June 15, 2013

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Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper www.thenationonlineng.net

VOL.07 N0. 2517

SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 2013

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

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PDP crisis: Nine Northern governors back Wamakko PAGE 3

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2 NEWS

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 2013

•Alhaji Ado Bayero

•Shehu El-Kanemi... at the Emir of Kano’s 50th anniversary on the throne

Nothing frightens me, says Emir of Kano

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IVE months after a bloody attack on his convoy by suspected terrorists, the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, says nothing frightens him.

At least, three palace aides were killed in the January 19 attack.

The emir and two of his sons were wounded and had to be flown abroad for treatment.

Speaking in a rare interview in the palace on Thursday night, Alhaji Bayero said: "In fact,I don't even know what shock is."

He was asked if he had ever been in a state of shock or frightened by anything. His response: "What do you mean by shock? In fact, I don't even know what shock is. What I believe is that whatever happens to me on this earth is destined to happen to me by Almighty Allah.

“So there is no point in showing any fear, as whatever happens to any person is already pre-destined to happen to him. Therefore, wherever such things happen, whether good or bad, what is required

...as he marks 50 years on the throne Kolade ADEYEMI, Kano from that person is to thank Allah; if it is for good, exercise patience.”

The interview was to mark the emir's 50th year on the throne.

He praised Allah for his long reign,saying: “I have nothing much to say than to thank Allah for sparing my life to witness these years on the throne as the longest serving Emir of Kano. It is not by my doing. It is through the help of Allah that I was able to have a good and understanding relationship with all the governors that governed the state during my reign.

“Alhamdulillah, all praises are due to Allah who, through all assistance, made it possible for me to witness these years on the throne, a feat that none of my predecessors achieved.

“I thank all the people of Kano and the country at large for showing me great love during this time and to have suc-

ceeded despite challenges because as I always say whoever puts his trust in Allah and follow instruction as prescribed by Islam in whatever he does, that person has nothing to worry about. So it is through Allah's assistance that we succeeded all these years.”

Thousands of well wishers yesterday thronged the special jumat in Kano for the celebration. The jumat was led by the Chief Imam of Kano, Professor Sani Zharadeen, and assisted

T

Eric IKHILAE, Abuja He contended that while the state accused him of "facilitating the commission of terrorist act by planting and encouraging some boys (now at large) at Mabira Sokoto, in Sokoto State with the intention to bomb the police headquarters and some other government agencies in the state," the government failed to bring any of the boys he allegely planted and encouraged to testify against him.

He said rather than bringing the boys whom the operatives of the State Security Service claimed gave them information about how he encouraged them to bomb police headquarters and other government agencies in Sokoto, he said the Federal Government brought operatives of the SSS who came to the court to give hearsay evidence which has no probative value.

Umar argued that the prosecution failed to lead evidence to establish how he facilitated the commission of terrorist offence.

Umar also argued that although he was accused of withholding information about the plan to bomb the

liphate to enhance the knowledge of the Quran and its meaning.

Former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, launched the book with N25 million, while Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso of Kano State bought some copies for N10 million which he said would be distributed to schools in the state.

The Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar Waziri, who represented the Federal

June 12: IBB divides MKO Abiola’s family

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WO younger brothers of the late Chief M.K.O. Abiola yesterday rubbished a statement by their sibling,Alhaji Mubasiru Abiola, in which he described former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida, as a pillar of the family since the demise of the winner of

Suspected Boko Haram kingpin Kabiru Sokoto knows fate next Friday HE Federal High Court in Abuja will next Friday determine the fate of the alleged mastermind of the 2011 Christmas Day bombing at the St Theresa Catholic Church, Madalla, Niger State, Kabiru Umar (aka Kabiru Sokoto).

The court will on June 21 rule on the no-case-submission made by Umar at the completion of the prosecution's case.

Justice Adeniyi Ademola chose the day yesterday after parties adopted their written submissions.

Defence lawyer, Ibrahim Umar, in his submission, argued that the prosecution had failed to produce insufficient evidence to link him with the charges of terrorism levelled against him. He urged the court to discharge and acquit him.

He further argued that the proof of evidence before the court did not link him to the crimes alleged against him.

He contended that the evidence so far led by the prosecution failed to establish any offence against him.

Umar argued that the evidence by all the six prosecution witnesses amounted to hearsay and urged the court to disregard them.

by Sheik Mohammed Nasiru Mohammed, the Chief Imam of Waje Mosque.

Prof Zharadeen praised Alhaji Bayero for his numerous achievements on the throne and prayed to Allah to continue to guide and sustain him.

The prayer session was followed by the launch of a book Kafayatu Dhu'Afa Al-Sudan, (a translation of the Holy Quran) by the late Abdullahi Gwandu, a younger brother of the founder of the Sokoto ca-

Government, bought 100 copies of the book for N12 million and said that the inability of President Goodluck Jonathan to be present on the occasion was caused by official exigencies.

Also at the ceremony were: the Emir of Bauchi, Alhaji Rilwanu Suleiman Adamu; the Emir of Gwandu, Alhaji Muhammed Iliyasu Bashar; Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbau El-Kanemi; Sarkin Gombe, Alhaji Shehu Usman Abubakar; and Sarkin Hadejia, Alhaji Adamu Abubakar Maje.

church from law enforcement officer, the prosecution failed to establish at what point he got hold of such information and at what point it became an offence for him not to have disclosed it.

Umar contended that all the witnesses that testified in the case wasted the time of the court as the evidence led were not credible to sustain the charge preferred against him.

He prayed the court to dismiss the two-count charge preferred against him.

In her counter-submission, prosecution lawyer, Mrs Chioma Onuegbu, stated that the state had sufficiently made out a prima facie against Umar.

Onuegbu asked the court to discountenance the defence lawyer's submissions.

"It is my humble submission that, based on the testimonies of PW1 and PW2 and the exhibits before this honourable court, there is a prima facie case against the accused person that calls on him to give an explanation.

"At this stage, the credibility of the witnesses does not arise, the weight to be attached to the witnesses does not arise also,"Mrs Onuegbu argued.

Paul UKPABIO the June 12, 1993 presidential election.

The larger Abiola family met yesterday on the issue with Alhaji Muritala Abiola and Engineer Sule Abiola, declaring that Mubasiru spoke for himself.

The election, widely regarded as the fairest and freest in the nation’s history ,was annulled by Babangida.

Babangida’s successor, the late General Sani Abacha, clamped Chief M.K.O.Abiola into detention after the politician publicly proclaimed himself president.

He died in detention in 1998 moments before he was to be released by the General Abdulsalami Abubakar regime.

Mubasiru had, in an interview in Abeokuta, to mark the 20th anniversary of the annulled election of his brother, said contrary to the view that Babangida should be held responsible for Abiola’s fate, the former military ruler had been kind to the family.

But speaking to The Nation yesterday after a family meeting, Alhaji Muritala Abiola and Engineer Sule Abiola, secretary of the family said “there is no truth in Mubasiru’s statement.”

Muritala, who is also the Baale of Agbado said: “Mubasiru has been claiming to be the head of the MKO Abiola family. I do not know how that is. But I know that he is not the head of the (Salaudeen) Abiola family which is the parent body of the MKO Abiola family. And I do not know where his claim of even being the head of the MKO Abiola family comes from.

“All of us are learned.

MKO was an accountant; I am an accountant, my younger brother is an engineer and our sister is a banker. Taju Abiola is an engineer too, and one of us holds a doctorate degree in Business Administration and works in a bank.

“There never was a time that we appointed Mubasiru as the head of the entire Salaudeen Abiola family or the MKO Abiola family. So he is just making a jest of himself declaring and claiming to be the head of the family.

Abiola family is not about me or anybody or any individual.

It is a general body, not one person.

“How could he declare IBB as the pillar of the family? I don’t know where that statement originated from. May be IBB is his own pillar.

“I don’t know what Mubasiru means by that statement; may be IBB has a room at MKO Abiola’s house in Ikeja, Lagos, since Mubasiru has declared him the head and pillar of MKO Abiola family. I don’t know. But Mubasiru must have his own reasons for saying such. The family hereby disassociates itself from his June 12 20th anniversary celebration statement. I, therefore, say openly that Mubasiru is doing what he is doing for himself, not for the family.

“What I know is that the Abiola family has never received any money from Mubasiru collected from any source on behalf of the family. Mubasiru has never declared any money to the Abiola family. We also heard that when President Obasanjo was in government, he gave money to the family. People said the money was over a million naira or so, but it was all

hearsay.

“When Kudi Abiola died, I was particular about IBB not coming for the burial. I made noise over the matter that I did not want to see him there, that I might even kill him if he came. I was very angry and I meant it. It was while I was attending to Bamaiyi that IBB sneaked in and sneaked out. I rushed down when I was told, but he had sneaked out. He did not stay for long at all.

“During the government of Segun Osoba, the Abiola family was given money during June 12 celebration. For this, we decided to go and pay him a courtesy visit to show appreciation. It was there that Mubasiru jumped up to speak for the family. Since then, he started parading himself publicly as the head of the Abiola family.“ Speaking further, he said: “I do not dismiss the fact that there are one or two traitors in the family. Some people went to Abuja to collect money when MKO was to be released. That was what AlMustapha said then. So we are aware that some people collect money from anywhere they can get it.

Corroborating MurtaIa’s statement, Sule said: “Mubasiru is not the head of the family, and has never been the official head. Two heads cannot run a ship.

“In Yorubaland, it is not the oldest member of a family that is the head. The headship is given along the lines of intelligence, integrity and so on.

When MKO Abiola was the family head, there were others who were older than him in the family. But because of his intelligence, he was made the head of the family.

Mubasiru is not qualified to be the head of our family.”

News 3

THE NATION, SATURDAY JUNE 15, 2013

Suswam pulls out of Northern Governors’ Forum •Says some governors are betrayers Uja EMMANUEL,Makurdi

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OVERNOR Gabriel Suswam of Benue State is still bitter over the disputed election of the chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), describing some members of the forum as betrayers.

He has consequently pulled out of the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF), following in the footsteps of his Bauchi State counterpart, Mallam Isa Yuguda.

Governor Suswam spoke to reporters in Makurdi on Thursday while reviewing the NGF crisis sparked by the election of Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State for a second term.

Suswam, like Yuguda, is a supporter of Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau State who is also laying claim to the NGF chair.

Jang and his supporters say he is the rightful chairman, having emerged as the consensus candidate of northern governors.

Suswam said at his interactive session with reporters: “I’m no longer interested in the Northern States Governors’ Forum and will not attend any of their meetings. I align myself with the position of Mallam Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State to pull out of the Northern States Governors’ Forum.

“How can I sit together with betrayers who will say one thing and do another? We all agreed that Governor Jonah Jang should be the next Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum, and some governors went and did a different thing. What is the essence of sitting on the table with people you cannot trust?”

He dismissed the election that produced Amaechi for a second term, saying: “If I stand in an election and I print ballot papers and boxes, you can imagine what the outcome of the election would be.

“We have never had an election in the Nigeria Governors’ Forum.

There was desperation and we became suspicious.

“As far as we are concerned, Governor Jang is the chairman of Governors’ Forum and there is nothing anyone can do about it, and anyone parading himself otherwise is deceiving himself.”

He defended the emergence of the PDP Governors’ Forum headed by Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State because, as he put it, “politics is all about circus of conspiracy to achieve an objective. If opposition parties are meeting to conspire against the PDP with 21 governors, there is need for us to have a forum so we meet and review our strengths and weaknesses.”

He said he has “recorded significant achievements” as governor and added: “We have two more years and there still a lot to do ahead.”

He also spoke on the N500 million allocated to the state by the federal government to take care of victims of last year’s flooding, saying: “The money is intact.

Don’t forget that the money is for relief materials and not to be shared to anyone. But we had a lot of relief materials from Benue sons and daughters, including some NGOs. We also found that if we shared the money, some people would go home with N1000 or N800.

“So, my administration decided to share the money on local government basis to enable them carry out specific projects in the flood affected areas, and this will go a long way to have greater impact on the communities.”

Labour to FG: halt plan to scrap agencies

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ORRIED that the plan by the Federal Government to scrap 220 out of 541 federal commissions, agencies, and parastatals will worsen the unemployment situation in the country, the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) has urged the Federal Government to put a hold on the restructuring until all strategic stakeholders meet to address labour issues that will arise from the exercise.

In a statement issued in Lagos and signed by its National President, Comrade Bobboi Bala Kaigama, and the Secretary-General, Comrade Alade Bashir Lawal, the Union expressed shock that in this era of soaring unemployment and poverty in the land, the Federal Government was bent on retrenching thousands of Nigerians and throwing them into the saturated labour market under the guise of trimming down its agencies, parastatals and commissions.

The labour leaders drew the attention of the Federal Government to the fact that about 112 million Nigerians are living below the poverty line according to the National Bureau of Statistics, and that if the policy of reducing federal commissions, agencies and parastatals by almost half was carried out, it would compound the poverty situation and crime wave in the country.

They pointed out that the World Bank had also stated in its latest report that while government officials in Nigeria indicated that growth rates of GDP well exceeded population growth in the country, the pace of poverty reduction did not, which implied that the number of Nigerians living below the poverty line had grown tremendously.

According to the union, the World Bank had ranked Nigeria 153 out of 186 countries in the 2013 United National Human Development Index as unemployment rates had been increasing steadily.

“We, therefore, call on the Federal Government not to implement any policy that will throw more Nigerians out of jobs.

“Rather, the Government should be thinking of carrying out people-oriented programmes to reduce poverty and bring relief to Nigerians because the essence of governance in modern society is all about improving the

•National Leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu (second left & bottom), at the Westminister Hall, House of Parliament, London where he delivered a paper on Monday. With him are his host, David Lammy (right), and other guests.

Dupe OLAOYE-OSINKOLU welfare of the citizens and not inflicting more pain on them,” the statement added.

The union posited that one of the cardinal items on the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan was job creation, wondering if the drastic reduction of federal parastatals, agencies and commissions and the consequent downsizing of the workforce was not clearly contradicting the job creation policy.

“Mr. President should not allow bad advisers to continue to push him into implementing policies that tend to portray him as being insensitive to the plight of Nigerian people,” the union warned.

The ASCSN called the attention of the President to the fact that if one Nigerian loses his or her job, about ten other people who are dependants would be adversely affected.

PDP crisis: Nine Northern governors back Wamakko

•Insist on Tukur’s removal •Chairman’s camp considers Sokoto governor’s expulsion

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OVERNOR Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto State seems poised for a longdrawn battle with the national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, following the governor’s suspension from the party for alleged insubordination.

And he has the backing of nine of the party’s 15 governors in the North. Their objective is Tukur’s removal at the next meeting of the PDP National Executive Committe (NEC).

Wamakko and his nine supporters are already mobilising party members sympathetic to their cause.

The Sokoto State governor, who was abroad when his suspension was announced last week, returned to Sokoto on Wednesday brimming with anger.

He denounced Tukur and the Presidential Political Adviser, Ahmed Gulak, for what he called incompetence and called for their removal.

The governor accused Tukur of running the party as a private business.

“We don’t have confidence in him anymore,” he said while speaking to his supporters in Sokoto.

A source said yesterday that the Tukur-must-go governors could call for a vote of no confi-

Yusuf ALLI, Managing Editor, Northern Operation dence on Tukur.

But Tukur is said to be ready to meet fire with fire.

His camp is said to be considering Wamakko’s outright expulsion from the party.

The calculation, party sources said, is that not only will it serve as a warning to other ‘rebels’, it will also frustrate the plot to remove the chairman.

The PDP governors, it was gathered, are discussing how to prevail on President Goodluck Jonathan to “do away with Tukur” if he must secure the North in 2015.

The governors are said to be unhappy with Tukur for treating them like school boys.

In one of their meetings, the governors were of the view that the party leadership had been giving wrong information to Jonathan as a survival strategy.

One source said: “ Northern PDP governors are pushing for Tukur’s exit because if care is not taken, our party may lose at least eight key states to the opposition.

“The tenure of the chairman has left the party polarised such that we cannot go into 2015 poll decimated as we are now.

“Removal of Tukur is the only agenda that these nine northern governors have for the Presi-

dent.

“To prove their resolve, the governors have asked Jonathan to prevail on Tukur to convene NEC meeting to test his popularity.

“Out of the six geopolitical zones, party leaders in the South-West, the North-West, the North-East, and three states in the North-Central, and two states in the South-South are against Tukur.

“Even NWC members have their grouse against the PDP National Chairman but they are only suffering in silence.”

It was gathered that a quiet governor among the aggrieved nine is the arrowhead of the antiTukur’s campaign.

The governor, who has kept away from Tukur and his team, was said to have complained that “this party is dying, we need to rescue it.”

Investigation revealed that some of the aggrieved governors may also come out to “say their mind on how to save PDP from disintegration.”

One of the governors said: “Wamakko is right. He spoke our minds. Things must change for the party to move forward.”

But Tukur’s camp is already pushing for the expulsion of Wamakko for alleged “rudeness” to party leadership.

A loyalist of Tukur said: “Wamakko is behaving as a larger than life politician. The

party will clip his wings and prove a point that without him, PDP can win election in Sokoto State. We are pushing for his expulsion because he was too hard on Tukur.”

Although Tukur and NWC are currently on performance tour of Katsina State, it was gathered that Wamakko might be referred to a disciplinary committee next week.

A member of the NWC said: “I think the NWC may refer Wamakko’s case to a disciplinary committee when we return next week.

“Wamakko’s case is more serious than even Amaechi’s. He came out frontally to attack Tukur without exhausting the necessary party organs. He risks expulsion if such is recommended by a disciplinary committee.

Sources also said many members of the National Working Committee of the party, on performance tour of Katsina State with him, are embarrassed by his anger at the slightest provocation.

Another NWC member said: “Some of us were also shocked

by Tukur’s anger. This is not the time to ask anyone to leave the party.

“Definitely, we are all not on the same page with Tukur on the sack notice given to Wamakko. But we will meet Wali next•Okey week on the issue.”

4 NEWS

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 2013

Jonathan removes Perm Sec over Dubai wedding

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HERE were indications last night that President Goodluck Jonathan has ordered the redeployment of the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Ambassador AbdulAzeez Musa for giving out his daughter to the son of an oil magnate.

Besides alleged expensive nature of the wedding, the President was said to have taken the decision following an alleged conflict of interest.

But a source also alleged that the President acted against the Permanent Secretary because some key opposition figures were at the wedding.

•President angry over opposition figures’ presence Yusuf ALLI, Managing Editor, Northern Operation According to findings, the wedding was held in Dubai , United Arab Emirates last Saturday after an initial introduction ceremony in Abuja.

The Permanent Secretary, who hails from Jigawa State, allowed her daughter to marry the son of the oil magnate who is a Christian from Kogi State.

The Presidency has, however, directed the Permanent Secretary to report to the

Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mr.Abba Aji Goni, for redeployment.

It was learnt that a senior director has been mandated to act as Permanent Secretary pending the reshuffling of permanent secretaries in the Federal Civil Service.

A reliable source, who spoke in confidence, said: “The Permanent Secretary has been asked to report to the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation for redeployment.

But he is currently on leave.

The redeployment will take effect after he resumes.

APC sure of 23 governors after registration, says Lai Muhammed •Senator Tinubu holds Town Hall Meeting

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LL Progressive Con gress (APC) is sure of having 23 governors once the party is registered by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) spokesman, Alhaji Lai Muhammed, has hinted.

His words: “One of the governors told us there are 23 governors waiting for the merger to take place before joining the new party.

“The merger process is very much on course. No cause for alarm. As of today, we have submitted our application to the INEC. It was submitted on June 5. People are wondering why has it taken so long. Not that we are slow, but the process of merger is complex.

“The PDP illness started the day we announced the merger plan. It has destabilized them and they are yet to recover. “ On the appointment of interim leaders for the party, he said: “We are being careful not to appoint those that can be bought over or those that have cases with the EFCC. Also we would not appoint those who sold June12 mandate. That is what is taking our time on this issue.”

On 2015 elections, he urged party members to guide their votes and make sure their votes count. He said the outcome of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum election result is a pointer to what the PDP should be expected from the PDP during the general elections. He said if they could manipulate 35 votes what would happen to millions of votes in 2015. That tells you 2015 elections will be door-die for the PDP. He blamed President Goodluck Jonathan for the role he played in the NGF crisis.

“The president initially told us he was not interested in who wins the election, but he has recognized Governor David Jang, the loser of the election.

We can’t trust the President on whatever he says anymore. For 2015, we are preparing for them,” he said.

Muhammed, who spoke yesterday at the seventh Town Hall Meeting of the Lagos Senatorial District, assured the audience that the registration of the APC is on course.

It was commendation galore for Senator Oluremi Tinubu at the meeting with the people of the Lagos Central Senatorial District in Lagos yesterday.

Those who spoke at the meeting said they were impressed by her style of representation which includes hold-

Leke SALAUDEEN, Assistant Editor ing periodic consultations with the people she represents in the senate, facilitating federal projects to the district and her empowerment projects that have brought comfort to many who had lost hope.

Presenting the report of the senate activities in the last three months as they affect her senatorial district, Mrs. Tinubu said the Senate Committee on Millennium Development Goals (MDG) had facilitated the approval for N48.9 million projects in two of our schools.

This, according to her, includes the N23.4 million for the construction and furnishing of three classroom blocks at Aje Comprehensive High School in Sabo, Yaba. Similarly, N25.5 million has been approved for the construction and furnishing of three classroom blocks with VIP toilets and handpump borehole at Jamatul Islamiyyah Primary school at Igbo Efon village in the Eti-Osa Local Government Area.

Other projects approved under the MDG Committee’s 2013 Constituency and Special Zonal Intervention projects would cost N49.940, 000. She gave a breakdown of the projects thus: “Library with furnishing at Ansar Ud Deen Primary School, Bishop Aboyade Street, opposite Mobil House, Victoria Island , Lagos at a cost of N38, 500, 000; Solar street light (3) at Alaguntan Road, off Mobil Road, behind wonder city, Ilaje, Ajah, Lagos at N980,000 each, totaling N2, 940,000 and one 500kva transformer at Barrister Akabogu Street, off Adetoyese Olagunju Street, Paradise Estate, Sangotedo, Lagos at a cost of N8, 500,000.

On constituency projects, she noted that work is on-going on the N222.3million Drug Rehabilitation and Counselling Centre approved for the Lagos Centra District through the Federal Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development under the 2012 budget in the Eti-Osa Local Government Area.

Mrs. Tinubu also disclosed that the Federal Government “is about to commence construction work on a N223 million ultra modern market at Oke-Ira in the Eti-Osa East LCDA under the 2013 budget.

I believe that through such an initiative, we can realize sustainable results for rural development and economic empowerment in years to come.”

She noted that the post-secondary scholarship scheme launched on August 11, 2011; the Elderly Citizens’ Assistance Scheme launched on December 11, 2012 and the Petty Traders Empowerment Capital Scheme that began on February 29, 2012 have continued to manifest robust dividends in the lives of beneficiaries.

The high point of yesterday’s Town Hall Meeting with the theme: “Making the Sacrifice for Development” was the distribution of 220 GCE ‘O’ Level forms to the youths selected across the senatorial district by Mrs Tinubu. According to her, she decided to purchase these forms to assist the youths who need to make up additional subjects required to get them admitted into higher institutions.

On the rejection of the Senate Committee on Constitution Review to accord Lagos State special status, she said the three senators from the state had sponsored a Bill pursuant to section 164(1) of the Constitution which seeks the provision of financial grants to Lagos State in recognition of its role as the economic nerve centre.

Leading the pack of those who poured encomium on Mrs Tinubu, Lagos State chairman of the ACN, Chief Henry Ajomale, described her as a leading light of legislators in this country.

“I have not seen any senator doing what she’s doing, creating opportunities for the masses. In fact she made proud of having her as representative of the Lagos Central District in the Senate,” he said.

Ajomale hinted that the Lagos chapter of the ACN is monitoring all political office holders in the state, be it elective or appointee.

Wife of the Lagos State governor, Mrs Abimola Fashola, commended Mrs Tinubu for her activities in the upper chamber and for fulfilling her promises to the people of her senatorial district.

Those who attended the meeting included Chief Ajomale; Mrs Fashola; Chief Tajudeen Olusi, ACN leader in the Lagos Central; Senator Gbenga Obadara; Hon Femi Gbajabiamila, minority leader, House of Represesentatives; Alhaji Ademola Seriki; Alhaji Lai Muhammed, ACN Publicity Secretary; Hon Lola Akande of the House of Reresentatives.

See picture on Page 57

“The Presidency did not take kindly to the alleged expensive nature of the wedding in Dubai. It believes that a serving public officer should not have been involved in such.

“The truth of the matter is that the redeployment has to do with an alleged conflict of interest because the father of the groom is a high net worth stakeholder in the petroleum industry.

“Out of envy, some stakeholders decided to petition the Presidency that the Permanent Secretary might use his position to favour his in-law.

“But the petitioners did not take cognizance of the fact that the Permanent Secretary was deployed in the ministry six months ago. There could not have been any conspiracy with the oil magnate.

“The groom and the bride met in the UK about eight years ago without the knowl-

edge of their parents and the Permanent Secretary had no knowledge that he would be posted to the Ministry of Petroleum Resources.

“Being inter-religious marriage, it took time before both parents consented to it. Some oil marketers were just determined to get at the father of the groom.”

Another source, however, said what hastened the redeployment of the Permanent Secretary was the presence of some key opposition leaders at the wedding in Dubai.

The source added: “I think some forces in the Presidency took exception to the presence of key opposition figures at the wedding in Dubai.

“They are suspecting that the father of the groom might be romancing the opposition figures who they are desperate to deal with. And these forces were unhappy that a serving Permanent Secretary

allowed opposition leaders to be at her daughter’s wedding.

“But some government functionaries have a different opinion because the wedding was purely a social gathering and not a political type.

“There was no political statement or campaign at the wedding. These opposition leaders are first and foremost Nigerians. They were not even invited by the Permanent Secretary.”

When contacted, the Chief Press Secretary to the Head of Service, Mr. Tope Ajakaiye, said he had no such information yet on the fate of the Permanent Secretary.

He declined further comments because he had not been briefed.

But a source close to the Permanent Secretary said: “Ambassador Musa was not sacked; he has only been redeployed but he is on leave.

“Contrary to insinuations, the Permanent Secretary did not engage in lavish wedding for his daughter.”

Cleric blames crimes on leaders’ selfishness

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HE increasing spate of kid napping, robberies, the Boko Haram monster, among other violent crimes in the society, has been blamed on the criminal neglect of the downtrodden by succeeding leaders whose overriding motive borders on narrow personal interest.

The General Overseer of the Mountain of Thunder Prayer Ministry, Ogun State, Prophet I.O. Aransan, declared this at a special prayer session organized by the church for the nation and Ogun State in particular.

“The problem with our leaders, apart from the fact that they don’t fear God, is that they are severely shortsighted. They fail to realize that long after they might have gone, the children they leave behind are still going to co-exist in the same society with children of the poor, and in that situation, the safety of their own children cannot be meaningfully guaranteed as their children will still be at the mercy of the frustrated children of the oppressed who would have no option than to unleash

their frustration on children of the rich.

“Our leaders and indeed the privileged class in the society have become prisoners of their wealth, as they move about in fear, while they hardly sleep with two eyes closed, for fear of armed robbers and kidnappers,” Prophet Aransan stated further.

He stated further that the Mountain of Thunder Prayer Ministry has mapped out monthly programmes exclusively devoted to prayer for the nation and Ogun State in particular.

News 5

THE NATION, SATURDAY JUNE 15, 2013

J

USTICE Bola OkikioluIghile of Lagos High Court, Ikeja on Friday ordered the Nigerian Police to pay the sum of N4 million as compensation to four participants in the January 2012 protest against the Federal Government’s removal of fuel subsidy.

The four protesters were shot by former Divisional Police Officer of Pen Cinema Police Station, Agege, Lagos, Mr. Segun Fabunmi, during the protest.

The applicants are Egbuzor Samuel (24), Alimi Abubakar (41), Joy Monday (21) and Chibuzo Udo (28).

They were said to have been

Subsidy protest: Court orders Police to pay N4m to four victims shot by DPO Adebisi ONANUGA injured with gunshots while another protester, Adedamola Daramola, died instantly.

In a judgment delivered at the High court, OkikioluIghile held the police and Fabunmi responsible and liable for “recklessly shooting and for inflicting bodily injury” on the applicants.

She also ordered the police

to apologise to the applicants in The Punch newspaper and any other national daily.

Fabumi allegedly shot at the protesters at about 9.30 am on January 9, 2012 at YayaAbatan Junction, Agege, Lagos, during the protest.

The suit dated March 13, 2012, was instituted on behalf of the four applicants by the Lagos State Office of the Public Defender.

Justice Okikiolu-Ighile held in her judgment that the

shooting violated the applicants’ constitutional rights to freedom of movement and human dignity.

The court, however, exonerated the AttorneyGeneral of the Federation, Mr. Mohammed Adoke, who was joined as a respondent.

According to the judge, the first and second defendants (the Police and Fabunmi) “wilfully and deliberately

refused to participate in the proceedings” thereby rendering all the allegations of the applicants against them unchallenged.

“In the absence of any counter-affidavit or any opposition, the court is bound to evaluate the facts placed before it and determine the case based on the available facts,” Okikiolu-Ighile said.

The trial judge pointed out that the medical reports obtained by the applicants linked the injuries on them to gunshot.

She said: “I hereby declare that the first and second respondents recklessly and maliciously shot at the applicants, inflicting bodily injury in violation of their right to life, right to freedom of movement and right to human dignity.

“It is hereby ordered that the first and second respondents offer apology to the applicants in The Punch newspaper and one other national newspaper.

“It is ordered that the first and second respondents, jointly and severally, should pay the sum of N1 million to each of the first, second, third and fourth applicants for the psychological trauma and bodily injury caused them by the acts of the first and second respondents.”

In another development on Friday, Fabunmi, who is facing separate criminal trial arising from the incident, asked Justice Olabisi Akinlade of the same Lagos High Court, for bail.

Justice Akinlade, after hearing the bail application, fixed July 4 for ruling.

Agency rolls out made in Nigeria motorcycles •Calls for ban on imported motorbikes, tricycles

T •A truck that crashed into the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) office in Jos on.... Yesterday

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PHOTO:NAN

Our society has failed, says Jonathan

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan yesterday said that the entire Nigerian society has failed hence the country is experiencing killings, kidnapping and cultism, among other crimes.

“We have lost our moral values and principles,” the Preaident added.

He spoke in Abuja at the official flag-off of the national Christian campaign on social transformation tagged ‘Be the Change You Want to See’.

It was organised by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).

Jonathan said much has gone wrong in the family life, schools, churches and the society in general.

“It would appear we have the society we deserve,” he said, adding that the teachings in some churches have turned the Bible upside down.

Jonathan who was represented by the Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Ama Pepple, expressed displeasure that schools have also failed with teachers not committed to teaching, sale of handouts by lecturers before students could pass examinations and asking favours from students to award them pass marks.

His words: “Our priorities are misplaced. The values of hard work, respect for elders, truthfulness, contentment, humility, patience, compassion, fairness, love, justice, obedience, etc are all lost.

“The whole society has failed. That is one reason we have incidents of cultism, armed robbery, murder, ritual killing, drugs, sale of babies, kidnapping, sexual immorality etc. Proverbs 22: 6 says train up a child in the way he should go and when

•Nigeria, a confused nation -Oritsejafor Gbenga OMOKHUNU, Abuja he is old, he will not depart from it. Have we as parents done that? No! Proverbs 1:8listen to your father’s instructions and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. Do our children always listen to their parents? No!.

“We therefore need both moral and spiritual transformation. We need to return to God, study and obey the word of God, which is able to cleanse us (1 John 15:3). There is a great responsibility placed on the church to lead this return to our values and morals and to

bring about the much needed transformation in our society, so we can try to be like Jesus: meek, never spoke angry word, frequently in prayers and always doing good.”

In his sermon, CAN President, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, said it is a pity that Nigeria is in trouble and that the country is still finding its foot.

Oritsejafor said Nigeria is a confused nation that needs God’s intervention.

Corruption, he said, has been a way of life, which he said should not be.

His words: “If God can change me, God can change Nigeria. If you look at Nigeria in the eyes of the

spirit, you will see a great Nigeria. But if you look at Nigeria with natural eyes, you see a confused nation.

Forgive my language, but that is the truth. We are yet to know who we are. Nigeria is in trouble, but God will bring us out of it.

“There is a wrestling going on in Nigeria and a new dawn is coming. The wrestling will end very soon. In Nigeria today, we are deceiving ourselves.

Pastors are deceiving their members while members are deceiving their pastors.

Husbands deceiving their wives and wives deceiving their husbands. Parents deceiving their children, children deceiving their parents. We are all deceiving one another.”

HE National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) on Tuesday rolled out the first made-in-Nigeria motorcycle, named Naseni M1, in Nnewi, Anambra State.

The motorcycle was designed, fabricated and assembled by the National Engineering Design and Development Institute, Nnewi a subsidiary of NASENI. The Executive Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NASENI, Dr. Muhammad Sani Haruna, who test-ran the 80cc capacity motorcycle in Nnewi, disclosed that the tricycle designed and produced by the institute would be ready early next year.

Based on the successes made

by NASENI in the production of motorcycles and tricycles, Haruna said it has become imperative for the Federal Government to ban the importation of tricycles and motorcycles.

He said: “NASENI is angry that all these things are continuously being imported when we have the capacity to produce them locally. We are

Odogwu Emeka ODOGWU, Nnewi urging government to ban the importation of these items and we assure government that with the needed financial support, NASENI can do even better than what is being imported.

“The motorcycles produced here have local components.

The plastics and iron used were produced by other institutes of NASENI. The ductile iron that is used was produced by our institute in Akure. The plastic components of it are also partially produced by our institute in Okene and also by a private company here in Nnewi. The electrical aspect of it was produced by Cutix Nigeria PLC in Nnewi.”

He said the local content of the motorcycle is 85 per cent, while it was designed and fabricated by Nigerians. “The components not produced by NASENI are produced by companies in Nnewi,” he added.

Haruna said NASENI was already getting into collaborations with private companies that can mass-produce the motorcycles and tricycles.

Nigeria’s population to hit 440m by 2050, UN predicts

U

NITED NATIONS — The United Nations (UN) forecast Thursday that Nigeria’s population could rise to 440 million by 2050, 40 million more than the projection for the United States of America (USA).

The 2005 census put the country’s population at 140 million.

Nigeria is also projected to start rivalling China as the second most populous country in the world by the end of the century with 914 million citizens.

According to the projections, the world’s population will increase from 7.2 billion today to 8.1 billion in 2025, with most growth in developing countries and more than half in Africa. By 2050, it will reach 9.6 billion.

India’s population is expected to surpass China’s around 2028 when both countries will have

•Says nation could become second China populations of around 1.45 billion, according to the report on “World Population Prospects.”

While India’s population is forecast to grow to around 1.6 billion and then slowly decline to 1.5 billion in 2100, China’s is expected to start decreasing after 2030, possibly falling to 1.1 billion in 2100, it said.

The report found global fertility rates are falling rapidly, though not nearly fast enough to avoid a significant population jump over the next decades.

In fact, the U.N. revised its population projection upward since its last report two years ago, mostly due to higher fertility projections in the countries with the most children per women. The previous projection had the global population reaching 9.3 billion people in 2050.

John Wilmoth, director of the Population Division in the U.N.’s Department of Economic and Social Affairs, said the projected population increase will pose challenges but is not necessarily cause for alarm. Rather, he said, the worry is for countries on opposite sides of two extremes: Countries, mostly poor ones, whose populations are growing too quickly, and wealthier ones where the populations is aging and decreasing.

“The world has had a great experience of dealing with rapid population growth,” Wilmoth said at a news conference. “World population doubled between 1960 and 2000, roughly. World food supply more than doubled over that time period.”

“The problem is more one of extremes,” he added. “The main story is to avoid the extreme of

either rapid growth due to high fertility or rapid population aging and potential decline due to very low fertility.”

The report found that most countries with very high levels of fertility — more than 5 children per women — are on the U.N. list of least developed countries. Most are in Africa, but they also include Afghanistan and East Timor.

But the average number of children per woman has swiftly declined in several large countries, including China, India, Indonesia, Iran, Brazil and South Africa, leading to a reduction in population growth rates in much of the developing world.

In contrast, many European and eastern Asia countries have very low fertility levels.

“As a result, these populations are aging rapidly and face chal-

lenges in providing care and support to their growing ranks of older persons,” Wilmoth said.

Wilmoth cautioned that “there is a great deal of uncertainty about population trends.” He said projections could change based on the trajectories of three major components — fertility, mortality and migration.

Still, population growth until 2050 is all but inevitable.

The U.N. uses the “mediumvariant” projection, which assumes a substantial reduction in the fertility levels of intermediate- and high-fertility countries in the coming years.

In the “high-variant” — if women on average had an extra half of a child — the world population would reach 10.9 billion in 2050. In the “lowvariant” — if women on average had half a child fewer — the population would be 8.3 billion in 2050.

6 NEWS

THE NATION SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 2013

Rolling Dollar:

Undulating, even at death

By Ovwe MEDEME and Dupe AYINLA-OLASUNKANMI

Even at an elderly age of 85, Fatai was still active in the music scene, performing shows, releasing albums and inspiring the up and coming and of course, fathering kids.

NEWS 7

THE NATION SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 2013

•L-R: Chief Ebenezer Fabiyi Obey, Hon. Jubril Ayodeji Abdulkareem, the chairman Agege Local Council, Zainab Olagunju and Serifat Olagunju wives of late Fatai Rolling Dollar.

Pic by: RAHMAN SANUSI

• The remains of late Fatai Olagunju Rolling Dollar

PHOTOS: Rahman SANUSI

8 NEWS

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 2013

Plateau has entered post-conflict era, says Jang HE governor of Plateau State, Jonah Jang, has declared that the state has entered into a post-conflict era, following the total restoration of peace to the state.

Gov Jang, who disclosed this while addressing newsmen at the Government House, said: "By the grace of God Almighty the Jos

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n Yusufu AMINU Idegu, Jos n crises have come to an end because this government can beat its chest that a lot of sacrifices have been made to achieve peace in the state.

According to Governor Jang, "The task before the state government now is to focus on

rehabilitation and reconstruction because we are no longer talking of conflict prevention. There is no more conflict in the state.

"We have sat down as a government to review the prevailing atmosphere of peace in the state during the recent midterm review of our administration, and we realized

that we need to gear up efforts towards making this peace sustainable and long lasting through deliberate government policies and program.”

Jang, however, said he will not force the Federal Government to withdraw its troops from the state, saying the decision to withdraw soldiers from the state

would be left for the Federal Government to decide when it deems fit.

He said the state government is more concerned with the need to concentrate on its post-conflict program, aimed at rebuilding confidence, mutual love and coexistence among citizens of the state.

TUC president wants political wing of labour movement in Nigeria RESIDENT of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Peter Esele, yesterday canvassed for the establishment of a political wing of labour movement in Nigeria.

He added that it would remove misconception about the labour movement in the country.

Comrade Esele spoke in Ilorin, the Kwara, state capital, at a workshop organised by Daily Independent newspapers, in collaboration with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies (MINILS) and Trade Union Congress (TUC).

He said: “There is the need for the labour movement in Nigeria to have a political wing. That is why there is a lot of misconception. In the UK for instance, the TUC in the UK is a strong member of the Labour Party in the UK. In the US, the Labour Federation America is involved in the Democratic Party.

“We cannot play political role and labour simultaneously. But we can look out for any party whose policies and programmes will best protect the interest and welfare of the Nigerian workers and support it.”

The TUC president, whose tenure expires this month, added that “most of the strikes in Nigeria were because the authorities did not do what they were supposed to do.

“It was when I became TUC President that I started knowing that we do not keep agreement. I worked in the private sector, we are used to keeping agreements.

We can negotiate for seven months. But once it is

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•From left: UN Resident Coordinator, Mr Daouda Toure; UN Under-Secretary for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Mrs Valerie Amos and Vice President Namadi Sambo, at a meeting during the visit of the UN team in Abuja on Thursday.

UN to grant Kogi technical support on flood HE United Nations (UN) has assured of technical expertise that will help manage future flood disaster in Kogi State.

The United Nations Under Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Ms. Valerie Amos, stated this while on a working visit to flood affected states in Nigeria.

The UN Under Secretary General, who described last year’s flood that devastated nine local government areas in the state as unfortunate, said her visit is to seek ways of granting technical assistance to the state to help it rebuild lives and damaged

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n Muhammad BASHIR, Lokoja n infrastructures.

Ms Amos described water as life, but said the 2012 flood was a threat, occasioned by the impact of climate change.

The flood disaster, the UN envoy noted calls for better ways for the UN to improve early warning preparation and response to future flood disasters.

The UN Secretary General assured of partnership with the federal and state governments to bring changes to the lives of the people whose livelihood were badly affected by the

flood.

The technical expertise to be provided by the UN, she disclosed will include building and managing displaced persons camp for future floods.

Speaking earlier, Kogi State governor, Capt Idris Wada, who was represented by his Deputy, Yomi Awoniyi, described the flood as devastating.

The governor disclosed that several intervention measures have been made to mitigate the effect of the flood on the lives of the people and in the rebuilding of infrastructures, and appealed for support from the UN.

Yobe distributes 40 tractors, fertiliser to flag off cropping season Y

obe State governor, Ibrahim Gaidam, has flagged off the 2013 cropping season with the sales the sales of fertilizer and the distribution of 40 units of Massey Ferguson Tractors and water pump generators to farmers across the state.

The measure, according to the governor, will boost agriculture and stimulate economic growth and reduce unemployment among the teaming youths of the state, and promised that his administration will continue to accord agricultural the attention it deserves.

"Any nation that can solve its food problem has solved half of its problem", Gaidam said.

The governor directed that fertilizer, both NPK and Urea be sold at the subsidized rate of N2, 500, adding that government procured 60 00 metric tons of the product, amounting to N877.5 million, with the aim of creating the enabling environment for the agricultural sector.

“The state now has 6000 metric tons of urea fertilizer, procured at the total sum of N877,500,000, to be distributed to each of the 178 electoral wards in the state, large scale farmers, civil

n Duku JOEL, Damaturu n servants and irrigation farmers”, Gaidam said.

Similarly, 40 pieces of tractors, procured at N320million were also launched at the occasion.

In a related development, N76 million assistance was distributed to women and youth groups under the Fadama three programme.

In his remarks, the state commissioner of agriculture, Alhaji Idi Barde Gubana, announced that the present administration has so far disbursed the sum of N 581 Million to 14, 421 beneficiaries across the state.

He pointed out that with the sales of fertilizer, the tractors and other agricultural inputs, farming would become attractive to youths in the state.

Also speaking, the state Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Alhaji Musa Dumburi, stressed that the procurement and distribution of additional tricycles to

the youths will engage jobless youths into gainful ventures.

He said the SURE-P vehicles distributed last week have started plying various roads across the state, as it will reduce transport cost among the less-privileged.

Mandela remains in hospital for 7th day CHOOLCHILDREN in Nelson Mandela's home village yesterday sang in his honour and others left balloons and well wishes outside the hospital where he is being treated.

South Africa's first black president has been undergoing treatment for nearly a week for a recurring lung infection.

There was no immediate word yesterday on his condition, though the government said late Thursday he was improving though remained in serious condition.

At Mandela's childhood school in Qunu, school children in bright blue uniforms sang in his honour. Others gathered to pray outside the Pretoria hospital where he is staying.

The leader of South Africa's anti-apartheid movement, Mandela spent 27 years in prison during white racist rule.

He was freed in 1990 and became South Africa's first black president in 1994.

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•Mandela

n Adekunle JIMOH, Ilorin n signed, nobody can go back from it.

“But when I became TUC President, I realized that you can sit with government or even the highest authority, and you sign an agreement.

But the following week, nothing seems to be happening. And you start asking when we were negotiating; did we cover your eyes? When things like that happen, you have a breakdown. So the option we have is to go on strike since the government is not listening.”

He added that, “My challenge had to do with people want us to be trade union in the morning, in the afternoon they want us to be opposition party, and in the evening, they want us to be activists and civil rights campaigners.

“There is the need to find the balance to make people to understand that we are first and foremost a trade union. My responsibility as TUC President is to defend and protect the interest of the workers who are paying dues and who primarily are those who elected me. They are those that I owe that primary responsibility to.

“The secondary responsibility is to the larger family. But most times, the larger society wants them to be primary. We always look at it that if the workers are happy, the larger society is also happy, because on the average, an average Nigerian worker takes care of seven others.

“I have become more knowledgeable about my country and myself. I have had the honour and privilege of leading a wonderful team, which one is proud of.”

COMMENTARY 9

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 2013

June 12, political parties and survival

I

write with the spirit of the aborted election of June 12 of 1993 won by the late MKO Abiola at the back of my mind, spurring me on. It is not as if the memory brings a positive impulse to write or do something about it. It is just that the remembrance of what could have been, but never was and did not happen, provides a watershed to reminisce on a unique political tragedy in Nigeria’s rich political history and development - and perchance draw conclusions and lessons from a missed opportunity and lost chance to make democracy function according to the wishes of the people at the ballot box 20 years ago. In addition June 12 2013 provided another opportunity to look at the functions and prospects of some big global political parties, their conduct after winning elections and the use and misuse they make of their mandates. Also we shall look at how an old political party in Africa long accustomed to being underground and repressed by successive dictators, battle a great threat to the food security of its people .

Let me first start by attempting a definition of what I have tagged the spirit of June 12 which really is the Nigerian June 12 - as distinct from the Iranian June 12 2009 election which too was a landmark in terms of elections in that globally maligned Islamic theocracy. Let me state again that the details of June 12 are immaterial here as they are part of our political culture and history already. The spirit of June 12 therefore hangs around the notion that free and fair elections are possible in Nigeria and that Nigerians are capable of organizing and conducting such elections. Secondly the spirit of June 12 rests on the belief that mandates are sacred and not purchasable by the highest bidder in any horse trade to subvert democratic mandates for which elections are conducted .Thirdly, with the benefit of hind sight Nigerians now know that elections are their only hope to change or endorse any political party in or out of power. These then are the tripods or legs on which my spirit of June 12 rests and it is on them that I now proceed on the journey of today.

In Nigeria, the PDP is the largest political party and it has been in power since May 29 1999 when it won the presidential elections of that year and its candidate, retired General Olusegun Obasanjo became the first Nigerian to govern both as a military ruler and politician. Obasanjo ruled for the constitutional two terms and we shall examine here very briefly how the PDP has fared since, in terms of the spirit of June 12 .Secondly, we shall examine in the same light the news from London last week that a court in Britain has agreed that compensation be paid to aged Mau Mau Kenyans who fought British colonialism for Independence. That comes on the heels of the request for the start of the trial for the 2007 post election violence at the Hague of the son, of the leader of Mau Mau, Uhuru Kenyatta who has just been elected the president of Kenya. We top this up with the problem posed for the newly elected government in Egypt by the decision of Ethiopia to dam the Blue Nile when as everyone knows and says - without the Nile there will be no Egypt.

Starting with Nigeria, the PDP has won every presidential election in Nigeria since 1999 such that one would think that Nigeria is a one party state - which it definitely is not. The PDP’s electoral feat or success had prompted a former Chairman of the

party to once boast that the party will rule Nigeria for 50 years.

Such boasts have however not cut any ice with some key Nigerian leaders notably Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu, the former Governor of Lagos State and leader of the ACN whose party now controls the South west of the nation. But the might and electoral wizardry of the PDP is such that Asiwaju and leaders of the other big parties know that they cannot face the PDP alone and they have decided to pool their political and leadership resources and take on the PDP monster by forming a political party called APC to confront the ruling party.

But what has the PDP achieved in the spirit of June 12?

The first thing is that it tried to annihilate the spirit by creating a rival date as democracy day when most Nigerians regard June 12 as the ultimate democracy day in their political agenda. Secondly the PDP has rigged successfully the elections it has won since 1999 including that one too. This has shaken the belief of Nigerians in the spirit of June 12 that free and fair elections are possible, but it has not dashed their hopes that the best is yet to come in the organization and conduct of free and fair elections in Nigeria. Indeed the current president who is reported to be attempting a reorganization of the PDP in the face of looming implosion and balkanization of the party, was a beneficiary of the unrelenting hope of Nigerians that a free and fair election is a possible and ultimate goal for the Nigerian political system . Unfortunately there is a broad concensus that this administration has not delivered on its mandate. Yet Nigerians are gearing up in the spirit of June 12 that 2015 provides another grand opportunity to get even with the failure of governance and rupture of the mandate so generously given from the south in 2011. Any contrived digression or talk of a one 6- year term or the continuation of the two 4 –year terms is contingent on the holding of elections in 2015 and in the spirit of June 12 Nigerians, are

‘

Nigerians are gearing up in the spirit of June 12 that 2015 provides another grand opportunity to get even with the failure of governance and rupture of the mandate so generously given from the south in 2011. Any contrived digression or talk of a one 6year term or the continuation of the two 4 –year terms is contingent on the holding of elections in 2015

’

hopeful, waiting and watching to exercise their voting and democratic rights again.

In Kenya, the spirit of June 12 has been violated several times and with impunity too both in the 2007 elections claimed to have been won by the Ruholah Odinga and after which there was post election violence and the one this year in March, won by Uhuru Kenyatta . In 2007 Raila Odinga traded his mandate in for a concoct ted extra constitutional position of PM from which he contested the presidential elections in 2013 and lost. Obviously Kenyans are not enamored with politicians who sell their mandates for a mess of pottage. Also Kenyans believe in their democracy and have hope in it. That is why they have voted for a man who is charged with killing people in the post election violence of 2007 as president in March this year, spite of the charge of murder against him by the International Criminal Court at the Hague .But the Kenyan nation, people and president should be careful with the Greek gift that the Mau Mau compensation package represents to me. This is because if the British can now suddenly respect the law over an issue that happened several years ago, over colonial policy, why should the Kenyan nation not be expected to respect a modern law that catches up with Uhuru Kenyatta the son of Jomo Kenyatta leader of Mau Mau whose members are being compensated by a British government that was not in place during colonial times? Surely the Mau Mau Compensation and the trial of Kenya’s new president at the Hague are bound to rock Kenya’s politics for some time, either for good or bad .

Lastly, the plans by Ethiopia to dam the Blue Nile and build the Grand Renaissance Dam costing $ 3 bn is a dagger aimed at Egypt’s heart and jugular. Already Egypt has threatened war on the basis of its food security as the Nile fuels its huge agriculture and irrigation system. But the dam is expected to double Ethiopia’s electricity. This is not the first time that Egypt’s vulnerability on the Nile has been threatened. Before North and South Sudan broke up, the South threatened to redirect the Nile which rises from its territory because Egypt was supporting the Arab north in the Sudan Crisis. Those who live in glass houses should not throw stones is the lesson for Egypt here. Ethiopia too must look after the interests of its people and it doesn’t have to look over its shoulders at Cairo before doing this as it has not violated Egypt’s territory. Egypt’s new democracy should quickly find out where it has stepped on Ethiopia’s toes. The Blue Nile has served the two nations which are ancient civilizations for ages. If what threatens Egypt’s existence now suddenly crops up, then the Egyptians had better think twice before threatening war. According to Ethiopia’s PM Hailemariam Desanegh, Egypt should not consider the war option. ‘All options including a war he asked of Egypt. ‘I don’t think they will take that option unless they go mad. Surely a word is enough for the wise on this new threat to Egypt’s food security.

10 COMMENTARY

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 2013

The Taraba leadership conundrum Knucklehead With W Yomi ILL Danbaba Suntai ever make it back to the Taraba State Government House as executive governor after his prolonged absence from office? I seriously doubt that possibility. The naked truth is that Suntai is not medically,physically or psychologically fit to take charge of that responsibility,having spent close to 10 months in Germany and the United States ofAmerica, undergoing treatment for injuries sustained in a plane crash inOctober, last year. His miraculous survival notwithstanding, those battlingto hold down the post for an ailing governor who appears to have realchallenges with his cognitive faculties are simply doing so for selfishinterest. They are perennially running away from the reality and holding onto a hope built on magical fantasy. Either way, the state has become the victim of the political intrigues playing out.

Ordinarily, Taraba would not be roiling in jerks and pauses if the ActingGovernor, Alhaji Garba Umar, is constitutionally empowered to carry out theresponsibilities reposed in the office of the governor. But,going by the dirty political manoeuvrings that stalled governance formonths after the illness of the late President Umaru Yar’Adua, it was notsurprising that Garba Umar is becoming uncomfortable with being dressed in borrowed garb.

No matter how well they dab his office with sweet-smelling scents, he knows he cannot exercise full powers unless something gives way. Unfortunately, Suntai is not the only factor that impedes hissmooth transition into a substantive governor. There are other factors, including the political permutations towards the 2015 elections. If hesucceeds in manoeuvring his way into that office, it would be difficult tostop him from running for the office in 2015 and that is why those posingas Suntai’s loyalists are doing everything within and outside the books tostop Acting Governor Umar.

The intriguing thing in all this is Umar’s cockiness in the Taraba powerconundrum. All the while, he has propped himself up as a disinterestedparty in the power game, opting instead to show loyalty to a man whograciously appointed him as Deputy Governor few months before the planecrash. No doubt, Umar’s emergence was, to say the least, fortuitous. Barelytwo months after Suntai influenced the kicking out of his deputy, AlhajiSani Abubakar, over allegations bordering on gross misconduct (which couldmean not greeting His Excellency’s cook, his driver or refusal to pet his overfeddog), the mantle fell on Umar to play the loyal spare tyre that Suntaicraved for. Or how on earth could a House of Assembly impeach a deputygovernor for being guilty of “using his office to influence the posting ofan officer and interfering in the affairs of a local government area?”Isn’t that what they all do? Anyway, hardly had Umar settled down when acruel fate elevated him to the position of Acting Governor. Now, he appearsto be at home playing the role of a sly victim. I presume he must havelearnt the art from President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan during the days ofthe long knives until the National Assembly came up with the Doctrine ofNecessity to save the State from a free fall.

Truth be told, there is something fundamentally wrong with a Constitutionthat ties the fortunes or misfortunes of a state to the whim of its chiefexecutive. This is compounded by the growing cases of mutual suspicion thatpervade most government houses in spite of the public posturing and plasticlaughter. And so, no one should be surprised with the gaping cracks in the walland atrocious political divide threatening the graveyard peace that hasengulfed Taraba since Suntai disappeared from the governance radar monthsago. Agreed that he did not have the luxury of properly handing over to hisdeputy due to the fatal and life-threatening injuries he sustained in thatill-fated flight in which he was the pilot, the question remains apt: forhow long must a state waddle in comatose in anticipation of the return ofan ailing Chief Executive Officer?

The crying fact is that Taraba has been under the yoke of uncertainty for nine agonisingmonths. It is like a herd of sheep

Ogochukwu Ikeje ohgeeoh@gmail.com 08084235961 (SMS only)

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REAT nations learn from their mistakes, their scandals and their tragedies. Nige ria, if it wants to be great, should learn from the horrors and aftermath of June 12, 1993 presidential election.

Time was in Britain when a juvenile aged between seven and 14 faced the death penalty if there was a “strong evidence of malice” in him or her. Also, a Briton was to die for being in the company of Gypsies for a period of one month. If a criminal was found to have blackened his face or used any form of disguise while committing a crime, the law provided that he be killed.

In colonised America, the ruling authorities were so powerful that they determined what people should or should not say, especially against the state and religion.

Those were messy and unwholesome eras.

Common sense prevailed, eventually. The British people saw the error, the scandal, the crime in their system. Crucially, they began to realise the folly of conferring on the state such overreaching powers as to terminate life for laughable reasons. In time, capital punishment was abolished.

In the United States, the battle for freedom was fought and won early as the colony freed itself from its British overlords, the liberated people

without a shepherd. Like Yar’Adua’s case, Suntai’s health condition hasbeen shrouded in secrecy. Just on Wednesday, the state Commissioner for Information, Emmanuel Bello, said the governor’s recovery rate is a “marvellous medical miracle”, noting “a man many said has died is on his way home to his people.”

Nice one. But my good friend, Bello, of all people, should know that his story just doesn’t wash. Or has he forgotten that even a ‘healthy’ Yar’Adua was arranged to speak with a BBC reporter?

If my memory is not fading, Bello was an Editor with an Abujabased national daily then. Has he forgotten so soon?

To the best of my knowledge, Suntai has not communicated with his people neither has he given any policy directives to his aides on governance issues. Okay, we were once treated to a widely circulated photograph with his wife and newly-born twins in a German hospital where he was said to be responding to treatment. That was months back and there had been no concrete developments after that photo shoot. He has since left the German hospital for another round of medical treatment in the United States. Meanwhile, his beloved state continues the rigmarole of a free fall, factionalised right through the middle.

And as if that was not enough trouble for a state to grapple with, the news media is awash with report that loyalists of the ailing Suntaicould ‘smuggle’ him into the country to frustrate attempts by the stateexecutive to invoke Section 189 of the 1999 Constitution, which empowersit to verify his state of health with a view to determining whether ornot he could still perform his duties. And if it was found out that hecould not discharge those responsibilities due to ill health, he wouldautomatically cease to occupy the office while Umar would step in as substantive governor. Now, this otherwise simple process has beencomplicated by our peculiar style of playing politics.

As days run into months, it is becoming obvious that a resolution ofthe Taraba leadership conundrum requires deft political manipulations. It is pointlesstrying to stop anyone from attempting to package Suntai back to the TarabaGovernment House even if he happens to be on life support. After all, it would not bethe first time. The late Yar’Adua suffered the same indignity in the nameof preserving his office. Only few family members and close associates could boast of seeing him alive in his last days in Aso Rock. I wouldhave thought these shameful loyalists, if they truly love their master,would have allowed Suntai to attend to his failing health while the statemoves on with Umar in charge. Of course, it may not be what they bargained for but such is the fate that providence has thrust on them. Or are theyquarrelling with fate?

Back to Umar, no matter how he tries to extricate his office from theintricate plans to dethrone Suntai, it is clear that his foot soldiers areat work. That is my reading of a statement credited to an amorphous body inAbuja last week—The Taraba Justice Forum—which challenged the ActingGovernor to present an offi-

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As days run into months, it is becoming obvious that a resolution ofthe Taraba leadership conundrum requires deft political manipulations. It is pointlesstrying to stop anyone from attempting to package Suntai back to the TarabaGovernment House even if he happens to be on life support

Odunuga E-mail:yomi.odunuga @thenationonlineng.net SMS only: 07028006913 cial medical report to justify the long wait for Godot. I believe members of the same group are behind the case filed at the Federal High Court on Wednesday, asking the court to compel the Taraba House of Assembly expedite action on making Umar the substantive governor.Awww! At this level of the nation’s political development, this kind of trickery ought to be dispensed with. The TJF should have evolved better ways of ensuring the emergence of its man as substantive governor instead of toeing a path that is constitutionally unworkable and politically untenable.

In resolving the imbroglio, the options are very clear. First, Umar has tostop playing the ostrich. It is either he wants to be governor or foreverremain a pretender in that office. Second, he should be man enough to tellthe people of the state the true medical condition of the man he claimed to have seen at a German hospital. He cannot, in one breath, confirm Suntai’s quick recovery and, in another breath, be foraging behind the curtains for the fastest means of assuming the office of his boss!

That attitude, it must berecalled, never worked for Jonathan and he had to be helped out of his miserywith the proclamation of the Doctrine of Necessity by the National Assembly. I doubt if the Taraba House of Assembly, even with the removal ofthe proSuntai Speaker, Mr. Istifanus Gbana, his deputy, Peter Abel Diahand the majority leader, Mr. Charles Maijankai, has the capacity to invokesuch a law.

So, what is the best way out of the logjam? It is quite simple.

At theheart of the impasse is a permanent interest—the lure for power. Surely,these persons are not eternal enemies. The Suntai camp should accept thereality of the situation—forcing Suntai back to his seat will only worsen hiscondition. It could even lead to dire consequences and they may end up being the ultimate losers. The wisest thing to do is to reach an agreementwith Umar, after which a panel can be set up to determine the governor’sstate of health and whether he still has the ability to carry out thearduous task of governance. If the panel comes out with a negative report,then a gazette should be published by the state government to enable Umartake charge. This is a matter that requires political expediency in which all parties should be winners.

The endless bickering and countermoves by the various camps have left the state in a quandary. In the last nine months, a sedate Taraba State has become nearly comatose, heavily burdened by the Plastic of Paris that has become its identity. We may not know whether it is on life support or any otherlife-saving gadget. What is clear is that it has overstayed its welcome atthe Intensive Care Unit and its bones are aching. Fortunately, this dyingpatient can still be resuscitated with the application of the rightmedicines. The ailment has been diagnosed. The viruses have beenidentified. Even the cure is available. But the main problem is in theapplication of the right jot of steroid to reignite a spasm of life into this dying specimen. Howmuch long can the patient wait before it starts foaming in the mouth? How much more will the ordinary folks in Taraba wait for their leaders to put thepublic good far and above their personal, egotistical idiosyncrasies? The ball, as they say, is in their court. Let them play it wisely and fairly, too!

’ Cosmetics of June 12

judging that the greatest thing in life was freedom. Today, many centuries after, freedom remains the only thing that typifies and defines the Americans, the only thing they hold dear. They learned from a bad past.

We should learn also from our horrible history but I would even prefer that we learn from our present misdeeds. It is now two decades since the presidential election so clearly won by Chief MKO Abiola. The world knows all about the bizarre events that attended that election. First, it was annulled in the most hideous and scandalous circumstances by the Babangida administration. Rather than claim his trophy, the winner of the election was thrown into detention. And instead of regaining freedom, at the least, Abiola died in detention, again, in the most bizarre and scandalous circumstances. Amidst all this, the country burned.

That was clearly one of Nigeria’s darkest moments. But the tragedy was not just the fact that an election was cancelled and the winner denied, but also because that election was adjudged to be the freest and fairest the country ever knew.

And to that extent, it was primed to lift the country up the ladder of democratic progress, a huge leap in the expression of the common will. It was looking to lay the foundation for national growth in many imaginable ways.

That was not to be. Two decades after, what have we learnt from that tragedy? Pretty little.

For the most part, the leadership of the nation lives in denial. Chief Olusegun Obasanjo who would benefit from June 12, has since written off

Chief Abiola. Alhaji Bashir Tofa who lost the election of that year would rather no one talked about June 12 anymore. The federal government does not reckon with it, so anytime the presidency says or does something about it, its utterances and actions are at best shallow. When President Jonathan announced the renaming of University of Lagos after the June 12 hero, it provoked profound controversy, some seeing it as sectionalising or tribalising Chief Abiola, even though the institution is federal government-owned. This week, at the anniversary of June 12, Jonathan acknowledged the profound significance of the election but did not sound like his administration would make June 12 a national holiday anytime soon.

He seemed to be content with the fact that some states have on their own declared the date a public holiday.

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The world knows all about the bizarre events that attended that election. First, it was annulled in the most hideous and scandalous circumstances by the Babangida administration.

Rather than claim his trophy, the winner of the election was thrown into detention

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It is not about the faults of the federal government. Certain individuals once identified as June 12 activists have been accused of either selling out or putting their activism to self-serving ends or even sectionalising a national hero.

What do core June Twelvers want? It seems to me they want more national prominence for Abiola and the election he won. They want the federal government to come forward and give the late Abiola some recognition and respect. They will like a national holiday in his honour.

All that is good, even desirable. But if Abiola and June 12 were remembered with cenotaphs, holidays and the like alone, they would have been reduced to mere superficialities. There should be more to the man and the election he won than cosmetics.

Cenotaphs and holidays will do neither the man nor Nigerians who voted for him any good if the nation does not recognise that crimes were committed 20 years ago and that the criminals ought to be punished. Since the crime of that electoral abortion, no one has been reprimanded. It is difficult to see how a nation can move forward without coming to terms with its past and correcting its errors. It has been pointed out that those who killed June 12 are still calling the shots in the country. That in itself is a tragedy.

Moreover, election riggers are alive and well in the country. There is nothing to suggest that they have turned a new leaf. Misguided and brazen political ambition is still rife and there is little to inspire the people. Our electoral processes are still dodgy. Among the governors, election has lost its meaning.

What Abiola and June 12 deserve is electoral justice, healthy ballot processes and the supremacy of the people’s will, not the cosmetics of statues and holidays.

COMMENTARY 11

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 2013

Jubilee’ve it’s been 50 years?

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LHAJI Ado Bayero’s appearance at the Durbar in Kano this weekend will cap a triumphant Golden Jubilee for a Monarch who is secure in his subject’s’ hearts and has emerged as one of the most successful and respected royal figures in the country.

50 years ago, when the young Mallam Ado Bayero was summoned back to Nigeria while on a French course in France, little did he know the mammoth role that destiny would bestow on him. Upon the passing of Emir Muhammadu Inuwa, his uncle, Alhaji Ado Bayero was appointed the new Emir of Kano.

Mallam Ado Bayero was born on the 15th June 1930, when his father, Abdullahi Bayero, had been on the throne for four years. Mallam Ado was the eleventh child of his father and the second of three born to his mother, Hajiya Hasiya.

He trained vigorously in religious studies and latter enrolled in contemporary school. After graduating in 1947, he then took up employment with the British Bank for West Africa, now the First Bank of Nigeria.

“Alhaji Ado Bayero left the bank to begin his career with the Kano Native Authority in 1949. While working for the Native Authority, he attended a number of clerical and administrative courses in Nigeria and abroad. In 1952 he attended the Clerical Training College, Zaria. He then took a course on Local Government in the United Kingdom. In 1953 he became the Chief Clerk of the Kano Town Council. He contested and won the election to the Northern Regional House of Assembly in Kaduna on the ticket of the Northern Peoples’ Congress (NPC) in 1954, and he made his inaugural speech in the House on 3rd. March 1955. In April 1957 Ado Bayero resigned his seat in the House to take up an appointment as the Police Chief of the Kano Native Administration Police. He was appointed Nigeria’s Ambassador to Senegal in late 1962.” With such a glittering career in his past, the Emir was well poised for the role in which his popularity is unassailable, the role that he has upheld for 50 strong years.

Over the years, the Emir has widely been recognized as a true patriot and a man of great humility and justice. In reflection of these qualities, the Emir of Kano Ado Bayero, has often been called to play numerous mediating roles all over the country. This Golden Jubilee should not only be seen as a celebration of the Emir’s throne, but as an affirmation of his place as a national leader. People of different tribes all over Nigeria are this weekend showing their admiration for the Emir and their respect for the job that he has done.

As the good people of Kano celebrate 50 years of a leader who has truly proven himself, many, all over the world will be overjoyed with the response to the jubilee, which has brought a natural expression of popular feeling to the people of Kano.

Reservations over the security challenges that have plagued the north and even targeted the Emir himself seem drowned out by the Kano people’s enthusiasm in celebrating such a de-

•Alhaji Ado Bayero

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Over the years, the Emir has widely been recognized as a true patriot and a man of great humility and justice. In reflection of these qualities, the Emir of Kano, Ado Bayero, has often been called to play numerous mediating roles all over the country. This Golden Jubilee should not only be seen as a celebration of the Emir’s throne, but as an affirmation of his place as a national leader

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serving leader. In the lead up to the Jubilee weekend, enormous crowds headed towards Kano, residents began packing the streets in order to book a place where they could get a glimpse of their Monarch. Witnesses to the emerging crowds speak of well-wishers of all ages who seem genuinely moved by this milestone in their history.

And a milestone it really is because, once upon a time, the complete administration of Kano was under rule of the aristocracy before the conquest of the land by the Colonial Mas-

ters. With the arrival of the British, the power of the Aristocracy was taken away but the role of the Emir of Kano was maintained. In maintaining that part of their history, the people Kano remained loyal to the Emirate Council in accepting and obeying orders from the Emir.

To rule over the exceptional and complex people of Kano for 50 years, given the cocktail of challenges and turbulence this country has gone through, while still maintaining the respect and love of his subjects, is a great testimony to the Emir. The people of Kano have, from time, proven themselves to be a resilient, independent, entrepreneurial, creative, hardworking and ingenious people. They have never opted for second best and have never been ones to suffer fools gladly. I know because I see it in my daughter, nieces and nephews who are all from Kano. With the likes of the late, great Mallam Aminu Kano, Alhaji Abubakar Rimi, Alhaji Bala Mohammed, Alhaji Maitama Yusuf, amongst others, Kano people have always been ready to stand up for what they believe in and reject what they don’t. And even though, their hospitality, warmth and sense of tradition has always provided a balance to their spunk in nature, had the Emir not ruled over them with the honour and grace he has, they would not be celebrating him in the way they are doing at this golden jubilee. Through this and by any accounting, his reign had been successful.

As we head into an uncertain future as a nation, the qualities and legacies of leaders such as the Emir of Kano should be imbibed by all. May we, as citizens, learn from people like the Emir, behave in the manner of the Emir and lead in the way of the Emir. His leadership and the leadership of others like him revives hope.

This weekend I will be celebrating along with my daughter, nieces, nephews, cousins, uncles, aunties, in-laws, friends, members of the Kano Royal family and all people of Kano on this great landmark in their history. I especially congratulate my step mother, Hajia Asiya Musawa (Nee Ado Bayero), my little brother Mohammed and my cousin Zainab Sanusi on the Golden Jubilee of their father, grandfather and uncle, respectively. May the next 50 years of this great Monarchy bring them the blessings, unity, forgiveness, strength, understanding and faith that the last 50 years have.

I was not born at the time that the Emir of Kano ascended his throne, but I have heard great and wonderful stories from my father on what a glorious time it was then. As he sits down now to reflect on where all those years went, Dad tells me that, “the coronation of the Emir of Kano to the throne was just like yesterday”… Then after a moment he looks up again and says, “JUBILEE’VE it’s been 50 years already?”

Issues in Anambra 2014 PDP governorship ticket A

NDY Uba was sworn in as Anambra Governor after 2007 election. But he was removed about two weeks later through a court order which faulted INEC for conducting the poll in the state when current Governor Peter Obi’s tenure was still running. The tenure expires next year.

Now Andy, who in April 2011 contested and won a Senate seat and he is chairman, Senate Committee on INEC, is warming up to return to the seat he vacated. He is not deterred by the setback of 2007.

Only recently, while making known his ambition to gun for the coveted office inside Enugu Sports Club, Uba was quick to put the matter straight to doubters. Looking straightfacedly at reporters, he said: ”In 2007 when I ran for governor, I had a vision for Anambra State, within the few days I stayed, people got an insight into my plans; my vision was to change the face of Anambra. I was pushing for a plan to transform Anambra but unfortunately, it didn’t work.”

Almost immediately after, youths, under the aegis of Omambala Youth Forum, announced their resolve to support the governorship ambition of Senator Andy Uba. They did so at a meeting in Otuocha.

The forum comprising youths from the four council areas of the state namely: Anambra East, Anambra West, Ayamelum and Oyi, said their decision to support Uba followed his record of achievements since he went into public office.

According to the forum chairman, Innocent Offordile (Eselu Aguleri), who presided at the meeting, though Uba represents Anambra South in the Senate, youths in the four local government areas which are in Anambra North would always remember Uba’s gesture to the people of the area during last year’s flood disaster.

Said he: ”We have declared support for Senator Uba because he has told us officially about his governorship ambition. He has done it before and we believe that he will do it again.”

Also, in his recent writing, vibrant

•Governor Peter Obi commentator, Emeka Oraetoka, recalled the entire saga that heralded the sacking of Uba from office in 2007 vis-à-vis Governor Obi’s comment on the zoning formula for Anambra State preferring his successor to emerge from Anambra North.

He went a step further by stating what has now become an obvious popular position on the matter.

“On the issue of governorship election in 2014, the questions the people of Anambra State are asking Peter Obi are: Does he want the governorship election in 2014 zoned to Anambra North based on his interpretation of equity? What happens to the fellow that was asked to vacate office 17 days after being sworn-in for an offence he did not commit?

Has justice been done to the zone or possibly the local government area where Andy Uba hails from? Which, out of equity and justice, ranks higher in order of priority?

“From the point of view of politics, what constitutes equity? Is Peter Obi implying that all registered political parties in Nigeria must cede their governorship positions to Anambra North, come 2014? Is he as well saying that Anambra North has no electable candidate[s]? Or is the governor saying that the people of the zone are weak in all ramifi-

•Andy Uba cations and therefore cannot compete politically in the state?” Oraetoka asked.

Uba sometime ago organised a Town Hall meeting for his constituents in the seven council areas that make up his Senatorial district to explain his activities in the Senate and to subject himself to their scrutiny.

“I believe that the people you represent at whatever level must come first in what you do because it is not by accident that they entrust their mandate in your care. The mandate one holds in trust for the people is sacred and the product of a collective conviction that he is worthy both in character and ability to represent their interests,” adding that no leader worth his salt should take the people he leads for granted.

Reflecting on his eventful stay at the Senate so far, Uba had told his constituents that apart from sponsoring four bills and co-sponsoring 12 motions, he had attracted not less than N16million projects to the area. He clarified that all the projects were domiciled in the 2012 budget.

Ahead 2014 Ahead next year’s governorship election in the state, Anambra known for its vibrant politics, has thrown up tens of aspirants apart

Reader’s View

from Uba looking forward to succeeding incumbent Obi. Among the fine crop of such personalities are Comrade Tony Nwoye, Paul Odenigbo, Chukwuma Soludo, Nicholas Ukachukwu and Emmanuel Anosike, all from the same PDP fold as Uba. Besides, there are those from the other parties. They include: Senator Chris Ngige, ACN; Senator Annie Okonkwo, APC; Ifeanyi Uba, Labour and Hon. Uche Ekwunife, APGA, among others.

No doubt, given the peculiarities of Anambra politics, the list is sure to be longer as the countdown reduces from months to weeks. The attendant drama, tension, intimidations too, and upsets and near-upsets, all recurring features of the politics of Anambra State add up to give the four-yearly event its uniqueness. But one good thing about the foregoing is that by the time the chicken comes home to roost, all frayed nerves somehow will find some way to smoothen out.

PDP ticket Of the array of aspirants from the Anambra PDP fold who seek to succeed Obi, it appears Uba stands a good chance, just as some others.

When a newspaper (not The Nation) sounded out residents of Awka and Uga area of the state last week, it was clear that the senator from Anambra South stood a chance as PDP prepares to nominate their choice for Anambra 2014.

“I really don’t see it that way. I know with the people and party members by my side and God honouring us, I look good to pick the PDP ticket. But I know also that other contenders are there; and they are no push-overs. We are all trying to see how we can serve our dear Anambra State in the office of governor. We pray things work out,” Uba said in that publication.

Even as he exudes confidence, the senator recognises the fact that other contenders have the right to aspire to the same office.

However, like he always underscores, promotion comes from God. •Dennis Sami, the Publisher of The Nigerian Pilot, writes from Abuja

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 2013

12 NEWS

•From left: Chairman, Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC), Honourable Justice Abdulfatai Adeyinka with the Chairman, Epe Local Government, Hon Segun Agbaje, during the LASIEC’s interactive forum on the delineation of words and creation of additional Polling units in Lagos State held on at Epe Local Government Secretariat, Epe, Lagos State.

Abortion: Human life is invaluable –Clergy etermined to check the rising cases of abortion in recent years, a Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Chimaezie Eugene-Oguzie, has charged all lovers of mankind to see their everyday life as an opportunity to propagate the respect for human life whether nurtured in the womb, born or at any other level.

He pointed out that the Catholic Church would continue to kick against anything that intervenes with human life especially abortion which translates to murder.

"Prolife is a case of justice and respect for human life particularly the weak and defenseless in the society" He recalled that in 1973, the Supreme Court of America subtly legalized abortion but said human life is sacred and should therefore be protected at all cost The clergy also said to curb the endless killings in the Northern part of the country the federal government should create a reasonable platform for civil and social development in the country so as to keep restive youth out of the street.

The Catholic priest who spoke at a Pro- life seminar organised by the Knights of St. Mulumba, Nigeria, Maryland Sub-Council with the theme: ‘Professing our faith through defense of human life,’ said human life is priceless as the right to give or take life rest in the Almighty God. He further argued that if the country's youth have reasonable occupation they may not have time to be subjected to ideological tinkering that

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Boko Haram, Al-Qaeda and other terrorists group do.

“I do not think amnesty is the solution to the incessant killings in the North as nobody anywhere talks about granting amnesty to criminals or terrorists. The value of life cuts across religion, gender and tribe. So, what the church is saying is that human life in all forms for all people must be well respected. Nobody can accept what is going on not just in the North but anywhere in the world where anybody is killed in the name of religion, tribe or culture.

That is not acceptable whether it Boko Haram, Ansaru or any other group.

Human life is invaluable and it is a fundamental value upon which every other value is built, ” he said.

He also noted that the family as the mini-church is key to addressing all forms of vices that endanger the

human life stressing that all forms of education must begin from the family to check the worrisome trend.

According to him, the family is key to human and social development so also is our religion. “If I am preaching the same value and my Islamic counterpart is doing the same, then it means the society would be filled with such values. So, we should see our everyday life as an opportunity to educate people on the value of human life whether nurtured in the womb or born Also speaking, a Muslim scholar Awwal Muftau pointed out that terrorism is not part of Islam as the Koran abhors killing of human life and urged the country's youth to always listen to the wise counsel of their parent so as to live more fulfilled life.

The Grand Knight of the

Truck crashes into CBN n articulate vehicle on Friday crashed into the premises of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in Jos. The vehicle with registration EPL 756 XD crashed into the CBN building at 6:30 am and destroyed over 70 per cent of its goods.

The vehicle was packed on the road side leading to the

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CBN building by the Plateau Teaching Hospital when it rolled and crashed into the building.

An eyewitness said the driver was taking sleeping in the vehicle when the incident occurred and all his efforts to ignite the vehicle proved abortive.

The driver lost control as the steering and breaking system malfunctioned.

UI VC hosts old boys he Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Folorunso Adewole, will today host his classmates, Ilesha Grammar School 1970 set, at the Vice Chancellor’s lodge , University of Ibadan, 2pm.

Crucial issues on the development of their alam mata will be discussed.

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th i w l l To he

d e n o d n a b a I y ‘Wh r o f e c i t c a r p law ’ g n i n g i s e d e sho

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T R I SK

dvance a n e m o w wearing reference s r e s u o r •T or their p f s n o s a e r

•Pages 39, 44&45

•Pages 16&17

13 THE NATION, SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 2013

•Nigerian sex workers in Spain at their game. Inset: Another sex worker reclines on her makeshift ‘bedroom’ in a forest in Italy.

PHOTO: Paola PATRIZI

‘HUSTLE to the

GRAVE’

•How Nigerian girls pursue money and death on the streets of Europe

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 2013

14 L IA C T SPEEPOR

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•Illegal African migrants resting on a hazardous trip through the continent’s desert corridor •The late 29-yr-old Maureen

How Nigerian and death on HE desert is no place for a pretty girl. Ask Joyce. Patiently and with calm resolve, she departed Nigeria for Europe through Africa’s desert corridors, the way the housefly seeking to know its true nature follows faeces into the latrine. Eight years since she made the perilous trip, Joyce seems a spent girl lost in a hopeless twirl for womanhood. Like a petal dying before its full blossom, she has aged and emaciated.

After a dozen years doing the ‘hustle,’

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•Busted!: The fear of arrest and deportation remains the most dreadful nightmare of many Nigerian sex workers in Europe

n Olatunji OLOLADE, Assistant Editor n there should have been nothing left of the wiry girl who deserted her birthplace in Ekuri, Akamkpa district of Cross River State to seek greener pastures in Lagos and Europe. Joyce dropped out of secondary school with her mother’s blessing, just before she wrote her graduation exams. According to her, it was imperative that she did so, in order to seize what she and her mother considered a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to flee the grinding poverty in her family and “make it big.”

“Mama really tried for me and my brother but she was growing weak. Life became very tough for us after papa died. We survived by the little we got from selling fruits and mama’s petty trade in provisions. But things became even harder and we decided that I should quit schooling as we could not raise money to further my education even if I passed my SSCE. So I continued hawking fruits until I met David,” said Joyce. David, she explained, is an elder brother to Christy, her childhood friend.

And according to Joyce, he was the angel sent to rescue her and her family from crushing poverty.

In 1999, Joyce left Akamkpa with David at the age of 16. They caught an early bus to Lagos where David got her a job as a maid and six months later, as a pub waitress off Medical road in Ikeja.

She squatted with David and reluctantly became his bedmate after parrying his overtures in the first three weeks of her arrival in Lagos. David could make things happen for her and she didn’t want to jeopardise that.

With David’s help, she transited between jobs for seven years, saving every kobo she made to the tune of N167, 000, money she intended to fund her mother’s dream of establishing a canteen business in Ekuri. Joyce was on the path to achieving her dreams and with just a few months to go before she hit her N300, 000 target, she was forced to re-examine her dreams.

A bit of revelry took her mind off her troubles—it made her forget the cost of living in Lagos and the grinding poverty

she intended to rid her family of in Ekuri. On a night out with friends and co-workers in Mende, Maryland, Lagos, Joyce was exposed to the cosy realities she had never imagined. “Na dat day I finally tear eye (got wise),” she said. Aunty Pat (short form of Patricia), one of her coworkers’ “area sister” (mentor), introduced them to the adventurous world she purportedly held sway. Over steaming plates of nkwobi, a local cattle delicacy, and chilled malt, Aunty Pat, who claimed to be an international businesswoman, regaled Joyce and company with exciting tales about life in the swanky and currency-paved streets of Spain and Italy.

She said only the “sharp girls” get to travel out and enjoy the immeasurable benefits of hustle on European streets.

Having gotten their attention, Aunty Pat disclosed that sometimes, she helps “only responsible and very reliable girls” secure travel documents for onward journey to her touted Eldorado. “She said she could help us get to Europe where she would also assist us in securing jobs as waitresses and bartenders in five star hotels and very big restaurants,” said Joyce.

F course, Joyce agreed to be a recipient of Aunty Pat’s generosity. Having seen her spend lavishly and foot the bill – running into thousands of naira – for everything they consumed at the joint, Joyce and two of her colleagues signed up with Aunty Pat. Two years later, she paid Aunty Pat “crossing money” of N450, 000 and they embarked on a hazardous trip through Nigeria’s north-eastern border at Jibiya, Katsina through Maradi to Agadez, Niger Republic.

At Agadez, they were joined by 58 other migrants from Ghana, Mali, Ivory Coast and Togo for onward journey to Europe through Niger’s desert corridor.

They would have gotten to Spain 12 months earlier but for a botched attempt through theRepublic of Benin which caused Aunty Pat to drop one of the girls whom she described as spiritually perverse and a “bad market.”

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THE NATION, SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 2013

•Nigerian girls canvassing patronage from prospective clients on an Italian sidewalk

15

•Sex in the bush: Many Nigerian girls in Italy employ ingenious methods like this to satisfy their clients and meet revenue targets

•A commercial sex worker on the lookout for clients at the Casa De Campo park in Madrid, Spain

girls pursue money the streets of Europe thumb and mixed it with some other concocNo sooner did she get to Spain than the tion that she was forced to share with her truth dawned on Joyce like twilight of sordid Madam in consecration of a blood oath. reality. She got to know that Aunty Pat was Joyce made “plenty money” but she never actually an agent (human trafficker) who got to keep any of it, not even the additional transported Nigerian girls to work as comtips she got from her clients. The bulk of the mercial sex workers for Nigerian and Ivorien money she made under the watchful eye of Madams in Spain and Italy. She was told that her Madam and her pimps went to her even though she had paid her “crossing Madam. The reality of securing that lucrative money,” she still owed Aunty Pat additional job as a bartender in a five star hotel instantly N500,000 “crossing money” and a separate disappeared into thin air as she landed in sum of N2 million being money that would be used for her upkeep as she hustled to work Malaga, Spain as one of Aunty Pat’s several commercial sex mules. It’s four years since off her debt. Joyce set to work immediately, Joyce worked off her debts and things have and Aunty Pat took her to an associate, a really moved on for her, she claimed.

Madame running a very busy brothel in Now 29, she owns a tastefully furnished Malaga, Spain. apartment in Ogba-Aguda. From there, she At first sight, the Madame acknowledged monitors and directs the operations of her Joyce to be a “very fine girl” whom she could “travel agency” (human groom to become a “hot trafficking business) one.” At this point, comprising a hostel, things started to get betI have paid my dues. training school and ter. Joyce claimed she There were times while transit home for girls started out under the watchful eyes of the we were crossing through desperate and naïve enough to brave the Madam in a restaurant the desert that I almost perilous crossing to Euand hostel that also rope through the desert. served as a brothel. Acgave up. When desert Interestingly, while cording to her, she was bandits attacked our truck Joyce has regained her subjected to the dasat Dirkou, I almost died. freedom and become tardly process called her own boss, Christy, “blending (an equivaThey raped some of the her childhood friend, is lent of gang rape)” girls that were travelling still working off her which she passed in flydebts to Aunty Pat and ing colours. “Dem no get with us but they didn’t her Madam in Europe. my stamina now. Na touch me.

At that point I Unlike Joyce, Christy today? Even before I was unable to raise fund comot village, I don tear almost gave up…In her “crossing eye,” she bragged. SubMalaga, there were times for money” through the sequently, the 25-yeardesert. After a disasold was taken to a cleric I got frustrated. My trous spell in Malaga from Nigeria whom she Madam was so stingy that that saw a customer die insisted operated like a even when I contracted a in her arms, she was witch doctor.

She revealed that on sneaked into Italy by venereal disease and fell getting to his place, he her Madam. In Italy, she ill, she refused to get me directed them to a room shares a bed in the where her Madam cramped fifth-floor proper medical treatment. asked her to strip before occupied by 26 She kept giving me drugs room she proceeded to cut Nigerian girls in a dorhair from her private mitory building for imand herbal concoctions part and armpits after migrants near Paris' Left from her first aid dousing her in brown Bank. “They are all huspowder. Then she tling to pay off their box…but for the love of dragged her to the debts and work for their priest who, she claimed, God, I would have died personal money,” redrew blood from her vealed Joyce.

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Joyce believes she is very successful because she “had liver” (was courageous) and never shied away from hard work. “I have paid my dues. There were times while we were crossing through the desert that I almost gave up. When desert bandits attacked our truck at Dirkou, I almost died. They raped some of the girls that were travelling with us but they didn’t touch me. At that point I almost gave up…In Malaga, there were times I got frustrated. I was working my ass off day and night. I was making money but I wasn’t the one spending it. My Madam was so stingy that even when I contracted a venereal disease and fell ill, she refused to get me proper medical treatment. She kept giving me drugs and herbal concoctions from her first aid box…but for the love of God, I would have died. When I recuperated, I decided to work even harder. I only needed to remember where I came from to motivate myself. Life is a struggle. Whatever happens, we should never give up,” she said.

As their cases reveal, a worrisome dimension has been added to the inhuman trafficking in young adults and under-aged girls as they are being put to work as commercial sex workers in Europe and the nation’s streets.

Further findings revealed that such arrangements with sex traffickers oftentimes involved the victims’ families, relatives and possessions as a kind of guarantee of the repayment of the debts that the girls were incurring. Sureties for the costs of the girls’ travel are given supernatural sanctification so that misfortune and so forth could be kept at bay. Visits to various shrines for this whole complex of arrangements and agreements involve powerful witchdoctors that principally serve to instill extreme caution and fear in the girls.

The Edo conundrum The number of West African women in the large migrant community at Oujda in Morocco is said to have increased from only one per cent in 2007 to some 16 per cent in 2009. A significant number of female migrants are accompanied by children born en route from their country of origin, contributing to the presence in Europe today of up to 30,000 unaccompanied minors from sub-Saharan Africa, according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

A disturbing element in the migration of single women or even girls from Africa to Europe is the export from Nigeria of unaccompanied females who are subsequently

recruited into prostitution networks, especially in Italy. It is currently reckoned that up to 5,700 West African women, mainly from Nigeria, enter Europe each year—often by air—to work as prostitutes, contributing to a population of some 11,400 to 17,100 such prostitutes at any one time. In addition, many West African women work in the sex trade in the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya and Morocco. Recent estimates by the House of Representatives hold that as many as 10,000 Nigerian teenage girls could be “held captive by the sex-slave trade” in those two countries, many of them from Edo State. Many accounts suggest that women migrants across the Sahara, including those who have no intention of working in the sex trade, are subject to rape and other mistreatment. Some may fall into the hands of traffickers and be “bought” and “sold” between rival traffickers.

In this regard, it may be noted that the trafficking of women for sex work is one of the few types of migration where a dominant role is indisputably played by professional criminals formed into networks that correspond to the definition of organised crime by the United Nations. A UNODC report published in July 2009 estimated the value of these women at their destination add up to $228 million per year. An operation, led by the Netherlands police in 2007, joined by colleagues from several other countries, including Nigeria, resulted in a series of arrests. In this case, police investigations established that a highly organised trafficking ring was run by a circle of professional smugglers of migrants with roots in Edo State. Not coincidentally, the leader of this group had a travel agency that served as a legal front for his criminal business.

Border passes and terror zones NDIVIDUALS planning to migrate may receive financial help from a circle of family and friends. In parts of Benin, Edo State, for instance, families often create a piggy bank or informal savings and loan cooperative chests to finance migration of their children and grandchildren. For aspiring migrants from various parts of the country, it is common to head first towards Lagos in search of work that will generate enough money for the next stage of the journey.

Citizens of ECOWAS member states are allowed to cross borders without a passport

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Continued on page 18

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THE NATION, SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 2013

To hell with

SKIRT!

•Trousers-wearing women advance reasons for their preference

A

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I have a problem: I don’t know how to sit and close my legs, and I’m tired of people’s complaints. So, I decided never to wear skirts again. I now wear trousers and I’m always free in them

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RE skirts and dresses becoming endangered fashion styles? This is the question pundits are asking, considering that most young women have taken to wearing trousers both as leisure and formal wear. In recent times, trousers, a style that ought to be an exclusive preserve of men, has become a staple in the wardrobes of many women. And they come in various designs and styles to suit their tastes. These range from the wide, loosefitting harem pants to thinner models such as tailored suits, skinny jeans, straight leg and the new trend known as jeggins (a mix of leggings and jeans).

A trend caused by war To be sure, the wearing of trousers by the womenfolk, a trend that has stirred some controversy, actually began during the World War 11. Before then though, women had started wearing trousers and blouses to work in factories during the Industrial Revolution in Europe in the 19th Century. However, they were few in number, and the trend was not followed by majority of women who still saw trousers as an exclusive preserve of men.

But the World War 11 changed all that. With most of the men away at war in the battlefields, a large number of women took to the workplace as labour was in short supply. Many wore their husbands' clothes to work since they were considered more practical than the voluminous skirts and blouses that were in vogue then.

In the 1960s, André Courrèges, a French designer introduced long trousers for women as a fashion item. This led to the era of the pantsuit and designer jeans and the gradual eroding of the prohibitions against girls and women wearing trousers in schools, the workplace, fine restaurants and other places.

The trend has caught on in other parts of the world in such a way that today, trousers are worn in virtually most countries worldwide (except in some ultraconservative countries where it is banned on religious grounds).

In Nigeria, the trend started when more women with good educational qualifications began to enter the workplace some decades ago. Finding western

n Patience SADUWA n

It makes me look fit and look younger.

It also brings out my shape even after four children. I look fitter in trousers than when I tie wrappers or wear skirts. My husband even prefers me in trousers than wrappers

,

style clothing more practical to wear to work than the more bulky ethnic outfits, these trendy dressers went for such styles as skirts, dresses and trousers with gusto. The latter is one of the most popular fashion choices among women these days, and there seems to be no end to its dominance of the style scene. Indeed, more women now go for trousers than skirts, making one wonder whether such styles that define a woman's femininity will soon go out of fashion.

So, what's the attraction in trousers for women of today irrespective of age, status and class? Why are so many wearing a style that was hitherto considered an exclusive preserve of men's wardrobe despite all the rancour and opposition that the trend has generated over the years?

The reasons they give for their preference for trousers are as varied as the lengths and shapes of trousers available in stores and boutiques today.

Reacting to the issue, Florence Adedeji, an employee of the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO), Lagos, said: “For me, I prefer to wear trousers because it is smart and makes me appear ready to be on the go! Although I sometimes wear skirts to get a feminine touch, when I have lots of things to do and have to visit several places, my pair of trousers is my best bet.”

Desola Leke-Oyedemi, a National Youth Service Corps member in Kwara State, also shared her views on the matter. She stated: "I wear trousers because it

17

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 2013

F

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makes me to feel smart. It is also easier to do some work or some other stuff with."

For Obiekwe Precious, a student, it's the freedom it gives her that makes her to wear the fashion item even though she prefers skirts. "I don’t really like it, but I wear it at times, maybe when I have a party or show, so as to be free at the occasion. But I still prefer skirts," she said.

"I love trousers and feel comfortable in it," said Ololade Hassan, a 21-year-old student.

But there is another reason for her love of trousers as she confessed. "I have a problem: I don’t know how to sit and close my legs, and I’m tired of people’s complaints. So, I decided never to wear skirts again. I now wear trousers and I’m always free in them.’’

For Temitope Oluwafemi, an office worker, besides comfort is the ease of movement it gives her. "I love putting on trousers very well because I feel more comfortable in it than a skirt especially when I want to board a bike, (okada)," she explained.

It's not just young ladies alone but the mature ones are following the trend as well.

Mrs. Salawu, a provision dealer, is one of such. "It makes me look fit and look younger. It also brings out my shape even after four children. I look fitter in trousers than when I tie wrappers or wear skirts. My husband even prefers me in trousers than wrappers," she stated.

Asked if she wears trousers for the sake of fashion, she retorted: "Fashion at my age?

Anyway, yes."

OR Temitope Oladele, a student of the Lagos State University, Ojo, Lagos, "Wearing trousers is about following the trend. It is about civilization and what is in vogue." In her view, ladies also wear trousers as a form of 'protection'.

She said: "Sometimes, ladies wear it if they want to avoid any ‘contact’ when they visit a guy. Besides, most 'runz' girls wear it because it brings out their shape and give their body a kind of seductive look. It also makes little girls appear mature and guys could start approaching them.

“Also, girls with spots on their legs also prefer it because it provides a kind of covering," she said.

Thus, that trousers are popular among the

female folk is not in doubt. But what do the men feel about this invasion of their sartorial territory by the women?

Najemo Okpeki, a businessman, frowns seriously at the trend. He said: "I don't like the fashion at all. It looks as if these women are trying to compete with us by wearing trousers. Why can't they stick with their own styles like skirts and other dresses? What are they trying to prove?

“I would never allow my wife or daughters to wear trousers as long as they are under my roof! To me, it is wrong and bad for women to wear men's clothes."

On his part, a Port Harcourt resident, Adeola Adeniyi, said: "I used to frown at ladies with trousers because I thought the bible does not support it. But now, my understanding of the scripture is better.

Though when the wave started, it came as a culture shock because some thought it was improper since it is an imitation of the western culture.

“But things have changed now. Many ladies now prefer to wear trousers since it enhances their appearance and professional outlook. The society has made it clear that ladies can put on trousers and it has been accepted, even in this part of the world."

War on trousers-wearing women Not every Nigerian male is as tolerant as Adeniyi though. In fact, in different parts of the country, women who wear trousers are objects of harassment and attacks, both physical and verbal.

In some cases, these intimidations have resulted in death.

A typical example was the case of Grace Ushang, a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) serving in Maiduguri, Borno State. The young lady was reportedly raped to death in October 2009 by some men who, according to media reports, “took offence because she was wearing her khaki trousers; the official uniform of youth corps members."

Till date, no one has been brought to book for her death.

Two years ago, some Odo masquerades in Enugu violently attacked and stripped two women naked for wearing trousers.

Such incidents have

been reported in some other parts of the country.

Indeed, the opposition to the wearing of trousers by women has seen them being banned outright by some governments and even churches. In 2010, for instance, the Plateau State Government banned women from wearing trousers in government offices. The reason it gave for such a decision was that it was part of the campaign against indecent dressing. The policy, when it took effect saw many women sent back from the gates of the Joseph Gomwalk Secretariat and other government offices for wearing trousers or other dresses considered indecent.

In the same light, female members of the Mountain of Fire Ministry (MFM) were banned from wearing trousers to the church.

In televised live broadcasts in September 2012, the General Overseer, Pastor Daniel Olukoya, warned: "Females wearing trousers and not covering their head to this church is not allowed. If you can't abide by this rule, please relocate to another parish where such can be condoned."

He had expressed disgust over increasing number of ladies wearing trousers to church and warned that the church would not allow any lady wearing trousers or those who refused to cover their heads to join the congregation. He said they had the choice of obeying the order or move to other churches where they could do so.

The G.O expressed outright dismay at the rate at which young ladies and even married ones are disrespecting church rule on the mode of dressing hence the need to correct the anomaly.

But to Femi Tiamiyu, Pastor, Charis Christian Fellowship, there is nothing wrong in ladies wearing trousers. As he stated: "Without being religious, trousers look good on ladies. They look smart in it.

"Without mincing words or any iota of religiosity, God is not angry with ladies wearing pants. The church has dwelled on mundane issues for so long. So many complicated issues seek perfecting solutions from the church than the debate on who or who not to wear pants.

What we emphasise is modesty, motive (the heart and art of dressing-seeking to glorify God in our outfit and other virtues a woman must possess).

For me, I prefer to wear trousers because it is smart and makes me appear ready to be on the go!

Although I sometimes wear skirts to get a feminine touch, when I have lots of things to do and have to visit several places, my pair of trousers is my best bet

,

“The common emphasis is the scripture in Deuteronomy 22: 5, which says a woman shall not wear anything that pertains to a man, nor shall a man put on a woman’s garment…without delving into the historical context of this verse as it obtained in Israel then. Simply put, people should dress with respect to their sexual identities: a woman should wear women’s clothing and a man should wear men’s clothing. omosexuality and lesbianism is what we must severely condemn because God is outrightly against it. Ladies should be modest in their outlook. Wearing tight, low waist trousers that even reveal the belly, the belly button and other sensitive parts of her body is not befitting for the 21st Century virtuous woman whose value is estimated to worth far above rubies. She is described as the pillar sculptured like the palace design.

These are few versions of the woman’s worth; hence her outward appearance (dressing and comportment) should reflect all of the inbuilt virtue and strength she is imbued with by the giver of life."

It's not locally alone that there have been stiff oppositions to the wearing of trousers by women.

In California, women were not officially allowed to wear trousers until 1995.

On January 31, a 213-year-old ban on women wearing trousers in Paris was officially lifted.

The order had been in place since 1800, following the French Revolution. Women joined the workforces and demanded to wear pants as part of a movement for equal rights. The law required that women ask the permission of local authorities to dress like a man.

The repeal of the law was made by France's Minister for Women's Rights, Ms. Vallaud-Belkacem. She said in a statement that the ban was 'incompatible with the principles of equality between women and men that are written into the Constitution and in France's European commitments.'

The repeal of the law was a formality though as Parisienne women had ignored the law and had been wearing trousers for decades.

“H

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 2013

18

•Ceuta fence: Barrier between Spain and Morroco was erected by Spanish authorities to prevent illegal African migrants from crossing over into Spain

•Nigerians in Spain protest the recent murder of Maureen Some of the pictures and data were sourced from PAOLA PATRIZI and UNODC

How Nigerian girls pursue money and death on the streets of Europe and to stay legally in any other membercountry for 90 days. However, few migrants heading north towards Europe seem to experience a major problem only when they cross to Algeria and Morocco. When they do, they are likely to be in contravention of the law, since a visa or other valid document may be required. This greatly increases the motivation of migrants to approach professional smugglers or others with a sustained interest in criminal activity at the point when they cross from the ECOWAS zone into North Africa.

At this juncture, the services of smugglers like Williams, comes in handy. Williams is a reputable smuggler who recently dabbled into the challenging and very profitable world of human trafficking. His fee is $2, 000 per head of every illegal migrant. At the last count, Williams claimed that he had helped over 205 Nigerians, mostly females, across the desert to Algeria and Libya for onward journey into Europe.

In the great commercial centre of Kano in Nigeria, smugglers like Williams who offer full-package services to the many irregular migrants who gather there on the southern approaches to the central Mediterranean route are known as “burgers.” Similarly, some of the passeurs who work the route from Gao northwards towards Algeria are themselves former migrants who have turned their knowledge into a source of income, while others are professional traders who import goods from Algeria, or Algerians who regularly take goods to market in Kidal and return with cargoes of people. Often times, migrants are connected with professional human traffickers by the local police, said Orji Ogbonnaya. Generally, connections are made by friends or relatives or by the numerous urchins who frequent lorry parks and taxi stations.

From Agadez to the Libyan bight Smugglers of migrants in general are known in Agadez as In Tchaga, a Hausa expression designating a business operator. The main In Tchaga in the town are of very diverse origins, from diverse countries including Benin, Ghana, Guinea, the Niger, Nigeria, Senegal and Togo. Most of these are former migrants who have established themselves in Agadez after returning from Algeria or the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya. They impress newcomers with their expert knowledge of the route ahead and of the connections necessary to negotiate the perils of a desert crossing in which a mistake or a stroke of bad luck can mean death from thirst. In this category there are perhaps a dozen leading operators. These leading operators offer lodges for migrants, known as “ghettoes,” in various parts of town, as well as having offices in agencies clustered around the lorry park or in the town centre.

Known as maassou ghetto or maï guida, the leading smugglers of migrants are respected members of the local community who enjoy social recognition and have excellent relations with the local authorities. They are the local equivalents of the “burgers” of Kano. These are high-level passeurs, intermediaries or brokers who are distinguished by

the range of the social relationships that they can put to use in the service of their clients.

They require payment in advance for a fullpackage service over the Sahara or even as far as Europe, or, when dealing with young women, they may offer a full-package contract in exchange for future work as a prostitute in the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya or Europe, often in the employ of a madam known to the passeur. In cases of this sort, female migrants may be “traded” from one network to another, with prices calculated on the basis of their future earning capacity.

The most successful passeurs are often Ghanaian and Nigerian former migrants who attract most of their clients from among their countrymen who are keen to emulate their success. A second category of smugglers of migrants is less prominent but is better known to the migrants themselves. Many of these lower-level operators are themselves former migrants, who may seek out their countrymen arriving in town for the first time, offering them help but also aiming to make money from them.

The lower-level touts, or rabatteurs, include many women, themselves former migrants, who befriend young female newcomers and encourage them to enter into full-package contracts to work as prostitutes in the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, to be paid for later from their future earnings.

Over 2,000 Nigerian youths who embark on this journey every month face near- death situations, while some die after being stranded in the desert and the women among them forced into prostitution.

Passage from Agadez north to Dirkou, the last major town before the Libyan border, isolated in the Sahara, has become very hazardous owing to the insecurity caused by various bandit groups in northern Niger, a vast region that is home to former Tuareg rebels and to Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb, and which is also a route for the transport of cocaine of South American provenance from West Africa to the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya. Owing to the dangers of the route, transport owners await the monthly arrival of a military convoy from the Niger army garrison at Dirkou, which comes to Agadez to procure supplies. On the return leg, the military vehicles are accompanied by dozens of trucks full of migrants, travelling abreast for several kilometres. During their travels, migrants commonly spend long periods in a single location, working in temporary jobs long enough to earn money to buy their passage to the next place on their itinerary. They often make contacts in small bars or eating houses, typically run by female migrants who have established places of refreshment to help them earn a little money on

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Continued from page 15

their journey. These are places where information is exchanged on travel conditions, including details on where to buy false documents, which passport to use and so on.

In the Maghreb, where bars are less frequent than in West Africa, a similar function is played by small restaurants. Since the mid2000s some migrants have made money by carrying drugs across the desert for sale in North Africa.Young Nigerian men, especially reportedly transported small quantities of narcotics. Since then there have been reports of very large quantities of cocaine being transported across the desert both from west to east (Mauritania to the Niger and the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya) and from south to north, sometimes hundreds of kilos at a time.

Crossing over Some days before the departure date, the clients are taken by employees of the connection man (“guide men”) to a safe house and relieved of their mobile phone SIM cards to prevent communication. Usually, more people are taken to the safe house than there are places available as a guarantee that every place will be filled. The prospective passengers may wait in the safe house for days or weeks, still not knowing the date of their departure, still not having met the actual owner of the boat they will be taking or even not knowing whether such a boat really exists, since cheating is common. On the day of departure, the guide men escort the requisite number of people from the safe house to the point of embarkation, normally a lonely beach.

The guide men are also migrants, employed by a connection man in return for being given a free berth on a boat to Europe once they have served their time. West African migrants taking a boat from the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya or Morocco to Europe often do not meet any of the North African nationals working for the smuggling consortium until the very evening of their departure, and even then may do no more than catch a fleeting glimpse at night.

Successful connection men have durable partnerships with shippers and reach detailed agreements on sharing of profits and on specific responsibilities. One Nigerian connection man working out of Tangier pays half the fee to the Moroccan shipper, who in turn uses part of this money to bribe the navy and police. The connection man has to cover operational costs including the price of a boat and one or two engines. In addition to paying the cost of their passage to Europe, the migrants pay €20 per day for food and accommodation in the safe house where they await departure, and €40 for the bus journey from the house to the point of embarkation, resulting in additional profits for the connection

Over 2,000 Nigerian youths who embark on this journey every month face neardeath situations, while some die after being stranded in the desert and the women among them forced into prostitution

,

man.

It is unnecessary to assist West African migrants in arriving at the Atlantic coast departure points, as they arrive by their own devices. On the Atlantic route, as in North Africa, elements of the national security forces may actually connive with smugglers.

For example, a joint United Nations and ECOWAS fact-finding mission reportedly discovered in May 2009 that “rogue elements of the Gambian security services” had been involved in a scheme to transport migrants to Europe by sea.

To the grave Just recently, a Nigerian girl of about 30 years old, and who answered by the name Jessica, was found dead in the industrial area between Carinaro and Gricignano, near Morris bicycle factory, Italy. The body of the deceased was found unclad and without documents for identification and two clean knives were found beside the body. Though the body didn’t show any visible trace of violence or injuries from firearms and sharp weapons, Italian authorities claimed she may have been strangled. In a separate incident, a 29-year-old Nigerian, Maureen (surname withheld), was allegedly beaten to death by 47-year-old Juan, who was arrested after neighbours claimed they saw him drag a woman by the hair into the gym he ran in Bilbao.

When police entered the building, they discovered late Maureen bound by her arms and legs. The martial arts expert was allegedly standing over her body and she had been tortured and beaten so badly that she slipped into coma. Maureen died while receiving treatment in Basurto Hospital, Bilbao.

Like Joyce, Christy and company, many more girls are in Europe making their living as “hustlers.” They probably live in cabins partitioned into rooms without fan and proper sanitation. Some inhabit the forests and outskirts of Italy offering sexual gratification to under-aged boys and ubiquitous criminals, urchins, adulterers and gang lords on bug-infested mattresses at ridiculous rates and threat to their lives.

They probably got to Europe flinching with terror and awareness like an adolescent girl who suddenly finds herself raped by a bumbling-lad-turned-brute on her first date.

Nothwithstanding Jessica and Maureen’s heartrending demise, many more under-aged girls, unemployed graduates and fortune hunters are trooping to the cities in a daze, spurred by prospects and attractions of the good life promised by the next “Good Samaritan” and ever generous “Aunty Pat.” They will complain of crippling poverty, joblessness and persecution as their reasons for braving the perilous desert paths to North Africa and Europe in search of a better life.

Like their predecessors in Europe, they will watch their dreams disappear into thin air, while they toil, hopeless and stranded, far from home and saddled with debts that will take years or forever to repay. But the lure will survive in captivating accounts of unbounded bliss and greener pasture promised by the fabled sidewalks of Europe where many more Nigerian girls continue to hustle, ravaged and half-naked. Like Joyce, Jessica and Maureen, their ends may be predictable.

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THE NATION, SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 2013

L-R: Logistics Performance/Invoicing Analyst, Mrs Moyosola Dada; Customer care/Key Account supervisor & President, Senior Staff Association, Mr Festus Oluwatuyi; Human Resources Manager, Mrs Olufunmilayo Glover; Oluseun’s father, Chief Samson Faleye; Manager, Account &Reporting Processes, Mrs Bukola Owolabi; and Sales Analyst, Mr Oluwatosin Idowu, all employees of DHL Nigeria

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AGNANIMOUS employees of foremost courier firm, DHL Express Ltd, proved a few weeks ago that their job is not all about dispatching mails and cargo. They offered a lifeline to a distraught Nigerian student, Oluseun Faleye, in far away Peoples Republic of China.

Oluseun, a final year student of Electronics and Telecommunications at the Shenyang Aerospace University (SAU), China, was staying in the Asian country on borrowed times following his inability to defray school fees until the gesture saved his drowning educational dream.

The story of the embattled student was first published in The Nation on Sunday, April 7 in the Deputy Chairman, Editorial Board, Mr. Tunji Adegboyega's column, wherein he urged members of the public to lend a helping hand to save Oluseun's drowning educational dream.

He was due to graduate in July but could not defray the tuition fees for lack of fund.

Adegboyega, had captured Oluseun's plight under the headline “The Faleye metaphor” thus: “…when Oluseun Samuel Faleye received his letter of admission into Shenyang Aerospace University (SAU) in China in September, 2011, to study electronics and telecommunications engineering, in furtherance of his course at the Nigeria College of Aviation Technology, Zaria, his joy and that of his parents knew no bounds. Faleye had in 2011 concluded his diploma programme at the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria, which on March 30 of the same year signed a memorandum of understanding with SAU for the purpose of admitting the college's products for a two-year degree programme.

“His father, Chief S.A. Faleye, had in a letter of consent to the consular-general in the Chinese Embassy in Lagos, undertaken to take full responsibility for the payment of his school fees and any other financial involvement, before things started going awry. Any parent would not have thought twice before consenting to such a project. Prior to the signing of the MOU with the Chinese university, products of the Nigeria College of Aviation Technology used to secure employment with the airlines or other aviation agencies with their diploma certificates. Faleye had hoped to get a job after the Zaria training.

“However, a new policy which made it mandatory for those of them from the Zaria college seeking employment in the aviation agencies to have first degree came into being at about the time Faleye was leaving the college.

This apparently informed the college's decision to sign the MOU with the Chinese university so that the diploma holders would be able to go there for their first degree programme.

secured admission into the college would go down the drain.

“When he realised the precarious situation in which he is, he managed to secure a teaching job in China. But that country is a no-nonsense country, they quickly stopped him because, as they said, the job is for their citizens. As things stand, Faleye is willing and ready to enter into agreement with any individual, corporate organisation or institution that is ready to offer assistance, on how the money would be repaid. “ Soon, after the piece was published, some Nigerians, including one Prof. Adeleke Ojo of Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State, offered Oluseun the sum of N100, 000 while Adetumbi Omoniyi and one Asimi also gave him N2000 and N1000 respectively. However, the total sum was a far cry from the amount needed to bail Oluseun out of his fix. This prompted Adegboyega to once again run the story on April 17. The story caught the eyes of the DHL benevolent employees who investigated the veracity of his story and found it to be true. Hence, the employees of the courier firm pooled a whopping N1.5 million together and forwarded same to Oluseun's school so he could complete his degree programme.

Explaining the motive behind the gesture during a chat with our correspondent, the Chairperson of the Employees' Corporate Social Responsibility Committee, Mrs. Funmi Glover, said: ”Over 15 years ago, we started a fund called United Nations International Children Education Fund(UNICEF) with one per cent of all employees monthly salary to assist in the execution of some projects undertaken by the international organisation. The projects were not forthcoming and that was the reason why we changed the name to Employees CRS Project in 2012 and Oluseun is the first individual beneficiary of the scheme.”

Expatiating further, Mrs. Glover, who doubles as the Human Resources Manager of the company, said: “It was one of our members called Festus Oluwatuyi, who actually read the article in The Nation and brought it to our attention. We presented his case in our meetings and carried out a lot of fact-checking including his background, the story and other necessary checks. We painstakingly debated his situation in order to determine whether he actually deserved our help because we are also accountable to all the employees, who are contributors to the fund.

“We got in touch with his former school in Nigeria, which confirmed that he is one of their former students and that it had a relationship with the Chinese university. We also spoke with Oluseun on skype and phone before we finally agreed to assist him “The total amount forwarded to him was about N1.2 million, including his return ticket to Nigeria when he finishes his studies. While we cannot guarantee him employment in our company, we shall use our goodwill to solicit employment for him in the aviation sector.”

Responding, Oluseun's father, Chief Samson Faleye, thanked DHL employees for their kind gesture, adding that but for their timely intervention; his son would have been deported.

“I cannot thank DHL Express employees enough for offering my son a lifeline to complete his studies in China. I had taught that I would be able to raise enough money to see him through school but my hopes were dashed and I could not raise enough money to carry out the responsibility despite selling a two-acre plot of land in Ogun State for the purpose of paying his school fees when his admission came through.

“I pray that God will meet them at the time of their needs and repay them in multiple folds. I also want to thank Prof. Ojo and two other members of the public for the donations sent into the account opened on Oluseun's behalf.

God will definitely show them and their children's children kindness in all the days of their life.”

DHL employees rescue Nigerian student stranded in China

Oluseun

Kunle AKINRINADE “Faleye and his colleagues were thus in a quagmire, as none of those agencies employed the Zaria college's diploma holder after that policy took off; at least initially. It was after he had stayed at home for about a year doing nothing that his parents decided to fulfill all righteousness: if what would get him employment was obtaining the first degree in the Chinese university with which the college had signed an MOU, so be it. So, they pulled resources together to ensure that their investment on their son in the aviation college would not be in vain.

“Unfortunately for him, it was after he had

left for China that some of the aviation agencies changed their mind and recruited some of his colleagues. Unfortunately too, for him, things did not go as planned as they sometimes don't. The projection of raising the about N4 million needed for the school fees soon got derailed… his father, in his 70s, had to sell some of his property to ensure he completes his studies. His programme, which commenced in 2011, is supposed to end in July. But Faleye, the last child of his parents, is in a quagmire: he is not sure of concluding the programme due to the financial challenges he is currently facing. About N1 million is standing between him and the conclusion of his programme. If help does not come, all the investments in China since 2011 when he

I had thought that I would be able to raise enough money to see him through school but my hopes were dashed and I could not raise enough money to carry out the responsibility despite selling a two-acre plot of land in Ogun State for the purpose of paying his school fees when his admission came through

‘

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THE NATION SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 2013

Otunba Taiwo

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THE NATION SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 2013

Otunba Taiwo

The late MKO

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THE NATION, SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 2013

How I lost my sight

Visually challenged minister ‘Upright Wonders’ tells story as foundation turns 11 N ATURE and inclement economic conditions, especially in this part of the world, often box the physically challenged, the blind in particular, to depending on others for their survival. It is, therefore, not uncommon to find some of them resorting to begging for alms on major roads to make both ends meet when they lack assistance for their basic needs, especially food.

This is not, however, the case with Evangelist Upright Wonders, a visually challenged minister and proprietress of Eastern Star Care Foundation. She lost her sight in mysterious circumstance, that have defied medical explanation but uses her creative insight to add value to the society.

She had the option of depending on others for her living, but she chose not to do that. Her choice has paid off today as many people, both able-bodied and physically challenged, now look up to her to make meaning out of life.

She is consumed by the passion of liberating other physically challenged in the society from the world of abandonment, despair and poverty; a feat which even the privileged ablebodied people shy away from. She carries on with her activities without any sign of having any problem with her sight.

As the proprietress of the foundation, she trains the physically challenged apprentices in her care on how to make handcrafts and home use products, thus empowering them to be self-employed instead of resorting to begging to earn a living. th In an encounter with our correspondent at the 11 anniversary celebration of the foundation held at the Province two office of the Living Faith Church Worldwide, Oke Odo Bus Stop on Isheri-Igando Road, Lagos penultimate weekend, the soft spoken evangelist gave an account of how she lost her sight and how she got the call to quit her job and embark on the business of empowering the physically challenged.

She began by explaining why she took the name Upright Wonders.

She said: “Upright Wonders is not the name that my parents gave me but when I got the vision, I changed my name and it is pointing to where I am going and what I am supposed to be as a Christian. I am a ‘wonder’ and I want to live an ‘upright’ life. My real name is Ememebong Umondak. Ememebong means ‘the peace of God’. I am still using the name and have not discarded it.”

She went on to narrate how she lost her sight at a time she was preparing to proceed to the university to further her studies.

“I wasn't born blind. I went to primary, secondary and high schools, with my sight intact. I was about entering the university when the challenge came up. I was then working with the then Cross Rivers State Television now known as Channel 45 Uyo. I had worked with them for two years and was about going into the university when the problem started.

“After all the diagnosis, the doctors have not really been able to point at anything as the cause of the challenge. When the challenge came, I had to leave the media industry and enrolled in a school for the blind because I didn't just want to live my life as a beggar. After my education, I worked with Aluminium Cement Company of Nigeria as a receptionist.

Exactly two years after, the Holy Spirit put it in my heart that I am to assist fellow physically challenged and I answered the call by resigning from my job.

“The name of my foundation came as a revelation I got from Mathew chapter 2 verse 2 that talks about that star that appeared from the east and led those wise men to where Jesus was born. The vision is aimed at leading the physically challenged and the vulnerable ones to their colourful destinies in Christ by forming their lives and empowering them and

in. These trainings are quite expensive because the cost of the materials we use in doing them are going up everyday and we don't collect money to train them. We do train them free of charge.

“After the training, we try as much as we can to empower them, rent shops for them and help them in marketing their products because so many people take the products from them to sell without giving them the money. We are trying to make sure that they are not exploited by dubious people. We have set up a team that would be monitoring such sales and we would devout a good part of our time to this and do it professionally.

“Apart from the challenge of funds, our people also have the problem of marketing their goods as it should be because the products are not registered with NAFDAC. I can't do it alone. I need the support of kindhearted Nigerians, especially now that we want to establish a skill acquisition and talent centre with a bible school and music school attached to it. ” Speaking on how she acquired the skill she has been imparting into others, she said: “I acquired the skill on how to make these products by going for training. It was after I completed my training that I started making the products to sell. The money I get from the ones that I market for the foundation is what I use for training those under the foundation.

“The market is not wide yet because we don't have NAFDAC registration number and as a result cannot push it into the larger market. This is where we need NAFDAC to assist us by reducing the registration fee for us. I have not really got the official registration fee but someone told me that it is between N120, 000 and N150, 000. The day I went to NAFDAC office at Oshodi, the gateman did not allow me to enter. He said I should go to their office at Yaba. When I went to Yaba, they asked me to go back to Oshodi. After a fruitless effort to get the official registration fee, I gave up Evangelist Upright Wonders. Inset: Cutting the foundation’s and went back to my house. They 11th anniversary cake. PHOTO: Innocent DURU frustrated my efforts.”

Apart from empowering the Innocent DURU physical challenged to earn a living, she added that the foundation is also concerned about going into rural ministration to seek out and attend to the needs of the helping them to make heaven. We started the foundation physically challenged.

11 years ago and have affected the lives of thousands of “ We also want to go into rural ministration and we people. We visit centres, organise crusades and also have trust God for it because the vision is from Him. This fellowship where we address the challenges of the evangelical arm of the foundation is to organise crusades physically challenged. We have graduated many sets of in rural areas. We are focusing on the widows, the people under us. physically challenged ones and the vulnerable ones “We train the physically challenged ones in adire making, because in our local assembly, when they are going for beads making, and also have the products section where outreaches and witnessing, they don't remember the we train them on how to make home care products like physically challenged ones. They neglect them but God liquid wash , izal and perfume. What we want to do is to has raised us to go into the rural areas to minister to discourage each and every one of them from begging and them because their souls have to be saved and their get them to be gainfully employed because they are not needs met by empowering them. challenged mentally. The gifts of God are still in their mind; as long as their minds are still functional, they can “My message to the physically challenged ones out still do something with their lives,” she said. there is that they should locate a foundation like this Looking back at the number of lives she has touched, she where they can learn the truth about God. Many parents said: “There are so many of the people that we have trained and guardians are keeping physically challenged people that are doing quite well today. I have one that is at home and not allowing them to do anything. They producing Izal and Detol. She has customers in the should know that they can still make it in life in spite of hospitals and has been supplying them these products. I their condition. They should find a foundation like ours have so many of them that are doing well and we thank to make them acquire skills that would keep them away God for that. from begging to survive. We have been transparent in all we have been doing. Any money we get for the “Some of them have not been doing as much as they are purpose of empowering these people are strictly used supposed to because of funds and this is where the need for that, ” she stated. for support from individuals and corporate bodies comes

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Inside The

Glass House WITH AMINU MAIGARI

By

Harry Iwuala

GOLFLINE

with

PAGE 36

Saturday, June 15, 2013

P

P

LAY was suspended at the 113th US Open, at Merion Golf Club, after just two hours of play on Thursday.

Organisers issued a weather warning, as heavy storms had been forecast for most of the day. The Merion Golf Club has been plagued by wet weather the entire week and the course is already playing soft.

Before play was brought to a halt England's Ian Poulter had made a strong start to the 2013 tournament, after he carded three birdies between holes 11 and 13, to secure the early lead.

Nicolas Colsaerts, who also started on the back nine, was one stroke behind Poulter when play was suspended. The Belgian sunk consecutive birdies at holes 13 and 14. There were no blemishes on the seven holes that he had played for the day.

Joining him on two under par were Charley Hoffman, Tim Clark and Charl Schwartzel. Clark and Schwartzel both started on the back nine and both players sunk

C

ARLOTA CIGANDA claimed her third Ladies European Tour title last Sunday as she won the UniCredit Ladies German Open presented by Audi in a play-off against Charley Hull.

Ciganda won the play-off with a birdie on the first hole of sudden death at the par-3 15th at Golfpark Gut Häusern near Munich.

Playing in a torrential downpour, Ciganda struck a 7-iron which left her around two metres, or six feet,

•Ciganda

P

HIL MICKELSON is heading to Malaysia later this year for the CIMB Classic.

The PGA Tour announced Thursday that CIMB Classic is moving from The Mines to Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club for the Oct. 24-27 tournament. For the first time, the Malaysia event will be an official tournament in the 2013-14 schedule.

Tiger Woods played in the

consecutive birdies before play was stopped.

One gets the sense that there will be some low scores on that stretch of the course as the first round progresses.

Hoffman started his round on the first hole; he too managed to sink consecutive birdies at holes one and two before play was stopped.

Dustin Johnson, Hunter Mahan, Steve Stricker, George Coetzee, Ryan Palmer and Matteo Manaserro were a stroke back on one under par. Johnson had completed seven holes, while Mahan and Stricker were both through five.

Stricker recoded a bogey at his second hole of the day. However, he managed to recover with birdies at the 14th and 15th holes.

from the hole. Hull used a three-quarter 6-iron shot to hit her ball around 20 feet from the hole and her birdie putt ended just a fraction short.

As a result of significant rainfall during the tournament, the decision was made to abandon the remaining rounds of play and to declare the winner of the tournament on the basis of the results of the first two rounds of play completed on Thursday and Saturday.

After a normal round was played on Thursday, weather conditions would not allow the full field of 126 competitors to play the second round on Friday and therefore after the cut, a field of 70 played a reduced round on Saturday.

But the weather conditions meant that no further play possible, so a play-off to decide the winner was conducted on the 15th hole at 12.30pm on Sunday.

tournament last year. Along with Mickelson, past winners Nick Watney, Bo Van Pelt and Ben Crane are early commitments. One appeal of moving to Kuala Lumpur is that the course is about five miles from the heart of downtown.

The CIMB Classic is one week before the HSBC Champions in Shanghai, the final World Golf Championship of the year.

EOPLE, especially those who play the game believe golf is flawless. These fellows have every reason to hold to such belief. Golf, for one, is a marquee thing that you are even allowed to be your own arbiter.

You mark your own card. The game, again, provides the benefit of hindsight which is a wonderful

•Ian Poulter

thing.

But this is it. Surrounding the game of golf, you must know, is a clever design that tempts all those who play it. We are talking about the Rules guiding the game.

The Rules of golf are numerous. They are flexible, and yet very difficult to comprehend. You don't know the Rules in total, in most cases. No matter how vast you are in the game, you could play foul to the Rules without even knowing it.

They don't come easy yet they task you enough. World beaters in the game have thrown away Championships worth millions of dollars just because they fall prey, and in most cases, the simplest of the Rules guiding the game. No, not that they come out to brazenly cheat. But out of ignorance or total neglect, they just trample on the Rules and Hell usually pays for this altercation.

In those good years of yore, knowledge of the Rules would be the lone determinant of a fresh amateur, who must have an Handicap to his name. Chief Sam Iredia, presently President of the Nigeria Golf Federation disclosed that in those good years, when a fresh player steps on the Range for initial lessons in the game, such player would usually be chased around with a copy of the Rule book. This is instructive enough since it must dawn on the player that honing the first shots on the Range might not be enough.

Learning the Rules by the side could be the most appropriate thing to do. Iredia even put it clearer when he noted that moving into the Fairways without adequate knowledge of the Rules amounts to a trip to the farm without either the cutlass or the hoe. "How will you do it?", Iredia asks. "I mean how do you challenge a misnomer on course when you don't even know how to apply appropriate Rules? It is absurd and this is the reason I frown when I see clueless golfers who appear lost when it’s time to apply the Rules. I mean if you can't interpret the Rules, why bother about the game in the first place?"

The importance of Rules in the game of golf cannot be overemphasized. It's the Rules that form the basic etiquettes of the game. The Rules can punish your wrongdoings at all times.

The Rules could even save you when you least expect it. Even the Royal and Ancient St. Andrews [R&A] the world body ruling golf knows too well the importance of the Rules to the game that the body never stops to revisit and reshuffle those Rules with such frequency.

All the same you just don't thump your fingers at coplayers who infringe on the Rules, even deliberately so, if you lack the wherewithal to back your point with knowledge of the Rules as adequate back-up.

All the same, for those who do such endlessly and indeed totally out of tune when the topic is the Rules, there could be a refreshing succour. And this is coming from Engineer Iyiola Ogunjobi, former Chairman, Ethics Committee of the Ibadan Golf Club.

Ogunjobi is grounded on issues bordering on Rules of golf.

He did not get here by accident. He devoted so many years to learning and interpreting the Rules. He even moved to the pinnacle when he emerged the only Nigerian that scaled through the R&A Rules course held at the Windsor Hotel and Golf Resort in Nairobi, Kenya.

Now, Ogunjobi says he is prepared to share his knowledge of the Rules with all Nigerian golfers. He says he is prepared to do this, free of whatever charge, because he believes the game of golf is worthless without the due application of the Rules.

Hear Iyiola, elder brother of former Eagles star and an astute football administrator, Taiwo Ogunjobi: "I know how flexible the Rules of golf can be. You have to be meticulous to be abreast of the Rules. Sure you may not be able to hold tight to all we have on the Rules book. But, at least, a golfer should have knowledge of the Rules, no matter how little. The Rules change like the weather. Keeping abreast could be tough. This is why I have decided to help golfers out with the Rules. I just want them to call me on 08023545678, 08057444330 or E-mail me at Iyijobi@yahoo.com to ask whatever questions on the Rules and I promise to send answers immediately. All I want is the growth of the game in Nigeria and this, I believe is the best way to start. I mean mastering the Rules".

SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 2013

Continued on Page 44

Monalisa

40

With KAYODE ALFRED

THE NATION SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 2013

E-mail:kayflex2@yahoo.com

TEL:08035733605

THE NATION SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 2013

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TEL:08035733605

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Looking great in geek glasses

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 2013

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THE NATION, SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 2013

Do you care for clean chin?

NEWS

FASHIO

Africa Fashion Week London holds in August

T

he 2013 edition of Africa Fashion Week London, the third in the series, will take place from August 1 to 3 at Old Truman Brewery at the capital’s hip and happening district, Shoreditch.

Fashion designers all over the world are fast preparing for their moments on the runway in front of thousands of fashionable Londoners and guests coming in from across the world and all over Africa as well as celebrities, dignitaries and VIP guests,

including this year’s patrons, Abuja-based businesswoman and architect, Mrs. Fifi Ejindu, and London-based Nigerian artist, Yinka Shonibare MBE. Amongst the African and African-inspired designers from across the globe signed up to showcase on this international runway are also three ladies getting ready to dazzle a thousand-strong audience: Meg Alabi of Alabi Couture, Toyin Lawani of Elegante by Tiannahstyling and Asake Agoro of Asake

Oke who has recently relocated to Lagos from London. Having participated in some way in last year’s Africa Fashion Week London, they are no strangers to the event, and it was perhaps last year’s success that inspired them to hit the runway in their stylish strides this year.

Meg Alabi of Alabi Couture, who exhibited her designs at AFWL 2012, says, “AFWL is a great avenue to reach a targeted clientele and a great platform whereby we showcase our ready-to-wear collection with a twist.”

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THE NATION SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 2013

Monalisa

THE NATION SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 2013

Biola

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EAR Aunty Adeola, I’m a girl of 19 and I have some questions to ask. I am underweight and no matter how much I eat, I don’t add weight, is this normal? Secondly, I don’t have dreams, my star is Scorpio, is this part of my horoscope? Thirdly, at my age, guys hardly approach me unlike my friends; is it that I am not beautiful or endowed enough (as they say)? I am beginning to lose my self-esteem. Fourthly, I have been having strange and not too offensive odour from my vagina, I know it is not an infection because I am very hygienic, please what do I do? My younger sister is dating a guy of 22 and she is 16, please be honest is this right? I would appreciate if you answer all my questions, Aunty Adeola.

I always end up using my pocket money to buy The Saturday Nation because of your piece. Good work, keep it up.

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 2013

I don’t have dreams, my star is Scorpio, is this part of my horoscope? sleep that make up a sleep cycle.

Why guys do not approach you: It may not be because of any other thing other than you are too good for the boys around. They may be scared of you because they may have seen that they can’t mess with you. Be patient, the right guy who would come just because of love will soon seek you out.

On the odour from your vagina: See how I treated vaginal odour issues in this edition and see a doctor without wasting time.

On your 16-year old sister and her boyfriend: It’s totally wrong for her to be having a boyfriend at that age. For all we know, the boy may have started having sex with her, which is bad for her. Keep Well.

I have feelings for a girl but I don’t think she has a bit of feelings for me

who’s approachable and fun to be with. You don’t want to come off as sarcastic, Look and smell the good This is a great thing to do, especially since perverted, or just plain weird. If you’re In order to make a good impresyou’re a shy person, because she can’t going to say something, make it genusion on a girl, you need to look and get mad at you for smiling! She’ll appre- ine, even if it’s something simple, like saysmell good. It’s pretty embarrassing ciate your effort to be nice, and she’ll ing that she has cool shoes or looks nice. for a girl to hang out with a guy who probably smile back at you! Make sure Flirt. This is a major part in dropping smells like sweat all the time, so clean that you’re smile looks genuine, how- hints. If you’re a shyer person or you yourself up and take care of yourMy dear, let me try to answer your quesever, and not perverted. know she isn’t very flirty, use caution. self. Wash your hair, keep a clean aptions one after the other: Treat her nicely Make all flirting light and humorous. pearance, and use deodorant! SweatBeing underweight: I don’t know your No girl is going to like you if you say Crack a joke! Even if it’s lame, she’ll laugh ing isn’t bad, but you don’t want to weight, so it would be hard for me to agree with that she’s ugly, annoying, fat, etc. Most at the attempt and will usually find it to smell! If you want to add something you on your size. Your BMI (Body Mass Index) girls are really hurt by that, and they’ll be cute. If you aren’t sure how to flirt, extra, wear some cologne. Rememmay need to be taken at any good pharmacy or hate you big time if they hear you say- then pay attention to what she’s doing ber not to put too much on, though, hospital to determine if you’re really underweight. ing stuff like that about her. However, and how she reacts. Make eye contact, otherwise you’ll smell just as bad!

It’s very cheap – actually not more than N500 don’t go around throwing compliments smile, and if you’re brave, wink. But this Brush your teeth, wear clean clothes, (five hundred naira). Perhaps your parents and at her left and right. She’ll either think can come off as pretty creepy. and brush your hair. If you have bad friends have mentioned that you’re underweight, that you’re creepy, or that you’re just You want to make sure you know the skin, there is no shame in going to if so, then maybe you are. There could be an unsaying things. Pick key times to compli- girl if you are going to wink, or she’ll just see a dermatologist (skin doctor). derlying medical cause that needs to be checked ment her, such as when she gets a new think that you’re another desperate guy Most girls aren’t shallow enough to out. Or perhaps you haven’t been eating a haircut. If you’re going to compliment who is trying to get her attention. care only about your looks, but rehealthy, balanced diet. That may be due to stress her on her appearance, be very careful. member that looking nice will inor other emotional problems. See a doctor for this.

Why you don’t dream: Most people, no matcrease the chance that she’ll like you back. If she’s ter what their zodiac signs are dream. You may only focused on how you look, she probably has want to ask why we dream and where dreams problems with herself. come from? Your dreams tell you about your Get to know her better present state of awareness, this is why we dream.

If you don’t know much about her, how can Dreams come from an inner place we call the subyou know what she likes? You can start by just Dear Adeola pleas I’m girl of 20 years, I always see white conscious mind and are presented to you in imtalking to her. Since it seems you’re on the shyer fluid coming out from my private part. I need your help. Thanks. ages which, when interpreted become personally side, when you see her, make a funny face. She’ll DY from Uyo. relevant to you and your life. The meaning of probably laugh or ask you what you’re doing. If Dear DY, that white something is called vaginal discharge. Vaginal these nighttime messages can literally change your she does, start a conversation and let her know how discharge serves an important housekeeping function in the female reprolife. It’s possible that you have dreams but simply you feel about her. ductive system. Fluid made by glands inside the vagina and cervix carries do not remember them. However, it’s also posSmile. If you constantly look like you want to away dead cells and bacteria. This keeps the vagina clean and helps presible that you’re not getting proper sleep. It’s vibite someone’s head off, it isn’t too appealing to girls. vent infection. Most of the time, vaginal discharge is perfectly normal. The tal that your body go through all of the phases of Smile at her! You’ll come off as a really friendly guy amount can vary, as can odour and hue (its color can range from clear to a milky white-ish), depending on the time in your menstrual cycle. For example, there will be more discharge if you are ovulating, breastfeeding, or are sexually aroused. The smell may be different if you are pregnant or •I’ve been reading your colyou haven’t been diligent about your personal hygiene. None of those umn in The Nation newspachanges is cause for alarm. However, if the colour, smell, or consistency per. You are indeed very seems significantly unusual, especially if it accompanied by vaginal itchAunty, please help me. I am he has dropped the hint that he’s Cheating is one of the leading causes great. God bless you. - Tayo ing or burning, you could be noticing an infection or other condition. in love with a guy who said he not financially ready. The guy is of a broken relationship, any trust 08039229920.

However, any change in the vagina’s balance of normal bacteria can wants marriage, but for now he playing games with you and play- that you may have built will be bro•Adeola. I need to befriend affect the smell, colour, or discharge texture. These are a few of the things is financially down, but that is ing and relationships don’t mix. ken, and cheating is a relationship you, please. How possible is that can upset that balance: antibiotic or steroid use, bacterial vaginosis - a not the problem. The problem is How does he want you to have trust deal-breaker for most people. Forthis? I’m a man of 50 years, bacterial infection more common in pregnant women or women who have that he forcibly takes advantage get about this guy for now and see in this relationship when he makes civil servant, Northerner. multiple sexual partners, birth control pills, cervical cancer, chlamydia or of me each time I visit and I it so obvious there are other girls if he will change. Remember, AIDS 08063163… gonorrhea (STDs - sexually transmitted infections), diabetes, douches, found out that he now has nuapart from you? Without trust, no is real. There’s no point in toying P.S: I’m happily married scented soaps or lotions, bubble bath, pelvic infection after surgery, pelvic merous girlfriends. What can I with a naked wire. Be warned. relationship can be truly successful. with kids. inflammatory disease (PID), trichomoniasis, a parasitic infection typically do? Ma, you may be wondercontracted and caused by having unprotected sex, vaginal atrophy, the ing; he said the reason for the thinning and drying out of the vaginal walls during menopause, yeast other girls is that I stopped comof my highest regards, I cherish you.

•Dear Mrs. Adeola Agoro, good day. I am very infections. ing so if I agree to be coming that 08032482574. proud of you because you’re beautiful and intelliYou need to see a doctor if your discharge is causing itching or burning he would not have need for •Kindly link me up with Mrs. EBELE UDEOJI, gent. Your thrilling responses to questions are alsensation, redness and swelling of the vagina or vulva. The doctor will them. Can that be true? Juana a former staff of DHL, Kaduna main office.

Thanks, ways compelling. Please keep it up.The peace of start by taking a health history and asking about your symptoms. Relax, (Minna). the Lord will remain permanent in your home, Bolanle Oladele 0802324I601. don’t be embarrassed. The doctor may take a sample of the discharge or do Dear Juana, I must let you know Link me up with Okogor Juliet Ebele who lives Amen. a pap test to collect cells from your cervix for further examination. without wasting time that you’re in Asaba Delta State.She was using this numbers I am Mrs. Florence Olaide Crown (nee Oshodi), How you are treated will depend on what’s causing the problem. For in an unhealthy relationship. I apbefore 07061142197, 08130973788.

I’m kadiene a civil servant working with the Ondo State Govt example, yeast infections are usually treated with antifungal medications preciate the fact that you don’t go Julius. in Akure. Kindly link me up with my long-time inserted into the vagina in cream or gel form. Bacterial vaginosis is treated too often to see this guy. It is a big •Dear Adeola, I’ve lost contact with a very great friend & mentor in person of Mr. Samuel Keli with antibiotic pills or creams. Trichomoniasis is usually treated with the lie that he goes after other girls just old friend and schoolmate named Robert Isa Clarke.

Warwar. He is from d Mambilla Plateau area of drug metronidazole. Below are some tips for preventing vaginal infections because you’re not always available.

He is now a SAN. I miss him very much and will the country. He was the pillar of my life then bethat can lead to abnormal discharge: When in a relationship, it is imporbe very grateful if you could help to bring us tocause he sponsored my education. He served with Keep the vagina clean by washing regularly with a gentle, mild soap tant to still have independence; you gether again.

I am Mike Onakoya.

08035512533 or the Nigeria Immigration Service, Ondo State Comand warm water. don’t want to call too often or visit 08020739472. mand between 1985 & 1986 and was posted to Never use scented soaps and feminine products or douche. Also avoid too often or smother the other per•Kindly link me up with Miss Esther who is from Oyo State. He also served at the Investigation Dept., feminine sprays and bubble baths. son in any way. The guy is just and schooled in Calabar but lives in Edo Sate.

She Alagbon Close, Ikoyi, Lagos. We lost contact since After going to the bathroom, always wipe from front to back to prevent catching his fun. His hold on you is then. I shall be very grateful for your kind assis- was formerly using this number: 08130446900. I bacteria from getting into the vagina and causing an infection. the promise of marriage and I tell don’t know how to get her.

I am Fada Francis tance in locating him. Please accept the assurances Wear 100% cotton underpants, and avoid overly tight clothing. you, even that is not certain since 08161377787.

I have feelings for a girl but I don’t think she has a bit of feelings for me.

Actually, I met her through a friend and since then we’ve been friends, I have even decided I won’t tell her, because I feel I will get no for an answer. I stopped talking to her even removed her from being my friend on one of the social networking applications. When she comes around my heart beats very fast, so won’t be able to talk to her. She thinks it’s all about being shy, but it’s, more than that. Ma the feelings continue growing day by day. Pleas ma what do I do.

Almost everyone wants to be in a healthy, loving, and caring relationship. While the definition of a successful relationship varies among people, we all hope to one day achieve this.

There are many steps that can be taken to ensure a successful relationship. Relationship counseling is a great option for people who may be dating and looking to start a relationship, or for people who are in an unhealthy relationship. No matter what, you have to be willing to be open up and be honest with her to achieve a loving and long lasting relationship. You may follow some of these hints below to let her know how you feel and to get result if she’s not already in a relationship:

He has numerous girlfriends yet he forcibly takes advantage of me

I always see white fluid coming out from my private part

From you to me

Lost contacts

•Mr and Mrs Taiwo Awonusi during their traditional wedding at Idi-Araba, Surulere, Lagos

•Head of the Department of Mass Communication, Lagos State Polytechnic, Dr. Ifedayo Daramola; Dr. Bisi Olawunmi; Vice-Chancellor, Lead University, Prof. Femi Onabajo; Dr. Kayode Okunade and Dr. Ayo Alao at the convocation of the Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State

47

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 2013 ‘The worst pain in the world goes beyond the physical. Even further beyond any other emotional pain one can feel. It is the betrayal of a friend’ -Heather Brewer **** HE bedroom was softly lit with a single bulb near the bed and I could clearly make out my wife in the arms of the strange man.

She seemed to be in the throes of passion. Then he turned, perhaps at a sound from me and the face was revealed.

Jake!

I did not know which was worse- catching my wife in bed with another man or my best friend sleeping with my own wife in our matrimonial bed. At that instant great anger and overwhelming rage took hold of me. Looking back at the events of that night, I believe I must have lost my mind. For the next thing I knew, I was attacking Jake with a glass-topped stool by the bedside. Then I heard Grace screaming, saw blood spewing from her lover’s head and general chaos...

Later, I found myself sitting in the living-room while Grace was in the bedroom with some neighbours who had been attracted by the noise in our apartment and rushed down to investigate. I could still hear Grace weeping and the neighbours’ subdued voices asking questions about what had happened. I was still sitting there when Jake was carried out of the house, probably to hospital. At that point, I was simply too numb, maybe with shock and I was not thinking straight.

It was the following morning I learnt he had died at the hospital from the head injuries. How did I feel at that point when I heard my best friend was dead? And killed by my own hands? Frankly I felt nothing. The reality would hit much later...

Soon after, the police came and I was taken to the station where I was detained. The lawyer, whom my family had got for me, tried to secure bail but was unsuccessful due to the seriousness of the offence. So, I remained in detention while the case was charged to court.

T

Crime of passion (4) It was there that Jake’s father came to visit me one day. I had not seen him in nearly two years and I could barely recognize him. He had aged so much. His hair was nearly all grey and deep lines were etched on his still handsome face. An air of great loss hung heavy on him. It was understandable. Though he had other sons, Jake, the last born was his favourite whom he doted on greatly.

He looked at me, a mix of emotions- anger, sadness, despair and even pity-discernible in his eyes.

“Why, Ray? I took you like a son. And Jake was like a brother to you. Why did you do it?” he asked.

I was silent for a while before speaking.

Patience Edirin Saduwa

On Saturday 08023201831 (sms only)

E-mail:psaduwa@ yahoo.com

“W

E need a tourism story so can you do one for us while you are in Accra?”

That was the voice of my colleague, Okorie, our Tourism correspondent on the phone. I had been telling him how I was enjoying my stay in the city, how relaxing and nearly stress free the place was. I had arrived Accra a few days before to spend part of my vacation there. I was determined to have a nice time and forget everything related to work, family or even the innumerable problems plaguing our dear fatherland. But Okorie’s request jolted me out of my happy, holiday mood.

“These people won’t let me rest even when I’m on leave,” I grumbled to myself

at the end of the call. It reenforced the saying that a journalist is never off duty; you can be called upon to do a story at whatever time and in any part of the world you happen to be.

Anyway, the truth was that I was planning on my own to visit the place he wanted me to do a story on- the Elmina Castle- a notorious centre where captured Africans were kept in subhuman conditions till they were shipped to America to work as slaves. I had heard and also read so much about the place and its role in the nefarious TransAtlantic Slave Trade centuries ago, that it was on my itinerary for the things I wanted to do while in Ghana. My previous visits to

After he had gone, I sat in my cell and wept. I remembered our school days, how close we were, going everywhere and doing things together. How helpful he was to me after our graduation; even getting me my first job. Was I right to take the life of such a person no matter what he did to me?

‘

,

“He betrayed me. His crime was unforgivable.”

“I know. He did what a man should never do to a friend.

But there were other ways of

resolving the matter. I could have dealt with it personally, sorted things out...”

“I’m sorry. It’s too late now...” I stated quietly. I felt

bad seeing him so sad and for the first time after the incident of that night, the reality of what I had done hit me. Jake was dead, my marriage was surely over. And so was my life.

After he had gone, I sat in my cell and wept. I remembered our school days, how close we were, going everywhere and doing things together. How helpful he was to me after our graduation; even getting me my first job. Was I right to take the life of such a person no matter what he did to me? Did I have a right to take another’s life? Who was I to mete out punishment, judgement to him?

‘But I never intended killing him. It just happened,’ I told myself. That did not assuage my feelings of regret and sorrow at what I had done and I cried bitterly that night.

My lawyer worked on that angle for my defence when the case came up in court. He pointed out that the shock at seeing Jake with my wife in bed caused ‘temporary insanity’. That since it was not premeditated murder, the court should ‘temper justice with mercy’.

He must have successfully

convinced the judge for the charge was reduced from murder to manslaughter.

I was sentenced to 15 years instead of the life sentence the crime could have attracted.The lawyer told me that if I was lucky, I could be freed in ten years ‘for good behaviour.’

Ten years. Fifteen years.

What did it matter? As I was being led into the van that would take me to prison to begin my sentence, all I felt was doom and gloom. As far as I was concerned, my life was over. What kind of life would I be living without my family, without my son Robert?

Locked up behind prison walls? He was still very young and it hurt me deeply that I would be an absentee father to him for most of his growing up years. What would he think of me when he grows up to learn his father was a murderer, someone who had killed his best friend?

As for my wife, Grace, I never saw her again after that night I caught her with Jake.

She had gone into hiding as soon as Jake died and no one knows where she is. I heard stories that she had travelled out of the country. I don’t care.

She could go to the ends of the world for all I cared. It was her infidelity that put me in this mess, her uncontollable desires that led her to be messing around with my best friend. I learnt from neighbours that she had started dating Jake a few months after I left the country on my transfer. She was an unfaithful woman, one that can’t be trusted. I had invested my life and love in her and see the way she paid me back!

Thank God she left my son behind. My mother had taken custody of Robert after the incident and I was glad. My family would take good care of him until my release. Perhaps then, I could pick up the pieces of my life and start all over.

Please pray for me, dear readers. Thank you.

•Concluded •Names have been changed to protect the narrator’s identity.

•Send comments/suggestions to 08023201831(sms only) or psaduwa@yahoo.com

When will Africa’s time come? (1)

the country were always work-related. I would just breeze in, do my assignments and leave.

Since I had more free time on this visit, I decided to go to some places of interest in different parts of the country.

The famous castle was one of them.

A few days later, I set out on the journey. “You should take a bus from Kaneshie park to Cape Coast. You can pick a cab from there to the castle at Elmina town,” said Efua, a Ghanaian friend of mine who lived in Accra and who was like a tour guide to me.

The journey to Cape Coast went smoothly enough. As we travelled along on the smooth pot-hole free road, with the lovely countryside flashing by, I kept wondering how a country with such minimal resources could have such good infrastructure. Yet its giant neighbour with more money than sense, Naija, finds it extremely difficult to fix even a ten kilometer road that has gone bad; and it takes years of appeals from the media, concerned citizens

and the deaths of many innocent road users before uncaring, indifferent government officials make any move.

On getting to Cape Coast, I disembarked and chartered a cab to Elmina. I will say a few things here about the taxis in the country. They are quite ubiquitous, that is can be found everywhere not just in the capital alone but in different towns and cities, all painted in the same black and gold colour. They all look new, very clean and comfortable. And affordable too. Many Lagos taxi drivers would be quite envious if they see what their counterparts there drive compared to the rickety, clothes-tearing contraptions they call taxi cabs here.

Along the way to Elmina, we drove pass the famous University of Cape Coast. A long screen of trees and other greenery shield the front of the campus, giving it the kind of ambience you see in a campus like the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife. The place looks lovely, with the kind of environment ideal for serious academic

work. Perhaps, that’s the reason it has become so attractive to students from Nigeria, whom I was informed constitute over 50 percent of the student population. I don’t blame them for who won’t want to study in an environment devoid of constant strikes, cultism, exploitative lecturers, bad learning conditions and other things that have made schooling in Nigeria a nightmarish experience for our youths.

Black man’s burden After a journey of about two hours, we finally arrived at the castle. As I paid the admission fee at the main entrance, (which includes a fee for taking pictures with my camera or iPad), I felt a thrill of excitement at the impending tour of the famous landmark.

At the end of the tour about an hour later, I walked away from the imposing structure in a subdued mood. The Elmina Castle does that to people.

No one enters it and comes out the same. After hearing about all the horrible things done to our ancestors within and outside its thick walls by

the evil white slave masters and their cohorts during the dark days of slavery in Africa, one can’t help but think about certain things. Foremost on the mind is the place and role of the black man and by implication, Africa in the scheme of things in the world.

It makes one wonder if the black man is cursed and the continent of Africa and its people eternally doomed to perpetual oppression, pain, suffering and disasters (both natural and man-made).

For while those white slave masters all those centuries ago are all dead and gone, a new set of masters, have taken their place, contributing their quota in keeping the Blackman in perpetual bondage and Africa in a state of permanent underdevelopment.

These new masters, home grown with black skin and equally as greedy and vicious as their white counterparts, are all over the continent including our dear Nigeria doing their best to ensure their much abused people never see progress and enjoy the things people in other parts of the world take for granted...

•To be continued

48

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 2013

T

HOUGH virtually ev ery knowledgeable person about tourism would agree that Nigeria, as a tourist destination,has huge potential. However, the country always struggles when it comes to attracting a large number of in-bound tourists.

The highest number of tourist arrivals into the country constitutes mostly business tourists who come to explore business opportunities in the country.

With the rather positive outlook of the Nigerian economy and the forecast that it would be bigger than the South African economy by 2020, many international investors are being attracted into the country on business trips because of this.

Religion has also helped in boosting the number of tourist arrivals into the country. Outside business, probably the biggest tourist attraction into the country is Pastor T.B. Joshua.

On a weekly, if not a daily basis, tens of foreign tourists troop into the country from within and outside Africa to visit the Synagogue Church of All Nations. They come in search of solutions to both physical and spiritual problems.

That they keep on coming might just be an indication of usefulness of these trips.

There is no doubt that without Pastor Joshua, these people would probably not dream of visiting Nigeria.

There is also the annual Shiloh by the Living Faith Church Worldwide held in Canaanland, Ota, Ogun State. Thousands of Christian pilgrims from all over the world also troop into the country for the annual programme normally held in the month of December.

Outside the Christian churches, the annual Osun Osogbo festival attracts its own tourist traffic to Nigeria. The tourists that visit Osogbo for the festival are

•Point of No Return, Gberefu, Badagry

little eclectic, ranging form the adventure seekers from Asian countries like Japan, researchers from countries like Germany and Osun worshippers form South America, the Caribbean and North America. This festival holds annually in August.

Despite all these prospects by religious organizations and other private initiatives, the Nigerian tourism industry has not properly flourished. The Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) has the mandate to develop and market Nigerian tourism, while the policy formula-

tion to drive the tourism industry forward rests on the parent ministry, Ministry Tourism, Culture and National Orientation.

While the NTDC has embarked on different activities in the past to develop and market the tourism endowments of the country both locally and interna-

Tourism News

Travellers’ Award makes a comeback

S

IX years after the last Travellers’ Award was held in Lagos, the 11th edition of the award of excellence for the travel industry is back.

Travellers’ Award was last held in 2007 at the 2nd edition of the Akwaaba African Travel Market in Lagos. After that edition, the organizers of the award rested it because of the maturity of the travel environment then.

Ikechi Uko, the publisher of ATQ magazine, organizers of the award, said he decided to rest the award after discovering that the same set of people had been winning it.

He said with the entrance of the top international hospitality brands into the Nigerian market in the last couple of years and other positive developments in the industry,

NCPC Boss Mr, John Kennedy Opara (middle) on his immediate left is the newly just appointed Chief Judge of Kebbi State, Justice Bala Ibrahim Mairiga in a group photograph with some of the NCPC staff during a visit to the Commission

his company decided to bring back the award.

The award was set up in 1996 by then Travellers’ Magazine to reward annually major players in the industry as a way of enhancing the growth of travel and tourism in Nigeria with the vision of “promoting excellence in travels”.

Usually well attended by airline and hotel general managers in Nigeria, it had

been graced by ministers and commissioners of tourism in Nigeria.

Travellers’ Award gave birth to Akwaaba at its 9th edition.

This year’s edition of Travellers’ Award will hold in Abuja on July 5 during the Abuja Bantaba exhibition and workshop. It was last held in Abuja at the Hilton Hotel in 2003, the last outing of Boma Bromillow Jack as Minister of Tourism.

There will be awards for the best

hotel in Nigeria, best airline, best restaurant, travel agent, tour operator, journalist and state government.

People can vote online on naija7wonders website, atqnews website or African travel markets website or can send their nominations of the 10 best hotels in Nigeria and their favourite airline or restaurant in Nigeria to the travellerng@yahoo.co.uk. The voting

L

tionally, the full benefits of these efforts have not been achieved. This is because the blueprint for the tourism development of the country is lacking. To address this , the Federal Government some years ago decided to develop a tourism master plan that would serve as a blueprint for the development of tour-

ism in the country. The project was to be jointly financed by the Nigerian government and a counterpart funding coming form the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO).

This was done. The committee was led by the Minister of State for Agriculture, Dr. Franklin Adejuwon, a tourism expert. The UNWTO sent some experts to work with their Nigerian counterparts. After close to three years on the field and at the cost of millions of naira, a master plan was produced. It was presented to the then president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo. Since then, every effort for the implementation of this master plan has not been successful. In other words, there is actually no particular plan on ground to grow the Nigerian tourism and develop it.

However, this has changed with a recent press conference by the Minister of Tourism, Chief Edem Duke, that the Nigerian tourism would have a new brand identity: Fascinating Nigeria. Duke said plans had been completed for the launch of a new brand identity. According to him, the project had been on for some time.

He said: “We have been working on this for the best part of one year with virtually no resources at our disposal. On January 9, for those who may have been following the activities of the Federal Executive Council, the tourism brand identity was approved for Nigeria. Then it became expeditious for us to work aggressively towards that brand Nigeria launch. As I speak to you, it has been resolved that the first week of July, 2013, that brand will officially be launched in Abuja. “ In pursuant of that, we

Libya counts on tourism to help rebuild country

IBYA´S Ministry of Tourism has enlisted the UNWTO to help implement an action plan to rebuild its tourism sector as an effective way to increase national revenue, create employment, foster national cohesion and enhance the county’s international image.

A UNWTO mission led by Secretary-General Taleb Rifai made a first approach on the specific needs of the country during a workshop on technical cooperation in the capital, Tripoli.

Libya is counting on tourism to help rebuild the country in the light of its ongoing socio-political transformation.

Libya´s Ministry of Tourism has drawn up an action plan focused on institutional capacity building to pave the way for sustainable tourism development and calls on the support and participation of its public and private sectors to help implement its plan.

“Achieving sustainable tourism is a propeller to create employment, di-

versify Libya´s national sources of income and promote our image as an attractive tourism destination domestically and abroad,” said the Minister of Tourism, Mrs. Ikram Bash Imam.

“Revitalizing domestic tourism will likewise help foster national cohesion in this significant period of nationwide rebuilding,” she added.

During the visit, Mr. Rifai met the Vice President of the Libya National Council, Mr. Saleh Al Makhzoum, as well as high-ranking members of Libya´s private and public tourism sector.

“Libya is a prime setting for tourism development, being blessed with natural, cultural and archaeological assets, including five UNESCO World Heritage Sites,” said UNWTO SecretaryGeneral. “Tourism is the right vehicle to contribute to the international repositioning of Libya whilst contributing to its sustainable economic development and job creation particularly among the youth,” he added.

49

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 2013

•Synagogue church of All Nations

have been developing the collaterals that will support the brand. You will agree with me that there is no bookshop you go to any where in the world that you see respectable collateral about Nigeria. There is no mission of Nigeria that you go to, anywhere in the world, that you find materials that speak of the various endowments of this country and I think that Nigeria deserves more, as the biggest black nation on the face of the

‘

I love to hear people talk about Incredible India, Malaysia Truly Asia, Kenya or whatever they are. Our brand identity is Fascinating Nigeria because there is no where else in the world that this appellation best suits

’

earth, as the source market for the tourism revenue of other countries. I sat and listened to President Jacob Zuma as he related to our president that Nigerians are the greatest contributors to his country’s tourism revenue. He also said he was going to open a South African Tourism Office in Lagos, Nigeria. I think that Nigeria deserves a swift, appropriate and dignified response. Not a response in that kind of sense, but that we also have something that we can be very proud of.

“The collaterals that we present to you today will be supported by a number of activations in the mass media within the limit of our own resources. That is what I came to share with you this afternoon.

“At the appropriate time, first week in July, we will also share with you various brand strategies which we have developed in the ministry. It is my belief that when we have this going, we will be talking about an identifiable Nigerian tourism brand.

“I love to hear people talk about Incredible India, Malaysia Truly Asia, Kenya or whatever they are. Our brand identity is Fascinating Nigeria because there is no where else in the world that this appellation best suits. Whether it is in business, nature’s endowment,

agriculture, investment climate, whatever, but tourism is the first letter of recommendation and our culture is the major collateral for this to activate.”

Anybody that has been privileged to have gone round the country would not have any problem accepting the Fascinating Nigeria as a brand identity for the country. There are so many things the world needs to see about Nigeria.

Is it the rich diverse culture or the people or the ecotourist attraction of the country? The endowments are so vast. The only problem of just mouthing a brand identity without the

necessary depth is that it would sound hollow.

All the countries that have developed their tourism with its concomitant tourism benefits did it based on clear-cut action plans. They develop tourism master plans and based on the plans, they begin the process of implementation. The viable plans come first before the brand identities. Nigeria needs to do the same.

The Minister of Tourism must be commended for its effort in creating a brand identity for Nigeria, but the implementation of the tourism master plan, which has not yet been done, should come first. Mouthing a brand identity without a plan of action to develop the Nigerian tourism is like putting the cart before the horse. If this is not done, after the euphoria and noise about catchphrase, the tourism will still be in the same position.

The most difficult in destination building is to develop content that would, to a very great extent, determine the identity. Nigeria needs to go back to the master plan and look how it can be implemented. If there are grey areas in the plan, it could be rectified. If this is not done, all the euphoria of brand identity would just be all motion and no movement.

•From left: DG NTDC, Mrs Sally Mbanefo, Chief Edem Duke, Tourism Minister and GM, National Theatre, Kabiru Yusuf during the unveiling

Motherland Beckons adds annual music fiesta

T

HE Motherland Beck ons group, an initiative to provide a platform for African-American and blacks in the Diaspora to explore the cultural and tourism assets in Africa and also invest in the continent, has added an annual programme.

The new programme, Easter and More, will be held annually during the period of Easter.

Disclosing this to newsmen, the head of Motherland Beckons initiative and owner of La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort, Ikegun, Lagos, Otunba Wanle Akinboboye, said the decision to add Easter and More is based on the success of the maiden edition event held recently in the resort in Ikegun.

The annual event would include music, rite of reintegration back to Africa for black-Americans and those in

•Baale of Ikegun with members of Club Nouveau the Diaspora through rechristening.

The Easter and More will be a four-day package for guests of the Nigeria’s foremost holiday resort.

For the maiden edition recently held, a group of musicians, Club Noveau, from

the United States of America (USA) were in attendance.

Apart from the musical performance, the group passed a rite re-integration back to the Africa. They were given African names on the beach front by the Bale of Ikegun, Musiliu Habib Sanni.

Some of the members of Club Noveau spoke of their experiences in Nigeria. First to speak was Samuielle Prater: “They are new things entirely.

You cannot described the performances. It is not anything funny; they are lively.”

Jay King talked about their taste of African music: “The rhythm that I have listened to, the rhythm of Africa makes one to go back to some of my music that I have recorded before to add them.”

Akinboboye, who is also the CEO of Atunda Entertainment stated that Club Nouveau R&B-pop band was picked among the very many artistes considered for the Easter celebration because the group possesses one of the most memorable, distinctive music ever heard in popular music, with their hit song ‘Lean on me’.

Golden Tulip opens in Ibadan

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OLDEN Tulip Hotel, located in the Monatan area of Ibadan, Oyo State has been opened for operation.

The hotel was declared open by Nigeria’s former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, who was represented by former Osun State Governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola.

Declaring the hotel open, Chief Obasanjo praised the proprietor of the hotel, Chief Fatai Akinbade, for investing in the hospitality industry. Chief Obasanjo, who said he had earlier visited the hotel, commended the quality facilities put in place by the hotel.

Speaking on the new hotel, Alhaji Akinbade said the opening of the hotel was a dream come true. He described the project as very challenging and gave glory to God for the success.

He said: “This has been a journey of 14 years and honestly, it has been very rough. I never had any savings before I started this.

“All I used was to divert whatever I had to it. Thank God we are ready to commission it today. Thank God I started and today it has been completed for commission.

Why I decided to go into the hospitality industry? My background as a civil engineer and builder informed the basic interest because it was not even the hotel itself that really attracted me, but the kind of designs and finishing that hotels used to carry. I travelled a lot. Each time I travelled, I used to look at the finishing, design and construction.

“So, that started giving me the interest that spurred me into it. Each time I discovered that being in this industry will make you to create employment. Some people prefer saving their money, others prefer investing in some faceless things that don’t really give then any stress. But this industry involves so many things and it also involves human beings, so it creates a lot jobs for people. For instance, the hotel started with over 150 people. That means 150 Nigerians have been taken off the unemployment market. These are the things that really led me into it.”

Akinbade said the need to maintain high standard made him to opt for an international hospitality management group. He said: “We were with Protea before. I discovered that in Nigeria today, especially in this part of the country, we didn’t have an international hotel and Nigerians could not give that standard, hence we had to look for an international management. When we discovered that Protea could not make it, we looked for an even better international hospitality management group which is Golden Tulip. It is worldwide. We believe that being with them will give us those things we expect from the industry.”

On the issue of long gestation to recoup one’s investment in the hospitality industry, Akinbade said was prepared to wait. He said: “ If I had been able to wait 14 years before we could get to this level, I think I should be able to wait. In any business, you can’t recoup your investment in one day. This type of project will last a generation. Premier Hotel was commissioned in 1964, and up till today, it is still there. That is one of the problems that Nigeria has: people want immediate return on investment. That is why you see many petrol stations today because they know the moment you have petrol stations, you start selling and that is why we don’t have any solid investment.

People want quick returns on investments. You see •Chief Fatai Akinbade them jumping form one business to the other.”

50

THE NATION SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 2013

FORTUNE& I Paul UKPABIO

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EXECUTIVE LEISURE

Lawal

Gbenga ADERANTI, Production Editor, Saturday

Stories: Arejiogbe OLUGBENGA

THE NATION SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 2013

My passion drives my business -

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52

FAMIL Y HEAL TH AMILY HEALTH

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 2013

Family government (2)

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Dear Reader, God instituted marriage to get a suitable help for man and that help is the woman. The woman is an ordained help for her husband. What are you to help your husband with?

As wife, God expects you to help your husband bear the load of responsibilities he carries. The woman’s duty includes ensuring that the man does not fail, as the head of the family government. She is, in addition to submitting to her husband, a HOME MAKER. The home is what the woman makes it to be. She can either choose to make it a place filled with the presence of the Holy Spirit, laughter and free of tension or otherwise. The woman has the responsibility of keeping the home conducive, for the presence of God to dwell, thereby guaranteeing peace in the home.

Peaceful homes are not wished into being. They do not drop from heaven, but are carefully and consciously cultivated into being by the parties involved in the family government. The woman is a major party to this assignment. God’s Word in Titus 2:4-5 says: That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to the husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. Keeping the home requires diligence, spiritually and physically. It is energy and time-consuming, but the result speaks for itself. A lazy woman cannot keep a home. God will always supply the strength that is required.

A woman is to keep her house spiritually by prayer and sensitivity to the Holy Spirit. Also she keeps it, practically by clean-

Health Matters With DR MIKE OYAKHIRE 08170268670 email: drmikeoyakhire@yahoo.com

Continued from last week Children of mentally ill parents may end up as street children when they are unable to get adequate assistance to help them carry the burden of care, this added to the fact that mental illness on its own can either be inherited or acquired Working parents often leave their kids with members of the family who may not be responsible enough to prevent the kids from straying away Street children are often characterized by poor housing, unfenced living quarters, slums and excessively permissive parents Where orphanages are abandoned by governments, you have rigid and expensive adoption conditions, potential parents are scared away . Where there is insufficient background check, poor or inadequate supervision of foster care, any thing is possible Family conditions may be such that there is enough to go round but not socially conducive; two situations can help readers appreciate this; wife inheritance one involved sudden death of a husband and the inheritance of the widow by a 12 year old boy child, who was living with the family at the time. All normal coping mechanisms broke down and at a point, children who saw their mom as not worthy of respect began as children of the street and later of the street. In the second situation, a polygamous man had 21 children through 5 wives, the children grew up mostly dependent on what their moms could provide, and nearly all ended as street children Abusive parents, uncles, single parents, abusive foster parents, and others too busy to look after children create multiple avenues for children to abandon homes for the streets. Others include excessively permissive parents, marital disharmony where a mother habitually tries to override decisions taken by the head of the family.

In other situations, weak or inactive parents teachers association (PTA), principals and school heads too harsh to reach either by parents, pupils or students, could make it difficult to effectively monitor activities of children particularly those in boarding schools Some local trafficking in humans involves trading in house helps who move from one house to another in different locations at times working with street children to steal from unsuspecting employers. Most of them end up becoming vagabonds and carriers of sexually transmitted agents.

Street trading, begging or hawking is a common feature on the streets, in poor communities of the world communities Poor or low risk assessment of personal dangers, in association with low level of education, especially health education is common amongst parents, guardian and children involved in street trading. However for poor families it is the only way to survive economic troubles; affected children may become attracted to the freedom and adventure denied by regimented conditions at home.

Health problems………..

In addition to the issues analyzed so far, Health problems classifiable into physical, mental social, environmental, and psy-

ing up and beautifying it. “Cleanliness is next to godliness,” they say.

Another important aspect of being an effective homemaker in the family government, is the quality of food you feed your family with. Thank God for husbands who will help out in the kitchen, but it is your duty as a woman to feed your family well.

Genesis 3:6 says: And when the woman saw that the three was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.

Unfortunately, Eve fed her husband with poison, instead of life. Woman, what are you feeding your family with? There is a popular adage that says, “The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.” Woman, your family is what they eat. If they are healthy, it can be practically traced to their eating habits.

It is not enough to feed them sumptuously, but you need to feed them right. Are the foods they eat nutritious? Or do you give them just anything? Ecclesiastes 10:10 says: Wisdom is profitable to direct. Please secure the health of your family by feeding them with good food, especially in this day and age or processed foods, fast foods and snacks. Remember, “garbage in, garbage out”. You will not fail in Jesus’ name.

The woman as a home-maker in the family government holds the key to family hospitality. The hospitality of a family depends largely on the woman. You can make it a point of duty to bring great joy and consolation to members of your family government. If a woman does not want a particular guest in the house, no matter how much the man tries to cover up, it will show in his wife’s reactions. The level of a man’s hospitality, is affected by the woman. So, every woman must learn how to be hospitable. Hospitality brings blessings like increases, angelic presence and honour (Romans 12:13 and Hebrews 13:12).

I often encourage the women to always be hospitable, both at home and outside. One woman testified of how a visitor came to their house and did not have enough money with which to return to his station. He belonged to another branch of the church.

She told him that her husband was out of town and the money he left wasn’t even enough for them.

She, however, sold some foodstuff and gave him the money.

Before the man left, he made some prophetic utterances, that God would surprise her.

From the following week, God began to visit their home with money, materials and foodstuff like never before! Where there was previously insufficiency, became a place of abundance! Hospitality opens you up to blessings and ensures that you never lack.

In the early days of this ministry, my husband and I had to share our home and toilet facilities with the whole church. We did it then without grumbling or complaining, knowing that it was just a phase and we would pass through it to a better phase.

I believe that was one of the reasons why God blessed us with a larger place. However, caution should be exercised, before you throw open your doors to people, as there are some wolves in sheep’s clothing always trying to dupe people or perform evil.

May God give you the needed wisdom in Jesus’ name.

God is the true rewarder of the woman that is hospitable and embracing Him opens you up to His rewards. To accept Him through His Son Jesus Christ, please say this prayer: “Lord Jesus Christ, I come to You today. I am a sinner. I cannot help myself.

Forgive me of my sins and cleanse me with Your blood. Deliver me from sin and satan to serve the living God. I believe You died for me and on the third day, You rose that I might be justified. I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Make me a child of God today. Thank You for accepting me into Your Kingdom”.

Congratulations, you are now born again! I believe that you will begin to experience the reality of the price that Jesus paid for your sins at Calvary. All-round rest and peace are guaranteed you, in Jesus’ Name!

Call or write, and share your testimonies with me through: E-mail: faithdavid@yahoo.com Tel. No: 07026385437; 07094254102 For more insight, these books authored by Pastor Faith Oyedepo are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian bookstores: Making Marriage Work, Marriage Covenant, Building A Successful Home and Success in Marriage (Co-Authored)

Pediatrics and child health; in focus:

Children of the street and children on the street (3) chosocial to effectively capture the extent of the problem and the solution have been recognized; Children on the street are exposed to all sorts of diseases from Malaria(merciless mosquito bites), Staphylococcus and Salmonella food poisoning from contaminated food and drinks, sexually transmitted diseases such as, HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, B and C, Syphilis, Cancroids, Herpes and Gonorrhea.

Concerning environmental hazards, water is a major problem for street children and so they drink from sources likely to be contaminated with metals such as Lead, Cadmium, and Arsenic. These will eventually cause damage to organs like the kidneys, brain and liver. Those using mechanic workshop as dwelling places are exposed to petroleum products, metals have been implicated in tumors and street children run the risks of developing cancer of the skin, bladder and liver later in life.

Physical health status of street children can be influenced by many variables; in all, children on the street can act as Infection Bridge, bringing diseases from the street to the homes while children of the street can slip into homes to visit friends when everyone is not payThe kids ing attention. They also are at risks of direct injury that can break bones of hands, legs, teeth and skull from getting into fights. Violent death can also come very quickly from being run over by motor vehicles or falling from heights. Being caught and flogged can leave telltale marks that can be seen mostly on the extensor (back surfaces) of the upper limbsarms and forearms.

Frequent micturition with mild biting pain as a child urinates, offensive or very bad vaginal odour, with lower abdominal pay may give away the presence of genitourinary tract infection in the girl child. She may sleeping on her feet, excessively drowsy , wanting to be left alone , unable to take any thing by mouth, or even vomiting if pregnancy has come in. Purulent discharge (pus with or without urine) from the penis with agonizing pain (evidence of infection, urethritis) may make the boy child hide away from parents to urinate.

For street children, the risk of acute disease conditions, developing to become chronic is very high and because they have no money, tendency is to buy a few drugs, e.g. assuming a street child contracts gonorrheal infection, he is not likely to panic, but will go to a patent medicine shop for treatment which in most cases is subclinical paving the way for the infection to become chronic , A young Medical student knowing what structures could be at risk will rush to the Venerology Clinic, undergo medical examination, and lab tests which will assist a Physician to administer drugs that will clear the bacterium within days. For the girl child of the street.the reproductive career can be permanently damaged by a single episode of poorly treated gonorrheal infection. Syphilis could also progress from primary through damage to the heart and the third stage where there is damage to the brain (GPI) which may be irreversible.

Water borne, and water associated diseases are common

problems with street children, because access to water is a major problem, they are prone to skin diseases, acute and chronic diarrheal diseases, frequent mouth infections, vaginal yeast infections, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).

Food poisoning occurs frequently manifesting with diarrhea, and vomiting because street children may be forced to eat from dust bin and drink contaminated water.

Rape, prostitution, early marriage, teenage pregnancies, baby motherhood are some of the problems associated with street children, victims of child trafficking, sex slavery and rape also become victims of stigma, may develop psycho social problems and may find it difficult to live normal lives. Inhabitants of the street don’t operate in a vacuum. Older children of the street organize themselves into gangs, you must belong to a gang, once you enter the street, involvement in drug use, and hard drugs may start with alcohol and cigarettes and then someone graduates to others that will see him dive into many others with little or no will power to fight addiction. Currently street children consume large quantities of cough mixture, antidepressants, and anabolic steroids to make themselves stronger, assuming false optimism.

Suggestions First is to make the streets less attractive for street children at different levels. Family, community, local governments, State and the Federal governments.

Practical steps to provide basic necessities of life, such as food, water, and electricity.

If there is no electricity in the homes most of the time, and there is a place where a small generating set can provide light at the cost of a bottle of drink, a street child will jump out.

There has been much talk about how badly the standards of education have fallen, without any reasonable or concrete steps to address the condition.

The recently launched Governor Aregbosola child education project, should be adopted by the Federal government as a sustainable policy for child empowerment development and education.

The benefits are numerous; It will make the school more attractive and the streets less so.

It is indeed very timely going by the possibility of making JME an e exam by 2015.

The governor perhaps gave more devotion to how the problem of our technological stagnation can be solved at the first rungs of the academic ladder. How they can be empowered to learn , build up individual capacity to pass requisite exams and move on to greater heights, at the same time spreading the good hope, not all for the rich as usual but for every one, the arrangement makes provision for continuity and healthy competition

To be continued

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 2013

FAMIL Y HEAL TH AMILY HEALTH

53

Overcoming depression: Clinical psychotherapy

Benefits of tomato juice

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which helps in improving one’s eye sight.

•It is good for skin care: Tomato juice benefits for skin as well as tomato juice benefits for face are widely known among people all over the world. One drunk twice a day, it is found in some cases to reduce the presence of acne and get rid of an acne infection faster. This juice can aid in the prevention of damage to cells in the skin. Tomato juice benefits for the face also include the prevention of pimples.

One can make a face pack using fresh tomato base. One should apply this puree over the affected areas of one’s skin at least twice in a day for 10 to 15 minutes each time.

Tomato juice is also great in its ability to tighten open pores. Rinse this mixture off with some warm water. This tomato juice can mixed with other fresh fruits or vegetables to make great face packs.

•The vitamin ‘A’ found in Tomato juice is also beneficial for good hair growth. It helps in keeping one’s hair strong and shiny.

•Tomato juice is recommended for people who are suffering from heart conditions or who are recovering from heart attacks. This juice is almost always recommended for most patients who are recovering from various diseases.

•It helps to lower blood pressure.

•Vitamin C is also known for its ability to enhance one’s immune system. One can try drinking tomato juice for arthritis related problems. Tomato juice also helps in the prevention of inflammation and pain that is associated with arthritis. It helps in strengthening the bones.

•Tomato juice is also known for its ability to prevent constipation problems. This juice should be mixed with fresh spinach juice. It helps to activate the person’s liver and thus prevent them getting constipated.

•It is also good in treating diabetes because of its nutritional properties.

•It is for kidney stones and gall stones patients. For this, the patients are advised to eat the tomatoes without any seeds in it. Tomato juice also works as a natural antiseptic and thus helps in guarding the human body against any kind of common infections in day to day life.

Moreso, raw tomato juice is found to contain potassium.

This is an essential mineral that is required for the human body to reduce malaise and general overall body weakness.

Source: The Alternative Daily

HE diversity of human experiences and views of life makes the efficacy of clinical psychotherapy unpredict able. The diversity of manifestation of depression is also a challenge for clinical psychotherapy. Depression could be transient or stable, acute or chronic, mild or severe, treatable or untreatable, etc. It happens to people of all ages, cultures, religions, ideologies, professions, and walks of life.

Overall, the summary of preventive psychotherapy is that if one wants to remain healthy, one needs to learn to cope with “the world”. Therefore, clinical psychotherapy of established depression also teaches coping skills.

Therapists differ in their philosophies and therapeutic approaches. Psychoanalytic techniques are used by some practitioners to treat major depression. Psychotherapy aims at resolving personal problems through a special outlet provided for the patient through talking in a prepared setting of safety, confidentiality, and acceptance that conveys concern and allows a patient to better explore and resolve issues. Psychodynamic psychotherapy uses psychoanalysis with more social and interpersonal focus. “Psychodynamic therapy is based on the assumption that a person is depressed because of unresolved, generally unconscious conflicts, often stemming from childhood” (WebMD, http://www.webmd.com/depression/psychotherapy-treat-depression).

Clinically, psychotherapy may be delivered, “to individuals, groups, or families by mental health professionals, including psychotherapists, psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical social workers, counselors, and suitably trained psychiatric nurses. With more complex and chronic forms of depression, a combination of medication and psychotherapy may be used” Young people are sometimes clinically diagnosed to have depression. For children and adolescents, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) are preferred therapies for depression.

Cognitive behavioral therapy is used to teach the subjects to challenge self-defeating. It deals with the ways of thinking (cognitions) and helps people to change counter-productive behaviors.

“Several variables predict success for cognitive behavioral therapy in adolescents: higher levels of rational thoughts, less hopelessness, fewer negative thoughts, and fewer cognitive distortions. CBT is particularly beneficial in preventing relapse. Several variants of cognitive behavior therapy have been used in depressed patients, the most notable being rational emotive behavior therapy, and more recently mindfulness-based cognitive therapy “ (Wikipedia).

“Interpersonal therapy focuses on the behaviors and interactions a depressed patient has with family, friends, coworkers, and other important people encountered on a dayto-day basis. The primary goal of this therapy is to improve communication skills and increase self-esteem during a short period of time. It usually lasts three to four months and works well for depression caused by loss and grief, relationship conflicts, major life events, social isolation, or role transitions (such as becoming a mother or a caregiver” (WebMD).

Psychotherapists are trained, licensed, and regulated professionals. In the US, such therapists additionally have to

Infertility

I

NFERTILITY is the inabil ity of a woman to become pregnant. In general, infertility can be suspected if pregnancy has not occurred after a year of regular intercourse, (without the use of any form of contraception).

The cause of infertility may lie in the male or the female.

There are numerous causes of infertility in each sex; sometimes no cause is ever found.

Investigations for causes in the male are safer and simpler; consequently, they are normally performed first to save cost and to save the woman a series of tests, if a cause can be found in the male. Unfortunately, most men do not submit themselves to fertility tests. Rather, they ascribe the shortcomings to their wife’s conditions only.

The cause of infertility may be either structural or due to functions of the reproductive system. There may be no production of sperm or ova, or for some reason, the two may not meet to bring about fertilization. General ill-health, especially chronic diseases or endocrine/abnormalities can cause infertility.

Basically, two kinds of infertility are recognized in the female. There is the primary and the secondary infertility.

When a woman has had a child before and there is a long gap, not deliberately brought about by her, it will be said that her condition is that of secondary infertility i.e. no one talks of infertility if the woman had one or two children and decided to stop having more. Primary infertility, on the other hand, is a condition where the woman has not had an issue before and is well into the childbearing age.

Causes of infertility that can be diagnosed are many.

These include Blocked Fallopian Tubes, Uterine Fibroids, Hormonal Problems, Incompetent Cervix, Internal Heat in the lower abdomen, Tilted Mouth of the Uterus, Displaced Uterus, and Lack of Ovulation (especially after prolonged use of some contraceptive devices).

Other cases of infertility range from infections, especially the Sexually Transmitted Diseases (in both men & women) and Watery Sperms in men.

Also, some bad lifestyles, social excesses, indiscriminate sexual indulgence, criminal abortion as well as tough exercises, unsuitable postures and heavy sporting

OMATOES are a natural health secrets that provided T•Tomato by the Earth for humans. juice contains large amounts of vitamin ‘A’

undergo clinical continuing education in order to keep renewing their licenses. Psychotherapy work is done by different types of professionals In the US, for example, psychotherapy is provided by the following amongst others: The Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurse/Clinical Nurse Specialist (APRN-PSYMH/CS): Licensed as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (RN) with a master’s (MS, MSN, MN) or doctoral (PhD) degree in nursing and a specialization in psychiatric/mental health nursing.

The Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW): Licensed at the specialist level. An LCSW has earned a Master’s, an MSW, MSSA or MSS, from a graduate program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.

The Licensed Professional Counsellor (LPC): Licensed with a master’s level (e.g., MA, MEd, MS, MDiv), specialist (EdS), and/or doctoral (PhD, PsychD, EdD) degree, primarily with counselling in content and including a minimum 300 hours practicum from an institution accredited by a regional body recognized by the Council on Post-Secondary Accreditation.

The Licensed Marriage And Family Therapist (LMFT): Licensed at the master’s or doctoral level in marriage and family therapy or a related field from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy, a program that meets the curriculum/practicum criteria established by the Board of Examiners or a post-degree training program accepted by the Board.

The Psychiatrist or aMedical License: Licensed as a physician following completion of a medical degree (MD or DO) from an approved medical school.

The Licensed Psychologist: Licensed at the doctoral level (PhD, PsyD, EdD) from a graduate program in applied psychology (clinical/counselling, school, or industrial/organizational) with accompanying American Psychological Association (APA) accredited doctoral internship In countries with less developed medical systems, faith and cultural organizations and services tend to take over psychotherapy roles and may help to alleviate or consolidate depressive episodes depending on the oversight of these organizations, themselves.

Dr. ’Bola John is a biomedical scientist based in Nigeria and in the USA. For any comments or questions on this column, please Email bolajohnwritings@yahoo.com or call 07028338910

Coping with diseases With Prof. Dayo Oyekole activities have been implicated in female infertility.

Nature is wonderful. The human body obeys the law of use and disuse. For example, Fibroids, which are so common today, used not to be so when women had children till they were advanced in age.

When a woman has fibroids, it implies that her womb was looking for something to carry. It is rare to find a woman bearing children and yet having fibroids. This situation is like leaving a piece of land fallow after initial bush clearing, one would expect it to grow weeds if nothing is planted on that land, with proper care. Fibroids will not grow if the womb does not attract to itself waste products from the bloodstream.

Prevention /Control Women should be very observant so as to note as early as possible, any irregularities in their menstrual period. Excessive heat in the lower abdomen, waist pains or pinching sensations at the sides of the lower abdomen should attract attention. Most importantly, indiscriminate use of contraceptives and abortifacients should be avoided.

Treating gynecological

problems naturally seems to be quite easy. Some physical disorders can be corrected through massage. Tension and worries should be avoided. The food intake should be simple and natural to provide the natural nutrients that the body needs, with avoidance of denatured food, alcohol and smoking. Fatty foods that will cause fat to develop around the reproductive organs and sex glands should be avoided. Simple exercises to aid effective circulation of blood should be encouraged.

Paradoxically, natural remedies for the treatment of female problems seem to more available than for any other ailment. Therefore, in Holistic Lifecare it is strongly advocated that in order to avoid suffering in the midst of plenty, we must turn to nature.

Some of the suggested natural remedies being suggested for infertility include the extracts of local herbs such as Acanthospermum hispidum, Desmodium velutinum, Kigelia africana, Momordica charantia and Viscum album.

For further information and consultation on Holistic

Lifecare research and services, especially on Blood Infections, Infertility, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Chronic Debilitating Conditions as well as mental and social problems, please call on: 0803-330-3897 or visit: Mosebolatan Holistic Lifecare Centre, Adeyalo Layout, Ogbere-Tioya, Off

Olorunsogo Express Bridge, Ibadan.

Website: www.holisticlifecare.com.

Distance is no barrier, we can send remedies by courier if need be. We also have facilities for accommodation, admission and hospitalization in a serene and homely environment.

54 INTERVIEW

OU have been the number one senior worker for the past six years. Now that you are bowing out having completed your tenure, would you say the unemployment rate has reduced during your stewardship?

Looking back now, I would not say unemployment has reduced because it has not. One thing is that we would keep turning out graduates every year. And the economy does not seem to be expanding, once that is not happening, what you have is an increase in unemployment. Unemployment cannot be eradicated.

We can only reduce it to the barest minimum. Even in more advanced and civilised countries, we have unemployment rate. What we should look at is how unemployment rate in Nigeria will get into a single digit.

Can you suggest ways out of escalating rate of unemployment for government?

One of the things I think government can do is create an enabling environment. I was discussing with a couple of investors, who can create mass housing for the workers, one of them is a Briton, the other, a Nigerian. We have about 17 million gap in our housing need. They told me it is not the funding to build the 17 million houses, that can happen in a matter of 15, 20 years. But the bottleneck is government’s bureaucracy.

The bureaucratic bottleneck is key because they have to go through so much to achieve so little. And they must have a lot of patience. They have lived in Nigeria for 42 years. He is almost a Nigerian now, and he is still complaining. That tells you that government should create a systemic approach, and also create that environment for people to come and put their money.

The other person was telling me about how they invested in a state and the government signed purchase agreement, that come and build these houses.

They would guarantee workers to take it up and they would help workers to pay 10 per cent of it. And the government has reneged on that agreement. So how do you expect somebody to come and invest in an environment like that?

What other measures do you think government should take to tackle unemployment?

They should also look at infrastructure. Power has not improved, or if power has improved, it is negligible. We are hoping that going forward with the

Y

We’ve no regret subsidy protest, outgoing TUC boss

•Esele

,

Peter Esele will next Thursday bow out of the exalted number one senior worker’s office. He led senior workers in the country for two terms of six years altogether, as PresidentGeneral of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), the umbrella body for all senior staff unions. In this interview with DUPE OLAOYE-OSINKOLU, he spoke about his ups and downs in the course of leading the labour centre, with emphasis on the anti-climax of Labour’s subsidy struggle in January last year.

Excerpts:

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 2013

The biggest threat is that those who are stealing the crude will have so much money to play with, they can even build an army to fight the state. And when they build up their army to fight the state, there would be a huge security threat in areas like that, that companies would not want to go there, and workers would be the first casualty

,

planned privatisation and what government is planning, that in 10 years, the face of the country would change. Because we always didn’t plan for this number of years that we are in this mess. In 10 years, our population would have exploded because it is ever expanding, meanwhile our infrastructure is not expanding in the same digit with the population. That too is a major problem. So, government needs to do its home work properly. Create an enabling environment because government alone cannot reduce unemployment. It has to be a composite holistic approach. That is the only way.

TUC benefited from a N4 billion government loan which your leadership invested in the transport industry. How has the Labour Mass Transit fared under your watch? Is it well managed?

I am very happy to tell you that it is going on well now. We are paying our loan. We are paying the interest on the loan. And the bank is also very happy with us, that we are doing it. For me it is a very big relief. We have some of our buses operating in Ogun State, some in Lagos State. But some of our buses are not on the road yet, because of the same bureaucratic bottleneck that we are encountering. In Lagos State right now, we have not been able to deploy all our buses.

We are still counting on LAGBUS to give us more routes that we can deploy these buses. But right now, I am happier than I was the last time we spoke when I told you there were some issues when we gave it to somebody to manage and the guy was virtually milking us dry, and we couldn’t think of paying our loan. We have been doing repayment uninterrupted for over eight months now. If I leave tomorrow, I would be a happy man that we are running this business and we are paying our loan.

You have led the senior workers for six years, now, you are about checking out. So, after TUC, what next?

What we have enjoyed in being President of TUC, and what has made it easy for me to be able to survive, I am always saying that ‘monkey smart, monkey smart, na because tree near tree’ (Pidgin expression of Monkeys find it easy to jump from one tree to the other because the trees are close to one another). I have been able to run TUC to the best of my ability because I

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 2013

INTERVIEW 55

calling off the January 2012 fuel says Peter Esele

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•Esele

continuous occurrence in the country.

Do you think by the time it affects the external reserve, it would lead to job cut?

In the long term, yes. When people keep talking about the crude oil thing, I always laugh. Stealing crude oil is not like going to Alaba market and taking one wrapper and running away.

Stealing crude oil is high tech. Formerly when they were stealing, you were saying we were losing 10,000, 20,000 barrels. Now we are losing like 150,000 barrels a day. That can’t happen without some insiders. That can’t happen without an insider also within the security agency. At a particular community, the security agents that were asked to protect the pipelines were the ones vandalising the pipelines, and a journalist stumbled on them. So, you see that it is high tech to do such things.

And when they are doing it, for them to go on undisturbed, though we have security agencies everywhere, and it is easy for Shell, Chevron or Mobil to know where these things are coming from, and nothing is done.

There are people on the ground, there are insiders in the security agencies and are also political players who are behind all of these. The danger is that , yes, in the long run, it would affect jobs, if they keep shutting pipelines and people refuse to bring investment. The biggest threat is that those who are stealing the crude will have so much money to play with, they can even build an army to fight the state. And when they build up their army to fight the state, there would be a huge security threat in areas like that, that companies would not want to go there, and workers would be the first casualty. So, medium term to long term, yes, it has a capacity for workers to lose their jobs. That’s why we are calling on government, NUPENG and PENGASSAN are making noise over it now for government take action before things get worse, because they are already out of hand.

What would you describe as your highest point in TUC? HERE are several high points.

One of my high points is when I was coming on board, someone was asking, TUC who or TUC what? We don’t have that any more. Being able to have affiliates bring their problem to you, and you are able to solve the problem. A senior worker, having issues with the management once brought a problem that he was being kicked out, transferred. He informed me. The first suggestion was oh, let’s call a strike. But I said no. After he explained the whole thing, I saw that it was more of an ego thing, I had to go

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have support both from the home front, the family gave me a lot of stability. So, where I am going from here will also be a family matter. Sometimes, I found myself away from the house for days.

Sometimes I have done like 110 flights in a year. Without that enabling stability from home, I may not have delivered it.

For me, it has come down to, the family has to be carried along, should we continue or not. That will determine the next phase.

Right now, I have not made up my mind on the next phase. You know I will still be a member of the National Administrative Council (NAC) of the TUC, which is by the constitution. Like now, Peace Obiajulu has been in the council for six years because she was my immediate past president. So, she would now vacate that position, I would now take it over, when we have another president. For me, that is strict humility, she has been very humble in allowing me to lead because she has led before.

So it is now my turn to be humble. Right now, Dupe, there is nothing on the line.

But if the direction comes, you will also be the first to know.

How did you feel about the anticlimax of the January 2012 subsidy struggle, after which people pointed accusing fingers at the labour leaders?

And how do you feel now? felt good then, I still feel good now. We know that the decision we took was the best for the country and also best for labour.

People should understand what labour means and what labour stands for. We are not an opposition party. We also need to ask ourselves, what was the direction we were going? We as leaders know many things that came to the fore.

Some said, ‘Let’s have a revolution.’

Some said, ‘It was a do or die thing. We need to bring down this government’.

Let us ask ourselves, ‘If the government falls, who benefits?’ We would not benefit. If Labour acts like an opposition party and the government in power falls, the opposition party benefits. If the government in power is not performing, or is not performing to expectation, the opposition party benefits because next time, the opposition would be elected into power.

In our own case, we are supposed to engage the government, bring pressure on the government to redeem its promises. I will always say this again and again. The first responsibility that I have is to defend and protect the welfare of the members. The next is, wherever the interest of our members and that of another group align, we can collectively take on the common enemy.

If the National Administrative Council of the TUC says, ‘Go back, we have had enough, stop now’, and somebody elsewhere who is not paying check-off dues, who did not elect me, who is not responsible for the various trips that I undertake, so the person or the group is now telling me that I should take instruction from them, that can never happen. We made that decision, it was a decision directed by the National Executive Council of the TUC, and we have no single regret for taking that decision. It was what was best for the country.

The crude oil theft is now a

If the National Administrative Council of the TUC says, ‘Go back, we have had enough, stop now’, and somebody elsewhere who is not paying check-off dues, who did not elect me, who is not responsible for the various trips that I undertake, so the person or the group is now telling me that I should take instruction from them, that can never happen. We made that decision, it was a decision directed by the National Executive Council of the TUC, and we have no single regret for taking that decision.

It was what was best for the country

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to the person. He said no, but I assured that if I had to lie on the floor for this person to guarantee your job, I would do it. That is why I am here. And if I would have the person walk on me, I would do it, so you keep your job.

By the time I went to his boss, the guy kept his job. I have a lot of these points, and I would say at this point, that I am happy and fulfilled. The highest of them all is whenever we are able to defend, protect the interest of our members. Just recently, Aero kicked about 600 workers out, and half of them were our members. We all came together, without national strike, we were able to solve it and they got their jobs back. We also had a meeting with the Managing Director of Aero Contractors and the top

management staff, where they felt if anything was not done right, there would be need for us to work together.

Things like that make me happy and fulfilled, not just occupying the office of the President of the TUC, with all the attention without delivering. And today, comments from members, national executive members, affiliate presidents and general secretaries because as president of TUC, I am first among equals. The Central Working Committee is made up of the presidents and general secretaries of all the affiliate members. I am the president leading all the presidents in such meetings, and when you hear their comments, they make me really good. If you ask me, so many of these have been high points.

And the low point? ne of the low points was talking with an affiliate, they had issues, they were like planning to go on strike over this matter. I gave them reasons why strike would not solve the problem, and I gave their strength and weakness. I did an analysis for them. Normally, they bring their problem to you and leave it with you, so you take it over. But these guys went ahead and had that strike, and they were contract staff. When they went on that strike, management waited.

When it was time to renew their contract, management did not renew the contract with their company because they were seconded to work for that company from another company. That made those members of ours to lose their jobs, and we really didn’t have any window to go back and take on the management. For me, that was a very low point. Sometimes, people think that as president, we have so much power to over ride our affiliates. They don’t know that we run our affairs like a federation; if they don’t come with their problem, there is nothing you can do.

Your parting word for Nigerian workers?

My parting word is just to let them know I am grateful, for the opportunity and privilege that they have given me, express my gratitude that they made me know myself a lot more, and that it is not only about the office but the occupant of the office. To also know that like the saying, the struggle continues, they must not rest on their oars, they must keep the fire burning. Above all of this, they must not forget the reason why we have a union, and that reason is to defend and protect the interest of the workers and never to forget the saying and in doing, that ‘Injury to one is an injury to all’.

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NEWS 57 PDP crisis: Appeal Court dismisses Oyinlola, Mustapha's case

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 2013

n Joseph JIBUEZE n

•First Lady of Lagos, Mrs. Abimbola Fashola, presenting the WAEC/GCE Form to one of the beneficiaries, Miss Balogun Aminat Olayinka. She is being supported by Senator Oluremi Tinubu, representing Lagos Central Senetorial District and ACN State Leader, Chief Oluyole Olusi Tinubu, during the 7th edition of Lagos Central Senatorial District Town Hall Meeting, held at Lagos City Hall, Victoria Island, Lagos... yesterday.

The Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos yesterday dismissed an appeal by former National Secretary and National Auditor of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola and Chief Bode Mustapha respectively.

Oyinlola and Mustapha had filed a Motion on Notice at the appellate court challenging the Notice of Withdrawal filed by the party.

The PDP had earlier appealed against the judgment of Justice Charles Archibong of the Federal High Court in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/347/2012, delivered on May 2, last year.

The judgment of the lower court, which was being challenged at the appellate court, was in respect of a suit filed on behalf of the Ogun State Executive Committee of the PDP

by Engr. Adebayo Dayo and Alhaji Semiu Sodipo against the PDP and three others.

The court had nullified the Southwest Zonal Congress of the PDP, ordered the removal of Mustapha and his replacement with Alhaji Fatai Adeyanju, among others.

The PDP later filed a Notice of Withdrawal from the appeal through its counsel, Joe-Kyari Gadzama (SAN).

But Oyinlola and Mustapha opposed the move and filed a Motion on Notice, asking the Court of Appeal to strike out the Notice of Withdrawal because their consent was not sought before it (the Notice of Withdrawal) was filed.

Delivering its judgment, the three-man panel, headed by Hon. Justice M.B Dongban-Mensen, held that “Upon the filing of the Notice of Withdrawal, dated 31st January, 2013, the appeal is deemed dismissed.”

The court further held that from the facts before it, the appellants/applicants (Oyinlola and Mustapha) are under the control of the PDP, hence, they cannot turn around to distance themselves from the actions taken by the party in respect of the appeal.

It also awarded a N30, 000 cost of litigation against Oyinlola and Mustapha.

Amosun visits social development institute, laments state of infrastructure GUN State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, yesterday visited the Social Development Institute (Shasha), Iperu, where he lamented the derelict state of the school.

The governor regretted the neglect suffered by the 57-yearold Institute and promised that his government would do its best to restore dignity to the school's infrastructure.

Amosun, according to a statement by his media aide, Funmi Wakama, praised the staff of the institute for being able to maintain a good academic standard in spite of the daunting challenges.

The Social Development Institute (Shasha), Iperu Remo, was established in 1956 as a Leadership Training Centre by the late Premier of Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

It trained chiefs and politicians on leadership until 1989 when it became the Social Development Institute.

It was affiliated to the Olabisi Onabanjo University in 1991.

The school trains students as social workers and awards the National Diploma certificate in social work.

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•L-R: Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi; his wife and celebrant, Erelu Bisi Fayemi; their son, Folajimi and Deputy Governor, Prof. Modupe Adelabu, during Erelu Fayemi's 50th birthday thanksgiving service at the Government House Chapel, Ado-Ekiti... on Tuesday.

Fayose is PDP's ‘distraction machine’ -ACN KITI State chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has described former governor of the state, Ayo Fayose, as the ‘distraction machine’ of the People's Democratic Party.

In a release signed by the party's state chairman, Chief Jide Awe and the Publicity Secretary, Tunde Adeleke, the ACN said the allegation of witch-hunting and assassination attempts leveled against the CAN by Fayose was meant to distract the attention of the current administration in the state

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Sulaiman SALAWUDEEN, Ado-Ekiti from the noble goals on which it was set.

It urged the former governor to apply his attention to seeking alternative means to serve the people of the state, rather than "scheming to attract attention and sympathy through spurious and foolishly unfounded and baseless means."

The release stated in part: "The attention of the ACN has been drawn to the latest allegation by the former governor of Ekiti, Ayo

Fayose, to the effect that an attempt was made on his life by thugs believed to be members of the ACN. "The ACN, which incidentally is the ruling party in Ekiti, takes exception to Mr. Fayose's allegation. For now, what the ACN and the government in Ekiti are interested in are development, security to life and property, and overall welfare and happiness of the people of the state.

"Ordinarily, Fayose's allegation should have been

ignored. But we deemed it necessary to react so as to correct the false claims, which are capable of creating the impression that Ekiti is unsafe, while the truth remains that Mr. Fayose's joker had been exhausted in Ekiti since 2006.

"So, all the new ones he's trying to pile up are like the tissue paper which cannot hold water. Fayose should look inward and not at the direction of the ACN. He should look towards the direction where his problems lie, rather than making spurious allegation.”

Christian group charges government to address challenges militating against women n Bisi OLADELE, Ibadan n special Christian women conference will kick off today in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

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The conference, tagged: ‘Agents of Change’, will be hosted by Unique Women Fellowship of the Word Communication Ministries (WOCOM), Onireke, Ibadan.

The President of the group, Pastor Mrs. Omowumi Popoola, disclosed this while addressing newsmen on the one-day conference.

Mrs. Popoola charged government at all levels in the country to urgently address the challenges facing women for them to exhibit their potentials and move the nation forward.

According to her, for the country to overcome its numerous problems and become a nation, challenges confronting the women in the areas of good health care delivery, access to education and cultural barriers must be solved, stating that a nation cannot rise beyond its womanhood.

Ekiti NLC seeks deputy governor's intervention on teachers' strike HE Ekiti State chapter of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has called on the deputy governor of the state, Prof.

Modupe Adelabu, to intervene in the ongoing strike embarked upon by the state chapter of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT).

The body said the deputy governor, who it described as an accomplished education administrator and a mother, should intervene in the current impasse which had disrupted caused the current school calendar.

It will be recalled that the NUT, an

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Sulaiman SALAWUDEEN, Ado-Ekiti umbrella body for teachers in both primary and secondary schools in the country, had two weeks ago embarked on what it termed an indefinite strike in some states of the federation to press home its demands for the 27.5 per cent Teachers' Pecuniary Allowance.

Chairman of the congress, Comrade Ayodeji Aluko, who spoke in Ado-Ekiti when he led a delegation of the state NLC on a courtesy call on the deputy governor, praised Governor Kayode Fayemi for the

unprecedented development in the state.

Pledging the union’s support for the current administration, the NLC boss explained that the intervention of the deputy governor could reverse the current situation between the teachers and the state government.

Responding, the deputy governor thanked labour for supporting the good works of government, and said the Dr. Fayemi led administration has put the state on the world map through proper conceptualization and implementation of its 8-point agenda.

Explaining that the government is passionate about the welfare of everybody, she regretted that pupils are being kept at home due to circumstances beyond the government’s control, and assured that the ongoing strike is being tackled through dialogue in the appropriate quarters.

Adelabu, who praised the organised labour in the state for not allowing itself to be used to detract the good works of government, urged the leadership of the NLC to always approach government with good counsels on how to move the state forward.

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THE NATION, SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 2013

Abia to invest in waste management n Sunny NWANKWO, Abia n BIA State governor, Theodore Ahamefule Orji, has promised that his government would assist both local and foreign investors who are willing to site waste recycling plants in the state.

Orji, during a one-day workshop on e-waste sensitization/awareness organized for Abia Organization of Market Associations (AOMA) in Aba, said that the establishment of waste recycling plants at different parts of the state would help the state to manage domestic and industrial wastes generated in the state.

According to Governor Orji, "the recycling plants, when established, will go a long way in converting wastes generated in various parts of the state into wealth, and will also assist the state government in creating job opportunities for the unemployed who are expected to be engaged as workers in the plants.”

The governor, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Bernard Ogbonna, said that the state government was willing to render technical assistance and provide the investors with necessary support to ensure that their businesses thrive in the state.

The Director-General, National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Mrs. Ngeri Benebo, expressing her fear on the health implications of crude recycling method, said crude recycling method provides employment for youths.

Benebo, represented by Razaq Ashiru, South East Zonal Director, said that the agency has put in place legal instruments to stop individuals and companies from disposing e-wastes indiscriminately, and said that NESREA is willing to HE Ebonyi State work with state government command of the to ensure that they are carried Nigeria Police along in the enforcement of yesterday recorded a huge relevant environmental laws. success in its battle to rid the He said the agency had state of criminals, with the been collaborating with killing of three armed experts from the United robbery suspects.

The three suspects were Kingdom, under the “Ewaste Africa Project”, to train said to have fallen to the the informal sector on sound superior fire power of the police, while three other gang ways of handling e-waste.

The Programme Manager members were arrested in of Forte Communications, two separate battles between police and men of the Mr. Ben Ezinma, said that the the underworld. strategic nature of the In a related development, commercial city in e-waste the Police also arrested four generation necessitated the members of a notorious seminar in Aba. robbery and kidnapping Ezinma regretted that the gang, said to been terrorising size of e-waste generated in the state.

Aba has not been positively A statement by the Police maximized; stressing that e- Public Relations Officer waste would be a gold mine (PPRO), DSP Sylvester Igbo, in the state if they would be said one of the armed robbers recycled and also a source of killed engaged a police patrol employment generation for team in a shootout along Abraham Enyita Street in the unemployed.

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•From left: Gov Peter Obi (Anambra), T.A Orji (Abia) Vice President Namadi Sambo, Chief Judge of Federal High Court, Hon Justice Ibrahim Auta and Gov Martin Elechi of Ebonyi State, during the formal commissioning of the Abakaliki Federal High Court complex, yesterday by the vice president.

Police kill three armed robbers in Ebonyi T

… six others arrested for robbery, kidnapping n Ogochukwu ANIOKE, Abakaliki n Abakaliki, the state capital, after robbing a guest house in the area.

“In the ensuing battle, one Henry Chukwu, popularly known as Drama, an ex-law student of Ebonyi State University, sustained bullet injuries and later gave up the ghost while being taken to the hospital", Igbo said.

Three members of the gang, namely, Emeka Esegor, Ude Oko and Nwokporo William, were arrested, while various items, including a double barrel revolver pistol, machetes, locally-made shot gun, axe and catridges were recovered from the gang.

Also, two yet-to-beidentified gunmen on a motorcycle were also killed by the Police patrol and DCP

patrol teams at the Ishieke area of the city, after another gun duel.

The robbers, according to Igbo, had opened fire on the police men on duty at a branch of a new generation bank along Ogoja road, and made away with an Assault Rifle with 20 rounds of ammunition of one of the officers.

“But the police bank patrol team and DCP patrol team gave the robbers a hot chase.

In the exchange of gunfire, one police man was shot on the shoulder, while two of the robbers were hit by police bullets. They later died on the way to the hospita.”

Items recovered from them include an AK47 riffle snatched from the policemen at the bank, four rounds of ammunition, four rounds of

Fire disaster averted as fuel tanker collides with lorry nother major fire disaster was averted yesterday when a fuel tanker, loaded with about 33,000 liters of PMS, crashed into a lorry at the Umunya junction, Oyi local government area of the Onitsha-Enugu Expressway.

The prompt intervention of the men of the Nigeria police, the Federal Road Safety Corps , Anambra state fire service and the villagers, who cordoned off the area, was said to prevented a fire disaster after the fuel

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n Odogwu EMEKA ODOGWU, Nnewi n from the tanker spilled onto the road.

The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Oyi, Mr. Adegbowale and the Route Commander, FRSC, Mr. Samuel Nwangwu, told newsmen that no life was lost, but that the driver of the fuel tanker and his conductor were seriously injured.

Both vehicles, said to be coming from Onitsha end of the road, were diverting to the other side of the expressway when the fuel tanker lost control and

crashed into the lorry from the rear, leading to a serious traffic gridlock on the busy Onitsha-Enugu Expressway.

An eyewitness, Mrs. Elizabeth Okafor, a road-side food vendor, praised the police, FRSC and men of the fire brigade for the prompt response, which she said helped in averting a major disaster. Also speaking, Mr. Leonard Okwunde, an indigene of the area, thanked God for sparing the people another major disaster.

Revenue: Anambra targets N20bn annually HE Anambra State government is targeting N20billion per year as internally generated revenue, the Chief Executive Officer of the State Internal Revenue Service, Mr. Nwanne Ejikeme, has said.

Only about N3.5billion accrues to the state annually at present.

The state, according to the CEO, currently loses N15billion per annum to fraudsters.

Mr.Ejikeme, speaking in an interview in Awka, said many residents of the state have either not been paying

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•Loses N15bn per annum through fraudsters their tax or are underpaying because of lack of tax payers data.

This problem is now being addressed as the first step towards boosting the state’s revenue.

Also receiving government’s attention are blocking leakages in the system and full implementation of tax laws.

He said fraudsters have also been defrauding many unsuspecting residents by collecting taxes and levies illegally from them.

Five of such suspected

fraudsters were recently arrested in Onitsha by operatives of the State Security Service (SSS) while allegedly printing and duplicating receipts of the State Government.

He said: “over the past years, the state government has not really carried out any strict enforcement of the tax laws but right now we are prepared to enforce it.

“The master forgers, fraudsters are all over Nnewi, Onitsha, Awka and other places. This state is losing a whole lot of money

through these master forgers totaling about 15 billion Naira annually.

“It has become a lucrative business for them in terms of revenue collection; Anambra should be among the best in this country, perhaps behind Lagos , Rivers, and Delta states.

“We are now in a tight corner because of these touts, but we have started fighting them and those institutions that have refused to remit their revenue to Government. We will take them to court because we want to follow due process.”

ammunition, handsets, ATM card, the sum of N90,000, 480 and a Kymco motorcycle.

The command also said it arrested one John Uguru a.k.a. Solo, a kingpin of a notorious kidnapping ring responsible for the kidnapping of one Lydia uduma at Oso Edda, Afikpo South Local Government Area of the state.

The suspect, who was said to have confessed to being the leader of the gang, was

arrested in Lagos State by detectives from the Ebonyi State command.

“He is still assisting the Lagos command in their investigations in the light of shocking revelations to series of his involvement in criminal activities, ranging from bank robbery, kidnapping and murder in that state.

“But he confessed that he is the leader of the gang that kidnapped Lydia Uduma, which led to the arrest of the following gang members, Melody Ede, Chukwudi Ede

Anambra Assembly passes N25bn supplementary budget HE Anambra State House of Assembly has passed Governor Peter Obi’s supplementary budget of twentyfive billion, fifty million and twenty-seven thousand naira.

Speaking with reporters yesterday in Awka, shortly after the budget passage, the House committee chairman on finance and appropriation, Princess Nikky Ugochukwu, said it was passed due to Obi’s prudent management of the state's resources.

She maintained that Governor Obi had utilized the previous budgets so effectively that the House was left with no option than to encourage him by the passage.

Ugochukwu further said that the Anambra citizenry had benefited immensely from Obi’s good governance, as all sectors in the state had been wonderfully transformed.

According to her, “we, the state lawmakers are happy that Governor Obi puts to good use the budget we passed.

“If you look around, you will see development all over the place and the citizenry are also happy with the Governor”.

“The lawmakers will continue to contribute toward the overall development of the state, and we are equally committed to improving the living condition of Ndi Anambra through the legislation of people-oriented laws”, Ugochukwu said.

The lawmaker, who represents Orumba South Constituency, commended her colleagues, especially members of the committee, for working diligently towards the passage of the supplementary budget, and assured that the harmonious relationship existing between the executive and legislature in the state would continue.

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Governor Obi mourns NANS leaders NAMBRA State Governor, Mr. Peter Obi, has expressed regrets over the death of five leaders of the National Association of Nigerian Students in an automobile crash on Thursday, and conveyed his condolences to the families and institutions of the deceased students.

Governor Obi,who noted that every death was painful, however lamented the loss of these ‘promising ones in their

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prime.’ He said it was touching that the student leaders died in the line of duty, as they were travelling to the University of Uyo to mediate in the institution’s recent unrest. “The nation needs such future leaders with a sense of mission,” he said.

Obi said there was need for road traffic regulatory agencies to strive towards greater road safety on our highways by ensuring compliance with safety measures by road users.

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Retired soldier kills wife over plan to take second wife n Osemwengie Ben OGBEMUDIA, Benin n retired Warrant officer, (WO 2) of the Nigerian Army, Shakede Ukana, has allegedly murdered his wife, Mrs Onyonishoyi Ukana-Nee Akarutu, in order to marry his long-time mistress.

Ukana allegedly killed his wife at about 1am on Thursday in his naïve Igarra community in Edo State, and later dismembered her corpse.

Sources close to the family said the 18-year old son of Shakede, whose name could be ascertained at the time of filing in this report, also sustained several machete cuts in an attempt to rescue his mother.

It was gathered that the couple have been involved in a running battle over the husband’s plan to formally marry his age-long mistress.

It was also learnt that several attempts by family members and friends to resolve the crisis failed to yield positive result.

The remains of late Mrs. Ukana is said to have been deposited at a private mortuary in Igarra, Edo State.

When contacted, Edo State Police Public Relation Officer, ASP Moses Eguavoen, said the Command is yet to be briefed on the incident.

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UNICAL unions on strike over unpaid salaries n Nicholas KALU, Calabar n HE Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), the Non Academic Staff Union (NASU) and National Association of Academic Technologies (NAAT) of the University of Calabar have embarked on a one-week warning strike over unpaid allowances.

In a two paragraph statement signed by the three industrial unions, Egete D.O for SSANU, Ogah Godwin for NASU, and E. Okon for NAAT, pasted at the entrance of the institution, the unions said the strike, which commenced on Thursday 13th June, was as a result of the general meeting of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the three industrial unions at University of Calabar, held on Wednesday 12th June.

The statement reads: “The main reason for this seven-day warning strike is because the authorities of the university have refused to listen to us and defray all the outstanding allowances owed to our members. They have not taken staff welfare as important. Regarding this, we have severally written letters reminding them about the outstanding allowances and need for them to take care of staff which they have been overlooking.”

T •First Lady Dame Patience Jonathan (right) at the inauguration of Yitzhak Rabin International School in Port Harcourt...yesterday

Edo sets up panel to probe ministry fire OVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole yesterday set up an administrative panel to probe the remote and immediate causes of the fire that razed a part of the Ministry of Education building in Benin City, where records dating back to the 1950s were destroyed.

At the head of the panel is to be headed by a retired judge of the Edo State High Court, Justice Roland Amaize.

Dismissing insinuation by the opposition that the fire could have been an attempt to conceal records of alleged missing SUBEB money, the governor said the fire had nothing to do with the removal of the former Commissioner for education or the sacking of the SUBEB board.

He said the PDP erred in its averment on allegedly

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n Osagie OTABOR, Benin n missing SUBEB fund and alleged attempt to conceal same , noting that SUBEB is not located in the Ministry of Education building that was razed and the accounts department of the Ministry was also not located in the affected building.

The Governor maintained that government set up the probe panel because very important archival materials were destroyed in the fire.

He said: “let me disabuse the minds of our people that much as we do not know the cause of the incident, if it was sabotage, who was responsible. One thing is very clear and I am not in doubt, this has nothing to do with the events that led to my having to remove the former commissioner and the dissolution of the SUBEB board. As a matter of fact,

SUBEB is not located in that particular building or in that premises. The accounts section of the ministry of education is not located in that place and is not affected.

“The only thing affected as far as I have been briefed, and you will be able to establish the details of that, is we are dealing basically with documents and archives, not finances not accounts materials.

“So those of our political opponents who are quick to think that everybody behave like they do, namely to corruptly steal public funds and use it to help themselves and their cronies, that is not what we stand for.

The panel's terms of reference are: To try and establish the possible remote and immediate causes of the fire; Help to establish and determine the items

destroyed; Identify those who might be responsible, whether it might be an act of sabotage, negligence or both or whether it was natural; Advise government on how to avoid this kind of incident in the future and make recommendations that might be of help to government in the future.

Chairman of the Committee, Justice Amaize in his response promised the Governor and the people of the state that the panel will do everything possible to get to the root of the fire and that they will give a feedback that will be of benefit to people of the state.

Other members of the administrative panel of inquiry are Dr Osagie Obayuwana, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mr P.T Mustapha and Mr. Stephen Omoruyi.

Uduaghan, Ekweremadu, others advocate true fiscal federalism ELTA State governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan, has called for a review of the Value Added Tax Law, to enable state governments collect VAT and remit agreed percentage to the Federal government.

He said it was ”unacceptable” for states that abhor some VAT-able items like alcohol to share in the proceeds accruable from its taxes.

According to him, “We collect VAT on alcohol in Delta State and the money is being shared to some states in the North where alcohol is prohibited. This is not acceptable.”

Uduaghan also advised the Federal Government on the proper management of the sovereign wealth fund to ensure effective participation of the various states in the country.

The Governor made this known at the 2nd Anniversary Public Lecture of the 5th Assembly in Asaba.

He said that states were not against the establishment of the sovereign wealth fund,

D

n Okungbowa AIWERIE, Asaba n but questioned its management, and opined that states should be able to decide the amount to save and what to do with their savings since they are not appendages of the Federal government.

He said: “We are not against sovereign wealth fund but what we are against is the way and manner the fund is being managed.”

Dr. Uduaghan also advocated for the practice of true Fiscal Federalism in the country to enable federating states have access to their resources for maximum development, stating that the practice of Fiscal Federalism would create the opportunity for states to develop their mineral and other resources and improve their revenue bases.

This, he stated would engender healthy competition among the various states in the federation and enhance infrastructural development.

“The issue of Fiscal

Federalism is an issue that is dear to all state governors. If we are practicing true Fiscal Federalism in this country, the state governors will not need to go to Abuja to beg or lobby for what is rightfully theirs.”

The governor commended the Delta State House of Assembly for their contributions to the development of the state, explaining that the constant dialogue between the Legislative and Executive Arms on issues has led to the developmental strides in the state.

He, therefore, recommended the Delta State model of Executive and Legislative cooperation and dialogue to other state governments in order to promote peaceful coexistence and development in their states.

Also speaking, Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu called for the implementation of true Fiscal Federalism in the country, stressing that it would bring about prosperity and

development to the federating states.

Senator Ekweremadu stated that Fiscal Federalism would guarantee the country’s growth and ensure maximum protection of the people’s interest, as well as provide good living standards for the masses.

He explained that a situation where states depended on the monthly Federal revenues from the mono –oil economy for their developmental activities was unacceptable, as it has made most states unproductive and left other sectors of the economy underdeveloped.

The Senator commended Delta State government for its “Delta Beyond Oil” vision, adding that it would help develop other sectors of the economy and reduce the over dependence on oil revenue.

He challenged other state governments to follow the Delta State lead and create ways of diversifying their revenue base rather than depending sorely on oil revenue allocation.

Police kill two suspected sea pirates in C/River n Nicholas KALU, Calabar n WO suspected sea pirates have been shot dead by men of the Cross River State command of the Nigeria Police Force.

The two suspects met their waterloo while attempting to attack a Nigerian Ports Authority vessel, MT AUCKLAND, Commissioner of Police, Kola Sodipo, told reporters on Friday.

They were shot during a gun duel which ensued after the pirates were accosted by a team of Marine Police on patrol along the Calabar/Oron Channel, as they were about to attack the NPA vessel on June 9.

Sodipo said they died while being conveyed to the hospital after sustaining bullet wounds.

The other pirates, he said jumped into the water with bullet wounds.

Items recovered from them, the police boss said included one GPMG gun, two AK49 rifles, one AK47 rifle, one assault rifle, seven rounds of GPMG live ammunition, eight empty magazines of AK rifles and speed boat W23 fitted with 200HP Yamaha engine.

Sodipo also said eight arrests have been made in connection with the alleged invasion of Inyima community in Yakurr Local Government Area by the Oyadama people of Obubra Local Government Area in Cross River in which at least four people were killed and hundreds of houses destroyed, adding that the last one month has witnessed the arrest of 27 suspected armed robbers, 15 cultists and 4 kidnappers.

He commended members of the public for their cooperation in helping to check crime in the state, and called on them not to relent in giving the police information that would help them.

T

Don’t misuse your influence, Akpabio warns new commissioners n Kazeem IBRAHYM, Uyo n KWA Ibom State governor, Godswill Akpabio has warned the newly-appointed commissioners and a special adviser in the state against the misuse of power and influence, and urged them to join hands in building a state that would create conditions and opportunities for indigenes of the state.

The governor gave the warning yesterday after performing the swearing-in ceremony on four commissioners, one special adviser and the Chairman, Akwa Ibom House of Assembly Service Commission, at the new Governor's Office, Uyo, the state capital.

He said: “We have reached a critical point in our journey as a people. We have built a state in the last six years, which exceeds the dreams and expectations of our forefathers. We have done this by the application of the Akwa Ibom virtues of industry, integrity and diligence. In doing, this we have built a momentum for development, which is exciting and demands sacrifices from those of us who are the custodians of public trust.

A

THE NATION SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 2013

60

SPORT EXTRA

‘No agreement between Mikel and Galatasaray’ R

EPORTS at home and abroad claiming Nigeria international and Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel has agreed in principle to join Galatasaray are wide of the mark, says highly respected journalist Colin Udoh .

Colin Udoh, who is close to Mikel and his agent John Shittu said on Twitter: ‘’Just got a call from Mikel re Galatasaray. Says he is aware of the interest, but has not agreed anything yet: ‘Nothing like that.’’

To put in another way, Galatasaray will have to break their piggy bank if they are to lure the former Lyn Oslo ace to Istanbul. ‘’When I spoke to Shittu (Mikel’s manager) last week, he told me its up to Chelsea.

But only if Gala stumped up some stupid money,’’ adds Colin Udoh.

Obi Mikel, who has spent the last seven years at Chelsea, is rated around 23 million euros by transfer market experts.

ZENITH BANK WOMEN’S BASKETBALL LEAGUE FINAL

Dolphin Queens dare Deepwater

•Mikel

T

HE Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, would literarily go up in flames today as two Basketball teams, Dolphin Queens and First Deepwater engage each other in the final of the 9th edition of the Zenithsponsored women’s basketball league to see who runs home with the coveted trophy.

Defending Champions of Nigeria Women’s Basketball League, Deepwater, Thursday, beat hard fighting Sunshine Angels 80-46 in the first semifinals, while Dolphin Queens defeated First Bank 72-64 in the second semi-final to set the stage for today’s grand finale.

Indeed today’s encounter promises to be interesting and thrilling considering the rivalry between both teams that has spanned over a decade.

Deepwater proved book makers right by again winning all their matches in the first round of the final eight in Lagos.

To maintain a 100 per cent record and remained on top, Deepwater recorded an 87-62 victory over Dolphin Queens in last group A game. With the victory Deepwater set up a semi -final clash against Sunshine Angels, while First Bank clashed with Dolphins.

To get today’s final, the coach Lateef Erin-folami – tutored side maintained un-beaten runs. In the first phase that held at the indoor sports hall of the Abuja National Stadium in March, the oil and gas ladies as they are fondly called won all their matches to lead group A that consisted of nine teams.

The team continued their impressive run when the second phase dunked-off in Asaba, Delta State.

Playing against IGP Queens, Plateau Rocks, FCT Angels and Coal City Queens, the defending champions still went undefeated in all the matches played in Asaba.

A feat that secured them ticket for the final play –offs in Lagos.

And today the stage is set. Can Deepwater subdue Dolphi Queens to remain unbeaten in this championship?

Chukwumerije lauds Minister on taekwondo feats

O

L Y M P I A N taekwondo star Chika Chukwumerije has showered praises on the Honourable Minister of Sports, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi for the National Sports Commission’s endorsement and funding of his Foundation in participating in international taekwondo tournaments held in Austria and Switzerland recently.

Chukwumerije said in line with the Minister’s vow to support and even sponsor sports that has a feasible and bright future, the NSC funded his Team to the inernational tournament which is a scoring event that will eventually help Nigeria to continue to rank as a top country in the game.

“We went for an international training camp that was organised by my FoundationChika Chukwumerije Foundation. It was for 22 days and the purpose was to expose our athletes and for them to gain more experience.

“Five athletes (including Chika) went for two different international tournament namely the Austrian Open and Swiss Open taekwondo competition. These two tournament are rated bt the parent body, The World Taekwondo Federation”.

Chika as he is fondly called told NationSport that the idea behind this is to let the young and home based athletes be exposed to the international arena and experience how it is being done there.

The Olympian who led the

From Segun Ogunjimi, Abuja delegation to the tournaments disclosed that the five Nigerian taekwondo fighters competed against five German Clubs and also had a training sessions.

The Nigerian contingent however had an impressive results at the two tournaments winning a gold medal won by Chukwumerije himself, a silver won by his junior brother Uche Chukwumerije and a bronze medal.

The Minister, however, praised the Chika Chukwumerije led team for winning medals and putting Nigeria positively in the world map in the game.

“I never hesitated to support this team when they came to me because I have always regarded Chika as a patriotic, dedicated and committed athlete. I am happy that his team came back with these medals to show that Nigeria has bright prospect in the game. Is shows that the future is very bright for the game in Nigeria”, Abdullahi summed up.

•Chukwumerije

FIFA CONFEDERATIONS CUP

100 Supporters Club’s members storm Brazil on Sunday

T

HE Nigeria Football and Other Sports Supporters Club on Friday said that more than 100 of its members would fly to Brazil on Sunday to cheer the Super Eagles.

The 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil begins on Saturday, while Nigeria will play its first game against Tahiti on Monday and later play, Uruguay and Spain in Group B. The club’s Secretary, Samuel Ikpea, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the first batch comprising 100 members would land in the host country on Sunday while the rest would join later.

“Our preparation has been on top gear and the Brazilian Embassy has been very cooperating. As at this moment I am talking to you I want to assure you that come Sunday, the first batch of the Nigeria Football Supporters Club will leave the shore of this country to Sao Paolo to render support to the Super Eagles.

“Well, I want to assure you that come Sunday over an hundred of us will be leaving Nigeria via South Africa Airline.’’

The secretary commended coach Stephen Keshi and the players for their doggedness in making the country proud and expressed confidence in their ability to triumph at the tournament.

“Well, I want to commend Keshi and I want to also commend the boys, they have been trying, they have been doing their best, and so far they have not recorded any loss.

“Coupled with the understanding among them, the zeal among them, I am sure that I

have this level of confidence that they will get to the final of this game and even winning the tournament.”

He urged the team to be more

focused, determined and play as a team to enhance their victory at the tournament comprising world continental champions.

The competition will hold

between June 15 and June 30 in six cities, namely: Rio de Janeiro, Brasilia, Fortaleza, Recifa, Salvedor and Belo Horizonte.

The Eagles, who booked a place

in the Confederation Cup after emerging African Champions in South Africa, is in group B with Uruguay, Tahiti and Spain, the World Cup defending champion.

Forgive Victor Moses •Continued from back page ents in their home and murdered them. He said Victor’s life was in danger, too. The little boy, an orphan at 11, was hidden at a friend’s house.

“I just tried to be careful afterwards,” he said. “It was a week after they were killed I came to England. They got me out as quickly as they could for my safety.”

“He left so fast and in such panic, shock and bewilderment that he did not even have the chance to bring any pictures of his parents.”

Why the narration about Moses’ past? Today Moses is not with the Super Eagles in Brazil for the Confederation Cup. It was reported initially that he was injured. Many questioned this shocking revelation because he had nodded down a brilliant cross which Fernado Torres blasted inside the net in Chelsea’s 2-1 against Everton at Stamford Bridge to qualify for the 2013/2014 UEFA Champions league competition.

They couldn’t reconcile this setting with the injury claims, especially as Moses didn’t limp off the pitch. Incensed by the development, NFF sought to know from Chelsea what his problem was. But the English replied to say that they had released John Mikel Obi and Moses, the two Nigerians in their employment, to play for Nigeria.

Having known the truth, NFF and indeed the team’s chief coach wanted to know what his problem was. Rather than pick his calls or return the voice messages left on his answering machine with a call, Moses, I would rather say, shied away. He didn’t have the courage to tell Keshi and NFF eggheads the truth. He surely needed a break from the beautiful game to be with his kid, born by a live-in lover. I won’t blame him.

The flipside to the tale of the two players is that Mikel was courageous to tell Keshi that he needed to rest. He was excused to miss the friendly game against Mexico in Houston, United States. Mikel returned to play pivotal roles in Nigeria’s 1-0 victory against Kenya in Nairobi and against Namibia in Windhoek on June 5 and 12.

Nobody has heard from Moses. Keshi and the NFF are

amazed but have remained calm. But Keshi’s and NFF top men’s silence is betoken. Moses may go the way of Osaze Odemwingie because he has refused to pick his calls or return messages that he obviously listened to.

Indeed, the body language of those in the Glasshouse and the Eagles technical team suggests that Moses has been axed.

No qualms but don’t we think we should treat his case as that of a first offender? As a young boy, he certainly didn’t know how to tell both parties that he needed a break.

The difference between Osaze and Moses is that the latter spent part of his ‘holidays’ wishing the Eagles well before their games and congratulating them where necessary after such matches. He also hasn’t said anything about his absence nor did he go the Osaze way of pouring inventive on the coaches or the NFF. Keshi should reach out to Moses, scold him and get him back to the team. Moses knows he erred, although he has consistently said he was gutted by the ‘injury’ that forced his absence from the Eagles’ busy June schedule. Moses doesn’t know of the Chelsea letter that put a lie to his injury story.

Eagles need Moses. One goal from 180 minutes of soccer against Kenya and Namibia is an appalling goals record, given the pedigree of our players. Keshi and NFF need to close ranks with our erring players. We need to play the next stage of the 2014 World Cup qualifiers with our best stars.

We lost so many scoring chances against Kenya and Namibia as attested to by NFF’s General Secretary Musa Amadu and his boss Aminu Maigari in post match comments. Even Keshi acknowledged that his boys were wasteful. For the next stage, there should be zero tolerance for fluffed chances because the opposition will be stiffer, having separated the boys from the men in the team.

I don’t expect much from the Eagles when this year’s Confederations Cup competition begins today. It is a learning curve, one in which we can gauge our coaches’ technical savvy against some of the best tacticians in the world.

THE NATION SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 2013

61

SPORT EXTRA

Manchester City appoint Pellegrini

M

ANCHESTER CITY have confirmed Manuel Pellegrini as the club’s new manager on a three-year deal.

Pellegrini succeeds the sacked Roberto Mancini, having guided Villarreal to the Champions League semifinals and Malaga to the last eight in their debut campaigns in Europe’s elite competition.

Last week Goal revealed Pellegrini had flown into Manchester to finalise negotiations, and City have now confirmed he will begin his duties on June 24.

Pellegrini told the club’s official website: “I am delighted to accept this hugely exciting opportunity.

“The club has a clear vision for success both on and off the pitch and I am committed to making a significant

•Pellegrini

contribution.

“Everything is in place for Manchester City to continue to be successful and I am excited to be able to work with such a talented squad, the executive team and the board to deliver

for fans who are renowned for their steadfast support.”

City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak added: “Manuel is a hugely experienced and successful manager with a proven track record.”

Ideye in Confed Cup All Star list

S

UPER EAGLES striker, Brown Ideye has been named as one of the players to watch in Brazil, as the FIFA Confederations Cup kicks off in Brasillia on Saturday.

Ideye, who finally secured a starting place in the Super Eagles with a solid performance at the Nations Cup in South Africa, has had a good season with Dynamo Kiev in the Ukraine League.

The citation, which was published across many Internet football sites, reads like this: Another player yet to really make a name for himself on the international scene, Ideye could fly under the radar for a dangerous Nigeria side. Ideye netted 21 goals in 40 appearances for Dynamo Kiev last season, and has the talent to replicate that form for his

•Ideye country.

The other players on the list are - Neymar (Brazil), Paulinho (Brazil), Javier Hernandez (Mexico) and Shinji Okazaki (Japan) Others are - Stephan El Shaarawy (Italy), Jordi Alba (Spain), David Silva (Spain), Edinson Cavani (Uruguay) and Steevy Chong Hue (Tahiti) The ninth FIFA Confederations Cup begins on June 15 in Brasillia with a game between hosts Brazil, and Japan.

Onazi laments Confed Cup miss

N

IGERIA midfielder Ogenyi Onazi will be out of active football for one month after he suffered a knee injury in a world cup qualifier against Namibia on Wednesday.

Onazi underwent a scan on Thursday that shows he will be out for about four weeks.

The Lazio midfielder laments missing out on the FIFA Confederations Cup that kicks off on Saturday June 15, 2013 in Brazil.

“I thought it was something I could manage when it happened but there was no point pushing myself to the extreme,” Onazi told BBC

Sport.

“Unfortunately, it means I will miss our Confederations Cup in Brazil.”

Onazi played a vital role in Nigeria’s squad that won the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa where the team won the trophy after 19 years.

62

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 2013

The newly constructed bridge

Oboh

‘ ’

THE NATION SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 2013

63

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 14-06-13

FBN Holding assures better returns

T

HE major preoccupation of FBN Holding Plc is to continuously focus on sustaining the momentum to give better returns to investors, its Chief Executive Officer, Mr Bello Maccido, has said.

He said the decision to focus on value creation for investor's stemmed from the company's successful migration into holding company.

Presenting the underlying facts of the company to the investing public at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Maccido said the group would optimise value creation for investors through enhanced coordination of the constituents within the holding group.

According to him, the bank had prearranged to ensure that the commercial banking group, which is a very important player of the bank holding company structure, continue to sustain its momentum as the preeminent financial institution in Nigeria.

He said that the bank was targeting 15 per cent growth in deposit for its retail banking franchise in 2013, noting that the company would continue with its aggressive deposit mobilisation strategy through its commercial banking subsidiary to

•Market sheds N50b Taofik Salako and Tonia Osundolire

achieve the set target.

He said the bank would open additional 45 branches in 2013 to ensure huge market penetration and low cost deposit generation across the country.

He noted that the company had reinforced the banking group position as a retail franchise with additional 70 branches in 2012 to increase savings and number of depositors to nine million, of which 400,000 was added last year. Maccido said that the bank's current total branch network stood at 807.

According to him, the company recorded a deposit base of N2.4 trillion during the 2012 financial year, against N1.59 trillion achieved in 2011.

He said that the company was targeting a 20 per cent growth in dividend payment in 2013. ``We will continue to sustain our momentum and create value to all stakeholders,'' Maccido said.

Audited report and accounts of FBN Holdings for the year ended December 31, 2012 showed gross earnings of N359.8 billion in 2012 against the N273.8 bil-

lion posted in 2011, an increase of 31.4 per cent. Profit before tax stood at N92.7 billion compared with the N35.8 billion declared in 2011. Profit after tax moved up to N75.7 billion from N18.6 billion recorded in the preceding year. Its operating income increased by 25.8 per cent to N298.3 billion in contrast to N237 billion recorded in 2011, while customer deposits stood at N2.4 trillion against N2 trillion announced in 2011. The company's total assets grew by 11.4 per cent from N2.9 trillion in 2011 to N3.2 trillion in 2011.

Meanwhile, the stock market continued its freefall yesterday with the key indicators at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) dropping further by 0.42 per cent on Friday due to massive sell pressure.

The market capitalisation dropped by N50 billion to close at N11.967 trillion from the opening value of N12.017 trillion. The AllShare Index, which opened at 37,406.73 points, dipped by 156.80 points to close at 37,249.93 points.

Port Paint recorded the highest price gain of N0.36 to close at N3.96, followed

by Cutix with an increase of N0.19 to close at N2.25. On the losers, chart, Red Star led with a drop of N0.51 to close at N4.59 followed by Ikeja Hotel with a slip of N0.09 to close at N0.81 per share.

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 17-05-13

TOMORROWPUNCHLINE IN THE NATION

Efforts by federal legislators to amend the constitution notwithstanding, two types of discourse have emerged and have been raging for the past one year: Unity discourse and Diversity discourse

SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 2013 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM VOL.7, NO. 2517

—Ropo Sekoni

U

NTIL his recent utterly inexplicable outburst against the government of Mr.BabatundeRaji Fashola (SAN) of Lagos State, the Minister of Information, Mr.LabaranMaku, had largely distanced himself from the maddening crowd at Aso Villa who portrayed themselves as feral, carnivorous beasts bent on devouring every real or imagined 'enemies' of their principal. But then, the stakes seem to be getting higher.

All ministerial aides and appointees must prove his or her loyalty by the degree of ferocity, venality and vehemence with which they denounce critics of President Goodluck Jonathan's administration. For them, criticism of government is now a crime synonymous with high treason. It does not occur to these overzealous attack dragons of President Jonathan that criticism is a vital, indispensable ingredient for democracy and good governance.

Furthermore, the PDP is equally as vehement and virulent in its criticisms of incumbent governments in states where the party is in opposition. Thus, you find a highly cerebral and cultured Dr. Reuben Abati, for instance, responding to critics of his boss in language that is clearly alien to his naturally urbane, temperate and liberal character. It is unfortunate that Labaran Maku can no more maintain a dignified stance above the fray while informing the public about the activities and achievements of the administration in a professional, objective and credible manner.

During his last 2013 ministerial press platform, designed to enable Ministers showcase their achievements to the public, Labaran Maku decided, without provocation or any just cause to launch a vitriolic attack on the BabatundeRaji Fashola administration in Lagos State. Contending that there is nothing significant that Fashola is doing in the 'Centre of Excellence', the Minister argued, without the slightest shred of credible empirical substantiation, that most of the revenue generating projects in Lagos State are federal projects. According to the Minister "Most of the projects in Lagos State where taxes are being collected are federal projects. Lagos State does no significant thing other than environmental sanitation". He added that the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) runs on federal roads.If such statements had not emanated from a Minister of the Federal Republic, I would have accused Maku of hawking gross falsehood and exhibiting pathetic illogic. But then Maku is an honourable gentleman and gentlemen do not lie- they are only at liberty to indulge in terminological inexactitudes.

Of course, the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr.Lateef Ibirogba, has issued a pungent, cogent and incisive response to Maku's diatribe. Without being abusive or insulting, Ibirogba gave specific and verifiable instances of the scores of projects being undertaken across the state by the Fashola administration. My colleague, Mr.Mobolaji Sanusi, has also taken Maku to the cleaners demonstrating the shallow and pedestrian colouration of the Minister's nonthoughts in his column of last Friday. Let us

Between Labaran Maku and the BRF administration

‘ •Fashola

•Maku

take the Minister's argument on the revolutionary BRT project for instance. Why didn't the Federal Government think of such an initiative before it was conceived, planned and actualized by the Lagos State government?

Why hasn't the federal government undertaken such projects in other federal roads across the country including the Federal Capital Territory Abuja? Can Maku deny that most federal government facilities in Lagos, including major highways have been neglected and left to decay?

It is not impossible as some have argued that Maku is smarting from the refusal of the Lagos State government to fund or accommodate his Good Governance Tour jamboree in the state. One is at a complete loss as to the benefits of this utterly misbegotten, money guzzling project at a time when the country is in dire need of scarce resources to bridge its huge infrastructure and social service delivery deficits. Lagosians do not need Maku's bogus, self-serving tour to know that Fashola is effectively utilizing their mandate to pursue the greatest good of the greatest number of the people. In any case, does Maku realise that in a Federal system, the relationship between the Central and State Govern-

If such statements had not emanated from a Minister of the Federal Republic, I would have accused Maku of hawking gross falsehood and exhibiting pathetic illogic.

But then Maku is an honourable gentleman and gentlemen do not lie- they are only at liberty to indulge in terminological inexactitudes

’

ments is not that of headmaster and pupil?

What business, then, does a federal minister have in touring and assessing state government projects? It is completely indefensible.

If Maku follows the news as avidly as he should as Information Minister, he would know that Fashola himself only recently completed an inspection tour of on-going projects in all 57 Local Government and Local Council Development Areas across the state. The Governor's tour revealed that there is not a single local government in which at least one project- roads, drainage channels, bridges, markets, health facilities, schools, skills acquisition centres etc - are not ongoing.

If I were in Maku's shoes, I would strive to know what Lagos State has been doing right that the Federal Government has got completely wrong over the last 14 years. For instance, in Lagos there has been continuity in policy conceptualization and implementation since 1999. As Chief of Staff and Commissioner in the Tinubu administration, Fashola was part and parcel of drawing up the Tenpoint Agenda that has been the focus of governance in Lagos State in this political dispensation. Components of this Ten-point Agenda include roads construction/rehabilitation, public transportation, qualitative and

affordable health care, qualitative and affordable education, housing, environmental renewal/physical planning, job creation, food security, administration of justice and safety of lives and property. The Fashola administration has been building frenetically and superlatively on the foundation laid by its predecessor in this regard. But what have we had at the federal level?

First, we had the National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (NEEDS), which became history with the exit of the Obasanjo administration. At some point we were deafened by the Vision 20: 20/ 20, which aimed at making Nigeria one of the leading 20 largest economies in the world

by Y2020. That day dream has been stylishly and sensibly set aside. President Yar 'Adua's 7-point Agenda appears to have been buried with its originator. Now we have the swansong of a nebulous and ill-defined Transformation Agenda, purportedly being pursued by the Jonathan administration. There is no guarantee that this magical agenda that has recorded so much progress in theoretical statistical figures rather than in the material, existential realities of millions of our people will not go the way of its preceding, ill-conceived agendas.

Right now, the presidency and the National Assembly are still bickering over details of the 2013 budget six months into the fiscal year!

Again, from all indications we will witness another year of dismal budget performance at the federal level to the detriment of the welfare and wellbeing of the vast majority of our people. It is noteworthy that the Federal Government has hardly recorded more than 40% budgetary performance since 1999. Beyond this, the Federal Government budget is still substantially skewed in favour of recurrent expenditure as against capital expenditure necessary to renew, expand and modernize infrastructure for rapid economic growth and development. In 1999, the ratio of capital to recurrent expenditure in Lagos State was 33: 57% in favour of recurrent expenditure. By 2009, the balance had been shifted decisively with 61% going to capital expenditure and 39% to recurrent expenditure. As at 2012, capital expenditure accounted for 53% of the budget and recurrent expenditure 47%.

In Y2012, Governor Fashola signed the N492 billion budget into law on the first working day of the year and a budgetary performance of 89% was recorded for the year.

The Y2013 budget of N499.6 billion was signed into law by Governor Fashola on the 31st of December 2012 and as at the first quarter of this year a budgetary performance of 61% has been achieved. Rather than throwing infantile tantrums and striving to deny reality by painting the Fashola administration as non-performing, the Federal Government must get its act right, strengthen its budgetary process and settle down to the kind of serious business being undertaken in Lagos under Fashola. Maku would be well advised to remove the log from the federal government's eyes before trying to remove the speck in the eyes of other levels of government.

Ade Ojeikere on Saturday talk2adeojeikere@yahoo.com 08111813079 - sms only

Forgive Victor Moses

O

UR players should be courteous. Su per Eagles coaches deserve the kind of respect our players give to their European counterparts.

We see how they comport themselves in their European teams. Many may argue that these clubs have structures. But I ask, has Stephen Keshi not created a structure in the new Eagles? If you ask me, I will say ‘yes.’ So why do they still misbehave?

Perhaps, many of these boys would have got the right ‘lessons’, if they had not been allowed to spend too much time playing the beautiful game unhindered as kids because their absence eased the problem of overcrowding at home and reduced the number of mouths to feed.

Quite a few overcame the tough they had.

They combined playing soccer with acquiring knowledge, which they now use to earn

a living.

Victor Moses’ case is pitiable. He stands today in England alone, all alone. No father, mother, brothers or sisters. Moses lost them all to the insensitive carnage in Kaduna, according to his accounts.

As an orphan, he lived a reclusive life. Catered for by foster parents who didn’t know the African culture of nurturing kids, Moses has been unable to bridge that gap, now that he is mature as an adult. This is not to say that foster parents don’t nurture kids properly. They do. Perhaps, Moses’ case is the exception to the rule. You won’t blame the young Nigerian growing up in foreign land, oblivious of what the future held for him in those traumatic years.

The story was once told of how Moses didn’t bother if he had a privilege discussion with the sports minister of his country at the Heathrow International Airport in England.

The minister, we were told, recognised Moses

inside the airport lounge and walked up to him to exchange pleasantries.

The minister could have ignored Moses like many of them do, but he chose to chat with the Chelsea star. In fact, the minister wanted to congratulate Moses for opting to play for Nigeria. He succeeded but Moses was not interested in further discussion, as he fiddled with his telephone. Of course, his ears were covered with the ear phones of his set. Will anyone blame Moses for that? Certainly not this writer since Moses has walked this earth alone after his parents’ death.

Interestingly, the minister wasn’t offended

by Moses’ conduct. The star had been listening to his music before he was politely interrupted by the minister. He sympathised with him and felt perhaps he was not in the mood to be distracted.

This Football Mirror of England’s account of what Moses said about himself: “Austin Moses, my father was a Christian minister in

Kaduna at a time when religious violence between the Muslim majority and Christian minority was rife.

“Thousands of Christians had been killed there in 2000 when they objected to the imposition of Islamic Sharia Law.The news wires mention countless examples of Christian pastors being butchered in their churches

by Muslim rioters.

“Still, Austin Moses remained a pastor and with the help of his wife, Josephine, continued with his missionary work. He did not have time for football but Victor played every day, in the streets or on a dusty concrete pitch surrounded by houses. His heroes were David Beckham and Michael Owen.

“But in 2002, there were more religious riots. The family knew that because Victor’s father had his own church, he would be a target. Victor, the couple’s only child, was playing football in the streets with a ball made up of sticky tape bound tightly together when his uncle came to find him.

“He told him rioters had set upon his par

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