The Nation March 25, 2012

Boko Haram car bomb kills two in Kano JTF intercepts two bomb-laden vehicles –Page 4

ASIWAJU AT 60 Tinubu’s metamorphosis –Pages 20-22

•Soldiers search for explosives during a raid on a hideout of Boko Haram members in Sabon Gandum neighborhood of Kano yesterday. Photo: AP

Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

Vol.06, No. 2075

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

SUNDAY

N200.00

MARCH 25, 2012

President Goodluck Jonathan (C) arrives with Vice President Namadi Sambo (R) during the PDP national convention in Abuja, yesterday.

Photo: AFP

Anger, drama as PDP crowns Tukur, Oyinlola

–Page 6

Mustafa, 10 others surrender to anointed candidate Ex-Osun gov, Oyinlola, prostrates before Adeniran –PAGE 2 How deal was struck at midnight 2015: Jonathan warns against disaffection

Lagos to clamp down on illegal aliens

FG sacks Maevis, MMIA check-in operator ‘ACF not disturbed by emergence of rival Northern groups’

–Page 7

•Tukur

–Page 4

NEWS

2

THE NATION ON SUNDAY MARCH 25, 2012

• L-R: Former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Petroluem Minister, Deziani AllisonMaduekwe during the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) party convention in Abuja yesterday Photo: AFP

• Cross section of female ministers at the PDP convention in Abuja yesterday Photo: NAN

Anger, drama as PDP crowns Tukur, Oyinlola A

MIX of drama, intrigues and anger climaxed the national convention of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Abuja yesterday with aspirants to prominent positions in the national executive committee of the party arm-twisted into stepping down for the preferred candidates anointed by President Goodluck Jonathan and the leadership of the party.

Alhaji Bamanga Tukur emerged the national chairman while former governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola became the national secretary.

Shortly before the guided voting exercise commenced, one of the 11 chairmanship aspirants, Dr. Shettima Mustafa, on behalf of himself and nine other aspirants, announced that they had all withdrawn their candidature for Alhaji Bamanga Tukur.

“Having discussed the issues and having been invited by the leadership of the party, we were requested to cooperate. On behalf of the aspirants, we concede. I am mandated to concede this office to the candidate so chosen for the position,” Mustapha said in his short speech.

Former Transport Minister and aspirant to the position of National Secretary of the party, Chief Ebenezer Babatope soon followed, mounting the podium to announce his withdrawal from the race.

With anger in his voice, Babatope said: “I am not withdrawing for anybody but for the party. I have been prevailed upon by friends to withdraw; otherwise I was determined to go ahead even if I was going to get only one vote “So I am not stepping down for anybody. I am stepping down for the party. I have decided to step down as a mark of respect for President Goodluck Jonathan and

• Mustafa, 10 others surrender to anointed candidate • Ex-Osun gov, Oyinlola, prostrates before Adeniran • Babatope bows out in anger • How the deal was struck at midnight

P

R E S I D E N T Goodluck Jonathan warned his fellow members of the PDP yesterday to keep temptation of politics of succession at bay ahead of the 2015 elections.

To do otherwise is to invite disaffection within the ranks, he said in a speech to delegates at the national convention of the party.

In the speech read by Vice President Namadi Sambo, he said PDP should “continue to lead by example with an utmost sense of responsibility in order to set the pace in the march to consolidate and stabilize our democracy.”

He added:” Unity speaks to the greatness of our party and will make us greater still. This is the time; this is the moment to build afresh from within. I urge all our members to remain united and place the party’s interest above personal amFrom Bolade Omonijo, Group Politics Editor and Gbade Ogunwale, Assistant Editor, Abuja

Vice President Namadi Sambo. I believe the party is supreme” While this unfolded, pressure was being mounted on former Education Minister, Professor Tunde Adeniran to step down for Oyinlola. Adeniran had initially resisted.

Oyinlola himself now approached the stand where the former minister was seated and prostrated before him as a mark of respect and patronage. Other key stakeholders were also unrelenting in begging Adeniran to withdraw from the race.

Eventually, Adeniran caved in but not until voting to affirm Oyinlola’s sole candidature had commenced.

Don’t allow politics of 2015 cause disaffection —Jonathan From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

bition. “ We should continue to enforce discipline within our party and guard against conduct that can bring the party into disrepute. We must be a party where internal discipline is supreme and a guiding anchor of our processes. We must eschew bickering and remain united in the pursuit of our goals. As members of a great party, we must resist the temptation to allow inordinate ambition and what appears to be a growing obsession with the politics of succession in 2015, to cause disaffection within our

ranks. We have an obligation, each and every one of us, to ensure that our party remains a party of values and fresh ideas.

“We must transform into a party of innovation by improving and renewing our structures and procedures regularly to prolong and ensure our relevance in the hearts and minds of the people. Such a transformation will mark a critical threshold in the fulfillment of our historic responsibilities. To achieve this, the party must first begin to improve on its capacity as an incubator of ideas. I want to see a ruling Party that will, in-between elections, be a melting-pot of ideas on how

to excel in the provision of the total good of the people for whom it exists in the first place.

“I want to see a ruling PDP that will set the best standards for party discipline and democracy on the continent and beyond.

“Party rules must be enforced until they are changed, and such rules must apply to all members equally. The doctrine of the supremacy of the party may seem over-flogged, but my belief is that party members, wherever they may be, must be seen to be more supportive of our government, and the administration’s Transformation Agenda.

After consultation with a group from his native Ekiti State, Adeniran mounted the podium and announced his withdrawal from the contest.

Earlier, former deputy governor of Lagos State, Mr. Femi Pedro had announced his withdrawal and that of two others, Ademola Daramola and Bola Ola Ojo from the race.

While this was going on, the President’s foot soldiers moved around to persuade the various aspirants to accept the choices of the Presidency for the various positions. Governors Chibuke Amaechi (Rivers) and Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom) led a pressure group while Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief Anyim Pius Anyim and Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu led another team.

Former Governor of Oyo State, Adebayo Alao-Akala and former Senator, Iyiola Omisore were also seen persuading aggrieved aspirants to accept the President’s anointed candidates.

It was a fait accompli as one after the other, contestants started falling in line.

Immediate past vice chairman (South East) of the party, Chief Olisa Metu was announced the sole candidate for the position of the National Publicity Secretary.

Soon after, former Transport Minister, Mrs. Kema Chikwe was declared National Women Leader without opposition.

But voting still took place to affirm the adoption of the preferred candidates, President Jonathan, leading the Bayelsa State delegates, voted at 3.24 pm.

In his maiden speech

soon after he was sworn in

by Mr. Joe Gadzama (SAN), Tukur pledged to build a bridge across faith, generations and tendencies and lay the foundation for a new Nigeria. He asked those who aspired to the office to cooperate with him as "there are no winners, no losers. We are all winners."

He said he would be guided in his actions by the constitution and manifesto of the party and would ensure that such values as adherence to separation of powers, checks and balances and rule of law are guiding principles.

President Goodluck Jonathan who had to leave the convention ground at 5.20 p.m. after the votes had been sorted but before announcement of performance of the candidates one hour later, had his speech deliv-

ered by Vice President Namadi Sambo.

Trying to calm frayed nerves, he said: "I urge all our members to remain united and place party interests above personal interests."

He described the PDP as the strongest party in the history of the country, with effective presence in all the six zones. He said, "at the end of this convention, expect a stronger and more disciplined PDP".

Voting was conducted into four offices- the national chairman, national secretary, national financial secretary and national auditor. The result indicated that pre convention horse trading and pressure on candidates who could pose any challenge to withdraw from the contest for offices had yielded result.

There was no contest for the post of chairman as delegates were merely asked to endorse the remaining sole candidate. The Yes votes for Tukur were 3,185 and those who voted No were only 12.

As Chief Ebenezer Babatope, Professor Taoheed Adedoja, Chief Femi Pedro and Professor Tunde Adeniran reluctantly announced their withdrawal, the coast was clear for the emergence of the preferred candidate, former Osun State governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, as national secretary.

Oyinlola who was made to go through the motion of an election polled 3,061 votes, Chief Dapo Sarumi 8 and Mr Owolabi Salis 1.

Bolaji Ajani was affirmed as national auditor with 2,975 out of the 3,065 votes cast. By the time of voting, pockets of resistance had been bludgeoned into submission. He had no opponent.

All those who had threatened to contest the national publicity secretary, national women leader positions from the South East also bowed to intervention by party leaders at the convention ground.

Column

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, MARCH 25, 2012

Bleeping from Bamako

S

3

nooping around With

Tatalo Alamu

•The Maghreb

E

VENTS unfolding in Mali must jolt the heart of the most sanguine optimist of the current democratisation efforts in Africa. A group of renegade lowranking officers have seized power and consolidated their grips on the Sahelian country. As at the time of sending this column, the whereabouts of President Ahmadou Toumani Toure, a,k.a ATT, remains unknown, but it is clear that the machinery of government has been effectively put to sword.

In the unlikely event of the former paratrooper hero of Malian democracy rallying loyal forces to retake power, the reversal of fortunes must itself rank as one of the greatest come-back bids in the history of coups in Africa, equivalent to Gafaar Nimeiry’s 1971 dramatic seizure of the initiative from the Communist coupists, or the 1982 epic counter assault by loyal troops to free Paul Biya from his own presidential palace in Yaounde.

The heart fluttered a bit on Friday afternoon when it was reported that forces loyal to Toure were about to launch a counter assault from the paratroopers’ fortress where he was holed up.

The screen actually went blank for about an hour in Bamako. At the end, the rebels were back in control with a certain Captain Ahmadou Sonongo as their putative leader..

For now, it is safe to assume that good old Toure is gone for good and that once again, democracy is effectively defunct in Mali.

What a tragedy for Mali and Africa! But this is not the time to start crying over split milk; neither is it the moment for idle sentiments or the luxury of futile recriminations. It is time to put on our thinking caps.

With the coup in Mali, matters have moved from the realm of mere theoretical conjectures to the zone of ominous possibilities.

It is a moving irony that Toure who first came to power in more heroic circumstances as the leader of the coup that toppled the draconian Moussa Traore in 1991 should now succumb to a more vicious variant of the old virus. In his sweatshirt and alerted

from an absorbing game of basket ball, Toure had intercepted the much reviled dictator as he attempted to flee the country.

Twenty one years later, the hunter has become the hunted.

It is useful to recall that the latest coup in Mali is coming against the run of play. For a decade, the country has enjoyed relative peace and stability under ATT. The economy appeared to have emerged from the doldrums of aid dependency. A fairly transparent democratic process with a relatively conflict free succession mechanism was underway.

Toure himself was scheduled to relinquish power in a few months after his maximum two terms of office.

In a continent in dire need of political heroes, Toure was set to become a poster boy for quality leadership and political accountability. The only problem was a Tuareg insurgency in the north of the country and this rebellion appeared to have been well-contained by the Malian military.

They have been effectively restricted to the remote sand dunes hugging the bleak Saharan landscape in the northernmost abut of the country.

In the event, it was the Tuareg insurgency that proved the weakest link in the chain. For months ordinary Malian soldiers and their mid ranking officers who bore the brunt of the fighting had been complaining of obsolete weaponry and poor fighting conditions which had made them very vulnerable to the Tuareg rebels. Just as it happened in Sierra Leone in !992 when Captain Valentine Strasser, a former Freetown disc jockey, left the battle front in anger and humiliation and headed for the presidential mansion to oust Joseph Momoh, renegade Malian soldiers abandoned the battle front to dislodge Toure from the presidential palace in Bamako.

This is where Mali becomes a troubling metaphor for the rest of what is known as sub-Saharan Africa. Maghrebian Africa is set to overwhelm tropical Africa with dire consequences. In recent months, the ranks of the Tuareg rebels have been swollen by fun-

damentalist mercenaries and other equal opportunity jihadists who had seen action in the Libyan civil war. With heavy assault weapons seized from Ghaddafi’s deadly ordnance, the balance of forces shifted swiftly in their favour.

The Malian forces wilted under superior firepower and better motivated fighters. In the last few days, they have been relentlessly advancing, sending the illdisciplined regular forces scampering from pillar to post. As the Malian forces retreat, the rebels have been occupying the desert outposts and imposing their brutal authority. If the loss of central authority is now added to this series of misfortunes, Mali itself might cease to exist as we know it.

The Malian rebels have sniffed blood. The fairer-skinned desert nomads claim that they have no cultural or political kinship or ties with the Black South that has dominated and lorded it over them since independence.

Their aim is to establish an Islamic Republic in the north of the country. According to the rogue Tuareg commander, while he is not interested in Bamako, he has the historic cities of Goa, Kilda and Timbuktu within his rifle sights. He is expecting the renegade soldiers to negotiate for an effective ceasefire which will lead to the formal balkanisation of Mali. The fate of this historic country rets with two renegade armies.

Just as it happened in Rwanda in 1994 when the murder of the Hutu president and the ensuing genocide of the Tutsi provided an opportunity for the Tutsi insurgents to take over the entire country, the renegade soldiers in Bamako have also presented the Tuareg rebels with a golden cover to effect a traumatic partitioning of their country.

Thus the very tragedy they thought they were trying to prevent has become a haunting reality. But while the radical reconstitution of the Rwandan state took place under the rubric and template of one indivisible country, Mali as at this moment has become a two-state country,

which is an impossible anomaly that cannot be sustained.

What Samuel Huntington, the Harvard political scientist, has called the clash of civilisations is taking a new dimension on the African continent. Traditional Islam has no truck with the nationstate paradigm, believing that religion is a trans-national phenomenon.

This may well be a feudal delusion arising from the lingering ideological efficacy of the old notions of empire states of the theocratic variety. But as we have seen in Israel, Lebanon, etc, more radical Islamic sects are joining the battle at the level of the nationstate. As it is with the Tuaregs in Mali, so it may well be with Boko Haram in Nigeria. It is indeed a clash of civilization, but not as Huntington has foreseen it.

The contradictions are completely problematised and overdetermined, as they say in philosophy. It is a profound historical irony that it is an even more radical and inward-looking variant of Islam that is proving the most potent enemy of the old western nation-state and its whimsical colonial cartography of Africa.

In other words, after a long siege, a politically forward-looking but ideologically backwardly fixated variant of Islam has accepted the reality of the nationstate paradigm, but is trying to impose its own reality on the notion. The Islamic nation-state which ought to have been a flagrant contradiction in terms may be here with us, just as the dualstate nation may not be faraway.

The complete internationalization or globalization of the operations of the Muslim sect known as al-Qaida presents all the nations of West Africa that border the Sahel with an unprecedented security situation. Nigeria, Niger, Mali, Guinea and Senegal are particularly imperilled.

For the first time, in history, there appears to be a corridor of fundamentalist subversion that stretches across the entire continental landscape from Mombassa in Kenya via Bamako in Mali through Darfur in Sudan all the way to Kano in Nigeria. It is the modern caravan route of cataclysm and counter-hegemonic Islam stretching from the al-Shabah piratical sharks of the Indian Ocean to the turbulent pirate-infested waters of the Atlantic off the coast of Nigeria.

The fragile state and fledgling democracy of Nigeria are singularly endangered. In less than three years, the Boko Haram sect has grown from a local ragtag subversive religious militia to a well-organised scourge of the state of fearsome ferocity. There appears to be a surfeit and surplus of trans-border Islamic insurgents swarming all over the Sahel. The bitter resilience of this

insurgent sect, its growing confidence and surly contempt for the Nigerian state must tell us that it is fronting for something bigger and far more ominous than we can imagine. It may also be stalking a bigger game.

So far, the Nigerian state has oscillated between half-hearted fighting and even more derisive negotiating with Boko Haram. It is obvious that while ranking military elements favour an all out war which will bring Boko Haram to heel, the political elements in the administration favour restraint and a negotiated settlement. This disjuncture and lack of unified approach has in turn affected the quality of fighting and the quality of negotiation.

The nomadic Tuaregs favour a conventional warfare in which they join battle with conventional forces, but the urbanised Boko Haram sect seems to have perfected the method of an urban guerrilla outfit, mobile, supple and striking at will. The Nigerian military which has distinguished itself abroad as a peacekeeping force seems to be discomfited by an enemy force at home whose modus operandi is as unconventional as it is bizarre.

With a seemingly endless supply of suicide bombers and growing local sympathy and support, it is going to be a messy, protracted duel. Without the discipline, national mobilisation and the granite cohesion of the Israeli nation, Nigeria is presented with a Zionist conundrum of apocalyptic dimensions.

The Israeli army is imbued with a historic Masada complex which makes it arguably the most effective and ferocious fighting machine on earth with the possible exception of the old Japanese suicide squad military and its Samurai code.

We shall end with a few tips for the Jonathan administration.

The culture of impunity which has led to outlandish revelations of mind-boggling corruption emanating from the various probes must now be reined in and the culprits brought to instant justice. Reports emanating from Mali indicate that popular anger and incandescent rage at official inefficiency did it for Toure.

The Jonathan administration must do away with a certain feckless addiction to the glamour and razzmatazz of office without commensurate focus and hard work. The military must not be alienated or humiliated. If the security situation deteriorates in the coming months, Jonathan must be bold and proactive enough to declare a national emergency. We are in critical straits.

Next week: Osoba’s day of glory..

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY MARCH 25, 2012

News

OSOPADEC chair’s arrest unsettles Mimiko From: Damisi Ojo, Akure

G

OVERNOR Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State was greatly disturbed by Tuesday’s arrest of the Chairman, Ondo State Oil Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC), Prince Debo Ajimuda by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), The Nation on Sunday can reveal.

So disturbed was he that he cancelled all his engagements for the day and also called off the weekly executive meeting on Wednesday.

Sources in Akure said the governor was caught unawares by the arrival in the state of the EFCC operatives and their mission.

He even reportedly mobilised security men attached to him to talk to the EFCC operatives. This, sources said, was partly responsible for the long time it took for the arrest to be effected.

The second reason was that Ajimuda allegedly hid in a bush.

The governor’s security men prevented newsmen from taking photographs of the exotic vehicles impounded from Ajimuda. Some cameras were even seized.

The ruling Labour Party in the state was embarrassed by the development and some of its stalwarts who spoke on condition of anonymity blamed the governor for not sacking Ajimuda despite complaints from various quarters.

Meanwhile, a human rights Lawyer, Dr. Tunji Abayomi said the arrest has lent credence to allegations of massive mismanagement of public funds by the state government.

“This is the time for EFCC to ensure that such case of financial recklessness is not swept under the carpet. Such high level of corruption demonstrated by Prince Debo Ajimuda should not be swept under the carpet,” Abayomi said.

ACF not disturbed by emergence of rival Northern groups —Sani T

HE Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) says it is not in any way disturbed by the recent emergence of some groups in the north claiming to be fighting for the interest of the region.

First to emerge three weeks ago was the Junaid Muhammed-led Coalition of Concerned Northern Professionals, Academicians, Professionals and Businessmen, which declared the readiness of the North for sovereign national conference (SNC) provided all “political and economic lopsidedness” will be addressed.

It was soon followed by Northern Elders comprising former military rulers-General Ibrahim Babangida, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, elder statesman, Alhaji Maitama Sule and former minister,

From Tony Akowe, Kaduna

Malam Adamu Ciroma, among others, who pledged to help in ending the security challenge across the North.

Both groups have set up various committees to look at the immediate problems and proffer remedies.

Some members of the two new groups are also known to belong to the ACF. Reacting to the development on the sideline of the just concluded annual general meeting of the ACF in Kaduna, its spokesman, Mr. Antony Sani, told The Nation on Sunday that the forum did not feel threatened by the formation of any interest group.

“ACF does not feel threatened

L-R: Prince Julius Adelusi Adeluyi, Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Kola Akomolade, Mrs Kehinde Daramola, Mr Dele Alake and Sir Remi Omotosho Patron & immediate past president, Ekiti Parapo, Lagos during Ekiti Day 2012 in Lagos, yesterday.

Photo: SOLOMON ADEOLA

Ekiti honours Afe Babaloa, Oyebode, Falana

G

OVERNOR Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State yesterday charged indigenes of the state to embrace integrity in addition to excellence in all their endeavours .

It was at the EkitiDay 2012 organised by the Lagos Chapter of

By Dupe Olaoye-Osinkolu Ekiti Parapo, a socio-cultural association of Ekiti speaking people.

The Governor said knowledge without integrity amounts to nothing, adding that it is not enough to be knowledgeable without good

Boko Haram car bomb kills two in Kano

A

N alleged plot by members of the Islamic sect, Boko Haram to launch a midnight bomb attack on Kano was smashed early yesterday by the Joint Task Force whose men swooped on the group’s den on the outskirts of the city.

Two members of the sect however died in the raid as they attempted to detonate one of the wired vehicles in the den located at Sabon Gandum Had the fundamentalists succeeded in their plot, the attack would have probably been as devastating as the January 20, 2012 bomb and gun attacks in which scores of people died, the military authorities said yesterday.

The Commander of 3 Brigade Kano, Brigadier General Ilyasu Abbah told newsmen in Kano yesterday that acting on a tip-off from the public, the JTF stormed Sabon Gandun quarters at about 11pm where the plot was aborted by the military in the operation

by emergence of different groups of northern leaders which talk about the North, precisely because these are not normal times,” he said.

“They think they can lend a helping hand in whatever form in so far as campaign against violence is concerned. Please, note that when only ACF spokesman, the Sultan, Gowon and a few northern leaders spoke on issues of Boko Haram, people still accused the North of failure to speak out against the sect.

“That means some people did not believe it was enough for these leaders alone to speak for the North. That may explain why some of them met and spoke; and still some people are now accusing the leaders of hidden political

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

that commenced at about 1am.

He said the sect members on sighting the soldiers decided to blow up the building.

Two of the men quickly rushed to one of the vehicles which had apparently been wired for an operation and tried to detonate the bomb. It went off and killed the duo instantly, he said.

Assorted dangerous weapons recovered included two AK47, 181 rounds of 7.62mm, 86 rounds of 5.65mm, two magazines, two exploded IED, three Magazines carriers, chemicals and six GSM handsets.

It was also learnt that before the attack on the building, relatives including wives and children of the Boko Haram kingpins were rescued and taken to Bukavu Barracks, headquarters of the 3 Brigade Kano and operational base of the JTF.

Brigadier -General Abbah who was accompanied to the scene by the Commander, Air Force base, Kano, Air Commodore Sani Ahmed and the Director, State Security Services (SSS), Iteng Bassey commended the co-operation of members of the Kano public, which he said has greatly assisted the security in their campaign against the terrorist activities of the Islamic fundamentalists.

He said:”they (Boko Haram) had been planning for a serious operation with vehicles wired with explosives. When they discovered that the security agents were on their trail, and were actually closing in on them, they decided to detonate one of the vehicles parked inside their compound with the sole aim of wiping out everyone in the neighbourhood including themselves, members of their families and the security men around, but they ended up killing themselves.

character and integrity. He promised support for the association towards achieving its set goals.

Highlight of the occasion was the conferment of awards on some Ekiti citizens-Chief Afe Babalola(SAN); Access Bank Chairman, Mr Gbenga Oyebode, Femi Falana; Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN); Mr Femi Ajayi, DG, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency ; Professor Oladunni Olaniyan-Taylor and the Yoruba artiste, Chief Jimoh Aliu.

The governor said they all deserved the honour having done the state proud in their callings.

He said the photographs of six of them are in this year’s calendar of the state as a token of government’s appreciation of their efforts.

He also honoured Miss Tosin Otitoju, a young university lecturer in her early twenties for her academic exploits. He appreciated Highlife supremo, Dr Victor Olaiya by dancing to his evergreen music “Omo Pupa”.

The association has launched a N500 million fund for industrial development of the state. A cassava processing factory has already been established with funds from the pool.

Earlier, representative of former Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, who was a guest of honour at the event, Mr. Dele Alake said Tinubu has always supported the Ekiti people as he was instrumental to the creation of Ekiti State in 1997.

agenda.

“ACF takes the proliferation of talking points as a natural concomitant of the situation the North finds itself. These groups are members of ACF trying to help in their own way. Of course, it would be better for a single ACF to be the reference point for the North, which it is; but people, especially Southerners, want different points before they know northern positions on some national issues.

“But this will soon be over after we overcome the security challenges. After all, most members of these ad hoc groups are senior active members of ACF. Most northern leaders are members of ACF. And so any members are free to broker dialogue, provided it is the choice of the parties concerned.

ACF as an institution does not have to be the one to broker the talks. Anybody agreeable to the parties can do so.”

The Chairman of the Board of Trustees of ACF, Lt. Gen. Jeremiah Useni (rtd) had ,at the opening of the last Wednesday warned against a situation in which an endless stream of civil society organizations, elders committees, regional congresses etc are established with the intention of uniting northerners or seeking to tackle the well known problems of insecurity and underdevelopment.

The trend, according to him was capable of returning the North to the chaotic past when too many groups sought to speak for the region with little coordination and negligible impact.

“It is too early,” he said “to forget and we need not remind northerners particularly our respected elders, of the reasons why it became necessary, some twelve years ago to collapse all these mini groups into one Pan Northern Forum which was given the name ACF. “Elders of the North, the founding fathers of the ACF, had considered that to continue to have three or more civil society organs speaking for the North showed us to be lacking in unity, focus and sincerity of purpose. It meant that the North was incapable of arriving at a common position on any issue which could be said to be the agreed northern stand” “We should not forget that the circumstances which made the establishment of the ACF necessary twelve years ago remain valid today. It is a mistake to take it for granted that the people of the north would always maintain their unity or achieve justice and progress.

History has shown that unity and peace have to be carefully and vigorously cultivated and maintained. This is why we need the ACF. I am aware that some respected people, leaders of important communities and regions of the north have remained outside the ACF.” But he acknowledged that the emergence of these groups with “each and every one of them professing to being northerners together to work on many of the problems bedevilling the north” was “a reaction to the difficult times we are passing through and not all are intended or designed to address more than a few issues or have permanent structures such as we have in the ACF”.

The Northern Elders are due to meet later this week to consider the reports of their committees on security and socio-economy.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY MARCH 25, 2012

F

OLLOWING disclosures in the Senate of massive stealing of Police Pension funds, pensioners are crusading for the death sentence for offenders.

In one instance, a federal permanent secretary and two directors were alleged to have either stolen or mismanaged about N14billion pension funds.

Two billion naira of the amount was said to have been found in the house of one of the officials at a time when thousands of pensioners are not paid or are made to go through repeated and often rigorous screening irrespective of their age.

A furious retiree, Mr John Ndukuba is in favour of the capital punishment for such offenders. He was a deputy director in the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). He said, in China, such crimes are punished by death.

Ndukuba described theft of pension funds as scandalous. He said it was unbelievable that public officers entrusted with the management of funds meant for senior citizens who have served the country, could be stealing such funds.

Although he easily accesses his own pension under the Contributory Pension Scheme, two of his uncles, according to him, are not that lucky. They have both not been paid after six and three years of retirement respectively.

Ndukuba cited the case, two years ago, of a director in the office of the Head of Service in whose house was found a large sum of money believed to have been stolen

News

Pensioners advocate capital punishment for pension fund thieves Dupe Olaoye-Osinkolu

from pension funds. The said director was said to have built a filling station and invested in other businesses with the stolen proceeds.

Chief Effiong Orok, Chairman, Association of Retired Police Officers of Nigeria (ARPON), Cross River Chapter appealed to the Joint Senate Committee on Establishments, States and Local Governments, to be more proactive on pension fund matters so that

retirees would not suffer unduly.

He said fraudulent officials who steal pension funds succeed because they are not well supervised by those assigned to do so.

Orok said police pensioners are not being paid as at when due, even when funds are released to that effect.

He stressed the need for the Senate to expedite action on the probe and cause the money to be released to the beneficiaries.

Orok blamed the large

scale fraud in the system on the loopholes in the pension laws.

“The expected pension law which the National Assembly will make should make pension one of the enforceable rights of the senior citizens with attendant heavy punishment for those who will violate such laws,’’ he said.

He lamented that many police pensioners have died while waiting, “Many of our members have died without enjoying their retirement benefits. We are now ap-

pealing to the Federal Government to assist us since 28 of our members’ names are missing on the payroll.

“Many pensioners whose names were on the pay roll before the biometric verification of July 2011, do not see their names in the pay roll again, ’’he said.

The chairman said that those whose names appeared were paid once in three months, pointing out that “since the year started, we have been paid once.”

• Candidates writing their UTME/JAMB examination at Government Secondary School, Tundun Wada, in Abuja yesterday.

Photo: NAN

PDP Convention: How Tukur deal was struck at midnight

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RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan showed his other side on Friday night to PDP governors opposed to his choice of Alhaji Bamanga Tukur as the new national chairman of the party.

He told them point blank at a meeting at the Presidential Villa that he would not brook any dissension from them or the other 10 candidates contesting the chairmanship with Tukur.

The governors, sources said, were as shocked as the candidates by the president’s action.

By the time he was through with them they all simply fell in line.

The governors, mainly from the North East zone and the chairmanship candidates-the former National Publicity Secretary of PDP, Prof. Rufai Alkali; ex-Minister of Commerce, Ambassador Idris Waziri (Taraba); exMinister of Agriculture, Alhaji Shettima Mustapha; the National Secretary of the PDP, Musa Babayo; ex-Minister of Agriculture, Alhaji Adamu Bello; a former National Chairman of the defunct Grassroots Democratic Movement, (GDM), Alhaji Gambo Lawan (Borno); exGovernor Adamu Mu’azu of Bauchi State; and a former Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters, Senator Abba Aji, a former Minister of FCT, Bunu Sheriff, and Ibrahim Birmahad insisted on going against Tukur.

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Benue guber: ACN heads to Supreme Court From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

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HE Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Benue State has declared its intention to challenge at the Supreme Court the dismissal of the election petition filed by its governorship candidate Professor Torkuma Ugba in respect of last year’s election.

The Senate Minority leader and former governor of the State, Senator George Akume told party supporters from Benue East at Wannue, Tarka Local Government area that the appeal court got it all wrong on the time frame for deciding election petitions hence the planned recourse to the apex court.

Akume doubles as the ACN leader in the state.

He said Governor Gabriel Suswam and his supporters were rejoicing too early on the issue.

He said : “ I’m going to fix Governor Gabriel Suswam in a way he will remain fixed forever and will never forget in his life by the time the election petition is over.”

Also speaking , Professor Ugba assured the party supporters that he has not abandoned his mandate to run to the USA as allegedly rumoured by PDP .

He said the matter would be tabled before the Supreme Court next month and appealed to the ACN faithful to remain calm and steadfast in their support.

• How North-East governors succumbed to Jonathan’s threats Fashola “Also, Governors Isa end, it was obvious that From: Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

A deal was finally sealed at about 2.30am after about three-hour of talks with the governors, party leaders, and chairmanship candidates.

A reliable source said the President wondered why the North-East governors would not let him have his way on Tukur when he had bowed to their wish to “control party machinery” in their states.

The source quoted the President as saying: “You have had your way, you should respect my position too for cohesion, unity and success of our party.”

He also detested the manner in which some governors had broken the agreement they had with him on consensus option at all levels.

Jonathan, who said he had no hidden agenda, warned the governors against promoting division within the party.

It was gathered that the threats from the President did the magic as the NorthEast governors took turn to explain that they were never out to undermine Jonathan or his administration.

The source said: “There was much pressure on Governor Danbaba Suntai, who also had a formidable candidate (Waziri). The Taraba State governor assured the President that the governors were ready to support the President’s choice.

Yuguda and Ibrahim Dankwanbo took turn to respect the wish of Jonathan.

“The last person to buy into the Bamanga Tukur project was Governor Murtala Nyako of Adamawa, Tukur’s state.

“At about 2.30am, it became clear that the governors could no longer have their way and Nyako had to join the fray. Their argument was that Tukur had contempt for the party he wanted to lead.

“They accused Tukur of having been lukewarm to the activities of PDP at all levels.

But the President said with the leadership mantle, Tukur would change. At the end, it was agreed that the 10 contestants should be asked to step down for Tukur at the convention ground to prove that the party is united.”

Another source at the session said: “A lot of sentiments and intimidation, were brought into play by the President. We actually saw a different side of the President.

“It was apparent that any governor who chose to be defiant after persuasion would be daring the might of the Presidency. The cost of drawing a battle line with the presidency will be too much for any governor to bear.

“So, it was a kind of duress which was too hot to resist.” Another source at the meeting, who spoke in confidence, said right from the beginning of the meeting till the

Jonathan was displeased with the revolt of the NorthEast governors on Wednesday.

The source said Jonathan’s vituperations left everyone bewildered at his attitude.

He said: “The President told us that ‘your words must be your bond anytime you enter into an agreement with anybody or party. I fulfilled my own bargain, you must fulfill your promise too. Go and ask these candidates to withdraw for Tukur.’

“The President said that the revolt of the North-East governors amounted to a carefully planned move to cause disaffection within the party and split PDP. “While pleading with the governors to retrace their steps, he minced no words that the party would slug it out with any defiant. This stern measure cast a pall of silence on the meeting.

“Following the threats from the President, the NorthEast governors cringed and each of them rose to pledge loyalty to Jonathan and promised to back Tukur.

“There was no dissenting voice at all. The North-East governors were mandated to prevail on all their candidates before dawn to withdraw.”

It was learnt that immediately the meeting rose, Governor Yuguda led one of the candidates, Musa Babayo, to the residence of Bamanga

Tukur at about 3.30am to announce the withdrawal of the candidate from Bauchi.

Surprised by the visit, Tukur embraced Yuguda and said: “I thank you for this honour, you surprised me.”

The source added: “For Yuguda, he had no choice than to abide by the directive of the President because party leaders were erroneously insinuating that he has presidential ambition in 2015.

“The President was so piqued by the Bauchi revolt to the extent that he placed a call to a respected businessman, who is a friend to Yuguda, to help call the governor to order.”

Apart from Yuguda, other North-East governors and party leaders conveyed the President’s message to their candidates too at about 5am.

An aide to one of the candidates added: “When the news of the withdrawal was broken to my principal, the party leader said: ‘The President might not be a Pharaoh, he is a boa and a python. It takes a python a very long time to destroy and a boa has no friend. Go and withdraw.’

Apart from the PDP governors, others at the all-night meeting were Vice-president Namadi Sambo, and a former Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Chief Tony Anenih.

condoles with Afikuyomi over father’s death

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O V E R N O R Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State yesterday condoled with former Commissioner for Tourism and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi over the passage of his father, Deacon Afolabi Afikuyomi.

The governor, in a letter of condolence , described the deceased as a great role model whose impact could be visibly seen in the accomplishments of his son who has served as a distinguished public officer at both the state and national levels.

“Our State and country owe a great deal of gratitude to your beloved father for the service which you have rendered and continue to render to our society”, he said adding that the service would continue to stand as legacy bestowed on the State and the country by the departed Pa Afikuyomi.

“There are no words I can offer that will make the loss of a doting father, to whom you were quite close, any easier. But, hopefully, just knowing that my thoughts are with you and members of the family at this moment of sorrow could bring some relief to you”, the Governor said.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY MARCH 25, 2012

News

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UTME:Five arrested in Ogun From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

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O fewer than five candidates of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) were arrested by the operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in connection with examination malpractices in the examination conducted yesterday by the Joint Matriculation Board (JAMB).

The NSCDC’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Olanrewaju Kareem disclosed that two of the suspects were arrested at the examination centre at the Crescent University, Abeokuta, while three others were apprehended at the African Church Grammar School, Ita-Eko, Abeokuta The suspects were said to be in possession of incriminating materials.

Kareem said the suspects having the following registration numbers; 26164502FI, 26165977JF, 26163720HG, 26165970BJ and 26165010IG would be prosecuted for allegedly taking answer scripts and handsets with text messages bearing prepared answers of the examination questions.

According to him, the senders of the answers would also be nabbed and prosecuted along with the suspects, as the senders, according to him are accomplices to the alleged crime.

FG sacks Maevis, MMIA check-in operator

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HE Federal Government yesterday effected compliance on the termination of agreement between the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and Maevis Limited, the firm handling the Automated Operations Management System (AOMS) for passengerscheck-in at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.

Maevis Limited provided the service for four years.

SITA, the global checkin-service provider at major airports in the world was picked to replace Maevis Limited yesterday.

The new firm has since commenced operations at the MMIA using its facilities.

The termination of the Maevis Limited’s agreement came after protracted tussle over the validity of the four- year mandate announced by FAAN on May 23, 2011.

The firm secured an in-

•Engages SITA

By Kelvin Osa-Okunbor

junction from a High Court in Lagos, which stopped FAAN from going ahead with termination of the contract.

The Court urged all parties to return to the status quo pending resolution by the affected parties.

FAAN’s Managing Director, Mr George Uriesi announced compliance of the termination of the agreement yesterday.

He explained the action became necessary for FAAN improve its revenue stream without going through difficulties in the hands of a firm engaged to collect revenue on its behalf.

Uriesi explained that under the new arrangement with SITA, the global check in service provider will render services to FAAN with a charge regime of $1.40 per passenger without the 35 percent premium that Maevis

Limited was granted in the agreement, which he said was not in public interest.

The FAAN boss further explained that SITA will carry out all check - in facilities without strangulating the authority like it was with Maevis Limited.

He denied application of force by FAAN or any of its agents in easing out officials of Maevis Limited from the MMIA. Uriesi described insinuations that FAAN vandalised the equipment of the firm as the alleged well as arrest its personnel as untrue.

He explained that though, FAAN is mindful of the subsisting court order, which advised it not to terminate the agreement, it had to go ahead with the action in line with the new agenda of transforming the authority for improved revenue generation.

According to him, what

• Ojerinde: Hitches will be resolved

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By Oziegbe Okoeki

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Okonjo-Iweala, others to unveil UDBN identity

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HE Urban Development Bank of Nigeria (UDBN) Plc will next Wednesday unveil its new identity at a gala nite at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.

Managing Director of the bank, Mr. Adekunle Oyinloye said the ceremony would be performed by the Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

The event, according to him, will reveal the bank’s newly created brand identity which will accurately represent its new philosophy and ambition for the future.

Oyinloye said, “Our belief is that the new brand identity will serve to differentiate and underpin our corporate vision, mission and culture. We have the competencies and values that go beyond the provision of finance.”

He also spoke of plans

by FAAN to utilise the International Air Transport Association (IATA) billing settlement plan (BSP) to collect revenue from domestic carriers, which are mainly debtors to the authority.

The carriers, he explained, will require bank guarantees issued every month for payments.

Investigations revealed that President Goodluck Jonathan, through the office of the Chief of Staff, in a letter signed by the Senior Special Assistant on Economic Matters Ochi E. Achinivu advised the Minister of Aviation in a memo seeking request for approval to cancel /discontinue all underperforming concessions and obtain the views of the Ministry of Justice, the Bureau for Public Enterprises and the Infrastructure Concession and Regulatory Commission( ICRC) on the matter and make a resubmission to the President for reconsideration.

Rufai, Wike, Chukwumerije, Lawan praise JAMB

Lagos Assembly condemns Mali coup AGOS State House of Assembly has condemned last week’s military coup d’état in Mali.

According to the Speaker, Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji, this unwarranted military insurrection totally negates the spirit of liberty, democracy and rule of law growing across the continent of Africa presently.

He added that military coup in the dynamics of contemporary African political profile smacks of a very bad signal to the whole world.

According to him, “only a legitimate, democratically elected government that derives its very mandate and legitimacy from the people should be accorded the needed support and acceptability.”

happened to Maevis Limited is a pointer to what to expect in other skewed concession agreements FAAN entered into with some firms.

He said: “FAAN has gone ahead to begin to take a position on all agreements that are sub-optimal. We have called on Maevis Limited to engage us in a re-negotiation. ‘’Maevis refused for over one year, while even attempts by the chairman of FAAN board, Chief Ebitimi Banigo fell on deaf ears. The concessionaire cannot be the boss.’’

Uriesi went on: ‘’This simply explains why SITA has taken over. It was a huge logistic process for the change over. ‘’Arising from this, FAAN is going to design a new template for all concession agreements that will add value and improve its revenue significantly. There are hurdles on the path of doing this and we are set to dismantle them.”

•Lagos State Governor Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN (left) with National Leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu at a Special Jumat prayer to mark Tinubu’s 60th birthday over the weekend in Lagos. With them is the Solicitor-General of Lagos State and Chairman Lagos State Secretariat Mosque Committee Mr. Lawal Pedro (SAN).

ACN lawmakers slam National Industrial Court

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EMBERS of the National Assembly elected under the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) from Edo State have condemned the National Industrial Court for granting an injunction in a suit filed by the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) against the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).

The Industrial Court sitting in Abuja presided over by Justice M. N. Esowe had last Wednesday granted an injunction to the Chairman of CPC Mr. Godwin Erhahon restraining organised labour from holding a solidarity rally in Benin for the re-election of Governor Adams Oshiomhole.

Minority Whip of the House of Representatives Hon. Samson Osagie who spoke on behalf of the lawmakers, said the National Industrial Court has no jurisdiction to entertain a suit brought by a political party.

He said the Court was

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

only empowered to deal with labour matters, adding that the CPC was not an employer of labour.

Osagie argued that organised labour has the political and constitutional right to endorse Governor Oshiomhole for a second term.

He said: “The National Industrial Court in my humble

opinion has taken a flight from its jurisdiction and now seek to adjudicate on political and human rights questions from Mr. Godwin Erhahon, who lacks the locus standi to initiate such action.

“The National Industrial Court now has reputation of issuing exparte orders in sensitive matters that the court ought to hear the order side by putting them on notice”.

INISTER of Education, Prof.

Ruqayyatu Rufai yesterday described conduct of the Unified Tertiary Education Examination (UTME) as impressive.

She spoke after monitoring the exams in Abuja coupled with reports from across the nation.

She said: “I am impressed particularly for the arrangement this year especially in comparison to what we saw last year.”

Rufai commended the Joint Admission Matriculation Board (JAMB) for improved conduct of the examinations and extolled JAMB for upgrading its biometric finger-print machine this year.

Her words: “The biometrics is coming out fine. It is very much faster and the sitting arrangement in terms of the type of desk we have for the candidates has also improved.’’

The minister added that she was impressed by the orderly manner the candidates walked into the hall.

Candidates started arriving at the centre at about 6:45 am with JAMB officials and examiners on ground to receive them except for some delays with the Biometric thumbprint.

The biometric machines

Okorie floats new party

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ARRING any last minute changes, the founding National Chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) Chief Chekwas Okorie will unveil a new political party next week.

Okorie recently stormed out of APGA after eight years of leadership tussle with his successor, Chief Victor Umeh.

The party will be called the United Peoples Grand Alliance (UPGA) with the ‘the rising sun’ as its official logo.

Okorie exclusively re-

By Sam Egburonu

vealed the name of the party, its logo and ideology to The Nation in an interview ahead the official unveiling in Abuja this week.

The unveiling, according to Okorie, will be made at a world press conference with other leading politicians behind the new political party.

Explaining why he left APGA for UPGA, Okorie said, “We are pained that some people kidnapped APGA and held it hostage all these years.

‘’So, what we have done is to retrieve the spirit and soul of APGA from them. What is left in their hands today is only the carcass.”

He added that the “original APGA has however reincarnated in the new party, United Peoples Grand Alliance.’’ ‘’UPGA,’’ he added, ‘’will be radical and progressive. That was what APGA set out to be but the kidnappers did not allow the vision to thrive. In UPGA, that vision will thrive.”

From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

could not capture the fingerprints of some candidates.

The Minister of State for Education, Barrister Nyesom Wike also said, “From what you have seen, it would be difficult for any body to cheat in the examination. This is impressive”.

The Registrar of JAMB Prof. Dibu Ojerinde described the exercise as successful despite a few hitches.

Ojerinde was overjoyed there was no security breach even in the Northern parts of the country.

“I received good news that there was no problem.

Before now candidates were afraid of what might happen, he said.”

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Education, Sen. Uche Chukwumerije, who also monitored the exercise attested to the improved conduct of the examination.

He said: “JAMB has provided all the requirements for writing the examination for the candidates to ensure that we have a full proof atmosphere in which examination takes place.

“With what we saw, the nation is moving nearer to perfection in terms of conducting external examinations.”

Also, Hon. Farouk Lawan, the Chairman, House Committee on Education, said that what he witnessed at the centre was an improvement from what happened last year.

“I must say in terms of the expeditious release of results that JAMB has reached a position where no other examination body has reached so far.

“And I believe that in terms of the maintenance of the integrity and credible examination, as by way of reducing the prevalence of examination malpractice, JAMB is doing very well.’’

THE NATION ON SUNDAY MARCH 25, 2012

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HE Peoples Democratic Party in Edo State has called for the overthrow of the current leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).

The PDP described NLC and TUC leadership as ‘’corrupt, insensitive, rebellious, partisan and must be overthrown’’.

State Publicity Secretary Matthew Urhoghide was reacting to the rally organised

by NLC and TUC in solidarity with Governor Adams Oshiomhole.

He said the current leadership of NLC and TUC

News

‘How to tackle Lassa fever’

PDP calls for overthrow of NLC, TUC leadership T

By Sunday Oguntola

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

‘’must be replaced by one that has enough dignity and honesty.’’

Urhoghide said the NLC and TUC lacked the legal rights to impose a governorship candidate on Edo State workers.

He added that it was

Lagos to clampdown on illegal aliens

• You are cowards, Oshiomhole replies surprising that the state governor refused to obey an order of the National Industrial Court which issued an exparte order to stop the mass rally.

He said, “This state came into a halt. Workers did not go to work. It is rude and callous. It is wrong.”

But Governor

Oshiomhole said the PDP acted cowardly by using the CPC as front in getting what he called frivolous injunctions.

Oshiomhole, who spoke to reporters yesterday, said the law regarding personal income tax has been passed.

According to him,

“Some of these guys are cowards. Rather than come out and stand on their feet, they seek politicians of no consequence to fight cases for them while they pretend not to be interested. ‘’ It shows that they were cowards. They know that what they were doing was wrong.”

• Army, Airforce ban military stickers

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ECURITY agencies in Lagos State may soon clamp down on illegal aliens in the mega city.

The Police Command said it is poised to check the influx of aliens into such high brow areas of the state like Ikoyi and Victoria Island.

Lagos Commissioner of Police Mr Umar Manko dropped these hints while briefing Government House Correspondents on the outcome of the State Security Council meeting chaired by Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) at Lagos House, Marina last week.

Manko noted that security agencies including the Immigrations are collaborating on checking the influx of foreigners into the state.

On efforts to curb the recklessness of commercial cyclists popularly known as Okada rid-

ers, the Police boss said the command has everything under control.

Commandant of the Airforce Base, Ikeja, Air Commodore Tony Omenyi said the use of military stickers has been banned following use of Nigeria Airforce stickers on some cars in the metropolis.

The Police, he said, has been empowered to remove the Airforce car stickers on any car.

According to him, ‘’this affects Airforce personnel too.

Nobody is allowed to have Airforce stickers on their cars”.

Present during the briefing were the State Director of the State Security Service, Mr Achu Olayi, Navy Commodore Mio Njoku and Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Security, Major Tunde Panox (rtd).

Lawyers kick over N70bn rice deal

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GROUP, Lawyers Unite Against Corruption in Nigeria, has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and its sister agency, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to look into an alleged plan by the Kwara State Government to seal a N70 billion rice production and processing investment deal with Vasolar Consortium Company of Spain.

The organisation, in a statement signed by its Chairman and Secretary Barristers Badmos Adeniji and Kayode

From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

Otaru respectively, faulted the choice of Spain for the deal.

It insisted that the country is not among the top rice producing nations according to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).

The group further alleged that searches in all relevant agencies including the Spanish Chambers of Commerce could not confirm the claims that the company or its promoter has a history of success in rice production and processing or in any other area related to the deal.

Okorocha signs MoU with Kosovo

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MO State Governor Rochas Okorocha has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the government of Kosovo to build an independent power plant and establish an agro processing plant in the state.

Governor Okorocha, who was in Kosovo on an economic trip also signed a contract for the construction of housing estates in and around Owerri among other deals.

When completed, the power plant would supply the state with 500 megawatts of electricity and ensure uninterrupted power supply for homes and businesses.

Okorocha said: “This administration is determined to provide an enabling environment to international businessmen to take advantage of enormous resources of the state for mutual benefits for all”.

He said the real estate part of the MOU would lead to the

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•L-R: Vice Principal Whitesand Secondary School Mr Sebastain Eluehike; Executive Director, Fate Foundation, Mrs Osayi-Alile Oruene and Head Consultant, Emedith Consulting; Mr Emeka Azinge during the launching of Emedith Consulting in Lagos yesterday. PHOTO: OLUSEGUN RAPHEAL

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HE Director General (DG) of Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET) Dr. Anthony Anuforom has disclosed that the Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS) proposed during the third World Climate Conference (WCC-3) held in Geneva would soon be launched.

According to Anuforom, the launch became imperative because severe weather may tame the nation’s economic growth if adequate measures are not put in place.

He said the 189 member States of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO)

Framework on climate change coming - NIMET From Olugbenga Adanikin, Abuja

have also agreed to launch the framework in 2012 to ensure better management of risks emanating from climatic change in the various nations.

The DG made this known over the weekend while commemorating the 2012 World Meteorological Day in Abuja.

He said a number of sectors targeted towards im-

proving the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) remain sensitive to weather.

Anuforom explained that the dust experienced in some parts of the country originated from Chad and Niger Republic.

He said it was due to the wind which conveys dusts from the region to other parts of the nation.

He added that the dust was often conveyed with some diseases from the region but would soon be suppressed.

UTME smooth in Lagos

T From Emma Mgbeahurike, Owerri

provision of affordable modern accommodation for Imo residents.

The Deputy Prime Minister of Kosovo, Mr. Behgdey Pacconi who signed on behalf of Kosovo government expressed satisfaction with the policies of the Imo State government.

He promised that his country would keep to the terms of agreement.

HE Direct Data Capturing Machines (DDCM) deployed by the Joint Admission Matriculation Board (JAMB) for the 2012 and 2013 examination held nationwide performed better yesterday.

Last year, many of the machines did not power on at designated centres. Many of them also broke down during the verification exercise preceding the examinations.

Some operators also lacked sufficient knowledge of the machines leading to waste of precious time.

Rulers, pencils and calculators provided by JAMB were also in short supply especially in Lagos centres.

The situation created av-

By Adegunle Olugbamila

enues for makeshift provision sellers to make brisk business off hapless candidates.

But visits by our reporter to some centres across Lagos showed significant improvement with the use of DDCM. Operators trained by JAMB also did better yesterday.

Free calculators provided

by JAMB went round the 540 candidates that made up each centre.

Most centres started the examination around 9.30am except the one at the Lagos State University (LASU).

Cases of examination malpractices were also minimal.

In Ijanikin Centre 24904,

the Coordinator Mr Olajide Ajibodu said three female candidates were caught with some microchips tucked in their hairdo.

Coordinator of AOCOED centre with NO 24901 Mr Victor Akinola said despite scanning all candidates, some still smuggled in gadgets like handsets into the hall.

HE Pest Control Association of Nigeria (PECAN) has advocated Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach to tackle the Lassa fever scourge.

Its President Mr Ayo Ogunyadeka told reporters last week that Nigerians must embrace personal and environmental hygiene to stem the activities of rats and rodents known as vectors for the disease.

This, he said, will keep rats at bay in homes.

He also said cats cannot fight off rats because their droppings and urine could also be poisonous.

Ogunyadeka said, ‘’food items like grains, garri, yam powder and others used at home should not be stored in cartons or bags , but rather in plastic sealed containers or rodent-proof containers’’.

He also called for blockage of all rat hideouts and fitting of all refuse and dustbins with lids because rodents go to where food is easily available.

Disclosing that Lassa fever was first discovered in 1969 in Lassa town of Borno State, Ogunyadeka urged the federal government to mobilise health officers to monitor houses especially in rural areas for hygiene.

The body also advised against patronising quacks in pest control, saying only certified PECAN members can offer best measures in IPM. It warned that infected persons can die within 10 days if undetected, saying the symptoms are quite similar to those of malaria and yellow fever.

Lassa fever, the body said, kills no fewer than 3,000 Nigerians every year.

‘Insecurity bane of Niger Delta’s underdevelopment’ From Isaac Ombe, Yenagoa

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PEAKER of the Bayelsa House of Assembly, Hon. Kombowei Benson has blamed the underdevelopment of the Niger Delta on insecurity.

Benson made this observation while throwing his weight behind the newly established Central Naval Command by the Federal Government.

According to him, the insecurity of the nation’s coastal waters has led to nefarious activities such as illegal oil bunkering and incessant pirate attacks on vessels, adding that the establishment of the command will turn the tide on the activities of these unscrupulous individuals.

Benson noted that the location of the headquarters of the new Naval Command at Brass Island was appropriate.

According to him: ”The new Naval Command in the state would provide effective policing of the waterways in order to checkmate criminal activities.”

Expert seeks review of indigenisation policy

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SECURITY management expert and prominent Igala indigene, Mr Moses Ajeka has called on the National Assembly and the Constitution Review Committee to take a critical look at the issue of indigenisation policy being applied by some governors

From Emma Mgbeahurike, Owerri

against non indigenes in their domains.

The retired Superintendent of Police told reporters in Owerri that the state of origin syndrome must be expunged from the psyche of Nigerians.

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY MARCH 25, 2012

News

Kidnapped senator’s wife: JTF takes over manhunt T

HE whereabouts of Asime, wife of Senator George Sekibo representing Rivers East and two others kidnapped with her remained unknown yesterday.

Operatives of the Joint Task Force (JTF) have taken over the manhunt of the kidnappers for safe release of the senator’s wife, who is a student of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) and other victims.

Public Relations Officer of Sector 2 of the JTF at the 2 Amphibious Brigade, Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt Lt. Col. Aminu Iliyasu, expressed optimism that the senator’s wife would soon regain her freedom.

Iliyasu said: “JTF is making efforts in ensuring the safe release of the senator’s wife and others. ‘’I will not make public the

From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

details of our activities or how far we have gone in order not to jeopardise the operation and for the victims not to be in danger.”

Around 7 pm on Thursday, Asime was kidnapped under the Obiri Ikwerre Bridge near UNIPORT, along the ever-busy East-West Road currently being dualised by the Federal Government.

The senator’s wife was with three other persons in her Hummer Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) when the gang of four gunmen in a Mazda saloon car struck.

She was returning home from UNIPORT when the incident occurred.

Sources said Sekibo’s wife was kidnapped along with two

other persons in the jeep with four occupants.

It was learnt that the hoodlums pushed out one of the occupants, speeding off with Asime and two other passengers.

The vehicle belonging to the senator’s wife was later abandoned at Aluu community near UNIPORT. The kidnappers escaped with Asime and two other occupants of the vehicle.

The Senator was said to have been contacted by the kidnappers around 9 pm last Thursday and demanded undisclosed ransom.

Rivers Police spokesman Ben Ugwuegbulam confirmed the kidnap.

But he did not pick his calls when contacted yesterday for updates.

Insecurity: OOU lecturers to stay - off year because the requisite ABOUR crisis at the campuses this conditions for benefiting from Olabisi Onabanjo Uni-

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versity (OOU), Ago – Iwoye, Ogun State took a worrisome dimension yesterday as its branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) resolved to stay away from the campuses of the institution from tomorrow.

The lecturers said the decision was predicated on the need to ensure their “safety” following on -going industrial dispute between the OOU management and a coalition of three non- academic unions.

The dispute, the lecturers claimed, had fostered an atmosphere of “insecurity to lives and properties” on the campuses.

The industrial dispute which began two weeks ago by the Senior Staff Association Nigerian Universities(SSANU), Non-Academic Staff of Universities( NASU) and National Association of Academic Technologists(NAAT), have paralysed administrative and academic activities in the University.

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

Addressing reporters in Ago – Iwoye shortly after its Congress, the ASUU Branch chairman, Dr. Adesola Nassir said the lecturers would return to campuses when the conditions that gave birth to the insecurity around the areas are “resolved” by the authority.

He said, “For safety, Congress resolved that members should stay – off campuses until the matters that instigated the potentially volatile state is resolved”.

Nassir also said the ViceChancellor, Prof. Wale Olaitan should be blamed if the institution loses out of the N100bn Federal Government (FG) intervention funds to Nigerian universities.

The FG, he added, has already set up Prof. Mahmood Yakub - led Need Assessment Committee to visit universities, collect data and allocate the funds.

He expressed the fear that OOU may lose out of the funds

it cannot be immediately met by the institution given the tardiness with which the management responds to change.

“For a university to benefit, it must have a Budget Monitoring Committee made up of elected representatives of staff and Students Union and headed by an external member of Council. ‘’Presently, OOU has no such Committee since it has no Governing Council,” he pointed out.

He noted that the situation is not helped by the recent pronouncement allegedly credited to the Vice - Chancellor that OOU would not profit from the N100bn fund.

Nassir dismissed such utterance as a “gross distortion” of the issues.

The University’s spokesperson, Mr. Sam Oyeleye however , said OOU have been benefiting from the Special Funds and would benefit from it this year as there are no hindrances facing the institution in that regard.

‘Imo specialist hospital remains committed’

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HE Management Committee of Imo Specialist Hospital, Owerri has restated its commitment to rendering qualitative services in accordance with the act establishing the hospital.

It also debunked insinuations that some parts of the hospital complex have been leased.

A statement in Owerri by the Head of the Management Committee and Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr Sylvanus Amaechi said: “the status of the hospital has not changed. It belongs to Imo Government and her people. ‘’It is being transformed into a world-class hospital to render specialised services to our people and curb the exodus to India for medical attention”.

Amaechi disclosed that about 20 specialist consultants have been employed to beef up the personnel, while the x-ray unit has been equipped with sophisticated machines for thorough investigations.

He said two most modern dental units for facilities for

From Emma Mgbeahurike, Owerri

dental x-ray have also been installed while the theatre has been equipped to handle more surgical procedures.

The Special Adviser also said arrangements have been

concluded to set up dialysis centres across the state for effective treatment of patients.

He noted that staff of the hospital refused to join their colleagues in the health sector for a strike even when they had not been paid their salaries.

Iyalode Ojo passes on

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HE Iyalode of ImesiEkiti, Chief (Mrs) Florence Bukunola Ojo is

dead.

She was 72.

Ojo transited to glory on March 20 at the Lagoon Hospital, Victoria Island,after a brief illness.

Born in Ado-Ekiti on March 31, 1939, Florence Ojo spent her early life in Ado Ekiti where she attended St. Georges Catholic School and Mary Immaculate College.

In 1959, she married Afolabi Ojo, a university lecturer, who later became the pioneer Vice Chancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).

At Ibadan, she worked as a sales supervisor for the Leventis group of companies then as the assistant bookshop manager of the University of Ife. In 1972, Ojo founded Nigeram Stores, a very successful supermarket in Ile-Ife and is still referred to by many as “Mama Nigeram.”

In 1989, Mrs Ojo was conferred the honorary chieftaincy title of Iyalode of ImesiEkiti in recognition of her contributions to the economic development of the town and neighbouring villages.

She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Prof Afolabi Ojo, six children and 16 grandchildren.

NEWS REVIEW

9

THE NATION ON SUNDAY MARCH 25, 2012

• Main gate to COCIN headquarters Jos

• Road closed to motorists in Jos

• Road block at CBN Road, Jos by COCIN church Jos

Churches in North battle attacks, low attendance Church attendance has dipped considerably in many Northern states owing to terrorist attacks.

But churches are adopting new measures to attract the faithful, report Sunday Oguntola, Kolade Adeyemi (Kano) and Yusufu Idegu (Jos)

I

T’S been three weeks since Mary Adams, a chorister with Assemblies of God Church, Jos last attended Sunday service. Every Sunday, she sits back at home and listens to sermons on TV. The choir stand in her church keeps reducing at every service. Adams with other choristers chose to remain at home instead of exposing themselves to possible bomb attacks.

“It’s painful but a dead person cannot serve God,’’ she stated.

Since the separate bomb attacks on St. Theresa and St. Finbarrs Catholic Churches in the city, many Christians have started staying away from services. The attacks left many dead and several injured.

The development has reduced church attendance in many Northern States. In Kano, Christians have continued to stay away from their places of worship in apparent fear.

Four weeks ago, there had been apprehension in the city.

Penultimate Sunday, this anxiety led to the abrupt end of service in St Thomas and St Charles Catholic Churches. The Parish Priests reportedly dispersed worshippers after reading a piece of paper handed over to them while Mass was in session. The Parish Priest of St. Charles, Rev Fr Agumadu cited security reasons for termination of service. As soon as the announcement was made, there was pandemonium as worshippers scampered to safety.

Empty pews At the Anglican Church of St Stephen’s located on New Road, Kano, there was unprecedented security presence. Heavily armed security personnel were sighted.

Road blocks stretching to over 1,000 metres are being mounted in many churches in the city. Our correspondent observed that many churches now record as low as 45% attendance. Many seats, hitherto filled, are now empty.

Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Kano chapter, Bishop Ransom Bello while confirming the dwindling attendance said,: “People are really scared to go for Sunday service and of course you cannot blame them going by the security situation.”

The General Overseer of Life Chapel, Patrick Amos said ‘’I have been encouraging members but they keep staying away. I understand their apprehension and can only pray God see us through these perilous times.’’

Mrs. Theresa Chukwu said her family members have not gone to Church for weeks now. She said they resolved to pray at home until the security situation improves.

“We have been living in fear since that terrible incident and each time we hear that churches have been attacked and worshipers killed, it further creates fears in my mind.

There is no point going to church to worship when your mind is not at rest.”

Chairman Plateau State Youth Wing of Christian Association of Nigeria (YOWICAN), Mr. Johnson Bistu said:” We noticed the incidences have reduced attendance by individuals. We can attribute this low attitude to worshiping on Sundays to two factors: One is fear of another blast and two; blockage and prevention of worshippers from going to churches with vehicles because some worshipers are allergic to trekking.’’

As it is in Jos and Kano, so it is in Maiduguri, Bauchi and Kaduna.

Churches are recording lower attendance every Sunday. Pastor-inCharge of Christ Abundant Church, Bauchi, Adewale Sonde said the development has become a real concern. “Our church used to be like 300 to 400. But we hardly see 100 these days. People are afraid for their lives and this is really pathetic. Christianity is getting wiped

• STF Commander Jos, Major General Ibrahim Muhammed

out gradually,’’ he lamented.

New security strategies Commissioner of Police Plateau State Command, Emmanuel Ayeni, at a meeting with religious leaders and stakeholders, rolled out new security measures to check planned attacks against churches. According to him, “The strategies we have adopted may be very expensive for the stakeholders but it has become necessary if we must stop suicide bombing in the state. Two churches have been attacked and no one knows which worship centre is the next target of the terrorists. But we have a duty to prevent any further attack if we all agreed as stakeholders to work together.”

On the new measures, he said: “Worshipers will not be allowed to go to churches and mosques with vehicles especially on Fridays and Sundays. There is need to train private security guards of the churches and mosques. Churches and mosques must obtain some security gadgets especially the type used in detecting metals.”

To achieve maximum security, he observed that “All worshippers must submit themselves to security checks including Pastors and Imams. There should be no accessibility to any worship centre by vehicles. Any road leading to any worship centres must be condoned off on Fridays and Sundays. No worshipers will be allowed to cluster around churches and mosques after services”.

Many churches in Jos and Northern States are too eager to implement these measures. Checks revealed no vehicles are parked

• COCIN President, Rev Soja Bewarang

close to churches again. All worshippers are glad to subject themselves to security checks.

But beyond advice from security operatives, many churches are also making private arrangement to protect members and property.

Many church leaders who spoke under strict anonymity said this became imperative in view of government’s inability to stem attacks against Christians.

Watching and praying “When you are pushed to the wall, you have to make plans to survive. For us, we have done so much. We are more than prepared for eventuality. We are not just praying but also watching. We have mobilised our youths to repel attacks. We have equipped them with basic necessities. I cannot reveal the details because these measures are sensitive security matters,’’ a leading preacher in Kaduna said.

The President of a leading congregation in Jos said, “We have been cheated many times and will not allow it again. I can assure we are more than ready now. Any attacks against us will not survive.

We have prayed but we are much more working towards protecting ourselves.’’

One of the new measures, it was gathered, is preventing worshippers from coming with bags and other enclosed items. “You can only come in with your Bible. Any other thing can be kept away. We don’t want a situation where suicide bombers conceal explosives in bags and other storage packs. If you cannot abide with this, we will be happy to see you leave rather than jeopardise the lives of hundreds of

worshippers,’’ Sonde stated.

Beside this many Christian youth groups have called for stiffer measures to protect churches. A leader in one of the groups said, “It is irresponsibility to watch someone kill your family without resistance. We are prevailing on our elders to allow us adopt defensive strategies while we are working undergrounds to repel any attack,’’ he said.

He pointed out that the Bible is replete with cases of how God’s people resisted unprovoked attacks against them. “Remember Gideon once rose to the occasion. The next time they come calling, we will be ready for them,’’ he added.

Churches, it was learnt, have also been gathering intelligence on possible attacks. Community members have been told to spot out religious bigots vulnerable to being used to launch such attacks. The idea is to keep surveillance on them with a view to reporting clandestine meetings where such attacks are planned.

An old Jos resident who now lives in the United States of America on a recent visit to the country, while commenting on a church service he attended in the city said, “This is not the Jos I knew. What I see here reminds me of Europe and America where church services are usually held in empty halls without worshippers. In those days, Sundays in Jos are always like a festival. The churches are usually filled to the brim with worshippers dressed in their best clothes. But what I saw in that city recently was shocking. It is better this problem of Boko Haram is solved fast before they tear this country apart with religious disharmony.”

President of the Church of Christ in Nigeria (COCIN) Rev. Soja Bewarang described the unprovoked attacks as persecution. He said: “Our churches in Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Maiduguri etc have witnessed consistent attacks even though we offend no one. But in spite of the obvious provocation, the persecution will rather strengthen us rather than discouraging us as a church. We will not give up on our God-given mandate and we wish to assure our enemies that they will only labour in vain.”

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY, MARCH 25, 2012

News Review

Another Musdapher intervention a ‘Whitney Houston died from accidental drowning’

Govt plans private rails ownership

T

HE Federal Government is now to throw open the door of the rail sector to state governments and private firms under a new dispensation. The FG currently has sole rights to rail operations in the country. Transport minister, Alhaji Idris Umar said in Abuja on Tuesday that the Railway Act of 1955 would be reviewed to enable interested investors operate in the sector. He also said about $1.5billion is required to modernise the Lagos-Ibadan Railway line.

W

HITNEY Houston died from drowning in a hotel bathtub, but coroner’s officials said Thursday that heart disease and chronic cocaine use were contributing factors to the singer’s death.

The release of autopsy findings Thursday ends weeks of speculation about what killed the Grammywinning singer on Feb. 11, on the eve of the Grammy Awards. Houston was found submerged in the bathtub of her room at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, and her death has been ruled as accidental. Several bottles of prescription medications were found in her hotel room, but coroner’s officials said they weren’t in excessive quantities.

Beverly Hills police said in a statement there was no evidence of wrongdoing in connection with Houston’s death. “We are saddened to learn of the toxicology results, although we are glad to now have closure,” said Patricia Houston, the singer’s sister-inlaw and manager.

CBN re-schedules cash-less policy take-off date

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HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has re-scheduled the takeoff date of the cash-less banking policy for January 1,2013. and extended the implementation of the pilot programme in Lagos State from March 31,2012 to December 31.Besides,the apex bank reviewed the daily cumulative cash withdrawals/lodgement limits from N150,000 and N1million to N5000,000 and N3million for individuals and corporate customers respectively.

EFCC arrests OSOPADEC chair

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HE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday arrested the Chairman of the Ondo State Oil Producing Communities Development Commission (OSOPADEC),Mr. Debo Ajimuda, over alleged N61.363billion fraud.

He was picked up from hiding after allegedly outsmarting the EFCC operatives. Valuable documents and 13 exotic cars were taken from his residence in Akure.

Sanction awaits erring banks in pension scam • On the occasion of her diamond jubilee as monarch, Britain’s Queen Elizabeth 11 addresses parliament at Westminster, London during the week..

S

ANCTION awaits any bank found to have soiled its fingers in the pension scam being probed by the Senate. Central Bank governor, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi said in Abuja that the apex bank would “certainly send examiners to the banks and any bank that we find involved in these things will be dealt with.

We have asked for the report but we have nor received any formal report on the probe and the level 1 of involvement of the banks.

Perm Sec,two directors loot CJN faults Wada’s inauguration N14billion pension funds

A

FEDERAL Permanent Secretary and two directors are telling operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) what they know about N14.3 billion allegedly stolen from the Police Pension funds.One of them told interrogators that he embezzled N1.9billion,while another admitted mismanaging over N3billion.The third confessed to fiddling with N8billion.One of them revealed where he kept his own loot.

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HE Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN),Justice Dahiru Musdapher on Wednesday faulted the recent swearing-in of Governor Idris Wada of Kogi State by the President of the Customary Court of Appeal in the state. Musdapher, speaking at a public forum in Ilorin said it was wrong of the Customary Court of Appeal president to swear-in the governor when the state chief judge-the head of the state judiciary-was trying to clarify the Supreme Court’s ruling which gave rise to the inauguration of the governor.

WORLD BANK PRESIDENCY

Obama picks outsider

U

S President, Barack Obama, has picked an expert in public health born in South Korea as his nominee to run the World Bank. Jim Yong Kim, the president of Dartmouth College, a prestigious university in New Hampshire, was born in Seoul but moved to the US with his parents at the age of five.

Picking Dr Kim, whose career includes a spell running the HIV/AIDS department at the World Health Organisation, will make it harder for critics from emerging economies to argue that the World Bank presidency is a job handed only to Washington insiders.

Dr Kim raised eyebrows after a video of him rapping on stage at Dartmouth College during a Pop Idol-style concert surfaced on the internet.

His main competition for the position is from Nigeria’s Finance Minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, a well-regarded economist and diplomat. The World Bank’s executive board will select its new head by April 21, when it and the International Monetary Fund meet in Washington.

SEEKING JUSTICE

Ogoni villages sue Shell in UK

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HIRTY-FIVE Nigerian villages are suing Royal Dutch Shell PLC in a British court, claiming that the com pany’s slow response to two spills in 2008 left their delta region soaked in crude oil that destroyed the environment and their livelihoods.

Shell, long the dominant oil company in crude-rich Nigeria, on Friday quickly denied the lawsuit’s allegations and said the spills represented only a fraction of the damage done in a community where thieves routinely tap into its pipelines without concern for the environment.

The lawsuit, which was publicized in the British media long before it was filed on Friday, seeks unspecified damages and a legal order for Shell to clean the polluted waterways and marshlands of 35 villages around the town of Bodo in Nigeria’s Niger Delta.

There, the suit alleges Shell allowed 560,000 barrels of oil - or 88.9 million liters (23.5 million gallons) - to spill over weeks before finally stopping the flow from its malfunctioning pipelines.

Fed Govt’s/Boko talks called off

T

HE much awaited peace talks between the Federal Government and the Islamic sect, Boko Haram have hit the rocks even before starting after the intermediaries picked by the group to represent it at the talks pulled out. Kano cleric, Dr. Datti Ahmed, citing insincerity on the part of government, said he could not proceed with the discussion. The sect itself, through a tele

FUNERAL

Egypt’s Copts mourn their ‘protector’

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EARFUL and wear ing black, tens of thousands of Egyptian Coptic Christians Tuesday joined a funeral mass for their patriarch, Pope Shenouda III, led by senior clerics at the main cathedral in Cairo.

St Mark’s Cathedral was packed with local clerics, visiting clergymen and dignitaries as deacons chanted sombre hymns and bearded, black-clad priests and monks recited prayers and dispensed incense smoke from censers.

Shenouda’s body lay in a white casket in the elaborate regalia he traditionally wore to oversee services, complete with an ornate golden crown.

Shenouda died on Saturday aged 88 after 40 years at the head of the Coptic Orthodox Church, one of the world’s oldest Christian denominations. Most of Egypt’s estimated 10 million Christians are Orthodox Copts.

Hara

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, MARCH 25, 2012

News Review

on and PDP intrigues

ko off

Jonathan,PDP Govs in hide and seek game over party chair

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• Pope Benedict XVI greets young Mexicans as he arrives in Leon, Mexico on Friday. The Pope is on a three-day visit in Mexico.

Photo: REUTERS

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan and PDP state governors were locked in a fierce hide and seek game for much of the week ahead of yesterday’s election of the party’s national chairman. The president showed his preference for wealthy businessman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur and told the governors so. Several meetings seemed to suggest initially that all the governors were one with him on Tukur’s candidacy only for the game to change dramatically on Wednesday after some of the governors in the North East ensured his defeat in the zonal congress of the party held in Bauchi.

Tukur lost 2-14 votes to Dr. Musa Babayo, the PDP acting national secretary.

Although,Tukur scoffed at the development, his chief backer-President Jonathanquickly launched into fresh talks with the governors to persuade them to support Tukur.

11

THE WEEK IN QUOTES “Instead of transporting oil from the Niger Delta, we have it in the North. Some Nigerians thought how can oil be in the North, so they refused to do full investigation and thereby politicising issues.

But Niger (Republic)had started its refinery last year. It is a country in the up north.”

–Professor Abubakar Sambo, Director General, Energy Commission of Nigeria, wondering why oil has not been struck in the North.

“But if they destroy the country, which one would they now rule over? If we destroy Nigeria as our country we would have nowhere to run to because no country will be able to take us. It will be worst than tsunami.”

–Chief Solomon Lar, former national chairman of the Peoples democratic Party (PDP) on the Boko Haram insurgency.

“We are of different tribes, yes. But were we not of different tribes before? We are of different religions, yes. Were we not of different religions before? We come from different parts of the country, yes. But were we not from different parts of the country before?”

–Lt-Gen Jerry Useni (rtd), Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Arewa Consultative Forum, on the state of insecurity in the North.

Haram’s proposed peace Panic in Kano churches conference with reporters, said it was no longer interested in peace talks and that it would intensify its bomb and gun attacks. Soldiers, however, killed nine of the sect members at Tundun Wada, some 100 kilometers from Kano in a gun battle on Wednesday. Two of the insurgents were arrested.

The sect members had bombed the residence of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Tundun Wada before moving to the police station itself, carting away AK 47 rifles and arms and ammunition. They also carried out a botched attack on a bank adjacent to the police station.

C

HURCHES in Kano terminated their services abruptly on Sunday following threats by Boko Haram to launch attacks. Some of the churches reportedly received letters believed to have been written by the sect, threatening to bomb them. Worshippers hurriedly dispersed as the news of the threat spread.

Worshippers in Jos were prevented from parking their cars on church premises as part of the security arrangement that followed the recent spate of church bombings in the city.

PEOPLE OF THE WEEK OLUSEGUN OSOBA

I

T is only natural that an accomplished jour nalist and consummate politician like Chief Olusegun Osoba, would have a fairly long list of days he can tick off as memorable. His discovery, as a reporter, of the corpse of Nigeria’s first and only Prime Minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa-Balewa in January 1966 should be one. Add to that his 1975 appointment as editor of the Daily Times ;his emergence, inspite of all odds, as Ogun State civilian governor in 1992; and his return as governor in 1999.The mother of them all should be the Thursday launch,in Lagos, of the book-Osoba: the Newspaper Years, witnessed by one of the most impressive gatherings of the nation’s political and economic heavyweights including three former heads of state-General Ibrahim Babangida, General Abdulsalami Abubakar and Chief Ernest Sonekan. The book, written by Mike Awoyinfa and Dimgba Igwe, chronicles Osoba’s exploits as a reporter, editor and newspaper administrator.

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•Sambo •Useni

•Lar

ARUNMA OTEH

HERMAN HEMBE

HATEVER may have been Herman Iorwase Hembe’s motive for initiating the probe of Nigeria’s capital market by the House of Representatives Committee on Capital Market and Other Institutions, with the Director General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC),Ms Arunma Oteh as principal witness, the young legislator would, probably ,be wondering now whether it was a well thought-out decision. There could not have been a better illustration of the accuser becoming the accused after Oteh, perceived to be the target of the probe, turned the table against Hembe, accusing him of vendetta because his demand for a N44million bribe from the commission was not met. He was also accussed by Oteh of collecting a ticket and estacode from SEC to enable him attend a conference in the Dominican Republic but failed to go and yet refused to return both. Although Hembe denied the allegations, the House, on Tuesday told the committee to step off the probe which will now be conducted by the an adhocpanel. The EFCC has stepped into the allegations and counter- allegations. Herman, 42, represents Konshisha/Vandekiya ( Benue State). He is a lawyer.

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O one, includ ing Ms A r u n m a Onyejiuwa Oteh herself, can say for now ,how many more battles lie ahead in her tenure as Director General, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) but on evidence of the manner of her handling of the Herman onslaught, it is unlikely many people would want to cross her path soonest. Oteh who left her job as vice president, corporate management and corporate services of the African Development Bank (ADB) to run SEC and her accuser, Herman Hembe, were due for interrogation by the EFCC last Friday to be followed soon by the investigation of the allegations against her and her own counter allegations against Hembe, by the House of Reps. How she fares in both inquisitions will define her career in the years ahead.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, MARCH 25, 2012

12

There can be law without justice but there can be no justice without law.

COMMENT and ANALYSIS

13

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, MARCH 25, 2012

N

IGERIA as we know it, was a contrivance of imperial Britain. Prior to the partition of Africa and the claim of Britain on Nigeria, various nationalities with centuries of historical existence and flourishing civilizations occupied the territory which was to later become Nigeria. The amalgamation of the Northern and Southern Protectorates, which put a final seal on this adventure, was later to be described as a mistake by the Premier of the North – Sir Ahmadu Bello – The Sardauna of Sokoto.

Therefore while Chief Obafemi Awolowo saw Nigeria as “a mere geographical expression” super-imposed over pre-existing nationalities. Sir Bello saw the super-imposition as “a mistake”. But at least, all the nationalist leaders made efforts to fashion out a system of governance that preserved the autonomy of the component nationalities.

So, the driving force behind the 1959 and 1963 Constitutions in the words of Chief Femi Fani Kayode was the creation of Nigeria that would nourish its diversity and endow the clusters of nationalities that constitute the country with unfettered self-government and autonomy. But the 1963 constitution was scuttled by the military, and with it, the federalism it was designed to protect.

The country lost its federal structure and democratic system in 1966, and with the annulment of the presidential election of June 12, 1993, it lost its pretensions to having a national soul.

If I may ask: Has anyone wondered why is it that the agricultural economy of the 1960s produced development feats in the regions, while the oil-powered economy of the last three decades has landed us in the thick-fog of desperation? The answer is simple! There was better autonomy and resource-driven development in the 1960s than there is today. Can anyone deny, for example, that the oil producing regions have had a raw deal at the hands of successive governments? Must we wait for more Jesse tragedies, or Modakeke or Ijaw and Ogoni revolts before rectifying development which spawned these events?

Before the attainment of political independence in 1960, the Western Region, ancestral home to most Yoruba people, was a trail blazer in developmental efforts and projects: It had free primary education scheme, social welfare programmes, agricultural development projects, a gender-balanced commercial culture and a politically sophisticated citizenry that was jealous of its human and civil rights. All these were facilitated by the ideology of progress that characterized the ruling party in the West.

So, the annulment of “the June 12, 1993 Presidential Election” finally brought us face to face with the ugly reality that we cannot expect to be treated reasonably or with any respect by the hegemonic and sinister forces that thrive in certain parts of this nation.

As a matter of fact, the collective efforts of some of us in recent years have been an honest attempt to build bridges in order to effect national unity. However, we have been brought to a point where we must now acknowledge the unsavoury fact that those same sinister forces will never readily accept the will and verdict of the people as expressed in a free and fair democratic election. Indeed, unfolding events of the enemies of our great country (Nigeria) in trying to derail our nascent democracy suggest that the die has, in fact, been cast and “Ceasar has already crossed the Rubicon”. It is now left for those same dark, malignant and sinister forces to prove to the rest of us that we still have a stake in Nigeria. It is now left for them to prove to us that we are indeed, “one nation” of equal citizens with equal opportunities, as opposed to a sad collection of marginalised, brow-beaten and oppressed nationalities languishing in a forced, overcentralised and completely artificial entity.

Without such proof, the cry for self-determination will not easily be resisted or subdued.

It is a shame that in (almost) fifty-two (52) years after Nigeria’s political independence in 1960 with eight coups, fourteen Heads of State or Government (Chief Ernest Shonekan’s Interim National Government

How to re-design Nigerian federation

•Jonathan

By Akintola Benson

(ING) inclusive) – (Three murdered in coups), a thirty-month-civil-war, numerous inter-ethnic, religious and communal conflicts involving thousands of lives, we are still asking the same questions. How, in view of the foregoing, do we re-design the Nigerian Federation? This write-up would suggest as follows: first, there must be politically viable federating units, second, powers and functions must be re-distributed as between the Federal Government on the one hand and the federating units on the other. Third, the formula for allocating all the federally collected revenues that go into the Federation Account must be altered to reflect the new proper federal situation.

Our votes must equally count in the forthcoming gubernatorial elections in Ondo, Edo and other states that will have elections in 2012.

It must be made clearer today that if there is to be national cohesion in Nigeria, then all the constituent parts of the country must find something attractive in the country for themselves. The presumption that Nigeria is good for all of us is wrong. States are made for people; people are not made for states.

There is nothing sacrosanct about any of the nations on earth. Historical circumstances, the will of the people, economies, these together determine what happens to any group of people who seek to live together. But perhaps the most important factor in human life is ethnic. This is probably why the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia where different ethnic groups were held together by force, as in Nigeria, had to disintegrate. If Nigeria is to avoid the fate of these nations, we must recognize our differences and build that recognition into the Constitution.

Without mincing words, the result has been, unfortunately, the bringing into being states, which, everything considered, have the identity of parasites, which live like beggars. They parasitically depend on the oil wealth derived from certain parts of the country. Also, bowl in hand, they often haunt the corridors of foreign banks and lending agencies seeking the “chop” money they euphemistically call loan facility. It is rather like children who insisted on their wish to move out of their parents’ house and live independently. Then, after their request was granted, they returned every

morning and evening to their parents’ home for breakfast and dinner. Worse, they extended their bowls to importuned passersby for lunch money. In the words of Ndibe, government-by-begging is odious under any conditions. But in a democratic dispensation, it becomes doubly dangerous. As I see it, the inability of most state governments to eke out a living from their own internal resources is one of the serious threats not only to our experiment in civil rule, but also to the corporate survival of our nation. What does a state amount to when it lacks the means to meet its basic financial obligations? A mere name? A pretension? A chimera? A bugaboo? A destitute? Answer: all of the above.

However, since the mechanics hardly exists to cut back the number of states, it seems imperative that each state ought to begin worrying about where to find the money to keep itself afloat. Those who think that allocations from our oil revenues will continue to buoy all the states tend to forget two facts: One is that the allocations are now increasingly smaller, hardly sufficient to cover the enormous burden of running the states. The second point is that, prior to the oil boom, our country’s first regions were to a large degree, financially self-sufficient. The time may come when states are called upon to fend for themselves. If that happens, each state would stand or fall accordingly to make something out of its natural resources. Or, else, to apply its wits. I hope that the time of self-provision should come sooner rather than later. For, it seems to me that only political lethargy and economic laziness stand in the way of discovering innovative paths to revenue generation. One easy track is to make taxation a more effective means of revenue collection. Taxes should be broadened to cover a wider reach of the Nigerian population. One consequence of our current inept tax system is that those who ought to pay most often get away with paying nothing. As it is, only civil servants, some private sector employees as well as some corporate bodies bear the tax burden.

The time to renegotiate is now because tomorrow in the hands of our often more volatile youths may be too late – it is against this background that l will want the whole Nigerians to take into cognisance the following issues. They are as follows: (i) that anyone who is sufficiently familiar with our post- independence history would have discovered that the best times Nigeria has ever had in terms of mobilization of resources for human development were in those periods of regional self-government from 1957 to January 1966. During those momentous years, each of the three (later four) regions making up the country did not only manage its own affairs, it was also able to respond creatively to the challenges and obstacles arising from self-government. All these began to gradually change, however, as early as 1960 when an ambitious central authority, seeking absolute and unquestionable control on how it managed the affairs of the nation from the centre, sought insidious political methods to destroy the most dynamic of the regionsthe Western Region where the Yorubas and those with very close cultural affinities with them predominated. This was the beginning (in the words of Fani-Kayode) of the entrenchment of a hegemonic political system, based on patronage and co-option. Even then, resistance did not cease and it was that resistance that the military seized upon in January 1966. Yet no sooner had the military intervened when further ironies and contradictions stepped in.

•Continued on page 67

A salute to the Nigerian Army

•Ihejiriaka

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FLASH-BACK to the prosecution of the Nigerian Civil war (1967-1970) depicts the Nigerian Army as a versatile force because most of those who prosecuted the warfare were small boys given only six weeks weapon’s training before proceeding to the battle field.

As a 22 years old young infantryman, I witnessed the only mutiny by infantrymen at 16 Brigade (Jet fighters) of the 3 Marine Commando of the Nigerian Army against one Lt-Col. Sule Apollo who was seen as high-handed by the other ranks.

The Nigerian Army has produced great soldiers such as the ‘Black Scorpion’ Brigadier Benjamin Adekunle, (rtd), the erstwhile G.O.C of 3 Marine Commando, Lt. Gen Alani Akinrinade (rtd), Maj. Gen. Mohammed Shuwa (rtd), the late Col. Ayo Ariyo, the late Major Isaac Adaka Boro, Maj-Gen. Alwali Jauji Kazir (rtd) who was bold enough to tell the late maximum ruler, the late Gen. Sani Abacha to call it quits after spending well over the required 35 years in service and the current Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika who asked the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan to shun dialogue with the most dreaded ‘ Boko Haram’ sect as his army can forestall its insurrection.

Our revered arm of the Nigerian Armed forces has produced many more great soldiers.

It is rather unfortunate that the police force has been seen toying with Boko Haram suspects and allowing them to escape. The United States of America is seen as world police because of her expenses on information. The Nigerian government should fund the armed forces which has show seriousness in combating terrorism in the country.

This is why it must be drafted to man the nation’s porous borders. The service chiefs should be commended. The executive should place round pegs in round holes, our virile armed forces should be utilized.

In the Police, corruption is rife because men and officers are made to pay for their uniform, belt, boots, etc. The government must make it a point of duty to provide kits for the police.

The police must be educated and be taught how to handle its informants who are reluctant to divulge vital information for fears of being fingered by criminals. I pray the new Acting Inspector General will work hand-in-hand with the Police Service Commission to achieve this.

Above all, encouragement, absolute encouragement must be accorded the military and the paramilitary to move the nation forward.

By Silas Ajagun, Ilorin, Kwara State.

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

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY MARCH 25, 2012

Comment & Analysis

HERE is chaos in Mali, but save the tears and the bellyaching. The West African nation of 14.5m people is under assault. Gunshots boomed through the night of Wednesday in the vicinity of the presidential palace. Bonfire raged in the streets of Bamako, the state capital. The following morning the government of President Ahmadou Toumani Toure had been toppled. The whereabouts of the 63year-old president remained unknown.

The constitution of the country has been suspended. TV and radio stations have been shut. A flight bound for the Bamako airport was reportedly turned back, as the airport has been closed, as have the country’s borders.

There has been a military coup in the Saharan nation, throwing it into deeper crisis than it was before the forceful takeover.

As usual, nations and international bodies have condemned the putsch, demanding a reinstatement of the Toure administration. The United Nations has urged that all grievances be settled democratically. France, the country’s former colonial master, said it will not send any military aid.

The loudest condemnation, however, seems to have come from Nigeria. President Goodluck Jonathan has dismissed the usurpers of Mali, adding, with a note of finality, that Nigeria will never recognise their government. He did not stop there. With the force of the president of the seventh most populous country on earth, and the nation with the highest number of blacks, Jonathan also rallied African countries to equally denounce the

Don’t cry for Mali We should really worry about our coups by another name Mali coup and push for the return of President Toure. Senator Ike Ekweremadu, who is both Deputy Senate President as well as Speaker of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament, has also condemned it.

It is clear that our leaders are uncomfortable with coups. So is much of the world. Two words are often used to define coup as the deposition or takeover of a government, usually by a small group of people either in the government or associated with it. Those two words are ‘sudden’ and ‘illegal’. Of the two, ‘illegal’ is the more instructive because it carries with it the connotation that the overthrow does not enjoy the approval of the law of the land. And if the law of the land is made by the people of the land, then, coups do not have the approval of the people.

In reality, however, this analysis is not

always true. In all cases, coups are illegal but they sometimes enjoy the backing of the people. Whether or not, the people are later disappointed and alienated is another matter altogether.

But coming when it did in Mali, the coup was unpopular. The overthrown Toure initially came to power by a putsch but his second coming was through the ballot and he was due to step down next month after ruling the country 10 years of two terms when the coup gang struck. So you could say some democratic structures were taking root when the guns began to boom on Wednesday night. You could say things were getting better, even though Tuareg militancy from the north was quite an issue. So in Mali, the coups was unpopular.

In Nigeria, its supporters are few and far between. Like Mali, democracy or at

“Nigeria has not been spared the assault of coup plotters coming in different guises and disguises. When the last gun-totting coup makers were eased out of power in the 90s, other coup plotters have since taken positions and entrenched such positions. If coups are illegal, that is, if they are neither backed by the constitution nor the people, why people perfectly plotting and executing financial coups and defrauding the people of billions of naira?”

worst civilian rule, has survived for a decade, with a couple of years thrown in. We like to think we can build on what we have without coup makers’ help.

But that is not to say the country has been spared the assault of coup plotters coming in different guises and disguises.

When the last gun-totting coup makers were eased out of power in the 90s, other coup plotters have since taken positions and entrenched such positions. If coups are illegal, that is, if they are neither backed by the constitution nor the people, why are people perfectly plotting and executing financial coups and defrauding the people of billions of naira. All it takes is a stroke of the pen. Without the knowledge or approval of taxpayers, huge sums of money are disappearing into people’s pockets. It is a coup by another name and means. In politics, people have made a career of coup-plotting. Elections which are supposed to be free and fair have been hijacked and redefined. Across the country, concern over imposition of candidates is still deep. By a stroke of electoral trickery, dead people have voted here. Through such fraud, Mike Tyson has also voted in Nigeria. By such electoral coups, the people’s choices have been shoved aside and supplanted with those the people did not elect or select.

In our political parties, there are eternal concerns over imposition of candidates.

Now, if imposition of candidates is not a coup against the people, I wonder what is.

Malians are battling with their coup plotters. We too are struggling with ours by other names. Our president and everyone who feels Malians have been assaulted by a gang of adventurers, should lead a house-cleaning campaign. We should weep for ourselves, rather than the Malians.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY MARCH 25, 2012

Comment & Analysis

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House of scandals Oversight probe turns awry as Hembe, Oteh open can of worms

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Y now, Nigerians would probably have said all that needed to be said about the drama at the House of Representatives’ probe of the capital market starring the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) Director-General, Arunma Oteh and the chairman of the House Committee on Capital Market, Herman Hembe. It is a measure of how pervasive corruption has become that both sides have shown no inhibitions about washing their dirty linens in the public square.

An exercise advertised by the House as a factfinding mission (it came off more like an inquisition) to unearth what went wrong with the capital market would later metastasise into the vintage Nigerian corruption story, with its grisly details in high-level extortion and bribery, the core of which is an alleged solicitation of N39 million of sponsorship money, and an alleged request for N5 million bribe by the committee chairman.

Of course, it is the stuff of which dramas are made. It began with the SEC boss being literally put in the dock on the first day of the much hyped public hearing. Betraying the visage of someone with an axe to grind, the committee chair left no one in doubt that the SEC boss was in for a raw deal. First, he questioned her capacity to manage the agency given how the agency allegedly conducted its internal operations in breach of public service regulations. She was also accused of spending N30 million on hotel accommodation in eight months, following her appointment in January, 2010. Papers also emerged to show that she allegedly spent, at two different times, N850,000 and N85,000 respectively, on feeding all in one day. Then of course was the matter of hiring two staff of a quoted company – Access Bank – something the committee held as compromising SEC’s ability to regulate the market.

With back practically pinned to the wall, it was her turn to mount the offensive 24 hours later. First, she questioned the committee chair’s

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FEW weeks ago, an online university ranking organization, webometrics, released the 2012 world universities ranking and no Nigerian university was ranked among the top 1000 in the world. Although, some namely, University of Benin, 1,639/17, University of Agric Abeokuta, 2,266/25, University of Ibadan, 2,515/26, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, 3,228/31, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, 3,263/31, University of Lagos, 3,486/34, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, 3,512/35, University of Ilorin, 4,302/40, University of Jos, 5,681/53 and Auchi Polytechnic, 6,254/54 were ranked in the above order in the world and Africa respectively.

The noise that the ranking has generated in Nigeria, especially in the academia to me is totally uncalled for, because there is no way in truest sense of it Nigerian universities can compete with their counterparts from other parts of the progressive world, especially under the current state of affairs. This is so because modern universities are a place where rigorous and progressive teaching and research work is on-going continually, a place where the society deems sacred, therefore, is a place where there is a sincere effort to mould human beings to achieve their fullest potentials. In Nigerian universities of today, none of those applies.

The infrastructure to aid research is nonexistent, neither is there motivation for the teach-

integrity, pointing out that he collected money and a first class ticket from SEC for a conference which he never attended. She alleged that the House committee leadership actually solicited for N39 million to host the public hearing. She also went on to accuse Hembe of asking for N5 million in bribe 24 hours before the hearing started.

While the gladiators took the centre-stage in the scandalous show of shame, the issues which informed the hearings took the back seat.

It is just as well that the parties allowed matters to get to this sorry pass. They may well go ahead to help solvse the riddle they have helped spawn. These riddles are: Did the Herman Hembeled House committee actually request SEC to sponsor the public hearing on the collapse of the capital market? Did SEC offer to underwrite – gratis, that is – the cost of probe in which it was involved? Who, between the House and SEC initiated the move to get SEC to sponsor the probe?

Did the committee chair actually demand for a N5 million bribe from the SEC boss?

The House will do well to help find answers to these intriguing questions. However, given what Nigerians consider as the House’s predilection for extortionate practices which it calls legislative oversight, it seems unlikely that many Nigerians would give the lawmakers in the lower House the benefit of resolving any doubts in their

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

•Editor Festus Eriye •Deputy Editor Olayinka Oyegbile •Associate Editors Taiwo Ogundipe Sam Egburonu

•Managing Director/ Editor-in-Chief Victor Ifijeh •Chairman, Editorial Board Sam Omatseye •General Editor Kunle Fagbemi

favour. Indeed, most Nigerians would likely presume the lawmakers guilty as charged. It is therefore in the House’s interest that matters are not swept under the carpet.

This, however, is far from suggesting that SEC does not have its own questions to answer. Indeed, it does. In the first place, if the House committee and its chair had shown a less imperiousness in converting the fact-finding exercise into a trial of sorts, the so-called solicitation for N39 million and the alleged demand for N5 million bribe may never have blown into the open. Again, this newspaper in its March 21 edition had since confirmed the existence of a memo authored by SEC that leaves no one in doubt that SEC, rather than the House committee, actually initiated the sponsorship. Except if SEC can prove that the memo was forged, its claim that the memo was not authorised would remain hollow. That SEC management went as far as approving the payment itself raises grave questions of ethics.

The entire affair must be seen as sickening, to say the least; not only does it reek of bad faith; it seems easy to see evidence of opportunism and corruption on both sides. We consider the development as tragic as it is shameful. Tragic because, both the nation may have lost another opportunity to halt the decline of the capital market; shameful because both sides, while projecting their ego over and above the nation’s interest, could not appreciate the dangers this posed to the economy.

To the extent that crimes are alleged to have been committed, we expect that relevant security agencies, particularly the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, should step in.

Since the parties have no inhibitions in releasing their rash of allegations and counter-allegations at the House hearing, we expect them to go a step further to help the anti-graft body get to the root of the matter.

LETTERS

Why Nigerian universities are behind ers, students and researchers.

For example, at Obafemi Awolowo University, indisputably, the most well built university in Nigeria; the facilities are simply no longer functional! Just in the recent past, late 90s when we were admitted in that school, lecturers and students could stay late to read/ research on issues relevant to

their studies, but today a visit to that once great institution simply saddens one’s heart. Everywhere is in pitch darkness!

How on earth can a lecturer/ student study in 2012 with candle, which now sells for between 30/40 naira per unit!

Also, in the classrooms, the seats are no longer there, no functional toilet facilities, and

definitely no security.

Officially, the federal government of Nigeria has reduced the university system to a village affair. Under the guise of an amorphous policy of ‘catchment area’, Nigerians, not to talk of foreigners, cannot be admitted into their university of choice; one has to belong to a particular state and local gov-

Boko Haram and lack of security consciousness

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E must watch the way things are done in recent times, especially with the increase in numbers of attacks by Boko Haram. Hardly a week goes by without trailer load of motor cycles and young men from the Northern part of the country dispatched to South West, South-South and South East, all disguised as okada riders.

These trailers passed through numerous road blocks mounted by the Army and men of the Federal Road Safety Commission without questioning the mission of the occupants of these trailers.

The Boko Haram group

is using that means to dispatch their members to other states in the country disguised as okada riders. It amuses me when people claim that Boko Haram operations are limited to the North, they are saying this because they cannot see beyond their noses. It is high time the security men and women wake up to their responsibilities by taking adequate precaution to check the influx of this sect to other parts of the country.

Though, they are yet to commence operation in the Southern part of the country, but we cannot rule out their presence there.

I want to suggest that

henceforth any trailer loaded with young men and motor cycles going to the South should be scrutinized and returned to where they come from. The strategy of Boko Haram sect is first to dispatch their men to the nooks and crannies of a particular area before commencing their operations which are usually simultaneous and properly coordinated.

Therefore, being aloof or indifferent to this security situation by our security agencies is like sleeping in a house with the roof on fire.

By Israel Oyegbile Sabo Tasha, Kaduna State.

ernment to study in a particular university. Also, academic and non academic staff cannot be employed in their preferred universities because they are either not from the host state/ region or ethnic stock! Those employed are treated based on their ethnic/religious leanings.

All these combine to reduce Nigerian universities to village squares where no passionate academic work takes place. Today, the post of Vice Chancellor has been reduced to that of councilor where professors now lobby politicians based on ethnic and religious affiliations!

No university teacher/researcher can achieve any breakthrough in research while his/ her children are playing/making noise while he does his/ her research-Nigerian academics do their work at home because they can only power their houses with the Chinese ‘I pass my neighbour generators’, not their offices or ‘laboratory’.

Similarly, students cannot also read in the library, or the classes, or the school lawns(for the old generation schools that have them) because the libraries are not conducive: obsolete books, broken down chairs, poorly ventilated rooms; the

classes are even worse, while the lawns have been taken over by pure water sellers and photocopy machines! For the few that have access to computers, the internet access is very poor, even Nigerian universities portals (coincidentally a major aspect of the Webometric ranking methodology) are practically inaccessible!

Alumni of Nigerian universities cannot access their academic transcripts online.

One has to come down to Nigeria even from America or Europe if one ever has need for that document! Due to lack of know-how, a Nigerian university, one of the very first generation, designs new web portal for incoming students every year because it cannot simply handle the old and new data.

Finally, for Nigerian universities to be ranked among the firsts, fundamental changes would have to effected. To start with, the educational system will have to go through a real and comprehensive ‘turn around maintenance’ from the primary school up to the universities. Nigeria should go back to the days when all a parent needs do is to take their wards to the train station in Enugu, Osogbo or Lokoja and bid them farewell as they set off for school in an ‘unknown’ land as it were.

By Mazi Moses Eze Idika, Plot 22, Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja

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Ropo Sekoni ropo.sekoni @thenationonlineng.net

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HE debate on ethnicity and its role in the governance and development of the country has been shaped largely by political philosophers thrown up by the military after the civil war. After the defeat of Biafra, military dictators became more emboldened than before about the dominance of the military institution in governance. It was not too difficult for military dictators from Murtala Mohammed to Obasanjo, Buhari, Babangida, Abacha, to Abubakar to recruit civilians who bought their idea about how to keep Nigeria together by muting the discourse on the role of ethnicity in governance and development.

Military dictators that organized the writing of constitutions between 1979 and 1999 made sure they created a new line of national political debate: how to use petroleum funds to make 37 states and 774 local governments feel united and answerable to the central government. Later, zoning of the presidency was added to the discourse.

The point of discussion became good leadership as a counterpoint to the issues raised by PRONACO’s call for a new constitution. The lat-

Femi Orebe femi.orebe @thenationonlineng.net 08056504626 (sms only)

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY, MARCH 25, 2012

Comment & Analysis

ITHOUT a doubt, history is delineated in epochs and, critical to this compartmentalization is the individual. I must quickly admit that in Philosophy there is the raging controversy as to which of holism or individualism is superior. My view, without a scintilla of doubt supports the latter because it is the individual that shapes events nd what is history if not a constellation of events?

The Avatar, Chief Obafemi Awolowo already has his name cast both in gold and iron-cast stone in Nigerian history but more so in the history of the Yoruba. But equally without a doubt is the truism that Tinubu’s place in Yoruba history is irreplaceably written on the positive side. As I wrote recently on the public presentation of the DAWN DOCUMENT, we owe our place in contemporary Nigerian history to none other than the man I set out to celebrate in this piece.

Standing on the opposite sides of contemporary Yoruba history today, are two strongwilled personalities, namely, former Nigerian President, General Olusegun Obasanjo and Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Jargaban Borgu. Without a doubt, some there are that swear by General Obasanjo’s name in Yoruba land but these are largely individuals who had profited individually from such illicit acts, products of impunity, like election rigging and outright cronyism on the part of an individual. These are acts that have been confirmed se-

Ethnic diversity and unity 2 Ethnicity has a role to play in nation building est line in the debate is leadership, rather than structure and the rivalry between lawmakers and citizens on the true owners of sovereignty.

Chief Awolowo’s warning that engineering a multiethnic state like Nigeria without proper consideration to ethnic diversity through a federal system would lead to lack of peace and progress came back to the political radar during the struggle against Abacha’s dictatorship. This attempt was stigmatized as a sectional Yoruba view championed

by NADECO. Callers for recognizing the place of ethnicity in the structure of the country came back alive after the designed-to-fail Political Reforms Conference of Obasanjo while those in support of that conference are now applauding Jonathan’s Belgore Committee to provide ideas for re-engineering the country’s political culture. This is despite the fact that most of the country’s minority ethnic groups are not even represented on the Belgore committee.

The proper thing to do is to return to Awolowo’s notion of the imperative of federalism, if we want the country to work. The Belgore committee as constituted is not capable of doing this. The

modern world is no longer tied to the philosophy of Identity Politics that was in vogue when Frederick Lugard amalgamated the three regions of Nigeria in 1914. If Lugard were alive today to see the dominant political view about decentralization in Scotland, he would not have put Nigeria together the way he did and got credit for at that time. The 20th and 21st centuries are centuries of Identity Politics; fostering of political systems that respond creatively to the concerns and values of the groups that make up modern states. It is selfdeceptive to think that there is a Nigerian value system that can be used to power a unitary system of government.

Nigeria is still, as Awolowo once said in the 1950s, a point of demarcating Nigeria from Ghana or Niger. There are Nigerian citizens whose values are closer to the value system of people in Niger than they are to the values of several ethnic or cultural groups within Nigeria. It is not the fault of such people; it is the result of colonial intervention and post-colonial myopia on the part of those in charge of organizing the polity.

It is no longer fashionable to think negatively, as the colonial masters did, about ethnic diversity in the

construction of modern states.

It is over sanguine or naïve to think that Nigeria can make progress without rectifying its democratic deficit by encouraging each of its diverse ethnic groups to move at its own pace. Several countries with similar problems to Nigeria’s had solved such problems without endangering their unity. On the contrary, they had given more space to ethnicity as a way of enhancing their countries’ unity and ensuring that the ethnic diversity in such countries is turned into an engine of development and life improvement for their citizens.

For example, Switzerland is more visibly united today than Nigeria is. With a population that is made up of French, German, and Italian-speaking groups, the country opted for federalism and thus allowed each of the ethnic groups to contribute to the country’s development. Similarly, Belgium has taken advantage of its ethnic diversity of Flemish, Walloons, and Germans, to sustain a modern nation that was peaceful enough to be picked as headquarters of the largest and boldest experiment in federalism, the European Union. It was the recognition of the cultural sensitivity of the French in Canada

that necessitated the adoption of a federal system. Even the father of Nigeria, the United Kingdom, is no longer running away from its ethnic diversity. Scotland is increasingly pushing the United Kingdom into a federation, despite the fact that the Scots are closer in values to the English than the Igbo are to the Fulani or the Yoruba.

Nigeria should not be pushed into the sad situation of countries that chose to be in self denial about their ethnic diversity. Czechoslovakia had to go to the extreme of splitting into two after several years of unitary system. Yugoslavia’s experience in 1992 was worse. The country had to shed blood before breaking into Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia, Herzegovina, Macedonia, Montenegro, and Serbia.

It will be a tragedy if out of selfdelusion or myopia borne of desire of one ethnic group to dominate others, Nigeria is not saved from the experience of Yugoslavia and Czechoslovakia. Recognizing the inevitable role of ethnicity in the engineering of a multiethnic state may in the long run be more profitable for Nigeria than its petroleum that is currently used as means of pacification sections of the country. The country’s current constitution lends credence to Albert Einstein’s idea of insanity as doing the same experiment over and over and each time expecting different results.

The contemporary non pareil at 60 Asiwaju Tinubu is a role model rially at the level of our court of Appeal and for which reasons the court has poignantly declared that some individuals, though sat in state houses, are legally unknown as governors of those states.

In sharp contradistinction is Asiwaju Bola AhmedTinubu who steadfastly led the charge, not only against poll rigging but , in a single-minded manner, against a ludicrous and thoroughly meaningless mainstreaming which have left Yoruba land thoroughly decapitated. While our road infrastructure had totally collapsed, education where Chief Awolowo gave us a head start, not only in Nigeria but internationally, has reached rock bottom and nothing attests more to this than the fact that one of the first actions of the current governors in the geo-political zone was to chart the way forward for resuscitating this vital organ of development by setting up Education Committees whose recommendations were subsequently taken to an Education Summit to make concrete recommendations for government action.

As a member of AGBAJO YORUBA AGBAYE, under the sterling leadership of one of Yoruba’s best, namely, General Alani Akinrinade, I served as a member f a rapid response team, headed by another distinguished son of Oduduwa, Prof Jide Osuntokun to react to our shame and disappointment that under the lead of the General, water projects in billions of naira were almost weekly being awardedto other parts of the country with Alhaji Shagari as Water Resources Minister, but with almost

nothing coming to the South-West even when our people wee panting for drinkable water or water for irrigation purposes since agriculture stands anachronistically under the federal might.

While the serial anachronisms continue, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, through deft political engineering and incredible networking which continue to rob him of sound sleep since he works literally 25 hours daily, has been able to put together throughout the region, Ondo state inclusive, a team of people -loving heads of government whose credo is service to our people. Our politics in the A C N sure differs from that of Ondo’s Labour Party and nothing will gladden us more than to add that state to the A C N family, nobody will dispute the fact that there is a world of difference between what governor Mimiko is dong today and that of his predecessor. I state this fact to celebrate Ashiwaju who spared nothing to see that the stolen mandate in that state was restored. I personally believe that the governor can still pause, think and give honour to whom honour is eminently due, i.e. Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

That Lagos State has become a world brand today says a lot of his perspicacity; his building blocks and the seamless manner in which his thorough-bred successor gelled and built upon the foundations he laid.

I laugh heartily when I see ignorance on display; when I hear that he wants to annex not only Oyo, Ogun,Ekiti, Ondo but also Edo to Lagos and that this underpins his unstinting support for

democracy. My perpetual question to these people then is to waht he wants to annex Ghana, SierraLeone or even nearby Benin where he had been equally untiring in helping cement and expand the frontiers of democracy by collaborating and sparing not his resources to ensure that credible individuals emerge leaders to help re-define the African politician who is seen mostly , the world over, as nothing but corrupt.

Asiwaju remains a role model, whose door is always open just as his heart is open to all those who are heavy laden. You have in this one-man battalion, a ready army to fight political infidels who believe they can use the paraphernalia of federal power; bottomless money with which to buy, not only the judiciary but even electoral officials, as well as its usually high-handed security apparatus to defeat the peoples’ aspirations. What has he not been made to suffer as we recently witnessed in the Code of Conduct Bureau’s attempt to undermine him. Only this past week, Governor Raji Fashola , SAN, wrote of Ashiwaju: ‘Let me say generally about his public image that I do not remember one public contest where he has lost the war.I speak of many battle fronts, from Oyo, to Borgu, Ife, Ibadan, Lagos and Anambra to mention but a few.

Of course he bears many battle scars and these attest o his tactical ability to surrender battles in order to win wars’. What more can one say?

To Asiwaju and a few other gallant leaders like Lt.Gen Aknrinade go credit for the roaring success NADECO was, again

sparing neither time nor resources or can we forget hat to the ‘Baffday Boy’ goes e introduction of forensic science as a veritable too in humbling poll robbers , no matter how entrenched in power they may be. Without a Bola Ahmed Tinubu, there would never have been an Adrian Forty in the annals of Nigerian electoral history.

And how were we to have known how palm kernel became the choice tool of incorrigible riggers?

And Adrian Forty, God rest his soul, did nt come cheap!

In concluding this brief article into the place of Asiwaju in our contemporary political history we must thank God for giving him his precious jewel, his wife, friend and companion of many decades who has seen as much deprivation and humbug as the husband had seen.

An Amazon of no mean repute, who today ably represents not only Lagos State but Nigerian women at the Upper Chambers, Senator Remi Tinubu must have countless times been the shoulder upon which our Ashiwaju must have leaned in those agonising days of man’s inhumanity to man; she had been the loyal overseer and controller of the home front and today, Lagos state can be proud to say it has two for the price of one because, likeHillary Clinton, the U.S Secretary of state to his affable Bill, Senator Tinubu must be bouncing a whole lot of ideas off Ashiwaju just so that Nigeria can be better than what the rapacious mainstreamers have made it.

To Asiwaju, here is saying: Happy Birthday, Leader in a million; Long May you live in glorious health; They will die, who wish you dead.

Amen, in Jesus Name.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY MARCH 25, 2012

Tunji

Adegboyega tunjade@yahoo.co.uk 08054503906 (sms only)

T

WO names have become household names in the country from March 13, when what was supposed to be the probe of the crash of the Nigerian capital market got derailed and became ‘roforofo’ fight between the two main actors, Honourable Herman Hembe, chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Capital Market, and Ms Arunma Oteh, Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). SEC is the regulator of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).

It was as if Ms Oteh had expected to be told to simply ‘take a bow and go’ by the panel as a result of certain undercurrents that Nigerians were not privy to initially; but which later surfaced. May be, she had expected to be asked the usual simple and meaningless questions like how she is coping on the hot seat as SEC boss, or stuff like that, as per certain agreements. But when what was supposed to be friendly fire appeared to be coming from an enemy territory, and questions bothering on her competence and qualification, the propriety or otherwise of some of her decisions, etc. started coming in torrents, the SEC boss decided to dive for cover; at that point, the handshake had started going beyond the elbow.

Fight has now come and what should ordinarily have been seen as an innocuous song was now seen in the light of a proverb. Ms Oteh suddenly realised that she had been ‘arraigned’ before a ‘kangaroo court’!

Really, it could be painful if the house

Postscript, Unlimited!

By

Oyinkan Medubi 08187172799 (SMS only) puchuckles7@gmail.com

D

URING the week, the announcement came on the radio from the board in charge of energy in Nigeria, I think, that any town or city, local or state government, that had a mind to could develop and distribute its own electricity. And I thought, wow! that’s a little too little, coming much too late! I mean, the significant thing I can see in this development is that the state is owning up to its complete helplessness and crying for assistance from the people. In any case, why were the villages left out?

Come now, it is not as if the government (past or present) had not foreseen that there would come some serious expansion in demands that it may not be able to meet. Any number of people had said as much and much more to those past governments, and asked that they should not wait till when the expansion took place to do something about it or even plan for it. But no, our governments were much too wise and strong-headed to heed commoners’ advice. Thus, we all had to wait for the ceiling to come crashing down on us before attempting to fix a roof that had long since escaped. The question is, what happened to make the energy company cry ‘Help!’?

The signs were ominous, and

Comment & Analysis

If you Hembe me, I Oteh you This is the story of oversight in the National Assembly committee actually demanded bribe from SEC over the matter only to turn round to ask the kind of questions the committee members were asking. You can imagine a lady who went in search of a job and was assured by the people in charge that she had no problem once she could play ball. If she checks the list of successful applicants and her name is missing after playing ball with them, you can imagine how she would feel, having been conned of her most cherished possession! That must have been innocence gone down the drain; it is a painfully bad investment.

This is the Genesis of how what was supposed to have been ‘secret transactions’ between a few persons soon became a matter for public consumption, disputation and refutation. Those secret deals have now become the proverbial lost knife which no one will ever admit using to peel yam.

On my part though, I have long lost confidence in the probes conducted by the National Assembly.

Most of them rarely achieved much, beyond the initial razzmatazz and media hype. With time, the results of the probes too gather dust somewhere. Who is talking again about the power probe which the House spent considerable time and re-

sources investigating? Those involved are untouchables. Even the fuel subsidy probe is fast being forgotten, in spite of the noise that its findings would not be swept under the carpet. Indeed, the main actors who should have stepped down like Hembe are the ones setting up committees to investigate their rot. If you ask the National Assembly members, they will tell you that their job ends at the level of investigating. Of what purpose then is the investigation if the lawmakers cannot compel the prosecution of people who have been fingered in such investigations as culpable in acts that could cause economic adversity to the nation?

For me, the National Assembly has no moral authority to carry out any oversight, whether on SEC or any ministry, department or agency (MDA) for that matter. The same House that is accusing Oteh of extravagant spending has just raised its quarterly allowance from N15million to N27million per member per quarter. This translates to every rep getting N9million per month, and we were told it is to insulate members from inducements from MDAs. The Senate is even worse, with each senator getting N42million per quarter for the

“The same House that is accusing Oteh of extravagant spending has just raised its quarterly allowance from N15million to N27million per member per quarter. …The Senate is even worse, with each senator getting N42million per quarter for the same purpose. This is aside all other numerous allowances that the National Assembly members get for their part-time job”

same purpose. This is aside all other numerous allowances that the National Assembly members get for their part-time job. This is the reason getting the legislative ticket and other tickets is usually a ‘do-or-die’ affair. There is so much to make from the system without lifting a finger.

In spite of these many mind-boggling allowances, many members of the National Assembly still extort money from institutions over which they are supposed to perform oversight functions. It was in spite of these allowances that Hembe still collected money from SEC for a trip to Dominican Republic which he never made. Hembe admitted that he made the trip up to Texas in the United States but could not reach the Republic. He said he got to the US at about the time the conference was rounding off and he placed a call to a top official of SEC who advised him against coming to the Dominican Republic again because it would be fruitless. He said he has air tickets to back his claim. So, how could he have done any serious oversight on SEC? This merely confirms the point that no matter what you pay to some people, they can never have enough. In order words, the more such people get, the more they lust after what they are yet to get. The best we are getting from Hembe are threats to go to court to clear his name; this was a thing he should have done as early as yesterday!

One thing I like in all these however is the fact that our legislators would now realise that taking bribes for oversight functions or whatever purpose may no longer be a matter between two people; that there is no

17

secret anywhere. Although, as I argued earlier, people with ‘long throat’ will always want to collect what they have seen as the usual thing, thinking their colleagues caught were not smart enough. But then, the expectation that the deal may leak is likely to deter ‘first offenders’ who just know that such things are done and because people get away with them, they too may want to try their luck.

There are many ‘barawos’ (thieves) in the National Assembly who do as a routine what Hembe has been accused of; Hembe only happens to be the suspected criminal because he is the one under focus today. If only Jesus Christ could spare a few minutes to come to Nigeria and ask whichever of the lawmakers that has been there for more than one session and had never collected money from MDAs for oversight to cast the first stone, we would see how quietly many of them would simply walk away and Hembe may end up smelling like a rose.

All said, I welcome the decision by the non-governmental organisations that have vowed not to allow the lawmakers sweep this matter under the carpet. It is not enough to ask the committee members to step down to allow for investigation. This is a weighty matter that the House of Representatives may not be able to handle the way it should be handled. So, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) intervention is welcome; but it must go the whole hog. It is an intriguing story; many of us are interested in who asked for or offered what; when that is known, we can then put two plus two together to know whether it is Hembe or Oteh that is lying.

But both of them may be on the way to jail if we have nothing new or more authentic than what is already in the public domain.

State of electricity: too little, too late? they were there for us all to read.

They began with ECN-sponsored apologies for some planned power interruptions which would be for about one hour and all inconveniences were deeply regretted. That happened in the 1960s and 1970s.

Usually, we would hiss at that great inconvenience of going without electricity for one whole, big hour out of twenty four. Somehow though, we coped with those minor irritations since they were infrequent and came but once in a year or so, like Christmas.

Then came the eighties, and the irritations grew. From asking us to turn a blind eye, so to say, to their misdemeanour of one hour, the electricity company jumped to two hours and more. It asked us to tolerate several more hours of darkness once or so in a long while, just to rectify some technical fault. We were somewhat surprised, but, levelheaded and educated us, we did no more than mumble. But the savvy among us began to see the unhealthy development and to warn that bigger things were coming unless we moved quickly. We turned to the government for its own reaction and were told not to worry, things were all right; they were only technical faults. It was just the water level at Kainji Dam that had a nasty habit of fluctuating. I still have the cartoons that documented these excuses, and more; there is nothing like history to put you in remembrance of the truth.

By the nineties, things began to turn really ugly. Then, it was possible for us to be told to hold our breaths for up to as much as four hours at a time for electricity to return. Then we suspected we were in

trouble, but again the government only turned our querying eyes towards the Kainji Dam? Was it not going down?, it asked. ‘It was’, we all chorused, like choristers at a rehearsal. When the water goes, it goes and there is no ‘damn’ (pardon me please; but the pun is too good to pass over) thing you can do about it.

That was when the technical ones among us began to plead that it was time to turn elsewhere for electricity because it was too important a matter to leave to just one capricious river.

Not so, said the government. No power on earth (pardon the pun again) was going to make us abandon River Kainji. By the 2000s, of course, things had gone really out of hand. More hours of darkness were condoodled out of our innocent lives, and, rather than look for a solution, the government just looked elsewhere for blame. Yes, the Niger Delta militants were interrupting the gas supply and we gaped as that gas supply dried up bit by bit. Now, my home in my city has not seen more than a blink of electricity these last three weeks. When I complained, someone said they had not seen a blink in over three months. And the bills never failed to arrive.

I had two interesting conversations on this subject of electricity supply, the company and Nigerians; three actors, one story. In the first conversation with a group of interested Nigerians, businessmen inclusive, I was told that a number of things stood in the electricity company’s way to any credible performance. It was the fact that there was a string of very powerful Nigerians whose livelihood de-

pended entirely on the company; they therefore held it by the jugular.

Releasing their hold on it would jeopardise their own lifestyle; it was therefore better for the nation to suffer than for that to happen, God forbid.

Another theory, I was told very, very seriously, was that for some reason, a very angry demon from the depth of hell had taken control of the electricity company and so, nothing tangible would ever come from its propellers, do what you might,. At that, I politely chuckled. I mean, what demon from hell would bother to sit on our own electricity company when it had enough of its own demons working inside the company? I mean, what are those people from the electricity company who cut off power supply at any suspicion? What are those people who go from house to house putting their ugly hands in people’s pockets by threatening to cut off power supply? You think they are human? Not on your life! Anyhow, that’s neither here nor there.

In another conversation, and recently too, I asked why electricity seemed to be going more and more out of this part of the planet and yet it is the first thing anyone sees when they get to other parts of the planet earth. I was told that nothing would happen in Nigeria’s energy company until the old people sitting atop of it were removed and younger, more intellectually stimulated people were put in their place.

Then I knew. The demon theory was not too far-fetched after all, in spite of my disbelieving chuckles.

Obviously, since the 1960s, leaders in and out of government have

raided, raped and plundered the energy company to their fill through the connivance of those sitting atop of it (whether demons or not), and now, tired and hopeless, it stands on the brink of the cliff, just waiting for the last push. But wait, have the top demons bailed out? Yes, they have, now we can push. This then is why we heard that announcement.

The government of this country, past and present, owe us the Nigerian people an apology for having put us through unnecessary pains these decades. People have died, revenues have been lost and developments have been slow because of the electricity company’s failures.

Anyone could see right from the seventies that there was a need to begin the diversification of energy sources to cope with rising demands. People were migrating constantly, industries were being built (even if they were only carpenters’ shops), and lifestyles were changing. To have waited for the demand to rise before attempting to tackle it was and is a sign of gross irresponsibility. Someone should apologise for it.

No one should just wake up one day, go on air and ask us to go look for our own electricity, not after waiting for so long on the government’s promises. Remember OBJ’s and Yar’adua’s very many temporal ‘destinations’? Truth is, Nigerians are really good people (someday, we’ll talk about this).

Else, they should have consigned many of their governments to the dung heap for electricity failure.

After all, governments have fallen for less in other lands.

18

THE NATION ON SUNDAY MARCH 25, 2012

POLITICS

19

THE NATION ON SUNDAY MARCH 25, 2012

W

HEN the late presidential candidate and leader of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, passed on to eternal glory last year, one of the most intricate puzzles that confronted political observers was how to resolve the over eight year leadership tussle that has plagued his party.

Before his death, many stakeholders and concerned Nigerians had reasoned that he was the only individual that could reconcile the party’s founding National Chairman, Chief Chekwas Okorie and his successor, Chief Victor Umeh. This was because these former political associates, now sworn enemies, were not only loyalists of the late Ikemba, but his confessed political children.

So, when Ojukwu left, without settling this deep political crisis, it was feared that it may continue ceaselessly and could finally destroy the party.

This fear informed the surprise expressed by keen observers when, merely weeks after Ojukwu’s burial; Okorie formally left APGA to form a new party.

In a letter entitled, “Return of the Certificate of Registration of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA),” dated March 7, and addressed to Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Okorie said: “It is to the knowledge of the Independent National Electoral Commission that I, Chief Chekwas Okorie, being the founder of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, (Section 18 (1) of the APGA Constitution registered with the Commission refers) have been in possession of the original Certificate of Registration of the party since 24th of June, 2002 when the party was registered.

“In view of the fact that I and my associates have resolved on our volition to halt further leadership dispute in APGA and discontinue

Will Okorie’s exit end leadership tussle in APGA? For over eight years, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has been plagued by leadership tussle between the Founding National Chairman, Chief Chekwas Okorie and his successor, Sir Victor Umeh. With Okorie’s recent exit, Associate Editor, Sam Egburonu, probes the likely effects of the development on the fortunes of the party, wondering if this development will end leadership tussle in the party.

•Obi

all legal actions to that effect, I feel obligated as a responsible and law abiding Nigerian citizen, to return with this letter, the original Certificate of Registration of the All Progressives Grand Alliance to your commission as the issuing authority.”

Ordinarily, one would expect that this development marks the

•Okorocha

•Uba

end of crisis in APGA. But an insider allege that the situation may not be exactly like that as the long years of antagonism may have inflicted very deep wounds that may require diligent care to heal.

It would be recalled that the party, registered in 2002, barely spent two years in the political field when the leadership tussle

between Okorie and Umeh began.

Over eight years after, some analysts described it as the most prolonged leadership crisis in the recent history of party politics in Nigeria.

While some stakeholders blame personality clash for the Okorie-Umeh disagreement, others said the problem of APGA goes

What is left of APGA is mere carcass —Okorie In this interview with Sam Egburonu, the founding Chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Chekwas Okorie, who quit the party last Wednesday to form another party, said he has retrieved the spirit and soul of APGA and left only the carcass.

Excerpts •Okorie

W

HAT informed your decision to return the original certificate of All Progressives Grand Alliance to the Independent National Electoral Commission?

There were two main reasons.

The first was that the certificate is the property of INEC. It is like the certificate you obtained from a school. Primarily, such a certificate is the property of the issuing school.

So, I decided to return the certificate to the original owner.

The second reason was that the

crisis has taken over eight years. We have 23 issues in the various courts, including three in the Court of Appeal. Also, there have been 25 attempts to reconcile us, 25 peace initiatives by leading clergymen, Ohanaeze, World Igbo Congress, political leaders, concerned professionals and other citizens. In each case, the other party will never turn up. It became clear that the only person that can do it was the late Eze Igbo Gburugburu, Dim. Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu; who the other party had

always pretended to respect and honour.

Unfortunately, all attempts to reach Ojukwu were frustrated by these same people. It became impossible until he became ill. When he became critically ill, we felt it was not right to approach him at that time for such a matter. So, now that he has finally left us, we cannot look up to the same people who made peaceful reconciliation difficult all these years.

What was the root cause of this crisis?

It was envy.

But you, as the chairman then, were accused of being the only signatory to the party account.

That allegation was sheer blackmail. Remember that when our presidential candidate, Dim Odumegwu Ojukwu, brought Mr. Peter Obi as the governorship candidate of his home state, the then National Treasurer, Ralph Okey Nwosu, could not bear it, so he left the party in anger. APGA therefore had no treasurer then and we needed to use party funds for our presidential campaigns. So, the party’s National Working Committee wrote a letter of mandate em-

powering me to sign the said cheques in the interim. It was not until January 2003 convention that Umeh was made treasurer. After he emerged, he quickly went to his state to supervise campaigns, so we had to continue the same process for some time. The expenditure of the party within that period and the account were audited and nobody complained until later when they resorted to that baseless blackmail.

But you are known as Ojukwu’s political son. Will you say he was actually willing to reconcile you and Chief Umeh?

One or two of his family members, who I will not like to name now, told me he was very desirous of speaking with me. That was before he had the first stroke. At that time, I concluded arrangements to meet him. But when I got to Enugu, that same family member of Dim Ojukwu told me that he was very ill. Perhaps, if he had not fallen ill at that time, he would have saved APGA. He was a father to me and so his sickness and death affected me very well.

Now that you have quit APGA, how are you sure your new political party would be registered?

I am sure it would be registered because we satisfied all the conditions. That is why the INEC took our registration form. On Wednesday this week, I will address a world press conference in Abuja to formally introduce the party.

beyond the two national leaders as many state chapters have also witnessed deep rooted disagreements. A source, a member of the party from Enugu State, who refused to be named, alleged that Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State, as the only state governor on the party’s platform, before the emergence of Owelle Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, had the opportunity of saving the party at the national level but failed to do that by concentrating on his state.

As a result, he said, “It may be a little difficult for Obi to be truly respected outside his state chapter, especially now that Dim Odumegwu Ojukwu is dead.”

The Nation investigation shows that some elements in the party, who, late last year, began agitation for restructuring of the party and removal of the leadership at all levels, have commenced fresh meetings to consider the possible effect of Okorie’s exit and determine the next line of action.

Already, supporters of Governors Peter Obi and Rochas Okorocha are suspicious of each other over allegations that Okorocha may be angling to hijack the leadership of APGA as soon as Obi leaves office. Obi’s close associates, we learnt, are not happy over the development, considering that the governor remained the single, most important financier of the party all these years.

This fear, which a source said dates back to early last year, became pronounced during the burial of Ojukwu when Umeh, in Owerri, introduced Okorocha as the next leader of Ndigbo after Ojukwu.

The comment, which had attracted so much criticism from some Igbo leaders and politicians, was not taken lightly by Obi’s inner caucus, which saw it as a confirmation that Umeh may have aligned to Okorocha. For example, soon after the comment, Obi Okafor, an APGA chieftain and coordinator of Peter Obi Solidarity Front (POSF), was quoted as faulting the comment and warning that “if all political parties should install their own Ezeigbo, then, we will have anarchy.”

Given this reality, it seems the Umeh-led National Working Committee of APGA cannot afford to go to bed today, believing that the crisis within the party is over with the exit of Okorie.

It would be recalled that the Umeh-led leadership was recently accused of “crass incompetence, embezzlement of funds, turning the party to a fiefdom,” amongst other things. Although most of the allegations were allegedly made

by Okorie’s camp, Umeh must erase such suspicions if he wants the party to prosper.

Even within state chapters, Umeh has so much to do to fully resolve the various intra-party crises traceable to October 2010, when his leadership announced the dissolution of all state chapters of the party, and set up interim management committees.

20

THE NATION ON SUNDAY MARCH 25, 2012

Politics BOLA TINUB U AT 60 BOLATINUB TINUBU

Taiwo Ogundipe, Associate Editor, takes an excursion into the life and times of National Leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as he turns 60.

Tinubu’s

S

ENATOR Bola Ahmed Tinubu knew he was not only a wanted man; he was also marked for death. He had been getting persistent signals about this for days. In the days following the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election won by the late business mogul, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, Tinubu along with several other senators had put up resistance against what they perceived as an illegal act by the then military president, General Ibrahim Babangida.

Tinubu and his colleagues had gotten together to pass a resolution declaring illegal the Chief Ernest Shonekan-led Interim National Government (ING) set up by Babangida after he decided to “step aside” as president.

The government had established that the preparation of the resolution and its distribution to the world press took place in Tinubu’s office in Victoria Island, Lagos. People close to the regime called him on phone and warned him to desist or he would be dealt with.

Five of Tinubu’s fellow senators were arrested and immediately charged to court for treason. He also became a wanted person.

He received more threatening calls from the government. Those who were asking him to stop talking to the world press said they had heard his interview on the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), and expressed bitterness over it. When they heard the next one on the Voice of America (VOA), they complained angrily to him.

More threatening calls started coming through his mobile phone. One caller refused to identify himself. He merely said he was calling from Abuja, the seat of government, to issue a stern warning to the senator.

Tinubu told him off.

He knew he was playing a dangerous game but he was relentless. He felt it was time and women of courage to stand up to the blatant injus-

•Tinubu

for men tice.

Nigerians, after what he saw as a prolonged hide and seek game of postponements, had been convinced to take part in and support the transition programme set up by the regime of President Babangida. Tinubu joined fellow compatriots to become a member of the then Social Democratic Party (SDP). On the platform of the party, he was elected to the Senate to represent Lagos West Senatorial District. He had polled the highest number of recorded votes. His political profile blossomed further when he was made the chairman of the Senate Appropriations, Finance and Banking Committee seen as the most prestigious committee of the National Assembly’s upper house.

When it was time for the presidential election, Tinubu stood solidly behind Abiola - traversing the length and breadth of the country with him, in excruciatingly rigorous electioneering campaigns as one of his closest allies.

And then, when it appeared that M.K.O. would clinch the ticket, Babangida had thwarted the announcement of the results and prevented the declaration of Abiola as the democratically elected president of Nigeria.

Tinubu, along with fellow compatriots, deplored this and initiated the vigorous campaign to get Babangida out. When the heat generated was getting too much for Babangida, he announced that he was stepping aside.

He then set up a puppet interim regime headed by Shonekan; with the later-to-emerge “maximum” ruler, General Sani Abacha left behind as a member of the ruling cabinet to manipulate the political agenda further.

Tinubu and others heightened their resistance against this scheme. It was for this resistance campaign that he and the senators were being hunted. The prodemocracy group and the bar association of the country went to the Court of Appeal and secured a bail for the lawmakers that were arrested. The development got the government more upset and exacerbated Tinubu’s ordeal. He became a moving target.

In short order, Abacha edged out the pliant Shonekan in the intricate power play. The new regime put in place a scheme to woo Nigerians to its side by organizing a constitutional conference. Tinubu and his associates decided not to allow a smooth ride for this and worked towards the boycott of the election to the conference.

A night before the election, security operatives came for him. He was bundled into a car and taken to the State Security Service (SSS) office at Shangisha, Lagos.

From there, he was transferred in the dark to another place. There the interrogation session started in earnest.

It was designed to intimidate him. They spoke to him in strong terms at first. His face was placid; not giving away any emotion.

They wanted him to support the constitutional conference. Apparently realising the influence he had with the pro-democracy group, the interrogators tried to prevail on him to go out that night and knock on the doors of the leadership of the group to call out their followers to go and vote for the constitutional conference the next day.

In trying to convince him, they presented him an array of carrots reminiscent, to him, of Biblical satanic temptation of Jesus Christ after his 40 days and 40 nights fast. They talked to him about choice Osborne landed property and juicy contracts that would become his if he complied. They also asked him to tell them what he really wanted in politics. They told him it would be his for the asking. Tinubu replied in a soft but firm voice “I am not in politics for contracts or landed property.”

They offered him juicy posts such as Sole Administrator of NITEL (the country’s behemoth communication’s outfit), Managing Director of NAFCON, (the money-spinning fertilizer company) and lastly, the Managing Director of any Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) subsidiary.

All along, Tinubu looked docile and calm. A number of people who had closely associated with him had come to realise that his looks are his biggest weapon - masking a rare intellect and nimble, probing mind. He promptly deduced that he was being offered baits to get him to keep quiet and stay out of the struggle. In reply, he addressed his interrogators in measured tone.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY MARCH 25, 2012

Politics

21

BOLA TINUB U AT 60 TINUBU

’s metamorphosis

“I am not in the struggle because of Abiola. I respect his candidacy; I believe in honour, justice and fair play. I worked for his election not because of appointment, but because I believed in his person and the programme of the party, and I will never compromise because of a mess of pottage and opportunity to get rich.”

He continued: “I believe if we create the necessary democratic environment, a stable one for that matter, Nigerians would be richer for it and I will be rich too because my business and opportunities will flourish. I had a better opportunity to make fortunes during Babangida regime, which I rejected. I, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, will not support this illegality. I cannot support the constitutional conference.”

One of his interrogators then said to him: “Look here, if you refuse to support us, we will call on our own people like Alhaji Lateef Jakande, (the former civilian Governor of Lagos State) and Professor Femi Agbalajobi (another frontline Lagos politician), and they will bring out people for the conference.

“Good for you then.” Tinubu said.

“Listen,” one of his interrogators said.

“Mr. Senator, if you refuse to accept our carrots, then you will have to live with our stick.”

Tinubu went underground. But his assailants could still reach him on his phone. When the call came, the voice said darkly, “You escaped arrest, you are lucky. In your own interest, surrender yourself to the police”.

Security operatives stepped up efforts to trap and nail him and his associates. They got his car parked at the NNPC depot at Ejigbo, on the outskirt of Lagos. The security operatives claimed they had apprehended some of Tinubu’s accomplices who were trying to blow up the depot with explosives. This was against the backdrop of a decree issued stipulating death penalty for anyone caught engaging in economic sabotage or destruction of government’s facilities.

At this point he knew it was time for him to disappear from the country.

Bolatito Ahmed Akanbi Adekunle Tinubu was born on March 29, 1952 at Ebute Awo, Mosalasi Jumat, in the heart of Lagos. He was born into families of warriors on both paternal and maternal sides - Tinubu and Magaji.

The legendary Amazon of Lagos, Madam Tinubu was one of the forebears of his father.

She wrested autonomy from the colonialists and fought the European traders to a standstill. The large Tinubu family owned Kakawa up to Popo and Tinubu areas of Lagos.

His father was an activist member deeply involved in the Awolowo political struggles.

He was a doting and religious father. He engaged an Alfa (Islamic tutor) to teach Bola and his siblings Koran verses at home after school hours.

Bola’s mother, Alhaja Abibat Mogaji, who much later in life became the doyen of market associations, evolved into a legendary example of courageous leadership and political activism. The story of Ahmed Tinubu’s early and youthful life was closely intertwined with that of his mother with whom he largely grew up. As a wife and mother, she was a great role model.

She was obedient, faithful and submissive to her husband who it was said she loved dearly.

Described as an epitome of motherhood, she came to be known as Iya Gbogbo (mother of all). Alhaja Abibat not only cared for her own children, but offspring of relatives and others close to her benefited a great deal from her motherly attributes. She was a disciplinarian, never sparing the rod; she gave good up-bringing to her children.

The young Bola Ahmed Tinubu was a proof of this. Although there was no prediction that he would become a great political leader, the Alfas (Islamic clerics) told his mother that the young child would grow up to become an alanu, a merciful child. The Alfas predicted that he would love and help people and he would always work for the unity of the family.

Tinubu lived up to this prediction as he advanced in age. He would share his food with all those who came into the house while eating. He would not tell his mother but she would get to know later through Bola’s siblings and then she would prepare more food for him.

He would always care for people and help around the house. He would go to Ereko Market to buy foodstuff and cook for the family. He was a good cook. He also supported his mother in her business. Back from school, he would immediately change his clothes and go to his mother’s stall in the market. He always assisted her in ar-

ranging her wares based on the instruction she had written on paper. He would painstakingly arrange the gold and silver and other items separately.

In those days, it cost a fortune to go by motor vehicles. Often, when there was no money for him and his mother to travel in motor vehicle the long distance from the Lagos Island to Oke Odo in pursuit of business, both of them would trek with his mother without complaining. He would walk long distances with his mother to hawk wares. He did this at times without eating anything. He, however, never complained.

His caring habit never left him as he grew older. His mother increasingly had a feeling he would become a great man in future. To her, he was evolving in a metaphorical sense into a needle with a thread behind it. He always had people around him. This she saw as a sign of a future great leader.

Tinubu started his primary education at St. John’s Primary School, Aroloya, Lagos and completed it at Children’s Home School, Ibadan. Acquiring higher education was not quite easy for him. After his primary education, he was admitted to a secondary school, but he could not go further because of the high cost. He engaged in menial jobs before he proceeded to the United States of America in the 70’s in search of the proverbial Golden Fleece.

It was very tough for him to survive in America. He lived the life of an indigent student. He had to work his way through school, first as a dishwasher and cleaner in a hotel. He was earning as low as $4 per month. He survived on left over foods on the tables, largely Chinese foods, the cheapest then in America. He could not afford accommodation. He was saved from sleeping in the open by a friend who offered him some space along with a friend in his one bedroom flat.

He graduated from a dishwasher to a security guard at a construction site. He

“

Tinubu went underground. But his assailants could still reach him on his phone. When a call came, the voice said darkly, “You escaped arrest, you are lucky. In your own interest, surrender yourself to the police”. Security operatives stepped up efforts to trap and nail him and his associates.

”

was a night guard. To stay awake, as a rule, he had to patrol with his dog, moving around strategic locations. One night, he decided to do a little reading before going on patrol. He had his dog tied to his leg. He fell asleep. He later woke up to see a note of congratulations written and left for him by his superior officer. He knew he had lost the job. He parked his uniform and left for another guard job in a service apartment.

He also worked as a cab driver. He had frightening experiences doing his rounds at night. Twice he was shot at by armed robbers. He, however, had to live with such experiences. It was the most flexible job available to him then. He was able to save up to $300 to buy a 12 yearold Vauxhall automobile.

He enrolled at Richard Daley College in Chicago, which among others, offered basic remedial and academic courses, preparatory to entering Chicago State University. He enrolled at the College of Business in the University. Tinubu had a teaching job and worked extra hours in the same institution. He also won a scholarship. At the end of his academic programme, he scored very high marks and graduated in 1979 with a bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Management.

After graduation, he was inundated with several job offers. Arthur Anderson wanted him; Deloitte, Haskins and Seles was keen; so also was Coopers and Lybrand. He went to cut his teeth as an accountant at Arthur Anderson. He then moved on to Deloitte, Haskins and Seles for more professional training. He later joined GTE Services Corporation as a consultant.

When Tinubu eventually came back to Nigeria, he did his national service with Harboni Limited, a construction firm based in Ibadan. Tinubu proved himself an asset and a mover of men so much that the company’s board of management reached a special working arrangement with him. The arrangement bestowed on him the full responsibilities of being the company’s accountant with full remuneration and other welfare packages usually extended to a regular staff.

Upon completion of his national service, he joined Mobil Producing Nigeria (MPN) as senior auditor. In no time he rose to the position of Audit Manager.

The Audit Department under Tinubu’s leadership was adjudged outstandingly professional in structure, staffing and standard. His sterling performances elicited high commendations from the corporation headquarters in the United States. His blueprint was recommended by the management of the corporation to its other affiliates in other parts of the world. His division was further saddled with the responsibility of providing consulting services to other departments of the corporation.

In furtherance of the efforts to reengineer the treasury activities of the company, Tinubu prepared and submitted a brilliant proposal which enchanted the top hierarchy of the organization to the extent that the company’s local board of directors supported by the head office in the United States unanimously appointed him the treasurer.

Operating then from the corporation’s office at the Bookshop House in Lagos, his tenure, according to records, was sign-posted by landmarks of prudent financial management, aggressive corporate think-tank set up to recognize the company’s financial system and treasury activities, integration and staff development, business improvement, cost-saving and fraud detection as well as prevention programmes. Through his outstanding financial management ability, he helped build the company into a business octopus with the magnificent multi-million dollar Mobil headquarters building in Lekki, Lagos standing as one of the legacies of his tenure.

Thereafter, he plunged into the turbulent terrain of Nigerian politics. The rest is history.

22

THE NATION ON SUNDAY MARCH 25, 2012

Politics

TINUBU

An enigma at 60

• Tinubu

A

S you read this piece, one of the activities lined up for the celebration of the 60th birthday of an illustrious Son of Africa would have commenced. Precisely on the 29th of March, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu will be 60 years old. Millions of his followers and associates will roll out the drums to felicitate with the most notable and remarkable leader of opposition in Nigeria today.

He is a worthy Asiwaju of Lagos and he has proven so in a number of ways. His courage, wisdom, charisma, benevolence, doggedness have all combined to make him tick.

The title “Asiwaju” is reserved for an outstanding personality with leadership qualities and who impacts positively on the society in Yoruba land.

My Late Father (Chief Abdul Wahab Iyanda Balogun aka Igbalaiye) was the Asiwaju of Lagos (from 1962 to 1992). He reigned for 30 years and literally shook the commercial and social landscape of Lagos. Popularly called “Igbalaiye” (literally translated “The world is a stage”), he was apolitical but possessed a good business acumen. He was a man of style and a delightful dresser. Being a major importer of damask and woolen materials (the fashion fabric in vogue then) from Germany and the UK; he was a pacesetter. These materials were sewn into beautiful traditional outfits.

My father normally kept good company of great men like J.K. Randle, Sir Adetokunbo Ademola, Sir Kofo Abayomi, Chief I.S. Adewale, Chief. S.O. Gbadamosi, Chief Adeniyi Coker, Chief (Dr.) M.A. Majekodunmi, J.H. Doherty, etc. He pioneered the Nigerian membership of the elite Island club together with Sir Adeyemi Alakija and Sir Kofo Abayomi and a host of others. His choice of cars

TRIBUTE

By Babatunde Balogun

were PONTIAC, CADILLAC, CHEVROLET, and OPEL CAPRI. Some of these cars took my sisters and I to school daily. This was at a time when the owners of Raleigh bicycles were regarded as rich.

Little wonder then, that the Oba of Lagos (Oba Musediku Adeniji-Adele) conferred the title of Asiwaju of Lagos on him in 1962. Although he was a socialite of note, his faith in Allah was unshaken and thus, very religious. He was a member of ANsar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria. At the age of 83 in 1992, he passed on and my brother Dr. Muniru Balogun (the Medical Doctor of Igbalaiye Clinic) became the next Asiwaju of Lagos. He later died in the year 2001.

The emergence of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as an irrepressible political figure in Lagos by that time made him an obvious choice for that Chieftaincy title.

Away from this necessary digression and back to the man of the moment, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

Asiwaju Tinubu has become an African phenomenon.

His popularity, fame, and influence have gone beyond the borders of Nigeria.

A few months ago, I was in Accra Ghana and was amazed at the high esteem with which Asiwaju Tinubu is held. His influence in Ghana is unbelievable. Just after the General Elections in Nigeria in 2011, precisely last May, I was a guest of some South Africans in Johannesburg and I marveled at their positive comments on Asiwaju Tinubu.

Added to this, through the passion for education they both share, Asiwaju encouraged his amiable wife (Senator Oluremi Tinubu) to build a school in Liberia.

Asiwaju Tinubu repre-

sents a new generation of outstanding personalities.

He is visionary, politically astute, benevolent, self effacing, large hearted, bold, unassuming and has an insatiable appetite for knowledge. Asiwaju Tinubu laid a solid foundation for a modern Lagos State in 1999 when he became the Governor with a 10-point Agenda.

This 10-point programme is what Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) is vigorously and admirably implementing now.

Asiwaju envisioned a financially independent Lagos State and therefore repositioned the State for a stronger revenue drive.

Overhaul of the State apparatus for revenue took place and this has increasingly improved the State Revenue.

To date, what Lagos State Government receives from the Federation Account as State Allocation monthly, barely pays the wage bill of its work force. It would have been almost impossible for the State to meet its basic obligations if not for this man with inner vision and the continuity of Government, which Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) is consistently managing and sustaining.

Like every human being, Asiwaju Tinubu has his shortcomings and weaknesses because perfection belongs to God. He has a rare ability to relate to different classes of people. He can dine with Kings and at the next moment be down to earth with the pauper. Sometimes one needs to witness his rib cracking jokes with most of his stewards, drivers, security staff, and others. The arrogance of some of our leaders in this country has alienated and shielded them from their aides.

I often wonder how a man can be so kind and generous; and yet be so self-effacing. His sense of kindness is boundless and his compassion is unimaginable.

The depth of his knowledge is marvelous. Discuss any subject with him, and he is already looking at the topic at various levels. He goes to a realm that may be beyond your comprehension. He has a very high Intelligence Quotient; I must candidly give that to him. He is indeed a profound thinker.

Yet, this enigma still has an uncontrollable appetite for knowledge. He reads books of different subjects at an unbelievable rate.

Though a non-lawyer, he reads books on law than most lawyers. What an enigma! Asiwaju does not leave things to chance. He is therefore very thorough. He is always 2 steps ahead of his opponents.

Asiwaju Tinubu invested heavily on Informa-

tion and Communication Technology (ICT) between 2003 and 2007, and the State is better for it now. The Information and Communication Technology in Lagos State became a project of priority during this period.

Asiwaju Tinubu became the first Governor in Nigeria to devote a whole Ministry for ICT. In fact, he appointed Commissioner for Science and Technology in 2004 and established an IT Centre in Alausa, the Seat of Lagos State Government. All these happened while several states in Nigeria were still wallowing in analogue.

Today over 90 percent of Lagos State Government transactions are online.

All the Permanent Secretaries of the State are near expert in IT. You definitely cannot be a Commissioner or Special Adviser of Cabinet Rank in Lagos State, if you are not computer literate. Asiwaju Tinubu’s dreams of yesterday are now the realities of today in the State. And of course, Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) has played a tremendous role in making this vision a reality.

It is incomprehensible to me how such a strong character can at the same time be very compassionate. All those who have encountered him during their period of distress will testify to his compassion.

It is incredible and sometimes he takes his kindness and compassion to an unbelievable extreme.

He believes in the dignity of man no matter his status in the society. In the year 2005, while most Governors in the Country were recommending their nominees for the Annual National Award, on their list were top business executives and their associates, and big politicians. Asiwaju Tinubu chose a steward (Chef) who has served many past Governors in Lagos State before him. It was an emotional and touching award to the audience when the cook was called out to be decorated by President Olusegun Obasanjo with the prestigious award of CON. Asiwaju Tinubu has strength of character. He has guts and is not afraid to fight at many battlefronts at the same time. Once he believes in a just cause, he is prepared to give it his best shot

until victory is achieved.

Such was his struggle against the Military Government of General Sanni Abacha in the late 90s and the creation of more local government councils in Lagos State in 2002. One of the toughest battles of his political life, I presume, was in the year 2007 when he endorsed Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (then his chief of staff) as his potential successor. Today every Lagosian knows that Fasholae was a dream choice (the best man for the job). Tinubu is now vindicated by the good performance of Fashola.

Of course, Lagos is already being benchmarked against other big cities of the world like New York, Tokyo, Beijing, etc. At this point, I must acknowledge the commendable contribution of the illustrious predecessors of Asiwaju Tinubu as Lagos State Governor. They are eminently qualified for recognition. Men like Gen Mobolaji Johnson (rtd), Navy Captain Ndubuisi Kanu, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, and others. All of them have contributed their quota to making Lagos State what it is today.

As Asiwaju Tinubu celebrates his 60th birthday, it is my prayer that he continues to live in a blaze of glory. I wish this great leader a very happy and fulfilling birthday.

•Balogun was the former Commissioner for Home Affairs and Culture in Lagos State.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY MARCH 25, 2012

Political

ripples

•Rochas

•Obi

Has Rochas, Obi’s relationship gone frosty?

T

HERE is increasing fear that the relationship between the two All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) gover nors, Mr. Peter Obi of Anambra State and Owelle Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, may have deteriorated.

Although the leaders’ aides have refused to admit the crack officially, sources close to the governors confirmed that all have not been the same between the governors since the party’s National Chairman, Chief Victor Umeh, openly introduced the Imo State governor, Rochas, as the next Igbo leader after Ojukwu.

Since Umeh reportedly made that comment in Owerri, the fear that he may have dumped Obi for Okorocha has not only gripped Obi’s supporters in the party but has adversely affected the relationship of the two governors.

Ripples gathered that some associates of Obi in Anambra State are currently threatening fire and brimstone over that possibility, warning that Obi has been the main pillar of the party, who cannot be ditched that way after making all the sacrifices. One of them, who confirmed the fear, told Ripples: “We cannot sit down and watch that to happen to His Excellency. He has been and will continue to be the real leader of the party even when he leaves office, so, anybody trying to be funny will be shocked.”

Politics

Deji Doherty angers supporters

How fear of defeat united Uba brothers

T

HE last may have been heard of the war of attrition that tore apart the Uba family in Anambra South. Senator Andy Uba, Chief Chris Uba and Senator Ugochukwu Uba, all brothers, have been at each others’ throat over the control of the politics of the senatorial district and by extension, the state.

While Chris prides himself as the godfather of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Andy, who was once elected as the governor of the state, sees himself as the rightful leader of the party in Anambra State. For Ugochukwu, being the eldest of the three brothers is enough for them to leave the leadership to him.

That was the scenario for years as the siblings threw caution to the wind and openly engaged themselves in a political war of attrition. So fierce was the war that the brothers were not on talking terms for years.

But when Andy Uba’s election as Senator was annulled by the Appeal Court, the brothers found a reason to unite and save their party, the PDP, from being wiped out in Anambra State.

Consequently, the Ubas closed rank and fought what is today seen as the political battle of their lives. Faced with the threat of being roundly defeated by Hon. Chuma Nzeribe of the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), leaders of the PDP in Anambra South appealed to Chris and Ugochukwu to support their brother during the rerun election.

The brothers listened and they teamed up to ensure the victory of Senator Andy Uba as the senator representing Anambra South in the National Assembly.

For them, it was sweet victory and they have remained inseparable ever after.

•Andy

Political Politics turf

with Bolade Omonijo boladeomonijo@yahoo.com

M

ANY die-hard supporters of veteran Lagos State gubernatorial aspirant and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Deji Doherty, are now very angry with him.

Doherty, who recently turned fifty, according to sources, may have angered many who be•Doherty lieved in his brand of politics because of his decision to reject the position of Organising Secretary offered to him on a platter of gold at the PDP zonal congress in Osogbo, Osun state, penultimate Saturday.

The socialite-cumpolitician, who was earlier in the month schemed out of the race for the state chairmanship of the party in Lagos State, had stormed the Osogbo congress with a large crowd of supporters as he was already notified of his nomination for the zonal position by the elders of the party in the zone. The position was earlier zoned to Lagos State.

PDP supporters of the Lagos businessman, who were disappointed when he failed to clinch the state chairmanship weeks back, had stormed Osogbo ready to celebrate the emergence of their man as a zonal officer of the party.

But Doherty’s supporters got what they didn’t bargain for when their principal stunned them all by rejecting the position following the controversies that trailed the emergence of some of the new zonal officers.

Doherty said he was declining his election as the organising secretary in protest against the election of Mrs. Fatima Balogun, also from Lagos State, as an exofficio member.

His decision shocked many of his supporters as they struggled in vain to make him rescind his rejection of the offer. And when he refused to yield to their plea, many of them left Osogbo wondering why the billionaire politician took such a decision.

•Chris

•Uguchukwu

23

Equity and the SEC probe

I

T has been drama of sorts in the House of Representa tives as the Committee probing activities and transac tions of the Securities and Exchange Commission entered into a “brawl” with the Director General of the Commission, Mrs. Arunma Otteh. In previous hearings, the questions and revelations were uni-directional. Leaders of the agencies were put on the spot, while the committee chairmen and members caressed the headlines and enjoyed the attendant publicity.

Otteh broke the rule. She fired back and got Herman Hembe, chairman of the committee and all members to step down. However, the committee members have continued to maintain their innocence. Hember who Otteh accused of requesting gratification of N44 million turned round, too, to reveal that the SEC DG offered N39 million.

Hembe went further to furnish the House with a memo by which Otteh authorized release of the N39mThe questions are simple: Did Hembe receive N5 million for the purpose of a trip he did not undertake? He replied yes, but pleaded circumstances. He said he was trapped in the United States of America. But, he sidestepped the moral of the facility. When committee members and chairmen depend on the agencies they oversight to sponsor trips, how could they be expected to guarantee best practices?

Second question: Did SEC raise a memo to pay the members N39 million? Did it make the offer? Could this be defended? Otteh’s response is that the memo was stolen. That begs the question. It is certainly unethical and indefensible that SEC would spend the commission’s money to make the committee look the other way. The question must be answered.

Then, did the SEC DG expend public fund recklessly?

How much did she spend on hotel accommodation? For how long was she housed at Transcorp Hilton? Why? Did she, by so doing, breach the rules? She dodged directly answering the question. The new panel must be made to respond. It is in the public interest.

Other questions are not about fraud. Is Otteh competent? As expected, she has defended herself on this score.

She told the panel that she obtained a first class in Computer Science and was the best student of her set. That is hardly the correct answer. What has she done to restore confidence in the market? It is not in doubt that she was a top executive at the African Development Bank. She came highly recommended. But, in what ways has she streamlined operations of SEC? What has she done to ensure that the wrongs in the Stock Exchange are corrected? Under the former NSE, the Exchange loomed larger than the Commission? Has this been reversed? These are the issues that Otteh should have confronted, not flaunting her academic credentials.

This is not the first time that the National Assembly would be probing activities of agencies and departments of government. Already, the Senate has concluded the probe into activities of the Bureau of Public Enterprises. Ongoing are probes into the management of fuel subsidy, management of pension funds, probe of JAMB and post-JAMB tests.

Next week, probe into the new driver’s licence and inquiry into sports administration in the country will commence.

All Nigerians were treated to details of fraud and misapplication of subsidy fund at the probe instituted by the House. It was obvious from the proceedings that a lot had gone wrong. And, the hurried establishment of task forces, in response to the probe, has not tamed the monster.

We await the full report and demand full scale implementation. All those implicated must be brought to justice.

Many chief executives of MDAs have got away with murder because they know the correct buttons to press at the executive branch of government. When el-Rufai alleged that Ibrahim Mantu and Jonathan Zwingina attempted to swindle him during the screening of ministerial nominees, the matter was swept under the carpet. The last that the public heard about it was the denial by the senators. Then, who lied? Till date, we can only speculate. All of them are still involved in public affairs.

The Elumelu committee of the 6th House of Representatives held a sensational probe into funding of the power sector. At the end of it all, as appears to be the case now, corruption fought back and the hunter became the hunted.

Elumelu was detained. Later, he was charged to court and released on bail. But, what became of the report of the panel?

What has been done to those implicated? They are too powerful to be charged with wrongdoing.

Again, we all should still remember what was unearthed in probing into activities of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund. It yielded no dividend. What has changed over the years? Why should we expect that the outcome of this probe would be different? A lot depends on the will of Speaker Aminu Tambuwal and his House. The excuse that the legislature can only stop at instituting probes is unacceptable, after all lawmakers know how to get about increasing their allowances without incurring the wrath of the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission. They should apply the same “wisdom” in this case. In the public interest.

24

’M sure if Sanusi Lamido Sanusi were stuck between a rock and a hard place, that would be preferable to the spot he currently finds himself in over pronouncements made in interviews, speeches and off-the-cuff responses on Boko Haram, revenue distribution and poverty in the country, especially Northern Nigeria.

Consider this: Most Nigerians agree that the current insecurity is worsened or aided by the high level of poverty in the country and ignores any attempt to discredit the allusions made by SLS and economic experts. However, no one is able to establish a link between accountability in governance with revenue allocation or its distribution – the root cause. In this delicate exchange, the CBN Governors’ growing band of critics are having a field day, employing the first rule of politics: characterize everything he says and does as wrong. That is fair game. There are three clear groups that have emerged from this exchanges – the battle tested political class who would pick on any issue if it furthers their cause, the well trained, disciplined and professional class, the aggrieved and excluded majority and public officials of which SLS is the most visible.

If the information, reasoning and exchanges shaping the debate were premised on facts and reflect a thorough understanding of our dire socio-economic realities, the level of discourse would be elevated beyond the current cheap political posturing taking place. Yet, there are serious issues being raised in and around the issue that should attract the attention of serious minded persons. Indeed, given the back-drop of the terrorist siege that is taking place in the North, the stakes couldn’t be significantly higher.

For now, it is hard for the public to separate the wheat from the chaff, because of where we have been, the growing distrust of government and the biting reality of the accelerated descent to poverty of a large majority of Nigerians. This debate however is necessary and long-overdue; yet before an opinion is voiced; a rebuttal is released, and soon enough everything becomes muddled up. That is no way to hold an absolutely necessary national discussion on something so critical to our federalism and collective well being.

But in the ‘fear’ driven culture we have created, one would concede this to be an effective way to keep the people distracted whilst the populace pontificates without needing to be right, criticize without having all the facts and loudly call for a redistribution of national wealth without ever having to create one, thus further perpetuating the poverty, unemployment and education malaise.

Statistics appear to grossly under-estimate the immensity of poverty that define Nigeria’s paradox of ‘rich country with poor masses’.

More than 90% of Nigerians are poor and exist largely at the mercy of fate. These realities are much more obvious in rural areas and slums.

In these places people die because they cannot afford N500 to purchase needed medication or basic public healthcare. Worse still, people around may not be able to help as they too may not be able to collectively raise that amount of money. It is a very obvious reality in today’s Nigeria! As strange as it may sound, this is going on side-by-side with ostentatious living by the 1%! Even the official statistics admit that over 112 million Nigerians live on less than US$1.00 a day.

A factual indicator is the results of the harmonized Nigeria Living Standards Survey (HNLSS) conducted by the non-partisan National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) which puts the Nigerian poverty profile at 69% - this indicates that poverty and income inequality in the country have increased since 2003/2004. Accordingly, the NBS estimated that this trend may rise further if the potential positive impact of several anti-poverty and employment generation intervention programmes of government fall through. The report reveals that 112.47 million Nigerians live below US$1.00 per day and as a result could barely afford the minimal standards of food, clothing, healthcare and shelter!

Since poverty and unemployment in Africa strongly correlate, it will not be surprising to assume that the unemployment rate is in excess of 40%. The official figure is nevertheless about 20% which analysts consider a gross under-estimation.

But be that as it may, what is true is that we have a crisis which historically has been a platform for the creation of, and dynamic sustenance of other crises. We have unresolved issues that seek to emphasize our differences more than our common destiny. We operate a sys-

I

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, MARCH 25, 2012

Politics

Boko Haram, revenue allocation and poverty in Northern Nigeria “From the equality of rights springs identity of our highest interests; you cannot subvert your neighbour’s rights without striking a dangerous blow at your own.” – Carl Schurz

Derivation “may have taken valuable resources away from many States by concentrating a whopping 13% of the national earnings from oil in the hands of the Niger Delta States, but the onus is really on all State Governments to develop the natural resources within their own State and equally earn a ‘derivation’!

“

Sanusi

By Olufemi Awoyemi,

tem that exposes the weaknesses in the foundation of our unity which the peoples representatives shy away from confronting. Yet, if the January strikes and related house probe(s) provided any lesson, it must be the fact that the inequalities and fundamental imperfections in the macro-economic structure of Nigeria is unsustainable; and that our politics cannot crowd out the impending reaction to this unaddressed problem.

Karl Marx is popularly known for a truism which emphasizes our current reality: religion is the opium of the poor! Yet, it is not only about religion but our historical cultural practices of deliberately putting people in a state of ignorance. Illiteracy is also both a product of and driver of poverty. Thus the greater the level of poverty, the higher the illiteracy rate and of course more poverty - these dynamically reinforce each other.

Accordingly, when a young man is poor, illiterate and unemployed, he becomes a clean slate for any kind of brainwashing which according to Karl Marx is more potent when it comes from religion and aided by culture. The reason is very simple. First, this category of persons lacks the intellectual power to logically question or critique what they are told. They live in the world of myths. Secondly, the activity component of the brainwashing given to them provides a quasi-equivalent of employment and thus they feel engaged in acting out what they have been brainwashed about. Is this not the kind of situation we find with the Boko Haram phenomenon?

To understand this clearly is to closely examine the coordinates of Boko Haram and that of poverty in Nigeria. Boko Haram at the onset appears to have had its operational bases located in the poorest parts of Northern Nigeria.

It is in such places where people have been denied the opportunity to go to school as well as have meaningful economic sources of livelihood that recruitment is the easiest. Boko Haram leaders are aware of it and of course are maximizing the advantages of that obvious truth. It was not any different from the situation that prevailed during the pre-amnesty militancy periods in the Niger Delta. The long and short of it is that with entrenched poverty, illiteracy and unemployment, we cannot eliminate the menace of Boko Haram or similar security threats.

This draws attention to the mismatch between our recorded national economic growth of 7% and the growth of poverty. In 2011, while the non-oil sector grew with major contributions to growth coming from agriculture, wholesale/retail trade, telecommunications, hotel/ restaurants and business/other services sectors, the oil sector output also grew arising from

increased oil production made possible by paying off militants. It is only reasonable therefore to assume that if national real output is growing at such a strong rate, poverty should also be declining rapidly. That is however not the case - our unemployment rate (and by obvious extensions: illiteracy and poverty) is over 20%. So who benefits from this growth? Who or which sectors grow or will grow as a result of the enhanced aggregate output? Is it not time Government realizes that it cannot be the largest employer in the economy but rather the creator of enabling environments for people to thrive.

It seems clear that until we deliberately orchestrate growth beyond oil (which has limited employment generating and mass poverty reducing capacities) and effectively liberalize the participation in the economic growth process we shall continue to suffer these consequences and devote more attention to ‘equitable redistribution or expansion of the derivation principle’, increased budgets for security and personality based squabbles – rather than demand for accountability in leadership that would create economically viable states.

Promoting maximum value-creating activities in virtually all stages in the value chain for such sectors as agriculture and solid minerals side-by-side an aggressive war against corruption and bad governance, are the only conditions that can make us see meaningful positive economic changes. Agriculture is what virtually every Nigerian participates in! Solid minerals are everywhere in Nigeria but most dominant in Northern Nigeria; yet no one is devoting as much energy to ask why nothing has ever been done or focus attention on same.

Can a more aggressive development of agriculture and solid minerals save the North as well as free us from the evil and negative yielding actions of Boko Haram? Perhaps yes! It would sound like a much better proposition than the feeling one gets of living in a state of an undeclared civil war that envelopes the psyche.

There are many reasons for this but before going into that argument; it suffices to state that aside Lagos State, no other Nigerian State government can survive without oil revenue receipts. Why has Lagos State scaled the hurdle?

It would appear that over the years, and mostly because of its progressive outlook, it has made its environment amenable for industrial and other economic activities. Accordingly, the more the inflow of value-creating entrepreneurs that the State is able to attract, the more the tax and other income that the government earns. Attracting entrepreneurs in turn requires the presence of stable socio-political environment, the market for the final output as well as other input factor resources particularly, employable labour. These factors aside oil has accounted for the differences in the prosperity of various States, a position supported by data from the

Federal Board of Inland Revenue (FBIR).

Neither has Lagos prospered or is prospering on account of the derivation principle! Yet many of the Northern States can orchestrate the economic conditions that will lead to their earning ‘the same level of the derivation bonuses’ as well as more funds to banish poverty.

The question however is: what are these State Governments doing with the resources at their disposal? The Niger Delta as we know it today, like other regions is not a monolithic entity and the oil appears to be a poisoned chalice – rich yet economically structurally deficient.

Do the Northern states therefore foresee a situation where there is no oil and possibly no revenue allocation?

Derivation may have taken valuable resources away from many States by concentrating a whopping 13% of the national earnings from oil in the hands of the Niger Delta States, but the onus is really on all State Governments to develop the natural resources within their own State and equally earn a ‘derivation’! But beyond derivation is the tax incomes, and the economic empowerment of the citizens of those states which are natural consequences of good economic development strategies.

In effect therefore, it can be concluded that derivation has not, in any meaningful way, disproportionately orchestrated poverty in Northern or any other part of Nigeria. What on the contrary has driven poverty is the short-sighted fiscal management of resources by many of the State Governments. Recent developments in some northern states provide affirmation to this position and highlight how purposeful leadership can alter the fortunes of citizens in the state – Taraba, Bauchi, Jigawa comes to mind.

At a country level, we are predominantly import dependent, and by implication, have been exporting employment opportunities to other parts of the world that we patronize. The sad truth is that while we are sustaining productive activities in other parts of the world, major manufacturing companies in our own country have either shut down or are operating below capacity. This does not seem would abate in the immediate future as the domestic business environment is becoming increasingly worrisome for interested investors. The obvious consequences are massive job loses, underutilization of productive resources and poor living conditions.

What this discussion in effect points at is the fact that political freedom has not yet in a significant way, resulted in the much desired economic freedom. It also means that there is an urgent need to recalibrate the discussion around the issues of Boko Haram and overall insecurity in the country. Although not clearly articulated as such, it is inferred from the ongoing exegesis that the Boko Haram phenomenon has a deep economic root more than any other perspectives from which the investigating intelligence can suggest.

While steps be taken to prevent further loss of lives, the damage to the human psyche, our way of life and investors outlook; it should be very clear to all and sundry that we cannot banish unemployment, illiteracy and poverty – the three strongholds sustaining Boko Haram – by focusing on oil revenue except to the extent that it helps in making needed investments in the key sectors of agriculture, solid minerals and gas. State governments have a huge responsibility to save their youths from these three plagues by re-aligning the way they allocate the scarce resources in their possession. Of course the federal government has its own share of this blame based on our brand of ‘unitary federalism’ – independent states dependent on the center.

The question now is: what should be the focus of contemporary debates on this issue.

Very simply, the discussions should be couched within the context of a high economic security alert.

State Governments particularly in Northern Nigeria should introspect and (a) begin to realign their spending more towards attracting, protecting and retaining investors in the Solid Mineral and agricultural sectors of their States or any key competence that justified the creation of the state, (b) embark on enhanced social investment in and enforcement of mass education. These will have more enduring positive impacts in curtailing the menace of Boko Haram or its variants, which now includes kidnapping and outright criminality. The federal government has almost same work to do. Otherwise we will persevere in the conspicuous consumption and greed that threatens to ruin us all.

Awoyemi, is CEO of Proshare Nigeria.

SUNDAY INTERVIEW

25

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, MARCH 25, 2012

ABUBAKAR TSAV

Jonathan not a serious leader Alhaji Abubakar Tsav, former Lagos State Police Commissioner, is known for his fearlessness in commenting on national issues. In this interview with Dare Odufowokan, he advises governors of the northern states of Nigeria to pay more attention to how they can improve the revenue base of their states rather than agitate for greater allocation from the centre. He also examines the efforts of the Federal Government to stem the tide of violence in the north and concludes that President Goodluck Jonathan is not a serious leader.

•Tsav

R

ECENTLY, some groups of Northern elders and politicians announced the region’s readiness to support the call for restructuring the nation. What is your take on that?

I don’t think the persons who spoke on behalf of the north are qualified to do so. The North is not one as it used to be. We (Benue) are autonomous state. Every state has to decide what he or she would do. So, one man cannot speak for the whole states in the North. We are not speaking with one voice; we are autonomous in various ways. This idea of some people coming up with positions and decision for the whole region is no longer acceptable. Everybody should be free to decide what they would like to do.

Do you think the North is really ready for restructuring?

Well, if one imagines the level of poverty and unemployment in the North, including illiteracy, one will see that they are not ready. But it is good for one to have such determination so that you can be able to achieve all your set goals. Whether the region is ready for restructuring or not will be determined by the very people of the region, not few leaders who have done little or nothing to better the lot of the same people they claim to be speaking for.

Personally, do you think the country needs restructuring and a Sovereign National Conference?

This Sovereign National Conference that these people are talking about is a mere waste of resources. We already

have our elected representatives in the National Assembly.

These people have been voted in by Nigerians to represent them at the National Assembly. They are the voices of the people who sent them there, and they are already doing something in that direction. What they say on our behalf after due consultation with the electorate who voted for them should be good enough for us as a nation. As far as I am concerned, I will say they should be the ones to decide how the country should remain and not anybody from outside. So the talk for a sovereign national conference is unnecessary. It is a waste of time and resources.

You mean with the National Assembly in place there is no need for Sovereign National Conference?

Yes, because if there is need for us to tamper with the constitution we have now, members of the National Assembly should be able to decide what to do. This is because they represent us there. The members represent Nigeria. There is no need for another set of unelected people to do that for us.

But many people argue that a conference like that will help Nigerians to decide how they want to be governed.

What I am saying is that under what plan will these people hold a national conference? Who will appoint them?

Will they appoint themselves or they want the electorate to appoint them? If the National Assembly, for instance, feels that it is good to restructure, they should decide on their own and do what they have to do. If they feel that they are

not competent to do that, they will be the ones to say so. But by law, they are competent to do that. That is what I am saying. They can bring in some other hands to complement their own effort if need be, perhaps some committees, yes.

But the issue of national conference is a waste of time, resources and manpower. People who have lost elections just want relevance.

Recently, the Northern members of the House of Representatives kicked against the votes given to the Southsouth zone in the 2012 Budget. What is your take on their action and the reactions that followed it?

Honestly speaking, I support the action of the Northern representatives. This is because this Niger Delta region, I mean the south-south, has a lot of federal allocation going to it. Don’t forget they have a ministry which also looks after them. So there are now two ways of developing those states and from what we saw recently, what happened to Ibori at the London court, we now know where all the money allocated to the region is going. A few people pack the money for themselves. They build presidential empires for themselves and leave the people to continue to suffer. So should we continue to support such allocation?

Before we got this oil, it was groundnut, palm kernel and cocoa money that were used to build the refineries.

And talking about the location of the oil itself, more than 80 percent of the crude is gotten offshore, that is on the sea. It is •Continued on Page 26

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, MARCH 25, 2012

Sunday Interview

•Continued from Page 25 the less than 20 percent taken on land that should attract derivation for the Southsouth states - because the water belongs not to a few states but to the entire country. Yes, the land belongs to a state but the sea belongs to the whole of Nigeria.

Would you now support the call by Northern governors that the allocation to their states should be increased?

My take on this issue is a bit different from what most people are saying.

Assuming that we have no oil in this country, won’t we survive? They should look inwards and see how they can increase the revenue base of their states.

They will make a lot of money if they invest their energy into how they can improve the revenue in their states. We should not depend on oil. It is this same oil we deal with everyday in this country. The North is blessed with vast areas of land and many natural resources. We should invest in agriculture.

Part of the issues about restructuring is the fear of Nigeria may still split if it is delayed. Are you afraid that Nigeria can still split at this point?

I don’t pray that we should split.

Splitting will not help us. It will only encourage us to go to war with one another.

And that will be a disaster because we have inter-married among ourselves. A lot of people were born in the south and they are Hausas and they have become part and parcel of the state they live in. Also, the constitution allows anybody to live anywhere in the country. So if we are going to split, that means we will cut off some states and communities that have been relating for years from one another. That will create nothing but enmity, sabotage and war.

Are you worried about the issue of Boko Haram in the North?

I am very worried because it has turned the policeman to endangered species in the North. These people pursue and kill policemen. The police are now afraid to do their jobs. They even stay at home. It is a serious issue which needs to be tackled.

What brought this issue about is poverty, unemployment and illiteracy. We must blame the leaders of the region. They were in positions to create jobs, build industries and educate the people. They were advised, they were warned. They did not agree to help their people. Rather everybody wanted to be senator or governor. These people were busy amassing wealth for themselves while the number of destitute grew to an alarming proportion. Now we have a few people who are very rich and multitudes who are very poor. In situations like that you are bound to have problems. Some people have many rooms in their houses though they cannot sleep in all of them. And there are some who do not have anywhere to sleep.

There are people who eat and throw away remnants while millions are looking for what to eat. It is illiteracy, joblessness,

F

OR many Nigerians out there most of whom have been at the receiving end of police brutality as evident in extra-judicial killings, accidental discharge among other atrocities, a policeman has not only become infamous in the larger society but easily signposts all that has gone wrong in the system.

Bad as the public perception of the force seems out there, is the situation amenable to change or totally beyond redemption?

Thankfully, there are blessed assurances by some individuals out there that all hope is not lost after all.

One of those basking in this well of optimism is the new helmsman of the Nigeria Police Force, Mohammed Dikko Abubakar.

Like a new broom which sweeps clean, the Acting Inspector General of Police has promised to bring about sweeping changes in the Force.

The top cop made this pledge penultimate Saturday when he led a delegation on a condolence visit to families of serving police officers, including the late Captain Garba Yalwa, an Assistant Commissioner of Police and Captain Hannah Pwol-jah, a Chief Superintendent of Police, both of whom were involved in the helicopter crash in Jos, Plateau State.

Addressing a gathering of journalists at the Police Officers’ Mess in Ikeja, the IG gave his blueprint on the new police force.

On what his administration hopes to do in order to whip recalcitrant police officers into line, he assured that Nigerians should look forward to a new police force.

“Honestly speaking, I support the action of the Northern representatives.

This is because this Niger Delta region, I mean the south-south, has a lot of federal allocation going to it. Don’t forget they have a ministry which also looks after them. So there are now two ways of developing those states and from what we saw recently, what happened to Ibori at the London court, we now know where all the money allocated to the region is going.”

•Tsav

Jonathan is not serious poverty, lack of industries and deceit by our leaders who are not truthful that led us to where we are today.

What is the way out of the situation?

The way out is that we should try to uphold the rule of law. There is too much corruption and dishonesty in this country today. Anybody who commits an offence no matter the position should be dealt with immediately. If we do that, there will be some form of decorum and them everybody will do the right thing.

Do you think the government should dialogue with a group like Boko Haram?

I think the government itself is at fault.

This is because when the military arrested the leader of this group, Muhammed Yusuf, he should have been handled with caution.

That is the person who should have given information about the organization. He would have explained what they want government to do for them. But they did not do that. With his death, we lost the opportunity to tackle the problem from the source. People who are now being held as Boko Haram members are mere members of the several offshoots of the real Boko Haram and as such, many of them don’t even know

what they are doing. If they identify themselves, government can dialogue with them. You can’t discuss anything with somebody you have not seen. Those people who want to represent and speak for them, do they know who the Boko Haram people are? They should start from the former Governor of Borno, I mean Modu Sheriff, because he started the whole thing. Except we go back to the very root, the discussion will not yield fruit.

We are looking at 2015 and the North is laying claim to the presidency again. What do you have to say about this?

The problem we have in this country is that we are fond of deceiving ourselves. The politicians just want to deceive the people with all these regional and tribal claims to positions of authority. What have they done to better the lives of the people when they were in positions? Those people from the north who have been there before, what did they do for northerners? As far as I am concerned let us get the best person who will come in and rule us without showing ethnic bias in that office. Until we do that, the country will not grow. Look at Jonathan, who is there now; he is showing a lot of

‘On my honour’ The acting Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Dikko Abubakar was briefly in Lagos last Saturday to pay condolence visits to families of officers who died in the ill-fated helicopter crash in Jos, Plateau State. He also met with some journalists. Ibrahim Apekhade Yusuf was there “We envision a police force that would be civil and humane. I want to assure you that you can walk to any police station and be welcomed and be respected at the police station... Our vision is to have a respected police force, a police force that would be enlightened, ready to assist you in your area of need. Not a police force that would harass you, extort you...”

Exuding a lot of confidence, he declared matter-of-factly: “I am happy to tell you that you can travel from Onitsha to Lagos without encountering a single road block. This is the new trend which has come to stay. I am assuring you that this is the beginning of a new police that Nigerians will be proud of.”

On the wrong use of firearms by officers and men of the Force, Abubakar said there is a code

of conduct for all. “From the IG to the rank and file and the mannerisms and attitude of every police officer is in the mirror now. If you see any officer doing anything inimical to the police service, such a person will be made to bear the responsibility for his actions.”

No more roadblocks On insinuations that the dismantled police road blocks, may have led to the surge in crime rate, he punctured such arguments.

Dispelling rumours on rising crime rate, the IG said: “There is no empirical data to say that there is increase in crime rate. But that notwithstanding, I’m aware of the fact that when the road blocks go there might be increase in crime rate and we noticed it within one week.

But now let me tell you that it has been taken

26

ethnic bias. Most of these people around him are his people. We want somebody to govern Nigeria without showing that he is Igbo, Hausa or Yoruba. That is what we should have in mind. It doesn’t matter where he is from. Let him just get the job done and give everybody equal opportunities.

So you don’t subscribe to call for rotation?

Given the situation where we have too much of envy and jealousy, one cannot rule out the good side of rotation. Perhaps it brings unity among us because if you concentrate power in one zone for too long, it is not good as other people may feel they have been marginalized. That is one reason why I cannot write off rotation entirely. But how serious have we been in applying the principles that will keep us together as a nation? We have not been serious. Our leaders have not been serious with the issues affecting us. Jonathan himself is not a serious President. You will always see him laughing about serious matters. Where he should have frowned and asserted his authority, you will see him laughing. He is not asserting enough authority. He is not a serious leader. That is why we are still talking about rotation.

There are those who believe that Jonathan is just in his 1st term in office while others say this is his 2nd term. What is your take on the controversy?

Jonathan has said that he has no thought of coming up again to re-contest the presidency. That should settle the matter. Moreover, the business of government is about the security and welfare of the country. Do we have peace in this country now? No, so Jonathan has failed and he doesn’t need to ask for another term.

When you fail you should pack and go. The killing of the two Europeans kidnapped by the Boko Haram sect has shown that Nigeria is not a serious country; our leadership is not serious and we are not serious with security at all. So what first or second term are we talking about for a government that is unserious with the duties of governance?

I have said it earlier that the man is not serious; show me any case the man has pursued to the very end talking about war against corruption? There are some people that have been charged to court that we have not heard anything about it. Is this the kind of leadership that should ask for more terms?

James Ibori was found guilty in London after all our courts in Nigeria said he was not guilty. What is the implication for our judiciary?

The thing is that in the judiciary we have some very good people but like other segments of Nigeria, the judiciary too is infected by this corruption thing. And so it has brought so much shame to us. Here he was declared free but in London the court found him guilty. It is a shame for us as a nation. It is a let down on the part of our judiciary. care of because we have records. What we are doing is to manage crime, to bring it to the barest minimum so that Nigerians won’t be harassed.

“We are making efforts and I want to tell you that very soon, you will see commissioned vehicles across the country. That is to tell you in line with what we are doing, we didn’t wake up from slumber and decided that the road block should go. We now have police commissioners who are mindful of their responsibilities.

“This administration is founded on the path of service and discipline. Whether you are a constable, a DIG or IG you shall be responsible for your actions...”

The IG who readily admitted that his administration does not have all the answers, canvassed media support in his efforts towards combating crime in the country.

“I will personally appeal to members of the media particularly because on a daily basis we interact, we collaborate in fighting crime in the society.

“We are aware of the challenges. We also recognize that change is the most difficult thing to achieve anywhere in the world. And we therefore seek your collaboration, your support, your assistance and we need your partnership, a partnership that works so that collectively Nigeria would see a most stable police. It is in the interest of every Nigerian that we have peace and tranquillity in this country, where people go about their businesses without molestation, without harassment, without any fear whatsoever.”

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, MARCH 25, 2012

I don’t expect life to be easy like sitting on a beach –Zainab Folawiyo –PAGE 42

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Glamour

THE NATION ON SUNDAY MARCH 25, 2012

Essential bags for stylish ladies

By Rita Ohai

•Canvas tote

•Classic black purse

•Travel bag

•Day Bag

•Evening clutch

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, MARCH 25, 2012

Glamour

33

Yet another Nollywood

Kennis Music may run the rule on Kelly Hansome Ahmed Boulor

div or ce •I've not been happy in nine years —Hubby

•Kelly Hansome

Obesere croons for Tinubu at 60 •Obesere

•Tinubu

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Entertainment

THE NATION ON SUNDAY MARCH 25, 2012

Entertainment

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2Face, Lami, Sound Sultan are Act4Africa's spokespersons I'm not one of those that think life starts and ends at the altar.

I have no plans for marriage. Is that why you were born?

•Rita Dominic with Nse

•Timi dakolo with contestants

Two episodes to go on Nigerian Idol

t i a w t ’ I can e k i M e v to ha … e y n o Ezur

m i t E e p k —Nse I

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Entertainment

Could this be Wande Coal's ‘Freedom’?

THE NATION ON SUNDAY MARCH 25, 2012

Face-off 2012 beckons!

• MoCheddah

Nanet Hotels honours Joke Silva, Kate Henshaw

•Joke

•Kate

From Victor Oluwasegun, Abuja Don Jazzy and Wande Coal

MBGN 2012 goes to Edo State

•Wilson Osigwe, Guy Murray Bruce and Benson E of Lacasera

THE NATION ON SUNDAY MARCH 25, 2012

Entertainment

I get worried when men don't make passes at me —Katrinna

A good number of them are dependable to a certain extent but some tell a lot of lies. There are some who take very good care of their wives which is good. And there are many who are macho and all women like macho men

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Entertainment

THE NATION ON SUNDAY MARCH 25, 2012

LBHF set to serenade Lagos

•Brand Manager, Youth and Trendy, MTN, Kelvin Orifa; popular Comedian, Tee-A and host of the event, MC LaffUp during the funlink

Fun-link rocks PH, Abuja Phone Swap: Wale Ojo gets AMAA nomination

Club 5 bar opens

•Magnito thrilling the guests

•Wole Soyinka

CSUG: Celebrities groove in school uniform

•Mrs. Gbolahan Daodu with Nollywood actress, Liz Anjorin

Glamour

THE NATION ON SUNDAY MARCH 25, 2012

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Oprah Winfrey in cable trouble

•Oprah and Maria Shriver

•Oprah

•Rosie O'Donnell

Courtesy: www.msnbc.com and other online sources

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Glamour

THE NATION ON SUNDAY MARCH 25, 2012

I don’t expect life to be easy like sitting on a beach With her eclectic, trail blazing fashion and pushing the boundries for decades, Hajia Zainab Folawiyo is one of the imaginative, influential designers of our time. A true style icon, the widow of the late billionnaire, Alhaji Wahab Folawiyo who would be clocking 70 soon, tells ADA ONYEMA everything from growing up, marriage, fashion

Social

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Glamour

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, MARCH 25, 2012

&

OLUSEGUN RAPHEAL (08033572821) raphseg2003@yahoo.com

From From the the Campus Campus

With

Prof.

Emmanuel Ojeme Sunday, March 25, 2012

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Miracle at White Hart Lane

•Muamba

AISHA FALODE

An Illuminous Sports Journalist

THE NATION ON SUNDAY MHARCH 25, 2012

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VOL 1 NO. 037

Market segmentation and brand positioning L

ET us begin by digressing relatively, considering an interesting observation in our local auto market segment.

Within 6/8 year-period my team dwelt on auto brand management in this market, our experience was that not even one practitioner or brand owner successfully achieved brand differentiation. At best, what was nearly achieved was (and still is) user category appreciation.

It became worse with the entry of those auto brands from Korea and all such related Asian countries.

Brands like KIA, Hyundai, Mahindra and those China via Dubai versions of Japanese offerings to include Toyota, Mitsubishi and even Honda rushed into Nigerian market without distinguishing value-offer. So we have all manner of auto brands promising same offer without any one of them swaying anything different.

So, KIA range took a lead in the new executive sedan segment by pushing affordability. The offer connected immediately with the Nigerian market, anchoring on corporate users primarily, to assist its market entry/penetration.

The mushroom marketing method characteristic of our local auto market goes a long way to describe our value pattern as a market and our level of sophistication as a broad consumer-group.

Global players are quick to know that the average Nigerian will rationalize his/her choice of auto product on emotional rather than rational consideration, so the brand owner's focus as far as Nigerian market is concerned, to play up the emotional benefits, to support sales. To a large extent, individual and corporate Nigerians purchased vehicles that are not designed for tropic region like ours, fresh from auto shops, feeling cool.

Some of these dealers even went as far selling cars that were brought into this market with fabric seats, fraudulently covered with leather here in Nigeria as leather-seat option straight from factory, at premium price.

Yes, all such happened and is still happening today.

Like we indicated earlier, this is a slight digression from the topic of today, though related. To the extent that these global marketers identified Nigerian market as one where any auto product sells, amounts to effective and efficient MARKET SEGMENTATION. Perhaps this analysis will help us in treating the concept of market segmentation much easier or faster in this episode.

The concept of market segmentation was first proposed as an alternative market development technique in a situation of near-imperfect market, where offerings were near identical showing no real differentiation. Subsequently, development, consumer awareness and growth in consumers' disposable income necessitated taste variants, leading up to marketers having to design product and service offerings around consumer demand. It became imperative for marketers to be customer-centric in focus as a way of growing their market. Let us quickly mention at this point, the relationship between market segmentation and product differentiation since they will both interplay in the consideration of the overriding application of the concept of MARKET SEGMENTATION. “Market segmentation is the division of a market into

different groups of customers with distinctive similar needs and product/service requirements”. Or “…the division of a mass market into identifiable and distinct groups or segments, each of which have common characteristics and needs and display similar responses to marketing actions” (Principles of Marketing Management, an Online resource center). Es-

sentially, market segmentation is about effective and efficient allocation of finite resources for optimal return on marketing investment (ROMI). It is to that extent that market segmentation itself is approachable from either (a) market segmentation or (b) product differentiation.

Market segmentation, as separated above, is when the concept of segmentation is approached from the angle of starting with the customers' needs, focusing on designing, developing and delivering the customer experience. In this case, the marketer approaches the concept of market segmentation, starting with the customers' needs. It is difficult to find an ideal case in this market, so we will draw a case insight from a brand of bus service in UK the Stagecoach UK Bus service. It is one of the largest bus operators in UK, a huge success, operating both express and local bus services across the country. In spite of its success, the challenge of meeting the needs of identified non-users of its services led to a major research. The major objective was to consider those issues that bother on the target market perception of Stagecoach Bus service and those barriers that should be taken care of, to attract those present non-users. The operative action standard was the deliberate efforts at attracting identified present non-users by designing service offers primarily concerned with the needs of the identified market segment. Here, segmentation is all about the consumer.

On the other hand, market segmentation through product differentiation is more about adapting new product variants, primarily as a market growth initiative based on identified market opportunities. Unlike the case of market segmentation that is customer needs-focused, product differentiation aims at taking advantage of market growth opportunities, as they are identified. It is about the brand not essentially about the consumer. For instance, a given brand could aim at different market segment by adapting different variants (to satisfy the different segments).

So while the one is about the consumer, the other is about the brand, even though both are driven by market segmentation as a marketing concept. Over time, marketers in modern societies have sought to design product and service offerings around consumer demand (market segmentation) more than around their own production needs (product differentiation), with the aid of proper market research. If this was to apply in this market, auto product marketing in this market would have been more customer-satisfactory. But as we have always stated the extent of consumer sophistication, enlightenment and education contribute a lot towards trade practice. The common knowledge of the rule generally referred to as “American Spec” will always guide the quality of products/service offering intended for American market from any where in the world. The American standard is a quality benchmark for all global players. But with undeveloped and unregulated market such as ours, the compromises are legion.

However, if nothing else, MC&A Digest considers the concept of market segmentation and brand positioning for purposes of academic exercise and professional learning, as against standard implementation in our local market. To that extent, let us point out that the concept of market segmentation is more in the interest of the marketer than the consumer. Primarily, it assumes the state of scarce resources in guiding the marketer towards investing same in the most effective and cost-efficient way that will help return on investment.

Market segmentation is an intricate subject, appreciable through a careful consideration of all the elements involved, including the socio-psychological considerations.

However, it all leads to profitable marketing, riding on the next stage which is brand positioning. Whether the concept is actualized through market segmentation or product differentiation, it helps in brand positioning.

Brand positioning is about the target consumer's reason to buy a particular brand over the competing brands. It is a deliberate effort at establishing the reason-for, for any given product/service offering, by expressly capturing the given brand's unique offer, value-essence, competitive advantage and promise. It derives from a distinct personality that separates a given brand from the lot.

Now, brand positioning can only own from proper market segmentation. You will agree that a properly positioned brand will more likely achieve market growth versus that which is not properly guided in the market place. A particular brand of cocoa beverage is presently struggling to make a come-back into our local market it withdrew from many years ago after a long period of market leadership, by going the way of many others who run on assumption. The story is not pleasant right now, and they know it. The principles of marketing will always come to play at critical times. We agree that so many brands have successfully taken this market for granted in the past (and some still do), but change is on the way. Many of the auto brands are redefining the market in line with present development accessioned by the global financial difficulties, yet change is evolving.

Last line This page is open for sponsorship and advert placement.

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY MARCH 25, 2012

‘People who will sexually abuse you are those you trust’ Dr. Princess Olufemi-Kayode, the Chief Executive Officer of Media Concern Initiative for Women and Children, has spent nine years professionally responding to sexual violence victims across the country by facilitating access to support for rape victims. In this interview with Rita Ohai, she sheds light on her job as a trained forensic rape counsellor and proffers advice for victims and preventive measures for adults and children.

Whenever a child is raped, it is never the fault of the child.

Somebody older and smarter just took advantage of that child to satisfy their own greedy urge.

24 hrs Rape Crisis Confidential Helplines: + 234 (0) 802 333 1036, 805 820 7164 & 809 952 2487

New WOMAN

THE NATION ON SUNDAY MARCH 25, 2012

49

Requiem for the Niger Delta woman

By Betty Abah

Relationships Deola Ojo 08027454533 (text) Pastordeegfc@yahoo.com

No off day on a first date

To be continued next week

50

THE NATION ON SUNDAY MARCH 25, 2012

Arts & Life

SUNNY SIDE

Cartoons

By Olubanwo Fagbemi deewalebf@yahoo.com 08060343214 (SMS only)

POLITICKLE

The consultant To the business world and its cut-throat environ the writer today heads for anecdotes out of the humdrum of existence. The reader is invited to mull the serving of professional cum management problems and solutions which are not necessarily comprehensive.

Native Intelligence

OH, LIFE!

THE GReggs

WHILE a shepherd tended his flock in a field, an expensive car screeched to a stop on the road nearby in a cloud of dust. The driver, a young man in expensive designer suit, leaned out of the window to survey the well-nourished herd of sheep grazing. Developing a longing for one of the animals, he shouted over to the shepherd, “Hey shepherd, if I tell you exactly how many sheep you have here, can I take one?”

The shepherd, a middle-aged fellow with the look of one who had seen it all in his time, in turn sized up the young man and gazed at his peaceful flock before calmly answering, “Sure, why not?”

Pleased with his proposition, the young man stepped out of his car holding a state-of-the-art palmtop computer system, with which he proceeded to connect with a series of websites. First, he called up a satellite navigation system to pinpoint his location before keying into the location to generate an ultra-high resolution picture of the field.

After e-mailing the photo to an image processing facility, he received the processed data, which he fed into an online database, and entered the parameters for a report. After a few seconds, he walked to his car where a miniature printer produced a full colour report containing several pages of analysis and results. The young man, who by now appeared to be some sort of businessman, studied the data for a few more seconds before returning to the shepherd.

“You have exactly one thousand seven hundred and seventynine sheep, including six rams, and five hundred and nineteen lambs,” said the consultant.

“That’s right,” said the shepherd, rather impressed. “Well, I guess that means you get to take one of my sheep.”

The young man quickly made his choice and loaded the animal onto the back seat of his car. But as he turned to leave, the shepherd said, almost as an afterthought, “Hey there, if I can tell you what your business is, will you give me back my sheep?”

The young man, confident he could outwit the local in any mind game, nodded.

“You’re a consultant,” said the shepherd with all certainty.

“Wow, that’s right,” said the young man with great surprise, “How did you guess that?”

“No need for guessing,” said the shepherd, “You showed up here even though nobody called you. You took a fee for giving me an answer that I already know, to a question I never asked, and you know nothing about my business. Now give me back my dog!”

Theory X versus Y

CHEEK BY JOWL

THE BOARDS of two fiercely competitive companies decided to organise a tennis match to challenge each other’s organisational and sporting abilities. The first company was strongly ‘Theory X’: ruthless and autocratic with zero staff empowerment while the second company was more ‘Theory Y’: a culture of developing people, devolved responsibility and decision-making.

Tournament day arrived. The Y Company appeared on-court first, with its team of six players and an official. Next followed X Company and its team of six officials and a single player.

Not surprisingly, Y Company won an easy victory.

The next day, X Company’s board of directors held a hearing with the team to review what had been learned from the embarrassing defeat which might be of benefit to the organisation as a whole, and consider a future re-match. After a long and tiresome meeting, X company’s board finally came to their decision.

They concluded that the player should be replaced immediately because clearly he had not listened well enough to the instructions he had been given.

Jokes Humour Magic Pill THOMAS had this problem of getting up late in the morning and was always late for work. His boss was mad at him and threatened to fire him if he didn’t do something about it.

So Thomas went to his doctor who gave him a pill and told him to take it before he went to bed. Thomas slept well and in fact beat the alarm in the morning.

He had a leisurely breakfast and drove cheerfully to work. “Boss”, he said, “the pill actually worked!”

“That’s fine,” said the boss, “but where were you yesterday?”

Rapid Progress THE BOSS called one of his employees into the office. “Rob,” he said, “you’ve been with the company for a year. You started off in the post room, one week later you were promoted to a sales position, and one month after that you were promoted to district manager of the sales department.

“Just four short months later, you were promoted to vice-chairman. Now it’s time

for me to retire, and I want you to take over the company. What do you say to that?”

“Thanks,” said the employee.

“Thanks?” the boss replied. “Is that all you can say?”

“I suppose not,” the employee said.

“Thanks, Dad.” Clever Interpretation SEVERAL weeks after a young man had been employed, he was called into the personnel director’s office.

“What is the meaning of this?” the director asked. “When you applied for this job, you told us you had five years experience. Now we discovered this is the first job you’ve ever held.”

“Well,” the young man replied, “in your advertisement you said you wanted somebody with imagination.”

QUOTE I cannot teach anybody anything; I can only make them think —Socrates •Culled from the Internet

B

UILD to the Writer’s Fountain end: The final sentence in a paragraph ties In English we expect the most important item to be at the end. When you up your ideas in a neat package or hints at write a list, put the most important, what is to come.

Your most powerful paragraph comes unusual, or powerful item last. at the end of the chapter.

Peculiar facts – travel and survival: Poets labour over their final word. Let •Istanbul, Turkey is the only city in the yours linger in the mind. world located on two continents, Europe Choose a beckoning title: and Asia.

•Japan has approximately 200 volcanoes A good title is catchy and says, “Read me.” and is home to 10% of the active Depending on your topic, you may want to volcanoes in the world which often have steer clear of a “cute” or “witty” title in enough power to shoot ash as high as 50 favour of one that makes a clear promise of what is inside. km into the atmosphere.

Writers often discover a title as they •The national anthem of Greece has 158 write.

Sometimes a phrase or reference in verses in lyrics while that of Uganda has the text comes to stand for the whole work. just eight bars of music.

Take your time to find a good title. You •The more a person struggles to get out want one that calls to a reader, insisting on of quicksand the faster they will sink.

•Staying still and being calm will patronage. actually make the body float in quicksand Print out a hard copy: because the body is less dense than Many people compose directly onto a computer. Even if your printer wants an quicksand is.

•In Albania, Eastern Europe, nodding electronic file, and most do, print yourself your head means “no” and shaking your a hard copy. It is easier to read and find your mistakes on paper. head means “yes.”

THE ARTS

51

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, MARCH 25, 2012

It was an exciting night of comedy, music and more for guest and, especially children with Down syndrome (DS) as artists ignite the stage with their talents at the Comedy Infusion II. It was more than fun, reports Evelyn Osagie

A

FTER a weekend of fun and laughter, guests at the Comedy Infusion II have not stopped smiling.

The state of our economy fit make adult get Down syndrome (DS), Comedian Senator said as he welcomed guests last Sunday to the second edition of Comedy Infusion for Children with Down syndrome.

And as he continued: Na im make Down syndrome Foundation in Nigeria (DSFN), Meljestin PR Events and Emeka Smith, say make una come relax and laugh away your sorrow because laughter dey enhance the brain and life; his words triggered mouthwatering suspense in hearts of over 300 guests.

They came gorgeously dressed for the night of laughter at Mbadiwe Hall of the prestigious Golden Tulip Hotel, Amuwo Odofin, Lagos, and got more. Leading the list of personalities that attended the show was Mr. Tonye Cole, an Oil and Gas Executive in Sahara Group who has shown enormous support for the foundation. DSFN National President, Mrs. Rose Mordi led the other members of the foundation to the hall. Indeed, the show proved to be mind-blowing. There was comedy, music, acrobatic display of dance choreography; coupled with an air of laughter, fun and love.

The fresh and exciting jokes and thrilling musical tunes by comedy and musical acts also caught the laughter and steps of the people with Down syndrome for which the occasion was meant.

The performances gave the event the required energy to make dance.

Idols West Africa protégée, Jodie took the audience through a soulful rendition of her hit track, Kuchi Kuchi, to the delight of everybody, including Awele Mordi, a lady with DS. Others were Nigga Raw, W4, Jodie, Pastor Goody Goody, Korede Bello, MC Kolo, Cool Xtra, Shedi Xtel, Nwanne, popular radio presenter Tuale and more.

Of all the performances none was as emotional and endearing as the performance of W4 which drew energetic Shedrack Udegbunam, a five-year-old child with DS, who had earlier sung on stage with Cosmos Destiny. He stood out in his Ankara top and trousers, singing words which only he could understand. But the audience cheered him on. Given the right encouragement, Mrs Chibuzo Patrick of Meljestin PR Events, said people with Down syndrome came achieve great feat.

While explaining to the audience the reason for Comedy Infusion, Mrs Patrick, who inspired the

• W4 and Shedrack performing on stage.

PHOTO: EVELYN OSAGIE

A night of comedy and music Comedy Infusion idea, urged people to show more love to people with DS, adding it will make them know they are special.

As Bello rendered his very popular national team song for Nigeria entitled: I love My Country, all the children and persons with DS came on stage to dance with him. Shedrack was also among the children but apparently he had another plan. He to aimed at the microphone, showing his interest by pulling hard at mic. Seeing his tenacity, Korede handed him the microphone; and then, he stole the show by singing a very moving praise song. The whole crowd surged forward to behold this enigma. Not only did the audience join him in singing, Shedrack moderated how the tempo should be with his gesticulations and movements.

Smart phones were up in the air as many struggled to catch a glimpse of that very special moment. Camera flash lights followed Shedrack from the stage as he walked towards the table of DSFN National President where he started another praise song.

The atmosphere was tensed.

People watched the potential and talent in action. One person could was not watch because her eyes was full of tears – his mother.

“I am just thanking God for this wonderful blessing he has given to me,” she said when pressed for a word, “I love my Angel and he fills my heart with joy when he sings.”

It was as if his performance started the show again. It fired up the atmosphere of love as the audience danced the night away in excitement.

The Comedy Infusion debuted last year and is targeted at creating awareness for people with Down syndrome as well as having fun in celebrating the World Down syndrome Day (WDSD) which was commemorated last Wednesday. The event brings together Nigeria’s best to perform, spend time with and support people with DS. Mrs Mordi said: “I am so happy about the awareness we have been able to create through some of the programs we have held. It is inspiring the society at large. I am really impressed with the turn out and we here to celebrate people with Down syndrome as their day approaches.

They are the special guests we have today and we salute them and want them to know that we love them.”

POETRY Love strokes REKIYA, YOU may not know that I love YOU so That like a kindled fire I’ve a burnin’ desire for no one else but YOU! I’ve YOU on my mind like a disease which fully exist.

No one else can cure me of this Save YOU! You’ve fired up a need in me; ’Tis only too fair to hearken to this need ‘Cause like a full-blown seed; not hastily harvested it may become wasted My only true wish for now is for the ubiquitous Morpheus to transform all my dreams to reality So that I may be yet victorious!

From IB

52

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, MARCH 25, 2012

Arts/Reviews

BOOKS

Playing the trump T

• Iloduba

•Ameh

AWF hosts Ameh, Iloduba T

HE Abuja Writers Forum (AWF) is set to host on Saturday, March 31 the duo of Theresa Oyibo Ameh and Kenechukwu K. Iloduba as the featured authors. According to a press release by Abdullahi Abubakar, the Public Relations Officer, the authors would read and also interact with readers apart from the usual side attractions of live music, poetry performance, mini art exhibition, and a raffledraw.

Teresa Ameh holds an NCE from the College of Education Katsina Ala and a BA in Library Sc/English from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. A mother and philanthropist, she taught for seven years before switching to a civil service career. She has five titles to her credit namely The Twins

Visits, The Stepmother and other stories , Funmi the Polite Girl and other stories, Lessons from Aunty Talatu, and her most recent publication, The Only Son. Kenechukwu K. Iloduba holds a BSc Applied Mictobiology, Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism, Masters in Public Administration, and Masters of Science in Finance. A passionate poet, Iloduba’s poems have been appeared in several local and foreign publications, and he has won prizes within and outside Nigeria. His debut poetry collection, In The Arms of Misery was voted by The Sun as one of the Top 30 books of 2007. Writing on the collection, Professor Mabel Evierhoma of the University of Abuja said Iloduba shows through the poems how creativity can

be used to mitigate the sundry challenges faced by humanity. His second collection, Immortal Whispers is due off the press later in the year.

The event, an initiative of the Abuja Writers’ Forum (AWF) which started in June 2008 has become the template for similar programmes nationwide, the Guest Writer Session holds by 4pm at the Pen and Pages Bookstore, Wuse 2, Abuja.

Since its inception four years ago, the Guest Writer Session has been a consistent feature of the nation’s literary scene. The Abuja Writer’s Forum meets three Sundays each month and hosts a reading on every last Saturday at the International Institute of Journalism and Pen and Pages respectively.

SOD tasks audience across the world I

T started out with a smash hit performance in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso; and then moved to Accra, Ghana where they were given a loud ovation.

They dared Mombasa and Nairobi to dream again, and then proceeded to impact the people and prisoners of Johannesburg, South Africa. The next stop was Aberdeen, Scotland with an awesome, thoughtprovoking show to get people thinking about their lives. They were hailed by the crème-de-la-crème of society in Douala, Cameroon as artistic and professional with a rich modern re-enactment of an age-old story.

Spirit of David (SOD) presents an exclusive footage of their tour to six countries and invites you to join them in an exquisite gala/dinner night: A Special Night with Spirit of David on their tour

By Evelyn Osagie

to Europe.

Come Easter Sunday, SOD will be only 300 people to a night it calls A Special Night with Spirit of David, with, Spirit of David intends to take the audience on a journey on their visits around the world. The night is also designed to take its audience into its future tour to four countries in Europe: France, Spain, Germany and Holland, entitled Whoosh, slated to take place in August.

The event will hold by 6pm at Liberty Hall, The Bespoke Centre, Lekki-Epe Expressway, Lagos.

Another highlight is also set to launch special dance competitions for kids. But you’ll have to attend this special event to know more about this competition.

SOD, a gospel dance club, are a body of people who love God and love

dance and have been gifted with the grace to communicate life-changing messages through performances and shows that are unique, professional and anointed.

SOD began in April 1997 in the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife and has spread to ten with and outside Nigeria, including Calabar, Ilorin, Ado-Ekiti and the UK. They have held 75 shows, and have staged no less than 4,500 performances to date; and they brought to you two seasons of the very popular Celebrity Takes 2. SOD has been very established, and they have a great number of fans around the world who are interested in seeing how their tour has been.

For more information, you can visit www.3dancingmen.com, www.facebook.com/ sodgdc.

HE title of the book, Preparing For The Evening Time suggests a retirement strategy.

And it is, somewhat like a manual. The author, Femi Omowumi writes; ‘while the earlier parts of life are characterized by the anxiety of meeting the various responsibilities of life, the evening time is the only period when one can really become more useful to himself or herself.’

In these days of shortening life expectancy bequeathed to Nigerians, he book offers a sor of road, especially for those people not yet in the twilight years. And particularly, in the light of news of pensioners collapsing and dying on queues for often times miserable pensions.

To this end, Omowumi insists on preparations by properly investing in one’s self. He reports a scathing statistic hat only ‘5% of the people end up well’ because they ‘fail to acknowledge that changes that may come in the course of life.’

These reasons the author

By Joe Agbro Jr.

writes may include unforeseen circumstances like sudden retirement, bad health, or he aging signs.

Omowumi states that because of these developments, one must start preparation for the future to ensure they enjoy a good standard of living even in their old age.

The author states the need for having a good family, right from the spouse to children in terms of education, moral, and the spiritual.

And he particularly emphasises on the latter as he quotes Luke 12:21 from the bible which states that ‘Yes, every man is a fool who gets rich on earth but not in heaven.’

The book, modelled along Christian principles

is instructive to living a fulfilled ‘evening time’ and Omowumi, a pastor and Information Specialist at the United States Consular General in Lagos does justice to the importance of preparing to live life beyond 60 years.

For Titanic anniversary, the books go on

By John Williams

I

N her book “How to Survive the Titanic,” an elegant account of the infamy that hounded J. Bruce Ismay, the chairman of the company that owned the ship, after he fled the sinking giant in a lifeboat, Frances Wilson writes, “The need felt by survivors to tell their tales was, from the start, overwhelming and the need of those who were not on board to read their accounts, to see the films, to repeat the experience and work it through, to raise the Titanic and watch

her go down again and again is one of the shipwreck’s most peculiar effects.”

The centennial anniversary of the Titanic disaster is April 14, and publishers appear to be hoping that readers maintain an almost infinite appetite for it.

Viewed as a group, the number of Titanic-related books that have crossed my desk in recent weeks borders on the comical. But to dip into almost any one of them in particular is to be riveted by a story that remains deeply eerie, dramatic and heartbreaking.

POETRY

Dem go say I be woman!

LIKE say I no be person Like say I dey for prison Like say na only kitchen Be place wey I dey take reason When I talk dem go say ‘you are kidding!’

Like say I no be person Even child wey dey get beating Im get respect and even greeting More than me for inside meeting Dem go say ‘go, your place na kitchen!’

Dem go say I no be person Because of say I be woman Who talk say man pass woman?

Whether for leader abi

By Betty Abah

for barman?

No be hand na im dem take do am?

Dem go say I no be person But election time dem go remember Say na me go make dem House Member Dem go bring salt, pepper and calendar Dem think say my sense don dismember Dem go say I no be person Like say I dey inside dem prison My heart just dey burn like oven!

Dem make my land so so rotten How my mouth no go open?

Dem say we no be people Now, we don stand, don tie our girdle!

Na we dey match come so like angels Wey vex, run comot from heaven We women, we go make Naija our heaven!

ANNOUNCEMENT DO you love brown rice? Then, you can head to The Lifehouse today at Sinari Daranijo street, Vicoria Island, Lagos for a complimentary tasting of Otu’s Brown Rice, a whole natural grain with numerous nutrients and health benefits grown in Eastern Nigeria.

The Otu’s team will be treating The Life House clients to a complimentary food tasting and sampling. Time is 4 - 6pm.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, MARCH 25, 2012

53

Apagun Olumide: The man and his golf resort —PAGE 54 - 55

Laughing all the way to the bank

From being a career no one wants to identify with, stand-up comedy is today a multi-billion naira industry with the practitioners assuming celebrity status and garnering huge fortunes in the process. Remi Adelowo reports on the growing phenomenon

•Basket Mouth with Mansa Azumah performing

•A.Y performing

F

charges less than a six figure digit for services rendered.

A multi-billion naira industry The revolution, of what is today known as the comedy industry in Nigeria, began in the early 90’s, with Ali Baba as the leading light.

He practically rebranded the industry and gave it a new face and direction.

In no time, the expectant results came in torrents. The young man’s services was sought for by the high and mighty. He became the toast of everyone, both high and low. He set new standards for himself and others followed suit.

To engage his services for a private function, Ali Baba’s charges between half and a million naira, while for corporate functions, he takes from N1 to N2 million. However, most of them declined to disclose how much they charge over fear of the tax authorities or for their own safety.

With the return of democracy in 1999, Ali Baba landed a big client! He became the official stand-up comedian during the presidency of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, who is one of his biggest fans. According to reports, the former President always requested for the presence of Ali Baba at most state functions within and outside Abuja. For this, the comedian reportedly raked in over N5 million for just one event.

Industry sources disclosed that to get popular comedians such as Tunde Adewale (TEE-A), Bright Okpocha (Basketmouth), Julius Agwu, Gbenga Adeyinka, Teju

ROM the first to third generation Witty, hilarious and highly cerebral, John Chukwu was a delight to watch both on television and on stage. Blessed with a gift of the garb that was unmatched among his peers, Chukwu’s spontaneity while taking charge of proceedings at major private and public events raised his popularity to high heavens. That was in the early 90’s.

The Nigerian entertainment industry was still struggling for recognition, but even at that, Chukwu was a celebrity by all standards.

With a face that was easily recognizable, he diversified his craft when he floated a nite club, called Class, on Obafemi Awolowo Way in the Ikeja area of Lagos. The club became the convergence point and a watering hole for young fun lovers.

But just when his fame peaked, the popular master of ceremonies and comedian took ill and later died! Chukwu never really hit a fortune doing what he knew best.

Before Chukwu’s emergence on the scene there had been Chief Chika Okpala, aka Chief Zebrudaya of the New Masquerade fame in the 80s.

The Enugu State-born actor had leveraged on his television popularity by also working on the side as Master of Ceremonies/Standup comedian at private and governmentorganised events.

His contribution to the then fledging entertainment industry in Nigeria was not unnoticed. As a reward for his many roles, he was bestowed with the national honour of

the Member of the Order of the Niger (MON) by the Federal Government.

And who would have forgotten the very hilarious Gbenga Adeboye so soon? In the stand-up-comedy genre from the 70s till 2003 when he passed on, Adeboye held sway in the comedy circuit. That he had no match in the industry where he groomed quite a number of protégés is like stating the obvious.

Chukwu, Okpala and Adeboye belonged to the first generation.

The evolution Later, the likes of Danjuma Mohammed, Ali Baba, Basoge Tariah and Okey Mac Anthony, popularly known as Okey Bakassi, came to the limelight.

Perhaps due to fortuitous circumstances or partly spotting a lacuna in the emerging stand-up comedy industry, Danjuma Mohammed (now late) and Ali Baba stepped on the stage to fill the vacuum.

But of all these four men, Ali Baba is arguably credited as the man that changed the face of the humour and comedy industry from being a career that was virtually non-existent to a craft that is, today, a multi-billionaire industry.

Gone were the days when an MC or a stand-up comedy act practically begged to anchor shows. Today, no event, from birthday parties, weddings, corporate functions and government events is complete without a stand-up comedian on parade.

Of course this does not come cheap. Presently, no comedian worth his or her name

Oyelakin (Teju Babyface) etc. for any private social event, the patron should be ready to pay between N500,000 and N1 million, while a sum of N2 million to N3 million is charged for government events, depending on the location and time.

Endorsement deals Nigeria’s popular comedians are not just smiling to the banks with money raked in from appearances at events, blue-chip companies are also splashing millions of naira on them to become their brand ambassadors.

A case in point is Bright Okpocha, the only stand-up comedian picked as a Glo Ambassador. The endorsement deal is said to be worth about N20 million and is renewable every year.

Gbenga Adeyinka, too, is raking in good money from the Nigeria Breweries Plcnot as its Brand Ambassador but as its official anchor at its events, which include Star Trek and Star Quest. Adeyinka in an interview with The Nation would not confirm how much he is paid but admits that the fee is quite good.

Sources, however, put his deal with NB Plc at N30 million per season.

Other ventures Conscious of the need to diversity their trade, many stand-up comedians have in the last couple of years diversified into other areas to further project their brand.

For example, Tunde Adewale owns a classy restaurant, Time Out Courage, which is said to be doing good. He also anchors his personal talk show on television, Time Out •Continued on Page 55

54

O

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, MARCH 25, 2012

Life

NE past-time that the late Apagun Oluwole Olumide was known for in Abeokuta, Ogun State, was his love for his resort. He lived and literally died in his Transit Lodge Rockbeach Lake Toria Day and Night Mini Golf, OkeMosan, of which he was chairman.

A journalist who said he had a close personal relationship with the Egba High Chief said, “It was a tradition he kept till his last day on earth.”

The Transit Lodge Rockbeach Resort is located in a remote but exclusive part of Oke-Mosan in Abeokuta.

It is on a wide expanse of clayish sandy land leading to the entrance of the new State Secretariat buildings. However, one has to make a detour to the right to get to the resort.

A drive-on after the detour takes one to the back of the resort which leads right down to a lonesome and rugged dead-end road.

With a turn-about, one then comes to the actual entrance which has no gate but a small opening enough to allow any size of vehicle easy passage. And then, one is brought to face a green-colour signpost that points toward the different sections of the Mini Golf which is said to be often used for international golf tournaments.

The golf course has a number of unpainted ancient chalets with leaves used as their roofs and located on sloppy rocks a few meters to the artificial lake.

A quiet corner for the influential Guests to the resort, who are usually men and women of class, are regularly allowed to catch their choice fish which is used to prepare spicy hot pepper soup for them while they lodge at the resort.

It was usually Apagun’s delight to ensure that his guests were given a sort of home-delight treat. Since the opening of the resort, it was said that one of his fascination was to breed fishes for guests to catch and eat as part of the pleasure package. This act is usually referred to as “point and kill”, that is you point to the particular fish you desire to entertain your palate with and it will be caught and served to your taste.

After his body was picked from the lake in the resort last weekend, a police truck was seen parked at one end of the resort at the time of visit.

Other features of the resort is its three-water course -a shallow pond with a canoe on its shore, a little narrow, almost dried-up pond and the bigger one, where fishes are bred and caught for consumption, sadly, it is the one in which the late Apagun allegedly met his death.

The late Olumide was described as a man who was quite inseparable from his golf course. He was an accomplished architect who was credited to have designed several landmark structures. Reflecting on the life and times of the one time chairman of the Association of Commonwealth Architects and designer of the Ecumenical Centre, Abuja, a close friend of his said, “He designed and supervised every aspect of the golf resort from start to finish. It was his idea to have the recreation centre sit atop a hill.

He made the builders construct the bar, conference centre and unique staircase in a way that they lead directly to the golf course.”

Apagun Olumide: The man a A week ago, the body of Apagun Oluwole Olumide, an Egba high chief, was found at his lake resort. Joke Kujenya visited the resort and the home of the deceased. Her report:

•The Lake where Apagun died last week

PHOTOS: JOKE KUJENYA

•Entrance to the resort

And when visitors feel like playing lazy and want to evade the regular entrance and exit; they are allowed to pass through the staircase to get to the golf field. And though there is no access road to close-by villages on the other end, the resort can easily lead one there had there been easy access. The resort had every touch of the late Apagunclass and panache- that was why his daily visits to it was like a religious sacrifice. It was like a second home to him. So, in the word of a guide who craved

anonymity, it won’t be out of place to make it his last ‘resort.’

However, questions still abound as to how he could have died there. What happened there? Was he trailed there? Did he commit suicide or did he suffer any ailment and fell into the lake? Questions and questions still dog the mystery of his death.

A house of mourners At the home of the late Apagunpote of Egbaland who would have been 70 in June, only five of the family members were met talking in hushed tones

when this reporter visited his Abeokuta home. They converged round a table and after an exchange of pleasantries with the reporter one of them got aggressive and asked the reporter to leave the premises immediately.

As at Thursday morning, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Ogun State Command, Muyiwa Adejobi, said the Command was still trying to resolve the puzzle surrounding his last days and eventual death.

He said, “We are working on

a number of puzzles. We are trying to work with the communication companies to know who his last caller or callers were; and what type of text messages he exchanged within his last few minutes, if any. I assure you, our investigations continue.” He assured that the police would do all to ascertain what the high chief did during his last minutes on earth.

Adejobi added, “We have some information about SMS or messages sent out by the chief before his death. So, we are working on them to make sure we get the call logs to know how far it’s true. We have information at hand but we need to have expert opinion too to professionally or scientifically prove that it’s true.

We have seen some of these messages. We still want to get to the service providers to download the transaction of the deceased before he died.”

At the expansive all-white painted home of the deceased, none of his immediate family members was at home when The Nation reporter got there.

Responding to the reporter’s inquiry, a woman, who described herself as a close relative of the deceased, said: “Femi, the first son, has travelled to Lagos. Seyi, (the second son) left here for his own home a few minutes ago.

And the wife of the deceased, Mrs. Abiola Olumide, is not around.”

Besides two elderly women, a man, and two young ladies, sitting in the compound under the wide canopy the late chief used to park his exotic cars, there were no other people in the allwhite painted duplex. All the exotic vehicles, in which the late Apagun usually cruised around were not in the compound.

The elderly woman yelled at the reporter: “I said you really have to leave now. You journalists have written so much incorrect stories and you have thrown the family into so much confusion we seem not to even know our own brother again. The

“The resort had every touch of the late Apagunclass and panache- that was why his daily visits to it was like a religious sacrifice. It was like a second home to him.”

•Continued from page 55

Life

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, MARCH 25, 2012

‘Millionaire comedians’

an and his golf resort

•The Late Apagun of Egba Land, Oluwole Olumide

• Adeyinka

•Continued from Page 53

•The late Apagun’s TORIA House where he lived till the night he died

controversies trailing his death have been hurtful to the family.

Thank God Femi has just left for Lagos; he wouldn’t have taken kindly to your being here. We’re not talking to you. If however there would be a need for a press conference, we could ask for reporters to come around. For now, please go…”

Two former governors of Ogun State, Chief Gbenga Daniel and Chief Segun Osoba have expressed sadness over the incident.

To Daniel, Olumide’s death is an irreparable loss to the state and the entire country. He said: “I do believe that our state and our country have lost an icon and a major promoter of tourism, entrepreneur and the economic development of our people and of Egbaland in particular”.

On the other hand, Osoba

said, “Olumide’s death is too much for me to bear now. It is not something I am ready to talk about. It is too much and most unfortunate. I leave everything to God.” Incidentally, the two former governors worked directly with the late Apagun on his tourism projects.

They are not the only ones mourning, a lady who lives on the same street with him described him as “Baba Jaiyejaiye” (a man who loves life).

She said: “I saw him as he was driven out of his compound in the afternoon of the day he died. Any time he was going out, we would all greet him if we saw him. And even if you don’t see him, he would always call you, if he knows you, and say something that would even make you to laugh, no matter what. To now

say that the man I saw that day died that same day makes me fear God the more. It is so sad. More saddening is the number of stories going round about his person and name. This was a man everybody proclaimed they love. That is all I can say,” she concluded.

Perhaps to show how important a man he was, a case that was ongoing at the Abeokuta Magistrate Court, Isabo, had to be shelved last week because the Investigating Police Officer (IPO) handling it was taken off the case and assigned to go and protect the body of the late Apagun at the hospital mortuary where it was kept before it was buried.

Although he has been buried the mystery surrounding his death is still under investigations.

55

with Tee-A, which gets corporate backing from blue-chip companies.

Teju Baby face also anchors The Teju Baby face show, which is today rated as the hottest syndicated talk show on television. A mustwatch for many Nigerians, the show has on its bill, sponsors like Arik Air, Promasidor etc.

Private concert The likes of Ayo Makum (AY), Julius Agwu, I go Die, Basket Mouth have tapped into the huge market which exists in holding private concerts and reaping bountiful results.

Every year, AY holds at least four shows christened AY Live in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt in Rivers State and London at prestigious hotels, with gate fees as high as N10,000 with the VIP stands costing about N100,000. These shows are always sold out at every edition.

Ditto Julius Agwu, the initiator of ‘Crack Ya Ribs’, which is a brand that has assumed a life of its own over the years.

A popular comedian, who preferred to remain anonymous disclosed that though these shows are not as lucrative as generally assumed, he, however, added, “A comedian after deducting all other expenses would still make a tidy profit of about N3 million for a concert.

Highflying lifestyles With their business booming and raking in millions, the comedians live big and make no apologies about it. For an average successful comedian, image is everything. They not only live in posh apartments, they also drive expensive automobiles that many people can only dream about.

For about two decades now, Ali

Baba has been living life to the hilt. In the early 90’s when he was just stepping up, he lived in a rented duplex at the Ilupeju area, Lagos before he moved to another rented duplex in the Lekki area. Late last year he moved to a six bedroom private residence in Lekki. This reportedly cost him over N100 million. Before relocating to Lekki he had lived in the exclusive Oyinkan Abayomi Drive (formerly Queens Drive) in Ikoyi, where he paid about N15 million annually for his apartment. For cars, he owns them in various makes and sizes. Range Rover Sports to a Honda Truck. He is in the top league of the comedians.

Okpocha is another rich comedian living up to his status. He lives in his private residence (a duplex) in Lekki and drives the latest Toyota Venza SUV, which cost was put at N8 million.

Adeyinka’s beefy size reflects his taste for cars. He drives a brand new Nissan Armada SUV with a market value of N7 million and lives in the exclusive Omole, GRA in Ikeja.

On his part, Adewale, since hugging the limelight, has driven the best cars around; from a Honda Accord to a Mercedes Benz C-Class and ML, TEE-A now drives a ‘tear rubber’ new model Mercedes Benz C-320 and Volkwagen Passat.

Baby face and AY prefer a Range Rover Sports, ditto I Go Die. The cost of the SUV is about N10 million. The comedians with their lifestyles have shown that comedy is serious business. No wonder many today want to toe their line. …In contrast with US comedy industry Has the Nigerian comedy industry come of age? ‘It’s a work in progress with lots of untapped opportunities’, say industry stakeholders. Take the case of the United States comedian industry. The leading players are nationally-acclaimed celebrities who have made millions of dollars just practicing their craft. The amazing stories of Jerry Seinfeld and Chris Rock readily come to mind.

Presently, Seinfeld is, arguably, the richest comedian in the United States. And he makes his money from all sorts-from endorsement deals, television syndication of his shows to writing books and public speaking.

Said to be worth $800million, Seinfeld in 2008 was paid a cool $10million to make a handful of ads for Microsoft.

His newest venture is reality show called ‘Marriage Ref’, where married couples present real-life disputes to a panel of celebrities, comedians and sports stars, who decide who’s right and who’s wrong. So rich is Seinfeld that he lives in a $50million estate in Manhattan, New York and reportedly the largest collector of Porsches in the world-he owns 46, including a $700,000 Porsche 959.

Actor, comedian and screenwriter, Rock’s financial worth is estimated at $70million. In 1991, he released his comedy album, ‘Born Suspect’ and till date, has won four Emmy Awards for his comedy specials and three Grammy Awards for his albums.

56

Your HEALTH THE NATION ON SUNDAY, MARCH 25, 2012

Lassa fever: Nigeria on verge of an epidemic

By Rita Ohai

Symptoms Eight out of 10 people infected with the virus develop either mild symptoms or no symptoms at all, says Dr. Ajayi.

Speaking further, he posited, “Lassa fever usually manifests like other ailments, such as malaria and typhoid fever and the onset is gradual, which makes early diagnosis difficult and the illness deadly. The first symptoms of the disease typically occur between 1-3 weeks after the patient comes in contact with the virus and they may range from abdominal, chest and back pain, conjunctivitis, cough, diarrhea, facial swelling, fever, nose bleeding, coloured urine, skin rash with hemorrhages, headache sore throat or vomiting but the most common long-term complication of Lassa fever is deafness.�

Treatment According to reports published by the World Health Organisation, WHO, approximately 20% to 50% of hospitalized Lassa Fever patients die from the disease. This highly fatal disorder records a high death rate for pregnant women in their third trimester. About 95% of unborn foetuses die if the mother is infected but those who survive its early stages usually recover and acquire immunity to secondary attacks.

In addition to urgent medical treatment, sufferers must constantly have access to balanced diet, antibiotics and vitamin supplements to boost their immune systems to prevent secondary infections.

There is no vaccine or immunization for Lassa fever. Only awareness can help in the prevention. Early treatment, usually within six days of infection, is required to save someone who contacted the disease.

57

BUSINESS

‘Poor infrastructure bane of business in Nigeria’

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, MARCH 25, 2012

T

HE nation’s aviation sector faces a clear and present danger, which is the dearth of key professionals with requisite competence and experience needed in the industry.

This is the view of many discerning members of the industry.

One person who should know better is Mr. Chris Aligbe, onetime General Manager, Public Affairs of the now defunct Nigeria Airways, the once-soar away national carrier.

Crisis of manpower While attempting a prognosis of the dearth of professionals in the nation’s aviation sub-sector recently, Aligbe disclosed that: “Today, the pool of highly trained, experienced and exposed professionals has dried up. After the ill-advised liquidation of Nigeria Airways which provided the pool of aviation manpower, no effort was made again to create a new pool. As at now, in spite of the fact that age has caught up with the professionals of yesteryear, they remain the backbone of the NCAA whose success is a factor of the input of returnee professionals.”

To further drive home his point, he cites other authoritative sources. “From records available, none of the aviation agencies can boast of any record of robust manpower development over the years. The dearth of professional manpower is real and frightening. A check on Central Bank of Nigeria records will show that foreign manpower in the aviation sector has become not only a significant variable in airline economics, but also, is increasing in the percentage it contributes to capital flight in the sector.”

A recent survey on aviation manpower, he further expatiates, “indicated the following: there are not more than three experienced airline managers in Nigeria, who can be handed over an airline with a fleet of 10 aircraft to manage; not more than ten acquitted ground operations professionals; virtually non-existent marketers, airline and airport economists, pools commercial and bilateral professionals.

“There are just about five aviation lawyers and only one exposed airport manager who can be handed over a modern airport to manage. Most recently, the owners of Skyway Aviation Handling Company Limited (SACHOL), the privatised Nigeria Airways Handling subsidiary, had to go in search of a manager after three years of dwindling fortune. Finding none elsewhere, it had to call out of retirement, the best turn-around manager Nigeria Airways ever had in the ground handling business, Olu Owolabi, to manage it. Incidentally, Owolabi ran the outfit before Nigeria Airways was liquidated.”

Like Aligbe, renowned pilot in the country, Captain Ore Falomo, is also worried about the parlous state of the nation’s aviation sector; hence, he has suggested what in his considered view, the panacea to the crisis bedeviling the sector.

Among other things, he would rather the Ministry of Transport and Ministry of Avia-

Diminishing manpower in aviation sector

-- Page 59

Briefs Lawmaker gives loans to traders

I

•Aviation Minister, Stella Odua

•Demuren

Is the dwindling fortune of the nation’s aviation sector a direct consequence of the diminishing workforce? Ibrahim Apekhade Yusuf reports tion is merged together into one, as it obtains in other parts of the world for effective service delivery.

Official position But Mr. Sam Adurogboye, Media Spokesman of the Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Dr. Harold Demuren, holds a different view.

The NCAA’s spokesman who fell short of puncturing Aligbe’s status report on the sector said the nation still boosts of a sizeable number of personnel capable of driving the activities in the sector.

“We have 934 pilots as well as 1,382 Cabin crew. We have 325 air traffic controllers and we have 865 aircraft maintenance engineers”, he said matter-offactly.

On whether or not there is a decline in local expertise in the sector, he deadpanned, “I will not say there is decline”, but was quick to admit that “There is a need to train and continue to train more personnel in the industry because those we have now are largely getting to retirement age and need to be replaced.”

As to the influx of expatriate in the sector, it is not peculiar to the aviation industry. “There is no sector without that. All over the world, you look for expert where you need them. And there is a law guiding its application.”

On whether the nation was really running short of pilots, he said: “We are not running short of pilots but we certainly need to step up efforts on training more.

“Already, the airlines in Nigeria have taken up the challenge and

List of current holders of Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority Licenses 934 pilots 1,382 Cabin crew 325 Air Traffic Controllers 865 Aircraft Maintenance Engineers Source: NCAA they have been sponsoring students to the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria, where pilots are being trained. Some airlines have up to 50 at a go.”

The NCAA, Adurogboye stressed, “has been spearheading the campaign and is already yielding results. For example, some state governments have also sent students there in large numbers. That is how to tackle the challenge.

Nigeria’s loss, foreigner’s gains The parlous state of the nation’s aviation sector is already taking its toll in the sector with many foreign firms reaping from the inertia.

According to Director-General, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Dr. Harold Demuren, Nigerian airlines lose at least N2.5bn annually to foreign firms engaged in routine training of the nation’s pilots.

Pilots’ simulator training, also called recertification training, is done once every six months by all pilots in Nigeria in accordance with the NCAA’s regulation.

Demuren, gave the indication

recently.

He linked the development to failure of Nigerian businessmen to establish pilots’ simulator training centres in the country.

According to him, airline with four aircraft spends at least $450,000 on simulator training. This means that the airline spends $112,500 on pilot training for each aircraft.

Consequently, the eight known airlines in Nigeria flying a total of 74 airplanes spend $8.3m (N1.25bn) every six month, and $16.7m (N2.5bn) every year.

The regulatory agency boss said there were lots of investment opportunities in the aviation sector and urged investors to tap into them.

He said, “Aviation will unleash its full potential if the private sector buys into the transformation agenda and leverage on the emerging opportunities in the sector. Nigeria will continue to be an attractive market due to its huge population.

“We are losing so much money to foreign countries annually on cost of routine (C-checks) maintenance carried out outside the country. This is due to the fact that we do not have any company where these C-checks can be done. However, there are facilities for A-checks and B-checks.

This is a huge yawning investment opportunity for local investors.”

He also said the pilots would not need to travel outside for recertification and aircraft simulator training test if local investors would avail themselves of the opportunities.

He stressed that the government could not develop Nigeria’s fast growing aviation sector alone, hence the need for private sector involvement.

From available information, most airlines in the country have had to battle liquidity crisis lately with many of them unable to meet their obligations to vendors, insurers and quasi-governmental agencies in the sector.

N continuation of her empowerment programmes for her constituents, Hon. Omowunmi Olatunji-Edet, representing Oshodi/Isolo 11constituency at the Lagos State House of Assembly, gave out loans to about 160 traders from 15 markets scattered all over her constituency recently.

The loans which is in conjunction with Skye Bank Plc and the second in the series ranged from N20,000 and it was given under the 2nd Edition of Hon. Omowunmi Olatunji-Edet Soft Loans Scheme at the premises of Ejigbo Local Council Development Area.

Speaking at the event, Olatunji-Edet said it was necessary for every individual to affect the people around him/her for the sake of posterity. She added that she has been a beneficiary of the good government of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), which was why she decided to give back to the society.

The loan initiative, she said, was borne out of passion for owners of small scale businesses, adding that the loan facility is with zero interest and it is to be paid back in three months so as to enable others benefit from the gesture.

She said that the commitment of the loan beneficiary to repay the loan must be total, adding that she decided to increase the number to 160 from 150 so that more people would benefit from the project, which aims at alleviating poverty.

The special guest of honour at the ceremony, First Lady Dame Emmanuela Abimbola Fashola commended OlatunjiEdet for the gesture and enjoined the market men and women to be up and doing, and to ensure the loans are re-paid in record time.

She said that rich people should not think of themselves only, but try to assist the poor in the society. She emphasised that Ejigbo area of the state can become the economic power of Lagos State if the people put in more efforts.

STOCK MARKET REVIEW The Nigeria Stock Exchange AllShare Index gained 176bps in the past week as FCMB was a top favourite in the banking sector with bullish sentiments driving it up 21.9% at the close of the week. Sentiments for top-tier banks was however volatile leading to marginal gains for First Bank, GTBank and UBA, with week on week gains of less than 1%. On the flip side, glutting offers shaved off 22.3% from Union Bank while Sterling Bank and Diamond Bank lost 8.1% and 2.4% cumulatively.

Institutional purchases firmed up the price of NB to N98.00, a 3.2% cumulative gain from last week. Guinness and International Breweries were however divergent with both dropping 0.4% and 9.8% cumulatively.

Growing demand for UACN during the week led to a 13.0% week on week gain; closing sentiments however suggests that this rally might come to a halt next week with selling pressure likely to reverse some gains. Also on the uptick in the sector this week were Unilever and Transcorp both bagging 6.7% and 3.8% cumulatively.

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY MARCH 25, 2012

Business Intelligence

Transcorp Hilton to A observe earth hour 2012

F

OR the second year running, Transcorp Hilton Abuja plans to mark Earth Hour 2012 from 8:30 p.m.

- 9:30 p.m. Nigerian time on Saturday, March 31, 2012 as people and organisations around the world turn off their lights in support of action on global climate change.

Transcorp Hilton and many of the more than 3,800 hotels that are part of the Hilton Worldwide portfolio of brands are expected to take part in the event that will mobilize more than one billion people worldwide.

“We are pleased to join in this global effort that galvanizes organizations and individuals around the world to symbolically switch off their lights in support of energy conservation” said the General Manager, Andre Herrenschmidt. “We encourage our guests and neighbors to join in on the movement,” he added.

Shola Adeyemo, Public Relations Manager of Transcorp Hilton Hotel Abuja

From Nduka Chiejina (Assistant Editor), Abuja

on his part said that “in 2010 alone, Hilton Worldwide saved more than $74 million in utility costs through a 6.6 percent reduction of energy use; 7.8 percent reduction of carbon output; 19 percent reduction of waste output; and 3.8 percent reduction of water use.”

He added that “by asking guests when they would like their sheets and towels changed, over 12 million gallons of fresh water are saved per month. Furthermore, Transcorp Hilton has implemented an energy efficient lighting retrofit programme for guestrooms. By using state-of-the-art compact fluorescent and other lighting technology, the hotel provides an environment that significantly reduces the use of natural resources that are utilized to power products.

Across the portfolio, Hilton Worldwide has a made a five-year commitment, from 2009 to 2014, to

reduce energy consumption by 20 percent, CO2 emissions by 20 percent, waste output by 20 percent and water consumption by 10 percent.

Earth Hour will be celebrated at Transcorp Hilton through a variety of activities including: Switching off main building exterior lighting and rooftop neon signage; Encouraging guests to switch off their room lights; Minimal lighting in guest corridors, lobbies, restaurants, bars, back of house and retail outlets (in line with safety guidelines); Hosting candle-lit dinners in hotel restaurants and bars; Team member information and sensitivity.

Organised by World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Earth Hour began in 2007 as a way for individuals to show how simple steps can make a significant impact on reducing greenhouse gases and addressing climate change. The event has turned into a movement.

PHOTO SHOP

•L-R: Managing Partner (BB25) Mr Emmanuel Chukwu; Deputy Director (NACCIMA) Mr Mike Ojo; Group Director Suisse Assets, Tim Right and Tochi Eze of Building Blocks 2 Success during the media launch of Building Blocks 2 Success Educational networking programme in Lagos.

PHOTO: DAYO ADEWUNMI

O

UTDOOR area plays an important role in planning any building project. And because of this factor, it is also important to carry out some developments in this area. If this area looks boring, it puts a negative effect on any structure. It is extremely easy to turn your boring outdoor area into a unique and elegant entertainment area. And this can be achieved by installing marble tiles over it. Because of the flexible nature of these tiles, these are not only homes but also for mosque, churches, sculpture, temples, monuments and offices. In other words, it can be said that the marble tiles are capable enough to renovate your property into elegant, striking and appealing as well.

Other important features which make marble tiles best for outdoor areas include their easy to fit, install, repair and maintenance feature. That is why; the tiles are widely used for outdoor purposes. These are

COALITION of maritime stakeholders comprising freight forwarders, importers, exporters, maritime lawyers and other maritime services providers under the aegis “Save Nigeria Freight Forwarders, Importers and Exporters Coalition (SNFFIEC)” said they are opposed to the new ‘bench mark valuation’ (BMV) recently introduced by the Nigerian Customs Service. The group described the action of Customs leadership as illegal and antiNigeria. They called on the Comptroller General of Customs, Alhaji Abdullahi Dikko Inde to immediately cancel and discontinue this ‘illegality’ otherwise they will not hesitate to approach the courts to ventilate their grievances.

It would be recalled that a few weeks ago, the customs leadership announced its intention to introduce what it called “Bench mark valuation” for some imported items into Nigeria. “What this means is that Customs, against all known laws,

T

HE Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) has restated its earlier decision of arresting all unregistered but practicing freight forwarders at all the nation’s entry points.

The council’s Registrar, Sir Mike Jukwe who first stated this in January during the first inauguration of about 4,000 freight forwarders reiterated this position last week during a one day official visit to the national headquarters of National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders in Lagos. He said every practitioner who fails to register would be arrested as from the second week of April.

Jukwe however urged registered freight forwarders to identify themselves as

Outdoor designs: Marble floors

be a project best left for professionals. Care of marble flooring involves: 1.

Proper sealing after installation 2.

Polishing periodically 3.

Thoroughly cleaning marble flooring.

Marble has been used throughout history in buildings, statues, monuments,

By Uyoatta Eshiet

local and international, guiding valuation of goods for the purpose of calculating duty payable, has fixed what they called ‘bench mark’ value and also fixed duty to be paid by importers before they can have their goods released irrespective of whether the real value of such goods is up to the fixed ‘Customs bench mark”, the group said.

The group’s legal adviser, Barrister Osuala E. Nwagbara said the position of SNFFIEC on the current Nigerian Customs Service initiative of Bench Mark Valuation (BMV) is that the initiative is illegal as it is contrary to the existing law.

The group said the imperative of meeting revenue target should not be made to undermine our national

law on valuation. The group said Customs has realized that it is introducing an illegal regime that is why it has scaled down the amount it imposed as its BMV on some items from its earlier announced value of N12.5 million per 40 foot container to N10 million while at the same time spreading the reduction over an enlarged list of 26 items from its earlier list of 11 items.

The National Secretary SNFFIEC, Chukwumalu Emeka said the result of the continued imposition of BMV is that importers will abandon their goods in the ports and Customs will in turn sell those containers on auction at the rate of N300,000.00 per container irrespective of the real value of the contents to persons with addresses you cannot physically locate.

Council flays unregistered freight forwarders

MARBLE AND GRANITE CARE

good for indoor use also. Individuals can install them at any of the places as per their wishes and needs.

Marble flooring design is aided by the use of marble flooring tile, various colours, and a variety of shapes, as well as craftsmanship. Flooring is an interesting option, if you have to ask how to install marble flooring it may

Coalition opposes customs’ new valuation

and other architecture. It is a natural stone that is still widely used as a building material today. You will see marble used indoors and outdoors because of its durability and beauty. It is used in the interior and exterior of commercial and residential buildings ranging from floors, walls and even in fountains, statues, and monu-

By Uyoatta Eshiet

forwarders for the interest of the profession as the practice has been professionalized in the country.

On his part, the Director of Enforcement of the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria, Mr Basil Okpara confirmed that the arrest of those that are yet to be registered will commence in the second week of April.

He said that freight forwarders, freight forwarding companies and associations of freight forwarders that are yet unregistered will be moved out of the seaports, airports and land borders.

According to him the guideline for the enforcement will be made known to freight forwarders. ments. Marble is very similar to granite in that they are both natural stones, beautiful, and are very durable material.

When you begin to remodel your home and look into purchasing marble you will have the option of buying them in Tiles or Slabs. Buying marble slabs can be useful in many different ways.

Due to the durability of marble it is widely used outdoors because it can withstand tough weather conditions, floor traffic and other daily abuse. It is not uncommon to see marble used in parks on stairs, park benches, and in some cases, walkways or pavers. Marble slabs are best used for outdoors uses that require large amounts of marble, where tile will not be beneficial. Columns and pillars also use marble slabs because they use large amounts of marble.

For homes and private residences, the most common residential uses of marble are for window sills, fireplaces, hearths, decorative foyers, bathroom floors, outdoor garden pathways, columns, steps and other surfaces.

There are marble tile types

‘’We are ready and the enforcement team has been assembled, they have been recruited under my directorate and the Police I.G has dispatched his own team. Our enforcement is going to be in two sections in the second week of April and we are going to enforce for compliance of those that yet to be registered’’, he stressed.

Earlier in his remark, the National President of NAGAFF, Mr. Eugene Nweke while citing the circumstances leading to the establishment of CRFFN and the role played by the association’s founder, Dr Boniface Aniebonam, stressed that the essence of the visit of CRFFN is to rub minds on issues affecting the industry and Nigeria at large. that are literally “tumbled” in a machine, wherein the process knocks off the edges and roughens the textures to create an “antiqued” or oldworld look. Tumbled marble has a rather rough, semi-sand-blasted appearance, which makes it less slippery, and can be effectively utilized in most outdoor applications, such as lawn or outdoor pathways.

Proper installation is needed for these tiles to weather the elements. Natural stone materials such as marble can be truly appealing to the senses, when applied by professionals like Maldini.

Maldini Marbles is the foremost Marbles and Granite Company in Nigeria and they have offices in major cities all over the country.

For more information on Marble/Granite Care, Sales and Delivery contact: Mike Anazodo – Email: info@maldinimarbles.com, Tel: 01-8934967 Maldini Marble and Granite Company

Business

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, MARCH 25, 2012

INTERVIEW Mr. Ajit Tyagi is Managing Director, Kewalram Chanrai Group, a conglomerate with diverse interest in key sectors of the economy. The group in collaboration with Far East Mercantile Limited recently midwived the Asahi Brands Limited, a company dedicated to providing complete transport solution services. In this interview with Ibrahim Apekhade Yusuf, Tyagi gives insights into the vision and mission of the new company

W

‘Poor infrastructure, bane of business in Nigeria’

HAT is the motivation for setting up the Asahi Brands Limited?

The two reputable groups were

operating in the Nigerian market, Kewalram representing Bridgestone and Far East Mercantile, representing Firestone.

But as a strategy to be able to penetrate the markets, we have got a joint venture between the two companies, merging as Asahi Brands Limited.

Now Asahi Brands Limited will represent Bridgestone and Firestone along with auto accessories like Valvoline, NJK Batteries, etc, to make a complete transport solution company.

We all know how big, the potential of the Nigerian market, in terms of auto and auto accessories which includes tires also.

And we all know how important quality matters for the Nigerian customers. Been from the same company, we were not doing justice to it, maximally for these two brands.

The Asahi Brands is a total transport solution company to serve first the Sub-Sahara Africa and also spread its tentacles to other regions as the business progresses.

So the idea is to increase our reach by using the two different distribution networks which was managed by the two companies earlier and to give them the best, in a one company. That’s the objective.

Why did it take you so long to enter into this partnership having identified the potential of the Nigerian market?

Yes every good thing has to start in one day. So, this merger has started today. I mean, if we started two or five years back, the question would still be why didn’t you do this earlier? It’s the same thing. We have realised that becoming bigger, it was getting a little bit difficult to manage the ship.

So, becoming one force, it is easier to manage this big ship.

What are the marketing strategies you hope to deploy to make the Asahi Brands popular in the market?

Today the customer is becoming very choosy. Let’s start from the customer angle, what do they want? We don’t want to go into many branches; we don’t want to use many shopping places. We want to use one place where we can pick up our get things for our entire households, a one-stop shop centre. So we want to be that company, where the transporters, the haulage company can treat us as a one-stop shop. So that would give us the chance to sell other products which are getting neglected at the moment.

As somebody who is familiar with the Nigerian market, how do you see the country’s economic policies as they affect start-ups?

Both groups (Kewalram and Far East Mercantile) have been here for decades. And they had been dealing with many products.

So the management team understands Nigerian market very well. Coming to the

59

•Tyagi requirement from customers and the market, they respect the quality. They like to have good quality. That is why you see there is a challenge within the companies’ brands to be there, which is very good.

If the customer respects and understands the quality that means the brands have to improve further to be at par with their requirement.

So, it’s a delicate situation for both, for customers, for our principals, they have to be on their toes.

Are you coming to establish a plant here?

If it is possible, we will establish our plant here. But it is not likely because the infrastructure that would support this is not there yet.

Basically, the technology of tires has become so much improved that it is not very easy to set up a plant, it would take time.

And Bridgestone is not new here. We have been representing Bridgestone from

1976 till date, that’s more than 35 years. And it is improving its products worldwide and its needs lots of Research and Development.

They have reached to that level, where they cannot produce below standard anymore; they just have to continue to raise the bar.

There is a Local Content Act, which requires that multinational companies operating in the country should reserve some quota for local content. To what extent has your company complied with this order?

Yes, you mean to say raw materials. I think in Nigeria we have natural rubber, but it is limited. We import our raw materials.

You recall that Michelin was here before and Dunlop was also here before. I’m sure it was because of challenge of raw materials and stuff like that they had to leave for elsewhere.

So what sort of intervention do you require from the government to make things work for entrepreneurs like you?

From the point of view of serving the

“From the point of view of serving the customers angle, we would love our plants to be here but it is very difficult. That is what I’m trying to say. It is not a very small industry.

This industry requires huge infrastructure to be able to operate. It may be something we might consider in the future who knows”

customers angle, we would love our plants to be here but it is very difficult. That is what I’m trying to say. It is not a very small industry. This industry requires huge infrastructure to be able to operate. It may be something we might consider in the future who knows.

Giving the experience of brands like the Michelin and Dunlop what are the survival strategies you have adopted to avoid the same pitfalls of these other brands.

We won’t like to comment on the challenge encountered by other brands. But what we can say is that to protect ourselves in this business environment, Bridgestone has being very supportive. They support in terms of different requirements... Because Nigeria is hot and humid and considering the speed of tires on tar, the tire has to be very rugged and very strong to survive this humid condition. Bridgestone has the expertise to produce these tires suitable for this condition and so that gives us the biggest strength. And we are very confident to say that Bridgestone can deliver on this.

Where is your biggest market and what position is Nigeria?

The biggest market for Bridgestone could be US now and Nigeria occupies the second or third position in Africa. South Africa is the biggest market in Africa. We have a manufacturing plant in South Africa.

What are your plans in terms of creating sales network for your brands in Nigeria?

We are supported by eight branches, including the warehouses, the offices and the redistribution. We are in eight key cities across the country including Lagos. And we have 15 tire service centres dedicated to Bridgestone only across the country. And we cover more than 175 key customers who take delivery from our companies directly.

We also have key transport and bus companies and institutions directly taking supplies from us and as a transport solution, we also take care of their haulage or fleet as the case may be.

The Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has been spearheading campaign against adulterated tires. As a tire companies what efforts have you done to address this challenge in the market?

We have always partnered with the SON dating back to Dr. Akaya’s administration.

We are one of the companies against Tokunbo tires.

I have been personally involved in this campaign for quite some time myself since 2001.

What is the net worth of the Asahi Brands?

It is a three-operation as of now. So it’s a bit early to say. But what I can tell you is that we would like to be the number one transport company solution company.

What is your projection for Asahi in the next five years?

We would like to see us becoming a household name. As people know Kewalram Chanrai, as people know Far East Mercantile, people should also know Asahi Brands Limited.

You expect a lot from the Nigerian market. What are you giving back in terms of Corporate Social Responsibility?

The two groups, Kewalram and Far East have been involved in CSR. The Asahi Brand is the baby of the two groups so it is only certain that the company will also support CSR causes as it grows in the business.

We would like to focus more on transport services. We will definitely like to support the SON in their campaign against bad quality products among others. We will also do a campaign in the media on how to drive and manage the tires in order to get the best out of them. The idea is to bring awareness among customers to reduce accidents, to reduce downtime, thus resulting in safer transporting.

60

Business

THE NATION ON SUNDAY MARCH 25, 2011

COMPANY NEWS

W

HY should a company worry about serving the interest of the society in which it operates rather than concentrating on its primary focus of growing the investments of its shareholders? The answer is very simple: no business venture, no matter the size, can thrive in a failed and pauperized society. Put differently, the growth and welfare of the society is not the sole responsibility of the government; it involves appropriate and concerted efforts by all stakeholders, of which the corporate sector is extremely important.

The World Bank describes this scenario as the commitment of businesses to “sustainable economic development by working with employees, their families, the local community and society at large to improve their lives in ways that are good for business and for development”.

In Nigeria’s corporate environment, most organisations have since realized the importance of giving back to the society in which they operate. One of such organisations is Nigeria’s leading financial institution, First Bank of Nigeria Plc ((FirstBank), arguably the biggest financial institution in the country.

Conscious of its rich heritage and the realization that its future wellbeing and indeed, that of the country can only be assured if there is a sustained regeneration strategy that ensures that Nigeria has a pool of well-groomed, well trained and well mentored future leaders, the Bank partnered with Nigerian

Firstbank grooms generations of business leaders

• FirstBank’s GMD/CEO, Mr. Bisi Onasanya Stories by Ibrahim Apekhade Yusuf

Leadership Initiative (NLI), an international non-profit, established in 2006 by the incumbent Minister of Trade & Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga. The objective of the organisation is to groom future business leaders by creating global network of credible and community spirited young Nigerians who are committed to taking responsibilities for driving positive changes in the country.

One of the key programmes to achieving this is the annual Future Leaders

Programme (FLP) for emerging public and private sector leaders between the ages of 25 and 35 years. The programmes, which usually take place in a serene environment, are facilitated by members of the NLI Senior Fellows.

Since the commencement of the partnership in 2007 and its renewal for another three years last year May, the Future Leaders Seminar has graduated 247 Associates, half of whom are Nigerians in the Diaspora.

During the renewal of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), FirstBank’s GMD/ CEO, Mr. Bisi Onasanya said

FirstBank is proud to be associated with an organization that seeks to identify and nurture leadership potentials in our youths.

“We have been at the forefront of championing good corporate governance and developing a workforce comprising people of impeccable integrity. There’s an alignment of vision between our organisations and we see our partnership as another way of contributing to the development of youths that will be in the driver’s seat of leadership in future”, he said adding that Dr. Christopher Kolade, NLI’s patron should be commended for his commitment to replicating the ideals of professionalism and selfless leadership that he is renowned for under the NLI platform.

Unfolding its plan for year 2012, NLI’s CEO, Yinka Oyinlola said the organiation’s focus for the year will be on four key areas which include: Guest Speaker Fora, Mentoring to Lead, Community Service & Involvement and Annual Conference.

FirstBank’s Head, Marketing & Corporate Communications, Mrs. Folake AniMumuney said the Bank’s partnership with the Nigerian Leadership Initiative is part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives which place emphasis on promotion of initiatives that impacts Nigerian youths at home and abroad.

TY Danjuma Foundation lifts Ekiti with N10m

T

HE Ekiti State Development foundation (EDF), a non-profit, non-governmental organisation has received a boost with the donation of N10 million by the TY Danjuma Foundation (TYDF), an indigenous philanthropic organisation has given an initial grant to help the EDF provide soft loans to grantees on her scheme.

Speaking at the occasion, the Executive Director, TY Danjuma Foundation, Ms. Thelma Ekiyor said the donation made to the EDF is to help improve lives of women and youths in Ekiti State.

“We have given the EDF N10m to give soft grants in Ekiti. This is a start because we believe it is not all we can do in totality. We believe in long relationship and we know we will be working with the EDF for a very long time in our quest to improve the lives of women and youths in Ekiti State and Nigeria as a whole”, Ekiyor said.

The grant by the TY Danjuma Foundation will

•L-R: Mrs. Thelma Erikiyo, Executive Director, TY Danjuma Foundation, Wife of Ekiti State governor and Founder, Ekiti Development Foundation, Erelu Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi, Femi Ajayi, Chairman Ise Orun Local Government Area and Mrs. Ronke Okunsanya, Chairman Broadcasting Service of Ekiti State at the Commissioning of the Cassava Processing Plant in Ofigba community, Ekiti State recently

cover the Micro-Credit Financing Scheme and the Leadership Academy Scheme of the EDF. The Micro-Credit Financing Scheme was launched for

women cooperatives to address the challenges of access to capital, make the women more financially independent.

Aside the N10m cash donation, TYDF will also provide other technical support for EDF to ensure their staffs are updated on the process of grant making and administration.

While acknowledging the TYDF gesture, Founder Ekiti Development Foundation and Wife of the Ekiti State Governor, Erelu Bisi AdeleyeFayemi thanked the TYDF for looking in the direction of the foundation in Ekiti State.

Mrs. Fayemi further stated that, “the issue of economic empowerment and improved livelihood is an issue the Ekiti Development Foundation is taking seriously. Although we do not have oil deposits here but we depend a lot on other human and natural resources like agriculture. So we need to support women as they try to make ends meet. In the tour of the local government I have seen lots of women working hard to make a living. We are going to be using some of the grants from the TY Danjuma Foundation to provide assistance to the women.”

Youths vital to Africa’s economic growth, say experts

A

CROSS-SECTION of experts has impressed the need for government at all levels to make the youths the focal points of their programmes in the interest of rapid socio-economic development.

They made this call at a colloquium on African development, to mark the 40th birthday of a public affair

analyst, Mr. Shina Ogunsola.

Ogunsola recommended proper implementations of youth-oriented programmes as major focus of government policy. In his view, the promotion of “African dream” or “the cyclical movement of development in terms of global influence will soon swing towards Africa” is possible if the youths are properly engaged.

Dr. Olajide Lamuel Ekunayo, a motivational speaker, in his own assertion suggested that African government should prioritize policy focusing development around youths, as the youth are potential impetus for African development.

Among other things, Ekunayo argued that attention should be focused on higher education, employ-

ment, healthcare, participation of youth in policy making and implementation.

Echoing similar sentiments, Mr. Praise Ifeniyi, a sustainability management consultant, advocated the need for effective and sustainable development, stressing that “Wealth creation should focus more on increased level of prosperity towards posterity.”

Beyond Talent

By Adetayo Okusanya Email: adetayookusanya@hotmail.com

A look in the rear view mirror

T

HIS is the last Sunday in the month of March. In a few days the first quarter of the calendar year will come to an end. Eighty five days are behind you, approximately two thousand and forty hours, which is almost a quarter of the hours that make up the year. It is a good time to pause and take a hard look in your rear view mirror. A time to revisit your plans for the year, evaluate how well you have done in achieving your desired results, and reflect on the lessons you have learned thus far.

As a finance professional working in the corporate world, I looked forward to the end of each quarter with excitement. I was excited about the opportunity to be in quarterly business review meetings with corporate executives discussing the financial and operational performance of the business. The flip side of this opportunity was the incredibly intense workload that accompanied the end of a quarter, which involved the preparation of robust management reports and financial forecasts that would give corporate executives a good understanding of the health of the business. It meant triple checking every data point in the management reports for accuracy and liaising with business unit leaders to capture key competitive, market and operational factors that caused variances between quarterly business targets and actual results, especially those that were likely to impact future business outcomes.

I learned a lot about accountability in those meetings. I watched senior executives hold business unit leaders responsible for their performance outcomes. Annual financial targets were broken down into manageable monthly plans making it easy to monitor performance on an ongoing basis, rather than wait until the end of the year when it would be too late to take corrective action. Each business unit leader was required to give an account of how he had used and managed corporate resources in accomplishing business goals. It was especially a tough discussion for business unit leaders who had to explain unfavorable performance variances and presented a revised outlook that was below preset targets. They were usually asked to return with an updated plan that would get them back on track to achieving agreed targets and their businesses were placed on a monthly review schedule for close monitoring.

Many corporations implement a similar quarterly accountability framework that consists of (i) a review of the results of the past quarter, (ii) a discussion on key result drivers, trends and risks, (iii) a revision of the outlook for the rest of the year with emphasis on the next quarter, and (iv) a presentation of the strategies and plans for improving business performance.

This process helps corporate executives maintain the integrity of their plans and commitments to shareholders by holding those who are responsible for devising and implementing such plans and strategies accountable.

Now that you are the CEO of your own destiny, you too must demonstrate a high degree of personal accountability if you want to meet or exceed the commitments you have made to yourself and your key stakeholders. Accountability means acknowledging, reporting on and taking responsibility for your actions (or inaction), decisions, communications, outputs and the consequences that result from them. It means having the courage to confront yourself, the honesty to refrain from making excuses and the determination to do what it takes to achieve your set goals. Take a moment this week to look in the REAR VIEW MIRROR. How have you fared in your adventure so far, traversing the ROAD CALLED SUCCESS? Have you set your BIG, BOLD and AUDACIOUS but SMART goals or fallen prey to procrastination? Do you have a VISION of where you will be when the clock strikes midnight on December 31, 2012?

Have you determined which cards you will PLAY, LOSE or HOLD? Are you spending your TIME and LIFE on the things that are important to you? Do you still have your eye on the ball or have you allowed the vagaries of life to distract you?

Are you SELF-ACTUALIZING or living according to someone else’s agenda and time table? Are you THRIVING or just surviving? Are you consciously writing the HISTORY that you desire?

One of my goals for the year is to contribute to the professional development of others through this column. If you have found my articles valuable, I encourage you to invest five minutes in sending me an email to give me feedback and tell me your success stories. I also welcome your suggestions on professional development topics you would like me to write about. As you hold yourself accountable for the outcomes you achieved in the first quarter of 2012, celebrate your successes and learn from your failures. Most importantly, stay committed to your goals and do not give up on yourself. You still have three more quarters to achieve your desired outcomes.

• Okusanya is CEO of ReadinessEdge

61

WORLD NEWS THE NATION ON SUNDAY MARCH 25, 2012

I

N what area do you think Namibia can do business with Nigeria?

We want to market Namibia in Nigeria. And we want Nigerians to come to Namibia to invest in our tourism infrastructure because we are such a popular destination for tourist accommodation; we usually have tourist accommodation especially during November to December. Today we have been over-focusing on Europe and we realize that it is the market-will of the continent and tourism is not just business. It is also a way of promoting cultural relation because if I understand your culture and tolerate you we will get along with each other. It is a platform that African countries are not taking advantage of.

It is something that can help to deepen the integration of Africans. The second area is Agriculture but Namibia is not experience in this area like Nigeria. We are also looking at sharing our experiences in this area with Nigeria. The other area is mining. We have got a well established mining sector.

How deep is your bilateral relationship with Nigeria?

I think for a long time we have sustained consolidating our bilateral relationship especially politically. Nigeria and Namibia have a very close relationship from the beginning. We seem to overlook our own potential of the economy in terms of doing business with each other. A lot of our people who are running the government were trained in Nigeria. In terms of business

We don’t have power problem in Namibia -High Commissioner Salma AshipalaMusavyi is the Namibia High Commissioner to Nigeria. In this interview with our Abuja Bureau Chief Yomi Odunuga and Correspondent Gbenga Omokhunu, she explains why African countries should do business together and how the country has developed since independence 22 years ago. we have Nigeria/Namibia chamber of commerce (which) was established last year. We are using that as a platform to actually market the business opportunities of both countries.

In what sector are Nigerians visible in Namibia?

•Ashipala-Musavyi

They are mostly in trading. As you know, Namibia is a country which has not been known to them in terms of business opportunity, but there are a number of Nigerians who are looking into the business sector exploring agriculture and exporting agricultural product from Nigeria to Namibia. The majority of Nigerians in Namibia are teachers.

Increasingly there are Nigerians who are going to Namibia to take advantage of the tertiary education system. Many of them are now discovering Namibia.

You need a visa to go to Namibia and also to come to Nigeria.

You have spent a year in Nigeria , what are your experiences and perception about the country?

Nigerians are very loving people, very generous, very welcoming.

They are just like every other African. The culture is so rich and many people believe in their culture. The culture is welcoming. It is a beautiful place to be as a diplomat.

How long have you been in the foreign affairs sector?

I have been in the

Mali coup leader pledges safe return of African ministers

•Captain Amadou Sanogo

M

ALI'S coup leader Captain Amadou Sanogo has pledged the safe release of three top African foreign officials stranded in Bamako after the putsch, an African Union source said yesterday.

AU Commission chief Jean Ping spoke to Sanogo on the phone on Friday and was assured the foreign ministers of Kenya and

Zimbabwe as well as a Tunisian secretary of state in charge of Arab and African affairs would return safely.

"Captain Amadou assured the chairperson (Ping) of two things: the protection of the ministers and their collaborators and diplomats and to facilitate their evacuations," said the source, speaking to AFP on the condition of anonymity.

Kenya's Foreign Minster Minister Moses Wetangula, his Zimbabwean counterpart Simbarashe Mumbengegwi and Tunisia's Abdallah Triki were stranded in Bamako following Thursday's coup.

Rebel soldiers calling themselves the National Committee for the Establishment of Democracy seized control of the capital, accusing the government of failing to tackle terrorism and put down a Tuareg-led insurrection in the north.

The AU on Friday suspended Mali until the return of a constitutional order and sent a joint delegation with the West African regional bloc ECOWAS. Malian President Toure was forced to flee following the coup and his whereabouts remain unclear, although coup leaders said Friday he is "safe and sound" and remains in Mali.

The coup opened the way for Tuareg rebels to deepen their hold on the north, with their National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad

(MNLA) saying it had seized the town of Anefis between the key cities Gao and Kidal.

The MNLA said on its website it would continue to press its offensive as part of its military campaign for a homeland in the north of the west African nation.

It was the Tuareg rebellion that sparked the coup by soldiers, who say they have been ill-equipped to fight off the desert nomads, And the heads of ECOWAS were due to hold a special meeting in Ivory Coast's main city Abidjan on Tuesday, a source in the Ivorian ministry for African integration said.

The EU's executive arm said it was suspending development work as its foreign ministers called for the return of civilian rule, but direct support to the population and humanitarian aid would continue.

Drought means that Mali is threatened with a food crisis.

The World Bank and the African Development Bank suspended aid after the coup,

Mali's first in 21 years, and the US threatened to lift $70 million in military and economic aid if constitutional rule was not returned.

France, China and Mali's neighbours Algeria, Mauritania and Niger joined the chorus of condemnation.

The United Nations also condemned the coup.

Twelve Malian political heavyweights condemned the coup, which came just five weeks before a presidential election in which Toure had been due to step down.

Mali is usually seen as politically stable, but unrest in the north, where Tuareg tribes have long felt ignored by a southern government and where Al-Qaeda has also taken root, has created a major security problem.

Under Toure's leadership, Mali had been hailed as a growing democratic success, but in mid-January the Tuareg launched a fresh rebellion aimed at winning independence, which has seen up to 206,000 people flee their homes.

Namiba foreign job since its inception in 1990. It is a field I enjoy so much.

Power generation in Namibia, is it a problem?

We do not generate all our power ourselves. We import a bit of it from Zambia and other neighbouring countries. We are trying now to generate our own power because we do not want to always depend on other countries for power. We need a lot of power. We do not have power problem in Namibia.

Is there any problem of political instability and 22 years of independence how has it been for Namibia?

There has been stability politically.

And our independence; it has been great; it is something we fought for. A lot of Namibians and nonNamibians sacrificed for it like Nigeria. The best way for Namibia to say thank you to who ever fought for the independence is to ensure co-operation.

How qualitative is the education sector in Namibia?

It is very qualitative to accommodate other people.

If it is not they will not come, especially to our polytechnic which we have converted to a university of science and technology. And not only Nigerians come there; we have students from South Africa, Angola, Zambia and other parts of the world.

Most of the lecturers are from Nigeria.

Is Namibia a multireligious country?

Yes. 95 percent if not 99 are Christians.

What are the challenges facing the country?

Don’t forget we emanated from the history of racial discrimination. We were deprived of education in all dignity. So, since independence, what we inherited were ethnic groups who did not see themselves as Namibians.

This became priority for the government to make sure that we create a national identity and through the reconciliation we have done that. The challenge now is the bridge the social economic gap. To also make sure that development gets to the rural areas. We have put in place what we call vision 20:30 and by the year 2030 we want the living standard of Namibians to be paramount to those in the developed world. We have development plan to achieve our set goals.

Do you like Nigerian dish?

Yes, I like Eba and Egusi soup. Honestly there is no dish that I have come across which I do not like. I love Nigerian dishes.

62

World News

French gunman's mother released

T

HE mother of the Frenchman accused of killing seven people in a shooting rampage has been released without charge, a judicial official said yesterday.

The official says Zoulika Aziri was released late Friday. He spoke yesterday on condition of anonymity because the information wasn't cleared for public release.

Aziri's son Mohamed Merah is blamed for a series of deadly shootings which have shocked France and upended the country's presidential race. Merah, who claimed allegiance to alQaida, died in a hail of gunfire Thursday after a dramatic 32hour-long standoff with law enforcement.

Investigators are trying to figure out whether Merah acted alone, and his older brother Abdelkader Merah, along with Abdelkader's girlfriend, remain in police custody in Paris.

Police union spokesman Michel Crepin told reporters that detectives have already gathered evidence to suggest that Abdelkader may have helped his brother carry out the shootings.

Asked what police had on the brother, Crepin said there was evidence to suggest that Abdelkader Merah had "furnished means (and) worked as an accomplice."

Crepin refused to comment further, saying it was for a judge to decide what charges, if any, to bring.

Under French law if either of the two continue to be held beyond the weekend, preliminary charges will have to be filed.

Abdelkader had already come under police radar, according to officials. He was questioned several years ago about alleged links to a network sending Toulousearea youths to Iraq, but no action was brought against him at the time.

One killed, 27 injured in M5 coach crash

O

NE person was killed and 27 others were injured when a coach and a lorry crashed on the M5 in the West Midlands yesterday morning, ambulance services said.

Forty people were treated at the scene of the accident, of which 27 were then taken to various hospitals, West Midlands Ambulance Service said.

The crash happened on the southbound carriageway of the motorway between junctions 3 and 4.

West Midlands Police sought to reassure worried parents in the area that no children were involved in the accident, which came less than two weeks after a coach crash in Switzerland killed 22 children and six adults.

"Lots of calls from worried parents are coming in. No children were involved in this crash," the force said in a Twitter message.

The person killed and one of those seriously injured had been on the coach. The driver of the lorry was also in a serious condition.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, MARCH 25, 2012

Annan takes Syria peace plan to Russia S

YRIAN peace envoy Kofi Annan headed to Moscow yesterday to gauge how far Russia is willing to push its key Arab ally after it finally joined a UN call on regime forces to pull back from protest cities.

Annan will meet President Dmitry Medvedev and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov today before flying to China, the other UN Security Council member resisting global efforts to condemn Syrian President Bashar alAssad.

The UN-Arab League envoy will be carrying with him the embattled leader's answer to a peace plan under which Syria could begin a "political transition" to a representative government, with no specifically defined role for Assad.

Moscow backed Wednesday's non-binding

Security Council statement in support of the initiative only after making sure it contained no implicit threat of further action should Assad fail to comply.

But it came amid growing signs that Moscow was beginning to lose patience with Assad, despite his commitment to massive new Russian arms purchases and the granting of key naval access to the Mediterranean Sea. A top Kremlin-linked lawmaker said Assad should treat the UN statement as "an insistent recommendation" whose implementation would determine the future course of relations between the two countries.

"Assad has to take the first step: he must pull the Syrian army out of large cities," the lower house of parliament's foreign affairs chief Mikhail

Margelov said on Thursday.

But analysts have warned that Russia's interests in Syria are too important for it to allow Western and regional powers to independently dictate the battle-scarred nation's fate.

Russia not only sells billions of dollars in arms to Syria but also relies on Damascus to lobby its interests in a region where Moscow has lost much of its influence in recent years.

But no Russian official has gone so far as to say that Assad has lost his legitimacy -- a stance taken by most Western powers since last year.

The dramatic shift in tone but persistent refusal to join international calls for Assad to go means that "Russia is not wedded to this regime," said Maxim Yusin, foreign affairs correspondent of the daily newspaper Kommersant.

•Youths are doused with water as they partake in the traditional kissing festival called "OmedOmedan" in Denpasar yesterday. During the festival, held annually one day after the "Day of Silence", involves prayers and dancing while being doused with water, and culminates with males pursuing females, some with shy pecks on the cheek or, for the bolder ones, a kiss on the lips.

AFP PHOTO

Teen killed as Egypt soccer fans, troops clash

E

•Annan Meanwhile, yesterday, Syrian forces pounded the central city of Homs with mortar fire while troops backed by heavy armor stormed rebellious towns across the country, leaving six civilians and four soldiers dead, opposition activists said.

Uganda charges 53 with treason over coup plot

U

GANDA has charged 53 people with treason over an alleged rebel plot to overthrow the government, police said yesterday.

Police spokesman Asuman Mugenyi said the suspects were arrested in different locations in the country last month and were charged Friday at a Kampala court.

"They were coming up with plans to try and overthrow the government. ...

They held meetings," Mugenyi told AFP without elaborating.

He added that it was still unclear which rebel group the suspects belonged to but said many of them had previously fought in rebel groups against the government.

Uganda, though relatively peaceful now, has been plagued by insurgent groups in the past, and government officials have often claimed that new rebel militias are emerging.

Iraq detains 22 policemen after jailbreak

I

RAQ detained 22 policemen yesterday after 19 inmates, including two men on death row, escaped from a prison in the northern city of Kirkuk a day earlier, the local police chief said.

"We are investigating 22 policemen who have been detained, to find out about the escape of the terrorists," Kirkuk provincial police chief Jamal Taher Bakr told AFP, adding that local police were hunting for those on the run.

Deputy Interior Minister Adnan al-Assadi told AFP on a visit to Kirkuk that authorities had opened an investigation into the prison break, and that security forces rearrested one of the 19 men in the Kurdish regional capital of Arbil.

"Clearly there is some collaboration and negligence," Assadi said. "This escape could not have happened unless there were people who helped them."

Assadi said the escaped prisoners included 11 charged with terror-related offences, and that some of them had been held in custody since 2006.

The group of 19 fled AlTasfirat prison in central

Kirkuk, 240 kilometres (150 miles) north of Baghdad, early on Friday morning.

They apparently drugged guards and fellow inmates using narcotic-laced dates that put them to sleep before breaking out of the jail.

The prisoners were

alleged Al-Qaeda insurgents and fighters belonging to Ansar al-Sunna, a Salafist group that has claimed several attacks against US and Iraqi security forces.

Jailbreaks and prison unrest are relatively common in Iraq.

In January, 11 inmates tunnelled out of a prison in the northern Kurdish province of Dohuk, and in September, 14 prisoners charged with terror offences escaped from jail in the northern city of Mosul, also through a tunnel.

Ethiopian forces target Somali rebel base

H

UNDREDS of heavily armed Ethiopian troops advanced into a central Somali town yesterday with the aim of attacking the main stronghold of the Al Qaedalinked Shebab militia in the region, witnesses said.

A convoy of battle trucks drove into Dhusamareb, which is under the control of a pro-government Somali militia, ahead of a planned attack on the Shebabcontrolled town of El Bur, 100 kilometres (60 miles) away, local residents said.

"The Ethiopian troops in at least 50 trucks entered Dhusamareb this morning.

Their target this time seems to be El Bur district, which is the main base of the AlShebab" in central Somalia, said Abdulahi Ahmed, an

elder in Dhusamareb.

The Shebab commander in the region, Sheik Adan Farey, confirmed the military movement, saying his fighters were ready for the Ethiopians.

"The invading Christian mercenaries from Ethiopia entered Dhusamareb.

Whatever their intentions are, we will defeat them," Farey told AFP by phone.

Ethiopian troops have captured Baidoa and Hudur, two key Shebab towns in southern Somalia, since deploying into the war-torn country in November.

Ethiopia's latest incursion is the second in five years. They toppled an Islamist movement after deploying in 2006, but they withdrew in 2009 after the group's hardline fighters --

GYPTIAN soldiers and police clashed with thousands of angry soccer fans in a Suez Canal city over the suspension of their club following a deadly riot last month, witnesses said yesterday. A medical official said a teenager was killed.

In the latest clashes, Egyptian troops fired volleys of tear gas and shot into in the air to disperse protesters affiliated with Port Said's AlMasry club, angry for what they see as unfair measures against their club and their city. Violence erupted late Friday and continued until early yesterday.

Witnesses said that protesters set fire to tires, blocked major roads and then gathered in front of the Suez Canal's main administrative building in an attempt to storm it.

The official said teenager Belal Mamdouh was killed with a gunshot to the back while 25 were injured, mostly because of breathing difficulties from tear gas.

The clashes erupted after the Egyptian Football Association on Friday officially suspended Al-Masry for two seasons ending 2013, and closed its stadium for three years as punishment for the stadium riot.

Protesters also denounced what they described as a media campaign against their club. Hours before the protests broke out, one famous sports presenter, said that the measures were not enough.

the Shebab -- mounted a bruising guerrilla war.

Now the Shebab are facing increasing pressure from regional armies, with Kenyan troops in the far south and a 10,000-strong African Union force battling them in the capital Mogadishu.

The Shebab were ousted from Dhusamareb on Tuesday hours after they captured it from the progovernment militia Ahlu Sunna in fierce fighting.

The Shebab and other armed groups control large swathes of the south of the lawless Horn of Africa nation, which has had no effective central government since the ouster of president Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991.

Woman to wed slain French soldier posthumously

T

HE pregnant girlfriend of a French soldier killed in a dramatic gun rampage will wed her partner posthumously, a family lawyer said yesterday.

Paratrooper Abel Chennouf was shot dead earlier this month at a cash machine in southern France, one of a series of killings blamed on 24-year-old Islamist fanatic Mohamed Merah.

Lawyer Gilbert Collard said that Chennouf's pregnant girlfriend, 21-year-old Caroline Monet, is applying for permission to get married to her late partner at an official ceremony in a few weeks' time.

Such ceremonies are unusual but not unheard of in France, where the law allow posthumous marriages in cases where a fiance dies before the wedding. The law states that such weddings can only be approved by the French president "in grave circumstances."

"I've already had it done twice, for policemen's girlfriends," Collard said in a telephone interview. "It's a really moving ceremony, with an empty chair representing the dead spouse."

Collard said the official request was being sent out yesterday, but that he'd already received the nod from the French president's office.

"There won't be any problems," Collard said, adding that he hopes the ceremony will "let the child have a father."

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, MARCH 25, 2012

A

S long as man exists, he will struggle against himself. His better self will try to overcome his worse and vice versa. His ethos permanently conflicts with his appetites.

Nothing is permanent save this grand conflict. One man hopes for progress another prays for regress. One man selflessly gives his money or relinquishes power. A thousand selfishly leap to grab what he has left. Our words extol the one as a hero; yet our actions deride him as a fool. We honor but do not follow the rare one. Instead, we join the selfish thousand. We inhabit an era where adherence to principle and pursuit of justice shrink to the power of power and the exhibition of wealth. We live in a time where the strong and mighty do as they will. Those in the middle do as they are told in fear of losing the bit they possess. The hapless denizens of the lower rungs do whatever one does when one struggles to survive. Those who can, indulge themselves and their whims to the furthest extent. Those who cannot are left to suckle mud. The first commandment is to seize what you can from those below you. This is the zeitgeist of our times. Of course, no era is perfect. Evil shall always be among us, plying its terrible craft. Yet, there are times when the sun shines and the best of mankind breaks forth to create a better space. We do not live in such a time. We live in a period where the elite have confiscated that portion of sunlight intended for the weak and wretched.

While the powerful bask in illicit overabundance, the aggrieved are left to retreat to their hovels to wait out the storm and darkness. They do not yet realize the longer they wait, the more their situation becomes a fixed and dire monument.

We live in a politically backward age. The privileged are imbued with sense of an entitlement and an unrestrained expectation of enjoyment.

Their appetites are not cured by the eating. The more powerful they get the more power they need. The more money they have, the more profit they covet.

What they do is not criminal because they have the power to modify the law to fit their conduct. However, what they do is worse than criminal for they have allowed their power to fraternize with evil and have allowed themselves to revel in the corrupt fruits of the illicit union.

Conventional wisdom extols the rule of law. We are taught that good governance is based on the rule of law.

This is a dangerous illusion because it is so nearly true yet still false. Those who care the most about the rule of law are those who have the power to change the law to suit their interests. What should concern us is the rule of justice. Laws can unjust. To be ruled by an unjust system is to be subject to tyranny with a smiling face and a law degree. What is legal becomes a bludgeon to clobber the innocent and weak. The adage that the pen is mightier than the sword is to give solace to the powerless yet profound.

Sadly, the pen can be as double-edged as any sword. Just because the powerful wield the one does not mean they do not use the other. They wield the pen to rewrite law to make the rules say what they want. What is right can be made illegal and what is wrong can become legal. Two extreme examples clarify this point. Black slavery in America was legal. Hitler’s ascension to the Chancellorship of Germany was done with a veneer of legality that no one could contest. Consequently, we should be very careful in what we seek when we talk about the rule of law for we may have to endure the troubling fate of getting what we want. Absent justice, the rule of law is but a heavy anvil cast on the people’s back.

Today’s America exemplifies a nation of law increasingly lacking in justice. On the international, national and local levels, the American system of governance has become one where the law follows power instead of power following the law. A few weeks ago, Attorney General Eric Holder spoke before the School of Law at prestigious Northwestern University. He gave a most remarkable exposition. Ignoring centuries of Anglo-American jurisprudence, America’s chief law enforcement officer proclaimed the President of the United States has the right to order the extrajudicial killing of

World News

Saying goodbye to justice There can be law without justice but there can be no justice without law.

•Protesters demanding justice for Trayvon.

•George Zimmerman

By Brian Browne American citizens in the war on terror.

Holder and his boss apparently have joined the conservative hordes by deciding to fight one type of terror by deploying another. While proclaiming America as a nation enamored with the rule of law, Holder espoused a troublesome doctrine. He said the constitutional requirement of due process did not require judicial process even when a person’s life was at stake. If a president believes a citizen is a terrorist, the president has the right to terminate that person’s life without that person being charged with a crime let alone convicted of one. The presumption of innocence, establishing guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, the opportunity to confront one’s accusers, and access to a jury of one’s peers, the four pillars of American criminal justice, have been instructed to pack their bags and seek another home.

Once a citizen is labeled a terrorist, he can be executed at the wish of one man, the president. In reaching his judgment, the president will be assisted by the American intelligence network, the same system that concluded Saddam Hussein possessed weapons of mass destruction. Worst, there is no system for independent review of their evidence. There is no adversarial safeguard built into the system Holder now advocates that will challenge the evidence presented by the intelligence network. If the president does not ask the critical questions and scour the evidence for flaws, he will not get critical answers and flaws will go undetected.

As a practical matter, he will be forced to accept the evidence at face value.

Institutional and political pressure will compel him to accept the evidence as valid in almost every instance. The intelligence community knows this and thus will not bother to be judicious or circumspect. Because they enjoy a monopoly on this genre of information, they will present the lowest grade of it to a president, knowing only the most courageous of presidents would ignore their advice when he has no other information or institution capable of supplying him with an alternative.

Holder’s legal galaxy is too arbitrary.

There is no published set of factors a person can read to learn exactly what

•Trayvon Martin

actions might precipitate a finding that someone is a terrorist. Every just criminal system has clearly enunciated rules so people are apprised of what acts constitute punishable crimes. Yet, the legal boundaries on this important issue exist solely in a president’s mind and are known only to him. Admirers of President Obama hide behind his legal education, claiming his education and temperament will preclude him from abusing this system. They lionize him as the perfect philosopher king. Given his easy resort to military muscle in many places and his execution of Anwar Awlaqi and his teenage son, both American citizens, the claimed Obama circumspection is dubious. Assuming its truth, however, yields no fine consolation. At some point, Barack Obama will cease being president and we are closer to having a wild-eyed Santorum or Palin succeed him than we are to find a wise Solomon or Plato come to the Oval Office.

Shorn of platitudes about the rule of law, Holder’s doctrine is a case study in arbitrary capital punishment. It mocks the principles of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness upon which the nation was founded. However, there has been only a feint cry against this outrage because the political elite is made smug by the knowledge that anyone suspected of threatening their way of life can be placed under the axe without having to undergo the complexities and uncertainty of the judicial process.

However, political dissidents of all shades should now develop the habit of peering over their shoulders. They walk in danger. Already, the Pentagon and several law enforcement agencies describe traditional street protests such as “Occupy Wall Street” as “low grade terrorism.” All in the name of maintaining security and the rule of law, civil disobedience is slowly being redefined as sedition.

For the first time in American History, the Attorney General has asserted the presidential power to kill a citizen without charge, without judicial pronouncement and without the person actively engaged in the commission of a serious crime at the time of the homicide.

Moreover, the evidence upon which the president will base his decision is secret and immune to review. In his address, Holder claimed this doctrine was a

•Eric Holder

modern innovation compelled by the exigencies of the war on terror. He was wrong. This has been tried before.

Medieval England called it the Star Chamber. Spain deemed it the Inquisition. Because of the excesses of these arbitrary proceedings, due process as we have come to appreciate it was born. What Holder proposes will fail and be abused now just as it was then.

Not satisfied with pinching some lives, government is helping big business pinch people’s money and property. In a recently concluded mortgage settlement with the country’s largest banks, the federal government once again overturned centuries of property law. In exchange for the collective payment of 25 billion dollars, banks won a release from liability for an unknown number of past criminal wrongs. Worst, they have been absolved of certain future derelictions. The most egregious aspect of the settlement insulates them from blame for future wrongful foreclosures that do not exceed one percent of all foreclosures. In other words, banks are now legally permitted to wrongfully take someone’s house as long as the improper confiscation is held to one in a hundred foreclosures. While now legal, this is blind thievery. Until now, due process was a right enshrined and guaranteed for all. This concept of universality has been erased by the current Administration.

Now Americans are told they should be satisfied that it is applied to the majority.

In practice, the loophole is much larger than one percent. Even if a distressed homeowner is sure that a bank has illegally seized his home, there is no practical way he can determine whether the bank has exceeded its one percent limit. Should the irate homeowner sue, a bank can easily defend that it has not abused its one percent cushion. Knowing this, homeowners will be reticent to quickly sue, hoping that others will sue first and thus erase the banks’ cushions.

Should most wronged homeowners take this path, few will sue as they will be waiting for someone else to take the first futile step. This means judicial determinations of improper taking will be rare. Instead of limiting banks misbehavior, this provision will encourage banks to where improper seizures will constitute more than one percent of foreclosures. Given that several

63

million homes are troubled by imminent foreclosure or chronic back payments, this could be affect tens of thousands of homes. This is a scam of the highest order. A legal settlement is supposed to buttress the law and deter future violations. This settlement encourages the opposite. By doing so, it enables the banks to recoup through wrongful foreclosure a large portion of the funds they paid into the settlement.

Perhaps the most blatant incursion against the rule of justice occurred in Sanford, Florida. This area historically has been inhospitable to black men.

History repeated itself last month when a black teenager was walking to a relative’s house. The boy thought he was merely walking to the family house.

Instead, he was walking backward in time to a period where a white man could spend a black person’s life with no cost allotted except the mortal one paid by the deceased. Coming from a local convenience store, the slender youth of 170 pounds was carrying nothing but a small box of candy and a soft drink. A white man, participating in a neighborhood crime watch program, automatically concluded the boy was a criminal. This burly 250 pound adult called the police who told the man to desist from following the boy. The man ignored the advice. He overtook the youth, apparently trying to apprehend him with no evidence of criminality except the lad’s blackness. Apparently, the confused youth refused to obey the stranger as was the boy’s right since the man had no legal authority over him.

The man then accosted the teenager. As the boy defended himself, the man pulled his 9mm and shot him at close range. At that moment, two parents irretrievably lost their son for no other reason but irrational prejudice.

The man claimed self defense. The police did not arrest him. He has not spent a moment in jail. They did not test him for alcohol or drugs. They simply let him go because they chose to believe his self-serving assertion rather believe than the facts before them. The police chief claimed they did not arrest the shooter because they were afraid he would sue for wrongful arrest. This is utterly fantastic. The boy was 10 years younger, at least eighty pounds lighter than the man. In a street fight, the boy would be under severe handicap.

Moreover, the man had chased the boy not vice versa. The man was an aggressor not a victim. Most importantly, the boy had no weapon. The most dangerous thing the boy could have done was toss a piece of candy at the man. Judging by the man’s girth, he is unafraid of anything edible.

But for the international outcry over this travesty, the police would have simply closed this case as was their custom in handling white violence against black people prior before the civil rights era.

Part of the problem is that Florida amended is statute on self-defense. The amendment allows a person to claim lethal self defense, not as a last resort after first seeking to flee, but as the first line of action, as a preference. This amendment is ripe for abuse in any homicide where there are no witnesses.

A killer can now claim he shot because the deceased assaulted him with his bare hands or with a handful of candy. This new law gives the police wide discretion.

Had a large burly black man shot a slender white teenager, the claim of self defense would have been unavailing.

The black man would spend the majority of his remaining time on earth behind bars.

The police claimed they believed the man because he had no prior record of violence. However, the boy had no criminal record or reputation. Why did they so easily believe such a boy would attack a larger, armed man for no apparent reason? They believed it for one reason. The boy’s complexion made him a criminal. The subtext of this is that a black man in Florida better watch his step. In a nation that prides itself as the land of the free, a lone black man is not free to go wherever he wants. He may not come back alive. He can be cut down without remorse. His homicide would be excused because his blackness makes him an inherent threat, an innate criminal. As it was in 1912 so it is in 2012.

It may be legal but it is hardly just. (We will talk more about the Trayvon Miller case next week.)

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, MARCH 25, 2012

64

There can be law without justice but there can be no justice without law.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY MARCH 25, 2012

EBERE WABARA

65

WORDSWORTH 08055001948

ewabara@yahoo.com

SEC: Legislators’ witch-hunt

R

EMINDER: Corrected entries are in brackets immediately after the error. Of course, the attributions are excluded. Some readers seem confused on this hence the explanation.

THISDAY Editorial of March 21 goofed: “It also speaks volume (volumes) about the character of the people that have been put in charge of our affairs….”

BUSINESSDAY EDITORIAL of March 21 could not be trusted: “The politics and intrigues that attended the bill during its first, second, and third readings at (on) the floor of the National Assembly tends (tend) to suggest….”

“Customs flay (flays) poor payment of WCO levies” (The PUNCH Bold Headline, March 21) “CBN to probe banks involvement in pension scam” (THE NATION Headline, March 21) Why not banks’ involvement? “…in line with the 7th Senate’s avowal of being on an historic mission” Politics: a historic mission.

The next two errors are from Vanguard of March 21: “Suicide: EFCC may intervene as Police assures (assure) of investigation” Who did the police assure?

“Kano police arrest man over (for) lady’s murder” Must this blunder keep recurring? ‘Arrest’ takes ‘for’ exclusively. I do not know how the ubiquitous clownishness of ‘arrest over’ came about!

“A media and high impact entertainment company with affiliates in 3 continents of the world” (Half-page advert by Solution Media and Infotech Ltd, The PUNCH, March 21) Immediate Employment: affiliates on 3 continents “ASUU decries insecurity in (on) campuses” (The PUNCH Headline, March 20) “Egba chief, Olumide, buried amid controversy” (The Guardian Front Page Headline, March 20) The man was either buried in controversy or amid controversies—depending on circumstantial evidence and/or contextual application.

THISDAY of March 19 failed to spell-check: “FG’s commited (committed) to quality low income housing” “Portable (potable) water as solution to building collapse” (Source: as above) “Community solicits FG’s support on (for) ero-

sion control” (BUSINESSDAY Headline, March 19) Vanguard of March 19 contributed three infelicities to the pool this week: “Lagos Motor Fair: More firms justle (jostle) for space” “Derivation formula (2): North gets lion share of NDelta oil wealth” Special Report: lion’s share.

“The level of infrastructural decay is enormous and will take some time to resuscitate and return the city back to glory.” Delete ‘back’ lest we all get drowned in Kirikiri canal!

“How peace can be restored in (to) Plateau…”

THE NATION ON SUNDAY of March 10 contained two slips: “Richard Akinjide: It’s too late for Nigeria to breakup” Phrasal verb: break up.

Noun: breakup/break-up.

R e n o w n Evangelist…spoke with selected reporters last week on national issues.” This way: Renowned Evangelist…..

“This is absurd and regretable.” (DAILY INDEPENDENT Editorial, March 16) The misspelling here is equally regrettable! “…the ruling political party is obviously in need of a complementary transformational hand at the helms of affairs….” (DAILY INDEPENDENT, March 16) The race: helm of affairs.

“Yes, Nigeria is dead alright (all right).” (Source: as above) ‘Alright’ (informal word) is not good for formal writing like standard newspapering—except, perhaps, in celebrity journalism where there are no grammatical rules!

“Nigerian Idol: Shina Peters poise (poised) for a come back (sic)” (DAILY INDEPENDENT Life, March 16) THISDAY Back Page Column of March 15 did not conform to 17 years of robust journalism: “Sometimes in 1997, in my capacity as the deputy editor of the defunct Sunday Concord….” My own verdict: Sometime in 1997….

“The only way to forestall the Nigerian Spring is by dousing people’s anger and diffusing (defusing) the pent-up frustration before it becomes explosive.”

(DAILY INDEPENDENT Comment, March 15) “…the absence of these checks and balances provide (provides) avenues for impunity in the other….”

(DAILY INDEPENDENT Agenda, March 15) “JAMB 2012: What’s the

cut-off-marks for universities” (DAILY INDEPENDENT, March 15) A rewrite: JAMB 2012: What’re the cutoff marks for varsities?

“Their hands are literarily full: they will hit the ground running.” (Vanguard COMMENT, March 15) New envoys, new mandate: literally full “Outrage greets Reps at witch hunting” (BUSINESSDAY Headline, March 15) I am also outraged by lawmakers’ witchhunt of the Director-General of Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Ms Arunma Oteh, a firstclass, delectable and global lady with multifarious international job opportunities.

The next three infelicities are from DAILY INDEPENDENT of March 15: “Tambuwal condoles police over Haruna John’s death” The Speaker condoled with police) “Late Mbu for state burial—Imoke” ‘Late’, which even ought to be ‘The late’, has no business here!

Get it right: Mbu for state burial—Imoke “…popped Champaign at the Makurdi Airport to celebrate victory at all levels” Spell-check: Champagne.

DAILY INDEPENDENT Editorial of March 15 fumbled: “What can resolve this contradiction is the institution (institutionalization) of a proper fiscal federalism based on….”

“Otherwise, somewhere down the line with their loots, these men would continue to come back to rape the polity.” ‘Loot’ is uncountable.

“Resident doctors in neighbouring Ghana went on strike less than a week before our own strike and theirs have (has) since been resolved.”

“Others are outrightly ugly.” This is lexical corruption. British Standard English: Others are ugly outright.

“They point accusing fingers towards female prostitutes who are girlfriends to the armed robbers and provide those anti-social miscreants accommodation and succour to perpetuate their despicable crimes.” Yank off ‘accusing’ and point the finger at (not towards) prostitutes. And this: ‘anti-social miscreants’? This is noisy collocation!

“It will present events in the two chambers, record achievements, gossips and behind the scene (no hyphen?) moves of the assembly men” ‘Gossip’, in this context, is uncountable.

F

OR the past two years, the most debated political and legal issue in Benue State and the country as a whole is the controversy surrounding Governor Gabriel Suswam's West African School Certificate results. The issue dominated the campaigns and the legal battle that followed it. And even now that the governors supporters are claiming victory in court, his opponents are of the belief that the issue of certificate forgery will turn out to be his political waterloo.

There are multiple cases in court challenging the governor's eligibility for the office he occupies on the grounds that his WASC certificate is forged.

Ironically again, it was the governor himself who first went to court over the issue of his alleged certificate scam.

A Kaduna based news magazine - Power Steering - had reported that the governor had forged his WASC certificate and used it to gain admission to read law at the University of Lagos. It was the same forged certificate, the magazine alleged, that he used to contest the 2007 gubernatorial elections.

The governor in reaction wrote to the Inspector General of Police over the report. The police acting on that petition arrested the editors of the magazine and ChidozieUkpabi, a former staff of WAEC who claimed he assisted the governor in perfecting the forgery and charged them to Magistrate Court 2, in Wuse Zone2 Abuja.

Somehow, it is rather strange that not much progress was made about this case during and immediately after the elections. We shall return to this case later.

An even more strange and curious scenario surrounds the case of a PDP chieftain in the state, Mr Terver Kakih who contested last year’s gubernatorial primaries of the party against governor Suswam. He has a long protracted legal tussle at the Federal High Court over the governors WASC certificate. The case started in Makurdi, was sent to Abuja, got transferred back to Makurdi, sent back to Abuja again (where it was kept in the cooler for a long time), then got transferred to Jos, from Jos back to Makurdi where it is being attended to now.

Also in court are the two front line governorship contestants from the ANPP and the ACN. Professor Daniel Saror a former Vice Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University Zaria and ANPP gubernatorial candidate in 2007 and 2011. He has challenged governor Suswam on the grounds of his WASC certificate just like P r o f S t e p h e n TorkumaUgba. The Governorship Election Tribunal in Benue never got to hear the case due to arguments that it was a pre- election matter.

When the Supreme Court finally ruled that it was an election matter, the Tribual still struck it out on the grounds that the180

Suswam and the certificate forgery saga

•Suswam

By Terfa Taga

days allocated for the Tribunal by the Constitution had expired.

But both Profs Saror and Ugbah are back to the Supreme Court arguing that Governor Gabriel TorwuaSuswam even though claims to have a Ph.D in Law, did not present any certificate(s) to INEC in the last general election to show that he had met the constitutional requirements under sections 177(d) and 182(1)(j) of being educated up to School certificate level or it's equivalent. They argue that the act of non-presentation therefore made him unqualified to have contested and won the Governorship Election in Benue State.

Back at the Wuse 2, Magistrate Court2 where Chidozie Ukpabi and Dan Ekah are defending themselves against Suswam's suite, on Friday the 19th March, when the case came up, WAEC was represented in court by a Lawyer and a staff who claimed to be an Assistant Registrar, Legal Department with WAEC Lagos.

He brought a 'confirmation of result' of Suswam's which he obtained at Government College, Makurdi in May/June 1982 to tender in court. He wanted to tender the result through the counsel to WAEC but the judge refused since Chidozie's lawyer at whose instance WAEC was called was not in court, she would not allow them tender it. After they insisted, the judge asked them to deposit the document with the Registrar of the court.

It is necessary to educate those who hold a misinformed view that WAEC or any other body that issue certificates does not issue certificates twice. If for any reason the original certificate is missing, upon application and an affidavit, the School will issue you a confirmation and not another original certificate. It is therefore impossible for WAEC to have brought an original of Suswam's certificate to court.

Secondly, if the purported certificate tendered in the court agrees with the

master result sheet in custody of Government College, Makurdi, where Gabriel Suswam had a pass in English and an F9 in Maths, how could the University of Lagos have admitted him to read law with a pass in English?

Since the inception of law education in Nigerian no university has admitted someone with a pass in English language.

It may interest readers to know that the certificate with number SG842969, which Suswam reported missing in his letter to WAEC for recertification, does not exist. For the avoidance of doubt, WAEC administers School Certificate Examinations in four(4) West African Countries of Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra-Leone and Gambia hence the initials NGSG before the serial number of the certificate. It beats one's imagination, where Suswam got his own certificate with the above number.

There have been multiple efforts to frustrate the hearing of all election petitions against Governor Suswam so as to avoid proving the issue of his certificate forgery. Other efforts have also been made to ensure that no Nigerian Court hears Mr.Terver Kakih who contested the PDP primaries with him and went to court to challenge the qualification of the Governor. He has remained in office almost one year after the election; even after Justice Mohammed Ladan Tsamiya pronounced that: "the presentation of a certificate to INEC is mandatory and prima facie evidence that the candidate is qualified and has met the constitutional requirement for the office he is seeking election into. This implies that, if a candidate has failed, refused or neglected to present a certificate to INEC during screening or has presented a forged certificate, such a candidate has no business in office" Nigerians who believe in justice are anxiously waiting for the long arm of the law to catch up with those who try to evade justice as it is apparent in the certificate forgery saga against Suswam.

66 CHANGE OF NAME

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SALIU

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Taiwo Oluwaseun Saliu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Taiwo Oluwaseun Fatunmbi. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

BAMIKUNLE I, formerly known and addressed as Miss amikunle Kuburat Abisola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Salvador Kuburat Abisola. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

AGBOLAGADE

I, formerly known and addressed as Raji Tahir Agbolagade and Rohjy Tohir Agbolagade are one same person, now wish to be known and addressed as Raji Rohjy Tahir Agbolagade. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

OZIRI

I, formerly known and addressed as Mrs. Oziri Angela Ngozi, now wish to be known and addressed as Miss. Nzeata Angela Ngozi. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

OGUNYINKA I, formerly known and addressed as Ogunyinka Oni Orebo Adeyinka, now wish to be known and addressed as Oluwayimika Oni Orebo Adeyinka. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

JOSEPH I, formerly known and addressed as Joseph Adepeju, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adepeju Kayode Hassan. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Oyeyemi Opeyemi Hannah, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Olubodun Opeyemi Hannah. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME OYEBAMIJI

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OYEBAMIJI BUKOLA ABISOLA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OLASANMI BUKOLA ABISOLA. All former documents remain valid. Dana Electronics and the general public should please take note.

OLANITORI I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Olanitori Oyindamola Ayoola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Oyetunde Oyindamola Ayoola. All former documents remain valid.

International Embassies and general public should take note.

BRIGGS I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Briggs Beobelemaye, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Nwabueze Beobelemaye. All former documents remain valid.

International Embassies and general public should take note.

GRANVILLE I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Tokini Charles Granville, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Tokini PaxHarry. All former documents remain valid. Rivers State Judiciary and general public should take note.

POPOOLA I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Oluwatoyin Folashade Popoola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Oluwatoyin Folashade Fadiya. All former documents remain valid. Bowen University and general public should take note.

OGUNADE I, formerly known and addressed as Ogunade Adetoke Aderonke, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Okewole Adetoke Aderonke. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

OYEDEJI I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Oyedeji Fisayo Oluwatoyin, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Alade Fisayo Oluwatoyin. All former documents remain valid. Fabotas College of Science and Health Technology, Ado-Ekiti and general public should take note.

OLUWADIYA

SULEIMAN

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS RAMATU LADIDI SULEIMAN, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS RAMATU SULEIMAN MUHAMMED. All former documents remain valid.

NYSC, FUT Minna and the general public should please take note.

OKEREKE I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Okereke Chioma Vivian, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Achilonu Chioma Vivian. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

AGUWA I, formerly known and addressed as MISS PRECIOUS CHIJINDUM AGUWA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS PRECIOUS CHIJINDUM OKPARAOCHA. All former documents remain valid, any relevant Authorities and general public please take note.

NKUE

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS TAMKPOA NKUE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS TAMKPOA PRINCEWILL. All former documents remain valid and general public please take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to confirm that I Miss EMELDA CHINYERE IJOMAH and EMELDA CHINYERE IJOMAH NWOSU are one and same person, Now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. EMELDA CHINYERE NONYELU DANIEL. All former document remain valid, immigration and general public take note.

ADENUGA I,formerly known and addressed as Miss Abosede Oluwasesan Adenuga, now wish to be known and be addressed as Mrs. Abosede Oluwasesan Alao-Williams. All former documents remains valid.

University of Lagos and general public should take note.

OSENI

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Sulaiman Feyisayo Muibat, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Akinsunmi Feyisayo Darah. All former documents remain valid. Ekiti State Local govt. Service Commission and general public should take note.

I,formerly known and addressed as Oseni Hakeem Ariyo, now wish to be known and be addressed as Oseni-Ojupon Hakeem Ariyo. All former documents remains valid.

General public should take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME I,Yusuf Peter Jimoh is the same and one person Peter Jimoh Yesufu as it is on my NCE. All former documents remain valid. University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Kogi State Teaching Srvice Commission and general public should take note.

I,formerly known and addressed as Miss Isioma Gloria Emelue, now wish to be known and be addressed as Mrs. Isioma Gloria Okpah. All former documents remains valid.

General public should take note.

AKOMOLAFE

I, formerly known and addressed as Mrs. Akomolafe Ramotu Ayodele, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Akomolafe Racheal Ayodele. All former documents remain valid. SUBEB Oshogbo, Atakunmosa East LG, Iperindo and general public should take note.

ALASINLOYE I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Abosede Adeola Alasinloye, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Abosede Adeola Loyinmi. All former documents remain valid. TASUED, Ijagun and general public should take note.

ADELAJA I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Adelaja Kuburat Oluwakemi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Abass Kuburat Oluwakemi. All former documents remain valid. INLGEA Ijebu-Igbo and general public should take note.

IBIANG I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Sunday Mbeh Ibiang, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Hopelyn Shallum Ekat. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

ABIORO I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Abioro Oladayo Ajoke, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adeola Oladayo Ajoke. All former documents remain valid. Ogun State ministry of Education and general public should take note.

NWANKWO I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Nwankwo Chinyere Deborah, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Sunday Chinyere Deborah. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public should take note.

EMELUE

ALBERTH I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Juliana Alberth, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Tanko Juliana John. All former documents remain valid. Nigeria Air Force and general public should take note.

CHIEMELIE I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Sampson Bernard Blessing Chiemelie, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Bernard Blessing Johnson C. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

EBELE I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Abughamba Chidiogo Ebele, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Chidiogo Lucky Onyeche. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

IFEOMA

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Uche Joy Ifeoma, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Jimoh Joyce Ifeoma. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

ALISIEGO

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, MARCH 25, 2012 CHANGE OF NAME CHANGE OF NAME AWE I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Awe Mary Abiola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Olawuyi Mary Abiola. All former documents remain valid.

SUPEB and general public should take note.

ALBERT

SAIKI

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Patience Ndidiamaka Okoro, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Patience Ndidiamaka Ohaleta. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Alberta Albert Ziworitin, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Alberta Ziworitin Uwem. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Saiki, Edith Ozofu, now wish to be known and addressed as Otokunrin, Edith Ozofu. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

ANIEKWE I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Aniekwe Chinwe Agbatha, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Nwankwoani Chinwe Agatha. All former documents remain valid. ESUT, NYSC and general public should take note.

ODUKO

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Oduko Grace Olanma, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Olanma Grace Obasi. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

OKORO

JACKSON

ARIKAWE

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Chioma Mmazuluahu Egboka, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Chioma Mmazuluahu Emelumadu. All former documents remain valid.

Nnamdi Azikwe University, Awka and general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Nkemdirim Joy-Geogina Jackson, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Onwuzuligbo Joy Gabriel. All former documents remain valid. ESUT, NYSC and general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Arikawe Caroline Ronke, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Johnson Ogunmuditi Caroline Ronke. All former documents remain valid. Nigeria Police Force and general public should take note.

OLORODE I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Olorode Adeola Omobola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Johnson Adeola Omobola. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

OLABANJI I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Olabanji Omowunmi Modinat, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Sowale Omowunmi Modinat. All former documents remain valid. NeuroPsychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta and general public should take note.

OYENIBI I,formerly known and addressed as Miss Mary Abosede Oyenibi, now wish to be known as addressed as Mrs Mary Abosede OlusolaSholate. All former documents remain valid. University of Ilorin; University of Lagos, Skye Bank Plc and the general public should take note.

QUADRI I,formerly known and addressed as Miss Quadri Mojisola Aminat, now wish to be known as addressed as Mrs Bojuwoye Mojisola Aminat.

All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

AKINDAHUNSI I,formerly known and addressed as Mr. Akindahunsi Olawale, now wish to be known as addressed as Mr. Oluwatidahunsi Olawale Michael. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

OMENAI I,formerly known and addressed as Miss Ehiatama Catherine Omenai, now wish to be known as addressed as Mrs Ehiatama Catherine Amadi.

All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

ADELOYE I,formerly known and addressed as Miss Opeyemi Olasunkanmi Adeloye, now wish to be known as addressed as Mrs Opeyemi Olasunkanmi Olaleye. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

AIGORO I,formerly known and addressed as Miss Aigoro Maryam Adeola, now wish to be known as addressed as Mrs Tijani Maryam Adeola. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ogunwole Oluwaseun Esther, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Oyaniyi Oluwaseun Esther. All former documents remain valid. NYSC, OAUTH and general public should take note.

I,formerly known and addressed as Miss Stellamaris Okoroafor, now wish to be known as addressed as Mrs Stellamaris Nwobodo. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

OGUNWOLE

OLANIYAN

OKORO

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Okoro Deborah Chidinma, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Onyeagba Deborah Chidinma. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Cynthia Ugochi Alisiego , now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Cynthia Ugochi Samuel. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Olaniyan Bilikis Aderonke, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ajeigbe Bilikis Aderonke. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

ADEWALE I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Adewale Adebimpe Aderonke, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Akinwumi Adebimpe Aderonke. All former documents remain valid. Osun State Polytechnic, Iree and general public should take note.

OKOROAFOR

SANNI

I formerly known and addressed as Sanni Muslimat Bola, now wish to be known and addressed as Dipe Elizabeth Bola. All former documents remain valid.General public take note.

EGBOKA

CONFIRMATION OF NAME I,OKANI CHINONSO ANITA and OKANI CHINOSO AGATHA are one and same person, now wish to be known and addressed as OKANI CHINONSO ANITA. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, MISS ANITA HELEN SUNDAY and MISS IHECHI BLESSING SUNDAY are one and same person, now wish to be known and addressed as MISS ANITA HELEN SUNDAY. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, MRS. RACHEAL ADEFIOLA OYEBADE and MRS. MUJI ADEFIOLA OYEBADE are one and same person, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. MUJI ADEFIOLA OYEBADE. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

NDUBISI I, formerly known and addressed as DR (MISS) NDUBISI-IGWILO, OBIOMA JULIET, now wish to be known and addressed as DR (MRS) AMAIBI DAUKORU OBIOMA JULIET. All former documents remain valid. UNIPORT, UPTH, MDCN and general public please take note.

ONWURAH I,formerly known and addressed as Miss Onwurah Joyce Chukwuamaka, now wish to be known as addressed as Mrs Joyce ChukwuamakaOkonkwo-Samson.

All former documents remain valid.

Institute of Development and Administration, Abuja and the general public should take note.

UMEIGBO I,formerly known and addressed as Miss Umeigbo Ifeyinwa Edith, now wish to be known as addressed as Mrs Okoye Ifeyinwa Edith. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

ALLI

I,formerly known and addressed as Mrs. Bukola Shakirat Alli, now wish to be known and be addressed as Mrs. Bukola Shakirat Alabi-Alli.

All former documents remains valid. First Bank Plc. and general public should take note

OGBEBOR

I,formerly known and addressed as Mrs. Ogbebor Oghomwan, now wish to be known and be addressed as Miss Aisagbohi Oghomwan. All former documents remains valid.

General public should take note.

ADVERT: Simply produce your marriage certificate or sworn affidavit for a change of name publication, with just (N4,500. NEW RATE effective from 20th of March) The payment can be made through FIRST BANK of Nigeria Plc. Account number 1892030011219 Account Name VINTAGE PRESS LIMITED Scan the details of your advert and teller to -gbengaodejide@yahoo.com or thenation_advert@yahoo.com For enquiry please contact: Gbenga on 08052720421, 08161675390, Email- gbengaodejide @yahoo.com or our offices nationwide.

Note this! Change of name is now published every Sundays, all materials should reach us two days before publication.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, MARCH 25, 2012

T

HE fourth Chief Executive of Bayelsa State, Governor Henry Seriake Dickson, seasoned lawyer, administrator and lawmaker par excellence is in a class of his own. It is amazing that even after becoming governor, Dickson still lives the spartan life that I know him for. He still wears his old cloths, uses his old MTN SIM card, picks his calls and keeps tab on his close friends. Recently, I was in his bedrooms at his Toru-Orua and Apo legislative homes and I was impressed that the man has not changed; his bedrooms still look ordinary with mattresses on bare floor. In the Creek Haven as Bayelsa State Government House is called, the man has demystified power with his ramrod simplicity with very few vehicles on his convoy. The culture in many states is for a new governor to overhaul everything in government house including furniture but the governor would insist on trudging on with the existing interior at least, to cut cost of governance. His predecessor, Chief Timpre Sylva, used the whooping sum of N1,685 billion monthly to run government house. One of the first decisions the Countryman-governor took was to reverse it to N657,460,000 million thereby saving over N1 billion for the hugely indebted state.

Just one month in government, the governor has opened two strategic accounts: Bayelsa State Strategic Development Funds Account and Bayelsa State Strategic Savings Funds Account.

In the month of February, the state got the total sum of N15. 9billion as federal allocation. After the payment of staff salary, overhead and other statutory deductions, the balance of N5 billion was transferred to the Bayelsa State Strategic Development Funds Account. Monies in this account will be used to fund key development projects and policies of government like the free education programme.

Already N2billion has been transferred to the Bayelsa Strategic Savings Funds Account which basically serves as a reserve for the rainy day.

The onus is now on the Bayelsans to put government on its toes in order to ensure strict implementation of its programmes. In the last 40 days, he has sponsored five executive bills which are receiving due consideration of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly. Prominent among them are the Compulsory Savings Bill, Cultism/ Kidnapping Bill and the Transparency Bill when passed into law will lay a solid legal foundation for the transformation of the state and the restoration agenda he had enunciated.

•Continued from page 13

(ii) that our experiences from July 1966 up till today have proved conclusively that what we call the Nigerian military is no more than an outfit for maintaining the hegemony of those who regard Nigeria as theirs. (iii) that the Nigerian State finally slipped into its worst crisis of legitimacy in June 1993.

This was when the hegemonists, using their military, aborted what was “the possible birth of a Nigerian nation by annulling a free and fair democratic election and

67

Dickson: The unauthorised story

By Francis Ottah Agbo

Unlike many power elites whose concept of politics is the mere preservation of privileges for the power brokers, Governor Dickson who appropriately calls himself countryman believes power should be appropriated for the maximum good of his countrymen. His concept of governance is strictly about discipline, sacrifice, consensus building and service delivery to the people.

The governor knows that if he must deliver concrete developmental deliverables to Ijaw nation, graft must be tamed to muster sufficient funds for the massive infrastructural revolution he has promised and hence his zero tolerance for corruption, crime and criminality as encapsulated in his Restoration agenda, the basis upon which Bayelsans massively elected him governor on February 11 this year. Before, during the campaigns and since February 14 when Governor Dickson was sworn in, he has been working the talk to the admiration of followers of the Dicksonian brand of politics and Ijaw activists in particular.

Little wonder that renowned Niger Delta activist, Alhaji Asari Dokubo at the official grand finale of Dickson’s campaign last month, described Dickson as a product of Ijaw struggle. The fiery activist said for the first time, somebody who was in the trenches with him agitating for resource control, derivation and development of Niger Delta was aspiring to be governor. The implication of this is: Dickson is the first product of Ijaw activism ever to be governor of the oil-rich state.

Dickson was National Legal Adviser of the famous Ijaw National Council (INC), he lived and still lives the struggle, offers legal services, pro bono to the council and sacrificed his personal comfort for the region.

So, while many analysts see Dickson’s elevation to Creek Haven as reward for the unblemished service he rendered to the natives whom he is one, those of us who know him like the back of our palms, believe the Countryman-governor is also in power to put back the Humpty Dumpty which had fallen off the Bayelsa wall especially in the last four years.

It is therefore, not out of place that the former police officer and lawmaker representing Sagbama / Ekeremor Federal Constituency is passionate about empowering his people and making Bayelsa

•Seriake Dickson

State the Jerusalem of Ijaw nation.

It is no longer news that public funds from Bayelsa State were laundered abroad in the last four years. It is also no secret that the incumbent governor inherited a huge debt profile of over N67billion in bonds from his predecessor with no projects to justify collection of the money, Sylva took. Bayelsans especially critics of government in the last four years slept with one eye closed as Sylva’s security outfit, Famou Tangbe made the fledgling state insecure. It also beats the imagination of watchers of Bayelsa politics that the tiny and de-motivated bureaucracy and public service in the state have a monthly wage bill of N6billion, the highest in the country. Curiously, Bayelsa is the smallest state in the country in terms of population and land mass.

Preliminary reports indicate that out of the whopping sum, N300million was used to service political appointees, a small fraction went to the genuine civil servants as salaries and emoluments while over 70 percent of it was gulped by ghost workers, ghost schools and high places.

Again this governor has stopped it.

The immediate past administration oiled so many Irrevocable Standing Payment Order (ISPO’s) running into N50billion and still counting.

Ironically, all the projects which the former governor claimed to have tied to the ISPOs are in a sorry state.

Prominent among them is the KOKIDIETE KOKI specialist

hospital at Opolo and Melford Okilo Memorial Hospital, both in Yenagoa which were abandoned by Sylva. Only recently, the state Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Kate Abiri granted Governor Dickson’s prayer, by stopping the state government from payment of N300million monthly from source to SNECOU GROUP OF COMPANIES LIMITED, a firm, Channels TV reported is owned by Sylva’s business partners and used to fleece the state. The money was paid to the company through a First Bank Account No: 4112040000417. In all, over N30 billion was paid to the firm between June 2007 and January 2012 that Sylva held sway.

A cursory look at the countryman-governor’s three weeks in office shows clearly that the rubber has finally met the road. Governor Dickson in conjunction with the security apparatuses is already tracking down cultists and criminals. He declared state of emergency in the educational sector; education is now free in both primary and secondary schools. Each local government area is to have a new secondary school while the existing ones will be renovated with many modern primary schools springing up across the communities. Each local government headquarters will have a modern general hospital stocked with drugs and equipped with state of the art facilities. He promised massive critical infrastructure in the eight local government areas of the state by constructing the three senatorial zones’

roads to link all nooks and crannies of the coastal state.

The project was initiated by the government of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan before he was elected vice president but abandoned by the Sylva administration. Similarly, Governor Dickson envisages a Bayelsa that is a haven to tourists and investors. In the days ahead, he will commence work on the Five –Star Hotel in Yenagoa abandoned by Sylva even though Sylva claimed to have sourced money from the capital market to complete the hotel. Interestingly, the countrymangovernor has removed all the bottle necks that stifle investment in the state including making land available to developers at no cost to erect mass housing across the state for the very poor.

To start on a clean slate, the governor froze the state’s accounts and vowed to publish monthly, all accruals which accrue to the state beginning from this month. The governor wants to motivate Bayelsans to work and eke a living legitimately and not the other way round.

While the people on whose thighs sovereignty lies hail the governor for the populist policy and paradigm shift, a few politicians complain that the governor’s approach deprives them from looting public funds. Indeed the governor’s action has crumbled the cookie and put an end to the bazaar and jamboree which had become the lot in government House.

But the governor is not likely to waver; he is resolute on delivering on his campaign promises and his fight against corruption, waste, crime and criminality. It is the same courage with which he weathered the storm in Bayelsa politics like the political general that he is that he is piloting the affairs of the state.

He is used to taking difficult decisions. After secondary education, he gained admission to study in the university but there was no money to fund it. He did the unthinkable at the time. He joined the police in 1986 as constable, sat for JAMB, passed and read Law at the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port- Harcourt, graduated in 1992, went to Nigerian Law School, Lagos in 1993 and was called to the bar same year. In 1994, he went for Cadet ASP course in Kano. But he had long yearned for legal practice. So he voluntarily withdrew his service from the police same year and went ahead to make a flourishing career out of legal practice in Lagos

and Port-Harcourt.

When the General Abdulsalam Abubakar junta rolled out the transition to civil rule programme in 1998, Dickson joined the Alliance for Democracy (AD) and later became the chairman of Bayelsa State chapter and led the party to win all the seats in Bayelsa West senatorial district. In recognition of his progressivism, industry and loyalty to the party, he was elevated to the post of National Legal Adviser of AD. Four years after, President Jonathan who was deputygovernor of Bayelsa State at the time, wooed Dickson to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2005 having seen his leadership qualities. After Jonathan succeeded his boss, Governor DSP Alamiesiegha, he made Dickson, AttorneyGeneral (AG) and Commissioner for Justice. Dickson would later resign to run for House of Representatives in 2007 to represent Sagbama/ Ekeremor Federal Constituency and won. Within four years, Dickson did what twoterm reps could not attempt; sponsoring so many crucial bills such as the amendment of the Evidence Act, which has been signed into law by the president. That was the first amendment the act which is the second most important statute after the constitution has had since its enactment in 1954. With his giant strides, his constituents clamoured for his re- election but Sylva mounted landmines to stop his return to the green chamber. While the PDP apparatchik in January 2011 held primary election in Sagbama where Dickson was returned, Sylva sponsored Hon. Williams Ofoni to supplant Dickson in a kangaroo primary in Yenagoa in contravention of the party’s guideline which makes it mandatory for the exercise to hold in the constituency’s headquartersSagbama. Before this episode, Sylva had set up a commission of inquiry on trump up charges of misconduct leveled against him while in office as AG ostensibly to indict Dickson with the grand aim of making him un-electable.

The state House of Assembly was drafted into the plot and took the joke too far by issuing a warrant of arrest on Dickson but the latter was in court in the nick of time to stop the warrant and the commission from sitting. At the end, Dickson was not only vindicated but was the only lawmaker from the state to win the general election in April last year without the backing of Sylva and the rest as they say is now history.

Francis Agbo is a journalist and socio-polical commentator based in Bayelsa State.

How to re-design Nigerian federation continuing their forcible seizure of the Nigerian State”. The abortion brought to final exhaustion the various contradictions on which hegemonic politics in Nigeria has hitherto rested.

Since then, the Nigerian crisis remains unresolved and finally. (iv) that in reference to that crisis, Egbe Omo Yoruba had said that “the crisis cannot, nor will it , be solved unless and until a system of governance based on mutual respect for the sensibilities and aspirations

of each of Nigeria’s component nationalities is established. Only a system that respects the autonomy of these component nationalities and allows them selfdetermination can guarantee such mutual respect.

This write-up, without mincing words concur whole-heartedly with these issues.

Above all, those who have ears should listen!

The restructuring proposed here is not a cosmetic tinkering with a deformed and

malfunctioning federation turned unitary system, but a wide-ranging reformist approach that de-concentrates power and puts it back in the hands of communities and the people.

Again, let me remind all of us that three and half decades of mal-development through over-centralised mode of governance have brought us to the precipice of disintegration, attrition and vicious cycle of poverty. A country, which has the distinction of produc-

ing world-class Nobel Laureate in the person of Professor Wole Soyinka, Economists, Lawyers, Accountants, Political Scientists and personnel in various disciplines, is suffocating at home from too much governments, too much control and too much concentration of power. The wisdom of the modern world is to decentralize and devolve power for better and more efficient management. We stand the risk of being left behind in the new global or-

der, or worse, of disappearing in as a nation, in violent collision! God forbid!

Dr. Benson is a Political Scientist, Lawyer and Public Affairs Analyst.

NOTE: This piece is written to commemorate the 60th Birthday (Thursday, 29th March, 2012) of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu – The immediate past Governor of Lagos State who is also the Asiwaju of Lagos State and the National Leader of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

68

WORSHIP THE NATION ON SUNDAY, MARCH 25, 2012

NEWS

Lagos pastor kidnapped in Awka •Abductors wants N25m more ransom

By Sunday Oguntola and Nwanosike Onu, Awka

F

LAMBOYANT General Overseer of Mountain of Liberation and Miracles Church Ogudu, Lagos, Prophet Chris Okafor has been kidnapped.

He was kidnapped about two weeks ago on his way to Lagos after an open-air crusad at the Emmaus house hall in Awka, capital of Anambra State. The crusade held from March 7-11.

Tagged Nnewi/Awka power and prophetic conference 2012, the crusade held with the theme “Feast of Solution’’.

The incident occurred around 12midnight beside Psychiatric Hospital, Nawfia.

Okafor was travelling back to Lagos to meet the Sunday service before the abduction.

Instead of his driver taking the Enugu-Onitsha expressway, he decided to ply the old road.

However, luck ran out of them when they got to Nawfia along the old road.

The driver was said to have discovered that a Camry vehicle with five men was trailing their Black Armada Jeep.

The five-man kidnap gang reportedly opened fire on his exotic 2009 Armanda Jeep.

The heavy fires grounded the vehicles.

Attempts by Okafor’s security details to resist the attack turned fatal.

Two of them, sources said, were gunned down. Also killed was his Personal Assistant (PA).

They curiously allowed the driver to escape.

The Nation was further told that as the time the incident took place, the escort vehicle in front did not stop.

The abductors, it was learnt, demanded for N25m ransom.

It was gathered they hinged the huge demand on Okafor’s flamboyance and connections.

The handsome preacher just moved to a 19-bedroom duplex in Magodo last January.

His church is well-attended by the rich and powerful.

His miracles also attract several worshippers.

He is most renowned for fire-splitting prayers.

Okafor’s associates quickly started a fund-raising appeal for the ransom.

It was reportedly raised within 48 hours of his abduction.

Rather than release the cleric, his abductors were said to have raised the stake.

A source close to Okafor said, ‘’they were shocked with the speed the money was raised. So, they reasoned they could get more and raised the demand to N50m’’.

The cleric has since remained in abduction.

Efforts to get official reaction for his church failed.

It was learnt the incident has been kept away from members.

Two weeks after the incident, the Anambra state Police Command is yet to secure his release.

There had been no arrests in connection with the kidnap.

The State Police Public Relation officer, Emeka Chukwuemeka confirmed the incident.

He said the command is putting every effort at its disposal in making sure that Okafor is released unhurt and the hoodlums arrested.

Chukwuemeka, further told The Nation that the state command is working in liaison with the neighbouring states to secure the man of God’s release.

All uncompleted buildings in the state according to him are being combed.

He said, “We are not sleeping over the matter as I’m talking with you now, more men are being deployed everyday in search of the man in all the nooks and crannies of the state “We are doing our best and very soon, both his church and family members will smile including other relations,” Chukwuemeka said.

INTERVIEW

O

NE does not hear much about you lately. What have you been up to?

I have been there, ministering and doing the work of God. I agree I have been lying low for sometime. But you know when you are doing a work of this magnitude, you need time to restrategise for the future. We have been busy doing this lately but we have not relented. Not at all.

Have you been planting new branches?

Yes, we are expanding.

We closed some branches down but open one each in London and America. In Nigeria, we are spreading to many cities. God is helping us I tell you.

People envy you pastors a lot. They say you are rich and popular. Is that true?

They don’t know anything at all. You know, they say uneasy lies the head that wears the crown. Yes, we are popular but we are paying a lot of price. And I don’t agree we are rich. A true pastor cannot amass wealth. There are always people around to bless. Many people come to church soliciting for assistance. So, you have to continue giving and giving.

Then, you must realise managing people is never easy. A church is a voluntary organisation. People come and go. You send your money, time and resources to train and raise people. You pour everything into them and get hurt at the end of the day. It is such a delicate job but you keep doing it because of God and love for the people.

When you say people leave, are you referring to associate pastors?

Yes, I am. You see I have been stabbed many times. I have seen them come and go.

I have invested massively in raising people only for them to turn around to leave. I have no problems with leaving.

People will leave at one point or the other. But if you will leave, leave peacefully without destroying a house you once lived in. A father is always willing and glad to see a child grow up and leave. A child can start his own

‘I didn’t believe my marriage would survive’ Presiding Pastor of Living Spring Chapel, Lagos, Femi Emmanuel opened up to Sunday Oguntola on his personal and ministerial challenges. Excerpts:

• Emmanuel

building but must you do it removing your father’s house? Young people of today are too much in a hurry.

Everything that lasts takes time.

Are you having a rethink about raising people?

Never. You see, everything in life is about people.

People are the biggest assets and the biggest challenges.

So, you can’t run away from dealing with people. This back-stabbing cannot deter me from raising men. I am passionate about it. I will continue to do it until I die regardless of the hurts involved.

What is the next level for the church?

In Lagos, we are working on our permanent site.

We want somewhere close to WEMABOD Estate where

we are now. And you know that is tough to come by. But we are having some offers that are being considered.

We want somewhere really spacious that can contain a school and many other facilities like our city camp in Ibadan. We are working on an orphanage and hospital in Ibadan where we can really touch people’s lives.

Do you believe Christian divorcees can remarry?

It depends on the circumstances surrounding the divorce. You see cases differ.

If the departing partner has remarried, then you are free to remarry. But if not, you can keep praying and working towards reconciliation.

But the departing is still alive… … Yes but remarried.

You see if the departing part-

ner has remarried, will you keep waiting praying and hoping the marriage crumbles to be reunited?

People are just deceiving themselves when they ask divorcees whose first partners have remarried to remain single. Is it not better to remarry than commit adultery?

But divorce is something Christians must work against. I believe every marriage can survive storms.

People should not wait till things degenerate to divorce. They should be willing to talk things over and reconcile. My marriage for instance went through storms. I didn’t believe it will survive and not break up. We were even preparing to divorce… …Really?

Yes, it was that bad.

What were the issues then?

They were just minor issues that will shock you to know. Just personal differences and inclinations, nothing fundamental or serious.

If you must know, most of the challenges facing marriages are flimsy. They can be talked over and it is amazing how people find them not as difficult as they looked after talks.

So, what did the magic for you?

One midnight, I just came to my senses. I woke her up and said she should list all the things I was doing that she hated. I did the same. We talked and talked until we saw things were not as fundamental as they looked. And that was how we resolved it. If people can be committed, there is no marriage that should break up.

WHAT AND WHERE?

Mike Okonkwo’s essay competition opens

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UBMISSION of entries for the 9th edition of the Mike Okonkwo National Essay Competition with the topic “Dependence of The Nigerian Economy on Crude Oil: Any Alternatives? has commenced.

The competition is open to all Senior Secondary School students across the nation.

A statement stated that the winning school stands to win 3 internet ready desktop computer, a printer and a trophy the while the best student goes home with a Laptop, N100, 000 and a memorial

plaque.

The first runner up school gets 2 internet ready desktop computers, a printer and cash prize of N75, 000 with a plaque for the student.

The second runner school gets an internet ready com-

puter, while the student gets N50, 000 cash prize and a plaque.

The prizes would be presented to the winners at the Mike Okonkwo annual lecture scheduled for September 5, 2012 at Muson Centre

(Shell Hall) by 10.00 am prompt.

The 2012 Mike Okonkwo Essay Competition is part of the activities lined up to mark the 67th birthday of Dr. Mike Okonkwo, the presiding Bishop of TREM.

MCN Lagos West synod holds LL is now set for the 6th Annual Synod of the Methodist Church Nigeria, Diocese of Lagos West.

The 3- day event holds at Methodist Cathedral, Palm –

A

Avenue, Mushin Lagos.

It holds from March 29April 1.

Lagos State Governor Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola is expected to declare the synod open.

The theme for this year’s synod is “Behold, I will do a new thing”.

The Diocesan Bishop Rt. Revd. Isaac Ayo Olawuyi assured that God will take Nigeria to another level.

Worship

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, MARCH 25, 2012

I

WISH to first express my profound respect for the incisive reporting of issues on Sunday worship in The Nation newspaper.

Your articulation and impartial review of issues is worth commending.

On the issue of remarriage as enunciated in your last Sunday edition there is a fundamental need to set matters aright in the light of evidences from the Holy Scriptures. The pattern set for true Christians by the first century apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ is based on the authority of the Bible.

Firstly the Almighty God Jehovah the One who instituted the marriage arrangement vehemently hated divorcing (Malachi 2: 15, 16). While the Jews were dealing treacherously with their wives and divorcing their wives on flimsy grounds, Jehovah God condemned their action and expressed his feeling of repugnance for such disgraceful folly.

Secondly the author and perfecter of our faith our Lord Jesus Christ expressed

69 far cry from what our lord wants.

CONTROVERSY With Sunday Oguntola (08034309265)

Re: Can Christian divorcees remarry? the following sentiments about divorcing in Matthew 19: 8, 9…. “I say to you that whoever divorces his wife except on the ground of fornication (extramarital intercourse) and marries another commits adultery.” So the innocent mate is permitted but not required to divorce a mate who commits fornication.

Thirdly the Christian apostle Paul in the Bible book of Romans 7: 2, 3 says: “A married woman is bound by law to her husband while he is alive; but if her husband dies, she is discharged from the law of her husband. So, then, while her husband is living, she would be styled an adulteress if she became another man’s. But if her husband dies, she is free from his law, so that she is not an adulteress if she becomes another

man’s.”

God, the Originator of marriage, designed it to be a permanent union. But is there any Scriptural reason for a person to divorce his or her mate—and one that would allow for the possibility of remarrying? Jesus addressed this matter by declaring: “I say to you that whoever divorces his wife, except on the ground of fornication, and marries another commits adultery.” (Matthew 19:9) Sexual infidelity by a mate is the only ground for a divorce that will allow the innocent mate to remarry.

In addition, the Bible’s words at 1 Corinthians 7:1016, while encouraging marriage mates to stay together, allow for separation.

Some, after trying very hard to preserve their marriage, feel they have no

choice but to separate. What can be acceptable Scriptural grounds for such a step?

One is willful nonsupport. When getting married, a husband assumes the responsibility of providing for his wife and children.

The man who willfully fails to provide the material necessities of life “has disowned the faith and is worse than a person without faith.” (1 Timothy 5:8) So separation is possible.

Another is extreme physical abuse. So then, if a mate physically abuses his wife, the victim may separate. (Galatians 5:19-21; Titus 1:7) “Anyone loving violence [God’s] soul certainly hates.”—Psalm 11:5.

Another ground for separation is the absolute endangerment of a believer’s spirituality—one’s relationship

with God. When a mate’s opposition, perhaps including physical restraint, has made it impossible to pursue true worship and has imperiled the believer’s spirituality, then some believers have found it necessary to separate.—Matthew 22:37; Acts 5:27-32.

However, if divorce is pursued under such circumstances, one would not be free to enter a new marriage. According to the Bible, the only legitimate ground for divorce that permits remarriage is adultery or “fornication.”—Matthew 5:32.

The recent crops of church leaders that were mentioned in the news report last week have made the word of God invalid by their lifestyles and the philosophies of men which is a

Tope Gomez, a Jehovah Witness, wrote from Lagos Let me contribute to the discussion on divorce. The house that did not receive God’s approval cannot receive His attention. He wants to be consulted before the two become one to prevent the devil from pulling down them. And if God was not consulted and it fails, He will not approve anotherRev. 08020776099)

Alawode(

The Bible has stated clearly that until the divorcee is dead, the other partner is not legally allowed to remarry. Once you remarry the wrong partner, it is certain that divorce may happen. Being a pastor is not a guarantee such situation will not arise. Thanks DYA (07032162142)

NEWS

Presbyterian Church warns against destabilising Nigeria

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HE Presbyterian Church of Nigeria (PCN) has warned against any actions capable of jeopardising the unity and indivisibility of the nation.

The church noted the calls for convocation of a Sovereign National Conference as well as arguments and counter arguments for restructuring of the revenue formula but said the unity of Nigeria cannot be negotiated or compromised.

It however acknowledged the need to address some sociopolitical anomalies and ambiguities in the country’s body

politic.

In a communiqué issued at the end of the quarterly meeting of its General Assembly Executive Committee (GAEC), held at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Aba, the Church called on the Government to address such socio-political issues in the nation’s political setup to diffuse political tension.

These issues, according to PCN include unconstitutional declaration of Sharia Law by some northern States, the direct and subterranean moves to Islamise Nigeria by Islamic sects such as Boko Haram, the

Lagos pastors parley on underdevelopment

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ISTURBED by skyrocketing costs of governance without commensurable development, a group of Lagos-based pastors under the platform of Church for Change (CFC) last week held a round table discussion.

CFC is an initiative of National Secretary of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) Pastor Wale Adefarasin.

Adefarasin said it was high time church leaders spoke up against bad governance and misrule.

According to him, ‘’ we as pastors must speak from the pulpit even at the expense of our lives else our children will spit on our graves if we don’t.”

He assured the parley will be more regular and afford church leaders to take positions on crucial national issues.

The theme of the roundtable was Cost of Governance in Nigeria: What can we do?

Former Managing Director of National Bank of Chicago Bismarck Rewane moderated the discussion.

He bemoaned the mass poverty in the nation despite

By Nneka Nwaneri

natural endowments.

Rewane said: “We live more on natural wealth economy which depreciates with population growth. The younger generation will likely suffer since those on the top keep getting more and inefficiency and corruption is the order of the day. ‘’71% of Nigerians live in poverty. In Nigeria, there are mostly consumers. The managers of the little wealth are ineffective, production is low and people who own the resources are languishing”.

He challenged Nigerians to demand transparency and accountability from office holders.

Senior Pastor of Trinity Chapel Ituah Ighodalo said the roundtable was organised for kingdom-minded activists fed up with happenings in the nation.

According to him, “It is issue based for national reformation and transformation.

The points raised today will be used to advocate positions that will eventually set off accountability processes in Nigeria.’’

absence of true federalism as provided for in the Constitution, and resource control issues, among others.

The ten-point communiqué signed by the Prelate and Moderator of the General Assembly, The Most Rev. Prof. Emele Mba Uka and the Principal Clerk, Rev. Ndukwe Nwachukwu Eme described the resolution of the 19 Northern Governors to combat the menace of the Boko Haram insurgency as a welcome development.

It also called on the Federal Government to make haste to publish publicly the White Paper of the Presidential Committee on the security challenges of the nation as occasioned by the Boko Haram crisis.

The Church called on the Federal Government to probe without further delay the controversial donation of N100 million by the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Malam Lamido Sanusi to bomb blast victims in his home State of Kano and a paltry after-thought donation of N25 million to the victims of the Madalla church explosion near Abuja.

PCN frowned at such discriminatory donation and demanded that the Madalla church victims should have received equal donations as the Kano blast victims.

It however described the donations as a gross misuse of public funds and stated that such a gesture, under corporate social responsibility, should be governed by a deliberate policy designed to enhance transparency and equity and not to pursue personal or hidden agenda.

On roads construction and maintenance, the Church called on the Government at all levels to pursue vigorously their road construction and maintenance projects now that the rainy season is yet to set in fully.

•L-R: Political officer of US Embassy, Abuja, Scott M. Miller; Senior Policy Analyst, USCRF, Tiffany Lynch; Chairman USCRF Leonard Leo; National President Christian Association of Nigeria(CAN) Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor; Director of Operations and Outreach, USCRF David Dettoni and Special Adviser to CAN President on Conflict Resolution Rev. Ladi Thompson after a meeting by the United States Commission on Religious Freedom in Abuja with religious leaders... recently

Church offers free medical check-up

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T was double dose of blessings for members of Life-Gate International Bible Ministries of Oshodi Lagos last Sunday.

They were not only fed with spiritual diets but also tested free for blood pressure, sugar level and HIV/ AIDS, among others.

Head of the medical team Mrs. Florence Ighosewe said the gesture was to avoid needless deaths in the church.

According to her, ‘’Many people, left alone, will never do these tests.

They are too busy, ignorant or too poor to consider doing them. ‘’Yet, they are necessary and that is why we are

By Sunday Oguntola

bringing it right to the church to eliminate every excuse and factor’’.

She said free drugs are not included yet in the medical outreach because ‘’the most important medical factor is knowing how to manage the body with food’’.

Medication, without knowledge on proper use of food, will not avail much, she said.

General Overseer of the church, Rev Levi Adegbe noted the outreach cost a lot.

He however said it was nothing compared to having strong and healthy members.

Adegbe stated most of the ailments affecting Christians

are medical and spiritual as many believe. ‘’When we attribute everything to the devil, we are not sincere. We should do everything on our part and be sure of our medical status. ‘’Praying and casting out will not do if you don’t know what you are up against and manage your body well,’’ he explained.

He said plans are on to make the exercise bi-annual and extend to members of the community in the nearest future.

A member Patrick Eyom praised the church for the initiative. He said it will go a long in improving the health profile of members.

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Worship

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, MARCH 25, 2012

God will destroy humanity again (1)

1

PETER 1:15-16 says, “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation”.

Beloved, the Almighty God created us to be holy like Him. He did not create us to have a nature of unrighteousness of any kind. And He frowns at all unrighteousness committed by man and distances Himself from us whenever we commit sin. This is the reason why He abandons His chosen people whenever they commit sins. He is too holy to behold evil.

Though He is merciful, and always forgiving us our sins, yet He cannot forgive unrepentant sin. If a sinner does not repent of his sin, the sinner will bear the full brunt of the law which is death. The Scripture says, “Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die” (Ezekiel 18: 4).

Remember that Noah and Lot’s generation were destroyed, when they sinfully chose to do what pleased them. However, the fact remains that before God brings judgment and punishment upon any generation; He will send firstly someone to warn them to desist from their evil ways as a result of His mercy. But if they remain adamant He will destroy them.

Now I am giving a warning to our generation that God will destroy humanity again. This is because this generation have provoked God more than any other generation since the beginning of the world.

The question now may be, Is God not merciful again? How can He destroy humanity when He showed

Pastor Lazarus Muoka

HEAVEN AT LAST us the rainbow as a lasting covenant by which He will never destroy the world again?

But what people do not realise is that He did not say He will not destroy the world again but He will not destroy it with rain or water again.

THE REASON FOR THIS MESSAGE AND EXAMPLES Beloved, people will wonder at the cause of this warning as though there is some imminent danger. Yes, the people of this generation have provoked God by their sinful ways more than any generation ever created on this earth.

It has come to the point of begging God’s anger and judgment upon them. There has never existed a more sinful generation than the present one, whose transgressions have superseded all those recorded in the Bible.

Today abominations are been legalised unlike previous generations. We live in a generation where parents encourage their children to engage in prostitution and other evils. Fathers sleep with daughters and mothers with sons. Some

countries issue licences to prostitutes thereby legalising prostitution.

The practice of homosexuals and lesbianism are legalised and a man can marry a fellow man and a woman can marry a fellow woman and in both cases can live as husband and wife. This wicked and

By David abominable act was what brought the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.

This generation have bought the gospel of Satan to bear on humanity thus do no longer see the evil in sin.

They take pleasure in evil and forget the consequences.

Our generation now legalises abortion which is gross wickedness and murder. And they desire peace, prosperity and economic boost in the world but they are deceiving themselves.

The world is trying to curb and control crisis in Europe, Africa, Asia and the Middle East when the blood of aborted babies are crying daily: “Oh Lord, when will you avenge us?

Beloved, if you are among those that are enjoying the legalisation of evil, know you therefore that your days are numbered.

These days, adultery, fornication, kidnapping, robbery, terrorism, abduction, and evil of various kinds are freely committed everywhere. No one is concerned; instead people are seeking for new evils and wickedness to legalise in the name of pleasure.

God is no respecter of any person. He will judge you according to your sins.

Prov. 11:21 says, “Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.”

Restoring the spirit of service

Pastor Afolabi Samuel Coker

SETTLE ME OH LORD

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UR world is in dire need of men whose hearts are tuned to service. Service is core to creation and the Creator’s intent. But the rate at which selfishness, avarice and parochial perspective on wealth and fame are taking its toll on our world today is alarming.

In our churches, schools, government institutions, private businesses and concerns, among nations and in international diplomacy, men and institutions have become so self-centered that service has become by-word. Collective interests have been threatened by remote self/ personal interests. This is the reason for the collapse of many institutions. The time to reawaken our consciousness to God’s primary expectation that men’s heart should be ruled by the intent to serve others is now.

In Mark 10, two of the Jesus’ disciples told Him of their desire to sit on his right hand and left hand in glory.

This agitated the other disciples but the response of Jesus compares between Gentile leadership with Kingdom leadership. He speaks not only of leadership but of greatness and uses the picture of a servant to explain leadership and greatness in the Kingdom.

The example of this kingdom leadership which is reflected through a life of service is

shown by Him. By service, I therefore mean any act of help or assistance, influence, work done by one person or group that benefits another. It can be described as the performance of duties by an individual (or someone who willingly positions as for service) without the consciousness of any selfish gain. Kingdom service is not about service as a means to obtain something (such as a favor, a job, or someone’s good will.) We mean an entirely different kind of service - one purely from the heart, service for its own sake.

From the central passage, we can infer that every act of service easily provokes rewards, and when the service is unto God, the blessings and rewards are extraordinary.

The Lord Jesus Christ taught the law of sowing and reaping as an encouragement to all his followers to embrace service and discourage the enthroning of selfishness in our daily lives. This is the spiritual dimension to service.

Unfortunately, one of the banes of today’s society is that it’s bereft of men whose heart is governed by the Spirit of service. I’ve found out that the poverty of entities and men are traceable to selfishness and greed. Greedy men can’t access enduring wealth even though they keep on amassing it. Our leaders in Africa will stop at nothing to amass wealth even at the detriment of the masses. Now that there is dearth of men who would embrace the spirit of service in our world, our society must be constantly reminded that its existence must be for service.

The reason for this prevailing selfishness and avarice is because the society would not embrace God’s commandment. It takes the heart that fears God to be committed to service.

Jesus Christ, the example of servant-leadership said in John 14:12; “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.” The most enduring legacy we can bequeath will come through service. In John 4:34, Jesus said; “My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.”

Even though He was God, He condescended to serve humanity and would then leave a legacy unsurpassed in eternity.

Because of His understanding that service is supreme for a man’s enthronement, Jesus served with urgency. In John 9 verse 4, He said; “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.” Restoring the spirit of service among Christians and our nation is a matter of urgent need.

This is a wake-up call to all who will change their world and make impact in their generation. True and enduring service is expressed through humility, giving, focused efforts, commitment, a life of faith, passion and wholesome dedication. In serving, you must recognize that no matter how powerful you are, it’s not possible to be a ‘jack-of-all-trades’.

Your commitment will break you and then build you to a success story. When you give and live for others, life then becomes meaningful. Every true service approved by God is an embellishment of all the foregoing. Kingdom service requires self-emptying of and identification with even the lowest members of the community.

Pastor Afolabi Samuel Coker afocoker@yahoo.com 08033374095

NEWS

How Christians can fight corruption, by Adeboye

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ENERAL Overseer of The Redeemed Christian Church of God, (RCCG) Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has challenged Christians to strengthen anti-corruption efforts by preaching and promoting godly virtue, within their immediate communities.

Adeboye spoke at a briefing last week ahead of the church’s special prayer session for professionals, traders and artisans holding on the 1st of April at its international headquarters in Ebute-Metta, Lagos.

He said the church has so much to do to fight corruption for Nigeria to attain desired growth and development.

The respected cleric noted the nation is blessed with abundant human and material resources but stunted by unchecked cases of

By Adeola Ogunlade

corruption.

Only the gospel, he said, can change people and make them shun corruption.

Adeboye, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Personnel and Administration, Pastor Johnson Odesola, said : ‘’ it is high time the church stood up and enthrone godliness, purity and justice as against wickedness, greed and selfishness in their immediate community.”

He said the world is in need of men of integrity, honesty, good neighbourliness which are virtues that characterise true Christianity.

The forthcoming prayer session, he said, is to encourage professionals and artisans to trust God.

VLBC holds convocation in Abeokuta

L •Participants praying at the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria(PFN) prayer session against terrorism penultimate weekend in Lagos

EADING preachers will converge in Abeokuta, capital of Ogun State, from April1-8 for the 2012 edition of the Holy Convocation of the Victory Life Bible Church (VLBC).

The theme of the conference expected to attract thousands from within and outside the country is beyond the natural.

Ministers expected include Pastors Ayo Oritsejafor, Sam Adeyemi, Mathew Asimolowo as well as Bishops Felix Adejumo and Bishop Jide Orire.

Others include Rev Dr Kunle Adesina,

Dr Felix Omobude, Rev Dr Lawrence Tetteh and hosts, Apostle Lawrence Achudume.

A statement from Achudume said, ‘’the conference is packaged to bring divine interventions in the affairs of men as well as position Christians for supernatural exploits.’’

Achudume said there will be free transportation for the conference holding by 9am and 4pm daily at Life cathedral KM 9, Olabisi Onabanjo way, Opp OGTV, Abeokuta.

NATIONSPORT SUNDAY, MARCH 25, 2012

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NIGERIA,

AHEAD OF CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE CLASH Dolphins’ players protest unpaid bonuses

GERMANY

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FIGHT FOR SIDNEY SAM

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AYER LEVERKUSEN offensive player Sidney Sam, who is recovering from a thigh injury, is being courted by Nigerian coach Stephen Keshi to play for the Super Eagles.

Sam who played for all the youth teams of Germany indeed has Nigerian roots. According to a report in the online edition of Cologne Express, express.de, Dirk Hebel (Total Sports), Sam's representative has confirmed the interest of the Nigeria Federation on his client. ''Nigeria has a strong interest in Sidney. We are already in contact with the national association.

Coach Stephen Keshi wants to see Sam on location in Germany soon. It would be great if Sidney would decide for us (Germany,ed),'' says Dirk Hebel to the Friday edition of the newspaper.

The German Federation are startled by the news linking Sam with the Nigeria selection as the 24-year old is also being monitored by Joachim Loew, Germany's coach. ''I'll dig deeper now and discuss the issue with the sporting management of the national team. If Sam has prospects with the national team, he will - at least that is my feeling - decide to play for the DFB,'' director of sport of the German Federation Matthias Sammer said.

Sam has played 48 times (11 goals) in the league for Bayer Leverkusen since his 2.2 million euros move from Hamburg in 2010.

•Sidney Sam

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Flamingoes book ticket N "The scoreline is okay and that showed the better of both sides.

We're going to the World Cup to do Nigeria and Africa proud," he told SuperSport.com.

However, his counterpart, Beauty Mwamba while she praised her players for a good

game, she complained that the Nigerian players are women.

"I am proud of my girls, they've done their part, I'm not disappointed. We presented young girls unlike the Nigerian players who are clearly women," she said.

X INTERNATIONAL, Henry Nwosu is confident that Nigeria will qualify for the 2013 Nation's Cup, adding that the glory days of the senior national team, the Super Eagles will be restored if Keshi is not put under pressure.

Speaking with NationSports at the weekend, the former Green Eagles’ star midfielder, said that the big boss, as Keshi is fondly called, has started well after the goalless draw against Rwanda in Kigali considering a number of facts “Keshi is just knowing the home players and as well still restructuring the Super Eagles’ squad. Moreover the first match of every qualifier is always very tough, but Keshi has done well to lead the boys to a goalless draw against the Wasps.

“The team which was made up of home and foreign-based players trained only twice

NPL TITLE CHASE:

No going back for Pillars,says Galadima

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T is a ‘no retreat, no Surrender’ situation as Kano Pillars FC are hell bent on their mission to clinch the title in ongoing Nigeria Premier League competition, the General Manager of the club, Alhaji Abba Galadima has said.

Galadima boasted that the Kano side will unleash the entire arsenal at their disposal to ensure they emerge the 2011/2012 league champions.

Galadima in a reaction to a 3-0 mauling of 3SC in a week 3 NPL rescheduled encounter on Thursday evening in Kano, noted that the score line was an indicator that the Kano lads possessed the needed potential in being crowned champions when the league close shop this season.

“We thank God for the victory and we are grateful to him for the sweet victory, this victory means a lot to us as a team and to our fans in

coaching crew waiting and later sent words to them by noon that they (the players) will not take part in any training before the Cotonsport game.

A player of the club disclosed that Dolphins owe them 25 match bonuses from last season and four this season.

"It is unfortunate that we are owed about 29 match bonuses. At least 25 of our match bonuses from last season are still unpaid. This season out of 10 match bonuses they've paid six and four is unpaid.

"Some of us have families who depend on us and others are bread winners in their families. So you can imagine the pains they are putting people through. Not even a dime has been paid as signing-on fees to us this season and they want us to continue to play ‘thank you’ football. We were told on two occasions by the (Rivers State) sports commissioner that our match bonuses are ready and will be paid to us but till date nothing of such has happened," said the player, who wants to remain anonymous.

Nwosu backs Keshi to excel with Eagles

FIFA WOMEN WORLD CUP

IGERIA'S Flamingoes on Saturday at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta booked their place in the 2012 FIFA Under17 Women's World Cup in Azerbaijan.

Nigeria's ticket came off a wellrounded victory from the nation's campaigners against their Zambian counterparts, Junior ShePolopolo whom they hit 5-0 in the final fixture of the global event.

The coach Peter Dedevbo tutored side completed the routing of the Southern Africans on 7-1 aggregate after first leg ended 2-1 in favour of the Nigerians in Lusaka.

The goal feast was served off by free scoring goal queen, Patience Okaeme followed by Halimatu Ayinde's second which closed the first term.

On resumption of play, the rush for goals continued in a virtually one-sided game.

Chidinma Edeji pushed the goals to three and later grabbed the fourth through a well taken penalty after an on rushing Zambian player handled the ball in the penalty box.

Mabel Effiom Michael scored the fifth goal to round off the goal harvest.

Coach of the Nigerians, Peter Dedevbo expressed delight at his players' performance while promising a better outing at the World Cup.

LAYERS of Dolphins stayed away from training on Friday ahead of tonight's CAF Champions League clash with Cotonsport Garoua of Cameroon.

The players have also threatened to down tools by boycotting the game against Cotonsport Garoua.

The match is the first leg, round of 32 clash in the CAF Champions League billed for the Liberation Stadium in Port Harcourt.

SuperSport.com was reliably informed that the players are demanding the payment of 29 outstanding match bonuses before they drop their threat to shun the game against Cotonsport.

It was learnt that the players of the Nigeria Premier League champions refused to train throughout Friday in a bid to press for their unpaid bonuses.

On Friday, the players were called for the morning training session but instead they kept the

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano particular,” Galadima said.

He further said “no doubt we are not going to surrender as it is evident that we have all it takes to win the league and our mission is to win the competition.”

ENGLAND PREMIER LEAGUE Chelsea 0 - 0 Tottenham Arsenal 3 - 0 Aston Villa Bolton W. 2 - 1 Blackburn Liverpool 1 - 2 Wigan Norwich C. 2 - 1 Wolves.

Sunderland 3 - 1 QPR. Swansea 0 - 2 Everton Stoke 1 - 1 Man City SPANISH LA LIGA Mallorca 0 - 2 Barcelona Madrid 5 - 1 Real Sociedad

By Paul Oluwakoya before the match. They will need to play together for a longer period before good results can come.At a start it might be slow but it is a good start because in no distant time, the players will understand themselves and begin to churn out good results”.

Nwosu, a Member of Order of the Niger (MON), however, predicted an outright victory for Eagles when they trade tackles for the second leg qualifiers in Nigeria.

The draw against Rwanda in the first leg qualifier is a good one as the decisive second leg will be played in Nigeria. So no matter how Rwanda prepares to beat the star-studded Stephen Keshisquad, they could never pose a big threat to the team.

I know the match would not be an easy one, but I'm sure that Eagles would win. Rwanda is no threat to Eagles. I am not in any way perturbed about it”.

Taye Taiwo scores first EPL goal

N

IGERIA’S Taye Taiwo netted his first goal in the EPL Saturday but it was only a scant consolation as QPR lost 3-1 at Sunderland.

Left back Taiwo, who is on loan from Italian champions AC Milan, fired home after 79 minutes courtesy of a curling free kick after home team Sunderland had raced into a 3-0 lead.

The loss at the Stadium of Light

meant that QPR are back in the drop zone.

They are now second from bottom with 25 points from 30 matches.

Wigan, who are also on 25 points but with an inferior goals difference than QPR, lost their Nigeria international Victor Moses in the first half when he was hit smack in the jaw by a Liverpool defender.

Wigan were shock 2-1 winners at Anfield.

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QUOTABLE “All those who complain against the PDP, tell them to show you their congresses and conventions and you will have a great laugh. This is a party to look forward to. That is why we say in the next 50 years, I don’t see any replacement for PDP because it is so organised and too well entrenched.”

SUNDAY, MARCH 25, 2012 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM VOL. 6, NO. 2075

—Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State on the People s Democratic Party National Convention held in Abuja yesterday

S

OMETIME in August 1914, British Foreign Secretary Sir Edward Grey and a friend stood at a window that opened into the street. It was getting dark and gas lamps were being lit, and he had just helped Prime Minister Henry Asquith draft an ultimatum to Germany, which in those tense times, was threatening to invade Belgium.

“The lamps are going out all over Europe,” he said with a pensiveness that foreboded the gathering storm of World War I. “We shall not see them lit again in our lifetime.”

Neither that war nor World War II, which followed some 25 years later, was averted thus making one European generation to witness and fight two major wars in a lifetime, and producing considerably inept leaders and incomparable statesmen. These wars, and many others before them, have reinforced in the minds of historians the conviction that leadership is forged in the purifying furnaces of crises, and great leadership by the anvils of war.

But after one civil war and dozens of crises and many insurgencies and insurrections, Nigeria is still yearning for just one great leader. With 2015 around the corner, and the jockeying for the presidency and state executive mansions about to commence, it is neither too early to ask ourselves what kind of leadership Nigeria needs for these times, nor the courage to focus on the issues that should receive the most attention. Nearly 100 years after the founding of Nigeria and more than 50 years of independence, at no time in our history have we found the brilliance or courage to tackle the crises that afflict us and draw us apart. The elite, either by poor training or by the deliberate corruption of their souls, have often surrendered themselves to the base emotions of those who look up to them for leadership and example.

Their followers, the underclass, have sunk deeper into the tyranny of coarseness, as fractious, disagreeable and quarrelsome as ever. When they do not submit to unproductive ethnic fury, they lunge biliously into destructive religious fervour, as devoid of common sense as they are obsessed with bloodletting. For the moment, and with 2015 in view, it is not surprising that we are again typically and dismayingly fixated on sustaining and even nurturing the status quo, maintaining and rooting for uninspiring leadership at all levels, and confusing technocracy with brilliant and great leadership. I have nothing but contempt for all of them and the political systems that engender that ilk.

I know that Nigeria is not an island and is therefore not unaffected by the general decline in quality leadership all over the world. I also appreciate the point that leadership is not immune to the periodic Darwinism that purges the class and sometimes produces a better breed. This is why at key

Needed: A leader for the times

•Jonathan

•Obasanjo

junctures in history, bad leaders are got rid of, sometimes with extreme difficulty, and great ones are thrust into limelight, though often few and far between. It must be one of the curious problems of statistical probability that Nigeria has suffered interminable crises without the redeeming feature of producing even one inspiring national leader.

With each passing year, indeed, we have appeared to produce worse leaders, sometimes in quick succession – leaders who submit to the passion of brutality or who have abandoned themselves to all forms of sensuality.

It is settled, as I have discussed here before, that free and fair elections do not necessarily conduce to peace and development nor to great and inspiring leadership. Election observers, both local and international, judged the 2011 polls to have met international standards. But the elections managed to produce a class of leaders considerably worse than those of the past. It is sometimes argued that the cause of this deformed ability to elect the right people into office is poverty, for this factor of hardship has so affected national values at all levels that the lines between right and wrong have become unalterably blurred.

But I also think that beyond misshapen values, even the pool of potentially great leaders is thinning out worrisomely by the day. The requirements of great leadership are so tasking and demanding both physi-

cally and emotionally that few are qualified. In fact, the nearest a potentially great leader gets to the optimum level, the equilibrium point if you like, the more he is likely to be considered a distasteful puritan or an extremist.

Europe blundered into WWI. But the appalling scale of slaughter did not prevent it from stumbling into a costlier and deadlier WWII. On both occasions, leadership failure was a huge factor, just as leadership fortitude was also a factor in how and why the world came out of the wars with loss of values far less profound than expected. In recent years, leadership failures have produced the Arab Spring, and leadership brilliance will also be a factor in how the Maghreb emerges from the revolutions, whether stronger or weaker. The fact is that democracy, the regnant political paradigm for peace and development, is not the only or sufficient means of producing great leaders. History shows us why.

But whether through autocracy or democracy, Nigeria has since 1960 reeled from one bad leader to another. The prospect of betterment is simply not there. This is not because the model of our democracy is inherently faulty, in spite of our pretentious federalism, or because corruption is so pervasive that it disables us from intelligent leadership selection processes. What makes a Goodluck Jonathan ineffectual, or an

IG Abubakar deserves more than cursory support

I

T may be too early in the day to tell how effective the Acting Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubabkar, would be, but for every Nigerian humiliated by the transactions that took place at police checkpoints nationwide over the years, the scrapping of those barricades should be applauded. This is not the first time an IG would take that step, but it is hoped it would be the last time an IG would reverse himself. Abubakar has spoken enthusiastically about the scrapping of the checkpoints, and has even promised they were gone for good, never to return again.

He must be encouraged to make the measure permanent.

Neither he nor the rest of us have any illusions about the pitfalls consequent upon scrapping what for decades became a subsidy regimen for sustaining police operations. Checkpoints were derisively described as toll gates, where the police collected money from motorists and travellers to subsidise their low wages, fund the repair and fuelling of patrol vehicles, and secure their retirements in terms of personal

houses and other investments. But no one was left in doubt that the whole world regarded the Nigeria Police as one of the most corrupt in the world and a disgrace to black people everywhere. It is unlikely policemen were themselves unaware of the heavy stain on their reputation, but they seemed powerless to do anything about it on account of neglect by government and poor funding.

Abubakar is obviously ardent about doing something about that bad reputation, and he wants to reclaim police pride. But there is nothing to show the IG put anything in place to replace what policemen would lose as a result of the scrapped checkpoints. Admittedly, if he were to wait until he did, the measure would never leave the drawing board.

Yet, rather than pretend the funding and perks gaps do not exist, he must urgently address the logistics and financial shortfalls that are bound to crop up.

There are already indications policemen could in frustration encourage or even participate in criminal activities, but for now, this has neither been proved nor as pervasive as feared. Abubakar must work hard to

keep the initiative. He must go beyond holding police commanders responsible for crimes committed in their jurisdictions; he must motivate, encourage and show them how the job should be done. Apart from recreating the police into an ethical force through rules and regulations, he must also prepare – however he wants to do that – a brilliant and sustainable blueprint for a modern Police Force the country would be proud of.

The support I write about is not limited to the public who should be as enthusiastic and passionate about the changes Abubakar is midwifing. The best support should come from the federal government, that is, assuming that from their various travels our leaders have formed a definite and civilised impression of the kind of police we need. The government must not only fund the police substantially well, it must also not meddle in the running of the law enforcement organisation or deny the IG the room he needs to reshape the police and imbue them with the character required for modern and accountable law enforcement.

Olusegun Obasanjo imperious and provincial, or a Shehu Shagari insular and tactless, is not the balloting that got them into office, but the will, character and principles they show once in office. It is rare indeed to find an electorate that can correctly assess the noble qualities of a great leader before he gets into office. The point is that the electorate is quite unable to determine the forces that would challenge and shape the leader and the country, or even to determine how that leader would respond to those unknown challenges.

History tells us that some of the world’s greatest leaders assumed office either against the general will of the people or with their reluctant and grudging acquiescence.

Abraham Lincoln lost election several times; Winston Churchill came in as a last resort, not as first choice; Charles de Gaulle barely overcame the detestation of lawmakers who resented his obsessive political superfluities; Julius Caesar got into power with subtlety and was soon assassinated, etc.

There was no way to judge that Churchill would offer such a splendid response to Nazism; and there was no way to anticipate Lincoln on the American civil war. In short, no one could ever tell how a leader would respond to the exigencies of the day.

Indeed, while it can sometimes be gauged how leaders would face the challenges of the present, it is often difficult to appreciate how they would anticipate and react to the challenges of the future. This talent for futurism requires an indescribable mix of talent, character, intelligence, charisma, self-will and peerless intuition.

In a situation where the ordinary citizen finds his ability to understand the present severely curtailed by so many factors, it is better imagined how he would respond to the leader who futuristically sees the difficult trajectory his country should take and the painful sacrifices needed to fulfil that aspiration.

Even after reforming the Nigerian political system, securing true federalism, and restructuring the country possibly along regional lines, these do not guarantee that great leaders would get to office. More, I am suggesting that it is even more difficult for the electorate to correctly judge the capacity of a leader to overcome mediocrity and rise into greatness. We are tempted to blame ourselves for putting the likes of Obasanjo and Jonathan in power, men who by their inelegant approach to the challenges facing the nation have plunged their country into a morass. We should not be hard on ourselves. The history of the world is in fact a history of majority of bad leaders and an infinitesimal minority of excellent leaders.

We are not immune, for the whole world is also bemoaning bad leadership everywhere.

But we must blame ourselves when we re-elect an uninspiring leader. We were foolish to return Obasanjo in 2003, as if it was an obligation, and we would be foolish to return Jonathan in 2015, as if ethnic balancing and regional zoning demanded it. If we could not appreciate their weaknesses before they assumed power, once in power, their shortcomings could no longer be hidden. Great leaders respond to crises intelligently because they are armed with the relevant character, principles, knowledge, charisma and intuition. These attributes are not forged from anywhere else but from books, for books are the windows into a man’s mind. A man finds his heroes and role models in his studies. We could tell that US President Barack Obama’s heroes are Franklin D. Roosevelt and Lincoln; just like we also know the heroes of the world’s great leaders. What ennobling books have Nigerian leaders read, and who are their heroes?

If we cannot demand excellence from our current leaders, let us at least recognise the grave challenges facing the country, and let us strive in the coming elections to make an enlightened choice of leaders for public office who are equipped with the irrepressible character of rising up nobly to these perilous challenges. There is a limit to how any country can continue, like Nigeria, to fly in the face of providence without destroying itself.

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