is obvious that our politicians ceased to respect the naira a long time ago, after helping to bring it on its knees and sink it in the mud. The second question is: if the country pays that money, does it guarantee that we will never hear anything about these people or even hear their names mentioned anymore? The reason is that it is very obvious that these men and women do not have any love of the country in their hearts. The only romance they know comes through rubbing the jingling coins in their pockets. So yes, we do not want to hear their names anymore.

The third slap came when some politicians/local government chairmen who served for one term only began to ask that they be given a pension. Now, that’s awkward, I thought.

I remember clearly when the 1999 assembly fixed an outrageous emolument for itself (nothing like the present one). It was so irritating to people that the assembly then had to explain that it had built in some kind of pension for itself and everyone went, which pension, for what work?

But people kept quiet, for the sake of peace. So, it sounded very strange that the same parliament, mere new wine, would be asking to be paid a pension! That’s like a fish asking for retirement benefits from the angler for allowing itself to be caught.

Anyway, the task before the NLC is quite clear. Its job is not only to ask for benefits and welfare; its job also includes helping the country gain some kind of fiscal sanity by ensuring that emoluments are in tune with reality. It must cry out against all over-the-bar spendings.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, JUNE 7, 2015

COMMENT

17

(119) A

S the title of this piece indicates, I am in Bayreuth in Germany and it is exactly a week after the inauguration of the new administration of Muhammadu Buhari. It is the day of the deadline for sending my piece for the week in this column. I am here for the 41st annual conference of the African Literature Association (ALA), the largest professional association of scholars and critics of African literatures in the world.

Femi Osofisan is also here, as are many other Nigerian scholars and artists. As a matter of fact, Soyinka put in a brief appearance as a special guest on the first day of the conference on Wednesday. He gave a short and characteristically very sharp and witty informal speech at the formal opening ceremonies, a speech in which he called the assembled confreres and the world’s scholars in general to become more proactive, more “fundamentalist” in the defense of freedom and life, given the opposing “fundamentalism” of terrorists and jihadists in their assault on life and freedom of thought and religion in many parts of the world.

This is the first time in more than a decade that I am attending an annual conference of the ALA. This is because I stopped going to conferences of all professional associations a long time ago. In this piece, I cannot go into why I took that decision. But I can reveal the fact that I finally made an exception for this particular conference because I happen to be in Germany for another reason at the same time. As a matter of fact, when one of the conference organizers heard that I would be in Germany at the time of the conference, she contacted me and persuaded me that whatever my reasons for stopping going to conferences were, it would be unthinkable and unacceptable that I would stay away from this conference that coincides with the time of my stay in Germany this summer.

Also, I was easily persuaded because the theme of the conference this year interests me a lot. It is “African Futures and Beyond: Visions in Transition”. When you are getting into the eighth decade of your life, the future interests you a lot. This is not because very little of it will occur in what is left of your biological existence but because you want to think, you want to project far ahead into what you and the present living generations will leave for unborn, future generations, for posterity.

Not unexpectedly, many at this ALA conference have been asking me and other Nigerians present here what the future holds for our country with regard to the relatively peaceful transfer of power from one running party to another and the inauguration of Muhammadu Buhari as Nigeria’s new President. I am sure that if the theme of the conference had nothing to do with the future they would still have been asking Nigerians here present the same question. All the same, one recognizes the fact that the questions that we are being asked at this conference are in part sparked by the theme of the conference. In other words, while for a long time now nothing in our country has been a source of hope for the future of Africans at home and abroad, this ALA confer-

Dateline June 5, 2015, Bayreuth, Germany: the future of Nigeria and of Africa

•A wall clock not only telling the time but also clicking us toward the future

ence on Africa and its future is taking place at precisely an historical moment when Nigeria is at last sending out signs of hope for the future of the country and the continent. This piece is about this portentous convergence between the theme of the conference and the unfolding events in Nigeria. Concretely, I deal with what I have been saying to people at this conference who have been asking me what to expect with the changed circumstances in Nigeria, especially with regard to the new ruler, Muhammadu Buhari. In other words, what I have been saying to people at this ALA conference is what I am now weaving into the expanded text of this piece on futurity in the “new” Nigeria.

The future looks promising in the “new” Nigeria, I have been telling people at this ALA conference, but only with the caveat that we bear in mind the fact that the change from the erstwhile ruling party and President provides a new space for fresh starts and initiatives that we did not have before now, that in fact had been almost completely blocked. Other than that, there is nothing inherently hopeful and full of bright portents for the future in the mere change from one ruling party to another. Indeed, on the very specific theme of futurity itself, Nigerians have to be doubly, even triply cautious. This is because while the ousted ruling party in particu-

lar and Nigerian political elites in general had been very vocal in espousing the dream of a Nigeria that would have one of the largest economies in the world, they had done everything possible to make the realization of that dream impossible. Of course, no one at the ALA conference had ever read about or heard of “Vision 2020”.

This did not surprise me in the least because I know that in the years of the rule of the PDP, the great majority of Nigerians also knew little or nothing about “Vision 2020”.

When life in the present is so full of a great and ever expanding scale of a lack in the basic necessities of life – jobs, amenities and security of life and possessions – the last thing that you think about is a document, a construct promising on paper a Nigeria that will be one of economic powerhouses of the world. This is symptomatic of a larger problem that I now wish to address, this being the willful and almost irrational negative orientation toward futurity among our political and intellectual elites.

Perhaps the single most expressive sign of this negative orientation toward futurity among our elites is the speed with which many outgoing governors went after foreign debts with only a few months, in some cases weeks, before their departure from office. This is of course first and foremost a cynical manifestation of the predatory

greediness of many of our rulers: a governor who will not be in office when the crushing burdens of servicing and paying off the loans are being extracted need not worry about such burdens. But beyond this, it also shows that the future is negatively configured in the collective minds of our elites and perhaps also, our peoples themselves, thanks to the power of ruling class ideologies and practices. The basic thinking behind this seems to be why worry now about a future that is not yet here, a future that lacks any definable, concrete features, a future, finally, that will either take care of itself or be taken care of by God, IJN? It would of course be a mistake to think that a positive and empowering orientation toward futurity is totally absent in our country - as if that was even possible in any nation on the planet. After all, like nearly all other governments in the world, Nigerian governments are obliged to outline the development process in accordance with mandatory Five-Year or Ten-Year Development Plans that are periodically released to the nation and the world. What I have in mind here is the suggestion that in the end, a positive and empowering orientation toward futurity is a joint venture between the rulers and the ruled; in the best of circumstances, the people, the ruled, provide the motive force for this partnership

between the rulers and the ruled.

Let me be very clear about what I mean by this: the rulers, the governments at the centre and the states are not in the driver’s seat of history and the future; no one is. On account of this fact which some consider tragic and others consider ironic, God or some other avatar, sacred or secular, fills in the void. I personally consider this a hopeful portent for if no one is really in the driver’s seat of history and the future that fact ought to impel us to become proactive in the movement toward a future that always and forever looms on the horizon of the present.

This is why I believe that a strong, self-aware lobby on behalf of the future must come into being and flourish in our country if the space of possibilities that have opened up in Buhari’s “new” Nigeria is to take root and bear fruit in the fullness of time. You might say that such a lobby could emerge if only there existed traditions of positive orientation toward futurity in our country. I happen to believe that this is in fact the case.

For contrary to the view of some racist European philosophers, African languages, philosophies and religions were not lacking in a robustly positive orientation toward futurity. Moreover, the idea is not as abstract and contentless as it seems. It is best seen perhaps in ideas pertaining to significations and practices around sacrifice. Parents sacrifice a lot to put their children through school; they give up satisfactions and conveniences that make life in the present livable not to talk of enjoyable, so that in the future their offspring may have better lives than theirs. Small communities impose heavy financial levies that they can ill afford so that a new hospital or clinic may be built in a village. Finally, national wealth is saved in robust currency reserves, not consumed in orgies of conspicuous consumption by elites besotted by squandermania; those reserves are put to use in times of need in the future.

Let that lobby on behalf of the future emerge and emerge quickly in Buhari’s “new” Nigeria. It may well be our final guarantee that the new space of possibilities will bear fruit. One of the first tasks of such a lobby or pressure group is the reversal of priorities away from recurrent expenditures toward capital projects in the annual budgets of all the federal, state and local governments in the country. As a matter of fact, Buhari has promised that this is something that is very much on his mind, something he will try to implement early in his administration. But the truth is that without a powerful movement of the people for its implementation, Buhari will not and can never be able to implement the kind of administrative revolution that this will require for its consummation.

Biodun Jeyifo bjeyifo@fas.harvard.edu

18

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, JUNE 7, 2015

COMMENT

Lagos fire, articulated vehicles and road mishaps B EING a cosmopolitan city and the commercial nerve center of Nigeria, incidence of fire disaster is not entirely a strange thing in Lagos. However, the spate of fire outbreaks recorded in the metropolis in recent time is becoming quite alarming.

A few days ago, three fire outbreaks took place in the metropolis in one day. According to reports, no fewer than 21 vehicles and 44 stalls were razed following a spillage from a petrol tanker which fell off the Iyana-Ipaja Bridge in Lagos. The areas affected were Ipaja Road, where the tanker landed, Oremeji Street, Jafajo Street, Oki Street, Adebajo Street and some parts of the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway. On same day, two other ugly fire incidents equally occurred overnight in Badagry and Ojo areas of the State respectively. Though incidence of fire outbreak has become rather rampant, both within and outside the country of recent, it is, however, very scary considering the number of fire incidents that have occurred in quick succession across Lagos State in the last few weeks.

The cost of fire incidents is obviously enormous. It results in pains and deaths to victims, wastes time, money and other valuables while it also damages equipment and structures. It is, therefore, for these reasons that it is disheartening to know that most fire disasters are not acts of God, as some would ignorantly want to affirm, but rather the products of human errors and carelessness. Indeed, most of the fire incidents could have been avoided if those that were in-

By Tayo Ogunbiyi

volved had been more safety conscious. It has been discovered, For instance, that a considerable number fuel truck accidents that had resulted into fire outbreaks causing monumental losses in Lagos State especially, were actually caused by the carelessness and recklessness of fuel truck drivers.

Ideally, drivers of articulated vehicles ought to be careful and extremely conscious of the damage any slip on their part could cause in terms of human and material losses. But then, findings have shown that several carnages recorded on most roads across the country have been caused by their complicity. A recent research has indicated that out of about 358 transport accidents recorded in Nigeria between 1999 and 2002, 70 % involved articulated trucks and heavy duty vehicles. The survey further shows that about 32 per cent of truck drivers are below 30 years and probably immature and inexperience to handle such psychologically demanding task.

Also, studies have equally confirmed that 62 per cent of fuel trucks involved in serious road mishaps that resulted into fire disasters were of poor quality which probably aided fire outbreaks whenever there was an accident. Study has also revealed that about 54 per cent of fuel spilling that had led to fire outbreaks was as a result of negligence on the part of truck drivers.

For obvious reasons, Lagos will continue to attract articulated vehicles and trucks because

of its prime socio-economic status. Lagos houses 22 industrial estates, 60% of nation‘s industrial and commercial ventures, 70% of national maritime cargos and consume about 50% of petroleum products in the country. Additionally, Lagos is home to about 2,000 industrial complexes, 10,000 commercial ventures and 22 industrial estates.. It accounts for over 60% of Nigeria’s industrial and commercial activities; 70% of national maritime cargo freight, over 80% of international aviation traffic and over 50% of Nigeria’s energy consumption.

Also, the two seaports in Lagos account for 70 percent of the sea trade in the country while about 80percent of International air travels arrive in and depart from Lagos. Aside this, Lagos consumes about 45 percent of the petroleum products in the country.

With all these indicators, it would be difficult, for now, to banish articulated vehicles and trucks on Lagos roads. However, with the cooperation of major stakeholders in related sectors, the havoc being wrecked on lives and properties by articulated vehicles on residents in the State could be grossly reduced. For- instance, the continuous importation of locally consumed fuel in the country, arising from the inability of the federal government to fix local refineries, places serious burden on the State. With more than 50 fuel depots in Lagos alone, at least over 3,000 trucks travel to the State on a daily basis with the intention of lifting petroleum products. This situation makes it rather difficult for relevant agencies of the State

to properly monitor and control activities of trucks and articulated vehicles drivers in the State.

To redress the current trend, the Federal Government would need to urgently revive the failed national refineries. Continuous importation of fuel, no doubt, will exacerbate the pressure on Lagos and its infrastructure. Various stakeholders in the oil sector need to ingeniously look into the petroleum distributive arrangement to evolve a more scientific and less cumbersome order of distribution.

Equally, the federal government needs to invest massively in the infrastructure development of the transportation sector.

Investment in transportation infrastructure enhances private sector activities as it lowers operational cost; enhances productivity, job and wealth creation through exchange of goods and services. Infrastructure development in the sector is, therefore, critical to achieving human capital development in the country.

One vital way through which this could be done is for the federal government to de-emphasise road transportation and revitalize rail transportation. If this is done, it could help, in no small way, to reduce carnage on our roads. It is a cheaper, effective and less cumbersome mode of transportation. Through rails, millions of liters of fuel and, indeed, people, goods and products, could be effectively and effortlessly transported across the country.

It is also important for governments at all levels to enlighten the public of fire preven-

tion and safety measures. A research conducted by a non-governmental organisation with a focus on fire prevention, control and management, Fire Disaster Prevention and Safety Awareness Association of Nigeria (FDPSAAN), shows significant low level of awareness on fire safety in Nigeria. Less than 2% of the over 140 million Nigerians have the required basic fire safety knowledge. The issue of safety which once occupied a major place in the programmes and plans of every level of government is now treated with levity. Within the context of Nigerian laws on safety, the National Fire Safety Code, for instance, seems to have been dumped in the thrash-can. The code is a set of rules guiding fire prevention and control in all public buildings in Nigeria. It is, therefore, imperative that existing laws on safety are strengthened and strictly enforced in order to achieve a safer society.

In addition, vehicles inspectors must regularly ensure that only roadworthy vehicles are on the road. Unlatched trucks must not be allowed to ply our roads.

Sales of drugs and alcoholic drinks at motor parks should be discouraged. Drivers’ unions must educate their members on safety issues while erring members must be sanctioned by relevant authorities. This is the time to stop avoidable and worthless loss of lives and properties.

•Ogunbiyi is of the Features Unit, Ministry of Information and Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja.

Lawan, Akume ticket: Best for senate, best for Nigeria

W

ITH the benefit of hindsight, one would applaud the decision of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to refrain from allocating the Senate presidency to a particular geo-political zone. Now, the big question of who leads the National Assembly would be settled by the Senators themselves.

At first, the Senate-presidency spotlight was trained on Senators George Akume and Bukola Saraki. Akume had appeared to have a head-start as he had led the APC in the Senate as the Minority Leader. But that head-start vanished once Senator Ahmed Lawan came into the picture.

Nigeria practices the United States of American version of Presidential democracy. Seniority in the United States Senate is not only well-known but has remained valuable as it confers a number of perquisites and is based on length of continuous service, with ties broken by a series of factors. The beauty of that convention should now be appreciated because of the tie over when Akume and Lawan became Senators.

The United States Constitution does not mandate differences in rights or power, but Senate rules give more power to senators with more seniority.

Senators are given preferential treatment in choosing commit-

By Tony Eluemunor and Usman Salisu Zuru

tee assignments based on seniority. While the Nigerian Senate elects its leader from among fellow Senators, the US Senate is actually headed by the VicePresident but whose duties are mainly carried out by the president pro tempore of the Senate.

Even here, the person so chosen is traditionally the majority party’s most senior member.

So before we discuss who convention actually favours between Akume and Lawan as Senate President, there is an uncommon and effective case for Senator Ahmed Lawan. Apart from his not being a rookie, having served as a member of the House of Representatives as well as the Senate, and so should easily command the respect of both chambers of the National Assembly, that Lawan is from the North-East geo-political zone is a point that should not be glossed over.

The North-East and the South-South are the only zones in the country that have never produced either the Senate-President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, or even their deputies. But the South-South has more than compensated for this when it produced the immediate past President Goodluck Jonathan.

Secondly, Akume and Sariki’s North-Central zone, has

held the Senate presidency for eight years, and the zone’s, late Haruna Abubakar and Ibrahim Mantu have been Deputy Senate Presidents. So, that Akume should have entered into talks with Lawan and has agreed to serve as his deputy provides an example of uncommon statesmanship, will give North-East a great sense of belonging and deepen Nigeria’s democratic conventions.

Yet, Senator Ahmed Lawan will not be a quota Senate President. Both he and Akume are respectable and serious-minded Senators. So on this score, if the Lawan/Akume ticket flies, and we see no reason why it should not, the Senate and the nation should be having two highly experienced Senators for the two Senate top most seats. Even on this matter of experience, Lawan surely has the upper hand over Akume, and more so over Saraki who hit the Senate four years behind both of them.

Unfortunately, many commentators stumble on this point.

For instance, Mr. Sufuyan Ojeifo argued in a newspaper article that: “overall Akume would appear to have a head start over La-wan. Whereas, Lawan was a member of the House of Representatives from 1999 to 2007 before his election into the Senate in 2007, the same year Akume got elected into the Senate, in determining ranking, the sen-ate rule

does not take into account the fact of previous membership of the either the state legislature or House of Representatives. That makes both Akume and Lawan equal in terms of length of tenure.”

To that, we say a lusty, stout and stringent NO. Lawan’s 19992007 experience is a cognitive legislative experience. Akume’s governorship experience is not. Both have an advantage over Saraki on this score as he came into the Senate in 2011. We have the support of the US Senate on this convention as Wikipedia attests: “A Senator’s seniority is primarily determined by length of continuous service; for example, a senator who has served for 12 years is more senior than one who has served for 10 years. Because several new senators usually join at the beginning of a new Congress, there are eight tiebreakers: 1, former Senator, 2, former Representative, 3,former President of the United States, 4, former Vice President of the United States .

The former Governor comes 6th on this list behind even the former Cabinet member. This may sound preposterous but scholars of federal system of government know that while Ministers are officers of the entire Federation, and so must be confirmed by the Senate, Governors are executives of just parts of the Federation.

And to those who ask why the American example should park

FESTUS ERIYE’S COLUMN RETURNS NEXT SUNDAY

a meaning for Nigeria, our reply is simply this: Nigeria is one of the five countries in the whole world that practice presidential bicameral federalism – with Brazil, Argentina Mexico and the US; the model’s originator in 1776.

Here is another reason why Lawan should lead the next Senate: The longest-serving Speaker in US House of Representatives history, Sam Rayburn of Texas, said “The old days (of legislative leadership) of pounding on the desk and giving people hell are gone. A man’s got to lead by persuasion and kindness and the best reason—that’s the only way he can lead people.” That is the sort of leadership that can only come from a man as genial, cool and calculated, yet firm and inspiring team player and consensus builder such as Senator Ahmed Lawan. Any person lacking his amazing sort of humility would have started the campaign by making it loud and clear that he holds a Ph.D. But many do not know that the man is so learned. Add to this the fact that he had been Chairman of Public Accounts Committee in the both chambers and a decade before Saraki became a national legislator and every doubt will evaporate because learning, character and experience favour his candidacy – if indeed Nigeria is now ready to practice democracy. Then we should play by the rules.

19

LIFE

SUNDAY

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, JUNE 7, 2015

Professor who plotted armed struggle against Abacha dying of cancer • Don speaks on battle with cancer, fears of a wasted effort, an endangered nation and why the emergence of one honest president is not the issue.

• Continued on page 20

THE NATION ON SUNDAY JUNE 7, 2015

20 SUNDAY LIFE

• Continued on page 19

•Abacha

•Adebanjo

“I put aside my medical research. I started reading books about dictators, about wars, about guerilla warfare. I read about Adolf Hitler, about the revolutions across the world. In the past, I had personal contact with some of the dictators like Idi Amin. I knew him. I was a lecturer at Makerere University. I also knew Museveni who was my junior in the school. I started reading about different types of arms, how to procure and ship them.”

• Continued on page 21

THE NATION ON SUNDAY JUNE 7, 2015

SUNDAY LIFE 21

Babcock University mid-week held a farewell luncheon for parents of its graduating students and outgoing vice chancellor of a decade. Oreoluwa Ojo reports.

•Prof. Makinde (in red cap) with parents of graduating students cutting the cake

•Makinde

• Continued from page 20

•Adebanjo

22 SUNDAY LIFE

THE NATION ON SUNDAY JUNE 7, 2015

•Some of the treated nets on sale

T

• Continued on page 24

THE NATION ON SUNDAY JUNE 7, 2015

SUNDAY LIFE

23

Global Enterpreneurs Award Winner

•Oyeniyi

THE NATION ON SUNDAY JUNE 7, 2015

24 SUNDAY LIFE

'My encounters with Boko Haram' Octogenarian businesswoman, Madam Aduke Jimoh popularly known as Mama Aduke, who has traversed the northern part of the country, as far as Niger and Cameroon, shares her encounters with the dreaded Boko Haram sect with Taiwo Abiodun.

S

he is in her early 80s, expectedly quiet and could go unnoticed in a crowd. Even her simple dressing belies her vast experience and wealth. She is also a philanthropist, having made money and acquired properties in her hay days, criss-crossing the country and trading across borders. But hers is a quiet philanthropy and she also does not live ostentatious life.

In her compound in Owo, Ondo State are heaps of animal hides and skin, kegs of palm oil, among others, packed in all the corners, items that she has traded in over the years.

As if pre-empting this reporter, who wondered how she gets around at her age despite the pervading insurgency and other dangers that dot the terrains, she swore that she is not afraid. "I don't fear anybody except God. Walahi! I have come across tigers, bears and some other dangerous animals and even bandits while crossing the Cameroon border; I have also come across the so-called Boko Haram militants, but I can tell you that they respect me.”

Meet Mama Aduke Jimoh, the brave woman of steel and commerce, who has spent the last 60 years traversing the country buying and selling hide and skin and palm oil. "I don't know any other business other than buying and selling hides and

skin, palm oil, and I have been doing this for the past 60years.

"I buy my products from Muni in Adamawa State; I had my children and trained them there. I have houses in Damaturu, Baga, Bauchi and in some other places in the North. I am a philanthropist. I hate to see people s u f f e r .

Encounters with Boko Haram The first time Mama Aduke encountered Boko Haram members was about 14 years ago, when they were yet to be this aggressive. "I used to meet them in the bush; they were then armed with their riffles and I would be singing for them: Yaro mbasa Yaro, baba Yaro mbasa times, I came across them three years ago and last year. I remember them saying then Yaro, while they in turn would be dancing. And then they would let me go. They used to tie red scarfs on their heads and leather strings on their waists.”

In recent that part of their grievances was that they don't want prostitution, they don't want to see people (women) who go about halfnaked and many other things. Some of them were Almajiris before. But later I began to hear news of how aggressive they have become. The first time I heard of them ever killing, was when they killed policemen. I felt so bad because that negates the image I had of them.

"In those days, they hardly gave anybody serious cause to worry.

Some of them are in Dorobaga, Oke Dutse, where they used stones to build houses. The other issue I heard them complain about was that our government was bad and that after going through school, young people have no jobs. They also said as an old mother or woman like me is supposed to be entitled stipends from the government and not be working like I was doing.”

She said, even the Boko haram members usually sing and dance every time she met them: “Whenever I see them, they would start singing for me and they would be dancing too. I used to meet them around the Maiduguri border.”

Mama Aduke also takes time to describe the now dreaded Sambisa forest, where the sect is said to be domicile. "Sambisa is around the border when you are about to enter

Niger Republic."

She also said the Boko haram members used to tell her that they would stop fighting the day someone like General Muhammadu Buhari became president, because all graduates who are out of job would get jobs."

Would that mean that Gen Buhari is behind their insurgency as is being widely bandied, we asked.

No, the vastly travelled octogenarian retorted. "Buhari has no hands in it and neither does IBB; people just mischievously used their names because of their fame.”

Aside Boko haram, she said she and other traders used to encounter other dangers during their business sojourns. "We use to see dangerous animals like Tiger, but I never afraid.

Whenever I saw them, I would say 'Kai na mana!' and they would go into the river. I remember when some bandits attacked us when our vehicle broke down around Potiskum."

Asked if any of them were ever sexually molested, she smiled and said "they did not attempt raping me; you know I am an old woman. They just took my money, 50,000 naira and left." Curious, this reporter asked if she has some supernatural powers that keeps her from danger and made animals like tigers obey her commands; she gave a knowing smile and said 'I don't know.'

She said the sect reminded her of •Mama Aduke the unfortunate pogrom of the 1960s, language, like I'm chewing kolanuts; when Hausas where killing the while the French language for me is Igbos. She recalled that to identify an like speaking my Owo dialect. So you Igbo person, the Hausas would ask a see, I am a linguist.” She said with suspect to pronounce 'toro' (three visible pride, and immediately pence), which could only be started speaking the different pronounced then by Yoruba- languages, as if in a trance! speaking persons. The Igbos could Coming back home not pronounce it and that often "I came back home due to my old betrayed their identity. “Those are age. I had all my children in the North days better forgotten,” she said. and they all went to school there.

“The painful thing,” according to Today they are scattered all over; her “is that it took a long time for the some are in the US, the UK, and government to suspect them of their Nigeria, practising their different b e h a v i o u r . T h e y h a v e b e e n chosen professions. As I speak, I not domiciled in that Sambisa forest for a only have landed properties in the very long time."

North, I also have houses. So I am The multi-linguist blessed. Some of my children are still Over time she has also acquired in Damaturu. However, my husband competence in several languages. "If is dead.” you know the kind of people you do Faith in Buhari business with, you learn their Mama Aduke says she knows the languages. I speak Yoruba, which is n e w p r e s i d e n t ( M u h a m m a d u my language; I speak Hausa

• Continued from page 22

•A nursing mother with her baby under a mosquito treated net

Photo: Taiwo Abiodun Buhari) before he was elected and that she's sure he will deliver. "I know Buhari; now that he has come, there will be peace. He is not the greedy type, he has only one house.

He is also a generous man. I remember when I met him during a Ramadan festival, we all went o his house where he fed us and gave us money."

To underline her love for the new president, she suddenly burst into a feat of song in Hausa, praising President Muhammadu Buhari.

Her wish when she dies I want to be buried in my house in Owo. I have houses in my town, Owo. Like I said earlier, I also have houses and pieces of land in the North. I am an old woman; I don't need money for anything. All that gives me joy now is to assist people who are in need.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, JUNE 7, 2015

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY JUNE 7, 2015

ETCETERA

SUNNY SIDE

Cartoons

By Olubanwo Fagbemi

POLITICKLE

deewalebf@yahoo.com 08060343214 (SMS only)

The reader’s writer •Revised edition

CHEEK BY JOWL

OH, LIFE!

THE GReggs

At the nascent writer’s behest and in deference to the masters, the writer presents supplementary writing manual.

BE wary of mimicry or comparison, dear budding writer. Just as an original writer imitates no-one, none can imitate him. Do not confuse, misplace or misuse words, as the difference between the right word and the almost right appears immediately clear to the discerning mind. Filter your writing for commonly misused words as ‘severally’ for ‘several times’, ‘complementary’ for ‘complimentary’, ‘loose’ for ‘lose’ and ‘lay’ for ‘lie’.

Words are not the same in the hands or minds of writers; while some chisel away, others conjure them. With conviction, confidence and courage, as well as the ability to improvise, everything and anything is writable. As a creator, you can be present everywhere and visible nowhere in your writing. Mind the gap between your inner vision and eventual expression, though. It is never completely bridged. As a contributor to the history of mankind, be fair in treatment of your subject, man or material.

Do you desperately need ideas? Relax. Ideas could come simply from staring out of the window or doing chores in the house. Remember, when something can be read without effort, great effort has gone into its writing. What about dialogue?

Yes, by all means. But better to qualify the speech with expressions, pauses, adjustments of shirt collars, drawing imaginary stick figures on the dinner table and crossings of legs.

Your story should have a beginning, middle and end, but not necessarily in that order. Start close to the action as possible, using the active voice rather than the passive, especially in short stories. Note spoken English interference. Much of the meaning is implied in speaking but writing demands more logical sequence.

With measured delivery, ensure adequate background, clear plot and unambiguous characterisation. Leave out the parts that the reader might skip as he would easily detect what you state as well as whisper. In fact, he would sooner hear the wind and market square din than note spelling and pronunciation.

The two most engaging powers of an author are, therefore, making new things familiar and familiar things new. There are no new materials, in other words. To a lasting extent, writing entails recycling of plots, climax and anti-climax of thoughts and materials already handled by the ancients.

Whatever and however you write, use adverbs judiciously. Deploy more verb and employ less adjective. Ascertain that verbs agree with their subjects. Avoid the word, ‘very.’ It adds little, if anything, to your description. Treat your phrases tenderly. Cultivate the virtues of frugal expression and concise writing. Do not use a long word where a short one would do. To shorten the reader’s effort at comprehension, spurn abbreviations and give background and explanation to foreign words and phrases.

Fixed expressions, collocations and idiomatic expressions spur effective writing, but they come fixed. Consult the dictionary and thesaurus as you write, for the reader often seeks entertainment as well as information. Use metaphors well, for they aid firm and meaningful writing. The best writing will also evince some form of suspense. To do this, the skillful writer often arrives at a simple conclusion by some puzzle.

Now here’s the catch: every time you compose a story, your character is at stake. A writer’s style clearly gives an idea of the man behind the work. Beyond the inclination for simplicity or flourish, the writer must seek to refine personal thought and character to complement skill, for, words, so innocent and powerless in a dictionary, become compelling, even damaging in the hands of the malevolent.

A good book justifies its hero as a bad book justifies its author.

Finished? Likely not. At the point where you think you are satisfied with your work, you begin to clearly and logically grasp what you really want to say. So, sleep on your work; take a walk over it; scrutinise it early on a morning; pore over it on an afternoon; chew it like a meal; let it lie for months, even.

Done? Proofread carefully. Whereas it takes an hour to write a paragraph with imagination, it may take only a minute to cut. You become an author when you expunge the useless parts of your hard writing without sentiment. In other words, write with your heart and re-write with your head.

QUOTE When something can be read without effort, great effort has gone into its writing.

—Enrique Jardiel Poncela

Jokes Humour The Rookie A FRESH police officer was assigned to ride in a squad car with an experienced partner.

A call came over the car’s radio telling them to disperse some people who were loitering.

The officers drove to the street and observed a small crowd standing on a corner. The rookie rolled down his window and said, “Let’s get off the corner.”

No one moved, so he barked in the strongest tone he could muster, “Let’s get off the corner!” Intimidated, the group of people began to leave, casting puzzled glances in his direction.

Proud of his first official act, the young policeman turned to his partner and asked, “Well, how did I do?”

“Pretty good,” said the veteran, “especially since this was a bus stop.”

Payback A MAN who reeked of alcohol flopped on a bus seat next to a doctor. The man’s tie was stained, his lips were plastered with remnants of lunch, and a half empty bottle of liquor stuck out of his ripped

jacket pocket. He opened his newspaper and began to read.

After a few minutes, the rough-looking guy turned to the doctor and said, “Sir, I can see that you’re a medical doctor. Do you know what causes arthritis?”

The doctor, disgusted by the man’s appearance and behaviour, snapped. “It’s caused by loose living, being with cheap, wicked women, too much alcohol, and contempt for your fellow man!”

“Well, well, well,” the man muttered and returned to his newspaper. The doctor, thinking about what he had said, nudged the man and apologised. “I’m sorry to have come on so strong. I didn’t mean it. How long have you been suffering from arthritis?”

“I don’t have it, doctor. I was just reading here that the surgeon-general does.”

The Sandwich A MAN walks into a bar with a sandwich under his arm. “A glass of beer for me and the sandwich,” he says to the barman.

“I’m sorry, sir,” says the barman. “We don’t serve food in here.”

•Adapted from the Internet

Writer ’s Fountain IVING your story worshippers of technology. Now we have a theme: Here are two ways to endow theme: ‘Only fools laugh at ancestral wisdom.’ your story with a strong theme: In short, if you can’t sum it up in a Let’s say that you have written a story proverb, you don’t have a theme. already. Craft a plot in the usual way, Write a story that works. Then stand back complete with obstacles, setbacks, conflicts from it and ask: ‘what does this story mean?’ and twists. Then look for the theme that’s And strengthen the latent theme or maxim already there. Suppose you write a horror that’s already there. story about a young couple who honeymoon Now, let’s say that you have a theme but on a far-off island. The locals warn them it’s no story. Imagine that you burn with a secret haunted. To placate the ghosts, they must passion, an affiliation to some great cause – follow some bizarre ritual. They laugh it off. or just a deep sense of anger. It’s tempting to Weeks later, their bodies are discovered, and write a novel where your hero or heroine their faces contorted with horror. puts a wayward world right or, at least, sets Is that a story? No. It’s trite. But suppose off the fire alarms. Don’t try it. Your story the couple is pictured as scientists, won’t register.

One solution is to tell your story from the Startling notes: viewpoint of someone who represents the •Most lipstick contain fish scales. exact opposite of your opinion. Gain the •Lemons contain more sugar than reader’s sympathy, however unlikely, for strawberries. that person. Then show them changing their •Most of the vitamin C in fruits is in the views under the pressure of events. As their skin. mind changes, so does the reader’s.

•Milk is actually considered to be a food For a provocative example, imagine and not a beverage. you’re on a personal crusade to reveal the •Money isn’t made out of paper; it’s made villainy of an internet search engine. You out of linen. sense that it plans to take over the world.

G

PAGE 31

JUNE 7, 2015

• Ambode

• Fayose

• Wike

• Fayose

Oneisa baker, another a judge...

• Bello

• Ayade

• Behold new state First Ladies

• Ortom

• Ishaku

32

POLITICS

Few days to Governor Nyesom Wike's inauguration, he inherited a set of council chairmen elected on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC). Sunday Oguntola reports that the development is causing serious concerns for the new governor and his camp ivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has a big headache to cure: What to do with elected council chairmen.

The governor, whose election is being contested at the tribunal by the All Progressives Congress (APC), is confused over how to handle council chairmen elected on the platform of the APC. The APC swept all the 22 contested council seats at the election, which held just six days to the inauguration of Wike.

The elections held despite boycott by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The party had condemned the exercise, describing it as lacking in transparency.

It claimed there was a court injunction stopping the conduct of the elections.

The party's chairman in Rivers, Felix Obuah, contended that the election was an exercise in futility because of a subsisting court order that the status quo be maintained.

Five other parties, including the Labour Party (LP) also shunned the exercise. They insisted the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RISEC) had been compromised to work in favour of the APC. Despite torrential rainfall that started around 5am, the election went ahead in all the councils and wards without incidence of violence or break down of laws.

While declaring the results, RISEC Chief Returning Officer, Prof Austin Ahiauzu, said the APC won all the 22 contested council seats.

The party, he added, also won 297 councillorship seats in the 302 wards while others won the rest.

The REC stated: "The chairmanship seats were won by APC in all the 22 LGAs where elections held.

"As you know, there were no elections at Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA because they just had election last year.

"APC won 297 out of 302 wards. The remaining wards were won by ADC in Etche ward 3, PPA in Ahoada West ward 2, and Ahoada East ward 4, SDP won the seat there."

He, however, said the election in Ward 8, Ahoada East LGA, was inconclusive.

Describing the election as peaceful and transparent, Ahiauzu commended Rivers residents for voting for candidates of their choice.

While swearing in the newly elected council bosses, former Governor Rotimi Amaechi assured them that no court can dissolved them.

He challenged them to deliver democratic dividends to the people at the grassroots, while also sustaining the tenets of democracy.

Insisting that the election was a true reflection of the wishes of the people, Amaechi said: "RSIEC as a commission has complied with the law. Those who did not participate in the election, it is their business. We wanted to prove to the country that the election of March 28 and April 11 were rigged. We wanted

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, JUNE 7, 2015

Wike in a fix over Rivers councils

R

• Wike

everybody to come out and vote and see the true reflection of the people.

"You can see a local government like Port Harcourt, there were 26,000 accredited voters and 23,000 voted for APC. That shows you that it is a true reflection of an election.

"Where did those people get 1million votes? That is why they were afraid to come out. All we have done is to comply with the law.

"I hear they are threatening to dissolve. The courts will determine that.

We will be prepared as a party to meet them. So, I want to urge you to work hard and to pray hard."

Shortly after their assumption of office, Wike threatened to sack all the newly elected council chairmen.

According to him: "The outgoing governor charged the council chairmen while swearing them in to resist any attempt to dissolve them because Buhari would not support impunity.

"Who is master of impunity when the court said don't organise any election because it is illegal and you went ahead.

If I dissolve them, Buhari would support me because that is the height of impunity."

But sources said Wike is really in a quagmire on how to tread over the issue.

His dilemma, it was learnt, was heightened by the fact that the PDP is not longer in control of the federal government.

"The governor is really embattled, I must confess," the source stated last week.

"It is obvious that the councils' election was a bumpy trap set for him by the Amaechi's administration. If he decides to sack them as he threatened, it will create a lot of troubles for him because he would tamper with the grassroots support base of the APC. "If he leaves them, it means he has to work with enemies at the grassroots. Yes,

he can suspend but how many chairmen will he suspend before the crisis engulfs him? So, he is really in a fix and wondering how to navigate out of the quagmire."

Analysts believe tampering with the structure of councils' politics will create a huge credibility issue for the new governor.

Should he decide to go for the broke and sack the council bosses, he would require a court pronouncement to take it through.

Even if he succeeds in getting the pronouncement, the action will create additional political enemies for the governor in the nooks and crannies of the state.

This is a risk Wike is not disposed to taking, sources close to him say. One of them claimed: "The last thing we want now is another political battle. We are battleweary after the extensive, draining electioneering tussle. We want just to settle down and see what we can do.

"We need peace and calm polity to retain people's confidence. If, in the next one month, people can't feel what we are doing, there will be disenchantment. They will start looking for alternatives and don't forget our victory is still under contention. If you have such baggage, it is best to settle down and govern well to win the public over.

"But once you start taking on the council bosses who have been building a strong support base for the APC, you are heading for distraction. This is exactly what the opposition wants and we have to be careful not to be playing into their traps."

But another source said: "The concern is leaving the councils in the hands of oppositions and APC's helmsmen. They will cripple the governor and affect how much he can impact the grassroots. That is what we want to avoid though we don't also want to run into troubles with local politicians."

The governor is said to be weighing his options. One of them is wooing the council

chairmen to his and PDP's side. "That appears to be a good option because it means winning a battle without going to war. But it will be expensive and dicey because we believe not all of them can be bought over. Even if they are all disposed to that option, you will need billions to get that done over a period of time," a source noted.

Another option is reining in those who choose to be recalcitrant through tightening of access to finances and government largess. But that option is fraught with challenges. On one side, the APC-led government at the federal level will not condone such impunity.

President Muhammadu Buhari has said local government autonomy is one of his cardinal programmes.

More so, such option will expose Wike to federal might. Knowing that he is a marked man with his election still under contention, sources close to him said the governor is not in the mood to further estrange himself politically.

The legal battle will also be a lengthy one that will leave governance suffering. It comes with a strain on political and financial goodwill. Wike recognises this hurdle and is desperate to avoid, instead of scaling it.

But to leave the council bosses unattended to is also politically suicidal for Wike. Members of his camp, who spoke with our correspondent, acknowledged this much. One of them said: "It is like leaving one's house on fire. It is suicidal and deadly."

Head or tail, the governor has a serious political battle to contend with.

Though his camp said time will tell how much missiles they will need to apply, it is a battle that will leave his administration either redeemed or destroyed.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, JUNE 7, 2015

Dr. Samuel O. Ogbemudia is a member of PDP Board of Trustees and a former governor of old Midwestern and Bendel states. The retired Army General spoke with Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia on a number of issues. Excerpts HE PDP lost the presidential election and shortly after that there are calls for the NWC and the BOT to be dissolved, what is your view on that?

First of all, we have to look at the set up of the party. Today, the PDP is headed by a Board of Trustee that advises the National Working Committee or executive at each turn, when asked to do so. So, if in the process they lost an election, it is quite straight forward for the people responsible to take responsibility for their action and therefore they should give way to a new executive that will rebuild the party but the PDP case is not like that. I understand that the candidate had set up a team to campaign for him and for the party so the fault is not that of the executive or the NWC but the person who took the decision. So my view is that the PDP should set up a committee to find out what went wrong and how to rebuild the party because they are still the strongest organised party in the country and they need to work hard in order to win the next election if they have the appetite to win.

But the way the party is today, do you think there is still hope for it to take over power in four years' time as some of the leaders are saying?

First and foremost, you must look at the PDP; they mismanaged their victory and haven mismanaged the victory, the outcome is defeat; so if they want to win future elections against a determined party like the APC, they must work twice as hard as they have done in the past.

Some people are attributing the failure of the PDP to the hate campaigns it indulged in, do you agree?

Well, a lot of people will say a lot of things, but what individuals find on the ground may be different, there is no doubt at all that there was a campaign of hatred, campaign of dislike, religious campaigns but all that put together may not have affected the PDP's chances if they had put their home right but they didn't. Quite a substantial percentage that make up APC today were formally PDP and each time a person left, they said let him go, we can do without him; so now, they have found that they couldn't do without them. So, it is part and parcel of a sensible re-organisation, rehabilitation for the party to sit down and find out what went wrong. Once they have done that, which is not a job of three hours of two days, they must sit down and talk to everybody that is worth talking to in order to ascertain and identify what went wrong; a lot of things went wrong.

What are some of these things that went wrong being a leader of the SouthSouth that supported Jonathan?

It will be unfair on Jonathan if I say I am disappointed at his activities but what I want to say is this, PDP is made up of responsible people in the country but these responsible people are people who do not welcome any type of challenge, any type of argument and any type of interference; so once they took their decisions, they didn't want anyone else to find out what led to that decision, so nobody should challenge them, so because of that, they held Jonathan hostage.

Some Nigerians believe that Jonathan lost because of the way he handled the issues of insecurity, the economy and corruption. How will you assess his activities in these areas?

Nigerian politics has not developed to the stage where they recognise economy, unemployment and others; we are at the strategy where we look at the individual, where he comes from, what he can do for

‘A lot of things went wrong in PDP’

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• Ogbemudia

us and then support or don't support him; so I believe that a few intellectuals may have looked at the economy and said yes it is good, it is not to good; they might have complained of unemployment but they were like lone voices in the wilderness.

What is your advice to Buhari?

You will excuse me if I say anything in favour of Buhari. We want it written by historians many years to come that the coming of the General saved the nation from total collapse. To achieve that all hands must be on deck, the hands of the old generals, the retired ones and those who are in office. But having said that, I know Buhari when he was commissioned into the Nigerian Army in the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. I also know that he served under a number of senior officers and every year they wrote confidential reports in respect of each officer, including me. And including the officer who is writing because what you write about other people also indicate what you look like.

So, every one of the superior officer concluded that Buhari is a competent hand.

But that was many years ago. Can we say that the energy of 1966, 1963, is still very much present? It may not but what is absolutely available is the lessons learnt from

those intervening years. I know that Buhari will not want to fail because the expectation is so high that he will not want people to say we are disappointed.

We need to have people who are best in organizing the economy of the country. But you must admit one thing, since APC has not run a federal government, this is their first time, therefore like all first timers, like all new brooms, they must sweep well.

Otherwise the song four years hence will be different.

Are you worried over Buhari's certificate allegation?

When I joined the Army, the Army took my certificate, two reasons why they did that: Some people got trained by the Army and when they come back, they can no longer go along with the salaries that the army was paying, they will disappear so because of that, the army will keep your certificate.

When I was retiring, the army gave me back my certificate and that was what I was looking for to show you, (Searching his cupboard for the certificate). So, I was surprised when I heard them say Buhari has no certificate. But even if he has no certificate, there is examination in the army. The time we started the examination they called it

First and foremost, you must look at the PDP; they mismanaged their victory and haven mismanaged the victory, the outcome is defeat; so if they want to win future elections against a determined party like the APC, they must work twice as hard as they have done in the past

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Royal West African Frontier Force Entrance Examination and you are not allowed to take it unless you present your certificate or your school writes that you have taken the exams and they believe you will pass. And if the results come and you fail, they will send you out. However, they were some military people if in the process they send you to school they call it remedial courses, so if you did not have school certificate by the time you finished the three years course you are better than the school certificate holder. So, I believe Buhari's case was a situation where people try to call a dog a bad name in order to hang it. But that notwithstanding, Buhari has been elected. What Nigerians want is development; what Nigerians want is good governance; what Nigerians want is a man who will give credit to their representation.

You have also been blamed that you left the management of the party in Edo state to Chief Anenih alone, how will you react to that?

Those who are saying that have my sympathy, sympathy arising from ignorance. In 1999, the PDP won the election to Edo State Government House; the leaders, we were three of us; Chief Anenih and Chief Igbinedion and I. Two of us, I and Igbinedion decided to stay at home and help the governor to ensure he succeeded. Chief Anenih, a very brilliant and unassuming politician, was sent to Abuja to represent the state. And he did.

But as time went on things fell apart and the center could not hold and that was it.

Anenih is not the course of our problem, anybody who says he can fight election in Edo State without Anenih may not be telling you the truth. Everyone has its own job, my job was to stay at home and support the governor which I did to the best of my ability. Anenih was to stay in Abuja to draw the attention of the federal government to the activities of the governor of the state so that they can help him and he excelled.

If both of you worked together, how come the party was factionalized then, you led a faction while Anenih led the other faction?

I don't know that but what I know was that Prof. Osunbor lost the election in the court of law; he is a Professor of Law so he cannot complain that he did not get justice because he knew what to do. The factionalization of the party was based on a different criterion. The party at the headquarters in Abuja was expected to intervene before things went out of hand but for reasons known best to them, they decided to leave things as they are. But I now know that the reason was that they were not much interest in Edo State because when we lost the election, the National Chairman of the PDP then was asked how he felt, he said well they are not supposed to control every state in Nigeria, so losing Edo State is not a serious matter. Before the court judgment, I telephoned Osunbor from London. I said I heard that the federal government has traded in Edo and Ondo, can you go and see the President and from his table, phone me so that I can speak to him. He came back and he told me that the President asked him what will he benefit if he trades Edo out? So, he believed that the President was not doing what they accused him of. But later, what I told him came to pass. All these are now history and they are essential development in the scene of democracy.

So, what we should be looking forward to is not the man feeding the horse, but the man sitting on top of it. So, we look at the future, where are we going to? If the PDP wants to pack up then they must tell us. People have asked me if I am still in PDP? I said yes and I will remain. Many months back, PDP people accused me of belonging to APC, and that in the day time at Abuja I was in PDP and in the night in Benin I was APC. Now, yesterday I heard that the APC people are saying Ogbemudia is a PDP man, leave him alone, at least I have been vindicated.

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POLITICS

WENTY nine states held gubernatorial elections on April 11, 2015.

Incumbents held on in tight races in Oyo, Ogun, Imo, Gombe, Kwara and Nasarawa states. In all, 23 new governors were elected. While all the new governors, who were sworn in on May 29, 2015, are men, only four of the 23 deputies are women.

The new female deputy governors, elected by the electorates in Rivers, Ogun, Lagos and Enugu states, will be joining incumbent deputy governors like Chief Mrs. Laoye Tomori of Osun State and Dr. Nkem Okeke of Anambra State on the men dominated gubernatorial scene of Nigeria.

Of these four new political amazons, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) produced two while the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) contributed the other two to complete the figure.

In Southeastern states of Enugu and Rivers states, the people are celebrating the emergence of first female deputy governors following years of unending agitations by various feminist groups and gender rights' activists. For Lagos and Ogun states, the emergence of these amazons is merely a return to familiar paths. The new deputy governors are:

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Dr. Mrs. Ipalibo Banigo-Harry (Rivers) Dr. (Mrs) Ipalibo Banigo-Harry was born on December 20, 1952, to the Harry family of Obuama, in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State. She had her MBBS from the University of Ibadan in 1976 and also attended studies at other prestigious institutions abroad, including Harvard and the University of London.

The new deputy-governor is a successful medical doctor, community leader and politician. Importantly, she is the first female Deputy Governor of Rivers State. She was elected on the platform of the People's Democratic Party (PDP). Before her election, she has held various important offices within and outside government.

Banigo started her career at the Rivers State Port Health Service, where she served as Registrar of Births and Senior Medical Officer-in-Charge. She was honorary Consultant Dermatologist at the University of Port Harcourt, after which she became Principal of Rivers State School of Health Technology in 1985.

She came into prominence first in 1995, when she was appointed to serve as the Secretary to the Government of Rivers State.

She later became the Head of Service of the state. During her service at the Rivers State Ministry of Health, she was at various times the Director of Public Health Services, Acting Commissioner, Director-General and Permanent Secretary.

Upon retirement, she became Public Health Adviser of the Shell Petroleum Development Company in Nigeria.

Additionally, she held the offices of both Executive Director and Secretary at the National Primary Health Care Development Agency.

Some of her memberships include Governing Council of University of Calabar, Governing Board of University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Rivers State Food and Nutrition Committee, Rivers State Hospital Management Board and Reference Board DFID. She was also appointed Project Director of UNFPA, UNICEF and Chairman of the Rivers State Relief Committee.

In December 2014, Governor Nyesom Wike, after his emergence as the governorship flag-bearer of the PDP in the state, selected her as his running mate in the 2015 election. She was elected deputy governor on April 11, 2015 and assumed office on 29 May 2015. She currently serves as the 6th and first female Deputy Governor of Rivers State.

Chief Mrs. Yetunde Abosede Onanuga (Ogun) When the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) in Ogun State nominated a seasoned bureaucrat and Ijebu blue blood from Aparaki, Ijebu Igbo in Ijebu North Local Government Area of the state, Chief Mrs. Yetunde Abosede Onanuga, as the running mate to incumbent Governor Ibikunle Amosun, not a few analysts hailed her choice.

The new Ogun Deputy Governor was a Director in Lagos Civil Service. The 54 year old administrator is the wife of Otunba (Engr.) Abiodun Onanuga, the highly respected and renowned Otunba Anikilaya of Ijebuland in the Ogun East Senatorial District of the state.

Princess Onanuga is the grand-daughter of late Oba of Akaka-Remo in Remo North

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, JUNE 7, 2015

Meet the newest state amazons

• Banigo-Harry

• Onanuga

• Adebule

• Ezeilo

Four new female deputy governors joined two incumbents on May 29, 2015. Assistant Editor, Dare Odufowokan, in this report, introduces the new political amazons behind their state chief executives Local Government Area, Oba Oye Sofodu. Her mother is a Princess from a ruling house in Akaka town in Remo area.

She attended Lagos State College of Science and Technology (LACOSTEC), now Lagos State Polytechnic, LASPOTECH. She then proceeded to the then, Ogun State University, now Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago Iwoye, where she obtained her Master in Business Administration (MBA) degree.

As an experienced public servant, having risen to become a Director of Finance and Administration in the Lagos State public service, she is expected to deploy her experience in public administration for the benefit of the Ogun State Government.

Dr. Mrs. Idiat Oluranti Adebule (Lagos) Dr. Oluranti Adebule is the new Deputy Governor of Lagos State. She is the immediate past Secretary to the State Government (SSG) and she ran alongside Governor Akinwunmi Ambode on the APC ticket for the position of Deputy Governor during the April 11, 2015 governorship election in the state.

She was born in Lagos State to the family of Idowu-Esho of Ojo Alaworo in Ojo Local Government Area of the state. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Education degree in Islamic Studies in 1992. She earned a Master's degree (M.Ed) in Curriculum Studies in 1997.

She received a certificate in early childhood development curriculum and school administration and assessment from

the Nigeria Institute of International Education Association in 2006. She earned a Doctorate Degree (PhD) in Curriculum Studies from the Lagos State University in 2012.

She began her working career as a lecturer at the Lagos State College of Primary Education (LACOPED) in Noforija, Epe. She later transferred to the Lagos State University as a lecturer in the Department of Curriculum Studies and later Language Arts and Social Studies in the Faculty of Education.

She was appointed as a commissioner 1 in the Lagos State Post Primary Teaching Service Commission (PP-TESCOM), now Teachers' Establishment and Pensions Office, by the then Governor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, from October 2000 to February 2005.

She was appointed and sworn in as the Secretary to the State Government by former Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola, in July 2011. She was elected Deputy Governor on April 11, 2015 and assumed office on 29 May 2015.

Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo (Enugu) The new Deputy Governor of Enugu State, Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo, is not a new comer to the politics of the southeastern state. A lawyer and widow of late Chief Malachy Ezeilo, a traditional ruler and a one-time Commissioner for Works during the old Anambra State, she shot to political prominence riding on her husband's back.

She was elected into the Enugu State House of Assembly in 2011. During her stint at the House, she served as the Chairman, House Committee on Judiciary where she adopted the Alternative Dispute Resolution Mechanism, ADRM, as a faster and better means of resolving public disputes arising from numerous public petitions sent to her committee.

It was during her rein that the legislature and judiciary experienced a pronounced industrial harmony as separate arms of government. Her instincts as a mother may have inspired her motion while she was in the House for a bill to cater for the needs of people with special needs.

Her quest to empower and ensure jobs for the teeming unemployed women, youths in Enugu State, again, motivated her to move a motion for the re-activation of the moribund Cashew Industry, Ezeagu as a panacea to the plight of women and youths of the state.

The soaring rate of auto crashes in and around the state caught her attention as she also, moved a motion at the House which sought to ensure that vehicle drivers undergo driving examinations before drivers' licenses are issued to them. The idea behind the motion was to reduce the death rate associated with auto crashes in the state.

In January 2015, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, after his emergence as the governorship flag-bearer of the PDP in the state, selected her as his running mate in the 2015 election. She was elected Deputy Governor on April 11, 2015 and assumed office on 29 May 2015. She currently serves as the first female Deputy Governor of Enugu State.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, JUNE 7, 2015 Evangelist Elliot Uko, the leader of South-East Democratic Coalition and the founder and president of Igbo Youth Movement, in this interview spoke of the expectations of Nigerians from the Buhari's presidency, the fate of Ndigbo in Nigeria and other critical national issues. Sam Egburonu reports

'Buhari understands Nigeria better than his predecessor'

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igeria has a new president now; how do you see his emergence and your hopes for his regime?

Well, he emerged properly; majority our country men voted for him; he and his team have assured us that Nigeria will see good times again. The proper thing to do is to support him and his team. He seems prepared for the job. So, we ask all Nigerians to support him to succeed.

Nigeria is under heavy load of multifaceted problems; do you see Buhari solving them?

Multi-faceted problems have always been with us. The man has seen it all; he tried four times for the job. I believe he knows all that, he doesn't seem afraid of these problems. He rode on a popular wind of change; expectations are high, both from those who voted for him and the people who didn't. He must not fail. He understands Nigeria better than his predecessor; he has goodwill within and outside the country; Nigerians are waiting with berthed breath for a different, more mature style of governance. I do not think that the consequence of disappointing Nigerians is lost on him and his team. I do not think he will fail.

The PDP has just found itself as opposition party. Do you think they will provide a strong opposition to the polity?

I do not speak for the PDP; they will have to learn lessons they need to learn, make their choices, fight for relevance and Nigeria will make up their minds on whether to take them seriously again or not. They don't have our sympathy; they had 16 years to lift up Nigeria and they bungled it. The steps President Buhari will take in the coming months will either seal PDP's coffin or give them a lee way to bounce back to relevance; much also depends on how they are able to carry themselves, perform in the states where they hold sway and organise a strong opposition block. The truth is, they made so many mistakes; they became so arrogant and paid dearly for it. Some of them thought they were in paradise.

The South-East seems to have emerged the PDP strong hold at the moment‌ That is not true. The PDP conducted itself in a most arrogant manner at the federal level. Enugu out gone governor did so well; Ebonyi political structure and culture is not strong enough to allow for partisan choices; Abia was a battle ground of sorts. That is the South-East PDP you talked about. Igbo people are not crazy about any political party. They are bitter over the political structure that leaves them in only 5 states out of 36. They believe in Justice and equity.

They want to see a Nigeria where all are equal. They are pained that nobody seems interested in their legitimate cry for a just and fair structure that gives all Nigerians a sense of belonging. They don't understand the huge dose of envy over their successes as entrepreneurs; they feel unloved, unwanted and hated in a country they have given their all to build. Ndigbo are and will remain a very vibrant and integral part of the Nigerian success story. No government has taken time to study to find out why Ndigbo are dissatisfied with the present Nigerian structure; the attitude has always been to abuse and insult Ndigbo. Ndigbo voted for UPP, APC, etc. Yes, our people voted PDP massively but there are Igbo members of all the political parties that ran for elections two months ago. We believe in justice and equity. We believe in a level playing field for all.

Will Ndigbo flow with the APC in the months and years ahead?

I don't and will never be a member of any political party. I don't pretend to speak for the entire Igbo race, but I know that Ndigbo want to see a functional Nigeria.

President Buhari will win over Ndigbo if he initiates political restructuring that will enthrone true federalism and equity in the number of states and local governments per zone. Ndigbo are deeply aggrieved by the present structure.

•Uko The onus of winning over Ndigbo is on him. He is perceived rightly or wrongly as an Igbo hater; Ndigbo do not perceive Atiku or IBB that way. It is Buhari's choice to prove Ndigbo wrong and win them over; the choice is entirely his. Ndigbo were clearly uncomfortable with him; it could be his handling of PTF projects under Adada, his comments on Sharia and Boko Haram did not help matters.

It is his prerogative to try and convince Ndigbo that he is fair minded. His APC friends who led delegations to beg him to be fair to Ndigbo are actually casting him in bad light.

They are giving the world the impression that the man is a mean, sectional header who has to be begged before he could be fair to all.

Nobody led delegations to beg Shagari, Umaru Yar'Adua, Obasanjo or Jonathan to remember to be fair; all the states in the U.S which voted Mitt Romney and the Republican Party did not send delegations to beg Obama to be fair to all.

He can only prove watchers right or wrong. I know he will win over those who looked at him with suspicion if he returns looted funds and quickly restores sanity to the system, but most of all, he will become a hero if he leads in the political restructuring of Nigeria. I am sure he knows everybody is watching keenly to note what his style will look like. Ndigbo are watching.

How would you react to the results of the last presidential elections, especially as it affects Ndigbo?

"I would begin by saying that the elections have come and gone and Buhari has won. It is the will of God. I didn't vote for him. I voted for Chief Chekwas Okorie. When I was voting for him, I knew that UPP will not win but I wanted his votes to mount up. I voted for Chief Chekwas Okorie's UPP because that was what my conscience asked me to do. Now, Ndigbo are perplexed at the reactions of some Nigerians on the Igbo vote pattern. It is a shock to us that people are complaining about the Igbo vote pattern. We don't see it as just a complaint about the 2015 elections, no. We see it as an increasingly mounting hatred of the Igbo nation and this hatred frightens us, because we feel that something more horrendous could happen to the Igbo nation in future, something worse than the pogrom of 1966. We see hate in all these comments about Igbos putting their eggs in one basket. We are pained, we are disappointed; we are frightened about the future. We believe that Nigerians are envious about the individual successes of the Igbos at the entrepreneurial level and that all this could lead to another holocaust, another pogrom in future. When the entire South-West voted for Action Group, when the entire South-West voted for UPN in 1979, when they voted for

AD in 1999, nobody blamed them for putting their eggs in the same basket. When the entire north stood with Buhari in 2003, he lost; they stood with him again in 2007, ANPP, against Yar'Adua, he lost; they voted for him massively, they believed in him, in 2011, he lost; nobody blamed them for putting their eggs in the same basket. Why are Nigerians singling out Ndigbo for blame, mocking us, laughing at us? It means there is an increased and increasing dimension of the hate campaign against the Igbo nation which could result in another pogrom in the future, and we are frightened. The envy and jealousy of the Igbo nation has led to all sorts of abuses against the Igbo man. On the internet, people write all sorts of articles on why Ndigbo will never be President. They write all sorts of articles against the Igbo nation. We are wondering who told them that Ndigbo want to be President of Nigeria. We have consistently maintained our stand at Aburi, Ghana, 48 years ago, that we want a restructured Nigeria, under true federalism, based on regional autonomy. We restated it at General Abacha's Constitutional Conference, 20 years ago, we restated it at General Obasanjo's Political Reform Conference, 10 years ago, where it was agreed to give Ndigbo an additional state. We agreed that Ndigbo are unjustly treated in Nigeria, but that event died because somebody sandwiched his third term agenda in that.

Ndigbo restated our clamour for restructuring at the just-concluded National Conference. We have never said that we want to be President of Africa, West Africa, or Nigeria. We have been pleading for the restructuring of Nigeria along the lines of true federalism, so that we can grow and develop our region and make Nigeria truly great. Comments, articles, stories in the media, especially in the online media, have been attacking and abusing the Igbo nation, and blaming us for not voting for Buhari. Buhari knows he is not popular with Ndigbo. He knows that in the early days when Boko Haram were attacking Igbo people, motor parks, their trading posts in Kaduna, Kano, attacking their churches in Abuja, Suleja, everywhere, that General Buhari was making comments defending them, blaming Jonathan's administration for attacking Boko Haram, saying that Boko Haram are being killed, while Niger Delta militants are being given amnesty.

Those comments cannot endear Buhari to Ndigbo.

Nobody blamed the Republicans who voted for Mitt Romney and blamed them for not voting for Obama. Nobody accused all the states that voted the Republican Party and voted John McCain; nobody blamed them for putting their eggs in the Republican basket.

Why is Nigeria, for the first time, suddenly

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accusing the Igbo of putting their eggs in one basket?

This hatred of the Igbo man has got to stop. President Buhari has been in Nigerian political leadership circles for more than 50 years. As a young army officer, he played a key role in the war. He was rewarded as the Minister for Petroleum and Military Governor of the old Northeastern State. He served as the Chairman of the Petroleum Trust Fund. He was a former Head of State.

So, we believe he understands Nigeria. And he has won the election. We will support him.

Ndigbo will support him. And we want him to succeed. Our religion teaches us to pray for our leaders, to pray that God gives them the wisdom to lead us aright, according to the will of God and our prayer is that President Buhari succeeds. We have nothing against him. Ndigbo have nothing against Buhari.

We want him to lead the country out of the doldrums and we believe he will not fail. Our only fear is that in his first outing he was intolerant of criticism. But now that he is 72, we believe he must have matured with age, and that he must have known that he will be criticized. So, we believe he knows what to expect. As for criticism, we do not know if he has the mind to condone such criticism, to appreciate them, and finally to see that they are an integral part of democratic culture. His friends tell us that he is now tolerant and mature; his enemies tell us that he is intolerant by nature. His dance steps will tell us which one is true."

There seems to be confusion over what Ndigbo want. What do you want?

The Igbo man is suffering from so many things in Nigeria, apart from the wrong structure. He is greatly suffering from the psychological warfare from our compatriots.

They don't want to respect the Igbo man's views that Nigeria ought to be restructured.

They want to hand over to the Igbo man that what he should be angling for is to be President of Nigeria. The Igbo man does not care whether the President of Nigeria is Igbirra, Jukun, Angass, Yoruba, Fulani, Ijaw, Itsekiri, or Hausa. What the Igbo man wants is a structure that is fair to all, that enthrones justice in Nigeria, where all are equal, where nobody is oppressed, where nobody is born to rule, where everybody has a sense of belonging. That's what the Igbo man wants.

People want to hand us their agenda, and they want us to adopt it as our agenda. We reject their agenda. They have no right to give us an agenda. The Igbo agenda is the struggle for a fair and just Nigeria where all are equal.

A structure that enables the foundry workers, metal workers at tinker, in Coal Camp, Enugu to link up with the beautiful, gifted crafters of hand-bags and shoes in Aba, with the entrepreneurs, importers, and distributors of Onitsha and Nnewi, to build a Dubai, a Hong Kong, in southern Nigeria. That's what the Igbo man wants. He wants where he will take total control of his future. A country where the federal government will handle the military, the armed forces, the foreign policy, immigration etc, and the regions are to take care of the rest, from agriculture to education to housing and all else. The Igbo man wants true federalism. Stop telling us how to be President. We want a Nigeria where all are equal."

What are your immediate expectations from Buhari?

We believe that he has done well for himself; he has a huge political following.

We know that Nigeria is barely surviving at the moment. We know that he rode on the crest of ethnicity and religion. They all played a part in this election. The fanatical followership and support he has in the north will not be possible if Muhammadu Buhari hails from Cross River State. So ethnicity and religion played a role. But we respect his political party. They built a strong opposition party and worked very hard on all fronts for their success at the polls. The PDP's arrogance and taking Nigerians for granted didn't help matters. President Jonathan was held hostage by a cabal of leeches and that helped the APC. We respect that, especially Sen. Ahmed Bola Tinubu has shown that he is a mobilizer of men. All the governors of the South-East or from his period could not mobilize the SouthEast like he mobilised the South-West. We respect him for that. He built a strong machine and he worked hard. There was nothing that they should do that they didn't do. We respect that, and we plead with all Nigerians to support him. It is in the interest of the entire country that he succeeds. Our prayer is that he succeeds. Nobody in the South-East is excited about any party. The problem of the South-East is the failure of leadership among

•Contd. on page 42

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY, JUNE 7, 2015

POLITICS

Behold new state First Ladies

• Ambode

Behind every man is a woman, they say. In this report, Sam Egburonu, Dare Odufowokan, Nicholas Kalu and Precious Dikewoha unveil the profile of some of the new state first ladies who have recorded personal accomplishments before the emergence of their husbands as governors

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Benue RS. Eunice Erdoo Ortom, the new First Lady in Benue State, is a 43 year 0ld doctoral student of Benue State University (BSU). The youthful wife of Governor Samuel Ortom bagged a second degree in International Relations and Strategic Studies from the same institution in 2004.

The mother of five is an Industrial Development specialist whose desire for more academic laurels dated back many years. Before emerging as the First Lady, she worked as a public servant in the office of the Head of Civil Service. A respected professional, she has worked in various capacities within and outside government.

A devoted Christian, she is a worker in the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG). In 1997, she was ordained an Evangelist in the Children Evangelist Ministries (CEM).

Kano Dr. Hafsatu Umar Ganduje, wife of the incoming governor of Kano State is a highly respected professional who recently completed a doctorate degree programme in Education Psychology in flying colours, at Bayero University, Kano (BUK).

The mother of seven is an indigene of Malam Madori Local Government Area of Jigawa State. She was born in 1958 and trained as an educationist in various institutions before her marriage to Governor Umar Ganduje.

She was a principal at a school in the Federal Capital Territory. It was from this teaching job that she took a leave of absence to pursue her doctoral programme at Bayero University, Kano (BUK).

Currently, she is a Director in the Ganduje Foundation, a philanthropic organisation in the state that is affording her the opportunity to live her desired life of giving to the less privileged.

Rivers Hon. Justice Eberechi Nyesom Wike holds a Masters Degree in Law from University of Sussex, United Kingdom. She was a scholar of the prestigious British Chevening Scholarship.

Born on 24 May, 1972, she is married to Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike. She was a legal counsel litigant with E.C. Ukala and Co, between 1998 and 2001. She was later appointed a Magistrate in 2009.

She served in various judicial capacities before her last appointment as a Judge of the High Court of Rivers State on 14 February 2012.

Hon. Justice Eberechi Nyesom-Wike was born on Wednesday, the 24th day of May, 1972 into the Christian family of Dr. Ikechukwu Amadi Obuzor of Odiokwu in Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State. She is happily married to Chief Ezenwo Nyesom Wike and together they are blessed with three children.

Upon qualification to study law and on admission into the Rivers State University of Science and Techonology, Port Harcourt, Nigeria, she began the pursuit of a noble career in the legal profession when she obtained a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) (Hons) in 1996 and proceeded to the Nigerian Law School wherein she obtained the Barrister-at-Law (B.L.) (Hons) in 1997 and was called to the Nigerian Bar on the 25th of February, 1998. She holds a Master's Degree in Law (LL.M), from the University of Sussex, United Kingdom by virtue of the prestigious British Chevening Scholarship (2005/ 2006).

Between 1998 to 2001, she was a Legal Counsel (Litigation) with E. C. Ukala & Co (Efe Chambers) and was later appointed a Magistrate Grade I in the Rivers State Magistracy where she climbed through the rungs of varying grades and served for more than 10 years, her last appointment being Chief Magistrate Grade II in 2009, until her present appointment as a Judge of the High Court of Rivers State on 14th February, 2012 where she is presently the presiding Judge, High Court of Justice.

His Lordship is a member of the International Bar Association (IBA); International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Rivers State Branch (and once the Assistant Financial Secretary); National and International Associations of Women Judges (NAWJ and IAWJ); also an Associate Member of the Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators (ICMC) and an Associate member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (ACIArb). She was once a member of the Magistrates' Association of Nigeria (MAN) Rivers State Branch and a one-time Public Relations Officer of the Association.

She has attended conferences, workshops and leadership programmes organised by the National Judicial Institute (NJI) and the Lagos Business School (LBS) amongst others. She enjoys travelling, cooking, reading, listening to classic and contemporary music and keeps fit through swimming and playing lawn tennis.

As she climb the political ladder as the First Lady of Rivers State from May 29 when the husband took oath of

• Fayose

office as the governor of Rivers State it is believed she has what its takes to be the mother of the state. Of course, she will be the second First Lady of Rivers State to be addressed as justice after the wife of Dr. Peter Odili, Justice Mary Odili.

Cross River Dr. Linda Ugwuye Ayade is the wife of the newly elected governor of Cross River State, Professor Ben Ayade. She hails from Obudu Local Government Area of Cross River State. She is a mother of three.

A medical practitioner, she holds an MBBS from the University of Port Harcourt and an MPH from University of Wolverhampton, majoring in Health Improvement and Health Promotion.

She is also a member of Nigeria Medical Association and General Medical Council of United Kingdom. Until 2014, she worked with the National Health Society in the UK. Taraba Annah Darius Ishiaku, the wife of Taraba State's new governor, Arc. Darius Ishaku, is a mother of five and a graduate of Law (L.LB) from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. She was in private law practice in Makurdi for six

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, JUNE 7, 2015

• Bello

POLITICS

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• Wike

• Ayade

• Ortom

• Ishaku

Those who know her intimately say she has deep passion for charity as she has, for long been donating to many motherless babies homes in and around Lagos metropolis.

Born in Ibadan on January 8, 1964 to the Makinde's family of Erio - Ekiti, Mrs. Feyisetan Fayose is the wife of the Governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, and founder of the Feyi Fayose Trust Foundation.

Employees (NULGE) Women Wing as Matron before her husband's return to the Government House as governor.

Described as a devout Christian, Mrs. Feyisetan Fayose enjoys gospel music, cooking and meeting people.

Mrs. Ambode worked in the now defunct Peoples Bank of Nigeria and Instant Finance Nigeria Limited and later Aguagem Consulting before setting up her confessionery business, where is was the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Rehoboth Chops and Confectioneries Limited years after her National Youth Service Corps Scheme, NYSC. After her marriage, she left private practice and picked appointment with the Kaduna State Ministry of Justice, where she rose through the ranks and retired as a Permanent Secretary in the ministry.

Lagos Mrs. Bolanle Ambode, the wife of the new Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, was born into the Odukomaiya family in Epe, Lagos, on February 15, 1964.

She attended St. Theresa's College, Ibadan, Oyo, for her secondary school and Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, Lagos, from where she graduated in Physics/ Mathematics for her first degree in 1989 and later Masters degree (MSc) in Public Administration in 1994.

Mrs. Ambode worked in the now defunct Peoples Bank of Nigeria and Instant Finance Nigeria Limited and later Aguagem Consulting before setting up her confessionery business, where is was the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Rehoboth Chops and Confectioneries Limited.

Bolanle's marriage with Governor Ambode, which was consummateted in 1991, is blessed with twins - a boy and a girl.

Ekiti Mrs Feyisetan Fayose, the wife of the new governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose, a daughter of a retired Chief Superintendent of Police, has always talked of her self set mandate to serve humanity. She says such mandate was the motive force behind the founding of her foundation, Feyi Fayose Trust Foundation (FFTF) which was formally flagged off on September 3rd, 2003. The foundation's aim is to contribute to the meaningful development of women, children, the youths, the aged and the handicapped.

A mother of four boys, Mrs Fayose serves other nonprofit making and charitable organisations, such as the Ekiti State Action Committee on AIDS (SACA) as Chairperson and National Union of Local Government

Niger Dr (Mrs) Aminat Sani Bello, the wife of Niger State new governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello.

She is the daughter of General Abdulsalami Abubakar, a former Military Head of State and his wife, Justice Fati Abubakar.

Other state first ladies whose profile has been subjects of interest include Mrs Tambuwal, the wife of Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto, Mrs. Martha Udom Emmanuel, the wife of the new governor of Akwa Ibom State Mr. Udom Emmanuel , Mrs. Jibrilla Jindow of Adamawa State, Nasir el Rufai of Kaduna State among others.

Given their exposure, personal accomplishments and interests in women, children and the empowerment of youths, the expectations of Nigerians are high. Already, some of them have come out to make public their determination to make impact.

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T

HERE are reports in the media of the planned defection of Senator Nkechi Nwogu from the PDP to the APC in Abia State. What is your reaction to this?

I see that to be disgusting and an act of desperation for somebody like that to think of dumping her party at this point in time because to the best of my knowledge, she has not joined APC. I hear her talk about change and I don't understand what she understands by change. The change Nigerians are talking about is not changing from PDP to APC, but changing the pattern of doing things, changing the present situation in Nigeria, changing the way our economy is run, changing the way our people do things, changing from corruption to doing things the right way. So, if what she called change is changing from PDP to APC, that is totally wrong in our understanding of change and that is not the change APC is talking about. One would have expected that she should wait and see what the government of APC will bring on board which will form her opinion of dumping her party and crossing over to APC. Moreover, our national leadership has made it clear that those that are intending to join the party should wait and remain in their party, build their party and provide credible opposition so that by so doing, Nigeria will move forward. So, I advice Senator Nkechi Nwogu to hold her peace, remain in her party and provide credible opposition and when the time comes and the national leadership deems it fit that the doors should be opened for people to begin to jump into the party, she will be properly informed and she will be welcomed.

To the best of my knowledge, she is not welcome yet because for now, it will amount to taking old wine and putting it in a new bottle.

Beyond what you saw on television, have you heard from the leadership of the party in the state that she wants to join the APC? I was told that the event took place in the office of a member of the BOT. I heard that they were at a meeting when she gate crashed into the meeting to make her intention known that she is joining the party. I heard the state chairman told her that the time is not yet ripe and the governorship candidate also told her that for now, the doors are not open for her to join the party, but that she should hold her peace. I am towing the same line.

But the constitution allows her or any other person the right to join any party of her choice. Don't you think Nigerians would think that those of you who don't want her to join the party now feel threatened?

'APC leadership must beware of defectors' Prince Paul Ikonne is a former governorship candidate of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Abia State and a chieftain of APC in the state. In this chat with Tony Akowe in Abuja he advice APC leadership to put defectors to the new ruling party 'where they belong.'

from PDP? We are not stopping her from joining, but we are asking what your reason is? She has been a member of the senate under PDP for eight years. Why are you now dumping PDP few days to the end of your tenure?

So, what would you say to the leadership of the party regarding these people who are joining the party after it recorded victory?

You cannot take old wine and put in new bottle. These are people that are coming to

in the emergence of an officer of the Senate.

Considering that over the years, our 109 Senators are not in the good books of the ordinary man struggling to earn a living worth $2 a day. The Senate Leadership that will serve alongside PMB must be decisive, transparent, incorruptible and above all earn public trust via their legislative oversight functions.

Specifically, the Senator Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan profile is intimidating, a thorough-bred legislature with 16years articulated experience in the National Assembly, 8years of productive representation at the Federal House of Representative between 1999 and 2007, at various stages he has chaired sensitive and pivotal committees of education and agriculture which facilitated bills of national impact. Serving in the Red chambers for 8years, he is the present Chairman of the Committee on Public account. Lawan is an academician, few of the doctorate holder in GIS which the country can boast of, Please NOTE, not a GEJ kind of PhD but a doctorate from a world leading technology based institution Cranfield University . He has placed his card on the table on the basis of integrity, competence and robust experience which will guarantee sanity in the 8th senate.

While Dr. Bukola Abubakar Saraki, a former 2terms Governor of Kwara State and the pioneer Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF). Saraki, a cool headed man is returning to the Senate for the 2nd time is basking in the zoning arrangement of the APC, which he claimed ceded the seat to the North Central zone of the country. One of the undoing of his aspiration is his desperation for

the number 3 seat which guided his public conduct on the social media specifically his twitter handle where he misinformed his close to 200,000 followers of a non-existent meeting of the NWC zoning the Senate Presidency to his zone which was immediately rebuffed by the party hierarchy. In the same manner, he committed a political blunder when he raised a letter claiming 35 Senators elect of the APC extraction have endorsed his candidature.

Till date, Saraki is yet to release the signatures of his loyalists or the video as claimed. And lastly, the driver for his agenda is a pointer that the Senate leadership under Saraki may be a weakling and dramatic one, Dino Melaye (Senator Elect) from Kogi State who is seen in the public sphere as controversial in directing the scene of unrealistic ambition.

All that said and done, we must also consider the good qualities of Distinguished Senator Bukola Saraki who's an astute politician, a trained Medical Doctor, an administrator of resources who demonstrated his love for his country by championing and exposing the massive fraud perpetuated in the petroleum downstream sector, a cause to which he has volunteered to dedicate his time and resources to unbundle the $32bn subsidy claims spent in the last 16years. We admonish ABS as fondly called by his admirers to collaborate with President Muhhamadu Buhari as The Chairman of Senate Committee on Petroleum (Downstream) to bring about the sanitization and total cleansing of the sector using his exposure that has brought rot and mismanagement over the years. –Engr Oluremi Omowaiye writes from Ilesa, Osun State

Senate presidency: Why Lawan is a better candidate

s we earnestly look forward to the positive changes in all spheres of Nigeria as promised by the President, Muhhamadu Buhari under the platform of APC, there is conscious need to critically analyze his inaugural speech as it relates to the tripod upon which our democracy stands on. He affirmed in his reassuring words to allow independence of the other two arms of government; legislative and judiciary, without interfering in the smooth running of their constitutional activities.

Upon this premise, the executive arm of government will optimally and fundamentally perform to the yearning of Nigerians who desire a monumental shift from the old ways which the previous PDP government have led us when we amend existing laws which may serve as impediment to functional application, give accelerated hearing and passage to sponsored bills as presented by the Buhari led executives in key sectors of the economy such as petroleum, power, agriculture, financial and educational sectors. All these aspirations will only materialize if there is a vibrant legislature which is in tune with the philosophy of the Commander in Chief.

A close look at the numerical structure of the new Senate shows the APC with 59 senators elected on their platform with exception to the re-elected senator of borno central who died recently and the remaining figures going to the minority party which is now the PDP. Ordinarily, a nominated or anointed Senator from the APC camp will automatically become the Senate President

A

By Omowaiye Oluremi as they are expected to form the executive position but present political calculation have yielded two different and distinct camps: The Ahmad Lawan and Bukola Saraki camp. The former is from a North Eastern state of Yobe while the latter is from the North Central axis of our country. Both are qualified and are ranking Senators in accordance with the Senate rules although Ahmad Lawan is the most ranking of all the APC Senators elect.

Historically, the PDP controlled Senate between 1999 and 2007 were changing the arrow head of the Senate because of so many factors ranging from inexperience, financial impropriety and high-headedness on the part of the leadership which necessitated in their abysmal failure, instability and focusless as rated by former Senate President in the 2nd republic , as at the last count before the emergence of David Mark in 2007, five other Senators have sat on the exalted seat namely (Evan Enwerem 1999 - 1999, Chuba Okadigbo 1999-2000 , Anyim Pius Anyim 2000-2003 ,Adolphus Wabara 2003-2005 ,Ken Nnamani 2005-2007 ) . Mark succeeded due to his team spirit, relative accommodation, vibrancy, experience spanning two terms and well managed prudence in financial management.

As such, the APC as a party in power needs to painstakingly emulate the good qualities of the Mark administration in selecting one of the major contenders to lead the 8th Senate, which is now the lens to which Nigerians will judge this administration. They should also take a direct cue from advanced democracy of the world where cognate legislative is crucial

distract the party, so I advice the leadership of the party to be conscious.

Are you saying the party does not have the mechanism to checkmate all those joining the party?

To be honest with you, the leadership of APC has the capacity to manage any crisis. If you noticed, there were a lot of things that were said would not happen. They said the merger would not work; APC will not be able to produce a presidential candidate. You noticed that all these things were properly handled and Nigerians were happy for it. For those that are coming in, I know that the party has the capacity to handle them and place them where they belong.

The National Leader of the party said recently that the party will not adopt zoning of offices, but would rely on competence.

How do you think your zone that did not give much votes to the APC would benefit from this arrangement?

What the South-East did is as good as voting much. You would recall that in the 2011 elections, from my state, PDP got over one million votes. So, based on that, you will not say that the South-East did not vote for the President. If they were muzzling us and we insisted that the right thing must be done and the card reader must be used and you cannot rig this time around and the result showed that it was difficult. For example, in Abia, what they wrote was over three hundred thousand votes as against over one million votes in 2011. So, you would agree with me that South-East will not be isolated considering the role we played. You can also remember that when Buhari visited Aba, there was a standing ovation. He was not molested by throwing of pure water and he was not afraid of walking in the market. That showed acceptability. So, I believe that whatever is due to the South-East, they will get it.

You took GMB to Ariaria Market. Why did you choose to take him to Ariaria Market?

Ariara Market in Aba is one of the biggest markets in West Africa. It is a market that whatever you want, you will get and yet, it has been forgotten. It is supposed to be an international market, but there is nothing to show that it is an international market. So, based on that, we needed him to see ahead of time that a lot of work needs to be done, that this city has been abandoned. The symbolic thing is that the road leading to that international market was built by the new President when he was PTF chairman.

• Ikonne

We are not stopping her from joining. We are saying she should show integrity and show us reason for wanting to join the APC. What has she seen in the APC that interests her to want to join? Is it the same desperation and fear of being out of power for people who believe they must be in power? What is she bringing on board?

What is it that she contributed to PDP or wanted to contribute to PDP and was not able to contribute? What has she seen that is different

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, JUNE 7, 2015

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, JUNE 7, 2015

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Ambode hits ground running T

HE fourteenth governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, has confirmed the steady gait and mien expected of an accomplished administrator in his first few days in office. A flurry of activities reveals the determined intent to implement a pathway to consolidate the future of the complex metropolis.

The inaugural address on Friday, May, 29 clearly heralded what Lagosians are to expect.

The speech in effect outlined a social contract between the Ambode administration and the people of the state.

An outline of the obligations of the two is essential in view of the economic downturn which Ambode was intellectually honest enough to admit.

Nevertheless, he pointed out that the foundations of the state are strong. This is because of the template that was sensibly put together by former Governor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 1999. The social contract, in Ambode's view, sensibly spells out that-" we are not citizens until we become responsible tax payers". This means that the new governor wants to establish a tax payers' democracy, which is actually the real form of democracy in the modern world.

On the part of the government in reciprocating the input of the tax payers, he was emphatic that "You will surely get a transparent and incorruptible government that will give you good value for your taxes paid".

With the rights and obligations spelt out, the governor then outlined the fundamental driving forces with which to propel the state development plan (2012-2025).

The plan is structured under four pillars; (1) Social development and security; (2) Infrastructural development; (3) Economic Development and (4) Sustainable Environment. The message here is that Lagos will have to be positioned to meet the aspirations of an economic powerhouse anchored on social justice.

To do so Ambode will incorporate some new structures within the context of keeping a lid on the cost of the machinery of government. A business friendly Lagos for example, will be propelled with the new office of Overseas Affairs and Investment (Lagos Global) which will be located in the Governor's office. The rationale for this is straight forward. It is a way of creating the enabling environment to bring job creating business into Lagos state as a one stop shop. As the Governor pointed out, "We want you to fly into Lagos, start your business, find your way; live, work and enjoy in Lagos." This innovation is crucial if the metropolis is not to face a demographic time bomb.

Jobs will have to be created for the youth and Lagos Global will be a key mechanism to do so. Here Ambode is already walking the talk. He very cannily sold the Lagos Global project to the visiting President of Namibia, Dr. Hage Geingob stating that when looking for investment, Lagos should be the first place of call.

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• Ambode

By Ayo Badmus

This is an indication that the new governor is going to double up as chief marketing officer for a business friendly Lagos. The new Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment, speaks for itself. In addition there will be the Office of civic engagement in the office of the deputy governor to promote inclusion which means consolidating social cohesion and promoting social solidarity.

It is important to reiterate that the new structures will be incorporated within existing formats.

Ambode's vast experience in the public sector means that he is aware of the key role of effectively deploying key personnel. This is indicated in his first appointments to strategic posts.

Those chosen come in with an array of proven expertise and integrity. A pointer to what is to come. On offer, we have for example, a renaissance man in Tunji Bello as the secretary to the state government. Bello's background combines degrees in political science and law as well as an edifying career in the media and a vigorous immersion into public service administration since he was appointed commissioner for environment in 2011 by former Governor Babatunde Fashola and having previously been appointed a commissioner in 2003 by Bola Tinubu.

The other appointments are on the same lines. The new chief of staff Samuel Ojo is an accomplished administrator who knows the department backwards having been permanent secretary there. There are also immense possibilities with the appointment of Habib Adamson Aruna as the chief press secretary. This is an indication that the presentation of policy is crucial. Governor Ambode is going to initiate a lot of path breaking innovations.

However, it is crucial for the public to key into this new

development. For this reason the appointment of the highly regarded, well connected former editor of Sunday Independent and lately Managing Editor Upshotreports, is rather inspired, combining as he does the professional acumen reflected in having climbed through the ranks with intellectual rigour.

There is also the accomplished Abiodun Bamgboye as the principal private secretary.

Overall, the conventional wisdom is that there is a buzz in Alausa, the seat of government that one of their own is the helmsman. In his first official interaction with the civil service Ambode while stressing the new work ethic, early resumption and so forth stressed that the welfare of the civil service will be paramount. Very much stating the obvious since this is his own turf. It will also be on Ambode's part, leadership by example. This is already indicated with the Governor deciding to operate from Ikeja closer to the secretariat so that he can resume at 8 a.m. as well.

The air of expectation has been justified by for example the thoughtful manner in which the new governor promised succour to the victims of the tanker fire explosion. This demonstrated his responsiveness to the plight of the citizens, and is an indication of what is to follow. Quick off the mark, he made a firm commitment that he will ensure that all those who lost properties will get back to their normal business life.

It is morning yet in Lagos state. Ambode has started on the good foot. Early days yes, however, if morning shows the day, the indications are that there are promising times ahead in Lagos state under an administrator whose problem solving resolve cannot be questioned. –Badmus, a public affairs analyst, lives in Ayobo, Ipaja, Lagos

The Team Buhari

LECTIONEERING is over and it is time for governance.

It is time to constitute the team and teams to drive the process of delivering the change promised Nigerians by the new President as he toured the country soliciting support. The time when Rhetoric counted for something is over; it is time to walk the talk.

As is the case in the game of football, governance hangs on the strength of the team assembled, and the cohesion forged. A football team, to be successful, must have individually gifted players who also realise that the team would achieve glory only when the ball is moved forward and everyone made to play his part. The goalkeeper has his place and must control his territory and organize his defence. The defence, too, must work hard to impede the flow of the ball into the critical area, while the midfield serves as buffer between the defence and the offence. It carries the ball forward and must be quick to intercept the movement by the opponents. But, even where the defence and the midfielders play their parts well, a blunt strike force would cost the team dearly.

It is therefore up to the coach to assemble a powerful team, undertake to study the strength and pattern of play of the opponents which constitutes the problem to be solved as well as device a winning strategy.

President Buhari's administration will be as strong as the team he is able to put together. People are already becoming impatient with him for denying them an early glimpse into the working of his mind with regards to the quality of men who would be working intimately with him in driving the process. It had been expected that, as customary, he would immediately on assuming power name the head of his media team, who would then swing into action in coordinating the use and treatment given news of the inauguration. He failed to do so and only made the announcement more than 48 hours later. Even then, it suggested indecision. I hope not. Then, it was expected that a top policy man or retired top civil servant would be named as Secretary to the Government of the Federation. He did not, or perhaps could not. Neither could he decide on who would manage the presidential office staff as Chief of Staff. The tentativeness is being noticed and noted.

But, it is yet early day. Every President is entitled to his style.

While this leader has been slow in naming people to key positions, he left no one in doubt that he considers the security challenge a priority. But then, shouldn't he have waited to constitute his team and work with his security and defence team? Or, does he intend to leave in place the security apparatus that had just failed the country in place? What does he intend to do with the inherited

security and service chiefs? We need an efficient defence team to put together strategies and policies to redeem the image of the country and restore peace in the troubled areas.

The economy is in a shambles.

Jonathan, despite having a respected former World Bank shief as Coordinating Minister of the Economy, was a colossal failure.

He failed to build a prosperous Nigeria. How Buhari intends to achieve this is not very obvious from his party's manifesto. A lot would depend on those he names to the Finance, National Planning, Solid Minerals, Petroleum and Communications portfolios.

Would they be men and women of proven integrity? Would they be nationalists and committed to building a New Nigeria? Our President should begin to work on this. We must, in the next one week know those in whose hands the President is committing Africa's most populous country.

Then, the power portfolio, the man to run transport, especially the seaports and railway: What about education and health? Only when the gaps have been filled would we know that c hange has come.

My plea with President Buhari is to look critically as the foundation determines the strength of the edifice. There are many people pressing the buttons now, seeking to be appointed on the recommendations of their godfathers. Nigerians did not vote the godfathers. We know who sought and obtained the mandatethe buck stops at his desk.

He should watch out for the following categories of people shoving and waving their resumes at him- the Qualified, not qualified; the Qualified but unavailable; the Available, but incompetent and the Not-so-Qualified but irresistible.

The first category refers to those who have impressive academic qualifications and have availed their services to all previous governments. They understand the system and the game- the right buttons to press. But, in all previous engagements, they had failed the country. Asked, they have legion of reasons to give. They lack strength of character and are therefore not good enough to engage the Change gear. They are vultures and undertakers. They must be avoided.

What about the Qualified, not available? These are. in the main, technocrats who are highly rated and respected by the public but would not be seen anywhere near political offices. They are nauseated by the pattern of political play and fear they could lose their reputation. They see all politicians as the same and would rather live their private lives. Even when they are tempted to consider offers, they are scared of public cynicism and the tendency to tar all public officials with the same brush.

Continues next week

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POLITICS

f all the geo-political blocs in the Nigerian polity, the South-East, made up entirely of the lgbo, is the worst hit by the dearth of statesmen. Time was when the zone, if you like Igboland, boasted of the most visible, most respected, most articulate, most visionary leaders who, either had performed creditably well in public office or who, even as private sector operators, exhibited high leadership qualities that appealed to a cross section of Nigerians. We won't name names but even though some of them are still around, they are no longer in the centre stage; some on account of age but majority were affected by the crab (Nshikor) mentality that is prevalent in the politics of that part of the country.

The stage was set for the current depletion of high net worth politicians of lgbo extraction between 1999 and 2007 through a combination of the crab mentality and the vulnerability of the lgbo political elite to the fixation of the then President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, over the lgbo. I have stated in a previous article that the crop of fellows that were thrown up in that dispensation as governors, senate presidents etc, were among the best (in terms of personal attributes) crop of political office holders the lgbo had ever presented. But by a combination of both internal and external perfidy, the fellows that held sway during that period failed to add value to the collective political stock of the lgbo.

Take the governors that served during that period. Again we won't name names but each of them possessed attributes that would have catapulted him to the level of statesman had they comported themselves better. Whereas almost all are today engrossed in domestic squabbles in their respective states, a fellow like Bola Tinubu, who served during the same period as they, has so risen in the nation's political horizon that today he almost single handedly installed the president of Nigeria.

Even with the array of star studied personalities in the All Progressives Congress (APC), Tinubu epitomizes the ideals of the party.

Compare this with a situation where one of his colleagues who served as governor in one of the lgbo (South-East states) during the same period as him (Tinubu) was reduced to the position of a mere chairman of the elders' council of his state's chapter of the same APC. Although this ex-governor has since left the party, his clout does not go beyond a few local government areas in a state he ruled for eight years. This is just one example but it is sufficient to illustrate the point that Igboland didn't have the good luck of turning that crop of governors into preeminent fellows as other

O

As Orji arrives the senate

• Theodore Orji

By Ethelbert Okere blocs did. Personally, I think it is one great opportunity missed. The reason will be left for another day but I think it is sufficient, in the time being, to state that another opportunity has presented itself to Ndi lgbo to groom one or two fellows who can avail the bloc the benefits of added political value. Which brings us to the main topic of today: The emergence of Chief Theodore Ahamefule Orji, immediate past governor of Abia State, as a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria after eight years of credible performance as governor.

Chief T.A. Orji was elected to represent Abia North Senatorial District in the last general election but I can say without equivocation that his senatorial outing will be a representation of the entire South-East. I say this because I see Orji's senatorial outing as one big opportunity for the lgbo to try to gain some lost grounds in their quest for collective clout and reckoning which is

fast depleting, especially in their relationship with the rest of the country.

Orji is the only one from amongst the last crop of governors (2007-2015) in the South-East that made it to the senate. In an article I did some time ago, I begged Mr. Peter Obi, immediate past governor of Anambra State, not to quit politics as he had threatened. I would have loved to see Obi also in the senate to add to what we will be getting with T.A. Orji who, like Obi, has shown a lot of brilliance and capacity to be an arrow head in the much needed redefinition of the Igbo political landscape.

Of course, I am not oblivious of the fact that I would be criticized for holding this position on the hackneyed argument that after years of "enjoyment" as governor, people like Orji should have sat down to allow others to taste the sweet apple. But that is a rather cheap way of approaching the issue of nation building.

Back to the South-East (Igboland) which is the focal point of this article, the argument

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, JUNE 7, 2015 becomes even more senseless because that would mean an endorsement of the continuation of the diminishing clout of the collective called the lgbo. Differently put, methinks the lgbo cannot afford further depletion of the collective political stock. We can go from the known to the unknown until we are able to fashion out a better yard stick or criteria for throwing up leaders at the level of governors, senators, etc. For me, the known today is that we have a fellow like T.A. Orji who has shown capacity and still willing to serve. Again, I am aware that I may be criticized for apparently advocating a "recycling" of older people but the matter goes beyond age. Younger lgbo elements elected or appointed into political offices have even proved to be more vulnerable.

In any case, the average age of the crop of governors (1999 to 2007) in the South-East at the time they were elected was about 42 years.

That, by any definition, was a young age bracket.

But did they show the needed capacity? Did they all show that they had something radically new to offer to their people?

Fortunately, T.A. Orji, apart from showing flair for prudent management of resources, has done what was lacking in nearly all the five South-East states during that period. That period was characterized by rancor among members of the political elite in each of the states. From Owerri to Awka, from Enugu to Umuahia, to Abakaliki, the story was the same: there was breakdown of elite consensus. Orji might not have paved all the streets in Aba and Umuahia with gold but he succeeded in bringing members of the Abia political elite to work on one page.

Senator T.A Orji will be the most experienced politician from the South-East in the 8th senate. He is the only one with experience from the executive arm of government; which puts him in a good stead to better understand the needs of the people in the entire South-East. With the maturity he garnered over the eight years as governor, T.A. will most certainly be a great asset to the senate.

As governor, his comportment was legendary even in the face of extreme provocation by political irritants in Abia; and at a time Nigerians are about to experiment with a senate made up of a matrix of opposing forces, there can be no doubt that the nation at large will benefit from the maturity and resilience of people like him. On June 9, 2015, Senator T.A Orji will join other 108 eminent Nigerians to post yet another land mark for the people of the South-East and indeed for Nigerians as a whole.

'Buhari shouldn't take Ubah's gesture lightly'

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s many Nigerians were still savoring the historic victory of General Muhammadu Buahari at the presidential polls, oil marketers in the country began to grumble over alleged unpaid subsidy claims. Like a joke it began but within few weeks their threats began to materialise.

On Saturday, 16th May 2015, the association of oil marketers issued a directive to its members, ordering the suspension of loading activities in all depots from Monday the 18th May 2015. According to the association, the directive was as a result of unpaid funds owed to transporters by oil marketers who in turn are being owed by the federal government.

As usual in such circumstances, there was immediate fuel scarcity. Initially it only affected few states such as Abuja the Federal Capital Territory but as the May 29th hand over date drew closer, the situation began to bite harder. Many Nigerians were made to pass through harrowing experiences as many had to spend nights and long hours at petrol stations in attempts to buy fuel. Those who could not go through that abandoned their cars at home and some even took to trekking. Others even avoided going out, preferring to suffer quietly at home.

The suffering and hardship that citizens have been subjected to as a result of the scarcity of petrol, diesel, aviation fuel and house hold kerosene had been much.

Hospitals had been unable to function properly; laboratories had been unable to carry out the much needed tests especially for emergency patients leaving such patients at the risk of dying.

Radio stations had been shut down, communication was also affected as telecommunication companies had

By Oliver Okpala announced an impending shut down while homes, offices and key facilities nationwide were experiencing blackouts. In some parts of the country, petrol was selling at an all-time high of N1, 000 per litre. As many left their homes to be sleeping in fuel stations, they faced the possibility of robbery attacks and other attendant risks.

Amidst this crisis, the then Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, was locked in a bitter war of words with the oil marketers.

But seeing the continuous and untold hardship which Nigerians were going through, the Managing Director and CEO of Capital Oil and Gas Limited, Dr. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah, was moved with compassion and pulled out of the strike by the fuel tankers and marketers, saying it was not going to be part of the ploy to inflict pain on Nigerian masses.

In a press statement issued by Dr. Ubah, the company announced that its tank farm facility with a combined storage capacity of 190 million liters with the capacity to load over 13 million litres of product per day be immediately opened to start loading before the dawn of the next day.

He was rightly quoted to have said in the announcement, "This is a period that requires patriotism and service to fatherland. Let's join hands to help our fellow citizens and save Nigeria. We also call on striking bodies to call off the strike action. Let us work together for the betterment of our people." This singular act doused the tension in the land and compelled the oil marketers association to immediately call off the strike.

Although the scarcity has not fully abated, Ubah's patriotic action created a better atmosphere for the new government headed

by President Muhamadu Buhari to be sworn in. True to his promise, his company commenced distribution of over 13 million liters per day of petroleum products from its tank farm in Apapa, Lagos. This came to approximately 400 trucks of products per day.

The national embarrassment that would have resulted from the visiting heads of state and delegation from across Africa and beyond, noticing the fuel scarcity menace, was well managed due to the patriotic intervention of a man who began with nothing but has been blessed by God through a dint of hard work and ingenuity to become one of the nation's biggest oil and gas merchants.

In dissociating himself from the strike, he rescued millions of Nigerians from the untold hardship occasioned by the fuel crisis. The strike was understandably perceived by many as a plan to sabotage the outgoing administration of President Goodluck Jonathan and to stampede the incoming administration of President Buhari into a turbulent start.

Besides, as an association and not a labor union, the oil marketers' body's move to cripple the nation's economy at that crucial time should be seen as a very unpatriotic act. It is therefore pertinent to investigate and ascertain those behind the strike as both Petroleum Tankers Drivers (PTD) and NUPENG have all denied being responsible for the action.

One clear message which the situation has brought to the nation is the urgent need to totally deregulate the sector as this will curb corruption, increase investment, create jobs, and force down the price of petrol to approximately below the current official 87 naira per litre. However, this critical and timely intervention of Dr. Ubah has shown what love for country and working for the greater good can achieve in a nation.

• Buhari The new administration should not take this gesture lightly. In progressive nations across the world, individuals and organisations that show such uncommon feat of placing public interest above other ones are identified and rewarded.

Honoring such a feat would serve as an example to others that making personal sacrifice for national good is a worthwhile investment.

Indeed as Martin Luther King Jnr. said, the ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moment of comfort and convenience but where he stands in times of challenge and controversy. Dr Ifeanyi Ubah stood on the side of the people and for the good of country at this critical time of national rebirth.

-Okpala, a political analyst, sent this piece from Abuja

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, JUNE 7, 2015

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HERE is a new government led by President Muhammadu Buhari in place, what are your expectations?

As a good citizen, we would continue to cooperate with any government in power because as you know, soldier goes but the barrack remains. That is governance and the longest time anybody can stay in this democratic process is eight years. For some of us, we have to accept the inevitable circumstances of the process and would want to see what the new government has to offer the Nigerian people.

Looking back, what is your assessment of the last regime of President Goodluck Jonathan?

My own perception would be a marked difference from other people but I believe Jonathan did so well based on his capacity. I want to say that he made tremendous progress in the time he spent in governance. He did the best he can to lift the country to a greater height but we cannot achieve success as a country if we do not work together. The only way a leader can make progress is for the followers to give him the maximum support which unfortunately cannot be said of President Jonathan's period. Since Nigeria is a multi-lingua and multiethnic set of people, there would always be different perception by different people. Also, don't forget that there is also the perception that Jonathan came from the minority section of the county that does not deserve to rule. Since some people do not like him, they felt they had to pull down the government. Some of the criticisms against former President Jonathan were not constructive but he has shown that he is truly a good citizen of this country from the way he conducted himself even when there were grounds for him to contest the result of the election. He showed that the country comes first than even the region he came from. I just hope the new government would also build upon the legacy Jonathan left behind in the future in case the people reject them at the poll.

So you are in agreement with the postulation that Jonathan was actually betrayed by some of his stalwarts in the Peoples Democratic Party?

I agree totally because when you are somewhere and some people around you are already digging your grave before you die; it gives cause for concern.

Like the party Chairman, Muazu was accused of so many anti-party activities. You recall that Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State even told the world that he has a dossier on the many anti-party activities of the PDD chairman and that goes to tell you that Jonathan was doomed to fail at the election.

Though they say politics is a game of number and the popularity of the person should earn him the victory, yet you can see that some persons were maltreated in some states during the electioneering period. A case in point was that of Bauchi, the home state of the PDP chairman, where the convoy of a sitting President was stoned. How then do you expect Jonathan to win in such a hostile environment? But as said earlier, we must accept the inevitable circumstances that we found ourselves today if that is the only thing that would keep us together as a country. We know there are a lot of irregularities during the election and I would agree that Jonathan was actually betrayed by those who should have supported him to retain his post.

You were quoted as saying 'the Ijaw activists' would make the country ungovernable should Jonathan lose the 2015 Presidential Election; do you still maintain your stand on this?

First and foremost, I have no apology for being an Ijaw man. My allegiance goes to the Ijaw people which is where I came from. So, I have no apology for saying that I won't support anybody other than Jonathan. I was and

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'For change to be meaningful, Buhari must fight corruption squarely' Alhaji Mujahid AsariDokubo, Ijaw activist and founder of the Niger Delta People's Volunteer Force, speaks candidly in an interview with Assistant Editor, M o r a k i n y o Abodunrin about the Jonathan's Presidency and his expectations of the government of President Muhammadu Buhari. Excerpts‌ • Asari-Dokubo

still 100 percent in support of Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and I have no apology for that. We have been living in deception for too long in this country and the country called Nigeria was a constitution of fraud.

This was congregation of people by the colonial masters who coerced them into a marriage that was never going to work because it catered mostly for the interest of the Northern Protectorate; and I don't know how long we are going to live in this deception? I was never born to be ruled but we have a case of people who never cared if people from where the major resources of the country are coming from deserve to lead. There is a saying that whoever holds the piper dictates the tune but this is not the case in Nigeria of today.

Rather, what we have is suppression and oppression; and we are saying this cannot and should not be allowed to continue.

You know there was a time when the slogan for one of the states in Northern Nigeria was 'Born to Rule' until they were told it does not augur well for the unity of the country. As far as I'm concerned, there was a conspiracy by some people to ensure that the Jonathan government did not succeed.

I want to believe that you listened to the inaugural speech of President Buhari, what did you make of it?

I listened attentively to the inaugural speech of the new President and in the entire speech, one statement stood out: 'I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody.' I think that is instructive that he wants to be his own man and that nobody or a godfather like we have in our politics, can hold him hostage. We would hold him to account on this because there is so much corruption in the land which as a matter of fact had been there for over 30 years ago and it would be interesting on how he goes about it. But it is not by mere talking that he belongs to everybody and to nobody but I hope he would be able to walk the talk by putting in check for instance, the issue of the godfather as we have it in many political parties today. We are waiting to see him implement some of the things he has promised Nigerians he was going to do; and for some of us. We are desperate to see the change.

Do you believe in change?

I can't wait to see the change they were talking about. It was the anthem of change that put them in power and we are waiting to see these changes. The ordinary Nigerians believe in change and that was why they (APC) were voted into power, so we are waiting to see the change. Change is such a powerful word that the man

sleeping in his room would be interested to know what is the change these people are talking about.

What kind of change are you personally looking forward to see?

There is a lot of corruption in the land.

There is a lot of corruption in the land; a lot of corruption and this has nothing to do only with the government of former President Goodluck Jonathan because this is something that has plagued the country as far back as some 25 to 30 years ago. So, I'm looking forward to the change they are talking about because few people have amassed so much wealth for their own personal aggrandizement and unfortunately, to the detriment of people of this county; so, it would be interesting to see how President Buhari is going to effect change in the war against corruption. Of course, we know there is so much corruption in the power sector for instance and Jonathan tried to wade into it but he was frustrated. The truth must prevail because the world knows those who had stolen the wealth of this country; we know those who have carted away the resources of this country to build so many exotic homes abroad. I would be glad to see President Buhari tackle corruption. If he does this, I would be the number one person to give him my support because corruption has become the bane of our society.

Do you think he has the capacity to tackle corruption as he said?

If I were the president of this country, I would sacrifice myself and fight head-on corruption. I think fighting corruption is a state of the mind and if he has the mind, he can fight it. You can't be a leader or president without stepping on people's toes. He has to step on people's toes in order to fight corruption. What kind of salary are some people and senators receiving that they would be riding cars of 30 to 50 million Naira? Where did they get that sort of money in this economy? That is the truth but like I said, w have been living in deception in this country but I think Buhari has the capacity to fight corruption but it is left to him to ensure that he fight the war against corruption to a logical conclusion. I don't think he is a materialistic person and I think if he desire to fight corruption as he has told us, he can fight it. I know that the former president of Iran does not have more than two or three clothes when he was in government and even when he left power he has little or nothing. But in our country, we have seen that those who ruled us are living on the top of mountains with

stupendous wealth; and they have businesses which they acquired from sleaze and tax payers' money. All these things must be looked into because they actually converted governance to private enterprise.

What other areas did you think he can focus aside the issue of Boko Haram that he mentioned in his inaugural speech?

I don't want to believe all he said are just mere rhetoric or campaign strategy.

We are going to hold Buhari accountable for all the promises he made before the election. The records are there because we have heard them say that 'Dollar would be exchanged for just one naira' and he promised that we're going to have '24 hour of electricity' and we are waiting to see all of these happen. The out-gone President Jonathan gave us freedom of speech and I would pray that President Buhari allow us to exercise such freedom because we are going to be the watchdog of his government. Just as they were not patient enough to wait to see Jonathan finish some of the things he promised, we won't give them the liberty to wait till eternity. The patience was not there for Jonathan to complete his second term so that we would be able to assess him well, so we won't give them such luxury too.

The angling for power did not allow them to be patient but constructive criticism is what we are going to engage in; and I won't be party into those naĂŻve and stupid criticism of the new government.

Do you honestly think President Buhari would be able to fix these problems in four years?

I told you earlier that there is not going to be excuses for not delivering on these promises. There should be no excuses because the last man said building a nation was gradual process and that he should be allowed to complete another mandate but they did not hear him out. So, we are also saying President Buhari must fix the economy, battle corruption and insecurity in four years just as he promised to do. It is only God that knows tomorrow and if you are talking about tomorrow, you should be talking about today; but if we can't see any significant change in the next two years.

We are not going to give them rest. Don't forget the criticisms of Jonathan started almost immediately he was sworn in as president in 2011; so it should be the same way. Why would it be different this time around? So, what we are waiting to see is the change they made noise about during the campaign because it was on that basis that they were voted into power.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, JUNE 7, 2015

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Agunbiade and the Lagos Speakership tussle

Kashamu and his endless lucky streak W

ITH a Federal High Court in Lagos ordering the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to further action in its plan to arrest and extradite Senator-elect, Buruji Kashamu, to the US to face drug charges, not a few persons, Nigerians and foreigners alike, are talking about what appears to be Kashamu's unending streak of luck.

At a time when many had thought that with NDLEA finally able to file an extradition request, the embattled Senator-elect is on his way to face his accusers in America, Justice Ibrahim Buba on Thursday asked all parties in the matter to maintain status quo until the determination of the suit.

The NDLEA had, on Tuesday, June 2, said it had filed an extradition request and served notice of same on Kashamu. Kashamu's lawyers however accused the agency of unprofessionalism saying the last minute filing was an attempt to save face.

Giving the troubled Ijebu-born politician a much needed respite, the Judge adjourned the case to Friday, June 19. It is left to be seen how far Kashamu will go in his desperate struggle to wriggle out of the mess.

•Kashamu

Between GEJ and Dickson

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bservers of certain happenings in Bayelsa State are wondering if all is well between former President Goodluck Jonathan and his erstwhile godson, Governor Seriake Dickson.

Those who are popping up questions on this matter are not without reasons. Of late, some of the actions of the governor and even those of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state speak volumes of a looming face-off between the camps of the two politicians.

First, the governor announced the cancellation of contracts awarded to some PDP chieftains in the state, including some aides to ex-President Jonathan, over non-execution and blackmail against his administration.

Those affected include former senior special assistant to Jonathan on Domestic Matters, Waripamowei Dudafagh and the chairman of the Governing Council of the Federal Polytechnic, Ekeowe, Bekeapo Etifa.

Few days back, nine members of the PDP, mostly Jonathan loyalists, were expelled from the party over anti-party activities in the last general elections. Among those expelled are Dudafagh; former deputy governor and state coordinator of Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN), Werinipre Seibarugu; former acting governor and deputy speaker of the House of Assembly, Nestor Binabo; Nimi Barigha-Amange and Chamberlain Ikidi.

Although Dickson was to treat Jonathan to a state dinner two days later, many people are of the opinion that the relationship between the two erstwhile political associates is badly strained and may soon give way for serious crisis.

• Dickson

F

OLLOWING the seemingly unending impasse over the election of principal officers for the Lagos State House of Assembly, it appears members-elect, especially the new comers, may be turning to one of them for a much needed guidance on how best to resolve the lingering furor.

Ripples observed that across factional and party divides, Honourable members are calling on Hon. Sanai Agunbiade, one of the contestants for the Speakership position, to reach out to the adamant gladiators in a bid to ensure speedy resolution of the matter that reached its peak during the week leading to the postponement of the inauguration of the 8th Assembly.

Agunbiade, a third term lawmaker who surprised many of his colleagues weeks back during a meeting by old members of the House to pick a consensus candidate for the post of the Speaker, by opting to drop his ambition and seek the Deputy Speakership instead, following requests from his colleagues who are eager to resume legislative duties, have been working round the clock to ensure a quick resolution of the impasse.

At a recent meeting that had many of the contenders for Speakership in attendance, Agunbaide urged the lawmakers to put the interest of the people of Lagos above all personal interests and give concessions in order to resolve the • Jonathan leadership crisis as soon as possible.

'Buhari understands Nigeria better than his predecessor'

•Contd. on page 35 the elders and the political elite, and the huge division between those elites, on one side, and the masses on the other. There is a crisis of confidence in Igboland and it's been on for long. On one hand, we have the political elite benefitting from Nigeria, living like movie stars, deceiving the masses, constituting themselves into Bill Gates, donating keke, okada, clothes and bags of rice to the masses. On the other hand, you have the poor masses and their champions, who hang Biafran flags in their bedrooms, they even have a radio station now, Radio Biafra, and they are on a different pedestal. And the rest of Nigeria do not understand that, that in the SouthEast, Ndigbo are not happy with the structure of Nigeria. My message to President Buhari is that Ndigbo will support you, sir. We are praying for you to succeed, to check the sleaze, to correct the arrogance and the mismanagement of the out-gone PDP government. but, sir, anybody who tells you that Ndigbo are happy with the structure of Nigeria is deceiving you. Ndigbo are bitter about a structure that leaves them with only 95 Local Government Areas and 5 states,

where they are denied equal representation.

The so-called Igbo leaders who live in Asokoro and Maitama and drink brandy with other Nigerians, and who say that the Igbos are happy under the present structure are deceiving other Nigerians. Ndigbo are bitter, they are angry, and I am in the middle, sounding the alarm. If you disregard me, time will tell, because I know that there are people who, out of frustration, no longer believe in Nigeria, and they put money down to fund Radio Biafra.

They are tired of the leaders. They are frustrated.

My duty is to tell President Buhari the truth.

The first step to carry Ndigbo along is to begin, anyway you like, to restructure Nigeria. If you don't like the recommendations of the Confab, you can begin your own restructuring. If you fight corruption from here to Timbuktu, if you fight Bokom Haram from here to Cairo, you will not carry Ndigbo along if they are still locked in this 5-state structure. Matters are made worse by the booth licking culture of pretended leaders, pseudo leader's, selfish and conceited men who have no shame. They are hugely talented at hoodwinking presidents, capturing him and holding his hostage; their tongues are also well designed for professional boot licking. They don't mean well for anybody except themselves and their children. Their sole agenda now is how to access the same Buhari

they mobilised everybody to hate. I hear they are desperately searching for crevices, cracks in the window and under the door so they can creep in to lick President Buhari's booth so they can deceive and manipulate him like they did other presidents.

They led Jonathan into the pit, they only hope to use flattery and praise singing to deceive Buhari. I hope the man knows them well; he has been around enough to know them. Their indolence and greed will not let them forge a strong opposition block. Please help me tell President Buhari to hide his booths from these shameless bootlickers.

The Igbo position at the moment is that the masses want Buhari to run Nigeria with the fear of God, to begin to restructure Nigeria, to give them a sense of belonging, to create an equitable environment; while the so-called elites and Igbo politicians are looking for Buhari's boots to lick. I hear that Buhari locked up his boots in the wardrobe and refused to present his boots for them to lick. They have written so many letters, they want to pay solidarity visits to him; they are professional boot-lickers. They are so good at it. They licked Obasanjo's, Yar'Adua's, and Jonathan's boots, and they are looking for Buhari's boots to lick.

They are disconnected from the masses, and they want connections so they can get contracts,

appointments, make money, and help themselves, as usual, at the expense of the masses. My message to President Buhari is this, Ndigbo have nothing against you. They want you to know that the structure of Nigeria, which you didn't create, is unfair and unjust, and therefore unacceptable. They are so disgruntled that millions of their youths are even being misled.

Buhari has a huge opportunity to rebuild Nigeria, bring to book all those that destroyed this country, make them to refund all the billions they stole, and restore confidence in the leadership of Nigeria. Then, Ndigbo will support him. The people that Ndigbo look up to as their leaders are only out for their own pockets, and for the affairs of their children; they don't care about the Igbo masses. Ndigbo stood with Jonathan to the end simply because he engaged us, and told us that he would restructure Nigeria. Now he did not restructure before he left. We have not given up on restructuring of Nigeria. We plead with President Buhari to realise that the most important need of the Igbo nation is the restructuring of the political structure of Nigeria, and the enthronement of true federalism along the lines of equity and fairness.

STEPHEN

SUNDAY JUNE 7, 2015

IN VOGUE

By Kehinde Oluleye

Tel: 08023689894 (sms) E-mail: kehinde.oluleye@thenationonlineng.net

5

Raising a voice for the Nigerian girl With Temilolu Okeowo temilolu@girlsclub.org.ng 07086620576 (sms only) Please visit my blog www.temiloluokeowo.wordpress.com for more inspiring articles. Twitter@temiloluokeowo

DAY FANS

There was a time my car broke down somewhere around Orile (Lagos) and some students were singing, 'When am I going to be what I'm going to be.'

I was embarrassed.

(Laughs)

EMBAR ASSED

R ME‌ Well, piracy is daylight stealing. And it's sad that no administration, ever since 1960 has tackled this piracy issue. It's almost becoming a culture that we've welcome. But it's fine. I think it's (piracy) a global thing

Continued from Page 52

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY, JUNE 7, 2015

•Engagement written by Femi Osofisan, stage built by Elemi

•Attahiru, written by Ahmed Yerima, stage built by Elemi

What stage designs do to plays Technical directing, otherwise known as stage designing, is no doubt the most difficult segment of the theatre. But one professional artiste who has chosen to venture into this tough terrain to give Nigerian theatre its proper definition is Hilary Elemi. Elemi heads the technical directorate of the National Troupe of Nigeria and he has designed most of the best stage designs ever in the history of live theatre in Nigeria. He shares his experiences and how this aspect gives true life and meaning to theatre with Edozie Udeze. Excerpts

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ECHNICAL directing or stage designing is one of the most difficult aspects of the theatre. It is one area where a few artistes want to dwell and excel in, due to its delicate and somewhat unsung nature. But one man who has stuck out his neck in this area of the theatre from the beginning of his career is Hilary Elemi. Elemi is the technical director of the National Troupe of Nigeria, a position which makes him one of the most revered professionals in the land.

“Yes, from the beginning, I decided I had the desire to be a technical director to give meaning to Nigerian theatre productions. Previously, I had graduated from the University of Calabar as a theatre director. But to me, a lot were missing from most of the productions I saw and I needed to add more value to our productions. You know, the technical arm of the theatre is the thing that makes the production captivating to the audience. It is indeed the visual arm of the theatre.” This was one of the primary reasons Elemi felt duty-bound to be part of this phenomenon.

He gave his reasons further; “You see, people come to the theatre to see production. But what gives that production its total effect is the set and stage designs. This is what makes theatre very attractive and somewhat outstanding.

People then want to see and comprehend the magic of theatre. What is the totality of a play if it does not have the picture of what the playwright had in mind while writing the play?” he asked.

Every aspect of live theatre is defined holistically when a stage design conforms with the visual to embellish the pattern it presents.

Elemi who has risen to the position of a deputy director and now heads the technical department of the Troupe opines that what holds most European theatre platform is their mode of stage designs. “This is why a play can run for one month with thespians coming to view different aspects of the designs. What they see, they want to understand it clearly in order to situate the story and the play. When people first used the word, the magic in theatre, I did not understand it. But it is the secret behind the beauty of a play, aesthetic beauty so to say.”

Over the years, in the reasoning of Elemi, Nigerian stage plays have been escaping from this wonderful scenario, thus depriving the audience the opportunity of seeing theatre in its complete epitome. “This was the situation, mainly due to lack of finance to build befitting stages for our various plays,” he says. “Yet, it is this beauty, this visual that captivates the audience and holds them spellbound. Stage design embraces the production, it enhances it, it projects it and then sends the right signals to the audience. So, the design should be able to explain aspects which the play itself was unable to explain,” he posits.

For every stage play to bring out the message to the fore, a good technical director or stage designer has to make appropriate and maximum input. Elemi defines it thus: “A good technical design would explain not only the mood of the play, but also people’s appreciation of what goes on. A traditional production, for instance, if properly handled will explain that this play took place in a palace. Or that the scene took place at an airport or at the sea. Sequences like that often help to unravel a play and bring it nearer home to the audience.”

As a stage designer, it is proper to work in synergy with a playwright to be able to interpret some of the scenes in the play. Often, a playwright may have some definite scenes in his mind while the stage designer prefers the opposite. ‘Oh, this is where the synergy readily comes into play,” he says. “It is at its stage that the playwright has to be consulted because in the first place, it is his play. For a designer to design, he must first of all know the intent of the playwright. It is part of your training as a designer to know all this. You need to understand what the playwright is saying and how he is saying it and even why he has to say it and so on. For instance, a stage designer ought to go into research to get the background of the production. This will help him to know the kind of characters that have been projected.”

Owing to the singular aesthetic nature of set and stage design, it is often imperative to invent ancient objects of value to adorn the stage. “This is why you may sometimes see artefacts and objects of historical values on stage. They in-

deed help to embellish and enhance a play on stage,” Elemi decided. He goes on to say: “As a director of a play, you need to be in conformity with not only the playwright but also the stage director. Together, three of you will give the play the desired effect and beauty.”

For a professional stage designer to function well and for him to situate a play within its proper context, he has to first of all discover the number of actors a director needs to function on stage. Once this is done, it becomes easier to introduce the sets, the designs and other essential ingredients necessary to make the stage outstanding. “Yes, the theatre designer is an architect as a matter of fact. He has to study the space on the stage and the number of characters to feature on it.”

Now, based on that, he can begin to work on the sets, the designs, even the volume of light and how it fluctuates and how it dims and all that have to be taken into cognizance. You have to then map out the appropriate space on stage.

In fact, a space can be properly utilized for maximum effect,” he explains.

When, for instance, you have an elevated platform on stage, that goes to show that the characters on that platform are of noble character. They have a nobility that is different from the rest. This aspect has to do with traditional plays more. In most of his works which involved plays written by some of Nigeria’s wellknown playwrights like Femi Osofisan, Bayo Oduneye, Ahmed Yerima, Elechi Amadi and some others, Elemi has been careful to showcase stages that infused class and beauty. Although he has on different occasions encountered playwrights who did not quite agree with his concept of their works on stage, Elemi in most instances was able to wriggle free. “One of such encounters was with Bayo Oduneye, a former director of the National Troupe of Nigeria. Oduneye is one of the foremost directors in the country and I once had a disagreement with him over a stage design. In that instance, he had his own vision which was in contrast to mine. But what it shows is that the vision of a stage designer cannot go beyond that of a director. No, it shouldn’t be so. At times the point of disagreement is when one of them brings in

•Elemi

what is not possible.

Over the years, this aspect of discordant tunes pertaining to the stage has tended to distort the otherwise free flow of stage theatre. However, some have been able to manage it well enough to keep theatre on its proper footing. Even so, the costuming business aspect of the theatre is seen to be a compartment of the stage design.

Most often however, these two work in disharmony to the detriment of a total live theatre.

Nevertheless, Elemi explains it this way: “Of course, both should work hand-in-hand to have the desired result. The designer designs the set, he designs the light and then the colours of the costumes have their own interpretation.”

As a matter of fact, both the costumier and the stage designer belong to the same genre.

They both have to create scenes to enhance the stage. In African plays, we have a lot of cinematic views. Most of African plays are explicit, dwelling on people’s aspect s of life. This is why most of the scripts we have, have lots of such built into them. Often, all these scenes have problems struggling to have space in one stage.

“Theatre designing for African theatre that incorporates so many themes in the same script, you have what we call simultaneous stage designs. You can then design at the front and at the centre to be able to define every bit of it. You call it circular setting. When the first scene is over, you can then turn the stage. You can also collapse the set. Thereafter, you can then rebuild the first one so that each brings into focus the effect you wish to create.”

When these actions move from stage to stage, from one location to the other, and you have this simultaneous effect, the actions readily explain the depth or profundity of the play. At the same time, it gives the audience more to chew, more to think about in terms of the message inherent in the play. The make-up artiste also comes in here because he brings some reality on stage. The young boy of 19 years can be made up to be 90 years old. Although it is usually difficult to have a reverse role, the make-up artiste is the most professional in this art of make belief. So, all he does is to bring the character of the artiste closer to reality.

In all, all these give the desired definition to the technical sequences of theatre. It is as challenging as even conceptualizing a play, yet without the stage design a play is as good as dead.

This is why the likes of Elemi remain relevant.

56

THE NATION ON SUNDAY,

ARTS

T

HE high point of this year’s children’s day celebration organized by the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization (CBAAC) was the theme itself.

Centred on “what is the acceptable living condition for the Nigerian child,” the celebration was meant to challenge both the parents, guardians and the government on the need to always be on the lookout on the necessary values to make the younger ones enjoy the beauty of life itself.

This was why many schools in Lagos State were invited to be part of the cultural celebration in forms of dance, dance-drama and stage theatre to ensure that the children were put in the proper frame of mind for the day. As the children mounted the stage to dance, sing and anchor other theatrical issues along the theme of the day, it was obvious that they were in good cheers to demonstrate their love for their cultural values and heritage.

In his welcome address, the director of CBAAC, Mr. Ferdinand Anikwe reminded the children and other guests that the children’s day is a universal celebration orchestrated by the United Nations to bring attention to the plight of children world-wide.

He recalled that the celebration did not hold last year because the Centre wanted to honour the mood of the nation when the abduction of the Chibok Girls was still very

JUNE 7, 2015

Children theatre to the rescue

•Children dancing during CBAAC celebration.

By Edozie Udeze

fresh in the minds of the people. He said further: “This year, we have designed the theme of the celebration to look at the conditions of children generally, particularly those in areas where there are hostilities by pertinently asking them the question: what is the acceptable living condition for the Nigerian child?

You will therefore see them respond to this important question through their performances that would direct our common consciousness to the state of children’s welfare

in not only our country but globally,” he proffered.

School after school responded to the theme. The dances were done with enough grace and style to showcase the deep and rich cultural elements of the different ethnic groups in Nigeria.

In truth, the children wanted to show that if given the proper orientation and direction, they can uphold the traditions of the society. And one of the best ways they could do it was through performances on the stage. The atmosphere was fully charged as the dances

criss-crossed the length and breadth of the society. It was a sight to behold.

At a point the cinema hall of the National Theatre, venue of the event was too small to accommodate the surging crowd. People, mostly, parents wanted to have a full glimpse of the performances and to cheer the children very well. It was in furtherance of this that Anikwe intoned, “Yes, we need to build in our youths now those attributes of dialogue, reconciliation, peaceful co-existence and accommodation which indeed

socio-political, cultural and religious backgrounds. It will indeed facilitate interaction between them. In this hall today, I am happy to find Nigeria truly represented by these beautiful children…

Children therefore can be made to see the dazzling qualities in African traditional lifestyle quite early so that they can grow by it.”

She went on, “And because of what they represent, you will agree with me that our children deserve to be inducted early into our ways of life… When children participate in decision making, they tend to be more creative, positive and energetic, offering thereby ideas devoid of prejudices and stereotypes. Despite these remarkable achievePHOTO: EDOZIE UDEZE ments our society, neverthecharacterize our culture. Per- less, need to do more to imhaps their submissions today prove their living conditions,” through the vehicle of per- she said.

Apart from the fact that the formances may help to enrich government’s response to the programme began well beproblem they face in the near- hind the scheduled time and that some of the dance producest future.”

Mother of the day and the tions were poorly done, it was wife of the former deputy gov- indeed an opportunity for the ernor of Ogun State, Mrs. kids to mingle well and share Olufunmilayo Adesegun in ideas on the socio-cutural isher speech charged parents to sues of Nigeria. Their cosbe more conscious of their re- tumes depicted the Nigerian sponsibility to their wards. society in its totality. Their “In the first place,” she noted, cultural displays went a long “I am glad to observe that this way to define the fact that this programme has brought to- is a nation imbued with digether children from divers verse heritage and norms.

‘We need to expose children to music’ Museum celebrates Nigerian heritage

A

FTER three months of rigorous training, parents, teachers and pupils of Marzwell School, Agege, Lagos, recently gathered in an event centre at Kudirat Abiola Way, Oregun, Ikeja, Lagos, to enjoy the outcome of the hours of training in a music concert.

The hall was beautifully decorated, the children elegantly dressed in white, red and black attires, and it felt like one was in a fairy land. Parents were hailed when ballet dance was performed. Everyone paid rapt attention to the girls in their pink ballet dress and the boys in their black and white attire. The first performance was not captivating but everyone watched. The atmosphere lit up during the orchestra presentation. It was an enviable display to behold.

The event tilted: Budding Talents Beyond Academics; started with the National Anthem.

The school owner, Mrs Omotola Ajanaku said: “The motive behind the concert is that everything cannot be academics, music brings positive moods when you are down. You know what music does to you when you listen to it.

You also know the fame it has brought to those in the entertainment industry even though everything is not money. We believe that we need to expose the children to music, when you catch them young, they know what to do.”

The head of the school, Mrs Ajoke AdemolaAralepo said: “Music cannot be ignored in our day to day activities; we know how important music is which is one of the reasons

•Museum workers during the occasion

I •Cross section of the children performing

By Udemma Chukwuma

we are putting this concert together because all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. We want to bring out the natural talent in the kids through this avenue.

You never can tell which one of them will become a star tomorrow. Our school is known for bringing up the skill in kids and music has been one of the priority,” she said.

Ademola-Aralepo said there will be a follow up and the school will nurse the discovered talents.

“Music is part of us and we dedicate Wednesdays for training and the children are exposed to all musical instruments. That was in those days, some of our artistes today have doctorate degrees. In those days

it was only school dropouts you saw in the music industry, but it is no longer like this. The awareness is there in the music industry that if you are not a drop out, if you sing, you will be recognized. We are trying to join education and talent into one person. We are balancing music and academic, that is the only way these talents can fit in to the music scene. Without education music is nothing.

The school is trying to develop other talents aside academics; that is why we are having a talent hunt concert, for us to see those who have talent in music.

Apart from this we have sports the cultural day, we are trying our hands in musical instruments,” she said.

Mr Anthony KojoOnwaeze, a parent and a supporting committee member of the event said he was happy with selection of music which the school is exposing the children to.

“We don’t want a situation where it will be all about education, but music with education. The school is trying to grab as many talents from the students. It is better to have a child that is an all rounder,” Onwaeze said.

The school also invited: Mind Builders Nursery and Primary School, Konsol Nursery and Primary School, Egbeda, MD School, Oko-Oba, CITACAD School, Kate Alison Private School, Ipaja, Ultimate Child School, Magodo, to enjoy the concert with them.

N a bid to pass a message across to Nigerians on the importance of the traditional marriage ceremony and as part of activities to mark its 2015 cultural week, workers of the National Museum, Lagos Island, recently staged a drama to show different traditional marriages.

The ceremony which held in the museum premise saw almost every member of staff of the museum participating, while family, friends and many dignitaries were in attendance.

Speaking to The Nation, Miss Nwaenyi Esther who acted as bride for the Igbo traditional marriage during the event said the museum workers have taken it upon themselves to map out a week every year to showcase different cultural practises in Nigeria.

“We decided to showcase traditional marriage

By Medinat Kanabe

ceremonies in Nigeria this year because Nigerians and Africans in general have thrown away their known traditional marriage ceremony to borrow foreign marriage ceremony which to us is not right.

“We now hear people divorce anyhow, some do contract marriages, some focus only on court marriage and feel they have wedded,” she said.

She explained that marriage is the foundation of every family and since Igbo practice extended family system that is predicted on solid lineage and network of families it becomes important that marriage in Igboland must be regarded as one of the pillars of the people’s tradition and culture.

She called on Nigerians to go back to their various traditional marriage systems.

57

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, JUNE 7, 2015

-- Page 53

‘How government can avoid debt crisis’

Page 58, 59

Countdown to bank verification number

•Onalo

Sad tales at ATMs Page 61

Page 60

'Peak Milk, a truly Nigerian iconic brand'

P

• From left: Chief Executive Officer, Foods, Honeywell Group, Mr. Alan Palmer; Managing Director, Adamu Abdullahi Ventures and National Gold Award Winner (flour), Alhaji Adamu Abdullahi and Managing Director, Honeywell Flour Mills Plc, Mr. Lanre Jaiyeola, during Honeywell Customers' Forum, in Lagos

A

Institute to Bureau: Demand valuation certificates from public servants

S the issue of asset declaration rages, Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV) has called on the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) to demand for the valuation of assets certificates from outgoing and incoming public office holders if the fight against corruption is to be taken seriously.

The institute made the call in Abuja at a press briefing to remind the incoming government of its pledge to fight corruption.

President of the NIESV Olorogun James Omeru said: "It is constitutional for all public officers to declare their assets when coming into and leaving office. Code of Conduct Bureau is responsible for this."

He said that there was ongoing discussion with the CCB, "that if declaration of assets is to be credible, it should be followed with valuation certificates presented by public office holders."

Nigerians, he said, are concerned about the level of corruption which is traceable to greed by public officers aided by those in the private sector.

To stem the rate of graft in the system, Omeru impressed on the CCB, the need to make it compulsory that all public office holders to engage professionals to

From Nduka Chiejina (Assistant Editor), Abuja

carryout valuation of their assets to ensure probity.

"Public office holder's carryout anticipatory asset declaration which is illegal and it becomes impossible for anticipatory declaration if the valuation is carried out earlier," he said.

When leaving office, the earlier certificate of valuation will tell the whole story of assets stating the old and new values of the assets.

The NIESV he said "wants to partner with the incoming administration on valuation of assets if they are serious in the fight against corruption as valuation will also help check money laundering.

Also of concern to the NIESV is the practice of auctioning off seized properties by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) without proper valuation of the properties.

Omeru lamented that both anti corruption agencies have "confiscated a lot of properties and we have offered to value these properties but they have refused to invite us to value these properties. These properties have been auctioned without valuation." The Institution he said is worried that asset declaration and auction of

properties in Nigeria are shrouded in secrecy.

"Nigerians don't know the value of these assets, they have never called us to value these assets/properties and some properties have been sold below their true values."

Omeru also took a swipe at the privatisation and concessioning of public assets by carrying out a proper valuation of the assets. Omeru said Nigerians will know the ownership of public assets as well as "know the worth of the asset so that nobody will be short changed from the investment. We need to know the overall value of the asset. It will improve transparency if the public knows what is coming to them."

EAK has been described as "a truly Nigerian iconic brand" as the brand marks its 60 years in the dairy market.

Its manufacturer's Friesland Campina WAMCO's Managing Director, Mr. Rahul Colaco expressed appreciation of Nigerians' loyalty to Peak milk and "particularly those who have come from far and near for the celebration of 60 years of nourishing Nigeria with quality dairy nutrition."

He spoke at an evening at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos to celebrate the event.

He said: "Since the presence of Peak in the market, the brand has continued to grow despite several changes in the market.

Peak's success is attributed to two things: First, a singular focus, which is to nourish Nigerians with quality dairy nutrition in order to reach their Peak. Second, continually exploring ways to stand out of the crowded shelf and touch our consumers through every stage of their lives."

He added: "Peak has won industry recognition as an innovative and trendsetting brand that delivers superior dairy nutrition across lifestages. The brand's positive results and success is about

connecting with our consumers, supporting our Business Partners and communities to pursuing their aspirations and reach for their Peak!

"Every Nigerian grew up with Peak; Nigerians are still growing with Peak and without Nigerians, there won't be 60 years of Peak milk, the iconic brand that has served the good people of Nigeria from generation to generation."

During the celebration, Colaco opened the stage for an evening of classic entertainment throwing the audience into what he described as a magic moment.

"Tonight is special! Let's capture some magical moments, let's create happy memories and let's surround ourselves with laughter and friendship."

The event was wellattended by consumers from all walks of life, including personalities from the media, children and celebrities led by former Nigeria international and Olympic Gold medalist, Kanu Nwankwo.

There was comedy by ace entertainer, Gordons, dance drama and an electrifying presentation of "the foremost symbols and connotation of the Peak elements."

Polo unveils exquisite Rolex watches

P

OLO Luxury Group, Nigeria's foremost luxury company and authorised Rolex retailer recently launched a pop-up exhibition at the prestigious Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja. The pop-up exhibition offered an exquisite collection of unique time pieces from the iconic global watch brand, Rolex. The pop-up exhibition, offered to customers an extensive collection of Rolex Timepieces.

Speaking at the unveiling of the pop-up exhibition in Abuja, John Obayuwana, Managing Director of Polo Luxury Limited expressed the exhibition's appeal to customers stating that: "At Polo, we are consistent in offering to our customers, the best quality in luxury goods available both in Nigeria and

across Africa. For us, the iconic Rolex brand exemplifies exceptional horological excellence, astute craftsmanship and unique style revered by our dear customers."

Obayuwana continued that the pop-up exhibition recently located at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja "affords our customers a great opportunity to appreciate and purchase distinctive timepieces for their collection and at their leisure."

Bringing the luxurious exhibition to a beautiful culmination, Polo Luxury Group treated its esteemed customers and the crème of Abuja society to an elegant cocktail affair. Although the pop-up exhibition is ended, the unique Rolex timepieces are always available at the Polo Luxury stores situated within the country and across Africa.

Vitatree food nutritionals set for launch

T • From left: Senator Ben Obi, John Obayuwana, Managing Director, Polo Luxury Group, Emeka Mba, Director General, National Broadcasting Commission and Executive Director, Transmission Company of Nigeria, Chief Sonny Iroche at the Polo Luxury Group Pop-up Exhibition of Rolex Luxurious watches at the Transcorp Hilton in Abuja

HE board, management and staff of Vitatree Nutritionals Nigeria Ltd is set to launch the Vitatree Wholefood Nutritionals range of health products on Friday, June 19, 2015 at the ,Lagos Oriental Hotel Lekki, Lagos by 10.00am According to Rockson Ogor, President of the company, consumers would be in for a better bargain and

certainly get value for their money. "Wellness for every member of the family is guaranteed and this would certainly be an opportunity for wealth creation too.

Vitatree Nutritionals Nig. Ltd is the Nigerian division of Vitatree Nutritionals Inc. Canada, the pioneer of allnatural, 100% whole food vitamins in Canada," he stressed.

58

BUSINESS

IKE other previous policies introduced by the apex bank, the Bank Verification Number (BVN) initiative announced last year by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is yet to be accepted wholeheartedly by majority of the banking consumer public. Talk of Nigerians averse to change!

What the BVN is all about The BVN project launched on February 14, 2014 by the immediate past CBN governor, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, was driven at the time by the Bankers' sub-committee on the Biometric project, with the then Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Zenith Bank Plc, who is now the CBN governor Mr. Godwin Emefiele as its chairman at the time of its introduction.

The objective of the BVN initiative is to protect bank customers, reduce fraud and further strengthen the Nigerian banking system.

It is the registration of customers in the financial system using biometric technology. Biometric technology involves the process of recording a person's unique physical traits such as fingerprints and facial features. This record can then be used to correctly identify the person afterwards. Once a person's biometrics has been properly captured, the person is given a BVN. Fraud is reduced because no two people have the same biometric information. With the BVN, banks will be able to check the features of a person doing a transaction against the record which the bank has captured, thereby correctly identifying the owner of an account. The BVN given to a person by one bank will apply to that same person for any bank in Nigeria.

At the BVN launch, Mallam Sanusi had noted that Nigeria is the only country in the world to deploy biometrics data capture in its banks nationwide.

He had promised that within two years after the launch, Nigeria would have an industry that is efficient, saying the BVN initiative would introduce limitless opportunities in Nigeria's financial space. "I wouldn't want us to underestimate the significance of what we have achieved. If we make biometrics the basis of whatever we do, then it will be easier to standardise and reduce cost and make banking more efficient. We will deliver services at lower cost, enhance customer service and ensure access to cheaper credit," he had said.

He had said that within 18 months, every single customer should have his or her biometrics taken, with an assurance that every identity would be safe.

According to the CBN, the introduction of BVN is targeted at addressing cybercrime, ATM fraud and other kinds of financial frauds, as well as safeguarding customers' funds to avoid losses through personal identification numbers (PIN).

Aside this, the apex bank stated, "The BVN will also strengthen the current Know Your Customer guidelines and allow banks have more confidence in giving out loans. With the BVN, the financial history of a customer is stored at a central location and can be accessed by other banks who seek information about that customer."

Also with the BVN, credit history of customers who want to se-

L

THE NATION ON SUNDAY JUNE 7, 2015

Countdown to bank verific at

By the end of this month, about 34 million bank customers in Nigeria are expected to have keyed into the biometric data capture policy and have their bank verification numbers (BVN) or risk losing their accounts. Bukola Aroloye in this report examines the pros and cons

• CBN Headquarters, Abuja

cure loans is made available to banks. Customers with suspicious accounts or transactions will also be tracked with the BVN, making it difficult for fraudsters to maintain bank accounts.

To enable their customers meet up with the deadline, some banks have since late last year been offering their customers the option of enrolling on Saturday, and in addition to making the enrolment easier for the customers, the CBN, in its latest circular on the BVN, directed that for existing customers, capturing signatures and photo identification documents may not be necessary as the bank is expected to have those records during account opening.

Since its launch, the CBN and banks have been intensifying efforts to register their customers.

They have also intensified efforts in sensitising all their customers on the processes of registration.

Most of the banks have indulged in multiple communication channels in wooing their customers to key in. The channels include short text messages, messages displaced on their websites, e-banking platforms, ATMs and flyers placed in strategic places in banks.

The CBN and banks have also been educating customers on activities of fraudsters. Fraudsters have been sending bank customers emails, requesting them to supply personal details so they could be registered on BVN online. Thus, the banks have been educating customers that all BVN registrations are physical and done only at bank branches nationwide.

"Bank customers should ensure that they do not respond to suspicious emails pretending to be from

their banks and requiring them to provide sensitive information online as registration is only done at bank branches," the CBN said.

Commenting on the BVN progress, Emefiele recently said the project would enable some of the bank customers and citizens at the lower cadre of the consumption ladder get access to banking services and credit facilities.

The CBN governor said, "This system will see the opening up of consumer credit facility and this will contribute to productivity and development of Nigeria. The banks have supported this because this is the opportunity we have been yearning for, to open up consumer credit facility. With biometrics of consumers taken, we will be comfortable to lend to customers and defaulters will be blacklisted.

"We are saying that with this project, people will be able to buy cars easily, do mortgage easily with the kind of data that would be fed into the centralised system and access bank credit easily. By extension, we would see how it would affect productivity in the economy.

Given the opportunity that we have right now, where the customers' biometric is given, it makes it comfortable for us to lend money to farmers who need money to buy fertiliser, and to cobblers, barbers, or any form of business," he explained further.

Mr. Gunther Mull, Managing Director of Dermalog Identification Systems, the German company that was engaged to deploy and implement the BVN system, said the platform would make life easier for banks and their customers.

Already the CBN is introducing measures to make Nigerians comply with the BVN, especially high net worth individuals.

The CBN has warned that any bank customer without the number would be deemed to have inadequate know-your-customers (KYC) and this may affect his or her transactions with the bank.

The regulator recently announced that from next month, banks would stop honouring transactions from N100 million and above, from customers that don't have the BVN. Such transactions, according to the central bank, include but are not limited to, money transfers, loans and contingencies.

The Director, Banking and Payment Department, CBN, Mr. 'Dipo Fatokun had explained that the policy was introduced in furtherance of the regulator's efforts to develop a safe, reliable and efficient payment system in the country.

The scheme is also expected to improve the banking system's Know-Your-Customer (KYC) requirements as stated by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), as well as to support innovative banking solutions, especially for retail banking.

A cross section of bank's customers who spoke to our correspondent on the BVN initiative said they welcomed the idea.

While some said they have enrolled, many others admitted they haven't enrolled. Majority of those that haven't enrolled said they haven't had the time to enroll but assured they will do so before the June 2015 deadline.

Recently, the Group Manag-

ing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Fidelity Bank Plc, Mr. Nnamdi Okonkwo in a statement, accentuates this fact as he emphatically stated that the BVN programme will be used to manage the credit score of bank customers. To this end, credit report from credit bureaus, would help lenders to determine who really qualifies for a loan as identities provided by the exercise would be matched against the information.

As a matter of fact, this will help check credit worthiness of borrowers as the BVN initiative will provide a centralised customer biometric information system in the banking sector which will make it difficult for people who take multiple loans with no intension of repayment to operate. There is no doubt that the activities of such people are inimical to progress in the banking sector.

Adewale Olumide, a customer with one of the new generation bank told our correspondent she hasn't registered but she likes the idea behind the policy.

"Yes, I am aware of the policy.

My bank has been telling me to register. I have seen the advert. I like the policy but I haven't had time to register, but I will surely do so before the June deadline. I'm just a bit lazy about it," she said.

According her, perhaps it's just the typical syndrome of waiting till the last hour and then rushing to comply. "I believe the deadline is still far. Perhaps, when the deadline approaches, those of us who haven't registered will rush to register. It's not a good attitude but that's our attitude," she noted.

Several other banks customers said they will create time to com-

THE NATION ON SUNDAY JUNE 7, 2015

fic ation number

Emefiele

•Shonubi

ply before June 2015.

Meanwhile the Managing Director of Nigerian Interbank Settlement System, Mr. Ade Shonubi spoke on the ongoing bank verification number exercise and other related issues in the banking industry during an interactive session with journalists in Lagos recently confirm that the feedback from the banks is very positive.

"I think we should start by understanding why we are embarking on the BVN project, you will see that there is no way the Banks would not be enthusiastic about it. When the BVN project was initiated, there were three key areas of focus," he said.

Expatiating, he said: "First and most important of all is for us to identify our customers uniquely across Banks and across Accounts. So, once a customer enrolls and obtains a BVN, that same BVN is tied to all his Bank Accounts. Now, relating to identifying is the possibility of Banks blacklisting people who have committed financial infractions. It could be fraudsters; it could be people who have forged documents; etc. What happens today is that Mr. A goes to Bank E, commits fraud, then runs to Bank F and because there is no way of tying all these activities across, we found out that there are quite a lot of losses related to these individuals from one Bank to another."

Case for BVN According to Shonubi, "BVN removes these losses. The beauty

of it all is the unique identification in the financial space. Generally, people say every Nigerian is a crook but in actual sense, maybe only one per cent of Nigerians are crooks but the remaining 99 per cent are considered crooks because of that one per cent.

"So, BVN allows us, again, to find these individuals and to create that blacklists that other stakeholders in the financial space can have access to. With this, even foreigners through their Banks, may be able to identify fraudsters that have been tracked in the Nigerian Financial space. Secondly, the BVN would allow us begin to build retail credit.

"Today, the Banks have concerns over identification in retail lending that is why the entire retail consumer lending portfolio is targeted at people with formal employment whose employers can serve as a point of reference.

There are however a lot of selfemployed people as well as others working in smaller organisations who require this, but do not have access due to the identification issue, as no bank will take the risk of lending to them - considering cases of resignation and eventual run off, how will the Banks get repayment? But with the availability of BVN, these set of individuals will also benefit from Retail Lending as identification and tracking issues will be mitigated. The third, which I have already alluded to, is we want to be able to authorise financial transactions down the road, on an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) or a Point of Sales (PoS). You can use your biometric identifier to say 'Yes, this is me and I am authorising the payment.' So, those are the three key focus areas that led to the BVN project being conceived and implemented."

In the view economic analysts, as CBN implements the BVN initiative, it has to ensure the security of the data, from rogue bankers and also importantly from damage, as has been the experience with other sectors that engaged in biometric enrolments.

Besides, they said the apex bank should also create measures to punish banks that might exploit the information they have to blackmail customers with whom they have disagreements.

While majority agree the BVN is a great initiative that would reduce illegal banking transactions and improve national financial intelligence gathering, they however suggest that the interests of account holders should be accorded importance so that their increased confidence in the banking system would improve the financial standing of banks.

According to Bamide Alo, "Customers will use banks more when they know that their transactions are safe. BVN offers vast opportunities to protect customers, banks and the entire financial system."

The CBN, he emphasised, "should enhance the security of BVN to protect the entire financial system. It should be on the watch for technologies to keep improving BVN capacities."

BUSINESS

59

Honeywell to increase production to 1000 metric tons

H

ONEYWELL Flour Mills Plc has hinted of plans to embark on expansion project that would increase its production capacity from the current 210 metric tons per day to about 1000 metric tons.

The Managing Director of the company, Lanre Jaiyeola who stated this during the 2015 Annual Customers' Forum in Lagos, at the weekend, said the company has since acquired a 68 hectare of land at Shagamu area of the Ogun State for smooth take off of the project.

The event tagged: 'Winning Together: Be the Best', attracted major distributors of the company across the federation.

According to him, when completed it would serve as one location where virtually all the food business of the company group would be concentrated adding it will become the company's food complex.

The company, he further noted, is embarking on expansion of 500 per ton flour mill and increasing noodles and pasta at various locations in the country.

Jaiyeola said the company will continue to support its customers in every area possible recognising

By Ambrose Nnaji

the fact that they are a critical part of the business meaning they needed all the support they could get from the company to put its products in every nook and cranny of the country The development plan of the company is primarily to become the national food provider, he noted adding, "We do not only want to play in the space of producing food for human but also producing for the animals."

On the government directive on cassava policy, the Honeywell boss said the level of compliance exhibited by the company is encouraging.

Jaiyeola recalled that when the new policy regime on cassava flour was mooted, the company embraced it wholeheartedly and demonstrated it by investing massively in various equipments.

Specifically, he said the company invested close to N1billion in various equipments in the existing mills in the Lagos state.

"Today, the government has said we should include between

three-five percent by the end of this financial year. Today, we are going between 3-4 percent and we hope to take this up to five percent

by December this year."

He said the last financial year was very challenging with many issues that confronted the nation's economy including the crash in crude oil prices in the international market which he said led to the devaluation of the of the naira.

This, coupled with other operational and infrastructural challenges he said made it difficult for the company to achieve its budget for last financial year.

He however informed that the company has line up lots of exciting marketing and trade marketing activities to help drive increased demand for the products by retailers and customers saying we are running these promotions so that more volume of our products could be sold.

Echoing similar sentiments, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the company, Alan Palmer, said the company is committed to building the Nigerian economy and appealed to the government to put adequate infrastructure in place to drive economic development.

Experts task youth on empowerment

T

HE Programme Officer of the Young Men Christian Association, (YMCA) Lagos, Akindayomi Olufemi has identified lack of employable skills, indifference to volunteerism among youths and poor governance as factors undermining youth employment and empowerment in Nigeria.

Olufemi made this known at the 25th celebration of the Wuraola Day organised by the Y's Men International held in Lagos.

Tagged: 'Youth Empowerment and Employment' the event brought

Stories by Adeola Ogunlade together hundreds of youths drawn from across the state.

According to Olufemi, "youth employment has become a major issue around the globe with remarkable differences within regions and among countries.

Institutional factors such as labour market, regulations, minimum wages, vocational training systems, but also benefits regimes and activation strategies play a major role in facilitating, hampering the transition of young people into the labour market."

He asserted that government has made giant strides in tackling youth unemployment in Nigeria through its Youwin project, National Poverty Eradication (NAPEP), National Directorate of Employment (NDE), Public Employment Service (PES), Subsidy Reinvestment and Endowment Programmes (SURE-P).

In his words, the Progenitor of the Wuraola Day, Balogun Kunle Delano who expressed his gratitude for the sustenance of his wife humanitarian service said that the proceeds from the Wuraola Day celebration will go into local and international charity project.

Bayeros deny links with Intels, NPA

T

HE Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has said that the Ado Bayero family of Kano has no stakes in the ports development giants, Intels Nigeria Limited.

They made this disclosure against the background of media reports alleging that the family had connections with Intels.

However, the NPA in a statement unequivocally stated that the Ado Bayero family of Kano has no stake of any kind in the port operating firm, Intels Nigeria Limited.

The statement reads: "Our Managing Director Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Ado Bayero is the first son of the late Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero. Contrary to reports

in a major national daily and response to other enquiries, the Nigerian Ports Authority asserts as follows: Neither the late Emir of Kano nor his estate holds any subsisting equity in Intels Nigeria Limited."

The management further noted that, "The Ado Bayero family disposed of the equity interest of the late Alhaji Ado Bayero in Intels Nigeria upon his demise.

This transaction was effected over six months before President Goodluck Jonathan appointed the distinguished corporate lawyer Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Ado Bayero as managing director of the Nigeria Ports Authority.

"Interested persons desirous of

truth in public discourse could verify this transaction from the Corporate Affairs Commission or the concerned Intels Nigeria Limited."

"Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Ado Bayero is committed to best practice standards in corporate governance as he guides the affairs of Nigerian Ports Authority. He would not breach such standards for any reason, given his noble antecedents and experience in company administration."

It added that, "Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Ado Bayero is committed to leading Nigerian Ports Authority to oversee port regulation as a neutral arbiter without bias to any interest or stakeholder."

• Winners at the grand finale of the recently concluded Unique Interior Exhibition held in Lagos PHOTO: OCHU LATIFAH

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Way out of rising debts profile

T

THE NATION ON SUNDAY JUNE 7, 2015

BUSINESS

HE rising debt profile of the country which had been incurred by previous administrations in course of managing affairs of the state is a serious cause of concern, no doubt.

Consequently, we stand today as a country indebted to the tune of -N-8.5trillion domestic debt rising from issuance of bonds by the federal government, and the state government of course, it is speculated that put together, the debt owed by the states would be within the region of about -N1.69trillion. And for an economy that is as debased, the biggest in Africa, which is also quicken for rapid development. It cannot be said that the borrowing is staggering and frightening.

But the major concern behind the borrowing by any country to fund the economy is to ensure that the borrowing is used for projects that quickly deliver development for the economy of the country concerned. In the case of Nigeria and in particular the outgoing government, which has borrowed within the period of Jonathan administration, up to -N5trillion in addition to what was brought forward from the previous regime, the incoming government has the herculean task as to how to liquidate these debts.

The incoming administration, therefore, has got a big task. But I think the incoming government can address the issue quickly and see that negotiation within the various stakeholders is brought to bear. And of course, looking at the Debt Management Office, it will require critical restructuring to be able to move in from the right direction that would stem the tide of further debt growth. And then in order to make fund available to the incoming administration, there may be need for the Buhari administration to really tie the noose here and there in order to create fund necessary for the liquidation of these debts. By that, I'm referring to -a-no-giving-up effort to fight corruption because money is tied down within the domestic sphere and for those that may have in one way or the other taken funds that is not theirs, there should be proactive step to recover the funds so that there would be much more fund in the government kits.

Obviously, the incoming administration will be looking for fund to run the economy and if they have to start with borrowing, I can tell you the country may snowball into another regime of excess debt hanging on our neck. The government must be ready to put in place the mechanism that can enable it to retrieve ill-gotten wealth or some elephant projects that are tied to financial obligation but has no immediate value as far as economic development is concerned. And such projects may have to be stepped down again against

'How government can avoid debt crisis' Prof. Chris Onalo, Registrar/Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Institute of Credit Administration (ICA) otherwise regarded as the doyen of credit management in Nigeria holds the view and very strongly too that the country is in dire financial straits and requires critical measures to tide things over. He said that much in this interview with Ibrahim Apekhade Yusuf Excerpts: the backdrop of the criticality that it offsets in the development of the economy and how it can quickly translate into opportunity for economic advancement of the ordinary Nigerian. So, I see the incoming government having a very tough time with this. I think it is the reasonable thing to do as people are saying because there is legitimacy, there is no way the government will not look into certain transactions that may have been in place by the outgoing regime if such transactions have very strong negative impact on economic development and to which more resources have been committed. So, there will be need for a private eye to look into it to end any further drain on the liquidity status of the economy.

Dwindling funds across states Hitherto very few state governments can be said to have mobilised enough internal resources to generate revenue. Other than that, majority of the states have been depending on what they get from the federal government to run the affairs of the state. So you should expect that when there is a major crash in what constitutes the national wealth, obviously, their fall would be without measure, it will be very devastating.

But again, on one side of the monster, we refer to as corruption, most states could not boast of capital projects. Project that you know enable the citizen to embark on their own economic activities whilst in turn deliver revenue to the government by way of levy, taxes that you pay. So much went into corrupt practices, the corrupt window and then much also went into the bloated civil service structure that we run, too many workforce doing nothing, you can't have a good economy in that kind of state.

So the recurrent expenditure has never been brought down. But then, the income has gone down. So, obviously the state would be in deficit and that cannot be blamed on the centre because the centre equally is affected by the oil block whilst crashed prices. And any attempt by the state government to borrow, either within the state or from friendly financial institutions in other countries of the world, would compound the

• Onalo

economic condition of the state, of course, will increase the debt profile inherited by the state because the question will be either you go for direct investment by individual organisations in foreign countries or out rightly asking for borrowing.

Missing $20billion Excess Crude Oil Account The money is the subject of controversy. One side is saying it is there and the other side is saying it is not there. But the money is missing that is the principal word. They are the representative of the states and as such they are familiar with the process of the funds earned from the sales of crude oil. So wherever the money is hanging they could think where it could possibly be and I think the NNPC is at the centre of it.

So if the money is there, both NNPC and the Governors' Forum through their Commissioner for Finance can be able to explain whether the money is there or not. Then a panel should be set up by the government to investigate. But if there is no need for that, assuming that NNPC at certain point will stop sharing the fund which is from the excess crude oil, then how do we

share? It means that the money is there and it has to be shared because this is a distress moment for the economy and wherever they can lay hands on free money we need to get it out in order to reduce the debt burden that is already looming and becoming very visible. And the incoming administration should be concerned either at state level or federal. So, wherever the excess crude oil money is, it has to be traced and shared accordingly.

However, the problem I have, perhaps, given my profession as a credit economist, is that there is a growing absence of honesty in government in Nigeria.

For a very long time we have not been able to come to terms with delivering the dividends of democracy without sacrificing the national interest and management of the economy which gives opportunity for everybody to create other wealth for the country. That is my major problem. There is this disconnect. But the, there is nothing I can do about that other than saying it the way I have said, and then someone out there should listen and say okay someday we could have a

dramatic change that could address this issue where dividends of democracy does not necessarily mean giving out some sort of financial handouts to pay and then ways and means by which we can enforce the law to deal decisively with the culture of corruption in this country so that fund would be available which belong to the people to develop the infrastructural need of the country for the people to bring out the best in them. I think that the state government, particularly the incoming administration, should develop governance character that is completely different from what has been the norm so far. There must be a deliberate effort on the part of the state government to look inwardly, identify economic potential that are available in the country and harness them; putting up laws that encourages indigenes to set up enterprises creating employment for people and thus contributing to the GDP. Because as it is now, the GDP and the debt ratio to GDP is too wide and there is no way any economy can survive with it. Obviously, looking at it from that springboard, the impoverished status of this country can be better argued that Nigeria is yet develop because we still have extreme poverty in the land.

Nuggets for new government I look at this as an opportunity for the incoming government to grasp, and that is why the kind of people that the incoming government wants to present to Nigerians as a team that they want to work with becomes very critical. If you want to recycle the same people who have been used to the agelong economic permutations of this country, the same thing of course, is going to be repeated again and that means that we are going nowhere. I like to cite South Korea. South Korea by the World Bank rating has the best Credit Guarantee Cooperation, well-managed, funded by the government almost once. The history is there. And look at the South Korean economy which resulted to very massive conflict between the South Korean's and North Korean's, economic wise South Korea is the strongest, but military in North Korea is giving them serious challenges. But the World

Bank said any emerging economy that wants to develop should use the template devised by South Korea.

Nigerian government has ties with the South Koreans, I recall during Obasanjo administration, I had a talk with the Authority Officer in Korea Credit Bank and he said they are waiting for the Nigerian government to come and invite them, and that never happened. So, the question is why do not try to emulate good things anywhere we see such things? Within African countries, Nigeria is the only country that has not established a Credit Guarantee Cooperation, instead we go around it and we talk about Agricultural Credit Guarantee Department in the CBN. It shouldn't be in the CBN and then we have National Agricultural and Cooperative Development Bank which is today now Bank of Agriculture. It was formally a baby of the CBN, that shouldn't be. So, we have a problem there. The elites are really creating major problem for this country. The few elites that understand the economic calculation are taking advantage of the ignorance of the masses to hold the nation to ransom.

So, I perceive very strongly that the incoming government if it wants to be different from the previous regime, they really need to sit down and neutralise their mind and go for the new development like a campaign "Good thinking Good Product." That is the quickest thing I think they can grasp from. We all read from the pages of newspaper different suggestions coming from different angle some of them are so selfish some of them are intended to recycle themselves, some of them are intended to fight back other people. But that is not the issue. The issue is Nigeria has it so blunt and so bad.

We have had an unending quarrel, we have had to fight ourselves and we have had to say all sorts of things. But the Nigerian nation must remain. We have not really been able to do one or two things, we have not been able to stop Nigeria from reproduction, I mean people are still marrying wives, people are still marrying husbands, children are still coming in; and more people going to schools, universities everyday NUC is licensing new universities as it were, you are producing new people, have you ever thought of their future? The world is becoming increasingly selfish, countries around the world are contending with their own domestic problems and they are saying to Nigerians, for goodness sake keep yourself, manage your own resources and make your country a big place. I can come there and visit, look at what you have and how you have developed your own country and go back to my country. So, I think the incoming government must think well not to repeat the mistakes of the past or replicating the problems of the past.

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY, JUNE 7, 2015

Sad tales at ATMs I

T is not in doubt that the Automated Teller Machine [ATM] has changed the face of electronic payment in the country.

It was introduced into the banking system to solve the problems associated with late night banking or off banking days and also to decongest the banking halls. It is a self service technology which is cost effective in the long run.

The various facilities provided by the ATM, are cash withdrawal, cash deposits, balance inquiry, request for statement of account, change of Personal Identification Number [PIN], cheque book request, transfer of funds from one account to the other, services like bill payment, amongst others.

However, with all it provides, it still has its downside.

This technology that offers a world of convenience to customers and provides banking services well beyond the traditional banking system is gradually becoming a source of worry to many users.

Anticipating these challenges the regulatory body, the Central Bank of Nigeria[CBN], issued a set of guidelines to banks on the issuance and management of ATM. But unfortunately, these guidelines are sometimes not adhered to by commercial banks.

In April 30th, Mrs. Uzoma Ezike [not real names] a customer with UBA had used her UBA debit card at Union Bank ATM at No. 26 Shasha Rd. Akowonjo to make withdrawal but the ATM did not dispense cash, yet her account was debited.

Sharing her experience, Mrs. Ezike recalled that on that fateful day, she went to the bank's ATM, with her UBA debit card and instantly received a message: "issuer in operative."

However, by 9.16am, she got an alert that she had been debited. As at May 10th, the money had not been reversed.

Subsequently, she went to her

P

•Automated Teller Machines

bank to lodge a formal complain where she was asked to fill a form by the Customer Service Officer who assured her she would get her account credited within seven working days. But that was not to be.

Ten days, there was a twist in the matter, the money had not hit her account, and she had gone to meet the Customer Service Officer who claimed that the ATM actually dispensed cash to her, hence she was not entitled to any refund.

"I was too shocked to respond immediately. When it dawned on me that I was being labelled a thief and liar. Bewildered, I asked the UBA staff what step I should take next and her colleague said that nothing will come out of the matter," narrated Mrs. Ezike.

In annoyance, she said she drove to Union Bank and demanded to see the Branch Manager, who suggested she go back to UBA and ask them to send an email to Union Bank demanding for the video footage of where she collected the money.

"Having made up my mind to follow the case to its logical conclusion, I deferred everything I had to do that day and went back to UBA. This time I saw the Branch Manager and explained what was going on and she counseled me to write a letter to UBA, requesting them to demand for the video footage from Union Bank. Pronto, I wrote the letter and handed back to them," she explained.

Extracting a promise from them that she would be contacted soon, she left. However, as at June 2nd, she was yet to get any response.

Like Ezike, Mr. Rasheed Ojulabi, a student has not had it so good. In Ojulabi's case, he almost missed his exams recently, no thanks to the ATM! "Last week, I put my card to withdraw money, though it did not pay me but money was deducted from my account."

"It took three days before they could credit back the money. During that time before I got the money back, I had to borrow money to feed and pay for my exams."

Only recently a lady who was arrested for trying to buy goods with counterfeit N1,000.

In her defense, she claimed she got the money from a GTB ATM. Commenting on the spate of horrors with ATM, a staff of Interswitch who pleaded anonymity said that most banks go for cheap Teller machines.

"Banks have options on the type of cash machine to use but majority of them opt out for the cheap ones."

It would be recalled that in May last year, the CBN had issued a set of guidelines for the issuance and management of ATM. The apex bank had directed all banks to reverse debit faulty entries within 24hrs.

The directive also mandates banks to destroy ATM cards trapped in their ATM.

Safeguard promotes personal hygiene at ROCTER & Gamble's Children's Day family double protection

anti-bacterial soap, Safeguard says its partnership with the popular children-centric TV series, Nnenna & Friends by Wale Adenuga Productions, to host Nigerian children to a funfilled and educational celebration was driven by its passion to promote the health status of the children of Nigeria.

The partnership which saw the attendance of over 7,000 children from various parts of Lagos State was part of the company's efforts to mark this year's Children's Day held on May 27.

Tolulope Pogoson, Safeguard's Brand Manager, said P&G was excited to sponsor the Nnenna & Friends Children's Day celebration because it's a platform for the company to demonstrate its dedication to the health of

Nigerian families, particularly the children, who are the leaders of tomorrow.

While addressing the children during the Safeguard Quiz, Pogoson said that the future awaits children who reach for their dreams and stay physically healthy, and encouraged them to remain healthy in their journey to become tomorrow's leaders.

"In order for you to attain your dreams of becoming future leaders, you must stay healthy and strong. It is important you observe basic hygiene rules which involve washing your hands regularly with Safeguard soap; ensuring you have your bath with any of Safeguard's soap; and ensuring your environment and surroundings are clean at all times," she said.

She further said that the Safeguard soap offers the

against germs for up to 12 hours and, that is why it is the only anti-bacterial soap that has been endorsed by the Africa Medical Association (AFMA).

The organisers of the Nnenna & Friends Children's Day celebration, represented

by Wale Adenuga, commended Procter & Gamble for sponsoring the event with the leading anti-bacterial soap, Safeguard. He noted that the sponsorship was a reflection of the company's total commitment to improving lives.

Some other attractions at the event included Safeguard quiz, which saw over 20children win different variants of Safeguard Soaps including the newly introduced Aloe Vera and Menthol, a musical performance by 9ice, games, comedy, dance, and drama.

M

LG Microwave redefines cooking the same time. This form of experience atcooking is fast and efficient,

AINTAINING the perfect work-life balance is never easy for the modern day woman.

Aside from working 9 hours a day, she has to worry about cooking for her family.

Though the arrival of microwave ovens has greatly simplified the cooking process, the gourmet taste of the food has had to be sacrificed along the way. This problem led to the innovation of the next generation of Lightwave cookers, one of which is the LG Lightwave Microwave Oven by global leading Home Appliances manufacturer, LG Electronics.

With all new features and improved cooking power, the LG's Lightwave Oven enable users enjoy the speed and energy-saving) offering of a microwave, without forfeiting the taste, texture and flavor of traditional cooking in convection ovens. This is all due to its core technology, Lightwave technology.

Speaking on the core technology behind the microwave oven, General Manager, Home Appliances Division, LG Electronics West Africa operations, Mr. Hyunwoo Jung said: "With the expansion of Lightwave

technology into our latest over-the-range microwave ovens, cooking is now easier than ever."

LG's premium Lightwave Technologies offer Lightwave Technology, a multi-heating system designed to cook healthier, tastier, gourmetstandard food with the minimum of fuss. By letting food retain its natural flavors, Lightwave makes dishes that are crispy on the outside and irresistibly juicy on the inside.

It uses a powerful halogen heater to give instant intense surface heat which also penetrates deep into the food so inside of the food is cooked

keeping food moist, tender and bursting with flavor. The upper and lower heaters allow you to simply grill both the top and bottom of the food resulting in browned toppings and crispy bottoms.

Lightwave is capable of producing moist, flavorsome food that looks great and tastes even better. Using the Lightwave Oven reduces unnecessary salt and fat in dishes, while sealing in vitamin C and other nutrients to create healthier meals. LG's Lightwave Oven also helps to lower energy consumption by making the cooking process more efficient.

•LG microwave oven

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY, JUNE 7, 2015

63

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, JUNE 7, 2015

INTERVIEW

‘Why Buhari, Osinbajo will deliver’ W

HAT do you make of the new political order?

I feel it is the hands of God rewriting the history of Nigeria. I believe He has decided to listen to the intercession of Nigerians for peaceful election and transition. Our desire for change has been granted and we have to thank God for that a lot.

The inauguration means Nigeria has an opportunity for a fresh start. What we need now is to continue supporting this new administration with prayers.

I believe with the leaders we have, especially at the federal level, our desires for good governance and democratic dividends will come to pass at last.

But it is believed with the economy in shambles and security at the lowest ebb, the new government is coming on board at the toughest moment of the nation. Do you see the new administration turning the fortunes of the nation around?

I am happy with that question because it is said that when the going gets tough, the tough gets going.

I believe we have men like President Muhammadu Buhari and Prof. Yemi Osinbajo at the helms of affair for such a time like this. I believe they have what it takes to take the nation to the next level.

With all due respect, we have not been having the requisite, experienced leaders in this country. This is why we have remained in the woods. I am saying this very cautiously, especially with the last regime. People went there with one purpose in mind: to serve themselves and their families.

That was why corruption rose to the zenith with them.

There are three qualities that leaders must possess to move any nation ahead. They include knowledge, skills and wisdom.

I don’t want to be critical but you can see the last administration was lacking on all of these fronts. I believe former President Goodluck Jonathan was ordained by God to fight corruption. But when he refused to do that, instead allowing the notorious atmosphere of corruption to persist, God had to find another man for the job.

I believe President Buhari will deliver. He is experienced and equipped for the tasks ahead. He’s disciplined and is a known corruption fighter. With his antecedents, you are sure he will deliver. Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has the

The Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), South West region, Archbishop Magnus Atilade, played very prominent roles during the electioneering campaigns that ushered in the new administration. He spoke with Sunday Oguntola on how the new government can deliver good governance and how Nigerians technical know-how of good governance.

Their combination, as far as I am concerned, will take us to the Promised Land.

With them over there and Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu offering them technical support, you will find out there would be new ideas that will shock all of us. I think Tinubu should be head of government, not necessarily in an official capacity but on the sidelines for his experiences in governance. Even his detractors and critics acknowledge that he is a man of ideas. Through his ideas, he made Lagos State the benchmark of good governance.

He stood with the opposition, nurtured it and made sure the party became the focal point. He’s unlike many other politicians who have been defecting to the new ruling party. I think we will benefit a great deal from his wealth of experience.

You endorsed Governor Akinwunmi Ambode during the campaign and also supported President Buhari.

People have accused you of being a sympathiser of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

How do you react to that?

I have a divine assignment to serve as Servant of the Most High God. My assignment is very precarious, which set me many times to take unpopular positions. When we said publicly that we should not allow the position of Lagos governor to be taken by another Muslim, we were heavily criticised.

We commended the Muslims that have occupied the post but said a Christian should emerge this time to give us a sense of belonging.

It was very unpopular then.

Many so-called Christian leaders came and said I was bringing religion into

•Atilade politics. But I am happy the party’s leadership realised we didn’t mean any harm but were concerned by the imbalance.

They listened and chose a Christian, who is now the governor. That was an unpopular position I took then that set me against many people. But I was reacting based on God’s leadership.

I am referring to this instance so that you can understand the basis of some of my unpopular stances. To answer your question directly, I’d say that I have a commission to support the

masses and the welfare of God’s people. I had a revelation where God said ‘feed my people’ just like he told Peter.

I am all for welfarism. I am a welfarist. With my background as a socialist, I am bound to stand with the people. I have considered all the parties in the country and feel the APC comes closest to what welfare orientation. I am not a card-carrying member but I can’t say I don’t have sympathies for the party.

Meaning you always support the party?

If you have followed me

closely, you will realise I support government where necessary. But I don’t fail to call them to order and attention when I notice things are amiss. If the party goes against welfarism, I will be the first to speak out. But if it is all for welfarism, I stand with them. I am neither for nor against but to be a voice in the governance of God’s people. I stand with the people of God all the times.

If you were standing before the President, what will be your advice to him?

I will tell him that God has bought him back to the position for a purpose. He has tried three times before he made it this time. He should know that he is not there on his own and by his power. God does not want any man to share his glory with anyone. I am sure he’s wondering if he is dreaming himself being on the seat now.

Now that he’s there, he should realise he has a purpose to be the president of the largest country in Africa and the nation with most black people on earth.

He should redirect the movement of the country.

The first thing he should do is to bring corruption to a halt.

He should start an agency to prevent corruption. This agency should prevent corruption before it happens.

The EFCC and ICPC are to prosecute after commission of offences. As a matter of fact, I believe both agencies should be merged to become more efficient and effective.

All our agencies should be made to report their activities not more than 100 days publicly. Many of them have been forgotten because they do not do anything. We should be able to look closely at their activities and balance sheets; if they go for over a year without reports, we all lose track of what they

NEWS

First audio bible in local languages for unveiling

T

HE first audio bible in indigenous languages will be unveiled on July 18th.

The bible, which will be distributed free, will be available on phone handsets, compact discs and other modern devices.

By Tony Eluemunor

Several prominent Christian leaders are expected at the unveiling of the new project at the Congress hall of the Abuja Hilton hotel.

The bible will come in 18 indigenous languages, including Igbo, Yoruba,

Hausa, Fulfude, Egbira, Okirika, Idoma, Efik, Tiv, Ijaw, Ibibio, Bini, etc for a start.

Other local and African languages will follow later.

The initiator of the project, Pastor David Ogudu of the Christos International Worship Centre, Abuja, said

the idea is to eliminate illiteracy and other challenges that inhibit the reading of the word of God. After the project has been unveiled, Ogudu stated that local pastors will be engaged to distribute the audio bible as widely as possible.

do. It is within the confines of that secrecy that corruption thrives. If they report to the public, there would be accountability and openness in government.

Which would you consider the three most important priority areas for him?

For me, I would say health should be a major area. Health is wealth.

Nigerians are dying daily at alarming rate. Our medical practitioners are perpetually on strike. The healthcare system has been under captivity. I believe President Buhari should create more space for alternative healthcare system. We need alternative medicines and treatment so that Nigerians can access better health.

We need complimentary alternative and herbal medicine to fill the gap.

Western medicine and drug therapy have been the only things in this country.

Herbal medicine should have their separate council to regulate training and practices of practitioners.

The training institutions we had before in Abuja and Lagos have been closed. If government recognises that branch of medicine, we would have a healthier nation.

We also have to consider traditional medicine. There was a way we were treating ourselves before the colonialists came. They even acknowledged we were studious and strong people, which was why they forced us to provide manpower for their industries through slave trade.

Then, education is also critical to any nation. The government has to realise that an educated soul is better a rich nation. Our institutions should be funded and teachers trained and trained until we have a literate nation. Moral instructions have to be reintroduced because we have lost our moral compass as a nation.

Nigerians prefer materialism to honesty and it is all because of our moral decadence. There should be more funding for primary and tertiary education with provision of teaching aids.

Lastly, I believe welfare is another area government has to look into. There must be incentives that will keep people busy and corruption unattractive. Part of welfare is to provide mass transportation that will make movement of people and good very fast, cheap and convenient.

If the government focuses on this, I have no doubt that it will make a success of this new mandate.

64

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, JUNE 7, 2015

WORSHIP

ECWA trains 700 on agric techniques E VANGELICAL Church Winning All (ECWA), Railway Local Church Council (LCC) Bauchi, has concluded training for over 700 of its members on new agricultural techniques to improve their farm produce.

The training ended a two-day revival service conducted by the church.

Experts took the members on how to cultivate produces such as soya beans, sesame, groundnuts, fish and poultry farming profitably.

LCC Overseer, Shuaibu

By Austine Tsenzughul, Bauchi

Byal, said the training was necessary, particularly as this year’s rain has stated falling and planting would soon begin in earnest.

He said: “The training is borne-out of our desire to empower and equip members with necessary skills to enable them engage in best agricultural practices.

“Most members in our local churches are peasant farmers,

who engage in different agricultural activities but often at a loss due to lack of knowledge and the right skills.

“So, we felt there is need, to equip them with skills and techniques that would improve their productivity.

“The skills would encourage members to engage in farming activities to boost their income and sustain their families with what they produce.”

COLUMN

Living Faith

By Dr. David Oyedepo

Coveting spiritual gifts for supernatural turnaround!

W

• L-R Pastor Joseph Aborowa; Ambassador Omoniyi Osunsanya (FCA) and Pastor Shola Adegbenro at the event

Christian accountants offer scholarships to seven

C

HARTERED Christian accountants under the aegis of Professional Accountants Christian Ministry (PACM) have awarded scholarship to seven students of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife and Yabatech.

The awards marked the

formal transition of the body from Professional Accountants Christian Fellowship (PACF).

The body also launched a new logo in line with its new status.

The beneficiaries are accounting students who came top in the group’s qualifying test.

According to a statement from the group, the scholarship covers the ICAN lectures, examination fees and feeding stipend for the winners.

The body added: “The scholarship subsists until they qualify and it will be an annual award to deserving members.”

When AVMC hosted convocation AILY dressed also congratulated of priests Diocese people, sermons, Governor Akinwunmi

G

joyful music from a happy choir and dancing, the mood was festive penultimate Sunday at Archbishop Vining Memorial Church, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos.

But it was not just another Sunday service. The regular Sunday crowd was larger amidst a large turnout of priests in cassocks and the round-neck collars.

Dignitaries from all walks of life, including the former immediate Lagos deputy governor, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, graced the occasion.

Everyone came for the thanksgiving service to culminate the annual synod of the Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion, Lagos West Diocese.

For churches within the diocese, while the spiritual matter was among issues deliberated upon, this gathering also examined Nigerian socio-cultural situations, especially as they concern Lagos.

The synod which had as its theme, Looking Unto Jesus, taken from Hebrews 12:2, started four days earlier on

By Joe Agbro Jr.

Wednesday.

It was presided by Rev Dr James Odedeji, the Lord Bishop of the Diocese of Lagos West.

Highlighting corruption as the major problem confronting the country, the synod lamented the state of security, power, education, foreign policy and other national concerns.

It commended the outcome of the 2015 general elections with Professor Attahiru Jega in charge of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

While the Synod prayed former President Goodluck Jonathan and President Muhammadu Buhari, it expressed a dismal outlook at the economy.

“The new government is therefore advised to eradicate corruption completely from our body polity and lean towards an export-oriented economy,” the synod noted, saying that over 80 per cent of Nigerians still live below the poverty level.

“Agriculture should be restored as the mainstay of our economy and our dependence on crude oil as our main source of revenue has to be addressed.”

The synod, representative of churches within the Lagos

Ambode, urging him to continue in the exemplary ways of his predecessor, Babatunde Fashola.

The synod lecture was delivered by the Rt Revd Segun Fagbamiye, the Bishop of Trinity Missionary Diocese.

And the Rt Revd Joseph Olusola, the Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Ijesha North East who preached in the opening service of the synod defined faith as the international currency to connect to the spiritual realms.

This faith, he said, is required to actually look unto Jesus Christ as the Author and Finisher of our faith.

And following sessions of bible study, teachings and sermons, the synod concluded that it was imperative to seek Jesus in all matters.

“Christians should be focused with their eyes set permanently on the life and times of Jesus Christ or face eternal damnation,” said the communiqué of the synod.”

The synod also served as an avenue to discuss other issues affecting the diocese.

Hence, there were intensive deliberations from happenings across the diocese.

ELCOME to a glorious season in your life and in that of our nation’s. Nothing makes room for a believer on earth like the spiritual gifts at work in him.

It is the gift of God at work in us that determines our placement on earth. This validates the scripture that says: A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men (Proverbs 18:16; See also 1 Corinthians 12:31; 2 Corinthians 4:7; 9:14-15; 1 Corinthians 12:7; 4:7).

BUT, WHAT ARE SPIRITUAL GIFTS? The Nine Gifts of the Spirit as listed in 1 Corinthians 12:7-10 and they are classified into three (3) groups: Power Gifts: They include the Gift of Faith, which boosts our capacity to believe God and His Word; the Gifts of Healing which empowers our dominion over sicknesses and diseases, and the Working of Miracles, which gives us the capacity to live above impossibilities.

Revelational Gifts: These include the Word of Wisdom, which makes kings in the Kingdom; Word of Knowledge, which empowers for exploits (Daniel 11:32) and Discerning of spirits, which helps us to overcome the traps of the wicked.

Inspirational or Vocal Gifts: They include Prophecies, through which we access things to come; Diversities of Tongues and Interpretation of Tongues¯for our spiritual refreshing (1 Corinthians 14:2-4; 12:7-13; Proverbs 8:15).

The Seven Spirits of God as listed in Isaiah 11: 1-2: Each of the seven Spirits will make a star of any believer. Jesus possessed these seven Spirits and said that the works that He did, we will do and greater works than that shall we

do. This helps us to understand that we can do whatever Jesus did while on earth, through the manifestation of these Spirits (John 14:12; Revelation 3:1; 5:6).

Tangible spiritual gifts include the Spirit of Love, the Spirit of Visions and Guidance, the Spirit of Faith, etcetera. I believe these gifts are called the spirits of just men made perfect because they are packaged in God’s chosen and anointed vessels. When we crave them, they are released into our lives (Philippians 1:7; Hebrews 12: 13; Jude 1:3).

Let’s look at one of these spiritual gifts.

The Spirit of the Fear of the Lord: It is also known as the Spirit of Holiness. This is the sure foundation for triumphant and profitable living, as well as lasting breakthroughs (2 Timothy 2:19).

What is in the Spirit of Holiness?

The Spirit of Holiness empowers our access to divine secrets, which is the maker of stars in the Kingdom (Psalm 25:14). For instance, Job had access to divine secrets because he had the Spirit of Holiness. As a result, he became the greatest of all the men in his days (Job 1:2-3; Job 29:4).

The Spirit of Love: This platform is for generating and commanding pace-setting exploits. For instance, this Spirit gave David his place in destiny (2 Timothy 1:6-7; 1 Corinthians 2:9). We need this Spirit to love God unreservedly and beyond ourselves.

WHY DO WE NEED SPIRITUAL GIFTS? To Walk in Power: We need the empowerment of the Spirit, so we can dominate all the powers of the wicked (Luke 10:19).

To Access the Deep Things of God: The Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation empowers our access to the deep things of God (1 Corinthians 2:10).

To Gain Insight into things to come through Visions and Revelations: We walk in vision by two Spiritual

gifts: the Spirit of Wisdom¯profitable to direct and the Spirit of counsel¯profitable to guide (Romans 8:14). These Spirits grants us access into the visions of God for our lives (Joel 2:28).

For Profitable Living (1 Corinthians 12:7).

For Fulfilment of Destiny (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:8; Acts 10:38; Luke 4: 18-19).

For Supernatural Breakthroughs (Ephesians 3:20; Acts 1:8).

For Supernatural Blessings: The gifts of the Spirit are facilitators of the blessings of God. When they are present in our lives, blessings keep pouring and that attracts everybody to the blessings of God in our lives (Isaiah 44:3-4) However, it is important to know that the Love of God is the gateway to all Spiritual gifts that make living profitable (1 Corinthians 13:1-3, 14:1). God is only committed to empowering His lovers. Thus, when we become anointed lover of Christ, we gain access to every treasure of His Kingdom.

Moreover, being in love is not a substitute for coveting earnestly, but it guarantees our receiving as we covet. Therefore, it is our job to covet earnestly by praying heartily for any of the spiritual gifts that we desire (Luke 11:13). It is my prayer that as you thirst and pray for any of these spiritual gifts, God will deliver them to you and they will change your story forever!

Are you born again? This means, have you accepted Jesus Christ as your Saviour and Lord? If you haven’t, you can do so as you say this prayer: “Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me of my sins. Cleanse me with Your precious Blood. Deliver me from sin and satan to serve the Living God. Today, I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Thank You Jesus for saving me! Now I know I am born again!”

For further reading, please get my books: Anointing For Exploits and Understanding The Anointing.

I invite you to come and fellowship with us at the Faith Tabernacle, Canaan Land, Ota, the covenant home of Winners. We have four services on Sundays, holding at 6:00 a.m., 7:50 a.m., 9:40 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. respectively.

I know this teaching has blessed you. Write and share your testimony with me through: Faith Tabernacle, Canaan Land, Ota, P.M.B. 21688, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria; or call 7747546-8; or E-mail: feedback@lfcww.org

NEWS

Group fetes children, rewards teachers

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ARE Seed Initiative/Project Care, a faith-based Non Governmental Organisation (NGO), recently took out time to celebrate children.

Its initiator, Rev. (Mrs) Beatrice Egunleyi, said the group focuses on the welfare of not only children but also for the needy in the society.

The event, which featured drama

By Sampson Unamka

presentation, special numbers, and recitations among others, had a large turn-out of parents and children.

It held at the Bible Baptist Church (Member of Baptist Missionary Association of Africa) in Iyana-Ipaja, Lagos.

Egunleyi added that the event was organised in the church premises so that lots of children can participate in the celebration.

She presented four teachers

with Apple Ipad tablets, adding the gesture was to encourage them to improve the standard of teaching and compete with what is obtainable worldwide.

One of the teachers, Lekan Adebaki, said: “I’m very happy. It was a very good surprise gift, it shows that God himself rewards those that diligently serve Him and He’s not going to come down, He will send people to reward you.”

THE NATION ON SUNDAY JUNE 7, 2015 CHANGE OF NAME ESENE

I,formerly known and addressed as Miss Blessing Omuekpen Esene, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Blessing Omuekpen Oboh. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

ADESOYE

I,formerly known and addressed as Mrs. Adebimpe Olufunke Olaore Adesoye, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Tella, Adebimpe Olufunke. All former documents remain valid. general public should take note.

JAMES I,formerly known and addressed as James Onuoha Emmanuel, now wish to be known and addressed as James Bright Onuoha. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

ADELEYE

I,formerly known and addressed as Miss Adeleye, Ayisat Victoria, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Balogun, Ayisat Adeleye. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

OLORUNTOBI I,formerly known and addressed as Mrs. Oloruntobi, Adebunola Omobolanle, now wish to be known and addressed as Miss Atekoja, Adebukunola Omobolanle. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

ABUGU I,formerly known and addressed as Miss Abugu, Oyichukwu Paulina, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Izekor, Oyichukwu Paulina. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

JEGEDE

I,formerly known and addressed as Miss Jegede, Temitayo Abiodun, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adefemi, Temitayo. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

SAM I,formerly known and addressed as Miss Christiana Johnson Sam, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Christiana Ubong Uyai. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

OYEYEMI I,formerly known and addressed as Miss Oyeyemi, Abimbola Omowunmi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. DaviesIdowu, Abimbola. All former documents remain valid. Oduduwa University, NYSC and general public should take note.

ABIOYE

I,formerly known and addressed as Miss Abioye, Christian Toyin, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Orisale, Christian Toyin. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

OBAMOGIE I,formerly known and addressed as Miss Obamogie Evelyn Omosede, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Omoniyi, Evelyn Omosede. All former documents remain valid. Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital Board, University of Sokoto Teaching Hospital Board, Igbenedion University, Okada, Edo State and general public should take note.

AWOPETU

I,formerly known and addressed as Miss Awopetu, Oluwaseun, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Catherine Oluwaseun Amire.

All former documents remain valid.

Ekiti State Local Service Commission and general public should take note.

OKE I,formerly known and addressed as Miss Oke, Adepeju Oluwabusayo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Aliyu, Adepeju Oluwabusayo.

All former documents remain valid. Ekiti State Local Service Commission and general public should take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to confirm that Philip Blessing and Uzuzanor Philip Blessing refers to one and the same person and now wish to be known and addressed as Uzuzanor Philip Blessing. All former documents remain valid. The West African Examnination Council, (WAEC), NECO National Examination Council and general public should take note.

OLAOPA I,formerly known and addressed as Mrs. Olaopa Grace Aderonke, now wish to be known and addressed as MS. Fakunle Grace Aderonke. All former documents remain valid.

Federal College of Education (Special) Oyo and general public should take note.

CHANGE OF NEXT NEXT OF KIN Mrs. Adejumo Alice Olufunmilayo (deceased) Her next of kin when she was alive was Mr. Adejumo Emmanuel Ifeoluwa who is presently out of the country. Her new next of kin is her husband, Mr. Adejumo Matthew Adenle and her daughter Mrs. Owolabi Elizabeth Bunmi (Nee Adejumo) Mrs. Oloruntobi Adebukunola Omobolanle now Miss Atekoja, Adebukunola Omobolanle.

NEWS

CHANGE CHANGE OF OF NAME NAME OMOTUNDE I,formerly known and addressed as Miss Omotunde, Janet Oluwatosin, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Agbaje, Janet Oluwatosin. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

AFENIFORO

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

NWAORIE

KENTEBE

AVOH

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Nwaorie Chidiebere, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ezeigbo Chidiebere Destiny.

All former documents remain valid.

NYSC and the general public should please take note.

ONWUDIMEGWU

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Kentebe, Tubolaifa Temitayo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. OLUJIMI, Tubolaifa Temitayo. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as ROSELINE BENJAMIN AVOH now wish to be known as ROSELINE BENJAMIN. All former documents remain valid general public please take note.

JOHN

I formerly known and addressed as Miss JOY LOVEDAY NNA. Now wish to be known as Mrs. JOY HOPE AKALUOGBO. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I,formerly known and addressed as Miss Afeniforo, Oluwakemi Helen, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ojo, Oluwakemi Helen. All former documents remain valid. Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and general public should take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Chekwube Favour Onwudimegwu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Chekwube Adeyanju. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

I,formerly known and addressed as Miss John Nneoma Miriam, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Nmereole Nneoma Miriam.

All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

ODANWA

ANI

GANIYU

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Odanwu Nneka Juliet, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ekeh Nneka Juliet. All former documents remain valid. Michael Okpara University of Agric, Umudike and the general public should please take note.

I,formerly known and addressed as Ismaila Ganiyu and Adelani Ganiyu, now wish to be known and addressed as Ismaila Adelani Ganiyu. All former documents remain valid. Ecobank Plc., Badagry branch, Lagos State and general public should take note.

OBASI

I,formerly known and addressed as Angela Chinaegbomkpa Obasi, now wish to be known and addressed as Angela Chinaegbomkpa Ukaonu. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

ALIYU

I,formerly known and addressed as Aliyu Kudirat Omobolanle, now wish to be known and addressed as Adeyeye Kudirat Aliyu. All former documents remain valid. Federal Polytechnic, Ede, Osun State, ICAN, NYSC and general public should take note.

ISMAILA

I,formerly known and addressed as Afolabi Adegbayi Ismaila, now wish to be known and addressed as Afolabi Ismail Adegbayi. All former documents remain valid.

Osun State Polytechnic, Iree and general public should take note.

ABDUL I,formerly known and addressed as Miss Abdul Olayinka Zainab, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Pius Olayinka Dorcas. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

HARUNA

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Haruna, Wakwe Grace now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Danladi, Wakwe Grace. All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

ADELEKE I formerly known and addressed as Miss Adeleke Titilayo Beatrice, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ogunwole Titilayo Beatrice. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

KEMA I, formerly known and addressed as MISS KEMA AUGUSTINA NGOZI now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. OKEMEZIEM AUGUSTINA NGOZI. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

FADAHUNSI I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OLUWASEUN DAMILOLA FADAHUNSI now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. OLUWASEUN DAMILOLA FAKEYE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

ADA

CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, AMAECHI UCHENNA JAMES and OSUAGWU UCHENNA JAMES refers to one and the same person.

Now wish to be known and addressed as AMAECHI UCHENNA JAMES. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OGUNDIPE

I,formerly known and addressed as Mrs. Sawyerr, Olufunmilola Modinat, now wish to be known and addressed as Miss Olatunji, Olufunmilola M. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

AJAYI

I,formerly known and addressed as Miss Ajayi, Adedayo Hellen, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Atere, Adedayo Hellen. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

I,formerly known and addressed as Ada Tochukwu Ene, now wish to be known and addressed as Nwankwo Ada Tochukwu. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

I,formerly known and addressed as Ogundipe Shola Idowu, now wish to be known and addressed as David Olusola Ayomide. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

MARK I,formerly known and addressed as Mark Oludare Olabode, now wish to be known and addressed as Olusegun Oludare Fajuyigbe. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

IKPE

I,formerly known and addressed as MISS ITORO SEBASTIAN IKPE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. ITORO AMADI UDUEHE. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

BANJOKO I,formerly known and addressed as Miss BANJOKO TAOFIKAT MOTUNRAYO, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. MUSTAPHA TAOFIKAT. MOTUNRAYO. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

TAJUDEEN

I formerly known and addressed as TAJUDEEN ADESINA IDOWU, now wish to be known and addressed as PRINCEWILL OLUWASINAAYOMI IDOWU. All former documents remain valid.

Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria, Corporate Affairs Commission, First Bank Plc and General Public should please take note.

ATORI

SAWYERR

ONUEKWUSI I,formerly known and addressed as Onuekwusi Bernadette Nnenna, now wish to be known and addressed as Onyekachi Bernadette Nnenna. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

OKOYA I formerly known and addressed as Miss Okoya Ololade Victoria, now wish to be known and addressed as Jogbayi Abayomi Segun. All other document bearing Okoya-Shomope remain valid. The general public should please take note.

NWOGU

I formerly known and addressed as NWOGU PRINCEWILL CHINYERE MIKE, now wish to be known and addressed as GIDEON PRINCEWILL CHINYERE MIKE. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

OPEKE

I formerly known and addressed as Mrs. BOLANLE VICTORIA OPEKE (Nee ODUNIYI), now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. BOLANLE VICTORIA OBADEYI. All former documents remain valid.

The general public should please take note.

NAPHTALI I formerly known and addressed as Miss NAPHTALI PATIENCE, now wish to be known and address as Mrs. AHMED PATIENCE. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

MOUJEKE

I formerly known and addressed as ABRAHAM IROREVWO ATORI, now wish to be known and addressed as ABRAHAM IROREVWO EFEMORHORO. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS MOUJEKE UCHENNA VIVIAN now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. OKEKE UCHENNA VIVIAN. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and the general public should please take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, AFOLAYAN SHARAFADEEN OLARENWAJU is the same person as ADIGUN SHARAFADEEN LANRE and henceforth wish to be know and addressed as AFOLAYAN SHARAFADEEN OLARENWAJU. All documents bearing the above names remain valid.General public should please take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME HARRY, DANDYSON DINYA IDONIBOYE or HARRY, DANDYSON DINYA and DINYA IDONIBOYE refers to one and the same person. Now wish to be known as Mr. HARRY DANDYSON DINYA IDONIBOYE. All former documents remain valid general public please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Ani Chinasa, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Okoro-Eric Chinasa Uniquefavour. All former documents remain valid. NYSC, WAEC, EBSU, Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria and the general public should please take note.

NJOKU

I formerly known and addressed as Miss NJOKU VICTORIA NGOZIKA, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. UGOCHUKWU VICTORIA NGOZIKA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

CHUKWU I formerly known and addressed as Miss CHUKWU JOY CHIDINMA, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. IFEANYI JOY CHIDINMA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

OGUNLENDE

I formerly known and addressed as Miss OGUNLENDE OLOLADE MARIAM, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. AKINLABI OLOLADE MARIAM. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

IBEH

I formerly known and addressed as Mrs. Rosemary Osemudiamen Ibeh, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Rosemary Osemudiamen Ibeawuchi. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

OGUH

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Oguh Mirian, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Goodness Chinenye Chinemerem Okeke. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

KAYODE

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Kayode Folake Florence, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Akintayo Folake Florence. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

OLADEHINDE

I formerly known and addressed as Oladehinde Abayomi Segun, now wish to be known and addressed as Jogbayi Abayomi Segun. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

OLAOGUN I formerly known and addressed as Olaogun, Bukola Olapeju, now wish to be known and addressed as Diji Olubukola Olapeju. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

JIMOH

I formerly known and addressed as Jimoh Toyin, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Akinsola, Toyin Deborah. All former documents remain valid. Kwara State Polytechnic, EEDC Egun, NYSC and general public should please take note.

NWENNAH I formerly known and addressed as Miss Nwennah Peace Chika, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ebenezer, Peace Chika. All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

OGONNAYA I formerly known and addressed as Miss OGONNAYA ROSEMARY OKOROAFOR, now wish to be known as Mrs. OGONNAYA ROSEMARY SMART. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

FAOYE I formerly known and addressed as Faoye Francis Opeyemi, now wish to be known and addressed as Oluwatayo Olayiwola Opeyemi.

All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

AYENI I formerly known and addressed as Miss Ayeni Bukola Susan, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ibitoye, Bukola Olamide. All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

NNA

OZUMBA I formerly known and addressed as Miss OZUMBA TOBECHI AMAECHI. Now wish to be known as Mrs. NWIWU TOBECHI AMAECHI. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

BENSON I formerly known and addressed as Miss Benson, Kaine, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Opobio Clapperton Kaine. All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

OKOYE I formerly known and addressed as Ogonna Jude Okoye, now wish to be known and addressed as Ogochukwu Jude Okoye. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

AKINROKUN I formerly known and addressed as Miss Akinrokun Oluwatoyin Lucia, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Samuel Oluwatoyin Lucia. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

ONUZULIKE I formerly known and addressed as Onuzulike Constance Ogochukwu, now wish to be known and addressed as AmadiChukwuemeka Constance Ogochukwu. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

OLAPADE

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Busayo Olapade, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Busayo Ogunlakin. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

NWAOGUGWU I formerly known and addressed as Miss Nwaogugwu Cynthia, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Nwachukwu Cynthia. All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, EMMANUEL UMOUDI UMAOBOT and AKAI UMOUDI UMAOBOT refers to one and the same person. Now wish to be known and addressed as EMMANUEL UMOUDI UMAOBOT. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ADVERT: Simply produce your marriage certificate or sworn affidavit for a change of name publication, with just N4,500. The payment can be made through FIRST BANK of Nigeria Plc. Account number - 2017220392 Account Name - VINTAGE PRESS LIMITED Scan the details of your advert and teller to gbengaodejide @yahoo.com or thenation_advert @yahoo.com.

For enquiry please contact: Gbenga on 08052720421, 08161675390, Emailgbengaodejide@ yahoo.com or our offices nationwide.

Note this! Change of name is now published every Sundays, all materials should reach us two days before publication.

65

Kuku: I 'm not lobbying Buhari for amnesty job From Gbade Ogunwale, Assistant Editor, Abuja HE Chairman, Presidential Amnesty Programme, Kingsley Kuku, has denied lobbying President Muhammadu Buhari to retain his job.

Kuku, who was the Special Adviser to former President Goodluck Jonathan on Niger Delta, stated that he had already completed both assignments.

The former presidential aide spoke in Abuja yesterday against the backdrop of media reports credited to some exmilitants indicating that he was lobbying President Muhammadu Buhari to retain the position.

Kuku, in a statement, said there was no way he could have plotted to stay back on the job after giving his valedictory address to staff and the public.

According to him: "I have since made it clear that on completion of his national assignment with exPresident Jonathan, I would be returning to my village in Orogbo Ijaw, in Ondo State.

"I have not, and I do not intend to lobby anyone directly or subtly to remain in office beyond what has been provided for under the Nigerian law.

"Having served as Special Adviser to ex- President Jonathan, who handed over power to President Buhari on May 29, 2015, it is inconceivable that I would still be lobbying either President Buhari or anyone in his yet-to-be formed cabinet to stay back as the Chairman of the Presidential Amnesty Office.

"There is no truth whatsoever in the claim by the so-called ex-agitators that I am lobbying some unnamed top government officials to stay back as chairman of the PAO."

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NGE Fellow lauds Adesina, Garba’s appointment

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Fellow of the |Nigeria Guild of Editors (NGE), Mr. Folu Olamiti has congratulated Mr. Femi Adesina, Special Adviser (Media / Publicity) and Mallam Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant (Media / Publicity) on their appointment by President Muhammadu Buhari.

In a statement yesterday he said, “They are obviously the right choice of people for the Administration’s media and public affairs management.

As thoroughbred professionals with vast experiences and contacts in the media industry here in Nigeria and abroad, they will add great value to President Buhari’s efforts at bringing positive change to the various sectors of national life.”

He added that with the high expectations of citizens for a better deal under the new Administration, President Buhari surely needs very capable hands to assist him in carrying the media and the people along.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY JUNE 7, 2015

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EBERE WABARA

WORDSWORTH 08055001948

ewabara@yahoo.com

‘Decampment’ or defection?

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HE NATION ON SUNDAY of May 24, 2015, welcomes us today: “But the compassionate and sometimes passive attitude of Nigerian families to always resign to fate and leave everything in God’s hands, (sic) have (has) ensured that this ugly situation persists.”

The verb determinant in the extract is ‘attitude’.

“Will the media siege on (of) Abia end now?”

“Nigerian Breweries to reward teachers with cash prices (prizes)” From THISDAY Front Page Banner of May 25 comes this blunder: Fuel subsidy: Buhari’s make or mar (make-or-mar) decision” “Military service could not have fetched money, says drug trafficking (drug-trafficking) suspect who failed enlistment” “NSC restores sanity at (to) ports—Coordinator” “Jonathan, Obasanjo, Amaechi mend fences…shake hands, throw banters (banter) at Council of States (State) meeting” ‘Banter’ is uncountable.

“Ubah must have been thinking of where to recoup the investment he made into (in) the president’s failed reelection bid.”

“Buhari’s emergency (emergence), an act of God” “This award, (sic) is an eloquent testimony of (to) your holistic commitment and dedication to the cause of humanity.”

The next blunder is from THE NATION ON SUNDAY COMMENT of May 10: “…and like his junior (younger) brother now….”

Still from THE NATION ON SUNDAY: “OAU Alunmi (sic) honours (honour) ‘outstanding’ members” Writing in this medium a fortnight ago, one Mike Nwachukwu, who had in the past mischievously syndicated some scurrilous concoctions about the opposition media and some of their proponents, mostly from The Sun, wrote once more this time a subtle appeal for the discontinuation of the media “war”. His intervention was entitled “Will the media siege on (sic) Abia end now?” Of course, the portrait of the publisher

of The Sun and New Telegraph and former governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Kalu, was generously used on the flip page to illustrate the yarn.

For Nwachukwu and his imaginary benefactor, Okezie Ikpeazu—T. A. Orji’s lackey/stooge/ puppet/godson (choose one!)—there is nothing to celebrate in Abia State, particularly the forensic focus of the two newspapers he cowardly did not mention namely The Sun and New Telegraph, both owned by the former governor of the state (1999-2007), Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu. The two newspapers cannot drop their gauntlets because nothing has changed.

The only time there can be cessation of hostilities or, better still, adversarial journalism by these two sister publications will be the day the popular choice, Dr. Alex Otti of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), emerges as the governor who will liberate Abians from the clutches of T. A. Orji’s eight years’ utter misrule shrouded in impunity and rights abuses that will definitely be carried over through surrogate extrapolation.

It is sheer deviancy for anyone to say that this former hellish governor transformed Abia State! If anything, he took it back to pre-historic time. I get amused when some buffoons declare that Dr. Kalu’s insistence on the enthronement of good governance by the ingrate that succeeded him was a battle against the entirety of Abians. What kind of correlational insanity can this be? How can the disaster called T. A. Orji be the representational symbol of Abians? The psychophants who depended on T. A. Orji for survival via infrastructural gastronomy should not allow penury afflict their thought processes. In transformational ecology, you talk of foundation/groundwork, structural framework conceptualisation, development, growth, consolidation before the ultimacy of transformation.

In all of these, this erstwhile governor does not fit into the basics let alone the last stage of transformation. Nobody should delude himself because of extinct peanuts.

You can only appreciate the backwardness of Abia and the poverty of T. A. Orji’s tenure when you visit most states in the federation or have off-record discussions with some of the immediate-past outspoken governors who keep wondering how we threw up this fellow to lead us when there are so many bright minds of global status. Dr. Kalu has taken responsibility for this misadventure and has apologised profusely for the monumental tragedy. All the cronies of T. A. Orji keep blaming Dr. Kalu for choking T.A. Orji to non-performance stupor.

How possible, how realistic can this be with all the executive powers a governor enjoys? It is ludicrous that some people still hold on to this flimsy rationalisation despite the despondency and social infrastructural deficiencies. Abia State today is the worst in the country in terms of everything you can think of with regard to human d e v e l o p m e n t parametres.

It would be unfair to say that T. A. Orji did not achieve anything in his eight years at the helm.

He gained relevance by foolishly tackling his benefactor, Dr. Kalu, who against all odds made him a governor. Whatever we sow….

FEEDBACK THE interventions today are from veteran KOLA DANISA (07068074257): A writer in the Politics section of the Sunday Vanguard, Page 51, May 17, wrote about “Decampment, so what?” I could not find “decampment” in the dictionaries available to me but I am aware of “defect” (a verb meaning “to leave a political party, cause, country for another”) and “defection” (noun). Colleagues, it costs nothing to use the dictionary.

The Glamour/Out & About section of The Nation, May 10, Page 29, stated that “OAU Alumni honours ‘outstanding’ members, but why use “honours” (singular verb) to qualify “alumni” (plural noun)?

Alumnus, like alumna (a female graduate) is singular, while alumnae is the plural. Unless accompanied by the word “association”, alumni should be used in the plural context.

Senate Presidency: How senators may vote

•Contd. from page 11

George Thompson Sekibo, Olaka Johnson Nwogu and Osinakachukwu Ideozu are also likely to vote for Lawan.

In Edo State with two PDP senators and one APC senator, Clifford Ordia (PDP), Mathew Urhoghide (PDP) and Francis Alimikhena (APC), the two PDP Senators are said to be undecided while the only APC senator is likely to vote for Lawan. However, Alimikhena is said to be close to Saraki, closeness which may inform how he votes.

In Cross River State with three PDP senators, John Owan Enoh, Rose Okoji Oko and Gershom Henry Bassey, the senators are said to be undecided.

In Delta State with three PDP Senators, while Senator Peter Nwaoboshi, Delta North Senatorial District, has openly opted to vote for Saraki, the other two senators, James Manager and Ighoyota Amori are said to be undecided.

South-West Majority of senators from the South-West geopolitical zone are overtly rooting for Lawan as Senate President.

In Lagos State, the three APC Senators, Oluremi Tinubu, Olugbenga Ashafa and Senator-elect Adeola Solomon Olamilekan have not hidden their preference and support for Lawan.

The same scenario is also playing out in Osun State where the three APC Senators, Olusola Adeyeye, Babajide Christopher Omoworare and Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke are said to have decided to vote for Lawan.

In Ogun State with two APC senators, Olanrewaju Tejuose and Joseph Dada and one PDP Senator, Buruji Kashamu, the votes are likely to be divided.

The two APC Senators are likely to vote for Lawan while the PDP Senator may go for Saraki.

In Ondo State, the coast is not quite clear though Senator Robert Ajayi Borofice (APC) has openly shown support for Lawan’s Senate Presidency.

The other two senators from the state, Senator Donald Alasoadura (APC)was seen in company with Saraki supporters while the only PDP senator from the state, Yele Omogunwa, is said to be undecided.

In Oyo State with three APC senators, Monsurat Sunmonu, Buhari Adulfatai and Rilwan Akanbi, the coast is also not quite clear. The senators are said to be undecided.

In Ekiti State with three PDP Senators, Duro Samuel Faseyi, Fatimat Olufunke RajiRasaki and Biodun Olujimi, the three senators are likely to vote according to the position of PDP. North-West North-West geopolitical zone with APC senators will play a major role in who becomes the Senate President if the zone decides to vote in bloc.

In Sokoto State with three APC senators, Ibrahim Gobir, Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko and Ibrahim Abdullahi, the three senators are said to have identified with Saraki.

In Kano State with three APC senators, Barau Jibrin, Mohammed Rabiu Musa and Kabiru Gaya, are likely to vote for Lawan.

Kabiru Gaya, a former governor of Kano State and Jibrin Barau were among the senators who met APC leaders to push for the use of the principle of ranking as one the major criteria for the election

•Mark

•Ndume of the Senate President.

In Katsina State with three APC senators, Mustapher Bukar, Abu Ibrahim and Umaru Ibrahim Kurfi, the three senators are also likely to vote for Lawan. Abu Ibrahim for instance is one of those who are pushing that the principle of ranking should be embraced as one of the criteria for the election of the Senate President.

The vote in Kebbi State with three APC senators is likely to be divided. Former governor of the state, Senator Mohammed Adamu Aliero, has been fully identified as ready to vote for Lawan. Senator-elect Bala Ibn Na’Allah is also said to be for Lawan but the other Senator-elect, Yahaya Abdullahi, is said to be undecided.

In Zamfara State with three APC senators, Kabiru Marafa is likely to vote for Lawan while former governor, Ahmed Yerima Sani, is one of the campaign directors of Saraki.

The third senator from the state, Senator-elect Tajjani Yahaya Kaura, is said to be undecided.

In Jigawa State with three APC senators, Muhammad Ubali Shitu, Sabo Mohammed and Abdullahi Gumel, the senators are said to be undecided.

Gumel is one of the senators-elect who met APC leaders to canvass the use of the principle of ranking for the election of the Senate President and the Deputy Senate President.

In Kaduna State with two APC senators, Suleiman Othman Hunkuyi, Shehu Sani and one PDP Senator Danjuma La’ah, only Senator Sani is known to have openly identified with Saraki. The other two senators are said to have been undecided.

North-Central North Central geopolitical zone with a mixed bag of senators will be a battle ground for the two top contenders.

In Kogi State with three APC senators, two, Dino Melaye and Abdulrahman Abubakar, are openly supporting Saraki while the third senator, Mohammed Abdulsalami Ohiare is said to be undecided.

In Kwara State there are three APC senators. The two remaining senators apart from Saraki, Mohammed Shaaba Lafiagi and Rafiu Adebayo Ibrahim are likely to vote for Saraki.

In Plateau State with three PDP Senators, Jeremiah Useni, Joshua Dariye and Jonah David Jang, the coast is not quite clear but insiders said that Jang and Useni may go for Lawan.

In Benue State with two APC senators, George Akume and Gemade and one PDP Senator, David Mark, Lawan is sure of securing the three vital votes.

Akume has been slated as

the Deputy Senate President if Lawan wins. Mark and Lawan are said to be close. Gemade on the other hand is the arrow head of Lawan’s Senate Presidency.

In Nasarawa State, Senator Abdullahi Adamu is also one of those insisting that the principle of ranking should be the basis for the election of the Senate President and Deputy Senate President. Adamu is one of the front campaigners for Lawan’s Senate Presidency. On the other hand, Senators Philip Aruwa Oyunka (PDP) and Salihu Hussain Egye (APC) are said to be undecided on who to vote for.

In Niger State with three APC Senators, Senator David Umaru (Niger-East) is known to have identified with Saraki.

The other two senators, Mohammed Garba and Aliyu Abdullahi are said to be rooting for Lawan.

In the Federal Capital Territory, Senator Philip Aduda, the only FCT Senator is likely to vote for Saraki.

North-East The North East geopolitical zone is another interesting case.

Senator Lawan comes from the zone. Ordinarily one would have concluded that the zone is a done deal for Lawan but that is far from the situation on the ground. Senators from the zone are sharply divided between Lawan and Saraki.

Insiders attributed this development to the alleged influence of a money bag politician who has been spending lavishly to favour one of the two leading contestants.

In Borno State for instance with two APC senators, while Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume is solidly backing Saraki, Senator Abubakar Kyari is said to be for Lawan.

The third elected senator from the state, Ahmed Zannah, gave the ghost recently.

In Gombe State with two APC senators, former Deputy Speaker House of Representatives, Senator Bayero Usman Nafada and former governor of the state, Senator Mohammed Danjuma Goje, have not hidden their support for Saraki.

The third Senator from the state, Joshua Lidani (PDP), is said to be undecided and may likely vote in line with the party’s dictate.

In Taraba State with three PDP Senators, Lawan may likel secure two vital votes from Senators Emmanuel Bwacha and Marafa Bashir Abba while Saraki may receive the remaining one.

In Adamawa State, Senator Binta Masi Garba has openly indicated resolve to vote for Saraki while the two other APC senators, Ahmadu Abubakar and Abdul Azziz Murtala Nyoko, are said to be undecided.

In Bauchi State, Suleiman Mohammed Nazif (APC) is one of the strong backers of of Lawan while Malam Ali Wakili (APC) and Isa Hamma Misau are said to be waiting on the wings.

In Yobe State, it is certain that Lawan will receive the three vital votes at stake from Senators Bukar Abba Ibrahim, Mohammed Hassan of the PDP and his own vote.

The remaining days before the election are crucial. The gladiators for the plum job are on the move to swing the senators to their side. Money is also said to be changing hands in a manner that will shame even money bags outside the National Assembly. That influence notwithstanding, it seems the lawmakers will answer their names this week when the senators will finally decide who leads them.

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY JUNE 7, 2015 Car bomb blast kills 14 in Iraq

Yemeni forces fire Scud missile at Saudi Arabia

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UTHORITIES in Iraq say a car bomb attack near a market has killed 14 people in a town northeast of Baghdad.

Police officials say the attack took place yesterday night in the Shiite town of Balad Ruz, killing 14 people and wounding 37 others.

Balad Ruz is 70 kilometers (45 miles) northeast of Baghdad.

Several shops and cars were damaged in the attack. Police sealed off the blast area.Medics in a nearby hospital confirmed the death toll. All officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to journalists.

Nobody claimed responsibility, but the Islamic State group, which controls large swaths of the country, frequently claims attacks targeting security forces and Shiite Muslims - who the IS group deems heretics.

1,500 rally in Moscow to back pressured science foundation

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BOUT 1,500 people have taken part in a Moscow rally to protest what they say is insufficient funding for science and against pressure on a foundation that gives grants to science projects.

The peaceful rally yesterday came two weeks after Russian authorities placed the Dynasty Foundation on its list of foreign agents. Under a widely criticized law, a non-governmental organization that receives funding and is deemed to be involved in political activity must register as a foreign agent.

The law doesn't prevent such organizations from working, but many see the requirement as oppressive because the term "foreign agent" is often seen as pejorative.

Dynasty head Dmitry Zimin, whose fortune funds the foundation, has been quoted as saying he will close the foundation because it was placed on the list.

Cyprus makes second arrest for explosive chemicals

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YPRUS detained a Lebanese man for questioning yesterday over the discovery of five tonnes of chemical fertiliser capable of making explosives, in a case Israel says is a Hezbollah militant plot.

The 62-year-old man, a resident of the Cypriot capital Nicosia, is the second to be arrested since the discovery of ammonium nitrate at a home in the coastal city of Larnaca in late May. A 26year-old Canadian-Lebanese man is already in custody.

Police believe the older man may be involved in the transfer of the chemicals, which came in ice packs as part of first aid kits imported to the island, the state-run Cyprus News Agency reported.

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• Pope Francis reviews the honour guard in Sarajavo, Bosnia and Herzegovina yesterday.

Photo: REUTERS

Pope in Sarajevo, urges lasting ethnic and religious peace P

OPE Francis urged Bosnians yesterday to seek lasting ethnic and religious harmony to heal the deep, lingering wounds of the 1992-1995 war that devastated the former Yugoslav republic.

"The cry of God's people goes up once again from this city, the cry of all men and women of good will: war never again," he said at a Mass for some 65,000 people at the stadium of the city that was once a symbol of ethnic and religious diversity in socialist Yugoslavia.

This unwound in the war and Bosnia remains hamstrung by its legacy, divided along ethnic and religious lines.

Francis listed the suffer-

ings endured by Bosnians, mentioning refugee camps, destroyed houses and factories, and shattered lives.

"You know this well, having experienced it here: how much suffering, how much destruction, how much pain!" he said, raising his voice as he read his homily in Italian.

He issued another criticism of the weapons industry, condemning "those who speculate on wars for the purpose of selling arms".

Later, the pope became emotional at a meeting in Sarajevo cathedral, where he heard personal stories of torture, including one by a nun who was kidnapped in 1993 by Arab foreign fighters who came to Bosnia to

fight alongside the country's Muslims.

Her voice broke as she told how her captors threatened to kill her unless a priest in the same room trampled a rosary. He refused and both were beaten.

"This is the memory of your people. A people without memory has no future," he told the priests and nuns in spontaneous remarks, putting aside his prepared address.

"Don't forget your history but not in order to get revenge but to make peace."

One priest recounted how a Muslim woman secretly sent him food while he was in a detention camp.

"That Muslim woman believed in God and felt she

had to do good," he said.

Earlier at a meeting with the three-member Bosnian presidency, Francis said peace initiatives between Bosnia's Croats, Serbs and Bosniaks showed that "even the deepest wounds can be healed by purifying memories and firmly anchoring hopes in the future."

Catholics, the vast majority ethnic Croats, account for about 15 percent of Bosnia's 3.8 million people. They share power with Muslim Bosniaks and Orthodox Serbs in an unwieldy system of ethnic quotas laid down by a U.S.brokered peace deal in 1995 and plagued by nationalist politicking.

More than 2,000 migrants rescued in Mediterranean, operations ongoing

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ORE than 2,000 migrants were rescued from five wooden boats in the Mediterranean yesterday and as many as seven other vessels have been reported at sea, the privately funded Migrant Offshore Aid Station (MOAS) and Italy's coastguard said.

"MOAS coordinated the rescue of over 2,000 people together with Italian, Irish and Germany ships," the group tweeted. The migrants were packed onto wooden fishing boats in the Mediterranean off the Libyan coast.

Italy's coastguard, which coordinates sea rescue efforts in from Rome, could not confirm the number of migrants who had been saved so far, but said about a dozen different migrant boats had been reported and rescue operations were ongoing.

"We have several assets at work," a coastguard spokes-

man said.

During the first five months of the year, there were 46,500 sea arrivals in Italy, a 12 percent increase on the same period of last year, the UN refugee agency said.

Italy's government projects 200,000 will come this year, up from 170,000 in 2014.

The summer months are usually the busiest period for departures because the calm

seas make the crossing easier.

This year growing anarchy in Libya -- the last point on one of the main transit routes to Europe -- is giving free hand to people smugglers who make an average of 80,000 euros ($89,000) from each boatload, according to an ongoing investigation by an Italian court.

MOAS, which is operating a privately funded rescue op-

Lightning injures 33 at music festival

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HIRTY-THREE people have been hurt after lightning struck twice at one of Germany's biggest music festivals.

The Rock am Ring festival in the town of Mendig, western Germany, was hit by two lightning strikes in the early hours yesterday morning.

The first strike hit the backstage area at about 1am, injuring eight people from the

festival's production teams, according to police.

Organisers later halted concerts and offered visitors shelter in large, lightning-proof tents.

Just before 4am, lightning struck for a second time, hitting the festival's camping area and injuring a further 25 people.

Police said all of those injured had been taken to hospital for observation and were in good health.

eration with Doctors without Borders, said its Phoenix ship plucked 372 mostly Eritreans from one boat.

EMEN'S dominant Houthi group and its army allies fired a Scud missile at Saudi Arabia which the kingdom said it shot down yesterday, in a major escalation of two months of war.

In the first reported use of a ballistic missile in the conflict, the Scud was fired yesterday morning at the city of Khamees Mushait in the kingdom's southwest and was intercepted by two Patriot missiles, a statement by the Saudi military said.

The area is home to the largest air force base in southern Saudi Arabia, the world's top oil exporter, but there are no oil facilities in the vicinity.

Al Masira, the Houthi group's official channel, confirmed the launch and said it targeted the King Khaled air base.

An alliance of Gulf Arab nations has been bombing Yemen's Houthi militia and allied army units loyal to powerful ex-President Ali Abdullah Saleh since March 26 in an attempt to restore exiled President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi to power.

Yesterday's violence came despite progress toward United Nations-backed peace talks planned for Geneva this month, to which both the exiled government and the Houthis have agreed.

The United Nations said yesterday it would convene the talks on June 14, and renewed a call for a pause in hostilities.

"This could also help create an atmosphere that is more conducive for peaceful dialogue," a spokesman said.

The coalition has said a main goal of its war effort is to neutralise the threat that rockets in Yemen pose to Saudi Arabia and its neighbours.

The alliance's spokesman, Saudi Brigadier General Ahmed Asseri, said in April that it had removed the threat from heavy weapons. He later appeared to step back from that assertion, saying that 80 percent of the 300 or so missiles had been destroyed - a figure he repeated yesterday.

Asseri told the Saudiowned Arabiya TV channel that the Houthis and their allies took advantage of a five-day humanitarian ceasefire ending on May 17 to position the arms."

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY, JUNE 7, 2015

FOREIGN

Money does not answer all things W

ORST than poverty is the abundance of money coupled with the lack of wisdom for the good use of it.

It is more advantageous that you understand a dangerous thing than have that thing understand you. It is a far wiser thing to comprehend a saying than to memorize it.

While attending various church services, I have witnessed something curious. Seeking to cajole their congregations toward placing liberal offerings in the collection plate, pastors have favorite Biblical passages they tend to recite. On many occasions, I have heard men of the cloth quote a portion of Ecclesiastes 10:19 - "money answereth all things."

I flinch when I hear the phrase used in this way. Although well intentioned, these clerics turn the passage into something it is not.

Perhaps lending themselves over to the economic poverty of our times, they commit themselves to an impoverished interpretation of that phrase. So focused on getting the generous offering, they distort the core of the very message they should preach and undercut the morality of the Gospel they profess to love and project. As such, they make the words say the exact opposite of what was intended. It is a gamble to focus on a portion of one sentence.

One runs the risk of using the quoted notion outside its apt context. The risk is doubled when committed against a text like Ecclesiastes that is in some parts poetic, other parts sardonic.

If they would but read the oft-quoted line in proper context, those who cite it to spur collections would feel ashamed. The phrase is part of a passage when the writer extols august leadership then takes hard aim at its narrow, venal opposite: "17. Blessed art thou, O land, when the king is the son of nobles, and thy princes eat in due season, for strength and not for drunkenness.

18. By much slothfulness the building decayeth: and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through.

19. A feast is made for laughter, and the wine maketh merry; but money answereth all things."

The phrase about money does not emanate from the description of the wise leader. It is one affixed to the foolhardy. The good leader acts with temperance and restraint; their conduct is geared toward high purpose. But the foolish leader is a glutton of all things and guardian of none. The building or nation is left unattended and allowed to decay. They do nothing save cosset themselves. While everything falters, they feast and are made merry by it. To them, nothing appears to be wrong. They feel they can toss money at every problem and everyone and all shall be well. Thus, the statement that "money answereth all things" is not intended as a statement of sage advice.

It is meant as ridicule. Only, the slothful and wrong believe such a thing.

How else could it be? How could money truly answer all things yet also the love of it be the source of evil? If money were the comprehensive answer, then the love of it would be in all ways beneficial. Loving the true answer could never be wrong let alone stoop to being the fount of all wrong. Yet, since money is not the genuine answer, the love of it can author great evil. If you seek evidence of this, look no further than Nigeria's just concluded election and the quality of its outgoing administration.

The past administration exhibited the type

•President Muhammadu Buhari at his Swearing-In of behavior against which this passage cautions. at the election and make it theirs through cunning For years, problems mounted. Inattention and purchase. The funds that should have been used errant policy afforded that which is malignant to to build the nation would now be released to buy become its own wide manufacture. Insecurity and it. This cynical but attractive strategy would be violence increased. Economic inequality grew. deployed with rigor. After all, money answereth Corruption enshrined itself as a national all things. institution. The poor seemed to become mute Cataracts of money poured into the body and inundated by grinding poverty. politic. Not one national institution was insulated Oil prices were high during this period. from the blandishment of vast liquidity. Many Money came and it went. Yet, the life of the average people fell to the inducement. For those whose person did not feel its presence. Far from wont is to sell their soul, they could at least be answering all things, money could not even proud that they did so at an inflated price. answer how it was spent and where did so much However, something uplifting happened during of it go. this wholesale attempt to commerce in the souls Those who had money soon came to have of the people and the destiny of the nation. Lean too much of it. They feasted and feted amidst as their pocketbooks were, the bulk of the people famine. Because all was fine with them, they stood against the wash and flow of misdirected believed all was fine throughout. They need not currency.

The people had enough of not having enough worry about anything. Whatever was to come, they held the purse string. They had enough and this fed them with desperate bravery. Fueled money to toss at any problem. For them, there by such courage, they voted for their better futures was no tomorrow, because money answered all and for greater nation instead of succumbing to things. It would keep the party going and keep present and visible blandishment. The their party in power. manipulators thought that the daily lack the The election came. The administration and people faced would make them susceptible to the party behind it sensed a problem. They had money. The truth is that the impoverished state grown unpopular. In an electoral democracy, that of affairs and the perceptible implosion of the would seem to be a grave problem. For them, it nation made the people reject the vulgar tender. seemed but a nuisance. They would toss money Money would not be allowed to purchase their

ransom. They would barter their votes but only for a chance at a democratic and just political economy. Money power had bankrupted itself. A large-scale miracle had taken place in a land that seemingly had been overrun by greed and misery.

In the end, President Buhari won the election but the people had won even more.

The humble and modest people withstood the silted convergence of greedy ambition, money, and might. They reclaimed the sovereignty of their will over those who pretend to rule but not govern them. They rejected being defined as people who could be purchased as if a cheapened commodity.

From the bowels of collective despair, they summoned the strength and faith to call forth democracy. Despite all the unfairness they had seen and suffered, they arose to hold claim to a better-lit day rather than surrender to the dark belief that things could get no better than they now are. They believed in something better and stronger than money: that the best of the human spirit is stronger than the worst of it.

Because of this, they won for this nation a strong reprieve. They won obtained a chance strengthen the foundation, repair the roof, buttress the walls and, most importantly, anneal the national spirit. These things money cannot buy.

Money is but a tool and not the answer. If an answer, it would tell us how to use it wisely.

On this key matter, money is deadly silent. In the hands of a good builder, money can finance the construction of a fine home. In the hands of wrong and destructive, money will destabilize and ruin the good neighborhood.

Money helps when in the right hand but also hinders when in the wrong.

A new day in a new Nigeria is here. Its coming was neither by purchase or mortgage.

Nigerians owe nothing to anyone save God and themselves for this chance.

Do not squander this chance that Providence has kindly placed in the hollow of your hand. This election has shown you the limits of Money Power. You have placed it below the collective good and justice where it belongs. Do not forget this lesson lest it emerge once again as a false and misleading god. To believe that money answereth all things is to turn it into a god. Those of who believe in God must realize that only God answereth all things. Everything else is incomplete and uncertain. The past administration believed in this primacy of money. It led them to serial mistakes in policy and, ultimately, to electoral defeat. This nation must not go that way again.

Nigeria, make the most of the future now before you. Let those in power govern for the public's best cause and never lord over the nation they are meant to serve. Let it be that the welfare and good of the people becomes the vocabulary of leadership.

Having so recently traversed the great divide between errant rule and responsive democracy, Nigeria now holds forth the torch of human progress. Keep that torch high that it might shine in every heart and home that is Nigerian. Keep that torch high that it may light the way for the rest of the Black race.

Keep that torch high to show all the world that we have just begun to make the contributions to mankind that destiny calls for Nigeria to achieve. May God Bless this land!

(08060340825 sms only)

Obamas, Clintons join Vice President Biden at son Beau’s funeral

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RESIDENT Barack Obama and his family joined a host of U.S. political figures including Bill and Hillary Clinton on yesterday to mourn Vice President Joe Biden’s son, Beau, who died last week of brain cancer at the age of 46.

One thousand people filled the St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Wilmington for a funeral Mass for Biden, a former Delaware attorney general who also served a year-long term in Iraq as a member of the Delaware Army National Guard.

The vice president processed into the church with his family at the beginning of the service.

Beau Biden was diagnosed with brain cancer in August 2013 and underwent surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. It recurred in the spring of this year.

His death was another tragic chapter in

the life of the vice president, who lost his first wife and his daughter in a car accident shortly after winning election to the U.S. Senate in 1972.

Beau and his brother Hunter were injured in the crash but survived.

Beau Biden, who was married with two children, has been praised over the last week as having lived a life of exemplary service. His death has drawn wide U.S. media coverage and an

outpouring of sympathy for the vice president.

Obama, whose family is close to the Bidens and who had a personal relationship with Beau, was asked by the vice president to deliver a eulogy.

Death toll in Malaysian earthquake reaches 13

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ESCUERS recovered the bodies of 11 climbers from Malaysia’s highest peak on yesterday, a day after it was struck by an earthquake that has killed at least 13.

Six people remained missing on 13,435-foothigh Mount Kinabalu in eastern Sabah state on Borneo, where a magnitude-5.9 earthquake sent rocks and boulders raining down and blocking trekking routes.

Five Americans were believed to be among more than 130 trapped on the mountain as authorities struggled to drop food and clothing from helicopters after the Friday quake.

‘This is a very sad day for Kinabalu,’ Sabah’s tourism minister, Masidi Manjun, said of the deaths.

Nine of the bodies found yesterday were flown out by helicopter, while the other two were brought down by foot, said district police official Farhan Lee Abdullah.

Most of the other climbers made it down the mountain in the darkness early yesterday, some with broken limbs and one in a coma.

The two dead retrieved Friday evening were a 30-year-old local guide and a 12-yearold Singaporean student, Farhan said.

Police said earlier that they were looking for 17 other people, including eight Singaporeans and one each from China, the Philippines and Japan. The rest are Malaysians.

Singapore’s Minister of Education Heng Swee Keat said yesterday that teachers and students from a primary school in his country were among the missing, according to CNN. The nationalities of the 11 dead recovered yesterday were not immediately clear.

Daily Mail Online has reached out to the US Embassy in Malaysia for comment.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY JUNE 7, 2015

NEWS

69

We’re on rescue mission, says Lalong

Suswam left Benue treasury empty - Ortom

From Yusufu Aminu Idegu, Jos LATEAU State governor, Simon Lalong has declared that the APCled administration is on rescue mission in the state, considering its current sorry financial status.

Governor Lalong stated this in the Government House, Jos, while swearing in the Secretary to the State Government, Hon Rufus Bature and Chief of Staff, Government House, Hon John Dafan.

Gov. Lalong said, "I count it a thing of joy for me to preside over the swearing-in of the Secretary to the Plateau State Government and the Chief of Staff, Government House, who are the first set of appointees in this government.

"But I must remind the new appointees and those who will come subsequently that we are on rescue mission in this state.

This APC-led government is on rescue mission, the challenges, expectations and stakes are now much higher than before.

"I urge you to justify the confidence reposed in you by focusing on issues that would proffer solutions to our myriad of problems.

The governor, who also swore in the chairman of Langtang North Local Government, Hon Dan Dul, said, "As you offer the leadership at the local government level, you must lead your people with fairness and justice and strive to give them robust and impactful leadership.

"Let me sustain my appeal to the good people of Plateau State to leave behind all that took place in the past and rally round this government as a new vista of opportunity is opened for us. Indeed we are in an era of collective participation that is expected to engender the holistic development of our state," Lalong said.

The governor also swore in his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Mr Emmanuel Nanle Samuel.

By Ujah Emmanuel, Makurdi OVERNOR Samuel Ortom of Benue State has said he inherited an empty treasury from the administration of the former governor Gabriel Suswam.

He made this disclosure in Makurdi while swearing in the Secretary to the State Government, Head of Service, Chief of Staff and Special Adviser on Media and Information Communication and Technology.

Ortom also said he is yet to ascertain the debt profile of the state considering the huge salary arrears, allowances, pensions, retirement benefits, bonds as well as other obligations to contractors.

"As I said during my inaugural speech, I will carefully study the handover notes and crosscheck it with the true situation on ground and inform the public accordingly "As we speak, the state treasury is empty. There is nothing in the treasury. I am not witch hunting anybody but the truth must be told.

"Any project, programme or policies of the past administration that are wrong will be reviewed and corrected accordingly," he said.

He said that his administration will have zero tolerance for corruption.

Ortom urged all political appointees to be ready to provide selfless services to the people.

He said any government official found wanting would be severely punished according to the rule of law.

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400 benefit from UNICEF scholarship training in Gombe From Vincent Ohonbamu, Gombe T least 400 girl-child are benefitting from the United Nations Children Fund UNICEF scholarship scheme and vocational training on various skills, which began last year in Gombe, Alhaji Isa Yahaya, UNICEF Coordinator in the state, has said.

He said 300 were schooling on UNICEF scholarship at the Federal College of Education (Technical), FCE(T), Gombe, while the others who had hitherto been commercial sex workers have been trained in different skills and supported with tools of the trade they learnt.

Alhaji Yahaya said the scholarship beneficiaries were secondary school certificate holders, who were drawn from the remotest villages across the state.

"Before picking them, we had to make sure they are truly from remote areas and that people know them in those communities," he explained.

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•Pupils at an Internally Displaced Persons( IDPs) camp in Maiduguri, capital of Borno State at the weekend

Rivers LG poll: Lawmakers summon RSIEC chair, judicial officers

HE new members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani of Andoni constituency have summoned the Chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RISIEC), Prof.

Augustine Ahiazu and all the commission's commissioners over the May 23 local government election in the state.

The RSIEC officials are to appear tomorrow (Monday) before the 32 legislators belonging to the Peoples Democratic Party.

Also invited by the legislators to appear on the floor of the Rivers House of Assembly were the chairman and all commissioners serving in the Rivers State Judicial Service Commission (RSJSC).

The Rivers Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Davies Ibiamu Ikanya condemned the invitations.

He described it uncalled for and part of the PDP's plot to witch-hunt former Governor Rotimi Amaechi.

Governor Nyesom Wike, an ex-Minister of State for Education, had threatened to dissolve the 22 councils where election took place before his

T

• APC chair condemns invitations From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

inauguration.

The Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Rivers chapter, Chimbiko Akarolo, of Port Harcourt City LG council, declared that Wike, a former Chief of Staff to former Governor Amaechi, had no powers to dissolve the councils.

He urged Wike to go to court if he was not comfortable with the elections, which produced all APC chairmen and most councillors in the 22 of the 23 LGAs. Yesterday's letters inviting the chairmen and commissioners of RSIEC were signed by the Clerk of the Rivers House of Assembly, Emmanuel Odum.

Odum stated they were expected to explain the role the electoral officials played in the conduct of last month's local government election.

Chairman of RSIEC and the commissioners were asked to appear with all the necessary documents that

would enable them to explain their activities in the commission.

No reason was given for the invitation of members of the RSJSC. Observers however said it might be not be unconnected with the roles the officials of the commission played in the protracted strike embarked upon by the judiciary workers in the state, under the aegis of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN).

RSJSC had earlier issued a circular to all Rivers judiciary staff, threatening to sack or discipline any of them that honoured or complied with any directive given by Justice Daisy Okocha after she was appointed as an Administrative Chief Judge in June 2014 by the National Judicial Council (NJC).

Rivers High Courts were under lock and key until they were opened on June 1, shortly after Wike inaugurated Okocha as the Acting Chief Judge at the Government House, Port Harcourt.

The Rivers chairman of the APC, however, declared that it was wrong for

members of the state's House of Assembly to invite the RSIEC officials to speak on a matter before the court.

Ikanya said: "The Rivers State House of Assembly is aware that there are two suits before the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, relating to the May 23 local government election.

"The first case was instituted by the PDP at the Federal High Court. The PDP members are currently members of the 8th Rivers State House of Assembly.

The matter is now even at the Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt.

"The second suit was instituted by the elected local government chairmen and councillors against the Rivers Governor, Nyesom Wike; the Rivers State House of Assembly and others; and the House of Assembly has been duly served with the court processes."

The Rivers APC chairman admonished the lawmakers to focus on making laws that would benefit the people of the state, rather than getting involved in matters currently pending in the courts.

Eleven Kogi APC lawmakers to announce factional Speaker T

HE eleven All Progressives Congress (APC) members of the 25-man Kogi State House of Assembly who staged a walk out on the day of inauguration said they will on Monday (tomorrow) appoint their own principal officers.

Their action is coming on the heels of the alleged arbitrary election of principal officer's, including the Speaker, by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members, who

From James Azania, Lokoja

hold a slim majority.

The APC legislators had vowed not to recognise the leaders; whose election they noted did not have their input.

Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Momoh Jimoh has however described the APC legislators' walkout from the assembly floor as untenable.

The Speaker in a

statement by his Special Adviser (Media), Felix Udebu, described the threat by the APC legislators to form or elect parallel officers as undemocratic.

Spokesperson of the APC lawmakers, Hon. Ibrahim Abdumumuni (Ankpa I) yesterday reiterated their position, saying that by Monday, they will appoint their own principal officers.

He described what transpired on the assembly

floor on inauguration day as an abuse of constitutional process.

He added: "We took our position as progressive lawmakers and people, who are ready to rewrite the history of our own dear state, Kogi State.

"We are all aware we took an oath to make laws for the peaceful co-existence of the state and laws that will bring about orderliness to our dear state.

El-Rufai bans fertilizer allocation to traditional rulers, politicians, others From Abdulgafar Alabelewe, Kaduna

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ADUNA State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai on Saturday banned allocation of fertilizers to traditional rulers, politicians and other elites.

The governor also directed that fertilizer stocks should be sold directly to local farmers from designated sales points.

The governor gave the directive when he paid an unscheduled visit to the fertilizer warehouse of Kaduna State Ministry of Agriculture at Dankande Village along Kaduna-Zaria Express Way.?

The governor stated categorically that, "all allocation of fertilizer products to traditional rulers, government officials and prominent politicians in the state be stopped with immediate effect.

"Fertilizer should be sold directly to interested local farmers from designated sales points that are publicly announced and are accessible.

The governor made it clear that his administration will not condone injustice and acts of discrimination that disadvantage ordinary citizens.

He directed the Ministry of Agriculture to make more fertilizer available for sale, in order to avoid the sort of scarcity that can introduce corruption into the distribution process."

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SPORTS THE NATION ON SUNDAY

EXTRA

JUNE 7, 2015

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL

Manu predicts African world champions

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LYING Eagles coach Manu Garba has predicted an African team will win this year's FIFA U20 World Cup in New Zealand.

Ghana made history in 2009 when they became the first African team to win the U20 World Cup, while Nigeria have reached the championship game twice, in 1989 and 2005.

The Black Satellites of Ghana and Mali are already through to the knockout rounds of the tournament in New Zealand, while Nigeria and Senegal are still in with a chance of progressing.

“Ghana and Mali have been fantastic,” saluted the Nigeria U20 coach.

“We are just picking up.

“But we are most likely to get two African teams in the semifinals and God's willing, the trophy will return to Africa.”

Manu has equally taken notice of the organisation of the European teams as well as the sleeky skills of Brazil.

Mali advance as Senegal face anxious wait

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ALI battled to a draw against Uruguay on Saturday to ensure both teams went through to the final 16 of the Fifa Under 20 World Cup in New Zealand.

Mali and Uruguay drew 11 to finish joint second in Group D with identical points and goal tallies.

After a drawing of lots to separate the two, Uruguay were awarded second place with Mali going through as one of the best third-placed teams Senegal kept their hopes alive with a 2-1 win over Qatar in Group C. With so much at stake, the match between Mali and Uruguay was always going to be tight, and Uruguay scored first through a delicate first half goal from Franco Acosta who, with his back to the net, deflected the ball past the goalkeeper.

Mali levelled just before the break with an Adama Traore free-kick that found the bottom corner of the net and set up an uneventful second half with both sides playing not to lose rather than to win. All four sides in Group D had started the final pool round locked on three points with Serbia coming through with a 2-0 win over Mexico to earn top spot and send the Central Americans home.

Obajimi, NIS registrar loses mum

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HE former Nigerian athlete and now Registrar of National Institute For Sports, Dr. (Mrs) Gloria Obajimi announces the passing away of her mum, Deaconess Agnes Olaide Ayanlaja, died at the aged of 86yrs.

The late deaconess will be interred on Friday, June 12 at Ikoyi Vaults and Garden, after the christian wake ceremony after the funeral services at the Apostolic Church, Yaba same day.

French Open: Serena survives Safarova scare to lift 20th major title

• The victorious Barcelona team in Berlin last night

Barcelona seal treble with win over Juventus

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arcelona completed a trophy treble in Luis Enrique's debut season in charge as they beat Juventus 3-1 in the UEFA Champions League final in Berlin.

Luis Suarez produced his most crucial contribution of his short career at Camp Nou when he restored Barca's lead 22 minutes from time to effectively settle the game, after Alvaro Morata had cancelled out Ivan Rakitic's early opener.

A fifth European title looked set to be a more routine ask when Rakitic the man to perform so capably in replacing the

soon-to-depart Xavi this term - opened the scoring in the fourth minute with a trademark Barca goal, which saw nine of their 10 outfield players touch the ball.

However, while Barca enjoyed the better of the first half from there threatening a Juve back line shorn of Giorgio Chiellini through injury - former Real Madrid man Morata struck early in the second period.

Having scored twice in the two-legged semi-final against his former club, Morata was afforded a simple finish after Marc-

Andre ter Stegen had saved an initial effort from Carlos Tevez.

Suarez was the only Barca man not involved in Rakitic's opener, but the Uruguayan provided the crucial touch in his side's crucial second, as he replicated Morata's finish when Lionel Messi's effort was spilled by Gianluigi Buffon.

Neymar had a header disallowed, via an accidental handball, as Barca sought to put the game out of sight late on.

B u t i t p r o v e d inconsequential in the end, as the Brazilian added a

third with the last touch of the match to ensure that Luis Enrique's side repeated the treblewinning achievement of Pep Guardiola's Barca in his debut season of 2008-09.

The victory also provided Xavi with a successful send-off to his career with the Catalan giants before he joins Qatari club Al Saad.

European success continues to elude Juve, meanwhile, with the Serie A side coming up short in their attempt to win the continent's most prized trophy for the first time since 1996 and their own treble bid.

Flying Eagles fired up to beat Hungary

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LYING Eagles of Nigeria coach Manu Garba has said a win over North Korea has lifted his team's spirits to beat Hungary on Sunday to stay on track for a first-ever U20 World Cup. The African champions dusted themselves up from a 4-2 opening day loss to fivetime champions Brazil to hammer Korea 4-0 on Thursday.

A win or a draw on

Sunday against secondplaced Hungary will send the Flying Eagles through to the knockout stage of the 2015 World Cup in New Zealand.

“Our win against Korea has motivated the team after we lost our first game to Brazil,” declared Manu at Saturday's official press briefing at Stadium Taranaki in New Plymouth.

“We want to at least finish second in our group and so

we want the maximum points against Hungary.”

He added: “We came here to win every game because we want to win the World Cup. We don't want to go back home early, we want to be the last team to leave New Zealand.”

However, the coach admitted they will be up against a good and well organised Hungary team, who finished fourth in an U 1 9 E u r o p e a n

Championship they hosted last year.

“Even as we wish to win this match, we have to say Hungary are a good side.

But they cannot afford to stay back in defence against us as they did against Brazil because we have one of the best attacks in this competition,” he said.

Kick-off time for this Sunday showdown will be 5pm local, which will be 6am same day in Nigeria.

Winners emerge at MTN Golf Championship

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INNERS have emerged at the one-day MTN Golf Championship, which took place at the luxuriant 18-hole Lakowe Lakes course along the LekkiEpe axis in Lagos.

The 18-hole tournament was played by an impressive field and saw, AVM Monday Morgan, Commandant, Armed Forces Resettlement Centre, Oshodi, who played off Handicap 18, winning the male Net category.

He carded 73 net to finish tops, ahead of 14 handicapper, Shina Luwoye, who came second with 74 net c\b, and Mukoro

Voka, a 13 handicapper, who was third, with 74 net.

In the female category, handicapper 30, Toyin Caxton-Martins, who is also Executive Secretary, IkoyiObalende LCDA, came tops after carding 72 net. She was followed by 25 handicapper, Linda Obieze with 81 net and Olabisi Luwoye, a 22 handicapper with 84 net.

For their efforts, the winners received an allexpenses paid golfing weekend in George, South Africa, plus a trophy and three months data subscription bundle while the runners up were rewarded with a trophy as well as a golfing weekend at

the Le Meridien Ibom Hotel & Golf Resort, Uyo and free one month data subscription.

Veteran amateur player, Peter Eben-Spiff, a two

handicapper, came tops in the male Gross category, carding 79 gross while Kate Iketubosin, a 26 handicapper took home the top female prize in that category with 101 gross.

•Overall winners, Male and Female Categories, MTN Golf Challenge, (AVM) Monday Morgan and Executive Secretary, Ikoyi-Obalende LCDA, Toyin Caxton-Martins.

ERENA Williams became only the third player in history to win 20 major singles titles as she survived a huge scare to defeat Lucie Safarova at the French Open.

The American, who had been struggling with flutype symptoms in the lead up to the contest, held off her Czech opponent's stunning second-set fightback to claim a 6-3 (2)6-7 6-2 success and lift the Roland Garros trophy for the third time.

Safarova had not lost a set in her run to the final but struggled to impose her game early on, with Williams looking rejuvenated and much more mobile than in her semi final against Timea Bacsinszky.

The top seed broke in the fourth game of the opener and rarely appeared troubled as she clinched it with some untouchable serving in just 31 minutes.

There seemed to be no let up for Safarova as she was immediately broken again at the start of the second and in the fifth game.

But 13th seed Safarova dug in and clawed the double break back courtesy of some generous double faulting from her opponent to take four games in a row.

Williams re-focused and took it to a tie-break where she was resoundingly beaten 7-2.

Safarova moved in front for the first time in the match when she broke and consolidated at the beginning of the decider, but it only served to reenergise Williams whose use of verbal profanity seemed to spur her on as she won six games in a row to take the title in two hours and one minute.

Montella infuriates Fiorentina

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I N C E N Z O Montella has reportedly told Fiorentina he cannot be reached until July 5, further infuriating the club.

The Coach has been taking his time over deciding whether to remain with the Viola next season, as he said they had reached “the natural end of an era.”

He has a contract until 2016 and met with the directors to discuss their strategy, but the delay irritated patron Andrea Della Valle, who released a terse statement.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Montella has now told Fiorentina he cannot be reached until July 5.

This seems almost as if he's trying to provoke a reaction from the club and his departure now seems somewhat inevitable.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY JUNE 7, 2015

NSK Farms play polo for Buhari, Tambuwal

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OLO competitions organized in honour of President Mohammadu Buhari and Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal has been put together by NSK Farms, Keffi, Nasarawa State.

The event, which took place at the NSK farms'polo field had four teams randomly selected participating in the tournament. Independence Polo Squad contested for Buhari Unity Trophy against Democratic Vanguard while Green Polo Club squared up against White Fighters for Tambuwal Peace Cup. At the end, Independence Polo Squad won Buhari Unity Trophy while White Fighters won Tambuwal Peace Cup. Haruna Shagari, son of former President Shehu Shagari, received the trophy on behalf of Independence Polo Squad from The Honorable Federal Commissioner National Commission for Refugees, Migrants & Internal Displaced Persons, Hajiya Hadiza Sani Kangiwa .

Haruna is also the vice president of the IGP Bombers.

While Alhaji Musa Maccido presented Tambuwal Peace Cup to White Fighters, led by Isa Dongoyaro.

Shehu Kangiwa Cup went to the best Pony called Camaro owned by major Bello and the award was presented by senator Kabiru Jubril chairman of the Abuja Guards Brigade Polo club.

The Honourable Commissioner for Energy and Mines Dr. Morlaye Bangoura presented the Al makura Cup to the Captain Mustapha Junaid who won the most valuable player( MVP)'s award.

SPORT EXTRA

Keshi: Why I excluded Mikel

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OACH Stephen Keshi has informed that he does not need the services John Mikel Obi now in the team, as future invitation would only be extended to him.

The Big Boss said he harbours no animosity against the Chelsea midfielder as he outlines his priority for next weekend's 2017 AFCON Group G qualifier against Chad in Kaduna.

"If I don't bring Mikel, it means I don't need him for this game,” Keshi said matter-of-factly.

“There are other games that he would come in, so are other players. He is not alone among those left aside, I have Juwon Oshaniwa, Emmanuel Emenike, Ambrose Efe, among others.

“I have to make a large

From Andrew Abah, Abuja

pool of players that to allow for competition. If you are not available, the other one would be available; we cannot narrow it down to one particular group".

On the recent reports that Mikel Obi was not picking his calls, the Big Boss said: “It

is not that he was not picking my calls. I normally call every one of them whenever they play in their various clubs.

“You know that he was sick at one point, I called him severally but he was not picking. After, a while, he called back and we chatted.

“Before this match, I have told him he would not be part of it, and he agreed.

Moreover, this is just one match, we should be able make use of what we have here, and also give opportunity to other players we have been watching in

•Keshi and Mikel Obi

Falcons face Sweden in World Cup opener

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IGERIA'S Super Falcons will begin their campaign at the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada on Monday, when they face a familiar foes Sweden.

The Falcons' best performance at FIFA Women world cup was in 1999 in USA when they reached quarterfinal and lost 4-3 to Brazil by the 'Golden Goal'.

The coach Edwin Okontutored side will be looking forward to secure first win for Nigeria over Sweden.

Both nations have met twice in this competition previously.

Their first meeting was in 2003, when Sweden beat Nigeria 3-0, while the second was at the 2007 World Cup and it ended in a 1-1 draw where Cynthia Uwuak

scored for Nigeria.

Former Nigeria international Ayisat Yusuf, who was part of the team who drew with Sweden in 2007 told AfricanFootball.com the African champions could get their first win over

•Asisat-Oshoala

Sweden in Canada if they did not give the Swedish space to operate.

“I remember that game, it was a tough one, I was introduced in the second half. I was the room mate of the goal scorer, Cynthia

Uwuak,” she recalled.

"Falcons can actually beat Sweden this time because impossibility is nothing. The Swedes are always a tactically good team, they are also fast. All what Falcons need to do is to be fully focused and make sure they mark them strength to strength, they should also assist each other on the pitch and not be selfish, with this, I think Falcons can win."

Three members of the 2007 Falcons team, namely Onome Ebi, Precious Dede and Perpetua Nkwocha, are in the current team in Canada.

Ayisat Yusuf was on the Super Falcons squad to the 2004 African Women's Championship, 2007 Women's World Cup and the 2008 Olympics.

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World Hunger Day: Okoku's foundation fetes Mainland kids

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UOYED by the need to impact on the lives of less-privileged kids in the society, the Greater Tomorrow Children's Foundation has marked this year's World Hunger and Children's Day by feeding about 200 primary school pupils from Mainland Local Government Area.

The exercise, held at St Paul's Catholic Primary School, Ebute Metta was attended by former Green Eagles defender, Yisa Sofoluwe, who represented GTCF as a youth ambassador.

Also, ace Nollywood actor, Jide Alabi graced the occasion while the Legal Adviser and Secretary of GTCF, David Fatunbi was there on behalf of Paul Okoku, founder of the charity-based organisation.

The session which took place in the premises of St Paul, saw the foundation donating a variety of food items and goody packs to the excited kids, who also danced with the stars to demonstrate their excitement.

Speaking before handing out the items to the joyous kids, Sofoluwe Jalekun said that the Greater Tomorrow Foundation made the donation in commemoration of the Children's Day on May 27 and World Hunger's Day on May 28, which fall under the purview of the organisation's mission to help feed less-privileged kids in the society.

Sofoluwe noted that GTCF has been doing things for less-privileged children, promising that kids can expect more from the body.

Also speaking, Jide Alabi, who danced with the kids, urged Nigerians to join the foundation it its drive to to put a smile on the faces of deprived kids.

QUOTABLE “What difference does it make if they declared their arrests secretly? The important thing is that they have declared their assets, in line with what the Constitution says and their campaign promises.”

SUNDAY, JUNE 7, 2015 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM VOL. 9, NO. 3239

—Gen. Ishola Williams on the mixed reactions over President Buhari and Vice President Osinbajo’s assets’ declaration.

B

ARELY one week into President Muhammadu Buhari’s presidency, Nigerians have become embroiled in a debate over whether he is cautiously forging ahead or making haste slowly.

They want to see action, plenty of it, perhaps reminiscent of military regimes, the kind that came in those sentimental and impressionable days with ‘immediate effect and automatic alacrity.’ They want, by now, to see his list of ministers ready, even if it would not be presented for screening.

They wanted to see his principal staff in place a day after he was sworn in, kicking and puffing with activities and thundering the resolve of a president high on energy and brimful with ideas. They want to see everyone, security agents and civilians alike, shaping up or preparing to ship out.

Alas, barely one week into his presidency, the renewed and reinvented President Buhari has only managed to announce a few appointments, one of which even sounded like duplication.

The problem, it seems, is that during the campaigns, most of the voters, many of whom reached voting age long after President Buhari had ceased to be military head of state, did not actually know him. The voters took to heart the piffle dished out by PDP propagandists, some of whom, like Femi Fani-Kayode, Governor Ayo Fayose and Olisa Metuh, simply invented the APC candidate of their notorious fantasy. They sold him to the electorate as an ogre, brutal and impetuous, abrasive and unreflecting, and hasty, bigoted and inflexible. If he were all of these, those who voted for him in the northern part of the country couldn’t care less. They did not dispute the propagandists’ impressions, but they were unmoved by the extreme pejorative dismissal of a man they trust and had become instinctively attached to. Elsewhere, the propaganda was rather effective, with the Southwest voting for him by a close margin on account of their double-mindedness over

Debating Buhari’s speed

•Buhari his attributes; and the Southeast and SouthSouth embracing his opponent, former president Goodluck Jonathan, to the hilt.

Otherwise, the real President Buhari is fundamentally different from the picture of him painted by the PDP during electioneering, a picture quite at variance with his personality and attributes. As head of state, he was never impulsive; he was instead methodical, unhurried, even long-suffering, reserved, surprisingly trusting, and eager to delegate responsibilities.

Nothing said he was infallible in those days, and in fact made his fair share of mistakes. But he was then, and still now is, a man who quietly made up his mind and stuck with it for a considerable length of time. Nor did he suffer

•Secondus from any complex, a fact that made him indifferent to analysts describing his first coming contrapuntally as the Buhari/Idiagbon government. More importantly, those very close to him argue that the picture of him painted by his detractors is so far off the mark that it is difficult to redeem.

It is, therefore, unlikely that President Buhari can be moulded into someone he is not in a matter of few weeks or years simply because he had been invested with the mantle of leadership. From the look of things, given his reactions to the germane politics of his party, including last year’s primaries and keen jousting for influence and dominance in the APC, he will proceed more with the deliberateness

APC’s teething and identity battles

I

N a day or two, it will be clear how successfully the two-year-old All Progressives Congress (APC) has fought the many battles confronting it without fissuring dangerously or setting the stage for future upheavals. The party was conceived and born in battle, suckled in battle, and weaned on the fiery and tempestuous fields of intense and sometimes sanguinary jostling for primacy. Given the sometimes destructive and disruptive effects of its founding culture of aggressiveness, the party and its supporters may already be looking wistfully ahead to the day when it will rest from its many battles and terrifying exertions. Right from its birth in 2013, the party had been primed for war. Two dizzying years of battling the enemy and triggering a revolution of sorts have made the party to fight so convulsively that a few of its own children have been consumed by the revolution.

In the past two or three weeks, this primed war machine, which unprecedentedly and shockingly swept the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) away in a blitzkrieg, has been engaged in an intense primacy fight for the nation’s top legislative posts. The battle is complicated by stated and unstated factors and objectives, a part ideological, and a part simply political or group interest. The battle lines may not be clearly delineated, but the subterranean forces shaping the battle are easily discernible. Indeed, for a party that won the presidency by nearly 2.6 million votes, and took 60 out of 109 Senate seats and 225 out of 360 House of Representatives seats, it is a miracle its internal turbulence has not undermined its burning resolve and hunger for power as well as its appetite for war.

In the early days of merger, when three major political parties and a faction of a fourth came together to form the APC, quite a number of its own sceptical members and a few top PDP leaders predicted confidently that the amalgamated party would unravel

one way or another. Its objectives, the PDP scorned, were neither altruistic nor concise enough. It was obsessively sworn to capture only power, and perhaps immorally desperately. That objective could not be realised in two short and turbulent years, let alone by an amalgamation of strange bedfellows, and certainly not in 2015, the PDP leaders argued and boasted.

The APC, however, defied gravity. Despite the jostling for influence among the party’s many tendencies, a jostling complicated by the addition of five PDP governors about nine months after the party’s founding, it stayed united enough to engage the ruling party in series of ideational, social and political battles, to organise pacesetting party primaries, and to hammer out a relatively concise party platform. What kept them united is a little hard to fathom. Perhaps, they had burnt their bridges and had nowhere else to go or to retreat. Perhaps they were more prescient than anyone gave them credit. Perhaps, also, the party’s many competing tendencies imagined it would be less tasking and cumbersome to achieve ideological and group primacy within the new party than outside it.

It is not certain that the battle for the soul of the party, of which the struggle for top legislative positions is just a part, will be determined in the next few days. The party won a major election in a spectacular fashion while its own soul was still undergoing formation and maturity, and when its identity was just crystallising. No one knows when the party’s structure, identity and culture will be fully formed. What is more, no one can say precisely whether the poll victories of March and April will have a positive or deleterious effect on the party. The picture may be clear in a year or two. By that

time, certainly, there will be many internal victims of the party’s many battles. Barely a year after the part’s founding, some of its principal inspiration, such as Tom Ikimi, Ibrahim Shekarau and Annie Okonkwo, felt suffocated enough to resign.

While the media and analysts have focused on who is battling whom, and who is enjoying the upper hand, it is more useful to draw the attention of the party and the public away from personalities to what the party must represent and the ideas and visions needed to ennoble its actions and goals. The suspicion is that the battle for legislative positions at the moment is driven by personal ambitions rather than higher party goals and philosophies, by hubristic struggle between tendencies and individuals, and by short-term manoeuvres and short-sighted power accretion. If the ongoing battles end in such a manner that the party is structurally sounder and subliminally ennobled, then the fights would have been worth it. The public will wish that triumphs in the party are inspired by persons and leaders with a nobler sense of the future.

The spectacular collapse of the PDP is partly explained by the general absence of a galvanising party philosophy. Notwithstanding claims to the contrary by some of its leading lights, the indisputable fact is that the PDP really stood for nothing. If the APC is to endure and flourish, it must stand for something grander and more sublime than its programmes and manifesto indicate. The ongoing struggle in the party must lead in that direction, and produce avatars and custodians of that futuristic ethos in the noble sense often envisioned by the world’s leading statesmen and conquerors.

the public can’t seem to recognise or appreciate than seek to please them. He will build a careful continental, and if need be, international, coalition against Boko Haram, examine all conceivable battle scenarios, assemble the troops and materials needed to wage an effective war, no matter how long, and then launch determinedly into the campaign. He is inflexible as his opponents say, but it seems more like the kind of inflexibility that makes him committed to a task for as long as it takes, notwithstanding the reverses.

It has also been suggested that he had all of six weeks to plan his first few actions once sworn in. Instead, it is said, he opened himself to interminable queues of visitors and well-wishers, while failing to pay attention to the exigent issues of the day. But notwithstanding the transition committees set up to make the handover seamless, President Buhari did not receive the Jonathan government’s handover notes until a day before inauguration. In a democracy, he needed to exercise more caution than in a military regime. Nor could he have ignored the stream of well-wishers to whom he owed his election, if not his present and future support. Five years of the Jonathan presidency might have hurt the country unbearably, but it is no excuse for expecting that in one week, the Buhari presidency would begin, without reflection or study, to launch recklessly into popular schemes and programmes.

It is expected that he will assemble a great team, reappraise his campaign promises and party manifesto in accordance with current reality , and after a few prefatory steps and troubleshooting measures, will in the many months ahead plan and execute uplifting and soaring projects. It is not clear how he will relate with the National Assembly, but he has his party and leading party strategists to help him navigate the warrens that both legislative chambers have become. He will in addition need to sharpen his wit and reflexes, for he will be confronted now and again by many urgent and debilitating national issues. In many instances, the opposition will attempt to blackmail him even as they enact and execute policies and programmes that undermine the rule of law and constitution.

Ekiti and Rivers are examples.

Much more than what speed he is on, his main challenges will concern how to calibrate intelligent reactions to the selfish manoeuvring of the opposition, whether in Ekiti or elsewhere. Rather than re-programme their party scientifically as a sound alternative to the APC, the PDP seems to be confecting and perfecting a series of measures to blackmail the president and the rest of the country using the constitution and all other sentimental buncombe. All President Buhari needs to do is ensure great fidelity to the constitution. He should confront political chicanery firmly, promptly and courageously. He urgently needs to set the tone for the country, a tone that was neither in his campaign promises nor in his party manifesto. That tone will determine to a large extent whether he will be feared and respected like great world leaders, and therefore be successful, or he will be ignored and exploited like former president Goodluck Jonathan. President Buhari needs a disciplined, focused and ambitious country; only he can set the tone in the direction. This has nothing to do, at least so far, with the speed of his actions. It has instead everything to do with the brilliance and prescience of his actions.

Nigeria has the population, economy, skilled manpower, a dangerous mix of problems and challenges, as well as exists in very interesting times. All that is required to drag her out of stagnation and decay and turn her into a roaring success is an intuitive and courageous leader, one imbued with sound judgement and deep intellect. Will President Buhari be that man? Nothing guarantees he will be a success, or that he has all the qualities to make the difference. But there is nothing in him that predisposes him to failure either.

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Website: www.thenationonlineng.net ISSN: 115-5302 E-mail: sunday@thenationonlineng.net Editor: FESTUS ERIYE