The Nation May 13, 2012

Why NJC backed Justice Salami’s recall Jonathan yet to receive report

–Page 2

Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

Vol.06, No. 2121

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

SUNDAY

N200.00

MAY 13, 2012

Yorubas disown Kano Boko Haram leader –PAGE 2

UNILAG VC, Sofoluwe, slumps, dies

Bola Ige ‘s brother, Dele passes on at 79 Tinubu, Fashola, others lead tributes

•Sofoluwe CONTROVERSY

•Palestinian protesters and foreign activists scuffle with Israeli soldiers during a demonstration ahead of "Nakba Day" in Beit Omar village, north of the West Bank town of Hebron, on May 12, 2012 where Israeli soldiers tried to evacuate demonstrators by force and arrested some near the entrance of the Jewish settlement of Karmi Tsour. Palestinians mark the "Nakba", or "Catastrophe" on May 15, which commemorates the expulsion and fleeing of Palestinians from British-mandate Palestine as a result of the 1948 war that led to the creation of the Jewish state.

Photo: AFP

–Page 9

EDO ROBBERS TRAPPED IN CAVE AFTER BOTCHED BANK RAID

–Page 4

NEWS

2

THE NATION ON SUNDAY MAY 13, 2012

• Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN (left), his Ogun State counterpart, Senator Ibikunle Amosun (middle) and Commissioner for Health, Ogun State, Dr Olaokun Soyinka (right) during the Joint Ogun and Lagos Governors Polio Awareness Day Programme with the theme, “Youths Against Polio – YAP”, held at the St. John Anglican Primary School, Ogijo, Shagamu (Border Ikorodu), yesterday.

• L-R: Prof. Linus Ilika; Gov. Peter Obi; Bishop Paulinus Ezeokafor; Obi's daughter, Amaka; Obi's wife, Margaret and Igwe Gibson Nwosu of Awka during the flag-off of campaign for the eradication of polio at the Regina Ceali hospital, Awka, yesterday.

Yorubas disown Kano Boko Haram leader • Ogbomoso community also disowns him T

HE Yoruba in Kano and especially the Ogbomoso people yesterday denounced media reports which described a suspected operational commander of Boko Haram in the metropolis as a Yoruba from the Oyo State town.

Suleiman Mohammed, his wife and five children were arrested by the Joint Military Task Force (JTF) during a dawn raid on his residence at Farawa Quarters on Friday.

Ten crates of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), one AK47 rifle and three pistols were recovered in his residence.

As soon as the various publications hit the newsstands yesterday, the Yoruba within and outside Kano began putting phone calls through to their contacts to ascertain the background of the suspect with no one able to confirm ever knowing him or his origin.

A group of concerned natives of Ogbomoso dismissed the reports as “suspicious and lacking in clarity”.

Spokesman for the group, Mr Afolabi Omotoso, advised the security agencies to be thorough in their investigations and stop playing to the gallery.

“We are saying with all emphasis that there is no Ogbomoso indigene bearing that name. And if the security operatives doubt it, let them tell us the suspect’s family compound name. We demand for clarity of purpose from the security agencies”, he said.

A source at the palace of the monarch of Ogbomoso who pleaded anonymity because he was not authorised to speak told The Nation on phone, “Since the news broke the palace has been inundated with calls and enquiries. However, our reaction for now is that we’ll

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

want to know more about the suspect. Who is his father and from which compound or adugbo (ward) does he come from.”

According to him, because a suspect claims he hails from a place is not enough to believe him. He called on security agencies to do their investigations well before making public information that would fur-

ther divide the country and lead to disaffection.

Also, former secretary of the Yoruba community in Kano, who simply identified himself as Ojo for security reasons, said the suspect is not known to the group.

He said the Yoruba in the metropolis network very well and are reasonably familiar with one another adding that Suleiman Mohammed is not known to any member of the Yoruba

community.

He said:”As far as we are concerned we do not know him. He is only claiming that he hails from Ogbomoso but there is a group, known as Ogbomoso Parapo. You can contact them at their secretariat on Church Road to confirm whether they know him but for the Yoruba parent body in Kano, we do not know him.”

He said Suleiman’s al-

leged action is contrary to the Yoruba core values of religious tolerance, good neighbourliness, and peaceful coexistence.

“No business can be transacted in a chaotic atmosphere, that is why we are very surprised over his involvement in the sect’s activities and we are therefore looking forward to a comprehensive investigation over the incident so that the truth about the issue can be made public.”

He particularly de-

manded the suspect’s Yoruba name to prove that he is actually one, saying : “The Yoruba community doubts his identity as a true Yoruba man. We are interested in knowing his Yoruba name.”

In his reaction, the acting president of the Yoruba community in Kano, Prince Ajayi Memaiyetan said the suspect was never known to have participated in the activities of the group and was therefore not known to the community.

Why attacks on Aregbesola cannot distract him —Ex-Minister

F

ORMER Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Akin Olujinmi, says the courage with which Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State has carried on despite unending attacks is the reason for his achievements .

According to Olujimi, the Governor has demonstrated well enough that he was fully prepared for the office before contesting.

Former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) also said Aregbesola should expect more attacks on his person and government given his giant strides at redefining governance in the country.

Mr.Akeredolu said detractors who have been spewing falsehood about the governor and his administration do not know how resilient he can be when pursuing a cause. said This attribute,they said was demonstrated when the legal battle to reclaim his mandate was on.

Olujimi, Akeredolu and other eminent lawyers spoke in Osogbo during a dinner in honour of lawyers who handled Aregbesola's peti-

• As Gov explains zeal over electoral mandate tion to claim his mandate.

Other prominent lawyers at the dinner were Mr. Ebun Shofunde, former Commissioner for Justice in Lagos State, Prof Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), Chief Charles Edonsonwon (SAN), Mr. Kola Awodein (SAN), Mr. Basiru Ajibola who is now the Commissioner for Special Duties and Regional Integration in Osun and a host of others.

The Governor, at the occasion, noted that he was so

zealous about the case because he was convinced that he won the election, adding that the clearest signal of his victory was that in Osogbo, the state capital and all the ancient towns in the state, the sitting government did not win, especially in Osogbo where it did not win a single polling unit.

Aregbesola also added that it would have been disastrous if he did not pursue the case with such zeal considering the number of party

loyalists who believed in his cause of becoming the governor of the state but were killed during the struggle.

The governor said: “Why I was so zealous about the case was that I was convinced that we won the case.

The clearest signal of our victory was Osogbo the capital.

Osogbo is the melting point of every one in Osun, the seat of government is here, and again, a week to the election, all of us were chased out of the state. We were not al-

lowed to campaign. I was declared wanted and had to smuggle myself into the town on the eve of the election. Despite all of these, that government did not win a polling booth in the capital city where it resided.

“I did not have to consult an oracle to know that the people of Osun wanted me.

To add to the fact that we were wanted by the people was the fact that for them to even get their fake victory; they had to kill over a dozen of our supporters and agents.

Etisalat affirms commitment to quality service

T

ELECOMMUNICATION firm Etisalat has reaffirmed its commitment to the delivery of quality services to its over 12 million subscribers in the country.

Steven Evans, Chief Executive Officer, Etisalat Nigeria said the company in its over three years of rendering quality telecommunications services in the country has invested over two billion dollars in building and expanding its network and

will continue to invest in upgrading and expanding its network and capacity in order to meet the communications need of its customers.

Reacting to the recent sanction by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) of all GSM operators for non-compliance with the Quality of Service targets set by the Regulator for the months of March and April 2012, Evans explained that since its commercial

launch in October 2008 Etisalat has been recognized as a quality operator as proven by the various measures conducted and published by the regulator during the last 3 years.

He said, “This year alone we are investing more than half a billion dollars in expansion of our network capabilities and capacity and this expansion which is currently in progress will reflect positively on the quality of our network”.

He said the failure to hit some of the quality measures could not be attributed alone to capacity expansion but also by other factors which represent industrywide challenges. Foremost amongst these is the absence of reliable power which necessitates that every one of over 3000 cell sites needs to be served by two generators which run 24 hours a day and need regular maintenance and provision of weekly supplies of diesel.

Column

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, MAY 13, 2012

The Karma of the Koma T

HE Nigerian predicament defies rational explanations.

But whatever defies rational explanation only adds to the challenges of the inquiring mind. As Hegel famously noted, if reality is inconceivable, we must forge concepts that are inconceivable. Having run out of rational intellectual constructs to explain the contemporary Nigerian tragedy and what is obviously an apocalypse around the corner, we must now move to the realm of superstition.

As the post-colonial condition deteriorates, only the intellectually unwise would discountenance the superstitious as a valid conceptual tool for plotting the Nigerian fiasco.

How else do we explain a situation in which a political elite is bent on committing suicide? How else do we account for a deliberate courting and cultivating of disaster that appears to be deeply ingrained in the Nigerian national psyche?

The great king cobra is one of the most savage and vicious of snakes. But it is also a most gentle, docile and placid animal as long as you don’t fumble with its tail.

As a sign of benign goodwill, the itchy and tetchy tail is usually buried deep in the ground as the cobra lies in lordly repose hidden among dead leaves.

Intrepid women often capture it, carrying it home wrapped in their headgear. In Yoruba rural folklore, when children stamp and march on it, a cobra usually turns on its side rumbling: Oosa, o r’omo e bi? (The great deity, see your children and their naughty antics!).

The huge Nigerian multitude in their placidity and sheer docility can be likened to a gentle cobra in repose. But why do the Nigerian elite persist in looking for the tail of the cobra?

Albert Einstein, one of the most rational and scientifically minded of men, was also superstitious to boot. The father of the atomic bomb once advanced the thesis that insanity is doing the same thing all over again and expecting different results. Check the history books.

All the factors responsible for the collapse of the earlier three republics are here with us in more fearful magnitude and amplification.

Yet our political quacks are expecting a different result.

But it appears that collective insanity or herd misconduct is only part of a larger problem. The iron law of Karma stipulates that you will eventually reap what you have sown. There is a genetic and hence scientific basis for this profound observation. You cannot plant cassava and expect to harvest yam. Karmic retribution is about just deserts. The law of karma is in full operation in Nigeria. Contemporary Nigeria is the equivalent of a hardship posting.

But it is a hardship posting for perpetual re-offenders. The injunction seems to be: Go ye and sin more, for perdition shall be thy lot.

The law of karma works in wondrous ways. It often corrals those who are not part of the original offending gang. This is the fate that seems to have overtaken the good Koma people of Nigeria. Perhaps the karmic retribution owes to their belonging to the black race.

Or perhaps it has to do with being entangled in the chaotic amalgam known as Nigeria. No fate can be worse. Readers are invited to judge.

In 1986 or thereabouts, the Nigerian military authorities, having discovered the Koma people, persuaded them to come down from their hilly redoubt to join mod-

S

3

nooping around With

Tatalo Alamu

• Primitive man

ern civilisation. Away from the prying eyes of unruly modernity, the Koma had existed for centuries in the idyllic and inaccessible bliss of their remote mountain range.

Largely unclothed, they raised their children, married and died in primitive splendour. The land was the equivalent of a magic mountain. They did not need electricity, and the clean mountain water was potable enough. There were no reports of food shortages. Grain and

game were aplenty. The excess grain they turned into a strong local beer which probably fuelled orgies of drinking and wild fornication. There were no reports of armed robberies and kidnapping.

They worshipped their ancestors and had no truck with Christianity or Islam. Occasionally, some hardy and footloose preachers have found their way up the mountain bearing strange tales of some new gods. Majority of the

Koma people would have laughed this to scorn. But in their innate liberality and generosity of spirit, they allowed them to preach and to establish churches and schools..

It is obvious that if they had a choice in the matter, they would have preferred to come down on the other side which is Cameroon to join their kith and kin.. Cameroon was more peaceful and prosperous despite the fact that it was ruled by an octogenarian despot who has held sway for over three decades.

These are the ill-fated people the Nigerian authorities virtually compelled to come down from their primitive paradise to share in the joys of modern civilization. It has been suggested by research that the whale, the dolphin and some other sea mammals were originally land based animals that had fled back to water when the land got very rough. Now, it is quite possible that the original Koma people belong to an earlier thriving civilization but had been driven uphill after some Homeric bloodletting on the plains. The Nok civilization was not far away.

Recently a seven thousand year old boat was excavated in wondrously preserved form around the place. But hidden away on their hilly fortress, the Koma people probably succumbed to de-civilization leading to a gradual regression to a state of nature. The reason for this is simple. Once the social contradictions that sustain certain institutions are no longer pressing and present, the institutions themselves disappear.

Yet even in their primitive hideout, the Koma people retained their humanity, built rudimentary in-

After darkness… a ray of hope

S

UPERSTITION pays after all.

It is quite tempting—not to say comforting—to belief that human affairs are governed by a mysterious regulator that sees to it that no matter how long it takes, logic finally overwhelms illogic and order swamps disorder.

While we are still on the subject of the darkness that has descended on Nigeria, it is also fair to report on the sighting of hope for Africa.

It is logical to ask where the hope lies when Nigeria appears to be dissolving in an apocalyptic fireball and within the context of active de-civilization in the country. But the law of uneven and unequal development also applies to continents just as it applies to nations. In the case of Nigeria, it is a question of the bigger the head the bigger the headache. It may get worse in Nigeria but it will eventually get better.

Nigeria notwithstanding, a great era of darkness seems to be closing in Africa. It was the era of warriors and warlords of military and civilian hue. They raped and despoiled the entire continent; brutalised the citizenry and violated the most sacred mores of society. The only language they understood was superior brute force and as the guns boomed blood also flowed and the entire continent became a chaotic war front.

With the conviction of Charles Taylor by a UN court, Africa seems to be turning the corner from its

own Dark Age. While he ruled the roost from the grisly mess of warravaged Monrovia, Taylor was a trans-national bandit who turned Sierra Leone to a vast diamond pit for extractive predation even while funding and fuelling civil war in neighbouring Cote D’Ivoire. Till date the horrors of the gory conflict are still evident in interior Sierra Leone.

But we must thank god and probably the western powers for small mercies. Now consider an Africa without the following power-crazed sadists: FrancoisTombalbaye, the tyrant of old Fort Lamy: Idi Amin Dada, the cannibal of Kampala; Marcos Nguema, the madman of Malabo; Samuel Doe, the demented mastersergeant of Monrovia; Jean-Bedel Bokassa, the syphilitic bandylegged bandit of Ubangi-Shari; Mobutu, the light-fingered kleptocrat of Kinshasa ; Siad Barre, the mugger of Mogadishu who expired in Nigeria; Hisenne Habre, a.k.a, the devil of Samangudu; Charles Taylor, a.k.a superglue; and more recently Moussa Dadis Camara, the cranky captain of Conakry who ordered unarmed protesters to be raped and shot.

All of them were violently overthrown, and almost all of them met a very gruesome end. It is good and great to imagine an Africa without these monsters. The horrendous devastation they left behind is still evident in most of the countries.

Many of them are beginning to turn the corner, but the legacy of horror is still very much with them. It must also be mentioned that virtually all of these monsters are shadowy creations of the west in its quest for absolute global hegemony. Just as the heart of darkness is a fictional construct of the west to justify colonial rapine and rapacity, the Dark Age of Africa is a political creation of the metropolitan powers to secure their global dominion.

With the conviction of Charles Taylor, the declaration of interest in Joseph Kony of Uganda, a subsisting warrant of arrest hanging over the Sudanese despot, Omar Hassan al-Bashir and the open deposition of Muamar Ghaddafi, a process of recolonisation of Africa by the west seems to be underway. If a political elite cannot manage its territorial space, it will have to be managed for it. As it was in the beginning, so it seems at the end of the beginning. Africa is a perpetual pawn in a play of giants.

The “post” in post-colonial simply means post-haste recolonisation.

For those who may feel affronted, here is some comic relief.

The last time snooper checked out Valentine Strasser, the boy-captain and former Freetown disk jockey who once seized power in Sierra Leone, he had become a gin-swigging pauperised tramp living with his mother in a hovel outside Freetown. Absolute power tends to destroy absolutely.

stitutions that sustained and facilitated their new way of life and therefore cannot be dismissed as savages. They were noble primitives and ought to challenge our anthropologists to more productive research rather than the stereotypical regurgitation of Eurocentric nonsense.

These are the people cajoled and coerced into abandoning their idyllic ancestral homestead and way of life for the Dante’s inferno that northern Nigeria in particular and the rest of the country had become in the intervening three decades. The question is: Can a savage nation rescue a primitive people? We are sure that the Koma people would have been glad of another cultural death.

The scale and magnitude of de-civilising that have gone in Nigeria in recent times would make future historians shudder in fright and wonderment about how normal human beings could do this to themselves. The post-colonial state has virtually imploded, particularly in its federal incarnation. Under the weight of modern contradictions, the ethical grid that undergirded traditional society has collapsed. Even the pretence to minimal governance is fast disappearing. Meanwhile as legitimacy and authority evaporate, the rulers engage in sinister buffooneries.

The state of nature where everything is short, nasty and brutish is here with us. The Stone Age has reclaimed its own. There has been an absolute rise in the level of violence and wanton disregard for the sanctity of human life. Periodic pogroms are routine. Anti-social deviants are on the prowl everywhere. Kidnapping, unsolved assassination and epic thievery of the national patrimony are the order of the day.

The figures have gone supersonic. The revelations are absolutely stunning and benumbing.

And this phenomenon is gender-neutral. Educated women are proving to be more accomplished economic predators. In a society with values and one with a culture of shame, suicide would have been a generous option. But life obviously goes on.

What a way to live then!

This is the ethical and normative canister into which the good people of Koma have been sucked. Even if they wish to return to the idyllic bliss of their mountain redoubt, it is doubtful that they can. They are already severely contaminated by Nigeria.

There are reports that Koma children have already started disappearing.

Ordinarily, one would have asked the Koma people to file charges of cultural genocide against the Nigerian authorities at the UN. But then in a deeply ironic and tantalising way, it may well be the iron law of Karma that is at play. The Koma are guilty by association and location. Karma is working against the Koma. But let us stop using primitive people as a psychological prop. It is Nigeria that needs to be persuaded to return to civilisation.

4

Robbers sack police station in Edo From Osagie Otabor, Benin

GANG of robbers yesterday sacked the Igarra police station in Akoko-Edo Local Government area of Edo State using dynamite. They chased away the policemen on duty and seized three rifles.

The bandits also shot two persons identified as Kehinde Julius and Eshovo Ukonga before proceeding to a bank in the community for a robbery operation.

The raid was, however, foiled by a vigilance group in the area which, together with some youths, foiled the attempt to break into the bank.

Sources said the robbers, after running over the police station, took over Momodu Ajayi Road shooting sporadically to instil fear in those who might want to stop them.

But this was not enough to scare a security man attached to the bank. The man, it was gathered, shot one of the robbers in the leg, forcing the marauders to beat a retreat.

The source said: “The robbers came, threw dynamites into the police station and took guns from the armoury. Some of them proceeded to the bank and others stationed themselves along the road, shooting but could not gain access into the bank after one of them was shot.

“The others who escaped kidnapped a truck driver whom they later dropped off along the way.

But the one with gunshots and one of the gang members escaped into the caves in the Igarra hills.

“Their blood stains were used to trail them into the caves and in the process his accomplice shot two of our boys. But they are still believed to be hiding in the caves while the others escaped.”

The Police Commissioner, Olayinka Balogun, confirmed the incident but denied that the robbers gained access into the armoury.

He said: “Yes they invaded the police station but they met resistance. Their plan was to attack the two banks situated opposite each other but they were also resisted there. We recovered three AK 47 rifles, a locally made explosive and two vehicles- a Toyota Sienna and Camry.

“We suspect that two of them are hiding in the cave.

We have their blood stained clothes. They are holed in one cave we are firing teargas into the cave to smoke them out.”

The police said last night that they had recovered three AK47 rifles, one red Toyota Camry car with Reg. number plate AJ778DSZ, One Honda Odyssey bus with Re. Number plate EH123ABJ

‘A

THE NATION ON SUNDAY MAY 13, 2012

News

UNILAG VC, Sofoluwe slumps, dies • Tinubu, Fashola others lead tributes T

HE Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos, Prof Adetokunbo Babatunde Sofoluwe died yesterday. He died of a heart attack he suffered at a meeting on Friday night.

He was 62 Professor Sofoluwe, a computer scientist, was pronounced dead at the University of Lagos Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi Araba moments after he was brought in from the university’s health centre.

He had slumped at a meeting on the campus and was rushed to the health centre but when his condition appeared not to be improving, he was transferred to LUTH. The institution’s authorities, in a terse statement, confirmed his death thus: “The University of Lagos Management deeply regrets to announce the sudden death of the Vice-Chancellor at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, IdiAraba in the early hours of Saturday, 12th May, 2012.

“The University community, in particular staff and students are advised to pray along with family for the repose of his soul. Condolence Register has been opened in the Senate House for messages to the amiable, accomplished scholar, and astute administrator.

“Further announcements will follow in due course. May his soul rest in peace.”

Professor Sofoluwe, was born on April 15, 1950 and attended CMS Grammar School, Lagos for his secondary education and the University of Lagos where he got his first degree in Computer Science in 1973.

He proceeded to Edinburgh University in Scotland for his Masters and Doctorate degrees and joined the teaching staff of UNILAG in 1976 as a graduate assistant.

He was appointed Vice Chancellor of the university on January 30, 2010 taking over from Professor Tolu Odugbemi.

Odugbemi, in a tribute yesterday said: “It is a tragedy losing the bright mind,

Adegunle Olugbamila

VC Prof Tokunbo Sofoluwe.

He was a hardworking gentleman. I fondly addressed him as ‘aburo’ while I cherished his favourite title for me: ‘Baba Akogun’. He was very humble and committed to our set goals to make tertiary education better. Teamwork and divine interventions were his popular phrase. We will miss him.

May God grant him eternal rest.”

National leader of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, described the death of Professor Sofoluwe as a monumental loss to both his family and the nation’s academic community.

In a tribute, the Asiwaju said: “The timing and circumstance of his death saddens me deeply and I can only pray that God grants his family the strength to bear this painful loss.

“He died in active service, a testimony to his dedication to work and his undying desire to ensure academic excellence.”

The former Lagos State governor said Sofoluwe was a man of great character and a great mind, the kind Ni-

geria needs in abundance to achieve rapid development.

He implored the Federal Government to increase funding for medical research and training and more importantly, to ensure that the nation’s hospitals are well equipped to tackle and provide excellent emergency treatment.

The Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, (FUNAAB), Prof.

Oluwafemi Olaiya Balogun, described Sofoluwe’s death as a big shock.

“It’s a terrible thing,” Balogun told our reporter on phone. “I still find it difficult to believe. His death has dealt a devastating blow to the academic community.”

The Vice-Chancellor, Caleb University, Ikorodu Lagos, Prof Ayodele Olukoju, who also spoke to this reporter on phoned recalled the close ties his family had with the Sofoluwes.

“I’ve known Sofoluwe since 1996 when I had a temporary apartment at Ozolua Street opposite university quarters. I later discovered that his wife, Dr. Funmi, was my sister’s senior at St Annes Girls School, Ibadan. On that basis, Sofoluwe treated me

like a brother-in-law.

“He was an Associate Professor at that time, but the kind of humility he displayed made me wonder if people in that status today can display such humility.

You can’t fault his virtues such as friendliness, humility, patience and perseverance. He was an administrator per excellence. Remember, he was the Dean of Science and Director, Academic Planning before his last position.

The Provost, Michael Otedola College of Primary Education, Noforija, Epe, Prof Olu Akeusola, said he received Sofoluwe’s death with shock.

“We were together about three weeks ago, when the Kegite Club of the UNILAG honoured the Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University, Prof John Oladapo Obafunwa who is a UNILAG alumnus.

Sofoluwe was the Chairman, while I was the Guest of Honour.

“But despite that he was not a Kegite, Sofoluwe came and stayed throughout till 11pm. He felt humbled and proud to associate himself with Obafunwa. We even joked about it that UNILAG

Dele Ige dies at 79

S

IR Dele Ige, younger brother of the late Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Chief Bola Ige, is dead.

He was aged 79. Sir Dele, a contractor died yesterday in Ibadan. He was said to have slumped at the celebration of the 60th birthday of his nephew, Mr. Akin Ige, moment before he was due to speak at the function.

He was rushed to an undisclosed hospital where he was confirmed dead. He was the Chairman of Tilbury Construction Company.

His nephew and Osun State Commissioner for Lands and Physical Planning, Mr. Muyiwa Ige, confirmed his death.

Speaking on phone on his way to Ibadan from Osogbo, the younger Ige said: “I can confirm that he is dead. But that is all that I can tell you for now. I heard that he slumped and died while trying to deliver his a speech. I am on my way to Ibadan. I can’t say much until I get to his residence. But I can say that his

From: Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

death marked the end of a lineage of the Ige family because he was the last man.”

Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State described the death as devastating.

The governor, in a tribute said: “It is with rude shock that I received the death of Chief Dele Ige, the brother to our revered uncle, the late Chief Bola Ige. He was a highly principled person who held tightly to his belief.

“It is on record that although he didn’t share the same political ideology with his late brother, Chief Bola Ige, he, however, shared some of his ideals which bound them together as biological brothers and members of the same family. He will be sorely missed,’’ Gov. Ajimobi remarked.

He prayed for the repose of the soul of the deceased and that God should grant the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

•Left grandson of late Bola Ige, Kayode Adegbola, and son of late Dele Ige , Leye at Dele Ige’s residence at the old Bodija Ibadan Photo: NAN

products who are heading academic institutions are doing well.

“Sofoluwe was a humble man who demystified the office of VC. He was never a political VC. Nigeria and indeed the world have lost another academic colossus.”

Prof Obafunwa, while reacting on phone, said Sofoluwe’s death meant a great loss not only to UNILAG but LASU. He said the universities were currently discussing areas of collaboration before the incident.

“He said: I just spoke with one of his (Sofoluwe) colleagues a few days go and he told me he was hale and hearty.

“I was with him three weeks ago, precisely on April 27 when the university’s Kegite Club hosted me. One of the things we discussed was a possible collaboration between UNILAG and LASU. I was actually looking forward to another interactive session before this calamity occurred.

“It’s a sad loss to the UNILAG community and Nigeria as a whole. People like him are rare to come by.

May his soul rest in perfect peace.”

The Chairman, Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) UNILAG chapter, Dr Karo Ogbinnaka, described Sofoluwe as a workaholic and friend of the union.

In his words: “Sofoluwe was a workaholic who hardly left his office until 6pm every day. He was also the union’s friend. He attended meetings regularly.

The sun has just gone down on us in UNILAG here.

“The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS )in a statement by its National President, Dauda Muhammed, described Sofoluwe’s death as painful coming at a time interactions between him and NANS towards restoring students’ unionism had reached an advanced stage.

In his tribute, Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola expressed shock and disbelief at the sad news of the death of Prof Sofoluwe.

In two separate condolence letters to the widow, Dr Olufunmilayo Sofoluwe and Registrar of the University, Mr Oluwarotimi Shodimu, the Governor said he cannot but recall the warm reception he was accorded at the University when he was invited to deliver the School of Post Graduate Studies Annual Lecture in January this year.

Describing the late ViceChancellor as a brilliant scholar and versatile administrator, Fashola who conveyed his sympathies on behalf of the Government and people of Lagos State said the calm and easy going manner Professor Shofoluwe chaired the proceeding that day showed him as an amiable gentleman, whose dedication to the University of Lagos was not in doubt.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY MAY 13, 2012

News

• A cross section of couples during a mass wedding involving 27 couples at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, Kabayi Mararaba, Nasarawa State yesterday

Why NJC wants Salami re-instated • President yet to receive recommendation T HE decision of the National Judicial Council (NJC) recommending the reinstatement of Justice Ayo Salami as President,Court of Appeal stemmed from the hollowness of the reasons adduced for his suspension last August,The Nation on Sunday gathered at the weekend.

Justice Salami was asked to proceed on suspension for alleged misconduct but a source close to the council said this could not stand the rigour of scrutiny once the NJC reconvened in Abuja last

By Our Reporter

week to review the issue.

The council,the source said ,is required to “act against a judicial officer strictly on the basis of a petition(s) against him.But in this case,the fact-finding committee found nothing against him.”

“So, if nothing was found against him why do you have to punish him?” the source said in reference to the committee’s dismissal of the allegation that Justice Salami was having

telephone contact with some politicians.

“And there was the issue of perjury which we all know is a criminal offence.The proper place to try perjury is the court but the fact before the council was that no such matter was taken to any court.This is a gathering of legal minds and the expectation is that things are done according to the law of the land.

“That precisely was the basis for the decision.It

was a matter of law and was treated accordingly.”

It was also gathered that the NJC recommendation was yet to reach the President as at last night.

It was not immediately clear what was responsible for the delay.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media,Dr.Reuben Abati had, in a statement announcing Justice Salami’s suspension last year,said:, “President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is in receipt of a

‘Nigeria ranks second in road accident fatalities’

N

IGERIA has the second highest road traffic accident fatalities among the 193 countries in the world, Health Minister, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu has said.

Chukwu, who spoke through the Director of Special Project in the ministry, Dr. Michael Arene at a press conference to mark the first anniversary of the United Nations (UN) Decade of Action in Abuja, said Nigeria records 162 deaths per 100,000.

The high rate of deaths apart, the minister said the trend was adversely affecting the health system in the country and hampering its attainment of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) 4 and 5.

But government, according to him, has responded to the trend with many measures including initiation of the integrated National Emergency Ambulances Services.

He said: “Road traffic accidents have led to the death of men, women, boys

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

and girls and even the unborn child, impacts negatively on our ability to achieve the MDGs as most people affected are the youths.

“There is a need to halt this trend in order to achieve the attainment of MDGs 4 and 5 aimed at reducing infant mortality and improving maternal mortality.”

Also speaking at the occasion, the National Focal Person for UN Decade of Action in Nigeria, Dr. Sydney Ibeanusi said over 80 percent of injuries in Nigeria are traffic accidents related.

Stressing that road traffic accidents are the third leading cause of deaths in the country, he said that 1.3 million persons are killed and 50 million injured globally every year from road crashes.

The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Osita Chidoka said that in the bid to create a synergy with Non-Governmental Organi-

zations (NGOs) towards reducing road crashes in Nigeria, the Nigeria Road

Safety Partnership (NRSP) was set up involving private sector organizations and NGOs.

correspondence dated 18th August, 2011, from the National Judicial Council, recommending the compulsory retirement of Hon. Justice Isa Ayo Salami, OFR, for misconduct in accordance with the provisions of Section 292 (1) (a) (i) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, and Rule 1 (1) of the Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“Consequently, President Jonathan, in exercise of the powers conferred on him by Section 238 (4) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, has approved the acting appointment of Hon. Justice Dalhatu Adamu to perform the functions of the office of the President of the Court of Appeal pending when all issues relating to the office of the President of the Court of Appeal are resolved.”

•L-R: Cross River State Governor, Senator Liyel Imoke, Magistrate Helen Emmah Isong, General Overseer, Christian Central Chapel Int’l, Bishop Emmah Isong and Mrs. Obioma Liyel Imoke during the inauguration of the church’s ultramodern edifice, in Calabar.

5

Photo: NAN

Gunmen raid three banks in Bauchi State

By Austine Tsenzughul, Bauchi

G

UNMEN yesterday raided three banks in Missau and Yana both in Bauchi State.

Two of the banks are in Missau and the third in Yana.

The robbers also carted away huge sums of money during the operations.

The gang that operated in Missau first attacked the Police Divisional headquarters, to ensure that the police would have no time to stop their raid on the banks. Their gun battle with the police lasted about three hours.

Sunday Nation learnt that the Missau and Yana raids were carried out almost simultaneously between 12 midnight and 4.35 am.

A resident of Missau said: “Unlike the 2011 attack on the banks here when the robbers lost one of their men, this time I think they planned well.” ‘’They waited until residents had gone to bed before they launched their attack.

But it was terrible as the robbers spent almost five hours carrying out their operations’’. The raids came barely five days after a bomb explosion at a brothel in Bayan Gari , Bauchi metropolis in which four persons were injured.

The principal suspect in that blast is at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Teaching Hospital receiving medical attention.

Bauchi State Police Commissioner Mallam Mohammed Ladan confirmed the incidents on phone saying he was yet to ascertain the level of damage and other details.

“Yes, it is true that there were attacks at Yana, and Misau Local Government Area. Hoodlums attacked the banks with explosives before gaining access.”

6

THE NATION ON SUNDAY MAY 13, 2012

News

Maku to Nigerians: document your ideas in books From: Olugbenga Adanikin, Abuja

T

HE Minister of Information and Communications, Mr. Labaran Maku, has called on Nigerians to document their ideas in books to foster national growth.

The Minister made the call over the weekend at a public presentation of two books, The laws of life and the challenges of our times (The philosophy of being)’ and Bronze Shilhouette The World from My Thatch (Poetry)’ written by Gladdys Williams Russel, in Abuja.

Maku said: “Writers are the people who really leave legacies for generations to come. Politicians, who are here today, will be forgotten shortly after they are gone. ‘’I want to urge Nigerians, especially the younger generation, to invest their time and energy in books.”

While condemning the dwindling reading culture, he attributed most ills in the society to the poor reading habit of Nigerians.

According to the minister, writers, have over the years, made significant contributions to the development of the world in general.

He cited scholars like Shakespeare, Cyprian Ekwensi, Chinua Achebe, amongst others who are being celebrated.

Maku praised the author for the feat she has achieved in writing even after retirement and described her as a patriot.

Shell, Ogoni community disagree on fresh oil spill in Rivers

I

NDIGENES of KegbaraDere (K-Dere) Ogoni in Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State and oil giant, Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) have disagreed over the May 7 oil spill in the community.

Chairman of Kegbara Dere Town Governing Council (KDTGC), Mr. Bari-ara Kpalap, yesterday alleged that SPDC accepted liability for the oil spill that devastated their farmlands, swamps and streams.

But spokesman of Shell, Mr. Precious Okolobo, said the Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) revealed that the spills were caused by hacksaw cuts, with JIV determining that the volume spilled was 10.2 barrels of crude oil.

K-Dere people stated that a joint investigation report on the

From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

spill, with reference No. 811617, blamed the incident on corrosion of the deeply-seated, high-pressure 28" Bomu-Bonny Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP), owned and operated by SPDC. The people of the community alleged that the report also indicted the oil giant of operational negligence, which was denied by Okolobo.

Ogoniland is made up of four councils, which are agitating with neigbouring councils for creation of Bori State, with the proposed capital Bori, the traditional headquarters of Ogoniland and the seat of Khana council.

Shell was chased out of Ogoniland in 1993 when the renowned environmentalist, Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight other Ogoni activists were hanged on

November 10, 1995 during the regime of late Gen. Sani Abacha.

SPDC is yet to return to Ogoniland.

K-Dere people through the spokesman said: “The JIV was conducted on May 9, 2012 by representatives of Shell, the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), the Federal Ministry of Environment, the Rivers State Ministry of Environment, The Nigeria Police Force (NPF), the Gokana Local Government Council and Kegbara-Dere community, to determine the cause of the incident and to assess risks and related matters.

“Although, we are still studying the report, we have been vindicated by the result of the investigation, which has been accepted by Shell, that

Fanaticism, violence strange to religion, says Aregbesola

O

SUN State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has declared that fanaticism and violence have no place in true religion.

He said the explanation for them should be found in something else.

Aregbesola spoke while declaring open the second session of the 13th Synod of the Diocese of Ilesa, Anglican Communion, tagged. ‘Lo, children are the heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward’’.

He said: “Fanaticism and violence are therefore strange to religion and we may have to find explanation for them in something else. A truly religious person must fear God and love fellow men.”

The governor said if truth would prevail on earth, there must be no basis for oppression, injustice, racism and any form of bigotry.

Aregbesola noted that the first generation of civil servants, academics, technocrats and industrialists had missionary education.

This, he said, was why they were the arrowheads of the development and blossoming of Yoruba civilisation in the late 19th and 20th Century.

This development, according to him, reached its apogee in the mid-20th Century with the introduction of free education by Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

contrary to insinuations pre-JIV

by SPDC officials hinging the spill on sabotage, the company’s equipment failure and negligence were confirmed as causes of the spill.’’

He went on:”An earlier similar investigation carried out by the team on May 7, 2012 in respect of April 19, 2012 Bomu Manifold Spill in the community, with reference No. 807267, equipment failure was also confirmed to be the cause.

“These have no doubt strengthened our position that the bulk of oil spill incidents in the area and indeed the entire Niger Delta region are as a result of operational failures and recklessness.

“The pipes were laid in the late 1950s and with the incessant spills, we are in no doubt about the questionable integrity of the pipes.’’

K-Dere also stated: ’’We stand by the finding of the JIV, which found them to be weak, having outlived their lifespan.

“We are thus calling for urgent similar investigation to determine the cause of the spill in the community on May 3, 2012.

“We are also calling on Shell to urgently engage the community governing council in dialogue, with a view to resolving issues surrounding impacts generated by the spill, including cleanup plans, relief and medical packages for victims. Delaying dialogue with the leaders in the present circumstance will be unhelpful.”

He also condemned the alleged

unprovoked militarisation and torture of innocent natives by heavily-armed soldiers.

He claimed many victims have been recorded, including Messrs. Baridura Sunday Kpai, Naazika Emadee Kpai, Baridi Dimkpa and Barinee Dimkpa.

The aggrieved people urged SPDC and the military authorities to render unreserved public apology to the victims of the illegal actions and take immediate steps to give them medical attention and compensations.

The spokesman of Shell said the oil giant had been viewing every spill as a very serious matter, whether caused by sabotage or operational failure.

He insisted that officials of the company were working very hard to prevent any operational spill.

Okolobo said; “On May 5, 2012, we received report of fire outbreak at two different points on the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP) at Mogho, downstream of Bomu in Ogoniland. The JIV revealed that the spills were caused by hacksaw cuts. The line was repaired.

“It is not up to any party to solely determine the cost and volume of any spill under the Nigerian regulation. The assignment is always left to JIV. “In the spill under reference (May 7, 2012), the JIV determined that the volume spilled was 10.2 barrels of crude oil. SPDC is investigating the root cause of the failure that led to the spill, as a responsible operator. Every spill is a serious concern to Shell.

“It is not correct to say that farmlands, swamps and streams have been polluted by the spill of 10.2 barrels of crude oil.”

The Shell’s spokesman assured that the oil giant would continue to be a responsible operator.

Enugu coal-powered power plant to produce 1,000 megawatts

E •National Leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria(ACN), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola and his Ogun State counterpart, Senator Ibikunle Amosun during the funeral service for the late father of Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi, Deacon Peter Afikuyomi at Yaba Baptist Church, Lagos… last Friday

Politicians, administrators, others storm Kwara for Rashidi Yekini

S

PORTS administrators, football aficionados and politicians yesterday converged at Ira, Oyun local government area of Kwara State, for the Fidau prayer of the late Super Eagles goal poacher, Rashidi Yekini.

Some of the dignitaries at the event include the speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Razak Atunwa; President, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Aminu Maigari, his Vice, Mike Umeh and former Secretary-General of the then Nigeria Football Association (NFA), Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi.

Others included the Kwara State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Prince Tunji Moronfoye and his Youth and Sports counterpart, Kayode Towoju.

In his sermon, the Chief Imam of Offa, Alhaji Muideen Husseni, said the death of the ace footballer was a colossal loss not only to the Kwara community but Nigeria and Africa as a whole.

The Islamic cleric lampooned government for

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

not taking care of national heroes while alive, lamenting that government always wait for them to die before rolling out the drums to celebrate them.

Maigari promised to ensure that the late footballer is given post-humous national honour award.

He announced that the national under -17 football team would be named after Yekini to immortalise him.

“NFF also plans to organise an international football match in the name of the late former Super Eagles’ striker and the

proceeds there from will go to the family members,” the sports administrator said.

Ogunjobi was visibly sorrowful.

He said he was short of words to pay last respect to a junior colleague.

He added that chairmen of the South West NFF will meet in Lagos next week and deliberate on how to immortalise Yekini.

His words: “I’m short of words that we are here to pay last respect to our dear brother who was a great footballer. He did the entire Yoruba race, Kwara state, Nigeria and Africa proud.”

NUGU state will soon be a major hub in power transmission as PHCN plans to draw 1000 megawatts from coalpowered electricity.

Minister of Power, Professor Barth Nnaji, made the disclosure while responding to the address of Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State at the Power Summit holding in Enugu.

Chime, represented by his deputy, Sunday Onyebuchi, had told the summit that coal has a major role to play in the quest for power.

He urged the summit to pay serious attention to the possibility of revamping the coal industry.

Nnaji said: “the first coal powered electricity will soon start in Enugu State and it is expected to provide 1000 megawatts. ‘’Enugu will become a major hub in power transmission. And will be seen as a centre of power

From Chris Oji, Enugu

activity.”

He said the line may pass from Afam, Aloji to Onitsha and the Ugwuaji.

According to him, with 1000 megawatts, from the coal- powered station, the problem of power shortage will be a rested issue, stressing that coal powered plants had been proved to be the most reliable all over the world.

Senator Chris Ngige, who spoke at the summit, told the minister and members of the National Assembly that the abandoned Oji-River Power Station was sentimentally hanging on everybody in the South East.

The summit with the theme: “System Operational Challenges: Strategy for Sustainable Power Delivery” is the second in the series of the quarterly forum attended by stakeholders in the power sector.

One feared dead, others injured in car crash

A

man was feared dead and severely injured when a 14 seater bus was involved in an accident before Malafia along Jos expressway.

The incident occurred yesterday around 9 am when the tyre of a Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG)

From: Olugbenga Adanikin, Jos

missionary bus burst on motion.

The victims, who were members of the RCCG, were heading to Jos for a special workers’ retreat.

An eyewitness said the vehicle left Utako for Jos

early to be at the programme slated for 9am before the accident.

He said the victims were thrown to two sides of the road when the vehicle somersaulted.

“The accident was caused by a burst tyre.

When it happened the bus somersaulted and the

passengers were thrown to the two sides of the road. ‘’One person died and others has been rushed to a hospital. I don’t know the hospital they were taken to but we got down from our own bus and they used it to convey them to the nearest hospital.”

THE NATION ON SUNDAY MAY 6 , 2012

News

‘Red Cross ready to mediate between Boko Haram, govt’

Northern crisis: Youths chart way forward for peace

A

From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Nnewi

N

IGERIAN Red Cross Society should be used as a medium of arbitration between the Federal Government and the members of the dreaded Boko Haram sect.

Chairman of the Nigerian Red Cross Society, Anambra State chapter, Justice P.A.C Obidigwe (rtd), made the appeal yesterday.

Obidigwe spoke during the flag-off of activities to mark this year’s world Red Cross Day in Awka, the state capital.

According to him, since the nongovernmental organisations like the Red Cross has immunity during times of conflict, they are in the best position to intercede in such situations.

He said: “We call on the federal and state governments to fashion out of Avoidance of Violence Project through the Nigerian Red Cross Society which involves grassroots dissemination of knowledge on religion, youth management and so on.

“To always invite us to mediate between the government and aggrieved youths with reference to Boko Haram, Niger Delta militants, political insurgents and ethnic agitators, since in the past helped the Federal Government in recovering and returning Nigerian and Cameroonian war captives as well as exchange of goodwill and African brotherhood.”

Council tours: Amosun hails indigenes

O

GUN State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has expressed profound gratitude to the people of the state on the warm reception accorded his government in all the 20 local councils in the state.

In a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Alhaji Yusuph Olaniyonu, Amosun described the tour as “most fruitful, illuminating and instructive.”

“It has afforded our government another opportunity of self-appraisal, in empirical terms. We have interacted with the people that voted us into office; we have acknowledged their praises and listened to their requests; it is our duty to continue to make them happy,” the governor said.

Amosun said his government will pursue with single-minded commitment its mission to rebuild Ogun State through its five cardinal programmes of affordable and qualitative education, efficient health care delivery, agricultural production leading to industrialisation, housing and urban renewal, infrastructural development and employment opportunities for the teeming youths of the state.

7

•Wives and daughters of late the Super Eagles striker, Rashidi Yekini at a special fidau prayer for him in Ira, Kwara State... yesterday

No plans for birth control laws, says FG T HE Federal Government has ruled out regulating birth control as a means of managing the country’s fast growing population.

The country’s birth rate per woman is 5.7 currently.

The Minister of State for Health, Mohammed Ali Pate, who was part of President Goodluck Jonathan’s delegation to the 22nd World Economic Forum on Africa holding in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, disclosed this after a plenary session on child, maternal mortality as well as youth and women’s health.

The minister noted that rather than enacting laws to regulate the number of child per family, government will allow each family to make the choice on the number of children while intensifying its maternal health education and awareness programmes.

From Vincent Ikuomola, Addis Ababa

Pate said: “I think we have to respect the right of household or an individual to make choices. But they should make informed choices and they should be empowered to make those choices. ‘’So, for people who want to have many children, they should be able to do that and those who want to regulate should be able to do that.

“The problem we have is that lots of women suffer from illiteracy and are not able to participate in the wider economy as they should and then women may want to have reproductive health services but do not have access”.

Pate further stressed that Nigeria’s population “is growing at 3.2 per cent and the total fertility rate is 5.7 per cent for our women, which means that an average

woman is expected to have 5.7 children in her life time.

This, he said, does not allow them to contribute meaningfully to the growth and economic development of the country.

The minister, however, said that the situation is redeemable as the country recorded appreciable success in other global maternal indices.

He further stressed the need to have a health youth population, which according to him is paramount to development of the country and the continent.

He stated: “Africa’s population is about one billion now and will be two billion by 2015 and almost five billion in few years to come. ‘’As the population increases the youth population which is a large chunk also increases and that is the capital that we need to grow our economy.”

Why policeman was beaten to stupor

C

ORPORAL James Ameh was almost beaten to death by six policemen from Elimgbu Divisional Police Headquarters, Port Harcourt, in Obio/ Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State last Thursday because he challenged them for forcibly extorting N5, 000 bribe from a commercial driver, investigations have revealed.

Ameh of the Police Mobile Force (PMF) 56 based in Ogoni in Rivers State is lying critically in a hospital in Port-Harcourt from injuries arising from the assault.

The six policemen, it was learnt, have been detained and are likely to be charged to court next week to serve as deterrent to others.

Sources said the six plain-clothed policemen were angry with Ameh for having the effrontery to challenge them for forcibly extorting the money from the driver of the bus, which he boarded.

It was learnt the driver of the bus boarded by the victim from his Ogoni base kept pleading with the po-

From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

licemen that he did not have the N5, 000 they demanded since he did not contravene any traffic regulation.

The passengers, it was gathered, became agitated over the attitude of the six policemen, prompting the victim to alight and speak with his colleagues.

Rather than reasoning with him, the six police officers descended on him.

Ameh was beaten to coma and sustained spinal cord injuries.

His uniform was torn and he fell to a deep drain near Eleme Junction on Port Harcourt-Aba Expressway.

The victim was initially rushed to the police clinic at the old Government Reservation Area (GRA) near Government House, Port Harcourt before he was moved to a bigger facility, owing to the severity of his injuries.

A senior police source disclosed yesterday that the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Mohammed Indabawa, had insisted that the ugly incident must be investigated and culprits prosecuted.

Indabawa, who was transferred to Rivers State about two months ago, it was learnt, made it very clear he would not condone indiscipline and lawlessness.

GROUP of northern professionals and youth group under the auspices of Arewa Transformational Empowerment Initiative, yesterday said that they have identified the problems the north.

This is coming at a time when the Special Adviser to the Senate President, Prof Ussiju Mendaner Al-Mustapha said the nation cannot move forward unless there is peace in the north.

The President of the group, Mohammed Danjuma said, at the ongoing northern impact summit, they have also identified the solutions and how to move the north forward.

Danjuma said that the insecurity problem ravaging the north was as a result of poverty and leadership crises, adding that before now, the north had a lot going for them.

The robust population, a large land mass, with arable land for agriculture, solid minerals and sound leadership by our forefathers like the late Sardauna, Sir Ahmadu Bello and Abubakar Tafawa Balewa.

He lamented that successive generations in the north have done disservice to the great efforts of the pioneer leaders of the region, causing a lot of developmental setback and security challenges.

“Now that we have discovered this, we are now discovering a new north, and we will not relent in our move to re-

Online Special www.thenationonlineng.net

Yekini’s World Cup teammates: Where are they now?

How faithful are doctors to Hippocratic Oath?

The past and future of Unilag

Oriwu Club members for induction today

O

RIWU Club, a multicultural association of Ikorodu indigenes in Lagos, is set to hold induction for its new members today.

The induction ceremony of the club founded in 1973, will take place at The Club House on 82, Shagamu Road, Ikorodu by 2 p.m.

Among those to be inducted include the former Nigerian Ambassador to Ghana, Amb. Ademola Onafowokan; the former head of service, Lagos State, Alhaji Babatunde Rotinwa; the Chief Economist, African Finance Corporation, Dr Temitope Oshikoya and a host of others

From Tony Akowe, Kaduna

store the lost glory of the region,” he said.

Also speaking, Special Adviser to the Senate President on Research, Strategy and Intelligence, Professor Ussiju Mendaner Al-Mustapha said the country cannot succeed without peace in the north.

In his paper entitled “Youth and crime Prevention For Sustainable Development in Northern Nigeria,” Al-Mustapha said that the north cannot grow in an atmosphere of crises.

He stated: “If the unity of the north produces peace and harmony surely, that cannot be against the good of Nigeria. If the division of the north creates disorder, riots, bombing and killings, no matter how localised in the north, it is not only a blot on the north, it does incalculable damages to the image of the whole country.

“When the north succeed, Nigeria succeeds, which goes to say that the federal government and the Northern States Governors’ Forum have to come together in order to end these security challenges.

“This was the vision of our founding fathers, Sir Ahmadu Bello the Sardauna of Sokoto and Abubakar Tafawa Balewa in their successful doctrine of ‘Gamjinism’ which is peace, unity and economic development.”

•Late Prof Sofoluwe

- Sofoluwe, Late VC “I see a future of trail-blazing collaboration between the academia of this University and the budding industry in Nigeria and the world to improve our national and world economy. I see UNILAG joining the league of 100 best Universities globally”

Follow us on Twitter: @TheNationNews Like us on facebook: The-Nation-Newspaper

THE NATION ON SUNDAY MAY 13, 2012

News

8

Don’t be tools for opposition, Rep tells Lagos doctors

By Oziegbe Okoeki

A

MEMBER of the House of Representatives, Hon. Lanre Odubote, has advised striking doctors in Lagos State not to make themselves tools in the hands of opposition.

Doctors, the lawmaker said, are supposed to be seen as special professionals, always ready to take care of people and make their services available.

He frowned at the attitude of the doctors during a reconciliatory meeting with the Lagos State House of Assembly, arguing that they should have taken advantage of the opportunity to settle the dispute.

Odubote, who represents Epe Federal Constituency, in a statement yesterday said: ‘‘The kind of behaviour exhibited by the striking doctors during their meeting with a committee headed by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Taiwo Kolawole, was unethical, short of civility and unbecoming of those who pride themselves as professionals in the medical line. ‘‘All over the world, there are usually genuine reasons for embarking on industrial action and when dialogue is called, the parties are supposed to be civil and employ intelligent arguments and not resort to the use of abusive words and foul language.’’

He also called for ‘‘the amendment of the law governing medical profession to the extent that doctors will donate at least two hours per day to cater for the treatment of the poor,’’ arguing that ‘‘it is not only the rich that should be enjoying good medical treatment.’’

He noted that the interest of the public must supersede all other considerations in the course of any dispute, adding that dialogue with the state government remains the best option.

Odubote said: ‘‘The doctors should in the name of public peace and public health speedily enter into dialogue with the officials of government to resolve the endless undesirable impasse in the health sector’’.

Senator calls for calm at LAUTECH

Bayelsa Assembly accuses SPDC of N4b tax evasion T •We paid the levy to Ministry of Lands, says oil firm T

HE Bayelsa State House of Assembly has uncovered an alleged N4billion tax evasion by the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC). The oil giant has, however, denied the allegation, contending that it paid the said tax to Ministry of Lands and Housing.

The taxes are outstanding development levies/rates payable to the Bayelsa State following establishment of the multi-billion naira Gbarain/Ubie Gas Process Plant.

Shell’s alleged moves to evade payment of the huge

From Isaac Ombe, Yenogoa

amount was uncovered following a motion by Hon. Gentle Emela, representing Yenagoa Constituency 3, urging the House to investigate complaints brought by the Ministry of Lands and Housing.

An ad-hoc committee was set up by the House to investigate complaints of the alleged refusal of Shell to comply with provisions of the Nigerian Urban and Regional Planning Act Cap 138 of the Laws of the Federation (2004) with regards to obtaining development

permit for the construction of its multi-billion gas project.

The House resolved that Shell is under obligations to pay all levies and taxes arising from its operations in the state. It expressed dismay that the oil giant refused payments despite several demands from the accredited consultants of the state.

The House also withdrew the waiver granted to the SPDC in respect of the 50 percent regulatory chargeable to corporate bodies by the Ministry of Lands and Housing.

It advised the Ministry of Lands and Housing to com-

pel SPDC to pay the consultant, Forstech Technical Nigeria Ltd, all payable fees in line with services rendered.

But Joseph Obari, who spoke on behalf of the SPDC, denied the accusations. Shell, he said, paid the tax to the Ministry of Lands and Housing, following a letter demanding for payment of the levy in 2009.

Obari, however, did not disclose how such a huge sum of money was paid to the ministry even as an official of the ministry denied ever receiving such amount from SPDC.

2015: I am ready to serve, says IBB’s son

S

CION of former Military President, Mohammed Babangida, has declared he would consider it an honour if people ask him to contribute to the development of the state in whatever capacity.

He spoke months after his father, General Ibrahim Babangida (Rtd), announced his exit from elective politics.

Speaking with newsmen in Minna at the weekend, during the sensitisation workshop, organised by National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) North Central, Mohammed said it would be a great honour if he is called to serve.

From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

On his preparedness for the 2015 governorship race, Mohammed said: ‘’There is only one 2015 and I think they are all milestones in the journey of life. ‘’But for me generally, it is an honour for even my name to come up in any forum that I can contribute positively to the development of my community, my state and the country. I would gladly do so.

Mohammed, who recently clocked 40, however said he has not decided on any office to contest for. ‘’Right now, I have not taken any decision as I am

just going with the flow to see where it takes us,’’ he stated.

Mohammed’s gubernatorial ambition first came to the open last year when he was rumoured to have registered with the ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in Wushishi, in Niger North Senatorial District as against Minna, where he resides.

Analysts said he chose to register in the zone because it is favoured to produce the next PDP governorship candidate. The incumbent is from Minna zone.

This move, political watchers say, was to pave way for his governorship

ambition of succeeding the incumbent governor, Dr.Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, come 2015.

The PDP zoning policy favoured the Niger North Senatorial District to produce the next governor, after Niger South and Niger East zones have governed the state since 1999 to date.

Earlier at the NYSC workshop with the theme: Safety, Security and Welfare of Corp members, Mohammed enjoined the three tiers of government to come up with ideas and begin to implement strategies that are capable of safeguarding the lives of members and interests of the NYSC scheme.

PDP primaries: Akpabio to compensate losers

Lawmaker hails NJC over Salami

From Kazeem Ibrahym, Uyo

A

KWA Ibom State Governor, Godswill Akpabio, yesterday said adequate compensation would be provided for aspirants who lost in the just concluded local government primaries conducted by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Akpabio gave the assurance while presenting the party’s flag to the 31 chairmanship candidates of the PDP during the flag-off of the local government electioneering campaign in Uyo, the state capital.

The governor expressed optimism that the party would win all the chairmanship and councillorship positions in the June council polls.

HE senator representing Oyo Central, Senator Ayoade Adeseun, has condemned the attempt by some individuals to forment trouble at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso.

He advised anyone with grievances to direct such to appropriate channels and do so peacefully.

The senator was reacting to the recent protest by a group, “Odokoya” which attacked some officials of the university.

The officials had gone to the university to deliver some equipment before moving the remaining to the College of Health Sciences in Osogbo.

Senator Adeseun, who described the group as faceless, said its sponsors are the perfect definition of uninformed characters and unrepentant agents of destabilisation of peace.

According to him, “The facts in this case are quite clear enough for all to see. Eleven items of equipment were delivered at the Ogbomoso campus of LAUTECH, ten of these were meant for Ogbomoso while the eleventh one was meant for the College of Health Sciences Osogbo. ‘’It is also on record the equipment have absolutely nothing to do with the teaching hospital. These equipments were secured for the institution through ETF subvention under the year 2006 programme, long before any ownership tussle broke out between Oyo and Osun States.

“And even on the concocted dispute over the ownership of the institution, the highest court in the land, the Supreme Court of Nigeria, in line with the expectations of most reasonable observers, has ruled unequivocally that LAUTECH is jointly owned by both Oyo and Osun States.”

The ACN Senator, who is the chairman, Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions, said the so- called protest was masterminded by “some disgruntled elements who are saddened and taken aback by the continual exodus of key figures from their camp into ACN. He called on students and people of Ogbomoso to allow peace to reign in the town since the Supreme Court has restored sanity with its judgment over the ownership of the institution.

By Oziegbe Okoeki •Wife of the President, Dame Patience Jonathan flanked by Gov. Theodore Orji and his wife, Chief Mrs. Mercy Orji, on their arrival for the burial ceremony of Late Elder Samuel Onwuchekwa, the father-in-law to the Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Ihejirika at his home town, Ovim in Isukwuato LGA of Abia State

A

NAMBRA State Governor, Mr. Peter Obi, yesterday said his administration has spent N4billion on the state-owned Orient Refinery.

He also announced that the contract for the construction of the road leading to the refinery, located in Otuocha, Anambra East Local Government Area, has been awarded at N500million.

The road, according to him, will be completed within the next four months while

Anambra spends N4bn on refinery

By Nwanosike Onu, Awka

President Goodluck Jonathan would be in Anambra State within the next two months to commission the refinery.

Obi spoke during the flagoff of the last lap of Immunisation Campaign Exercise and total eradication of polio in the state at the Regina Caeli Hospital in Awka.

While donating an ambulance to the hospital, the governor promised that all mission hospitals performing well in the state will get an ambulance each to function better.

He also said all accredited eight nursing schools, where hostels are being built, have received N60 million each.

According to him; “What we are doing is to change the

face of Anambra State and we are not giving up. ‘’Our commitment is to work but traditional rulers and other stakeholders should help us in advising contractors to be serious and to work to specification.”

The Commissioner for Health, Prof Amobi Illika, said Anambra State had been polio free in the last six years and will remain so.

C

HAIRMAN, House Committee on Information, Strategy, Security and Publicity of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Segun Olulade, has applauded the National Judicial Council (NJC) for recommending the reinstatement of Justice Ayo Salami as President of the Federal Court of Appeal.

The lawmaker, in a statement over the weekend, said he received the news with much excitement and tremendous joy. He described the development as a good omen for Nigeria’s democracy.

NEWS REVIEW

9

THE NATION ON SUNDAY MAY 13, 2012

TIME magazine ignites storm over breast-feeding It is Mothers Day in the United States today. To commemorate the day, Time magazine sports a cover showing Los Angeles mom Jamie Lynne Grumet breastfeeding her nearly 3-year-old son. The picture and story on attachment parenting also marks the anniversary of publication of a book on the subject by Dr. Bill Sears. The controversial cover has, however, aroused passion, derision, critique and, yes, endless blog posts. James Rainey reports.

TIME magazine cover with L.A. mom Jamie Lynne Grumet breast-feeding her strapping, almost 4-year-old son promises to be the head-snapping checkoutstand stopper of the season, based on the fevered reaction provoked by the magazine’s pre-Mother’s Day landing.

Editors at the news magazine said they ran the provocative cover photo and a story on attachment parenting to mark the 20th anniversary of the Dr. Bill Sears book on the subject, which helped power the movement for moms to establish deeper, and more prolonged, physical bonds with their children.

Grumet, 26, explains in a Q&A article how she herself nursed until she was 6 years old. She said her mom was not a hippie but her dad was a UC Berkeley-trained nutritional scientist. His training informed the family’s nursing imperative.

The newly famous mom regularly blogs about her parenting experiences (and posts to a Facebook page) at “Iamnotthebabysitter.com” — an apparent reference to her youthful appearance. The blog appeared to have crashed Thursday under the weight of her new fame.

On the Facebook page, Grumet discusses

A

a variety of topics, including the challenges of operating as a multi-racial family. An adopted son is black, while Grumet is white.

About Dr. Sears

By Kate Pickert

R. Bill Sears is the father of a child-rearing philosophy called attachment parenting.

As the author of 40-plus books on parenting and pregnancy, Sears is a familiar figure to many American mothers and fathers. Some parents subscribe to his theory that attachment parenting — characterized by extended breast-feeding, co-sleeping and wearing your baby in a sling across your body — is the best way to raise confident, secure children.

Others think Sears is an anti-feminist tyrant, or that his ideas are just totally unrealistic.

Sears’ most well-known parenting

D

One entry reads: “Being an adoptive transracial family we always knew we were going to face hardships other families will manual, a purple 767-page tome called The Baby Book, is ubiquitous, but his own story is not. In reporting this article for TIME, I was intrigued to find out how little had been written about Sears’ upbringing or how he came up with his parenting theories in the first place.

It turns out that he and his wife Martha had written a lot of earlier books about attachment parenting before The Baby Book, including one with an evangelical approach.

I also came across a book the Searses wrote in 1982 based on another book called The Continuum Concept, which I traced back to a college dropout who had become fascinated by child care in the Venezuelan jungle. “We read the book and thought, Well, this is neat,” says Sears.

When I interviewed Bill and Martha Sears at their home in Southern California, we talked for a long time about their childhoods — neither of which resembled the kind of idealized environment the couple imagines for their supporters. Bill’s father

never have to deal with.”

Grumet seemed surprised by her sudden fame: “Oh my gosh!” she posted on her Facebook page. “Aram and I are on the cover of @timemagazine.” She is expected to appear on the “Today” show Friday.

Sears and other advocates of attachment parenting testify to its many physiological and psychological benefits, though Time’s reporter on the story says there is no longterm study that proves the benefits. The program calls for not only nursing children well into their toddler years, but for toting young kids in slings, to be closer to their parents, and to encourage them to sleep in bed with mom and dad.

Reactions to the provocative photo of Grumet and son Aram ran the gamut.

“How ridiculous can Time magazine get to prove a point?” wrote one woman on Twitter. The parenting blog Babble.com expressed ambivalence: “Is it extreme to breast feed a 3-year-old? That depends on how you feel about extended breast feeding, of course. But one thing is for sure: it’s totally, totally hot. Or gross and weird.

Or both.”

Rick Stengel, Time’s managing editor, explaining the cover, told Forbes magazine, “To me, the whole point of a magazine cover is to get your attention. From the moment that we started talking about this story as a cover possibility, it was like I couldn’t get out of the meetings. There was so much opinion and passion about it and discussion.”

Among Grumet’s comments to Time: “My mother breast-fed me until I was six years old until I self-weaned. Her encouragement to breast-feed is why we were so successful.”

“It’s really warm. It’s like embracing your mother, like a hug. You feel comforted, nurtured and really, really loved. I had so much self-confidence as a child, and I know it’s from that. I never felt like she would ever leave me. I felt that security.”

Grumet sounded, pre-publication anyway, like she was prepared for some flak.

But people have to realize this is biologically normal,” she told the magazine.

“It’s not socially normal. The more people see it, the more it’ll become normal in our culture. That’s what I’m hoping. I want people to see it.”

Courtesy: Los Angeles Times abandoned him when he was a baby; Martha’s father died when she was young, and her mother suffered from mental illness.

Their childhoods seemed to be lacking in affection and parental bonding, the very tenets of their teachings.

I began to realize that Bill Sears’ theories are based not only on his experience as a pediatrician and father, as most of his readers assume, but also on the work of others and on the Searses’ o w n upbringings as Midwestern Catholics.

M a r t h a acknowledged this in our interview: “You could say I’m reacting to my background.”

Courtesy: Time magazine

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, MAY 13, 2012

News Review

10

Twenty five years afterAwo and S N60b subsidy windfall for Fed Govt in first quarter

O

VER N60billion accrued to the Federal Government in the first quarter of this year from the fuel subsidy removal, the Subsidy Reinvestment Programme Committee (SURE-P) has said. The committee chairman, Dr. Christopher Kolade said it would “go beyond rhetoric to execute the mandate of making sure that the money budgeted is used to alleviate the immediate impact of petroleum subsidy discontinuation on Nigerians, accelerate economic transformation through investment in critical infrastructure projects so as to drive economic growth and achieve Vision 20:20:20 and lay a foundation for the successful development of a national safety-net programme.” The money would be spent on community service, maternal health and youth empowerment, among others, he added.

ACN governors want security reforms

G

OVERNORS of the ACN-controlled states want the nation’s security system reformed to allow states’ chief executives have direct control of security in their domains. Governors Babatunde Fashola (Lagos), Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti),and Rauf Aregbesola (Osun) on a visit to their Edo counterpart, Adams Oshiomhole in Benin said the present arrangement where the Federal Government is in control of all security organs is out of tune with reality. The governors went to sympathise with Oshiomhole over the assassination of his principal private secretary, Mr. Olaitan Oyerinde.The police announced a reward of N10million for anyone who has information that will lead to the arrest of the killers.

Okereke-Onyiuke blew N186m on Rolex watches

T

HE Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Ms. Arunma Oteh has told the House of Representatives ad hoc committee probing the near collapse of the Capital Market how the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) under Professor Ndi OkerekeOnyuike allegedly indulged in “financial skimming, misappropriation, false accounting misrepresentation and questionable transactions.”

Such included the purchase of a N37million yacht and buying 165 Role wrist watches for N186million as gifts for awardees, spending of N11.3billion on business travels. But Mrs. Okereke-Onyiuke, defended herself saying it was none of SEC’s business to dictate how a private company ,which the NSE is, spends its resources.

NOT A VERY WARM WELCOME Demonstrators clash with helmet-wearing troops at the inauguration of Vladimir Putin for a new term as President of Russia last Sunday in Moscow. Photo: AP

Lagos sacks 788 doctors

Cleric urges Yoruba unity at Awo memorial

HE Lagos State government on Monday sacked 788 medical on its payroll following their refusal to call off their strike which began on April 16.The government immediately employed 373 medics to start work in its various hospitals. Health Commissioner Jide Idris said the sack, though painful, was taken for the public good. He said while the doctors have a right to call attention to their grievances “that shouldn’t be at the expense of the laid down rules and at the expense of innocent people’s lives.

HE Anglican Bishop of Lagos West, The Rt. Rev. Peter Adebiyi, on Wednesday, called for unity among the Yoruba, saying “25 years of acrimony and infighting is enough.” Bishop Adebiyi, in a sermon at a service in Ikenne, Ogun State to mark the 25th anniversary of the passage of the nationalist, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, asked former President Olusegun Obasanjo and ex-Lagos State Governor Bola Tinubu to unite the Yoruba within the Nigerian nation. He said since the death of the first premier of the defunct Western Region the Yoruba had been in disarray, unable to choose a leader.

T

CAPTURED

J

CEASEFIRE CALL

Yoruba Boko Haram leader, wife, kids arrested

Boko Haram: FG calls for talks

SUSPECTED high ranking operative of the Islamic sect, Boko Haram, his wife and five children were arrested Friday by the Joint Military Task Force (JTF) in Kano.

Also seized during an early morning raid on his Farawa, Hotoro Quarters residence was a large quantity of explosive devices, guns and ammunition. The suspect, Suleiman Mohammed, has been moved to Abuja for interrogation.

The Kano State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris, who confirmed the arrest was silent on the identity of the man and details of the seized items. However, a source said the suspect is a Yoruba and the first individual from the South West to be linked with the sect.

The source said the seized items included 10 crates of improvised explosive devices (IEDs),1000 rounds of ammunition and three pistols. Idris, who said the raid followed a tip-off, also showed reporters seven trucks of empty soft-drink cans mopped by his men as part of pre-emptive security measures.

Empty cans of drinks are used by the sect in manufacturing bombs.

HE Federal Government Thursday held out an olive branch to Boko Haram insurgents, saying it is ready for talks.

“Government is ready to discuss. History has proven that even wars that are fought for decades, at the end, are only concluded by dialogue,” Vice President Namadi Sambo said.

He spoke in Abuja at the national symposium organised by the Nasirul-Lahi-Faith Society of Nigeria (NASFAT) on “Islam and peaceful co-existence in a contemporary multi religious society”.

To negotiate with the sect, the government may enlist the assistance of traditional rulers, according to Defence Minister Haliru Bello, who spoke while receiving the Italian Ambassador to Nigeria; Mr. Roberto Colamine, in his office.

He said: “The concern of the government is peace and what the government is doing is for the benefit of all Nigerians.”

A

T

SEC chiefs dis

E

XECUTIVE Directors of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) are not one with the Director-General, Ms. Arunma Oteh in running the affairs of the regulatory agency, going by their testimonies before the House of Representatives ad hoc committee on the near collapse

CONVICTED

Guilty verdict in Hudson’s family murder trial

A

UNITED States jury has convicted a man of murdering three members of actress Jennifer Hudson’s family in 2008. William Balfour, Ms. Hudson’s former brother-in-law, was found guilty on three counts of firstdegree murder by the jury in Chicago.

Prosecutors said Balfour shot Ms Hudson’s mother, brother and seven-year-old nephew after his estranged wife refused to reconcile with him. Ms. Hudson was overcome with tears as the verdict was read. The Oscar-winning actress was the first witness called in the trial and had attended every day of testimony.

After the verdict, Ms. Hudson and her sister, Julia Hudson - who was estranged from husband William Balfour at the time of the murders and later divorced him released a statement saying “we have all suffered terrible loss in this tragedy”. “It is our prayer that the Lord will forgive Mr. Balfour of these heinous acts and bring his heart into repentance someday,” they said in the statement. They also thanked prosecutors for their “dedication and tireless work” and praised police and trial witnesses.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, MAY 13, 2012

News Review

d Salami’s return PEOPLE OF THE WEEK

Ahmed Maccido

I

F the prince from Sokoto and Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriation had his way, the annual national budget should be ready for implementation from January 1, every year. Successive budget proposals over the years have always been passed late thus slowing down implementation and impeding execution of projects.

B u t n o w , Maccido craves a reversal t h a t would ensure t h e budget is in place by Decemb e r .

Speaking on next year’s budget on Wednesday, Senator Maccido said: “We are going to push the executive so much that the 2013 budget must get to us, the National Assembly, latest by September so that we can work right through October, November and by December, the country gets a new budget.

JTF arrests vessels carrying 1.3m barrels of Police detonate iefs disown Oteh three stolen crude bombs in BUK of the Capital Market. The executive directors accused Oteh of not carrying them along in taking decisions thus alienating many of the staff. They also claimed Oteh accorded contract staff engaged by the commission greater status than the regular staff.

S

ECURITY agents on Tuesday detonated three explosive devices found at the old campus of Bayero University, Kano (BUK).The Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) were found at the institution’s Sport Complex and Faculties of Sciences and Law. The campus recently came under gun and bomb attacks in which about 15 people died.

GAY BOOST

Obama backs same-sex marriage RESIDENT Barack Obama endorsed the right of samesex couples to marry on Wednesday, a landmark pronouncement made in light of mounting pressure from gay rights advocates.

Obama became the first U.S. president to back the right of gay and lesbian couples to marry, a reversal from views expressed during the 2008 campaign, when he said he opposed same-sex marriage but favored civil unions as an alternative.

Obama told ABC News that, after reflection, he had “concluded that for me personally it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same-sex couples should be able to get married.”

President Barack Obama, who said in the past that his views on gay marriage were ‘evolving,’ said today he thinks same-sex couples should be able to get married. But he also said that gay marriage is an issue for states to decide. Currently, there isn’t any federal action in the works to make gay marriage legal. NBC’s Chuck Todd reports.

P

THE WEEK IN QUOTES “As governors who have the authority today, we must really fight poverty. We must reduce the ostentatious lifestyles that we are involved in and go back to the grassroots and fight poverty, fight injustice and ensure that we are with our communities.”

—Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger State on poverty as a major cause of insecurity in the country.

“The SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) has no business over how a private company spends its money. We did not collect money from anybody and we have a right to spend our money the way we want .It is not investors’ money or shareholders’ money; it is money that was made legally. NSE (Nigerian Stock Exchange) is a private company.”

–Professor Ndi Okereke-Onyuike on allegation that her regime at the NSE engaged in frivolous spending.

“I want us to be honest to ourselves. It is not that I want to be difficult but I want the truth to be on record. The party promised us a level playing field and we also said that whoever emerged would be supported by all of us. But for me, it is a matter of regret that I didn’t experience the level playing field that was promised.”

–Professor Oserheimen Osunbor, Edo State PDP chieftain on the manipulation of the party’s governorship primaries.

T

HE Joint Task Force (JTF) in the Niger Delta on Monday arrested 22 Ghanaians and four Nigerians with two vessels cattying 1.3million barrels of stolen crude oil. They were caught siphoning the oil from Shell Petroleum’s Awoba Riser in Abonnema, River State. The vessels were subsequently set on fire in accordance with the directive of the Ministry of Defence.

REINSTATED

NJC approves Justice Salami’s return

N

11

INE months after he was suspended, Justice Isa Ayo Salami is to return to his job as the President of the Court of Appeal.

The National Judicial Council (NJC), which met in Abuja last week and adopted the recommendation to reinstate him.

The recommendation has been sent to President Goodluck Jonathan for approval, it was learnt. The meeting agreed with a five-member panel headed by the incoming Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Maryam A l o m a Mukhtar.

Details of the NJC session are not known, but a source said the recommendation was adopted in the interest of the judiciary and the way forward.

•Osunbor

•OkerekeOnyuike

•Aliyu

EVICTED

Zamfara Governor evicted

Z

AMFARA State G o v e r n o r Abdulaziz Yari has been thrown out of his Abuja home. A High Court in the Federal Capital Territory declared that he had been occupying the house illegally. The property, a five- bedroom duplex with two- room boys’ quarter, is located on Number 1, Fatai Williams Street, Asokoro, Abuja.

The eviction order, signed by Justice Jude Okeke, also ordered Governor Yari to pay N8, 162, 028. 00, representing profit on two years’ rent; N10, 000 cost; and N10, 000 warrant fees.

The judgment, which was given on June 11, 2010, had ordered the governor to yield possession of the house to the owner of the property, Sir Ernest Elochukwu, but the order was not complied with.

Consequently, Justice Okeke approved Yari’s eviction on April 26. Officials of the Judgment Enforcement Unit of the Federal Capital Territory stormed the premises with about eight armed policemen to carry out the eviction. The Governor’s personal effects were taken out of the house. They would be moved to the court.

12

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, MAY 13, 2012

COMMENT and ANALYSIS

13

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, MAY 13, 2012

T

HE chaotic color of the megalopolis cascades past the window of his silver Mercedes SUV. A police escort with a flashing blue light clears the road ahead.

Restless and irritated, the billionaire is in his bubble. With a slim, elegant finger, he prods his cellphone screen to redial after the call drops. He grills a squirming subordinate about a production problem that has persisted all week. The call drops again. A small sigh.

He redials.

“The day before yesterday you gave me a different excuse. Let’s see what excuse you will give me today.” His voice is calm, his brow furrowed ever so slightly.

“Go and get your act together, please,” he says. “This matter is a disaster.”

Aliko Dangote is the richest man in Africa. He dwarfs diamond kings, telecom giants and oil magnates, and his estimated $11.2billion net worth is four times that of Oprah Winfrey’s. His only rival on Forbes’ global list of black billionaires is a Saudi of YemeniEthiopian parentage who recently nudged Dangote from the top spot, thanks to a decline in Nigeria’s stock exchange.

Dangote’s fortune doesn’t come from diamonds or oil, but from the cement that is helping to fuel Africa’s astonishing growth.

With Europe in crisis and America’s recovery sluggish, Africa is an economic bright spot. Nigeria’s economy has grown about 7% a year in recent years, just behind Ethiopia, Angola and Ghana. Although many countries on the continent still struggle, a March 2011 World Bank report says that sub-Saharan Africa “could be on the brink of an economic takeoff, much like China was 30 years ago and India 20 years ago.”

A lot of the growth is driven by China’s need for commodities, oil and gas. But there’s another side to it: the cellphone.

Half a billion Africans own them now, enabling a host of day-to-day dealings between businesspeople small and large that a decade earlier would have been difficult or impossible — money transfers, for instance, or instant access to market prices for produce.

Dangote clicks off his phone. But not for long.

A two-mile line of trucks snakes along a red jungle road in western Nigeria’s Ogun State. At its end, Dangote’s newest cement plant looms above the shabby village of Ibese.

The trucks wait for their loads as patiently as cattle.

Dangote, 55, built his fortune on Africa’s prodigious hunger for infrastructure — and cement — expanding rapidly since 2000 despite his country’s chronic bad governance.

When the government drags its feet in laying a gas pipeline to service a factory, he builds it.

When he needs a road, he does it. Faced with hopelessly unreliable state electricity, he constructs his own power plants for his factories.

He clambered to the top not by looting the country’s wealth, like many of Nigeria’s elected officials have, but by snapping up privatised state enterprises, then expanding and building his own cement factories and other plants, whose output includes such products as instant noodles and prayer mats.

In that sense, Dangote resembles Russia’s billionaire oligarch class, which got rich when the state sold off assets after the collapse of communist rule. His close links with Nigeria’s political elite gave him an inside line when state assets were privatised — a process that, like Russia’s, has been criticised as opaque and corrupt.

Critics call Dangote ruthless, and accuse him of aggressive price cutting to drive smaller rivals out of business.

Unlike Nigerian businessmen who stripped state companies of their assets and let them collapse, Dangote turned them profitable, politician Junaid Mohammed said. “The question is whether he was entitled to the businesses at the price he got them and on the terms,” he said.

“Let us not be naive: A lot of everything that happens in life depends on connections.

Your fortunes depend on who will be able to open the door for you.”

Dangote strides into his living room in the Lagos suburb of Ikeja at 7 a.m. on his way to a business conference in the city, after a meeting that kept him up to midnight.

He had traveled to the Republic of Congo the previous day, met the president, and donated half a million dollars in the aftermath of a munitions depot explosion that killed more than 200 people and flattened an entire

Nigerian billionaire leaves his imprint in cement Aliko Dangote made his fortune by betting on African growth. Some call him ruthless, but many Nigerians feel he’s brought respect to a nation known more for email scams than manufacturing. By Robyn Dixon

•Dangote

neighborhood. (Dangote plans to build a cement plant in the country.)

He’s irritated that he has to attend the conference, where politicians will talk, talk, talk and egos will be on display and probably nothing will get done.

“There are too many conferences in Nigeria. There are just too many,” says Dangote.

“If I allowed it, conferences would take up at least half of my time.”

Barreling along the A5 expressway, phone propped in the crook of his neck, he rifles through a 4-inch-thick file. “You can’t even concentrate on your work,” he complains.

Weekends, it’s the same problem: so many weddings and birthdays and other speech-filled celebrations, all demanding time, the one thing he doesn’t have enough of.

But he always makes time for exercise.

He plays squash and runs on a treadmill in his own gym, afraid he’ll get hit in Lagos’ manic morning traffic. When in Miami on business, he loves running along the road, where people don’t realise the guy who just jogged by is one of the world’s 100 richest men.

Dangote Cement accounts for 28% of the market capitalisation of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, and the tycoon is seeking to list the company on the London Stock Exchange, which would be a milestone for Nigerian business. His empire straddles cement, salt, sugar, polypropylene bags, flour, pasta, beverages, oil investments, power generation, fertilizer production, transport and port terminal management, and he has acquired a license for 3G wireless services.

Dangote Cement, his largest operation, has a market value of more than $11 billion, with an annual profit of nearly $700 million and nearly 3,200 employees, the company says. The work force in other Dangote companies is 12,000, according to parent company Dangote Group. A spokesman estimated the value of the other operations at about $5 billion.

Many Nigerians, proud that a compatriot could become the richest man in Africa, feel Dangote has brought respect to a country known as the home of email scams. In a nation that for years has imported most of what it needs, he is a manufacturing mogul with plans to become a major exporter.

If, as many economists are predicting, Africa’s lions — the buzzword for its fastgrowing economies — take off in the next decade, Dangote will soar higher too.

The demand for cement isn’t just for stadiums, bridges, highway overpasses and shopping centers. For a shopkeeper in a ramshackle market, it will make a concrete floor; for the millions of Africans living in shacks, it will build a decent house. Dangote is certain that the squalor that races past his car window will be uprooted and replaced, sooner than people might imagine. And that will take prodigious quantities of cement.

Dangote grew up in Nigeria’s second-biggest city, Kano, a sprawling, low-rise municipality now in the grip of an Islamic rebellion.

His father died when Dangote was 8. His mother remarried and left him with her father, Sanusi Dantata, a businessman who traded in construction materials.

“He was a very simple person. Despite his wealth, he used to drive himself in the evening, which really was not normal in Nigeria,” Dangote says. “He taught me always to be straightforward and very honest and that whatever you do has to be right. There’s nothing like your name. That’s what kept ringing in my head.”

When his grandfather made him a generous loan in 1977 to start trading in cement, the grandson paid it back three months later from the fruits of his success. He moved to Lagos, and business took off.

In 2007, Dangote opened a massive cement plant at Obajana, the biggest in Africa, at a time when Nigeria imported 80% of the product. In one swoop, he was transformed from trader to manufacturer.

Dangote bought himself a $45-million Bombardier jet for his birthday. Yet, perhaps because of his grandfather’s influence, he doesn’t flaunt his wealth.

“Before he died, he gave away almost everything he had. Those are the kinds of thing I would like to emulate,” Dangote says softly.

His manner is modest, his dress understated and he wears no flashy rings. His living room furnishings are finely made but not ostentatious: a Persian carpet, a large flatscreen TV, a floral painting, a glass table and two white leather couches.

Married and with three grown children, he’s intensely private about his family life, a pious Muslim whose motto is “You just try your best and leave the rest to God.” He’s part of the first generation of self-made African philanthropists; he funds microloans, disaster relief and a school for technicians and engineers, transforming the poorly trained graduates of Nigerian universities into a future workforce for his companies and other manufacturers.

Asked what makes him different, he pauses.

“It’s sheer hard work. I work hard, I’m very persistent. When you come from a rich home, it’s very difficult because you may take things for granted and when you have a fallback position, you may not work as hard. Right from the very beginning, I wasn’t looking at the family’s wealth as my backup. I just created my own.

“But did I think I’d build an empire this size? The answer is no.”

Later, as he arrives at the conference he’s been dreading, he leaps out of the car, is backslapped by several of the country’s top bankers and politicians, is whisked away for a meeting with the governor, gives a short, direct speech, using no notes, and is rushed into a studio for local radio and TV interviews.

Microphone clipped to his lapel, waiting for someone to sort out a sound malfunction, he looks a little trapped, like he’s flipping through an enormous mental to-do list.

It will probably be another late night.

Courtesy: Los Angeles Times

Lekan Otufodunrin Otufodunrin@thenationonlineng.net 08050498530 (SMS only)

Abuse of new media

O

NE issue that has been bothering me for sometime now is the abuse of the new media. Unlike before when only media professionals determine what is published and broadcast, the new media offers every citizen the opportunity to share all sorts of information through various digital platforms.

Good enough the new media has been used in many unique ways by the citizens, including for mobilisation against oppressive governments that have been overthrown like in the Arab world. But for the use of the new media, the anti-fuel price protest in the country early this year might not have had much impact as it did worldwide.

Information dissemination has literarily been democratised to the extent that the concern now is not about the limited information the traditional media used to provide but the information overload.

Unfortunately, there is a growing abuse of the freedom of the new media, which needs to be addressed so that the theme of this year’s World Press Freedom Day which was New Voices: Media Freedom Helping to Transform Societies, can be achieved.

The information disseminated to the public is supposed to be accurate, fair and balanced but there are now many cases of deliberate falsehood been circulated on the Internet by most times faceless individuals and organisations.

Twitter has recorded a number of cases of false alarm of the death of celebrities and other personalities like in the case of the revered Nelson Mandela of South Africa.

The facebook and other social media platforms have many false updates and manipulated images and videos. There was a recent photograph of the Edo State governor, Adams Oshihomole allegedly involved in a sexual act on facebook which turned out to be a computer manipulated image. It used to be said that pictures don’t lie, but in the present computer age nothing is impossible.

Perhaps because the authors of this falsehood cannot be easily identified and sued like the traditional media professionals who operate from known locations, a lot of havoc have been wrecked by faceless citizen journalists to the detriment of the new media users who are misinformed.

This development has necessitated calls for a code of ethics for citizens journalists who seems to not to appreciate the need to exercise the rights they have with caution and respect for the rights of others.

The World Association for Christian Communication (WACC) in its May 3 Press Freedom day message called for an international code of ethics for citizens’ journalism practice. The organization cautioned that while emerging media technologies and social media platforms offer new channels for increased information flows and strengthening communication rights, using them demands greater responsibility which can be ensured by a code of ethics, which citizen journalists should subscribe to.

The point must be made that not all traditional journalists abide by the code of ethics of journalism in their country, but to a large extent they are very conscious of the need to be guided by some ethical principles and laws.

How soon and how possible it will be to come up with an agreeable code of ethics for citizens journalists is not certain, but citizens journalists and anyone who seeks to use the new media should appreciate the need not to abuse the freedom they have to share information.

14

THE NATION ON SUNDAY MAY 13, 2012

Comment & Analysis

Guardiola, Mourinho and the beautiful game Ogochukwu Ikeje ohgeeoh@gmail.com 08084235961 (SMS only)

I

T is easy to understand why football, also known as the beautiful game, has such a hold on the world, including my fellow compatriots.

What is difficult to grasp, though, is why Barcelona, the Spanish club credited with the best football on earth, has attracted such a global army of enemies, both on and off the pitch.

In the most organised societies, by this, I mean, developed nations, football evokes such passion that on match day law enforcement agents are at their wits end just to keep things tidy on match ground as well as the streets.

Football brings joy to fans, something that those elected to serve often fail to do. In fact, in such corners of the world as ours, most of the people elected or selected to serve perpetually dish up such a load of bad food that the people lose appetite.

In Nigeria, politics and governance evoke little interest from the generality of the people.

But football, especially the international club variety, is different. It enjoys wide patronage, never mind that thousands of kilometers and tons of cash separate the patrons from the players.

On home soil, much of the news is unpleasant, even sad. Boko Haram, the fundamentalist group, has stamped its authority on Nigerians’ subconscious. Blood of innocent compatriots continues to flow on the streets. Bones are broken by the day. Buildings are coming down. Agony characterises

If football is beautiful, why does Mourinho always fight? many homes. Hard as the security community tries, the feeling persists that so little is being done to deter the group.

There is more horrible news. Rot stares us in the face everyday.

Allegations of graft, executive robbery, are mounting. Millions and millions of naira are illegally funneled into the pockets of public officers. Left with their statutory salaries and allowances they are millionaires without dipping fraudulently into the public cash. But they are not content with sanity or legality.

Wealth by any foul means seems to be all that matters.

Perhaps it is better not to mention the failed infrastructures and comatose institutions.

Better still not to dwell on the agony of bad roads, the frustrations of lack of healthy water, the heartache of wrecked schools and the unflattering profile of public health institutions. All this helps to undermine life and steal the pleasures of living in this part of the world.

Football fills up for many Nigerians, a necessary escape. Where public officers fail, the dribbling runs of a Messi, for instance,

provide a 90-minute respite. Where your local council chairman or sate governor fails to inspire, the swerving free kicks of the South Americans come to a temporary rescue.

Where you cannot get a record of public expenditure that makes sense, the splendid efforts of your club’s goalkeeper save the day.

Football is beautiful.

But if it really is, why then does it seem to tear the world apart and sow hatred rather than love? If Barcelona offers the best in the business, as many claim, why does the team seem to draw so many enemies? When did good football become a crime? If Pep Guardiola, the outgoing coach of Barcelona, is rated among the best and most successful in the game, why does the equally great Jose Mourinho, Real Madrid’s coach, give him so little respect?

Anti-Barca sentiments boiled over in the closing stages of this year’s UEFA Champions League campaign. A one-nil semi-final victory over visiting Barcelona at Stamford Bridge threw Chelsea and the army of Barca foes into wild jubilation. A 2-2 draw in the second leg at Camp Nou, Barca’s home

“But if football is the beautiful game, why does it seem to tear the world apart and sow hatred rather than love?

If Barcelona offers the best in the business, as many claim, why does the team seem to draw so many enemies? When did good football become a crime? If Pep Guardiola, the outgoing coach of Barcelona, is rated among the best and most successful in the business, why does the equally great Jose Mourinho, Real Madrid’s coach, give him so little respect?”

ground, which eliminated the champions, sent Chelsea and the gang into a frenzy as though the trophy had already had been secured and nestling at the billionaire’s club.

No grudges. Chelsea understandably deserves it excitement, but whatever happened to good old respect to he champions who dominated with inspiring football at the two-legged encounters?

It did not stop at wild celebration. Some insults and ridicule also went with it apparently led by the great Mourinho. The Madrid coach, whose side was also eliminated, celebrated Barcelona’s exit so loudly you wondered what inspired him. Was it sheer envy?

In the La Liga, Mourinho’s Madrid could only manage two wins over Barcelona in their 10 meetings. The “Special One” hailed what he called the “character” of 10-man Chelsea, but failed to commend Guardiola who has consistently bested him in their meetings.

In four years under Pep, the Catalans tucked away 13 trophies, two from the Champions League, three from the Spanish top league.

Mourinho has ridiculed Barca’s inspiring tika-tika style as something to be detested.

He has sneered at the team’s supporters. He had snickered at the authorities of the UEFA Champions League, accusing them of favouring his rivals to whom football is sport and result.

It is not surprising. Everywhere the Special One sets foot on, football is war that he must win. We saw it in England where he rattled everybody from coaches to refs. It happened in Italy where sports writers were, to him, “intellectual prostitutes”. It is happening all over in Spain.

Why does the otherwise prodigiously gifted Portuguese coach not concentrate on his calling, give credit to whom it is due and let the beautiful game be the beautiful game?

THE NATION ON SUNDAY MAY 13, 2012

Comment & Analysis

15

Courts without integrity?

The CJN should set genuine machinery in motion to right the wrongs

J

USTICE Dahiru Musdapher, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), has accused judges and public officers of lacking integrity. He spoke at a National Judicial Institute, Abuja, workshop for judicial officers. The theme of the workshop was: “Judicial ethics, management skills and information technology”.

The CJN’s public admission that most judges in the country lack the essential qualities of a good judge listed, according to him, to be “integrity, honesty, knowledge of the law, willingness to listen, empathy, sense of fair play, patience and humility is upsetting.

He was judgmental too when he declared: “The lack of these attributes could only diminish the high regard in which a judge is held, thereby making him unfit for the exalted position in the hallowed chambers of justice.”

It is sad that sterling virtues of the past are lacking in the conduct of some of the judges today. We deplore a situation where the judiciary would be battling to redeem its image because most judicial officers have refused to adhere to their code of conduct.

Indeed, some of our judges willfully flout court rules and even the laws of the land for inexplicably selfish reasons. For example, it is baffling to see that a judge in the Temple of Justice gave an injunction in perpetuity restraining the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from investigating or prosecuting a former governor in the southsouth who was accused of alleged economic crimes while in office. We ask: What manner of injunction was that? Also, in electoral matters, most of the judges at the election petition tribunals, the Court of Appeal and even

A

VERY difficult aspect of service in this country seems to be the giving of sound and timely counsel to those in position of authority. This is especially so when such counsels, coming from junior servants or non-sycophants - contain harsh, uncomfortable truths.

Truth doesn’t go down well with the ego of some leaders. Such leaders wittingly or unwittingly feast under the sword of Damocles, while they play the ostrich, caressed by the soothing but false counsels of political toadies. The consequence of this attitude is that festering problems that could be resolved on time linger on or escalate to the grief of all. Discountenancing wise counsels and counsellors is a distasteful act. This may well be the scenario playing out over the National Security Adviser, General Andrew Azazi’s comment on the security situation in the country with regards to Boko Haram’s continuous onslaughts on lives and property.

Mr President and the ruling political party, PDP, have not approved of the General’s summary of the root cause of the sect’s assaults. Yet, this General

to the level of the Supreme Court exhibited traits and delivered contradictory judgments that gave the judiciary out as an institution of seeming inconsistencies. Majority of Nigerians on several occasions have been disappointed by some curious acts of judges and the judiciary.

Regrettably, the National Judicial Council (NJC) or even the current CJN has not deemed it necessary to look into these matters in view of the perception problem such are posing to, not only the judges that gave controversial injunctions and judgments but the judiciary as a whole. Such judicial impunity might get the public frustrated with the reasonable men leaving the courts thinking that the judges are biased or compromised.

The challenges of slow dispensation of justice cannot be resolved wholly by computerisation of the courts alone but this must be complimented with a right work habit by judges and their staff. Computers cannot operate themselves and if human beings that should operate them are not serious, then very little of projected benefits can be achieved by the courts. As observed by the CJN, some judges resume late to work, thus infracting the

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

statutory sitting time of 9.00 a.m., wasting valuable hours that should have increased the tempo of justice dispensation in the process.

The issue is to ask what the NJC and the CJN have done to correct these anomalies that have made the judiciary a laughing stock in the country. No time should be further wasted in ensuring the quick establishment of the Monitoring and Evaluation Unit in the NJC that will take administrative notice of such errant judges for onward transmission of their names to the council for disciplinary action. The review of Code of Conduct for judges should not operate at the realm of rhetoric but should now be given empirical attention.

The Abuja workshop was not the first occasion that the CJN would be alerting the nation to the corruption going on in the judiciary. But in the few months remaining for him to retire, we doubt if he has any panacea to the problems.

Furthermore, in the several months that he has spent in office, not much was done by him to nip judicial corruption in the bud. Even, the report of the Justice Mohammadu Uwais committee on how to address the challenges facing the judiciary on his shelf has not been dusted for implementation.

We are still alarmed at this very self-indicting statement by the CJN over lack of integrity by most judges of the judiciary that he sits atop. The nation’s judiciary is overdue for overhaul if its integrity must be restored.

However, in the little time that the CJN has before retiring, we implore him to embark on concrete steps that will return the judiciary to the right track. Anything contrary to this will prompt the people to ask: What legacy is Musdapher leaving as CJN? The ball is in the CJN’s court.

LETTERS

PDP and Boko Haram: A General Ahithophel comes to judgment? could well be viewed as possessing the rare gift and insight of the biblical strategic adviser of King David, Ahithophel.

Those who know the Bible story well will recall that the great King David once had a confidant and adviser called Ahithophel.

Ahithophel’s power of discernment and wisdom were impeccable and unassailable so much so that at

some later stage in time, King David’s own beloved son and throne usurper, Absalom, bought him over. However, while his loyalty remained with David, he (David) excelled by the man’s knack for offering excellent counsel.

King David actually lamented when Ahithophel left his service for Absalom’s. But that is another story for another

time, perhaps. For his (in) famous comment, General Azazi - a man who is perceived to know his onions has obviously displayed a novel insight that is comparable to that of Ahithophel.

Credit should be given to the man for the successful prognosis that he made about the Boko Haram imbroglio. The man is an asset and his diagnostic insight will earn him the respect of

the sect, which qualifies him to a round table with a willing sect. He is a true patriot who should be commended for his brave move from the rooftop to halt the inferno that is gradually and tragically engulfing the nation.

The spirit of the NSA’s comment, obviously, is aimed at finding a lasting solution to the Boko Haram menace, and reveals the Ja-

nus-faced nature of the sect; where a careful evaluation of the Adviser’s words tells us that a twoheaded cobra is deadlier than a one-headed one. The comment shows the prospects of solving - from a political angle - the politicsinspired bombings of innocent Nigerians.

If by the examination and correction of the implied flaw in the method that the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) employs in picking its candidates the sect is placated, so that the carnage stops, then, PDP should do it.

Emmanuel Orerhime Ifie, Warri, Delta State.

Posers over the Bayero University, Kano massacre

T

HE Sunday attack on Christians at the Bayero University, Kano (BUK) is barbaric and unfortunate. But we need to provide answers to these eight questions.

1. Why is that in a federal university called BUK, Catholics worship in a lecture hall and Protestants under a tree while Muslims in UniBen, UniPort, UNN, FUT

Owerri and UniCal have mosques built for them?

2. Why is it that federal civil servants in northern universities find it easy to deny Christians a right enshrined in our Constitution?

NUC policy clearly stipulates that every federal university must have a mosque, a Catholic and a Protestant chapel.

3. Why did the Univer-

sity Security not lock the gates after the attack to prevent the killers from escaping? Reports said they came and left in vehicles!

4. Why did the security men guarding the federal government-assisted IT complex not alert the police after convincing the killers not to bomb their office?

5. Why did the security agencies prevent emergency workers from gaining access

to the victims, thereby increasing the casualty load?

6. How can anyone convince me that 15 gun men shooting at a Christian gathering for more than 45 minutes managed to kill only fifteen people?

7. How can anyone convince us that the government values the lives of the others whose death we have denied?

8. Where is the Rever-

end Father who said the Mass, where is the Pastor who presided over the Protestant service? Are they dead/wounded? Or will their deaths be denied too?

All these questions should be answered truthfully and without hiding anything for us to come to the truth of country.

Nehemiah Sokponba

SEND TYPEWRITTEN, DOUBLE SPACED AND SIGNED CONTRIBUTIONS, LETTERS AND REJOINDERS OF NOT MORE THAN 500 WORDS TO THE EDITOR, THE NATION, 27B, FATAI ATERE ROAD, MATORI, LAGOS: sundaynation@yahoo.com

16

Ropo Sekoni ropo.sekoni @thenationonlineng.net

O

NE of the readers of this column sent a succinct message to me with the warning not to overlook her concern: “You must be aware that the Sunday Punch of May 6 reported that governors have called for scrapping of EFCC and ICPC. Do you believe that this news story is true and what is your take on this important matter, particularly at a time that the average Nigerian is looking for probity in state and corporate governance? My job has been cut for me for this week by this no-nonsense reader.

I believe that the Punch is one of the country’s accurate sources of news. But I am not prepared to swear before a deity that our governors would ordinarily call for dismantling of EFCC and ICPC. But that the news report includes fears by some governors that their position might be misconstrued indicates there must be some truth to the report.

Governors must have some reasons for making such call.

The two anti-corruption agencies have been much quicker to

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

T

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, MAY 13, 2012

Comment & Analysis

HESE days in Nigeria, a columnist hardly needs think at all, to have a galaxy of issues competing for his/her thoughts. It is, indeed, harvest time, but how I wish that the issues that best recommend themselves were not the ones we now have to, willy nilly, deal with week in, week out Olatunji Dare, Journalist, teacher and columnist extra ordinaire, it was , who made Random Thoughts popular around here and that also was at a time when events so rapidly cascaded on the polity that, to begin to remotely satisfy your loyal readers, you had to touch, however briefly, on many of the events that had occurred, like a whirlwind, in the minuscule space between your last column and the new one.

Today, I am leaving out a potpourri of issues to celebrate my readers by publishing some of their comments, some dating back substantially because I have been rather reticent in doing that. I shall, however, be a little inventive in giving out their telephone numbers since we are back in really interesting times.

My readers, like every Nigerian, deserve some level of protection especially now that Mr President has given up on us and it has become everybody for himself and God for us all.

Indeed, because the challenges the reactions raise are still with us, I will, re-publish first, a letter from the father of a young

Governors and EFCC Our governors will be hailed for campaigning for new EFCC indict governors and their commissioners than they have been with presidents and ministers since the inception of both agencies. Several governors have been fingered as corrupt by EFCC: Dariye, Alamiesegha, Ibori, Akala, and Daniel. Since the founding of EFCC and ICPC, no president has been called by any of the two agencies to answer to charges of corruption. It is therefore understandable if governors believe that these agencies have largely been used to blow whistle against governors in particular. Based on the activities of the two agencies, more state officials have been linked to corrupt practices than their federal counterparts, despite the fact that most of the nation’s resources are under the management of the federal government.

But the failure of anti-corruption agencies to show balance in exposing financial crimes in states and at the centre does not require curing headache with de-capitation. There is too much rot in the country at all levels for any group of leaders to call for an end to EFCC and ICPC. It is true that there need not be a spe-

cial agency to fight corruption, if there is a credible police system in the country. But it is incontrovertible that there is no reliable police system yet. Given the magnitude of corruption in the country, it will not be an over kill to ask for one dedicated anticorruption agency to investigate the federal government and the states with equal attention.

Having a situation in which the nation combines absence of anti-corruption agencies with provision of immunity for presidents and governors is giving too much license to the executive branch of government. No responsible government should expect to govern in an atmosphere that is devoid of oversight, which EFCC and ICPC were designed to provide.

Adopting Orosanye’s recommendation in respect of the two agencies will be tantamount to taking too much risk with presidents, ministers, governors, and commissioners in a governing environment that is considered to be a global example of how not to govern or manage a country.

What needs to be done is to merge EFCC and ICPC and re-

design the new organization to have the power and autonomy of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in the United States. The problem with the EFCC or ICPC, like that of the Nigerian Police, is that each of the organizations appears to be too beholden to the federal government, to the extent that it sees itself as an agency created principally to shield the federal government but with the license to scapegoat governors in a nation generally overwhelmed by corruption.

In addition, the Immunity Clause in the 1999 Constitution should be removed. Most countries in the world do not have clauses to protect their leaders from prosecution while they are in office. Some countries with such constitutional provisions are doing away with them. For example, Italy threw away the immunity clause for its president about two years ago. The immunity clause does more damage to governance and governors (including presidents) than it is generally acknowledged. It presupposes that executive leaders are morally and ethically weak and thus need special shield from whistle blowers.

Random thoughts Potpourri of reactions lady who ‘graduated’ from Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago –Iwoye, Ogun state, eons ago but still awaits her final result; a matter which I mentioned to the state governor, Ibikunle Amosun, at the Ogun State presentation of the DAWN DOCUMENT by the Afenifere Renewal Group months ago. The governor has since made significant progress in stemming the rot in the state’s education system dating back to the PDP stranglehold on the state but the University is yet to witness any improvement in the handling of its examination results which can be as late as up to 4, 5 years at the minimum, thus literally ruining the future of its ‘graduates’.

I am aware this is routine in its CESAP (Part time) Programmes.

It reads Sir, please help me. My daughter entered Olabisi Onabanjo University (CESAP, MASS COM) in 2001/2002 and finished 2007/8. She did not fail nor repeat any course. Her grades ranged between ‘A &B’.

Up until now (some 9 months ago), the result has not been released leaving her totally frustrated.

Kindly help us, for Christ’s sake. Worried parent. 080 2323 12.

Thanks for your strength of resolve. Those who want to play politics with progress and keep us all in the dark ages have had their way for far too long. Their

response to truth is usually abuse of the messenger as they are either uninterested in truth or lack the vision to see what is in the greater public interest. 080 25018096.

One thing you don’t realize and you better know now on is that you are the headache of the PDP most especially in your state eve the entire South-West. Even some Tribunal judges have not forgiven you because you are speaking the truth. Please hit them harder now with Truth. 080 574131. (A distinguished Medical Practitioner) Sir, thank you. PDP is a vermin. We cannot wait for the next election to nail them. We should be nailing them every minute and quality performance by our governors is what will do that for us.

-0803 8977360 RE: JONA’s Mushrooming Corruption. Yours of 08/04/ 2012 refers. You brought so many critical issues on that half a page article that cannot be significantly addressed. I feel ashamed each moment I think of our situation. What is the need of affixing a PhD after a person’s name and we cannot expect a difference?

If, indeed, we want PDP out in 2015, we should put sentiment aside and begin to work right away by building bridges and educating our people across the land. – 08033839298 (A celebrated Democracy activist) Femi, what Nigeria needs is not restructuring but the Senegal

example – a coalition of all other parties to get PDP out of power and out of our lives.. Then, a President that is a hybrid of Awolowo and Rawlings of Ghana. Getting PDP out of power is not enough, the spirit of PDP has to be tackled –long jail terms, execution, banishment, recovery of illegal wealth. A man that has 2 billion cash in his house is not easy to tackle. He can fund an army. Political structure does not translate into good for the people if the leadership is bad. The landmark achievement of the old West is because of the person of Awolowo. Recreate the old West and put any of these Pindipi people and you will be amazed at the result. -080257997 (My friend, Ejiofor, is of Igbo extraction).

Your analysis on the current security situation in the country occasioned by the mindless suicide bombings and killings of innocent Nigerians by BH extremists, the probable causes of their emergence, its political and ethnic undertones, the feckless nature and obvious inability of the President to tackle the issue head-on and the call for urgent action by all stakeholders to address the issue, are quite rational, balanced and objective.

A lot has been written about Boko Haram killings and the North Vs South political dichotomy and they are no new stories anymore. The truth about the BH insurgence and its endless killings of Christians in the North, mainly IGBOS, is that some Northern political elite who feel that the Aso Rock top seat is their traditional ‘birth

Our governors should not react unduly to the track record of EFCC and ICPC of focusing largely on commissioners while in office and on governors after they leave office. They need to throw their weight in support of a re-configured anti-corruption agency that is supra-partisan or neutral, an agency that is free and able to show the same amount of enthusiasm in x-raying presidents, governors, ministers, bankers, legislators, and local government officials.

The stench of corruption in our country is at an embarrassing and alarming point. Most nations of the world are calling for aggressive fight against corruption to save our country from collapse. Patriotic Nigerians – governors, ministers, pastors, imams, etc should call for empowerment of an independent anti-corruption agency, the same way they are calling for a truly independent electoral commission. Our governors will be hailed by citizens across party lines if they choose to lead the campaign for establishment of a new EFCC and for abrogation of Immunity from prosecution for all categories of public servants.

right’ but suddenly lost grip of it and don’t have a clear direction on how to get it back pronto are the people sponsoring this deadly and bloody sect to frustrate the Jonathan’s administration and make the country ungovernable for him. If Buhari, or IBB had won the last election, this issue would have been history. There can’t be any solution to the problems because of the fundamental mistake of 1914 in which the incompatible , cultural, religious and linguistic differences of the units were not put into consideration before the ‘forced’ unification called Nigeria.

The only viable solution now is Division. Let the North be and let the South be. Any other measure will at best be temporary. Until this is done, another civil war may be imminent. - 080623167.

Good day. I think your column of yesterday has made the most convincing and pungent case so far as regards the complicity of the Northern political elite in the ongoing Boko Haram savagery. I refer specifically to your words: ‘ Were these things to be happening where I come from, every town, city, village, indeed street, will by now have neighbourhood vigilante groups that will not only take charge of the streets but will partner effectively with security agencies that a son would think nothing of giving his complicit father up. Why is this impossible n the North?’

This is the million dollar question that no one has put so pointedly. It also offers the most effective solution to this security conundrum. Thanks for your consistent commitment to the progressive development of Nigeria even if we have differed on some issues in the past. God bless you. -070327777..

(A refreshing newspaper columnist)

THE NATION ON SUNDAY MAY 13, 2012

Tunji

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

O

NE can only imagine the brisk business that all kinds of seers would have been making since one of the national dailies speculated about likely changes in the Goodluck Jonathan cabinet. The native doctors, genuine and false prophets, alfas as well as others believed to be able to predict the future must have been smiling to the banks; irrespective of what they are ‘selling’, whether apples, oranges or even sand.

You could be wondering what sand has got to do with it. Simple, a minister who has not been performing and is seeking the assistance of seers to be retained is peddling sand and there is nothing wrong if he is paid with stones (fake magical powers to get him retrained). This must be a swell time for these seers et al to have their own share of the national cake that many Nigerians believe only politicians and those in the corridors of power have cornered. Indeed, if the speculation of the impending cabinet reshuffle had been made by one of the soft sell magazines, I would have dismissed it as probably the handiwork of these seers who can no longer wait to have their own share of what is generally believed the politicians have stolen. Judges and lawyers have had their time, with some of them alleged to have become emergency billionaires after handling a few election petitions; so they may have to wait till 2015 for a repeat performance of such windfall.

Trust Nigerians, many people outside the government have started pressing buttons; they want to be part of the new cabinet (some say it is racket), even as many of those specu-

Postscript, Unlimited!

By

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

M

OVING house is a real harrowing experience. I’ve done it once or twice, the last one close to two decades ago and I don’t think I have truly recovered from it. Up till now, when I am looking for an item, I still remember exactly where it used to be placed in the old house but am entirely clueless as to its exact location in the new one.

Sometimes, looking for an item is like searching for a needle in a haystack. I would need a metal detector, a team of detectives and possibly, a forensic laboratory to decipher for me the true significance of the clues (such as rat droppings) that are, maybe, leading to my lost item.

Failing those, I might have to apply to the children to give me the exact location of my lost item on a compass. When you vaguely believe sometimes that your gold necklace is on your dresser or your neck, your child may tell you that he has used it to tell his girlfriend how much he loves her. You know, one of the reasons why you have children is so they can dispossess you of your things as easily as autumn shaves leaves off trees.

Yet still, the item’s location could come to me in a dream. Dreams do things to people. Someone once said

Comment & Analysis

17

It’s cabinet reshuffle, stupid!

Jonathan can’t change his winning team lated to go too are doing anything and everything to stay put. They fight the good and the bad fight to remain, some inviting their traditional rulers to plead for them to be appointed or retained. So, you can see why the seers must be making cool money; they collect from ministers who do not want to go as well as from ministerial hopefuls, some of whom have started submitting their curriculum vitae for the non-existent jobs. But it is not only seers that would be making brisk business, influential Nigerians like some Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stalwarts, prominent traditional rulers, etc. too would be smiling to the banks because their homes would have become Mecca of sort for some of the fretting ministers and even the hopefuls.

No doubt the average Nigerian was upbeat when the newspaper made the speculation. As a matter of fact, the paper went ahead to list some names as likely replacements for some of the ministers it speculated would go. Most Nigerians welcomed the report as long overdue.

They see many of the ministers as deadwoods or extra-luggage that the country cannot afford. However, on seeing some of the names the paper said had been forwarded to the State

Security Service (SSS) for screening, even some of those who had supported the idea of change beat a retreat, saying there is nothing to look forward to in the so-called cabinet reshuffle, with some of the candidates being worse than those they are being speculated to replace.

But for me, I had always known that there is no cause for alarm; the ministers are doing well. So, why would the president consider changing such a winning team? The report becomes the more doubtful when some sources said besides the years spent in the cabinet, other factors that would determine the continued stay of any minister in the Federal Executive Council (FEC) included performance. This was another reason I doubted the report. Pray, what has performance got to do with it? Even the president, what did he promise us during the electioneering campaign? So, how could a president whose only promise to the electorate during the campaign was to talk less and do more (whatever that meant) be talking about performance? His campaign hung essentially on the pranks played around his name, Goodluck, and the razzmatazz on the Internet. As a matter of fact, the president made

“President Jonathan … has absolutely no good reason to want to change his cabinet now... If any award is to be given today for corruption, no other country can contest it with us. The trophy is ours. If there is an award for all motion no movement on power supply, we are the undisputed leader. If there is an award for collapse of infrastructure, I have no doubt the entire world would readily concede the cup to us. So, why change ministers?”

most of his votes from the Internet campaign, a channel that has held many Nigerian youths captive, especially on the social media networks. Unlike in those days when presidential aspirants worked assiduously to convince Nigerian voters about what they intended to do if elected, Jonathan had the very first election he would contest on a platter of gold. He literally had the presidency placed on his lap. So, how does performance come into the equation?

However, President Jonathan has put paid to the speculation. He has said that he is not considering any cabinet shake-up. Now that the Presidency has seen what I have been seeing ever since and denied any plans to reshuffle the cabinet, I can also see the blood pressure of many ministers returning to normal. There is nothing to fret about again. So, they can continue with the good works they have been doing.

For this, we owe the president a word of gratitude. I wonder why any president in his right senses would want to change a team during whose tenure TIME Magazine adjudged him (the president) one of the 100 most influential persons in the world? Indeed, he is the only African leader to make the list, a big feat. Some cynics are even saying that may be there was a typographical error somewhere and TIME does not want to reverse itself and thus embarrass itself in the process; in other words, President Jonathan’s name on the list was a mistake. Just imagine how lowly Nigerians rate their president who had such an imposing citation read on the award. Talk of a prophet without honour in his home.

As a matter of fact, a colleague of mine who apparently does not know

what awards are all about was so flabbergasted when the award was made public that he asked the rhetorical question of how many Nigerians President Jonathan has impacted their lives. Good enough, those who know have asked my colleague about what impact has got to do with awards. They even reminded that our banks were collecting awards at home and abroad shortly before the bubble burst. So, whoever told my colleague that awards these days, especially in a Third World country like Nigeria, are about what we call ‘penetration and impact’ in Mass Communication? This is serious business please, so don’t let your mind wander just because I talked about ‘penetration and impact’.

I must confess I am on the same page with President Jonathan. He has absolutely no good reason to want to change his cabinet now. His ministers are doing well. If any award is to be given today for corruption, no other country can contest it with us.

The trophy is ours. If there is an award for all motion no movement on power supply, we are the undisputed leader. If there is an award for collapse of infrastructure, I have no doubt the entire world would readily concede the cup to us. So, why change ministers? Indeed, I strongly recommend that all the ministers who have made all these possible should be given national honours in our tradition.

If truly a people get the kind of leaders they deserve, then, a government should also get the kind of cabinet it deserves. It takes the deep to communicate with the deep.

Headline concept derived from “It’s the economy, stupid!” a phrase in American politics widely used during Bill Clinton’s successful 1992 presidential campaign against George Bush.

I dreamt once that corruption moved house!

Stamping out corruption in Nigeria is like rolling a boulder up a hill that he dreamt he was eating chicken.

When he awoke the next day, he found the feathers of his pillow in his mouth.

Someone else said he dreamt he had a fight with a neighbour. Next morning, he woke up to go and continue the fight. ‘Ehen, that thing that you said in the dream was very stupid ...’ And the fight got truly under way. Such experiences make you never to want to dream. Yet, I know that there be some among us whose heads do not touch the pillow before they go into la-la land, crossing seas, fighting dragons or just shopping with the queen. Such Josephinous dreamers not only hug all the dreams to themselves, they make sure some of us do not get any, for I know some around me who claim that in all the years they have been sleeping, they have not recorded as many dreams as they have fingers.

Dreams, I have been told, reflect inner desires, sorrows and pains. My dream-desire, and I bet yours too, is to hear that corruption has moved house, I mean really moved, in the sense of changing its address, from Nigeria to Never-Never land where dreams derive their contexts. Right now, the world capital of corruption appears to be Nigeria. Once, I was in a conversation with some foreigners while outside the country and I was asked the question, what is being done about the level of corruption in Nigeria? I could only mumble something about Nigeria not being the only country in the world going through the painful pangs of corruption; and that many of the socalled western countries had also gone

through this phase until they were saved by the bolts of common sense striking their forebears right in the foreheads, bull’s-eye like, and they learnt to keep their own corruption to some manageable minimum. And yes, to answer the question, a great deal is being done about the corruption in Nigeria, even if I don’t know exactly what.

Anyway, God only knows how corruption has come to dominate and overrun the country, wearing, as Achebe once said, many hats, but I guess the problems with us Nigerians are many-fold. First is this national character that is the bane of our national life: doing things impatiently, improperly and with extreme gusto. This is why someone would defraud the state massively, leave office and then seek to go back to that office again because he felt he did not do it well the first time, which is translation for ‘to continue the corrupt plundering’. We are so cheap.

It is also the reason someone would desperately show off his obscene lifestyle to the rest of the country without a care to its effect on the said rest of the country. How else can one explain how a man comes to have twentysomething cars in his garage, among which is the world’s latest car that arrived here five minutes after it was released in Europe?

Just add to the above the problem of mass illiteracy which makes the powerful mass majority too powerless to stop the tiny minority from defrauding them as we have pointed out repeatedly on this page. What the people don’t

know can’t hurt them, goes the slogan, which actually translates to what the people don’t know they have cannot be missed. This is why many politicians collect benefits for their constituencies and pocket them; the benefits that is, not the constituencies.

Then there is the fact that most Nigerians have become dissociated and cut off from their cultural and moral roots that kept their fathers and grandfathers sufficiently grounded in patriotic fervour and obedience. This means that most of us are walking around without a viable national identity – talk of real zombies. This, as we have also said on this page, makes it possible for people to rob, kill and destroy others because they have no sense of connection with them, all having met, as it were, in a place where everyman is for himself – the cemetery designed for the living.

Directly arising from this last point is the fact that many now find refuge in group and factional adhesions, even if many times such adhesions are unhealthy and extremely costly to the nation. The reason is really very simple. It is such groups that offer safety and security in times of need. It is a man’s church or Islamic brotherhood that gives him succour in times of financial strain; it is the village people who rally round an individual when he has problems with the state, either in life or in death; it is the social club that assists a man in his times of joy or sorrow; etc. Sadly, many times, it is also these groups that offer protection to a man when he defrauds

the state.

Then of course, there is the real fear that corruption persists in Nigeria because it suits the very high-ups who keep it there for their own personal benefits. It suits them that the country has no credible set of statistics of anything or group to work with; it suits them that the country has at best a very dubious and manipulatable accounting system; it also suits the high-ups in the country that I am not among the high-ups.

So, you see, dear reader, when all is considered and done, we find that the real problem is not so much that of corruption as the things that engender and protect it – the fact that very few Nigerians feel any passion for their country, Nigeria. Corruption is therefore a symptom arising from this very serious absence of patriotic feelings in her nationals. Lack of patriotism is the real culprit, for when you love someone or something, you don’t want to see him, her or it hurt.

In the myth of Sisyphus, the gods have him rolling a boulder up a hill for eternity as punishment for greed.

Attempting to stamp out corruption in Nigeria now is actually rolling a boulder up a hill. Until such a time as the country can engender in her citizens that patriotic fervour which can commit them to both conscious and unconscious actions of benefit to the general populace, until such a time, I’m afraid, corruption lives here still. As it is now, it is looking as if Sisyphus will have to succeed with his boulder before corruption can move house from Nigeria; so let us pray for Sisyphus.

18

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, MAY 13, 2012

Comment & Analysis

Socialist victory in France and lessons for Africa I N the runner-up to Nigeria’s government announcement of the controversial removal of subsidy on petroleum products on the New Year day, the former French finance minister and head of the International Monetary Fund, (IMF) Mrs. Christine Largarde flew into Abuja. Her mission was ostensibly to shore up the sagging morale of the government officials whose argument for the removal of the subsidy was overwhelmed by the superior arguments that subsidy it sought to remove is phantom and non-existent. The argument, later to be justified by the House of Representatives ad-hoc committee that investigated the subsidy payment, was that the problem with the sector is massive corruption perpetrated by highly placed government officials and their cronies. Mrs. Largarde visit did bolster the government in its determined folly and it went out and announced a more than hundred per cent rise in the price of petroleum product.

The popular outrage that ensued in the streets forced a modest rethink in government. For more than a decade since the return of civil rule in Nigeria, the Bretton Wood inspired economic policy has held sway.

Imposition of harsh austerity measures, currency devaluation, lay-offs of workers, wage freeze or actual collapse of wages as what is left as wages are eaten up by inflationary pressure and massive capital flights, especially the twelve billion dollars fretted away in a dubious debt repayments. While these punitive measures are harshly imposed on Nigerians, the government claim that is no

A

GOLD rush in northern Nigeria risks exposing tens of thousands of children to lead poisoning in what may already be the worst such crisis in history, Medecins Sans Frontieres said.

Residents of the northern Zamfara state started artisanal gold-mining in lead-rich ore around 2009 as the price of gold increased. When miners return to their villages, or grind ore near their homes, they spread lead-rich dust into households and the ground on which children crawl, resulting in them eating the lead as they have more hand-to-mouth activity than adults, the Genevabased aid group said.

“We’re looking at the possibility of eventually more of the lead working its way into the aquifers, into the wells, into the water systems,” Ivan Gayton, a country director for MSF, told reporters yesterday in Abuja, the capital. “We haven’t even gotten there yet. Right now, we’re just looking at the effects of one or two years’ worth of dust.”

The outbreak has led to the deaths of 460 children, while 4,000 have been contaminated, he said. MSF has treated 2,500, some of whom will need as many as 20 years of follow-up therapy.

Another 1,500 children in the village of Bagega haven’t been treated because the government hasn’t cleaned up the area, making treatment futile, he said.

In seven villages where a cleanup has been carried out, recontamination has occurred and is now accelerating, he said.

•By Charles Onunaiju

other alternative economic measures.

But the victory of the socialist party in France, where its candidate and the president elect Mr. François Hollande, made clear that it would abandon orthodox neo-liberal policies and follow more sociallysensitive policies to restore a sense of community wrecked by years of mindless neo-liberalism puts a lie to it. As a first measure, the socialist party promised that it would increase wages and raise corporate tax.

One universal folly of neo-liberalism is, while, company bosses pad their emoluments, including bonuses and other fringe benefits, the workers are laid off and wages are slashed, longer working hours are imposed with more flexible rules that make workers more vulnerable. This elaborate anti-worker platform is routinely described as the necessary structural reforms to stimulate the economy and promote sustainable growth.

It is this fashionable orthodoxy that the French socialist party stood up against and with a resounding endorsement, the French people threw in their support. The president-elect, Mr. Hollande, while favourably disposed to the European Union, made clear from the beginning that he is going insist on re-negotiating the fiscal pact which was the sign post of neoliberal austerity in Europe. The Germans who almost imposed the pact and held it as an article of faith will have to swallow hard and also do the neces-

sary pruning, if the Franco-German motor that drives the European Union would not get knocked. Germany and France are both first and second largest economy in Europe and fourth and fifth largest in the world, after the United States, China and Japan. And for effect, Mr Hollande, the French president-elect is a core believer in Europe. He cut his political teeth under the tutelage of Mr. Jacques Delors, the strategic driver of the European Union as it is, in contemporary times. Mr. Hollande whose core economic programme is to focus on growth, in spite of overwhelming obsession of the governments in the Eurozone with austerity, a measure foisted by outgoing president Nicholas Sarkozy and her ideological soul-mate in Berlin, chancellor Angela Merkel.

The French socialist party unlike the labour party in Britain or the social democratic party in Germany or the Spanish socialist embraces the core value of socialism with elaborate protection for workers and the middle class. While British Labour Party and the German social democratic move to the centre and redesigned themselves as seeking the third way, the French socialist party remain ideological discernible and did not seek re-invention as middle of the ground party.

Its grounds of difference on domestic and foreign policy issue with the defeated right wing UMP party of Mr. Sarkozy is as ideologically discernible as the strategy.

In the rest of continental Europe, including Italy with a formerly ideological left party, the

socialist parting or parties of the left are dissolved in the neo-liberal world outlook with only a putative difference with the conservative parties on strategies alone. The socialist party in France was clearly an exception to the trend of new neo-liberal convergence, commonly referred to as centrism. The point, been made is that French socialist party won the election on a clear alternative policy and programme, which also offers chances, lessons and opportunities for Africa to re-think the neo-liberal consensus which in the past two decades have left the continent at the miserable bottom of all human index assessment.

In spite of France competitiveness in the neo-liberal economic order, the simple message of the socialist party, which resonated among the French people, is that a sizeable majority are left behind and that undermines the lofty value of fraternity and equality. While the hate-mongering party, the National Front, founded by former paratrooper, Mr. Jean Marie Le-pen and now led by his daughter acknowledges the dire conditions of most French people in the current economic situation, the party’s paranoid leads it to blame immigration and minorities. The socialist party on the hand sees the hard life of the working people in the free roam of capital and the market it manipulates. For the avoidance of doubt, nobody wants a restoration of soviet model of central planning, but it does not take any economic special insight to see that the neo-liberal bull has run its course.

Zamfara gold rush and lead poisoning threat

•A doctor from Medecins sans Frontiers (MSF), right, takes a blood sample to determine a young girl’s lead level at a clinic in the village of Abare, in Zamfara State.

PHOTO: BLOOMBERG

By Maram Mazen Mohammed Kabir Janyau, the commissioner of Zamfara state’s Health Ministry, said by phone from Abuja today that the local authority is “trying to enlighten people to understand the culture of safe mining practice” as well as providing miners with safety equipment such as masks, gloves and respirators. An official who answered the phone at the Federal Mining Ministry declined to comment and said

the minister wasn’t immediately available to comment.

Gayton spoke at a two-day meeting of Nigeria’s ministries of health, environment and mining on the crisis. The federal government should help the miners find a safer way to extract the gold while cleaning the lead from households and villages to prevent further contamination, he said.

“We were hoping at this conference we would hear a real

concrete response, that there would be a time-line and a real commitment of resources,” Jane Cohen, an environmental health researcher with New York-based Human Rights Watch, said today in Abuja.

The lack of high-level government participation suggests that may not be the case, she said. “The role that the federal government can play is clear right now, and by not playing that they are preventing the situation from being resolved.”

“The decision makers aren’t here today,” Gayton said at the closing session of the conference.

“So those people who can actually make the decisions to begin these programs, sent representatives but they aren’t here to announce these decisions.”

The government announced in November that it would fund a clean-up with 850 million naira ($5.4 million). That would “go a long way” to resolving the issue, though authorities have yet to display “the political will to get that money released,” Gayton said. MSF is spending $5 million of its own money a year to treat the children, and lacks the resources to provide more treatment if the crisis worsens, he said.

“Even if the ministers were

Africa caught largely unprepared in the global transformation of the nearly past two decades have seemed to reincarnate the wretched fate of a salt vendor, whose patrons quickly called in the rain water, soon after he was dispatched. Standing in the angry rain water with a bag of salt, Africa must seek new and imaginative initiatives to move beyond the neo-liberal economic architecture, it has no input in designing or seek accommodation in it, through active participation in re-designing it. The French socialist party in political wilderness for nearly two decades, has had its message cut out, that the existing economic order do not work for the majority of French people. In final debates leading to the decisive second round of the election, outgoing president Sarkozy blushed on how he has kept French economy fairly healthy, in an ailing Eurozone economy, which Mr. Hollande retorted that the economy may be working for Mr Sarkozy and his friends, but the rest of France is dire stress. Few days later, French voters concurred with Mr. Hollande.

For the second time, the socialists are coming to power in France since after the founding of the fifth republic by the ebullient Charles De-Gaulle, the first been the tenure of Francois Mitterrand, France is set for a unique and interesting time, that will reverberate throughout Europe and even raise a modest re-think, in Africa, the hapless thrash-can of the current vicious neo-liberal economic order.

Onunaiju is a journalist based in Abuja

here themselves, they wouldn’t have been able to say when it’s going to be released,” Abdulsalami Nasidi, a project director for Nigeria Center for Disease Control, who was representing the health minister at the conference, said at the closing session when asked when the funds would be provided. “We pledge to follow up.”

Long-term consequences for the children who have been treated include mental deficiency, loss of IQ, damaged organs and developmental difficulties, Gayton said. “Even those children who we’ve saved are likely to be in rough shape, and probably for the rest of their lives.”

Located in the povertystricken north of Nigeria, 71 percent of Zamfara’s population lives on less than $1 a day, compared with the national average of 61 percent. Children there have been found with levels of lead that are dozens of times higher than the internationally accepted threshold, Gayton said.

“It’s accurate to say that this is one of the worst, if not the worst, lead-poisoning crises ever,” he said. He predicts it may get worse, driven by a nearquadrupling of gold prices in the last seven years, to about $1,600 an ounce.

“With the price of gold anywhere near where it is right now, it’s going to continue expanding,” he said of the artisanal mining. “People will find the limits of these gold deposits, no matter how far they go.”

Courtesy: Bloomberg

POLITICS

19

THE NATION ON SUNDAY MAY 13, 2012

Barely a year into his four-year term, campaign for President Goodluck Jonathan’s reelection has been both deafening and a source of concern to political stakeholders.

During the week, the president officially disowned the people campaigning for his return in 2015. In this report, Sam Egburonu tries to uncover the source of 2015 debate and why it is over-heating the already volatile polity.

S

INCE he emerged as the President, barely a year ago, the issue of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election in 2015 has been on the table. His every political move and utterance has been dissected with a view to ascertaining the truth in the claims that he has, right from outset perfected plans to re-contest in 2015.

It dates back to the first months of his tenure, when he proposed the controversial six year single tenure. Although he allegedly claimed he would not benefit from the proposal, it was largely held that it was a grand plan to elongate his tenure.

This suspicion, fueled by the president’s body movement and the utterances of his close associates, has generated so much political heat that peaked recently, when a group, led by Dr. Junaid Mohammed threatened to drag Jonathan to court to stop him from contesting 2015 elections, since according to them, he is currently serving his second term. Mohammed, a former commissioner at Oil Minerals Areas Producing and Development Commission (OMPADEC), was quoted as saying, “As far as I am concerned, there is no need deceiving ourselves.

I believe President Goodluck Jonathan whom I knew since he was a director under me has every intention to contest the 2015 presidential election, even if it means throwing the country into civil war or other forms of civil disobedience or confusion or catastrophe.”

Perhaps in reaction to such sentiments, Jonathan warned politicians to stop overheating the polity by campaigning for his reelection in 2015. A terse statement by his media adviser, Dr. Reuben Abati, said “The President has definitely not directed or authorized any individual or group to launch any campaign on his behalf…

“What began as an irritating distraction some months ago, appears to have now assumed a life of its own, dominating political discourse in the country, with all kinds of mischief-makers and opportunists latching on to it, to heat up the polity unnecessarily,” he said, adding, “ The pointless, diversionary and very distractive hue and cry about the President’s alleged ambition to seek a second term in office is becoming increasingly disturbing by the day with headlines such as “JONATHAN’S 2015 AMBITION CAN BREAK UP NIGERIA” and “JONATHAN’S 2015 AMBITION FUELING INSECURITY,” now regular fare in our newspapers and on the internet.”

Politics of succession Even Abati, in the statement confirmed suspicions of most Nigerians that the illtiming of the presidential campaign for 2015 is as a result of over zealousness of some power hungry elements, within his

•Jonathan

Jonathan and the 2015 debate political family, desperate over succession in 2015. “As he has repeatedly warned on many occasions, including the last national convention of the Peoples Democratic Party, the inordinate ambition of a few self-centred Nigerians and their obsession with the politics of political succession in 2015 must not be allowed to distract the nation and its current leadership from the task of dealing with the much more urgent issues of development and the safety of Nigerians in all parts of the country.”

It is on record that since his election, his adopted political father, Chief Edwin Clark, has never stopped to tell all that the President is eligible to seek a second term in office.

Speaking during a recent ceremony in Lagos, where Presidential Adviser, Kingsley Kuku, was honoured as Maritime Man of the Year, Clark reportedly said: “Even though I do not want to talk about 2015 now because the time is still far, the North should know that only Nigerians have the power to stop anyone from becoming president. If Jonathan wants to run today, the North cannot stop him because apart from the fact that he has the right to run, the North should equally know that they are not born to rule over others in the

country.”

Who is afraid of Jonathan’s bid?

The Nation investigation shows that the hullabaloo over Jonathan’s alleged bid for re-election in 2015 is more amongst members of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) than the core opposition parties, who have so far only expressed concern over the negative effects on the polity and governance. In a statement issued by Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the National Publicity Secretary of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), the party said: “Mr. President, we in the ACN are not bothered about whether or not you plan to run in 2015. What concerns us now is how to alleviate the collective suffering of the Nigerian people, who have experienced more pain than gain in one year of your administration, and have yet to reap the fruits of democracy almost 15 years of the country’s return to constitutional order under your party’s watch. ’’If we must be frank, this past one year has been like four for Nigerians who have been subjected to untold hardship and the effects of a catalogue of bad and inconsistent policies.

“As governance takes the back seat and

meaningless politicking becomes the order of the day, many wish the four years of your administration will just pass by fast to give them the opportunity to make a better choice of leadership. This is what is driving the 2015 debate,’’ it said.

According to Chief Richard Udensi, “members of PDP are more interested in who succeeds Jonathan in 2015, so, politics and quest for power are of greater importance than governance now. This explains why the north, the south-south PDP members are neck deep into this politics of 2015 campaigns. Whether you like it or not, the various interest groups within the PDP, especially South-South, South-East and the North are fighting for 2015, and some of the most desperate stakeholders do not seem to care how their ambition is impacting the polity.

In the north, where the agitation to succeed Jonathan has been uppermost, associates of many top PDP members have been campaigning secretly and publicly for their principals. Although he has avoided open identification with the idea, Vice President Namadi Sambo’s associates and some PDP chieftains from the North were said to have openly canvassed for support for Sambo’s alleged presidential project

20

THE NATION ON SUNDAY MAY 13, 2012

Politics

Why more women must join politics —Sumonu First female Speaker of Oyo State House of Assembly, Honourable Monsurat Sumonu of Action Congress of Nigeria, represents Oyo East and Oyo West. In this interview with Jeremiah Oke, she explains the secrets of her success in the male dominated House.

P

OLITICS in Nigeria is regarded as a dirty game. After 22 years as an immigration officer in the United Kingdom, what made you to venture into politics here?

I don’t see politics as a dirty game. I believe we are to improve people’s life and to look after the community, so it is never a dirty game.

Another thing that prompted me into politics was my experience during one of my visits to Nigeria. There was a road accident and I managed to assist the victims. Then, I called the chairman of the nearest local government to know what they can offer to the victims, because it was fatal. When I got back to England, I narrated my experience to other members of the Oyo State Descendants in United Kingdom. We all lamented on the way they play politics with people’s life in Nigeria.

So, we resolved then that anyone who wished to join politics in Nigeria should do that and contribute meaningfully to the living conditions of the masses and to enlighten people on what the roles and objectives of politicians should be. That, among other factors, made me to venture into politics.

At 53, can you say you are fulfilled?

When I look back to see what God has

•Sumonu

done in my life, I always have cause to thank God. First and foremost, he has given me the grace of attaining the age of 53, and when I remember what God has done for my children, I thank him.

How can you describe the low involvement of women in politics in Nigeria?

Anywhere you go here in Nigeria, you see people crying for 35 percent of women involvement in politics, which means it has not been fulfilled, that is why women are crying; which means they have not been given the opportunity to participate in Nigerian politics. It means the figure is below expectation; so I believe if we keep crying and shouting, one day, they will hear our voice, and they will later give us the opportunity to have the expected percentage of our participation.

Don’t you think low participation of women in politics suggest feelings that they

are not capable of holding sensitive political offices?

I wouldn’t say that because you could see thousands of Nigerian women who are doctors, magistrates, senators, ministers, and in other pubic offices in all sectors both in Nigeria and abroad. They are all of high calibre. So that means it is men that have not given them the opportunity. I believe Nigerian women have the skill and the ability to hold any post. They will demonstrate that if they are given opportunity.

Since men are not ready to give you opportunity, what effort are you making to claim it?

I believe the work I am doing now as the Speaker of Oyo State House of Assembly and this kind of interview will enable the women to know that there is need for them to join politics and contribute their quota

to the development of their immediate environment.

It seems married women in politics will have additional burden. As a married woman, how are you coping?

I believe men are married as well, so, its double problems for them as well, because nobody will like to be an absent father. That is how it is for women too. We all know how we prioritise things. Being in politics does not mean you should neglect the family, whether you are a man or a woman.

Do you mean your job does not affect your relationship with your husband?

My husband understands what I am doing, because that is what had happened before. I mean, he is working and I am also working, so we had to align ourselves. My h u s b a n d understands the nature of my job and knows what I have to do at a particular point in t i m e , likewise m y children; t h e y k n o w that I have an important role to play in the state and in the community, so they all understand me and I give glory to God. In Oyo State House, majority of the members are men, if not all; as a woman speaker, how have you been able to manage them?

All of them are my brothers, they are my husbands, and they are my colleagues. By the special grace of God, we all have the same focus and the focus is how to move Oyo State to the greater height which is very important, regardless of party differences.

They have been very cooperative.

What advice do you have for up-coming female politicians?

They should ask themselves if they can do it and they should not look at the negative aspect of it; rather, the way to improve the living standard of the people.

They should be ambitious and ask themselves when I get there, what do I want to do?

For Olaitan Oyerinde: the communist internationalist

•Oyerinde

I

N the wee hours of Friday, May 4, 2012, merchants of death struck in Benin and wickedly and callously murdered Comrade Olaitan Oyerinde, who until the said date was the Principal Private Secretary to the Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomole. As at the time of this write-up there is nothing to suggest that the police will live up to the people’s expectation and unravel the mystery behind this latest brutal killing of one of Nigeria’s finest ideologues and patriots. After all, there had been similar killings in the past without the police rising to the occasion. One hopes that both Comrade

Olaitan’s killers and their principals will be unmasked and punished for their heinous crime.

Comrade Olaitan was not born with a silver spoon but grew up with good training to become a well-sought after intellectual, thinker, researcher, organiser, strategist, writer, journalist, mobilizer, labour activist and pro-democracy advocate. In the mid 80s when military dictatorship was at its brutal worst, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) was one of the patriotic organisations that the military junta did everything within its powers to destroy.

NANS was no doubt a militant and progressive association whose charter trenchantly articulated values, ideas, views and positions which in every material particular were nationalistic, patriotic, anti-imperialist, democratic and internationalist. Even when the association was banned by the powers that be, it remained vociferously active exposing the hypocrisy of the military and insisting on the best form of governance for the country.

Those who are strutting about today “en-

By Chijioke Uwasomba

TRIBUTE joying” the so – called dividends of democracy may not realise that there was an organisation of Nigerian students which gave itself the mandate to champion the ennobling causes and concerns aimed at promoting pan-Nigerian ideals and other far-reaching goals for national development. The platform provided opportunities that deepened nationalist feelings and thoroughly de-emphasised those things that were considered antithetical to national unity and cohesion. Students under the aegis of NANS moved from one part of the country to another and in the process understood the needs of the country.

Long-lasting friendships were cultivated.

Leadership trainings and other relevant exposures needed in life were taught and acquired by those who subscribed to the rich tenets and life- building activities of NANS. It is with this background that one can understand the emergence and insertion of Comrade Olaitan in the post-colony called Nigeria. As a Mass communication student of the University of Lagos, Comrade Olaitan belonged to a cell that aligned itself squarely with the politics of the National Association of the Nigerian Students. At the national level, many of these cells from their various cam-

puses formed a national platform that provided credible and revolutionary leadership to NANS. That body was the Popular Youth Movement of Nigeria (PYMN). The PYMN was a Marxist – Leninist organisation through and through. NANS remained what it was – a truly credible organisation between 1980 and 1992 when the association was deviously handed over to reactionary by a rival revolutionary group.

One notes that the leadership of NANS under the control and foresight of the PYMN was credible, popular, patriotic and aligned itself and its politics with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) – an association of University lecturers which was formed the same year and place as NANS; the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC); the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA); the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and other civil and workers organisations in Nigeria. NANS’ communiqués were crafted in a manner that sent government and its agents jittery and paranoid. Of course, this was not surprising considering the fact that the leaders exuded confidence and sure – footedness arising from their high cerebral architecture.

Comrade Olaitan, on many occasions for many years was the typist, the stenographer and the “administrative” Secretary of NANS. As a Mass Communication student, he had

e ist

THE NATION ON SUNDAY MAY 13, 2012

Political

Politics right hand man while he ran the aviation ministry under President Olusegun Obasanjo-led PDP federal government.

Then, Bala was Yuguda’s close partner and was considered instrumental to Yuguda’s April 2007 victory at the polls.

Ripples can now report that the relationship started it’s nose-diving before the last election, when both Muazu and the minister set up their different camps in Abuja and operated from Abuja and Bauchi.

Though a reconciliation committee was set up to quench the fire between the Muazu/Bala camp, or Abuja and Bauchi camps, as some preferred to call them, Ripples confirmed that the gulf had remained ever since and has almost reached its ebb with the intrigues that led to Bamangar Tukur’s emergence as PDP Na•Yuguda tional Chairman.

Alhaji Samaila Burga, former Personal Assistant to Gov. Yuguda, confirmed the depth of this gulf recently when he told •Mua’zu journalists that “Muazu is not a member of PDP, as far as PDP is concerned. sons he shall not forget in a hurry’’.

Muazu and I are from the same local Political disagreement amongst government, Tafawa Balewa, and I can PDP leaders in the state, top state gov- assure you that, from his Ward (Boto), ernment functionaries, former Bauchi local government to state and national State Governor, Ahmadu Adamu levels, his name is not in the PDP regMuazu and Senator Bala Abdulkadir ister.’’

Mohammed, the Federal Capital TerHe added that ‘’Muazu was exritory Minister, can be traced back to pelled for anti-party activities,’’ 2006, when Yuguda was denied PDP though he refused to give details of the governorship ticket. He crossed over anti-party activities. to All Nigeria’s Peoples Party (ANPP) On Senator Bala Mohammed, and won the governorship election.

Kauran Bauchi, the PDP scribe stated, This victory altered political equa- “Kaura did not register as a PDP memtions as Yuguda’s political and per- ber in his ward and local government sonal relationship with his erstwhile in Alkaleri when Gov.Yuguda debosom friend, Muazu, turned sour. fected and registered just like others This was soon followed by major did, so we don’t have his name as a cracks in Yuguda’s relationship with PDP member, may be he is an Abuja Sen. Bala, who, insiders said was his PDP member but certainly not in Bauchi.’’ cusing fingers to some powerful political figures (names withheld). “Just as the Adada Rice Project was frustrated, so they want to jeopardize the dam project,” said a community leader.

To curb the growing restiveness, chairmen of the councils recently rushed to Senator Eze to complain about the immi•Eze •Mark nent unrest in the area as a result of the abandonment of the project by the contractors.

The contractor was said to have been mobilized with N289 million. But no work has been done over one year, since it was flagged off.

Some council chairmen, like DADA Dam, a project commis Onwubuya, who spoke with Ripples sioned last year to enhance ag said: ‘We suspect fraud because the riculture and water supply to reason given by the contractor does communities in Enugu North Senato- not hold water, and for that, we are rial Zone went into coma immediately asking security agents to come and after the commissioning, a develop- do their work.’ ment that has today been given politiNsukka council chairman, Hon. cal interpretation.

Ugwu called on the National AssemRipples was informed that the bly to set up a committee and investiN2.57 billion project was attracted to gate the Adada Dam project. the area by the senator representing “We are law abiding people and the zone, Senator Ayogu Eze. It was so have been able to calm our people meant to serve agrarian communities down. However, we call for full inlike Nsukka, Uzo-Uwani, Igbo-Etiti, vestigation into the activities of that Igboeze North, Igboeze South and contractor. The contract has a life span Udenu. of two years, and for over one year, Angered by the abandonment of they have not commenced any work the project, the people are pointing ac- there,” he alleged.

ripples Yuguda, Muazu rift deepens I IN spite of claims of unity within the Bauchi State chapter of Peoples‘ Democratic Party (PDP), Ripples learnt that the top leaders in the‘ state have become sworn enemies.

This ugly development was further worsened by the alleged betrayal during the recent campaign for ‘election’ of the party’s National Chairman.

Ripples gathered that Gov. Isa Yuguda had purchased a form for former governor Adamu Muazu to contest the chairmanship which had been zoned to the North-east.

But at the North-east Delegate Zonal Congress, held in Bauchi, only three days to the National Congress, the North-east PDP Caucus met in the dark of the night and elected Dr. Musa Babayo (from Katagum Zone of Bauchi State) with 14 votes. Ahmadu Adamu Muazu got one vote. Insiders claimed he actually voted himself.

This was despite the assurances from Yuguda as leader of the party in the state. This, according a Muazu confidant, who spoke to Ripples in confidence has completely broken the so-called reconciliation and further widened the gap that existed between Yuguda and Muazu.

The source added: “We are watching, but 2015 is just at the corner. We, as members of Muazu/Sen.Bala camp will teach Yuguda some political les-

learnt the art of typing which was a compulsory course for students of Mass Communication in those days. Some of us were thrilled by his typing skills and good command of the English language for he was a strong member of the Communiqué – drafting Committee. In those days, the computer was a rarity and the typewriter itself was mainly owned by institutions and groups.

In those days, most students knew what they wanted and prepared themselves for such exertions. Having been imbued with revolutionary activism while in school, Comrade Olaitan had no problem working at various times with the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), Campaign for Democracy (CD), Iron and Steel Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ISSSAN) and Senior Staff Consultative Association of Nigeria (SSCAN) which metamorphosed into the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC). It was from the NLC that Adams Oshiomole noticed the star in Olaitan and wasted no time in taking him to Edo State when he became the governor of the state.

All the encomiums being paid to our late comrade attest to the irrefutable fact that he was indeed a man full of useful energy and he did mobilise it in the defence and promotion of the interests of the working peoples of Nigeria in particular and the global community in general.

Adieu !!!!

Uwasomba teaches in the Department of English, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.

Acrimony over N2.57 Billion Adada Dam

A

21

Political Politics turf

with Bolade Omonijo boladeomonijo@yahoo.com

Letter to President Jonathan: Arrest the drift or quit

I

HAD decided upon your assuming office as President no longer to adopt this mode of addressing serious national issues. But, I am compelled by grave matters of state to review that decision. A number of our compatriots entrusted the health of the nation in your hands during the general elections last year. In addition, your political party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), still managed to control majority of executive and legislative seats. The party supplied the President, your good self, the Vice President, Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, 24 governors and 25 states Houses of Assembly.

All that a leader needs to do the job is this control. Analysts therefore felt that you had been given the tools to do the job at hand. You came in at a most auspicious moment. It was a time that the country needed a man of vision, driven by a mission. And, it was obvious what Nigerians yearned for.

After 12 years of groping in the dark under PDP administrations, the people, for once, appeared to believe that you could be the agent of change. You promised to transform the country and give life to the so-called Vision 2020:20.

My President, I believe that I can so address you despite withholding my vote from you; it is one year after you took over the reins of government fully. Before you ascended the throne on May 5 last year, you had held the office in acting capacity for three months and watched as the nation drifted following the unceremonious and unconstitutional disappearance of your ailing predecessor from office. Your compatriots could have held it against you that you failed to rise to the occasion and rather left the battle for restoration of constitutional order to patriots and nationalists, many of whom do not even share your political belief and platform. But Nigerians, ever so forgiving, chose to blame it all on a “cabal” loyal to the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.

Mr. President, I must confess here that I did not share the optimism of the majority. I refused to be driven by sentiments. I felt that what I saw was not enough for a drifting and tottering nation to entrust its life in the hands of a man who had never shown the capacity to rise to the occasion; a man who had not articulated a programme of action. I should now be telling those who attempted to hush me down that “I told you.” But, that is not what this time demands. We all, both those who believed and probably still believed in you and those of us who argued that the country had made a grave mistake, must still seek a way out of the abyss.

I do not know what your advisers tell you. I don’t know if you have an independent means of gauging the mood of the people, but, even without a scientific survey, I think you must rate among the Chief Executives with the poorest rating ever.

Just check the situation- energy supply is at the worst level ever. It is the same excuse- non availability of gas, hydro source has dropped significantly. Haba, Mr. President, can’t the presidential handlers be a little more creative? Is the situation so bad that your advisers and ministers put in charge could not have foreseen the development? Why have we spent so much in the past 13 years? Consequently, the economy is constricting and contracting while the dealers in office are pretending that we are doing so well, counting among the fastest growing economies in the world. Unemployment is a ticking time bomb waiting for when to go off and blow away everything in sight.

When I started this piece, my dear President, I promised myself that I would not get angry, but I am barely holding myself now. Why, because it is time to mention Boko Haram.

For God’s sake, how could we expect the administration to put its act together and form out an agenda to address this horrible development when key policy formulators cannot even agree of the causes, let alone the way out? The National Security Adviser has correctly, to my mind, laid it at the door step of your party. The party lords, understandably, see it as an affront and sacrilege. My concern is that your government has no clue as to how to handle the matter. It is laughable that you think and promised that it would be all over in June.

Then, the corruption cankerworm. No institution of state under your watch is working. Have you observed as many of us have that the once dreaded EFCC is taking the nation for a ride? In Ogun State, see how the Gbenga Daniel matter is being handled. Many judges have expressed disgust at the unpreparedness of the prosecution. Yet, you are watching.

Perhaps as helpless as all others.

My President, did you take out time to watch the shows of shame at the National Assembly public hearings on the BPE, fuel subsidy and capital market.

I believe that you are overwhelmed by the myriad problems of the nation. We have seen nothing that being the first doctorate degree holder, first Niger Deltan to hold the office has availed us. I want to make a plea that is likely to be denounced by your supporters: Please, be honest with Nigerians. If you have realised that the office is too big for you, please leave now. Fortunately, the constitution has provision for a President to leave of his own volition. You do not have to give reasons. We cannot afford to continue like this till 2015. If we do, posterity will not forgive you and your men, and women for failing to do something to arrest the drift.

My President, I shall return to these issues shortly.

22

THE NATION ON SUNDAY MAY 13, 2012

Politics

Yakowa’s many challenges

PoliticsWeek ...Next week’s issues, events and persons

sundaynation@yahoo.com (08023165410 sms only)

ISSUES…

FG dialogues with Boko Haram

W

F

OR Patrick Ibrahim From Emmanuel Ado Yakowa, the generosity of God can only be repaid ties and lives. was with dedicated service to the Yakowa good people of Kaduna State, shocked beyond who overwhelmingly voted him words at the scale, last year as the governor of the and this further state. The support was massive made peace, security and mosaic – Hausas, Katafs, and reconciliation of Ibos, Igalas, Ishans, Muslims, the multiple strata and factors that make up Christians, etc.

However, on assumption of Kaduna State another key office as governor, those who did agenda of his administration, not know Yakowa, and even and this cannot be faulted.

What can be achieved in an those who knew him, were apprehensive he would become a environment of crises? The tribal warlord, considering that former governor and Senator before him, the Southern Kaduna now Senatorial District had never pro- Makarfi, had afduced a governor. Indeed some ter a series people from the south had ex- of riots, pected Yakowa to redress what b u i l t they refered to as “years of injus- rapid tice and marginalisation.” Meanwhile, observers from the other r e part of the` state had waited for signs born out of the feeling: “I sponse squadrons across the state, am now in power, it’s the turn of amongst other measures. It hasn’t completely solved the problem, so my people…”

So, the big question has been, the issue of life, property and peace would Yakowa adhere to the must continue to receive attention, oath of office to govern Kaduna though many critics of Yakowa, beState justly and fairly? Would he lieve he has placed an undue embe the governor of all—Muslims, phasis on peace. Some more unChristians, non-indigenes and charitable ones allege that, it is a indigenes alike? Hence to all his conduit pipe for him to steal aides, his constant admonition money. Such critics may be ignoat that critical time, was, we must rant of the costs of maintaining be fair and just to all from the men of the police, civil defence and military, amongst others. outset.

The big question should be; Even as Yakowa insisted on justice and fairness, it seems some has Kaduna started benefiting enemies of progress, had vowed from this huge investment in peace that he would only govern and security?

The answer is yes. The indusKaduna State over their dead bodies. They are therefore threat- tries are coming – and industries are not just a barometer for a roening fire and brimstone.

From the very beginning of bust economy, but a sign of peace his administration, he has been – the Indoomie Giants have just managing crises. The political opened a multi-million naira facenemies that the Vice President tory in Kaduna, Dangote has made as governor wanted bought a former carpet company – Yakowa to probe Sambo. In his indications are that he is going to quiet and calm nature, he dealt convert it to start producing his with the issues in a manner that Dansa range of juice and Mowa didn’t create the crisis mischief water, and recently the governor convinced the united states tracmakers wanted.

He was aware that some of tor company, Massy Fergusson to those who wanted him to probe establish one of the two plants they Sambo, also wanted to prove that plan to establish in Nigeria, in he was an outsider in the Sambo Kaduna. The other plant is likely government and to justify the ‘it- to be in Port-Harcourt.

But the challenge has not only is-our-turn agenda.’ Others wanted to settle scores. The point been about ensuring peace and Yakowa continues to make is, if security. The other critical matyou have problems with the vice ter that has also been receiving president, go and settle it directly, his attention is power. Yakowa don’t use the platform of my ad- has inaugurated a committee ministration. This wise decision headed by the former minister of saved Kaduna from political cri- power, Arc. Nuhu Waya, with a mandate to ensure that the 30 ses.

However, if Yakowa was able mega watts unused in Gurara is to contain the crisis that would evacuated to Kaduna to turn the have exploded on his assump- calcified wheels of industry tion of office, he was not able to again. His mathematics is simple stop the crisis that engulfed – with the industries working, Kaduna State shortly before the there will be jobs for graduates results of the April 2011 Presi- and other unemployed groups, dential elections were an- and the internally generated revnounced. It was a war that took enue of the state will improve and an ethno-religious tune; a war the capacity of government to inthat led to destruction of proper- tervene will be increased. The reality is that Kaduna State

•Yakowa

economy, like that of many other northern states, is facing a crisis of a proportion unwitnessed before, as a result of the security challenges. On one hand the security challenge, has virtually killed businesses in the north, leading to low internally generated revenue while, at the same time causing a huge expenditure gap – funding operations of the Joint Task Forces.

What a paradox of underdevelopment?

Yakowa’s resolve to fight poverty and unemployment is enlightened self interest. The huge reservoir of unemployed youths means a pool of potential miscreants or ready fighters. And it also means spending millions on damage control, or to stop the restless unemployed youths from causing havoc. So why not spend that money to get them gainfully employed and dignify them as responsible human beings?.

The character of investing in human capital is multifaceteddiscerning the largely agrarian nature of the state, Yakowa has completed two earth dams at Hunkuyi and Kufana for roundthe-year farming. Presently, about 7,000 youths are undergoing training in various fields of agriculture.

The challenges are not going to go away. So the way out for Yakowa will be to continue to think outside the box, as he strives to leave a legacy of service. For instance, the buses for the Kaduna State Transport Authority were acquired with a facility from the Urban Development Bank, with the state government guaranteeing the loan. Once he was convinced of the ability of the authority to repay the loan, Yakowa had no difficulty signing on.

Mr. Ado, former Deputy Editor, The Week magazine, is external media consultant to Governor Patrick Yakowa of Kaduna State.

ITH the Olive branch the Federal Government held out to the Boko Haram terrorist group this week, there are speculations that the proposed peace talks between the violent Islamist group and the government will dominate political and intellectual discourse this week.

The bombings and killings of innocent Nigerians, perpetrated by Boko Haram, in the last years, has remained a major concern to all. All along, there has been conflicting reports over government’s willingness or preparedness to engage in peace talks with the terrorist groups.

But Vice President Namadi Sambo •Sambo and Defence Minister, Haliru Bello, made it clear during the week that in spite of criticisms against such decision, the federal government has resolved to initiate peace talks with Boko Haram.

Sambo, who spoke in Abuja, at a symposium, organised by the Nasirul-Lahi-Faith Society of Nigeria (NASFAT) said, “Government is ready to discuss. History has proven that even wars that are fought for decades, at the end, are only concluded by dialogue.”

Bello, who spoke while receiving the Italian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Roberto Colamine, re-echoed Sambo’s statement when he said, “The concern of the government is peace and what the government is doing is for the benefit of all Nigerians.”

With these official pronouncements, it is certain that from next week, the issue of Boko Haram, and the general state of insecurity would be tackled differently. Already, suggestions have been made to employ the services of traditional rulers and other leaders in the peace talks.

It is expected that Nigerians would be sharply divided on the benefits of this proposed strategy and this will largely constitute the political texture of the week. So, the debate will not only dominate public discourse this coming week and perhaps the next few weeks but will also likely determine the direction and extent of success of the new initiative.

Is the change of policy on the part of government a case of surrender or a wise tactical change in the interest of the nation and the people

PERSONS ON THE PODIUM…

I

NFLUENTIAL politicians and personalities that will mount the po dium for scrutiny this coming week will include former Chairman of House of Representatives Committee on Capital Market and other Institutions, Hon. Herman Hembe, the former Vice Chairman of the committee, Hon. Chris Azubogu, Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) Director- General, Ms. Arunma Oteh, former Director General of Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE), Prof. Ndi Okereke-Onyuike, Speaker of Kwara State House of Assembly, Hon. Razak Atunwa and the Chief Whip, Hon. Iliasu Ibrahim, amongst others.

This is because the unending intrigues arising from the various probes at the Federal House of Representatives will continue to thrill political observers.

As the week comes to an end, it became evident that the scandalous N44million fraud allegation that has rocked the House of Representatives Committee on Capital Market and other Institutions will continue to thrill political observers next week. This is as the EFCC drags the former Chairman of the committee, Hon. Herman Hembe, and the former Vice Chairman, Hon. Chris Azubogu, to court over criminal charges.

The matter, which has thrilled the political landscape for some weeks, took a new turn on Thursday, when Justice Abubakar Umar of Abuja High Court granted Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s application for leave to prefer a two count criminal charge against the two, who were alleged to be the key actors in the N44million fraud. They are likely to be arraigned on Thursday, May 15, 2012.

With this twist, the intrigues that have trailed the Farouk-Lawan-led ad-Hoc Committee that probed the management of fuel subsidy regime and that of the House Committee on Capital Market may likely deepen, following fresh controversies like the recent cross-fire between Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) Director- General, Ms. Arunma Oteh and former Director General of Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE), Prof. Ndi Okereke-Onyuike, on one hand and of course, the fuss over receipt of Farouk Lawan’s report . *Speaker of Kwara State House of Assembly, Hon. Razak Atunwa and the Chief Whip, Hon. Iliasu Ibrahim, will also be in the news following the earth-shaking allegations of fraud, high-handedness and violation of law, leveled against the Speaker by the Chief Whip. In a petition, dated May 2, the Chief Whip accused the Speaker of mismanagement.” there is no doubt that more verbal assaults will be hauled at each other the coming weeks, as the matter, already with the House’s Ethics Committee, develops.

COVER

23

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, MAY 13, 2012

CBN, National Assembly square up W

HEN two elephants fight, the ground, as the cliché goes, suffers.

This just about captures the view of many analysts, who have attempted a prognosis of the crisis arising from the cold war between members of the National Assembly and the apex regulatory body of banks in the country, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). To many who have raised their voices above the din, their verdict is one and the same: the economy would become the worse for it if the raging crisis is allowed to fester unabatedly!

Crux of the matter At issue really is that the two chambers of the National Assembly seek to amend the Act establishing the CBN. The House of Representatives had last week moved to whittle down the powers of the CBN. Specifically, the House passed through second reading a bill meant to exclude Deputy Governors and Directors from being members of the Board of the CBN as well as compel the apex bank to bring its annual budget before the parliament for approval.

The bill was referred to the House committees on Banking and Currency and Justice for further legislative input. This action by the House is coming just after the Senate had considered and passed a similar bill through second reading recently.

The bill titled: “A Bill for an Act to amend the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007 No.7 to appoint a person other than Governor as Chairman of the Board of the Bank, excludes Deputy Governors and

The proposed amendment to the CBN Act 2007 by the National Assembly has elicited mixed reactions from many.

In this report, Ibrahim Apekhade Yusuf examines the issues involved.

Important statues of the CBN

T

HE most important statues of the Central Bank of Nigeria include the CBN Establishment Act, Cap.C4, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 (as updated to May, 2007). That Act repealed the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 1991, and commenced on the 25th of May, 2007. The other statute is the Banks and other Financial Institutions Act, Cap.B3, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004. The said law was first promulgated as Decree No.25 of 1991, and commenced on 20th June, 1991.

It later became an Act of Parliament as an existing law by virtue of section 315 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

directors as members of the Board, and divest the Board of the power of consideration and approval of the annual budget of the bank, and for other related matters,” was sponsored by a member, Adams Jagaba (PDP Kaduna).

Jagaba in the amendment bill sought a change to sections 6, 7(1) and 8(3), 49 and 50 of the Principal Act. The amendment dealt with issues concerning the composition of the Board of the CBN and who should audit the accounts of the apex bank. It also stipulated that instead of the Board of the CBN fixing its salaries and allowances of its governor and deputy

governor; it should now be done by the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission subject to the approval of the President.

The bill received overwhelming support from the members during the debate.

Genesis of the crisis Following the passage of the 2012 Appropriation bill into law by the Senate and the House of Representatives on March 15, the lawmakers were upbeat that they had completed one of the most important assignments for the year.

But the members of the National Assembly were taken aback when the CBN governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, wrote

the Committees on Banking of the two chambers insisting that the bank would not submit its budgetary estimates for scrutiny by the Assembly.

According to the Governor of CBN, the National Assembly by virtue of section 6(3) of the CBN Act 2007, this was signed into law in May of that year, had yielded its power of appropriation to the CBN Board.

Section 6(3) of the CBN Act states that; “The Board shall be responsible for the consideration and approval of the annual budget of the bank.”

At the budget briefing by the Senate, its spokesman, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe told Senate correspondents that the upper chamber would seek interpretation of the CBN Act as well as the Fiscal Responsibility Act and seek to determine whether any other law can supersede the constitutional power of appropriation invested in the National Assembly. The fire was ignited when the Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriation, Senator Mohammed Maccido told newsmen that the 2012 budget passed by the National Assembly did not include the estimates of the CBN but that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) had complied with the Fiscal Responsibility Act and submitted its budget to the National Assembly.

Abaribe then further clarified that the failure of the CBN to submit its budget to the National Assembly for scrutiny was something of an affront on the powers of the lawmakers and a development which •Continued on Page 24

24

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, MAY 13, 2012

Cover •Continued from Page 23

the legislators will not take lightly. He said that the Assembly would be ready to seek legal opinion on the matter and that the Senate would be ready to do legal battle.

As the nation awaited the impending legal battle between the Federal Government and the National Assembly, the lawmakers also went to the drawing board. They x-rayed the financial implications of a court case and resolved to take the easy way out.

But the rift between the National Assembly and the CBN dated far beyond 2012.

The unfolding development dates back to 2010 when the two chambers put their feet down that all revenue bearing agencies of government must henceforth submit their budgetary estimates for scrutiny by the National Assembly in line with provisions of the Fiscal Responsibility Act. Some 32 agencies of government were affected by the Act which seeks to streamline all expenses of government parastatals under the national budget unlike the situation whereby certain expenses would be made by agencies of government without being reflected in the national budget.

But the CBN kept the lawmakers waiting throughout the budgetary process.

The argument in the legislature is that the Fiscal Responsibility Act is a newer law compared to the CBN Act and that the provisions of the new law should supersede the CBN Act. While the CBN Act 2007 was signed into law on May 25, 2007, the Fiscal Responsibility Act was signed into law on July 30, 2007. The National Assembly thus decided to amend the contentious aspect of the CBN Act to “clear all ambiguities.”

In line with the quest to save cost, the lawmakers decided to plunge directly into the process of amending the CBN Act, rather than first launching a legal battle.

The bill was sponsored by Senator Ita Enang and Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe.

Enang is the Chairman, Senate Committee on Rules and Business, while Abaribe is the Chairman, Committee on Media and Publicity.

The Senate’s planned amendment to the CBN Act is captured in “An Act to amend the Central Bank of Nigeria Act Cap C4, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to compel the Central Bank of Nigeria to submit its annual budget to the National Assembly and for maters connected thereto.”

It was published in the National Assembly Journal Volume 8, number 54 of April 13, 2012 and registered as Senate Bill 75.

Divergent views over planned amendment Expectedly, there has been a rash of criticism over the planned amendment of the CBN Act, with many accusing the lawmakers of attempting the amendment to feather their own nests. Firing the first salvo is Dr. Jonathan Aremu, Consultant, ECOWAS Common Investment Market.

Aremu who spoke with The Nation from his current base in Cape Verde said: “The current chaos in the National Assembly to withdraw the CBN independence is only because of the donations made by Sanusi. To me Sanusi is not CBN, and the sin of a single individual should not be allowed to plunge the economy into the previous past errors.”

Continuing, he said: “We all knew where we were coming from when CBN was under the excessive political interference. It has been the relative independence of the CBN that assisted to a large extent in the effective management of Nigerian economy. It will therefore be important that the speed at which the National Assembly is passing the Bill on CBN be cautioned.”

Raising some posers, Aremu, a former Acting Vice Chancellor of Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, said: “What do we mean by Central Bank independence? How should Central Bank independence be measured and carried out? What causal interpretation should be placed on the empirical correlations between Central Bank independence and macroeconomic outcomes in the country?

How do we curb the excesses of the CBN Governor without disrupting the system?”

Falling short of accusing the lawmakers

CBN: Under NASS scrutiny

•Senate President, David Mark

•Speaker House of Reps, Aminu Tambuwal

“We all know there is no love lost between the CBN governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi and the members of the National Assembly. The review, I dare say, must not be politicised because that will not augur well for the economy as a whole. My view is that all parties involved must be allowed to make their own inputs.

That is the only way to ensure fairness and equity in the whole process.”

•Aremu

of nursing a hidden agenda, he advised that: “Rushing to pass a CBN Bill because of Sanusi is not as important as making sure that the economy is well managed.

There are avenues to punish government officials as opposed to disrupting a system

adjudged to be doing well.”

The economist who once worked at the CBN, where he retired as a Deputy Director, Research and Planning over two decades ago, emphasised that: “Nobody is questioning the power of the National

Assembly over the organs of governance.

However, when it comes to the issue of the CBN, there is need for caution.

“For the past many years, the CBN has performed its instrumental role to the admiration of Nigerians and the world at large in the following areas: such as the financial vibrations that shook the major developed countries of the world was tactically managed by the CBN. The recent problems in the Nigerian banking sector, due to mismanagement of operators, would have had greater negative impact on the nation without CBN’s appropriate intervention.”

Besides, he scored the CBN high in the management of the monetary policy, which he said over the years had created substantial confidence in the national economy.

Echoing similar sentiments, Mr. Charles Iyore, Managing Director/Chief Executive, Dion and Associate in an interview with The Nation, said public and not personal interest should rule the day in the ongoing debate over the propriety or otherwise of CBN independence.

“In my view, what is critical is that what we do now is not really for us but for our generations yet unborn. When we have a currency and we decide that anything that we do the value can be held in a piece of paper, if for one reason or the other, that money moves from A-B, which is an exchange without a trade off in goods and services then we have a problem.

“The least we can do is to ensure that the man who has to make sure that the currency is stable and sufficient needs a certain amount of freedom. He must also be able to determine what the inflation target is going to be and all of that.”

Citing an anecdote, Iyore, who has a thriving practice in the UK, as a capital market operator, observed that: “If you look at all the countries that have done well, it took a lot of commitment on the part of those managing their finances. When the UK had crisis it had to go to the World Bank in 1966, and it kept managing to no avail. But when Gordon Brown came in, he said listen, it is no longer time for us to begin to keep our currency independent through the treasury. We should make them independent. The progress that took place in England is phenomenon.”

For countries to do well, he said, they •Continued on Page 25

Cover

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, MAY 13, 2012

J

USTIFICATION for the independence of the Central Bank A strong economy anywhere in the world is tied to the effectiveness of the conduct of its monetary policy. You see, the monetary policy is a serious business; it could be very, very terrible to have a Central Bank that does not have instrument or autonomy to conduct monetary policy.

Because when you subject the conduct of monetary policy to political influence, you are not going to have a strong economy.

Best practices Of course, when you look out there, you look at the Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries, you look at the emerging markets and so on and so forth, and then you see the model which they have and link it up, you will find that the trend is for the Central Bank to have as much autonomy as possible. Now that’s different from accountability.

Even when Central Banks are autonomous, the way the accountability thing runs is that you have credible people on the board, you understand. And of course, the legislative oversight is also there to ask questions about how they conduct themselves and how they conduct monetary policies.

Appointment into the board of CBN In the case of the Central Bank of Nigeria, all of those things are there because you cannot be on the board of Central Bank unless you are an appointee of the president.

Whether you are a governor or a deputy or a non-executive director, you have to be so appointed. And so the information that out

25

Central Bank without autonomy risky for economy—Tunde Lemo Mr. Tunde Lemo, Deputy Governor, Operations, Central Bank of Nigeria in this interview with Ibrahim Apekhade Yusuf, sheds light on why the apex bank must remain independent and other issues of the board of 12, only two people are from outside is not correct. Everybody is an appointee of the president.

There are two institutional members: the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Accountant General of the Federation, representing the treasury.

Others are the governor and four deputies; they are also appointees of the president as well as the other non- executive directors, who are appointed not on party line but on the basis of their qualifications, experiences and ability.

•Lemo

CBN: To reform or maintain status quo •Continued from Page 24 need to be certain that their currency is managed by someone who has certain amount of independence and not going to be tossed around by political exigencies and interest.

Notwithstanding the merits of the arguments canvassed by Aremu and Iyore, many critics out there also believe very strongly that the CBN Act is in dire need of a makeover. One of those holding tenaciously to this view is Mazi Okechukwu Unegbu, Managing Director/ Chief Executive, Maxifund Securities Plc, Lagos.

Unegbu, a lawyer, banker and one-time president, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) argued that from the standpoint of the law, the National Assembly is in the best position to oversee the activities of the CBN, including calling for a review of its Acts if it so chooses.

“It is the constitutional responsibility of the National Assembly to see to it that agencies of government surrender themselves to any inquisition in the instance of the two chambers of National Assembly”, he said.

The Maxifund boss recalled that the CBN used to be under the Ministry of Finance, with the CBN governor reporting to the minister both for its functions, policies.

“But at a time, it was thought that the ministry because of its bureaucratic processes is so very slow in taking decisions when the CBN approaches them, particularly at a time banks were being licensed and there was a problem with foreign exchange, internal remittance, managing the budget”, he stressed.

To address this seeming inertia, the legislature, he recalled, subsequently approved and passed a law making the CBN an autonomous institution, reporting to the president with oversight function from the National Assembly.

Much as he is in agreement with the planned review of the CBN Act, Unegbu would rather the lawmakers expand their radar instead of attempting any cosmetic changes.

“For now, the National Assembly just wants to focus on the budget. I think they should do a holistic work rather than just looking at the budget alone because there are some areas where they didn’t say exactly what happens”, he said.

Speaking further, he said: “I think the Central Bank should concentrate on monitoring the economy as well as cooperate with the ministry of finance

• Unegbu

because the policy of the management of an economy because public finance is an interesting area in finance but most of our public persons being appointed as ministers and what have you understand very little by my own expectation of public finance.”

Kayode Ajulo, an Abuja-based lawyer shares Unegbu’s views. As far as he is concerned, there is nothing absolutely wrong about the call for a review of the CBN Act. The law, he said, “Is dynamic, as such it should reflect the general thinking of the people and the aspiration of Nigerians. You will recall that the former CBN Act was a product of the military, so there is need for a review to take care of the current socioeconomic realities. You can see that this dictatorship tendencies of the military is reflected in the actions of the CBN governor, who is been seen as an arbitrary head and that is why you can see some of the infamy the CBN governor has been committing in

recent times”, Ajulo recalled.

He was however quick to advice the lawmakers to look at the issues more dispassionately rather than allow emotions to rule the decision-making process.

“We all know there is no love lost between the CBN governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi and the members of the National Assembly. The review, I dare say, must not be politicised because that will not augur well for the economy as a whole. My view is that all parties involved must be allowed to make their own inputs. That is the only way to ensure fairness and equity in the whole process.”

Expatiating, Ajulo stressed that rather than being parochial in their thinking, “The lawmakers should allow a robust debate whereby all interested parties should be allowed to submit their memorandum and state the merit of their case. This is the only way to serve the public interest.”

Central Banking model

The CBN which was established by the CBN Act of 1958and commenced operations on July 1, 1959 is modelled after the Reserve Bank of the United States of America and the Bank of England in Britain.

However, unlike Nigeria, in advanced economies such as Germany, France, USA, and other parts of Europe, the system is so sophisticated that things almost run on autopilot without government’s interference in the procedures and processes of the bank.

Lending credence to this view, Unegbu said the system, the environment, and the economy is not sophisticated.

“Here, impunity is the order of the day because people don’t know their rights.

The Central Bank comes up, does something whether right or wrong, we are made to accept it.”

Preferential salary structure Another bone of contention out there is that the CBN enjoys preferential treatment as far as their welfare package is concerned. The Nation learnt that unlike their counterparts in the civil service, staffers of CBN earn fat paycheques to the envy of their contemporaries.

This, it was learnt, was the major reason why the National Assembly has sought to review the CBN Act, with a view to approving a harmonised salary structure in line with civil service procedures.

But not a lot of people believe this is the right way to go. As to whether there is a justification for the special salary structure for the CBN staffers compared to others in the civil service, Unegbu said matter-of-factly, that there was nothing wrong in their earnings so long as they can justify same.

According to Unegbu: “If you study the functions of that body, you will begin to appreciate why they should earn what they are earning, I don’t quarrel with their salary, what I quarrel with is whether they justify the payment of that salary? I don’t think even the National Assembly wants to worry over that because their functions is unlike that of the civil servants in the ministry who can carry files for two weeks and nothing happens.

“Apart from the CBN, the FIRS also enjoy similar status. People can earn as much as they want so long as they can justify it with commensurate amount of work.”

If the ongoing war of attrition between the National Assembly and the CBN is anything to go by, it may be correct to say that a night of long knife lies ahead.

26

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, MAY 13, 2012

Cover

•Sanusi

Lamido Sanusi: Portrait of an unorthodox CBN governor T

HE word enigma is perhaps the best character portraiture of Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, the man who sits atop as the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the apex regulatory body of banks in the country.

Although a Fulani nobleman from Kano, not for him is the usual indulgences of the noble class and aristocrats.

Here is a man much at home with the dregs of the society as he is with the privileged and well-heeled individuals.

At the heat of the Kano bombings which left a huge humanitarian crisis in its wake, Sanusi had gone to the scene of the massacre, spotting a white flowing caftan, he held court with the different community heads and families who were badly affected by the tragic episode caused by members of the Boko Haram sect.

As expected, he won not a few fans over even at a venue meant for funeral obsequies, all thanks to his strength of character.

A man of all seasons A man about town, he equally holds his own even in the midst of the kings and nobles.

Sanusi has won as much accolades and recognition from far and near without as much as losing his head in those fleeting moments of fame!

Among the awards in his kitty is the one bestowed on him by TIME magazine last year.

He was chosen as one of the most

By Ibrahim Apekhade Yusuf influential people in the world for 2011 Edition of TIME Magazine‘s annual TIME100 issue alongside moguls and movie stars, including movie studio executive Harvey Weinstein, Martha Stewart, actress Kerry Washington and a host of stars.

To celebrate the issue and all the outstanding people chosen to be part of this elite “club”, TIME hosted a gala at the Frederick P. Rose Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Centre in New York City.

Looking drop-dead gorgeous and more of a superstar than a banker, Sanusi spotted a designers’ tuxedo, complete with his trademark bow tie, he was the cynosure of all eyes.

And wait for this: Sanusi is also popular with the ladies!

In the public, he is seen in the midst of pretty but well-heeled ladies.

Just last Tuesday at the Civic Centre, Lagos, where the 307th edition of the Bankers’ Committee Meeting took place, he worked into the venue in the company of beauty damsels just as others milled around him.

Wearing his trademark black French suit with stripes, the bespectacled Sanusi was all smiles as he engaged in random banalities with his staff and top chief executives of banks in the country, who had come to discuss pressing issues affecting the nation’s banking landscape.

Without making light of the issue, it does appear that Sanusi has also become the butt of derisive jokes out there, no thanks to what his critics see as his loquacity, unbecoming of a banker in his position.

Playing to the gallery?

In conduct and carriage, a lot has been said about his bohemian tendencies as much as his carefree nature.

Many have repeatedly blamed him for stoking the embers of war against himself.

Specifically, he was accused of opening the war front with the National Assembly in 2010, when he declared, that the lawmakers spend 25 per cent of the national budget. Many believed him, a few doubted the accuracy of his observation.

Those who believed him said he must be speaking from a position of strength and authority, while the few who doubted his analysis felt he was only rabble rousing.

The Senate had mandated its Chairman of Committee on Appropriation at the time, Senator Iyiola Omisore to probe the allegation by Sanusi but met a brick wall as neither the CBN governor nor the Budget office could provide the details to justify the claim. Sources in the National Assembly had said that they suspected that Sanusi’s refusal to submit the CBN budget for legislative scrutiny was because the development would throw open the bank’s annual budget which some lawmakers say is around N400 billion.

However, some critics suggest that the intended amendment was a way of clipping the ‘flippant’ wings of the Central Bank Governor, who has so far successfully stonewalled their probing inquiries by taking cover behind the existing provisions of the Act; besides, Lamido Sanusi hardly misses an opportunity to decry the excessive consumption pattern of members of the National Assembly.

Many like Mazi Okechukwu Unegbu, a banker and lawyer, believe the heart of a good banker is his ability to be conservative in nature, a credential Sanusi obviously lacks.

“In fact, everything about money whether in the Central Bank or any financial institution is supposed to be a conservative institution. It is based on public confidence.

You don’t talk like politicians; you don’t go playing to the gallery. You are supposed to be heard and not seen. This is my personal belief”, Unegbu offered.

Citing the case of an America, Alan Greespan, a former head of Federal Reserve, Unegbu, said, the fellow was rarely seen in his days.

“When he wants to address the public, even the president will sit in his office to listen to him... but where you see him every day it diminishes the aura of the office.”

Is Sanusi capable of turning coat at his middle age?

Time will tell.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, MAY 13, 2012

MAUFECHI

I’ll step aside at 65 –PAGE 42

30

THE NATION ON SUNDAY MAY 13, 2012

Glamour

Kehinde Falode Tel: 08023689894 (sms)

E-mail: kehinde.falode@thenationonlineng.net

Stephanie Okeke started designing clothes at age six and at 16, she has a success story to tell. At a recent fashion show in Lagos, Stephanie wowed the crowd with her spectacular designs. In this interview with Kehinde Falode, the talented brain behind Sally Intiego Couture spoke about her career and foray into the fashion world

Tell us about yourself

I

’M Stephanie Okeke, a 16years-old fashion designer.

Most importantly, I am a child of God. I attended Chrisland, Opebi for my primary education and Saint Mary's Church of England Primary School and Clapton Girls Technology College. I will be going back to school in September to study fashion at the London College of Fashion Later this year, I will be going for the Africa Fashion Week London (AFWL), the DC Fashion Week 2012, South Africa fashion week and different places around the world for shows.

Y o u r collections at the launched of Keto Couture fashion show were amazing.

How did the journey begin?

It all started when l was six and I tried to do little things and design stuffs for my dolls and for people around, l i k e h a i r accessories and jewelleries. At first, my family wanted me to be a lawyer, but l told them this is what l always want to do and they encouraged me, and the rest is history. I started as a professional two years ago.

Starting at a very young age, how have you been able to o v e r c o m e n u m e r o u s challenges?

I s e e k f o r m y pare nts' advice before making my decisions. I'm still young and there are certain things I just cannot do.

What was your parent's reaction at the initial stage?

They had wanted me to read law, but when they realized it is my passion and my dream, they allowed me and now, they are really proud of me.

What type or kind of fabric do you love experimenting with?

Ankara because it tells where I am from; it tells that I'm an African, that I'm a Nigerian and I am a black and not white. I love working more with Ankara, but I

You are just 16 and doing this! still work with some other fabrics like chiffon and some normal fabrics.

What goes on in your mind when you are designing a cloth?

I would be imagining how it will look like on me and how it would look like on the wearer (my client).

What is the best compliment you have gotten so far?

Your clothes are amazing; you are just 16 and you are doing this!

What message do you have for the young and talented designers out there?

Never give up, belief in your dream, forge ahead and just believe in yourself. Don't let people push you down; you have to believe in yourself for people to believe in you.

Your first time on stage, what was it like?

It was nerve-wrecking! It happened in Abuja two years ago at the unveiling of Zohi Taglit couture.

What inspires you?

I'm always inspired watching my mum work, because she is an entrepreneur. Also, I get inspired seeing young people my age who have done so much and excelling in their chosen field.

What makes a good outfit?

Both the finishing and the colour combination make a good outfit.

What determines what you wear?

My mood and sometimes the occasions

THE NATION ON SUNDAY MAY 13, 2012

Glamour

31

Floral beauty A

RE you thinking of getting a fabric that has a perfect blend of style and comfort? Then, go for a classy and simple but stylish floral prints that have become the in-thing.

Floral clothing and accessories now come in assorted colours; so, the excuse that it is difficult to get a colour that suits your character and style is no longer an issue! It will spice up your look no matter what you are wearing, expecially if they are rightly combined. It may be the ideal dress for the epileptic season.

With a good designer, you can turn an ordinary floral fabric into something trendy, sassy and stylish. And the good thing about floral fabrics is that they are good for any occasion. So, for your next much-awaited engagement, floral print dresses are what to go for. Fashion pacesetters cannot do without one or two in the wardrobe.

•Oyin Adenuga

•Ono Bello

•Model •Retals silk lined frame clutch

Oscar-d e-la-Ren ta Saffron floral dre ss

•Model

•Model •Model

•Topshop floral dress

32

THE NATION ON SUNDAY MAY 13, 2012

Glamour

Luscious

lips?

D

O you care for soft and inviting lips?

Don’t look further, you are the right place. Below are some do-it-yourself tips to follow and to observe.

Tips for succulent lips •Make sure to drink plenty of pure water throughout the day- Water will hydrate you from within and keep your lips wet on the outside.

•Say bye-bye to smoking •Eat lots of fruits because they are high in moisture content.

•Avoid using any lip balms with phenol, lanolin, parabens and anything with a fragrance-People can be allergic to many ingredients, even those from plants. Phenol is often used in lip balm. It feels soothing when you first put it on but it can be irritating and cause the skin under the lips to peel.

•According to a skin expert, the secret to soft lips is natural, cheap, healing and easy to do. All you need to do to have the best soft lips with no exposure to irritating chemicals is to make your own lip balm by using virgin coconut oil. The type that has not been bleached, refined or processed. Put some in little jars and carry them about with you.

And to cap it all a little will go a long way and you won’t have to frequently re-apply it. It is edible so there is no harm if you lick your lips. For a rapid result, apply it around your lips at night before you go to bed.

•And for serious damaged lips that do not respond to coconut treatment, see a skin dermatologist.

•Apply a layer of oil and leave it on for several hours. Best apply before going to bed •Mix coconut oil and almond oil in equal quantity. Apply a coat of this on the lips and leave on overnight. This has to be done daily for at least two weeks for best results.

•Protect the lips from weather by applying heavy plain cream.

•Avoid licking your lips.

•To cure dry chapped lips apply peanut butter or coco butter to your lips before going to bed.

•Grind rose petals with cream on the top of milk and apply on lips to cure the cracked lips •Take food rich in vitamin B and C •Apply honey on the lips at least thrice a week- this will prevent lips from chapping.

•Stay away from flavoured balms; you may end-up smacking your lips unable to resist the sweet taste.

•Exfoliate your lips once a week-Wet a soft toothbrush and gently brush your lips with in a circular motion.

•To keep lips silky-Use a wet toothbrush or clean soft cloth without paste to gently rub your lips once in two day.

•Model

•Nude lipstick for plump sexy lips

•MBGN 2012 Isabella Ayuk

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, MAY 13, 2012

Glamour

All eyes were on the fashionable and unfashionable celebrities who walked the red carpet at an event recently held in Lagos.

Kehinde Falode takes a look at the evening's biggest fashion disasters and hits Photos: OLUSEGUN RAPHEAL

Eunice Efoli shocked not a few when she hit the red carpet wearing a long gown with a crazy upper part. A big Oops to you ma!

Dabolizer Nelson also managed to cause an outrageous stir on the red carpet. Oops Shopia Nduka made quite a fashion statement by wearing a pretty little black dress and a pair of matching pumps. Her gold clutch was a perfect finishing touch. Kudos!

Anu Aloba dazzled fashion watchers when she burst on the red carpet wearing an impressive floral number. The little v-neck dress was the first of many memorable gowns on the red carpet. Kudos!

Mrs Cordelia Agboti's certainly stole the red carpet wearing this stunning multi-colour animal print dress. Kudos!

Urunwa Okafor looked fabulous in this stunning and exotic richly-printed dress. Kudos!

•Eunice Efoli

•Dabolizer Nelson •Shopia Nduka •Urunwa Okafor

•Anu Aloba

•Mrs Cordelia Agboti

33

34

THE NATION ON SUNDAY MAY 13, 2012

Glamour

The Founder of Africa Fashion Week, London (AFWL) and the CEO of Rukkies, lawyer-turned business woman, Ronke Ademiluyi, reveals her top ten favourites to Kehinde Falode

1

Favourite bag designer Louis Vuitton and Tote (ankara bags)

2

Favourite dinner wear Flowing and long dresses

3

Favourite wrist watch designer Rolex

4

Favourite colour Black

5

Favourite shoes designer Aldo

6

Favourite fabric

Chiffon

7

Favourite cologne Tom Ford

8

Ronke’s

top

0 1

Favourite style quote "Over the years I have learned that what is important in a dress is the woman who is wearing it�

9

Favourite holiday spot Paris

10

Favourite food Rice

THEATRE

With VICTOR AKANDE

Darey Ice Prince, Jozi in collabos

t

BIGSCREEN

Tel: 08077408676

SOUND TRACK

plus

R

R

AVE of the moment singer, Wizkid, put up a stellar performance at the recently concluded Abuja Young Entrepreneurs Awards (AYEA), a social platform to celebrate and honour young entrepreneurs who have been very industrious in their chosen fields of endeavour at the capital city.

The event held at the International Conference Centre in the heart of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja was packaged by Samiah Oyekan-Ahmed of Fusion Lifestyle Ltd and Habiba Sha'aba Afonja of The Connector Ltd, two individuals who command respect in their areas of specialization.

The event which was indeed a night of glamour, style, panache and entertainment, was hosted by Ebuka Obi-Uchendu.

Matilda Duncan of Rhythm FM Abuja and it saw 11 individuals given awards for their exemplary entrepreneurial contributions in the city of Abuja, while three honourary awards were also given to deserving recipients at the exquisite event.

Bikiya Graham-Douglas gave her rendition of the National anthem.

PAGE

35

e-mail: victor_akande@yahoo.com

UNIBEN finalist emerges as Miss La Casera 2012

&B singer, Darey has released a new song- the first single from his forthcoming fifth album.

This is coming one year after the release of his double album entitled Double Dare.

Titled 'Asiko', the artiste's new work is diverse in style, exciting in vocal delivery and it comes with a positive theme.

Darey collaborated with South African group, Jozi and acclaimed Nigerian rapper, Ice Prince of the Chocolate City fame, to deliver a material that is expected to please fans across Africa.

Darey says the song 'Asiko' is way ahead of my time as it is something fresh and futuristic.

Produced by Chocolate City's Jesse Jagz and the Soul Muzik team, 'Asiko' blends pop, indigenous sounds and rap music to create a collaboration that is set to break music barriers and open a new vista in African music.

Wizkid, Omawumi, Terry Tha Rapman rock Abuja for AYEA

GISTS

W

FELA! on Broadway goes to Baltimore with Janelia F

ELA! on Broadway, a kinetic portrait of Fela AnikulapoKuti, is on tour and this time around, the train berths at Morgan State University, Baltimore. It will be showing for one week only, May 15 to May 20.

The show opens on Tuesday, May 15 at 8:00pm and will include a special meet-and-greet with the cast members after the show. The special arrangement is only for opening night.

According to US-based Nigerian sensational singer, Janelia Sanya, guests are sure to be inspired on a whole new level. “It is super cool, energetic, spiritual, political, Afrocentric, provocative and just beautiful.”

Another thing to note is the closeness Fela felt towards his mother, which is portrayed in the musical. Therefore, this is a great show to take someone for Mother's Day celebration,” she said.

ITH One Million Naira prize and a brand new car, Antoinette Igebu, an undergraduate of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) has emerged as Miss La Casera 2012.

The Mechanical Engineering student emerged as the winner of the coveted Miss La Casera crown for the year 2012 at the grand finale of the 2012 Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN) contest held at the Best Western Homeville, GRA, Benin in Edo State.

Age 21, the 5.10ft tall girl with statistics 34/27/38 represented Gombe State and was crowned as the new face of the La Casera brand out of 32 finalists.

Presenting the new Miss La Casera with her One Million Naira Prize, the Chief Operating Officer of the company, Mr Prahlad Gangadharan announced an additional special prize of a brand new car as part of the 10th Anniversary celebration of La Casera in Nigeria.

“I am very proud to announce that as part of the year-long celebration of La Casera 10th Anniversary, Miss La Casera 2012 will also be going home with a brand new Picanto car,” he declared.

A visibly elated Antoinette said that she was overwhelmed and very proud to be selected as Miss La Casera 2012 and serve as the face of the brand. She explained that the most exciting part of being Miss La Casera is the fact that she will be serving as the brand ambassador for the brand and will be involved in many CSR projects for The La Casera Company Limited, through which the brand will reach out to the needy and less privileged in the society.

“This is a very emotional moment in my life as my reign as Miss La Casera 2011 has been exciting and the journey so far will remain evergreen in my heart,” Nwando Ebeledike said as she hands over the crown to Antoinette who became the Sixth Miss La Casera.

King Rokan premieres Magbagbe

A

•Tuface with King Rokan

•Miss La Casera

MERICAN based Nigerian Juju musician, King Rokan recently premiered the video for his latest song entitled 'Magbagbe'. The video which is one of the most anticipated in recent times was shot at Cream Lounge and Buckhead in Atlanta, USA. The Atlanta-based musician revealed that the video which was directed by Faronbi and Bishop promises to wow its viewer with crisp pictures, breathtaking scenes and a mind-blowing concept.

"I wouldn't like to let out the concept of the video for now as I want fans to see it themselves when they eventually watch the video, says King Rokan.

"All I can say for now is that the concept is out of this world because you will see me and 2face in the form that you have never seen before," he added.

Entertainment

36

I n o s a e R e s u t ' n d i d Nigerian s r o t c a t s i A-l in Tobi

h e j I l e u n —Emma

K

INDLY describe your transition from Information Technology to filmmaking. Did you go for any formal training?

There was really no formal training. Back then in school, I did literature, drama and the likes. Also, I was in my church choir. In America, I ran into a friend who became the director of my film. He's a producer and director. Sometimes, when he's on-set doing stuffs, I go to him with my write ups and he will say to me, “Pretty good stuff!”

Sometimes, I rent cameras and shoot in my backyard with friends. It comes out great but I always knew that at the end of the day, I had to do a feature of some sort.

There was really no formal training. I just read books, went on set, learnt, read scripts and so on. I think writing is not as easy as people think. Everybody can write but writing something creative is the hardest part. But if you take your time, you will definitely get better. It was just my own training.

You are here to premiere your new flick, Tobi. What inspired the story?

The story Tobi is about family issues. It stretches on education and explores the cultural differences between children that were born in America to foreign parents and also children in Nigeria. The character, Tobi was born to a Nigerian father and mother so his lifestyle is more Nigerian and you know American children are very inquisitive. They want to know why you should prostrate when greeting. They want to know why you eat with your hands.

When I got to America, I had to blend into their lifestyle. There is a way I talk with my American friends whenever I'm with them.

And I also talk differently whenever I'm around my Nigerian people. In a way, it's my story. So, the story explores these cultural differences. It also touches on education because Tobi wanted to drop out of High School. He didn't want to go to the University; it's not so common here unlike in America that kids after High School can easily get a job and make money. This is what he wanted to do which brought some consequences.

A recurring theme by many filmmakers in Diaspora when doing a Nigerian film usually borders around immigration,

Entertainment

THE NATION ON SUNDAY MAY 13, 2012

If you are a fan of Nollywood, you probably would have come across a poster or read something on a new flick called Tobi. Emmanuel Ijeh, the producer of the film is a Nigerian American filmmaker. The Edo State born producer holds a Bachelors and a Masters degree in Information Technology. In this interview with MERCY MICHAEL, Emmanuel talks about his foray into filmmaking. He also talks about his latest effort Tobi, the challenges, new projects and relationship: What happens if you don't get the kind of positive feedback you wish for?

Well, I'm a very big critic of myself. And whatever I do, I tend to make sure it is good to a point where I believe people will like it but if they watch it and don't like it, obviously that's a lost investment. But if you're passionate about anything, you need to go to the people who don't like it to know why they are not satisfied. When you fail, you take corrections. And when you try it the next time, you want to take those corrections into consideration and make it better. It is probably going to be a motivation. But I think they are going to like it.

Is this your first experience and do you have any challenges on set of the movie?

Managing a crew like that was tough.

Going to bed at about 3:00am in the morning and waking up at six o'clock, thereby having a short night rest and driving between New York and New Jersey; those were the tough challenges. But at that time I wasn't thinking about anything else, it was strictly production.

Location was another problem we dealt with in the sense that you give people address and they go to another place because you have a name that is of the same but one is avenue while the other is a street. We also have issues of some persons coming late to set for whatever reasons thereby delaying production until the next day. These are things I didn't really anticipate.

Was funding ever a challenge?

Well, it wasn't in a way. But if you're spending money, you bite yourself because it eats you. It was basically my own money.

I'm broke now because I've spent all my life savings on this film. Like I said, I met the director in 2000 so I knew ahead that I had a big production to do and I had to save year-in-year-out. The funding was wrongly estimated two years ago. With each passing year, prices of things go up. Right now, we've spent a little bit over $90,000 and we are still spending. We're getting closer to the premiere and we are not done spending. My staying here is costing money. Hopefully, I'm bringing the cast to Nigeria and that is going to cost money.

What set this movie apart?

First of all, it's not a typical story. And I have heard some people call it a Nigerian film. I never called it a Nigerian film.

I called it a film. A film is a film. Its major difference is the

struggles to fit in, clash of cultures, identity crisis and yours isn't an exception. Does it mean that this is a regular issue with Nigerians over there?

It could be an issue. But they have reasons for making such films. When I decided to write my screenplay, I went on websites and read peoples' scripts. So, I knew I had to come up with something captivating. The first person that did a film on migration problems probably made it fresh. But retelling it in a different direction is no longer fresh. My story is different.

Probably, it's been told before but in a different light. I've looked around and it hasn't been told by any movie maker in the Diaspora from my point of view.

Definitely, it talks about cultural differences. It stretches on education and the importance of going to school; and not running on the fast lane to make money.

So, it's a story I think everybody will relate to.

Have you entered your movie in any awards platform?

We were nominated last year for the Nigerian Entertainment Award in New York City. It was Chet Anekwe who was nominated for the Best Supportive Role in the movie, Tobi. After the premiere in Nigeria, we also plan to send the film out to a host of film festivals in North America, South America and some African countries.

What are the chances of Tobi when it eventually hit the cinemas?

I hate to be the person to scale it but I There was will use the word good. It's a very good film. It is of good production and of really no formal good quality. But I think this is training.

I just read something that I will leave to the audience to rate. The people who books, went on set, have seen it in New York and the learnt, read scripts and so screening in New Jersey loved it on. I think writing is not as and they can't wait for the DVD to be out. So, that's good feedback. We easy as people think. also have some write-ups online Everybody can write but from those who have seen the thriller. I have seen some good writing something creative comments and for me that's positive is the hardest part. But if feedback. But it's of good production and quality, so I think it's what you take your time, you people would like. will get better It has been said that the Nigerian audience can be very unpredictable.

story it tells. Secondly, it is the fact that we're trying to bring Hollywood and Nollywood together; like we want to increase the quality of our movie production. There are other people out there who are doing that, like Kunle Afolayan, the producer of Ijeh and Obi the producer of Unwanted Guest. So, Tobi is not what we are used to seeing.

Talking about bridging the gap between Hollywood and Nollywood, why is the cast 100 percent Hollywood?

Apart from Chet, we used Chizom.

Chizom is not a big name in Nigeria but she's a Nigerian lady and the reason we didn't use some of the A-list actors was because for one you have to know these people. It is who you know. And when I decided to make a film, I didn't want to make a film where people will say “Oh, the movie sold because of somebody's name”. I wanted to make a movie that it's either you like it or you don't. And I'm confident that it is a good story. And Chet is quite known in Nigeria and not only that, with any film we want to tell the story as it is; raw. These are people that live in America and understand the folks over there. If we bring someone from Nigeria who is a very good actor, yes they can take instructions and quickly fit into it but having an actor from over there who lives there and knows exactly what to do, takes fewer directions.

Besides, that was the choice of the director not mine, I just produced the film.

In painting

• Emmanuel Ijeh

a picture that happens in America, we wanted people from over there who know how life is; to get into the roles and make the production smoother.

Is movie making going to be full-time for you now?

Well, if you want to do something fulltime you need to have the right backup.

Eventually for me it's going to be full-time.

But for my next production which I'm already planning, I have some investors lined up because they've seen the film.

These are people who actually sat down, viewed the movie and said to me, ''good job! When you're doing the next one I will definitely write you a cheque``. When I do get such leverage without thinking that I have to pay that bill or this bill, game on!

Relationship…

I'm not married. I don't have kids. I'm sing le!

Single and searching…….

Searching will be distracting me from my work.

How old are you?

Is that a question I have to answer?

(Laughs), I'm very young.

I'm in my early 30s.

37

Occupy protests almost marred our movie —Niyi Towolawi

•Niyi Towolawi and crew onset of Turning Point

Celebrated British filmmaker, Niyi Towolawi was recently in the country for the shoot of the Nigerian scenes of his new movie, Turning Point, which is his third feature film. He takes OVWE MEDEME through his experience of shooting in Nigeria and his experience as a scriptwriter, producer cum director.

S

O far, how many films have you made?

This is my third feature. It is rather the biggest one by a long shot. My last film was titled Twisted. That was a feat in itself because it was somewhat the first African film to come out in cinemas in the UK and across Europe. I think it is one of the first films to come out in Nigeria in the same way as well. That was a while ago. Since then, the industry has moved forward, a lot of Nigerian filmmakers are out there, so it is natural to take things to the next level. That is why we are doing a project that is a Hollywood film but at the same time has a very strong Nollywood involvement. Rather than being contented with the description of a black British filmmaker who has a small community and followership, I believe I could tap into my Nigerian heritage and then use that to tell the stories and experiences of our people across the world. So, Turning Point is a film about a Nigerian banker based in the US. He is very successful and obviously maintains a very strong bond with his parents.

How long ago did you shoot Twisted?

Twisted was done in 2007. It came out in the cinemas from late 2007 to 2008. My intention was to be the best filmmaker I could be but the reception of the film was not something that I was ready for. I just thought I should do something modest.

Every year the UK Film Council, which is like the Nigerian Film Corporation, picks a few films that they think are different and could go places but don't really have the resources to take them to a big level. They came on board and endorsed it, which means that they paid for its distribution and practically helped to get it out.

Considering their diverse nationality, how did you pick the cast for Turning Point?

I wrote the film as well. So, typically when you are writing with your imagination, you can come up with certain types of people. The lead character is called Ade. He is very flamboyant, women like him and he is very confident; so naturally we need someone that fits that personality. His mother is very domineering and an authoritarian, so again, Mama Gee was a natural fit for that role. There were Hollywood actors in it as well. When I am casting, I don't just think as a writer or a director, I put in my producer part as well which basically means that I have to figure out who the creative take of the film is. The leading lady is played by Jackie Appiah, even though she potentially could be Nigerian

in the story. On paper, she is not a Nigerian but has a very strong Ghanaian accent so anyone that knows how a Ghanaian and a Nigerian sounds like would know that she is not Nigerian. It is not stated that she is not Nigerian or that she is. She was put in there basically to bring in the Ghanaian population.

While shooting, did you work making sure she sounds Nigerian?

Not necessarily. What we actually did was that the main character was meant to have lived in America for about 20 years and has become much Americanised. That didn't work out well so we gave him about five months of diction lessons so that he gets to sound more American and he blended in so much that we had to tell him to get back to the Nigerian accent. We wanted someone that is more of a chameleon in that he is still very much Nigerian but can adapt into an American persona. It was a very strong creative decision. The problem with Nollywood films is that most of the actors are stereotyped. As soon as you see an actor, you can guess the character the person would be playing.

How did you convince the crew to come to Nigeria?

The film was already shot in the States and we all had an understanding of each other. Our DOP was the first person in the world to shoot with the camera we used. I have been reading his blog for about six years and I sent him a random email, he searched my name on Google and we started talking. And again, we had that situation of the cast inquiring about other members of the crew from the Director while casting was being done. Obviously they want to work with people they can trust. At the same time, the crew inquired about the cast because they want to work with people they know can deliver.

Eventually, everything worked out well. I have a name that is not British or American and I never hide the fact that I am a Nigerian but once they hear that, alarm blows. Doing business with a Nigerian over the internet wasn't easy but I was keen. All that worked out when we shot in the US. They really had a good time so when I said Nige ria

was safe; they took my word for it.

How much is the project costing you?

The completion budget for the film is $1.5m.

What plans do you have for the film?

We have cinema releases in several countries already. In Africa, we have schedules for Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya and South Africa. Also, we have seven countries in Europe and about ten cities in the US and Canada for now.

What is the pulling power of these arrangements?

The strongest thing I have going for me is the fact that I have goodwill out there.

My last film was the first African film to come out in the cinemas. No one believed in it, but they knew that it had huge Nollywood audience. The cinemas have always been keen to have some sort of African film showing but they couldn't find something of quality. So that came about. No one in Nigeria knew how far the film would go, but it did quite well.

For the last four years, a lot of people have been eager to know when my next film will come out. The assumption is that I have grown as a filmmaker in the last four years. And it wasn't really hard. The American part was shot towards the end of last year, so basically they know what they are expecting.

How did you pick the locations you shot?

We shot mostly indoors because that was how the Nigerian bit was mostly fashioned. We stayed at Oniru and we shot there as well. We spent all day shooting a market scene in Obalende and Dolphin. We had to contend with area boys. They are a nuisance but I consider them amusing. We were offered mobile policemen, machine guns and all that when we got to Nigeria but I felt that would draw unnecessary attention. When we went out to shoot, they started coming out and screaming “a ma gbowo o, (meaning: you will give us money o) on the set.

Because of that, more people started coming out and I had to speak with them.

•Niyi Towolawi and Joe Estevez

38

Entertainment

THE NATION ON SUNDAY MAY 13, 2012

•Tunde Kelani receiving award from Gov. Ibrahim Shema

•R-L: Jonathan Haynes, Labaran Maku, Oba Sanya Dosunmu, Mane Manrique and Afolabi Adesanya

F

OR four days, the Federal Capital Territory played host to filmmakers from all over the world. The event was the biennial film festival organised by the Nigerian Film Corporation tagged Zuma International Film Festival.

Themed “The Human Story: Connecting People”, the film fiesta which kicked off on Sunday, May 6th, 2012 could be described as eventful, creating yet another platform for networking among stakeholders, student filmmakers, actors, marketers, exhibitors and film enthusiasts, while also opening up discourse through seminars, symposia, and lectures on the various topics bothering on the art and business of filmmaking.

Venues were the Nicon Luxury Hotel and Silverbird Galleria, Abuja.

The event enjoyed the full support of the Information Minister, Mr. Labaran Maku who declared the festival open, and who was Special Guest of Honour alongside the Governor of Katsina State, Alhaji Ibrahim Shema at the closing ceremony last Wednesday.

Aside the seriousness of film business that engaged the stakeholders for four days, the closing ceremony was ignited with pomp and pageantry, as films entered for the festival were given awards in various categories.

Other side attractions were music and comedy performances.

Earlier at the opening of the festival, ZUMA Film Festival Life Time Achievement Award was given to Oba Sanya Dosunmu, prominent Nigerian Television/Film Director, who is

Zuma Film Festival ends in style famous for the rested TV soap “The Village Headmaster”. Others in that category were Jonathan Haynes and Mane Manrique, both with strong and sustained ties to the Nigerian motion picture industry in the areas of capacity building, scholarly work, promotion and development.

Actress Funke Akindele of the "Jenifa" fame shone among the audience at the closing of the festival as she bagged the Best Actress award through the Tunde Kelani film entitled "Maami". Her film, "Jenifa" won the Best Grossing Nigerian Movie award while Blue Pictures, her distributors clinched the Best Distributor award.

Best Actor at the ceremony was Yemi Blaq through the film, "Imposter".

Others were; Best Nigerian Film (Maami); Best Director (Tunde Kelani); Best Script (Tango with Me); Best Student Film (Naked Truth); Best Foreign Short Film (Un Mal Golpe);

•Funke Akindele

Best Film Journalist (Shaibu Husseini); and Life Honours Award (NEXIM Bank).

Critical issues on the social responsibility role of the filmmaker in shaping the society, was addressed by Professor Ahmed Yerima, former Director-General of the National Troupe/ National Theatre, and currently a Senior Lecturer at the Redeemed University, Ogun State. Professor Yerima was speaking as Guest lecturer on The NFC Annual Film Lecture titled: “The Filmmaker as a Social Realist and Cultural Advocate”.

The presentation of cash prizes and certificate of participation to winners of the 2011/2012 NFC Annual Film Essay competition also took place during the film festival. Both events were chaired

by Ven. Professor Akin Akindoyeni, a former Director- General, National Institute for Policy & Strategic Studies, Kuru, Jos.

•Madu Chikwendu with Mahmood Ali-Balogun

•Funke Akindele with Sulaimon Abdulkadir and Lohya Mamvem of NEXIM Bank •Ms. Dorothy Ogbutor, Head of Specialized Business NEXIM Bank, flanked by Zik Zulu and Kene Mparu •Andy Amenechi with Greg Odutayo

Entertainment

THE NATION ON SUNDAY MAY 13, 2012

Excitement, as The Place hosts Skales

39

VIDEO REVIEW

I •Bekes performing on stage

Double celebration as the Bekes launch twin album

I

T was double celebration for the Damilola and Olubukunola Bekes, a singing couple as they teamed up for a launch of their separate solo albums. At a well attended event held which took place at The Incubator, Lekki, the albums; His Praise and Mighty God were formally presented to the gospel loving public.

Unveiling the works, Matron of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Mrs. Adenike Adegboye said that the gift of music is given to some people to lift up the downcast.

“This is a time of celebration. We are not mourning. Where would you love to be if not a place of singing and dancing? Everything about Christ is to the glory of the Almighty God and that is one more reason why releasing these albums is important,” she declared.

The album launch featured single appearances and a joint performance by the couple. It also served as an opportunity to formally make known, their singing group.

“I give praise to God because I believe that He has done so much for me. I thank God for He has done something extraordinary for me today. We are both one but we decided to make two separate albums because God has blessed us with quality songs. We have a lot to give out to people so we decided to make both albums. For the purpose of this launch, we decided to come together because we cannot organise two launches. That is why we came together to launch both albums,” Damilola, a saxophonist for the RCCG enthused.

An equally excited Olubukunola said that she is happy the albums berth. In her words, touching lives through music has always been a life goal. “It has been quite hectic putting the albums together but God has been there for us. I hope that through these albums, people will find salvation. It is inspirational.

Our aim of doing it in the first place is to inspire people and to lead souls to Christ,” she said.

T was fun and excitement as close friends, fans and well wishers gathered at The Place Bar, GRA on Wednesday May 2, 2012 for an exclusive gig in honour of EME's rapper, Skales.

The rapper who is presently working on the EME compilation album alongside Banky W and Wizkid says 'It was another opportunity to mix and mingle with my friends again; and I am humbled by the gesture from The Place.'

According to the managers at The Place Bar (organizers of the event) the get-together was done in honour of Skales' extraordinary talent and his remarkable effort at doing what many would have thought impossible.

The event attracted other acts such as Banky W, Flowsick, Reminisce, Dee Money, Masterkraft, Uche Odoh and other close friends of Skales.

“Skales is a talented artiste, and we admire the fact that he has been able to combine singing, schooling and rapping well” Manager of The place Bar, Deji Hudeyin said.

•Skales

I used to sag my jeans, but I can't do that anymore —Zaaki Azzay

T

HE next time you come across this Benue State born singer and rapper of repute, Zaaki Azzay, don't forget to give him due respect.

Just recently the musician was conferred the chieftaincy title of Masoyin Yan Arewa of Lagos State Meaning “The love and the heart of Northern People in Lagos State”.

Bestowed by the leader/head of the Northern People in

Lagos State, Alhaji Aminu Idris Yaro, Zaaki is happy that his people appreciate him and what he's doing.

“I feel honoured. It is more responsibility for me as more of my people from the North will be looking up to me not just as an artiste but also as a leader, an ambassador”.

Asked what will change about him now Zaaki said, “I used to sag my jeans

but now I can't do that anymore.

The way I portray myself generally in public will have to change,” he said.

No doubt it is an honour well deserving for the musician who has over the years been able to put his people, the North on the Nigerian music map through his music and contribution in the entertainment industry.

Apart from having six albums to his credit, Zaaki has broken new grounds as a broadcaster. His TalkShow, “True Nigerians” has featured some of the most prominent personalities in the country. They include Pat Utomi, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Oyeka Onwenu among others.

'T.W.O Legit' DVD compilation

R

EPUTED for their hilarious and sensational music, the multiple awardwinning couple, T.W.O, has officially released their 4th music video. The classic video album compilation is laced with traditional folklore and a comical storyline. Awardwinning video directors, Clarence Peters and Gbenga Salu were carefully selected by the couple to picture their style into reality.

Clarence Peters credited with the use of colours and creative prowess when shooting and editing music videos brought that quality to bear in 'Zombie', 'Fine Bara' and 'Hit the Dance Floor' videos. The video being the first in the series had all the catchy flavour and comical tendencies.

The couple appeared in military camouflage to reinterpret Fela Anikulapo's 'Zombie' into an emotional love song.

Track 2, 'Fine Bara', a comedy music scene, featured high profile comedian, Owen G and Koffi. Tunde Obe acted as an articulate, polished and educated street beggar, on the street of Lagos, who conned benefactors in the business district into receiving alms. The video expresses

•T.W.O

•Zaaki

various ways by which desperate street beggars conduct their trade. Away from usual trend, in Track 5, T.W.O explored different trends, adrift from status quo, where they featured reggae star; Rymzo, in their dancehall reggae track,' Hit the Dance Hall'.

In the video, Clarence exhibited his unusual dexterity, as the video was characterized with colours and glitz.

Gbenga Salu, the awardwinning 3D animation video director, directed Track3, 'Two Legit', 'Believe Me', and 'Atewo'.

He showed his graphics skills, through illustrating every track to taste. In 'T.W.O Legit' video, which happens to be the album title, the video expresses T.W.O's versatility by alarming critics that they are too legit to quit the music industry. The video explores all avenues of elaborate lifestyle associated with world class artistes, while T.W.O takes you through their island of wealth and glamour. Track 4, 'Believe Me', is a soul rhythm, which attempts to showcase the undying love between the two lovers, the love song illustrate every drama in love and the attending sacrifice.

Track 6,'Atewo' is a praise song culled from a popular gospel folk. The video reflects features capable of making it an evergreen video. It features both Jay Martins and Terry G praising God in their own way.

40

Entertainment

BIG

THE NATION ON SUNDAY MAY 13, 2012

CINEMA GUIDE LAGOS

PICTURE

D

Supported by: SILVERBIRD CINEMAS

IRECTED by Joss Whedon and staring Robert Downey Jr, Samuel L. Jackson, and Mark Ruffalo, this superhero film is a movie buff's delight that leverages on the trademark of some popular film stars. It creates a potpourri of the cherished element of each by creating a blend that tells a new refreshing story about good overcoming evil.

One has a bow. One has a hammer. One is a man out of Time. One's a comedian, the joker in the pack (he also has a cool metal suit). One is a girl, though she's mad good at fighting. One is an angry green monster.

This blend is a cast of Marvel Comics superheroes that include Thor, Iron Man, Hawkeye, etc.

Like Fantastic Four (a film reviled by the comic-book fraternity), The Avengers plays it light, seemingly unencumbered by the high expectations it's spent years setting up.

The plot is simple: first the team are gathered by Nick Fury, Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. then they sit around bickering, then they spring into action.

The pivotal event is that somebody dies, therefore must be avenged.

The Avengers' cast is livelier, its dialogue is wittier. The fight scenes are amusing, partly because so many are intra-Avenger: Captain America gets in a punchup with Iron Man, then

The Avengers

A fiesta of muscle men

Thor swings his hammer at Hulk.

One thing that's notable, though, is how much the team rely on fancy weapons and brute strength as opposed to specific superpowers.

Again and again, the film speaks of soldiers and war. At one point, Loki is explicitly compared to Hitler (by an old man in Germany), implicitly ranged against Captain America's patriotic

Stars-and-Stripes outfit (the Captain himself is a WW2 relic, of course). The whole Avengers project is touted as a military tactic a powerful deterrent, like the atom bomb. Pointedly, the team make time to save “civilians” during the final battle. All this is worrying, mostly because the exact same un-ironic subtext echoes of WW2, blind faith in 'good' soldiers and virtuous militarism appeared in Battleship last week.

Titanic Featured Actors: Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet and Billy Zane Genre: Drama Running Time194 min Trespass Featured Actors: Nicolas Cage, Nicole Kidman and Cam Gigandet Genre: Comedy Running Time: 91 min Dr Seuss'- The Lorax 3D Featured Actors: Zac Efron, Taylor Swift and Danny DeVito Genre: Action/Adventure Running Time86 min 21 Jump Street Featured Actors: Jonah Hill, Channing Tatum and Ice Cube Genre: Comedy and Sequel Running Time109 Mins Machine Gun Preacher Featured Actors: Gerard Butler, Michelle Monaghan and Michael Shannon Genre: Action/Adventure Running Time129 min Phone Swap Featured Actors: Wale Ojo, Nse Etim Ikpe, and Ghanaian Superstar, Lydia Forson Genre: Comedy Running Time Wrath of the Titans Featured Actors: Sam

Worthington, Liam Neeson and Rosamund Pike Genre: Action/Adventure Running Time: 99 min Best Exortic Marigold Hotel Genre: Action/Adventure Contraband Genre: Action/Adventure John Carter Featured Actors: Taylor Kitsch, Lynn Collins and Willem Dafoe Genre: Action/Adventure Running Time132 min Man on a Ledge Featured Actors: Sam Worthington, Elizabeth Banks and Jamie Bell Genre: Action/Adventure Running Time102 min

ABUJA

The Vow: A promise hard to keep

W

HEN a movie calls itself "The Vow," it is obvious that serious love and its relationship is involved. This is the case with the new romantically and medically challenged flick starring Rachel McAdams and Channing Tatum, Scott Speedman, Jessica Lange, Sam Neill, and Jessica McNamee.

Anchored on the theme of emotion, this movie may move you close to tears. Directed by Michael Sucsy, Paige (McAdams) and Leo (Tatum) play a young married couple living on the North Side of Chicago. She's a sculptor, he's a studio engineer, and all is bliss until, just moments into the film, a car crash renders Paige comatose.

Upon waking, she doesn't remember the last five years of her life doesn't remember meeting or marrying Leo or the crucial reason she broke with her family and previous fiancé, Jeremy (Speedman), or why she left law school to pursue art. But Leo, just as bewildered, realises he must woo his wife anew.

The Vow is a remarkably sedate thing, an earnest and occasionally touching romantic drama that sweeps aside the devastating narrative potential of a traumatic brain injury to traffic in a more benign depiction of amnesia.

Genre: Action/Adventure Dr Seuss' the Lorax Featured Actors: Zac Efron, Taylor Swift and Danny DeVito Genre: Drama Running Time: 86 min Wrath of the Titans Featured Actors: Sam Worthington, Liam Neeson and Rosamund Pike Genre: Action/Adventure Running Time: 99 min The Scores Featured Actors: Aremu Afolayan, saheed balogun ,Eniola olaniyan , Olumide Trespass Bakare,sunkanmi omobolanle Featured Actors: Nicolas Cage, Genre: Drama Nicole Kidman and Cam Phone Swap Gigandet Featured Actors: Wale Ojo, Genre: Drama Nse Etim Ikpe, and Ghanaian Running Time: 91 min Superstar, Lydia Forson True Citizens Genre: Comedy Featured Actors: Uti Man on a Ledge Nwachukwu, Alex Usifo, Featured Actors: Sam Brian Okwara, Clareth Worthington, Elizabeth Banks Onukogu, Keneth Okolie, and Jamie Bell Clara Iweh, and Melvin Odua. Genre: Action/Adventure

PORT HARCOURT The Ides of March Featured Actors: Paul Giamatti, George Clooney and Philip Seymour Hoffman Genre: Drama Running Time: 101 Mins True Citizen Genre: Drama Running Time: 97 Mins 21 Jump Street Featured Actors: Jonah Hill, Channing Tatum and Ice Cube Genre: Comedy and Sequel Running Time: 109 Mins Dr. Seuss' The Lorax Featured Actors: Zac Efron, Taylor Swift and Danny DeVito Genre: Action/Adventure Running Time: 86 Mins Trespass Featured Actors: Nicolas Cage, Nicole Kidman and Cam Gigandet Genre: Action/Adventure Running Time: 91 Mins Wrath of the Titans Featured Actors: Sam

Worthington, Liam Neeson and Rosamund Pike Genre: Action/Adventure Phone Swap Genre: Drama Running Time: 70 Mins Machine Gun Preacher Featured Actors: Gerard Butler, Michelle Monaghan and Michael Shannon Genre: Action/Adventure

42

THE NATION ON SUNDAY MAY 13, 2012

Glamour

I’ll step aside at 65 One of the pioneers in Nigeria's fashion business, Maureen Onigbanjo, the 53 years old woman behind Maufechi, remains a master of her craft almost 30 years after she set out. She reveals more about her passion for fashion in this interview with Remi Adelowo

H

OW has your journey in the fashion business fared so far?

To be honest, it has not been easy whichever way one wants to look at it. I've been in the business for 30 years, and despite all the challenges one faced all these years, I would say it's been good so far. Sometimes, the challenges could be frustrating, but one has learnt over the years to find a way around it. For example, the power problem has been a big headache, because you make money and then use it to buy diesel for the business to run without any hitch. But all in all, the experience has been very wonderful and what more, I enjoy what I do.

What is your attraction for the fashion business? Is it about just making money or the passion?

Without any doubt, it's my passion for the business that has sustained me this far. But then if you work hard on your job; there must be results to show for it, so that you can live a relatively good life.

Are you surprised that you could come this far?

Of course I knew! As a matter of fact, I'd thought I would be a lot bigger than this. But I believe with time; I would get there.

How did it all start for you 30 years ago?

The journey started when I was very young, because I used to make my clothes. My mother had a machine, because her hobby was making clothes for her children and for herself. So, I got fascinated with playing around with fabrics, cutting them and stuffs like that. After leaving secondary school, I decided to study fashion design at the American College in London, now called the American International University, where I obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree.

I returned to Nigeria in 1984 and started the business.

Initially, I was in partnership with some people but much later, we dissolved it and I decided to go solo.

What were the teething challenges you had as a budding fashion entrepreneur?

The challenge had always been to have dedicated staff, who would stay by you and key into your vision.

That was a huge challenge for me then and even now because you train these staff and when they think they've learnt enough, they leave you in the cold without looking back.

3 0 years in the business and still counting, what is the legacy you want to leave behind when you eventually decide to s t e p aside?

I'm working hard on opening a fashion school soon.

The initial plan was to open it last year, but we shifted it because I want it done properly. Hopefully, the school will take off later in the years.

And talking about stepping aside, I hope and pray that when I clock 65, I would handover the business to my fashion design in the university.

Is it a dream come true having your daughter taking over from you?

Well at some point, I had wished that one of my children would show interest in the business, but I didn't instigate the move or try to force any of them. My daughter only told me about two years ago that she is not interested in law but rather take me. Of course, I've always known that she is very fashionable, but my concern was that one has to be really strong-minded to survive in this business, but I'm happy about her decision and would offer her all the necessary support to make her success.

What is the secret of your success?

It's God that has made everything possible. He has been my pillar of support and source of strength. And again, I've remained focused in spite of distractions.

I've tried my hands on other businesses, but I realized fashion is my passion; I enjoy doing it, but it takes a lot of hard work to make a headway, I don't attend a lot of parties; because I need to use my brain to create good designs. This could be time consuming.

What is it about most good designers and the attitude of being weird?

A really good designer must be creative and 'crazy.' That is why most designers are associated with drugs but majority are not. In Nigeria, our designers don't indulge in such stuff (taking drugs), but there are some things we do to make you a little weird (laughs). Trust me, I won't go into the details.

You are in your early 50's and still looking good. Do you feel the age at all?

I turned 50 three years ago, but I don't feel any different because I still dress the same way and basically still do things that I did when I was much younger. But I must add that I'm now feeling some aches and pains here and then, which I guess comes with the age.

What is your fashion indulgence?

I love shoes; I have quite a lot of them.

Can you reveal the most important decision you've ever taken?

Study fashion designing is it! I don't ever get bored creating designs and making clothes.

For a busy woman like you, is it all about work and no play?

I attend a few select functions, once it does not clash with my work.

You've been quiet on the social scene for a while now. Is that deliberate?

It's not deliberate. The reason is simply because all my children are based abroad and one of them is still very young, so I travel abroad almost every six weeks to make sure he's find and coping well. Once they are through with school, I would have more time to do other things. In another one or two years, I should be fine.

How do you spend your private moments?

I read and watch television with probably a glass of wine.

What is the most expensive fashion item you've bought?

(Pauses) A piece of jewelry.

How much does it cost?

I won't tell you (Laughs).

What are your plans to mark your 30th anniversary in the fashion business?

I'm planning as in-house show, which, God willing, will take place in December.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, MAY 13, 2012

Glamour

43

Social KAYODE ALFRED

(E-mail: kayflex2@yahoo.com, Tel: 08035733605, 08099400057)

Reuben Famuyibo sets to re-launch FSTV

Jennifer Atiku finally settles in UAE

Y

EARS after he closed down his FSTV, politician and businessman, Otunba Reuben Famuyibo is presently busy perfecting strategies to re-launch the pay TV in a matter of months. About 10 years ago, the company, which initially held a lot of promises, later went under over alleged undercutting from a major competitor. This development caused a strain between Famuyibo and his major financier, a bank with a predominant presence in the South West region of the country, with the two 'combatants' going back and forth from the courts to resolve the business dispute. But latest findings indicate that Famuyibo is almost through in tidying up the financial loose ends on the big come-back of FSTV.

Chika Mbonu goes into consultancy

M

•Odunsi

ANY years ago, Chika Mbonu was the toast of the banking industry, and literally had the world under his feet. A former CEO of the defunct Citizens and Assurance Banks, the suave banker indulged in a highflying lifestyle that many of his peers could only dream about. A First Class holder in Civil Engineering and also a Chartered Accountant, Mbonu's descend down the ladder started when his tenure at Assurance Bank ended rather unceremoniously, with the bank going under shortly after his exit. Soon after, news filtered out that the smooth-talking young man had been ordained as a pastor. Things appeared to be going well for Mbonu until his alleged unholy liaison with one of his proteges’ wife in his church battered his reputation to an all time low. With a banking job no longer forthcoming, coupled with the stain on his pastoral calling, Mbonu has, in the last two years, laid low unsure of what next step to take. SC can, however, reveal that Mbonu has gone into consultancy, with sources even claiming that business has not fared badly. With friends in high places both in the corporate world and government circles, big briefs has not been lacking Mbonu's attention. For now, the former banker is said to operate out of his palatial Parkview, Ikoyi residence.

J

ENNIFER, the delectable wife number four of former Vice President of Nigeria, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has been off the social radar in the last five years. No longer news, many are wont to say. Previously based in the United States, where she schooled and lived for over a decade, the Anambra State-born woman soon fizzled out of circulation following her husband's exit from the seat of power. The last time she was sighted around was in 2010, when she attended the •Mbonu wedding of Bilikisu, one of her step-daughters in Yola, Adamawa State. Prior to that event, Jennifer had been in the news for the wrong reasons over a l l e g e d money laundering cases in the United States, which a l m o s t marred her husband's political career. With unconfirmed reports claiming that she can no longer be allowed entry into the US, Jennifer is believed to have taken permanent residence in the United Arab Emirates, where her husband is a big player in the business circles.

•Atiku

Dayo Adeneye undergoes operation

E

Wonu Odunsi, Felix Okoye fix wedding date

C

O-OWNER of L'espace, Wonu Odunsi is currently over the moon if the news circulating in the social arena is anything to go by. The beautiful lady, who is also a partner in the monthly Le'Petit Marche, a fashion and lifestyle bazaar-like fair founded a few years ago, is preparing to take a stroll down the aisle with her heartthrob, Felix Okoye. The wedding, said to be scheduled for August 2012, is certainly much expected, as theirs is one relationship that has been sitting on the fence for a while. Wonu's heartthrob, Felix Okoye, one of the brothers behind SHAQ 24/7, on Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, took the first big steps by proposing to her recently. Present at the engagement were a few of her friends, including Toke Ibru, Lilian Unachukwu and Isoken Ogiemwonyi, co-owner of L'espace

•Adeneye

VER-SMILING anchor of the Primetime Africa show, Dayo Adeneye, popularly known as D-1 is fully back on his feet few weeks after he went under the surgeon's knife at the prestigious Premiere Hospital on Victoria Island, Lagos. The ailment, which necessitated the operation, had thrown his friends and family members into anxiety, with ceaseless prayers showered on D-1 to come out of it hale and hearty. While D1 was being wheeled into the theatre, his wife, Carol, partn e r s - K e n n y Ogungbe and ID Ogungbe were fully on ground to lend all their moral support.

44

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, MAY 13, 2012

Glamour

•L-R: Mr. Ben Bruce, Sen. Daisy Danjuma, Governor Godswill Akpabio, his wife Ekaette and Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi

•Mallam El-Rufai and wife

•General. Muhammadu Buhari and Gen. Yakubu Gowon

&

•Aremo Olusegun Osoba and wife, Derinsola

•Sen. Ben Obi and Pastor Tunde Bakare

OLUSEGUN RAPHEAL (08033572821) raphseg2003@yahoo.com

Gowon, Buhari, Akpabio honoured at Silverbird Awards Nite

T •Genera Theophilus Danjuma and wife, Daisy

HE gathering was exclusive by every standard. With three former Heads of State, a former Chief of Army Staff, a state governor and countless incumbent and former government functionaries in attendance, the event could not have been more exclusive.

Venue was the prestigious Eko Hotel & Suites, Lagos, while the event was the 'Silverbird Man of the Year Award nite. For the 'Man of the Year Award, Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State and industrialist, Alhaji Aliko Dangote were the joint recipients. Other distinguished Nigerians, who bagged the Lifetime Achievement Awards are two former Heads of State-General Yakubu Gowon(retd) and General Muhammadu Buhari, while three of Nigeria's founding fathers-Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Alhaji Ahmadu Bello and Dr. Nnamdi Azikwe were honoured with posthumous awards.

•L-R; Mrs Modupe Odeje Amina •L-R: Chioma Madubuiko and Mallam Danladi Yaro and Alhaji Ibrahim Tanko

•Chief Ernest Shonekan

•Odion Ajumogobia

•Sen. Florence Ita-Giwa

FROM THE CAMPUS Prof.

PAGE 46

Emmanuel Ojeme

THE NATION SUNDAY, APRIL 13, 2012

“

RASHIDI YEKINI, one of d finest footballers Nigeria ever produced and all-time highest goal scorer for the Super Eagles is dead” was the message I got via blackberry messenger on the 4th of May 2012. It is a sad and shocking news but it didn’t come as a surprise to many as his postplaying days were very rough.

He was born on 23rd October, 1963 and started his soccer career at the UNTL in Kaduna before playing for the Shooting Stars in Ibadan and then Abiola Babes of Abeokuta. He then moved to the International arena where he demonstrated his soccer prowess in Cote d’Ivoire, Olympiakos of Greece and Setubal of Portugal, amongst others. He made a huge impression in Portugal where he scored 90 goals in 108 club appearances and was the first division top scorer in the 1993/1994 season.

He has to be one of Nigeria’s greatest and most popular soccer stars. Rashidi was a super eagles’ player from 1984 to 1998 and set a record of scoring 37 goals in 58 appearances for the national team. He featured in three Africa Cup of Nations and two World Cup tournaments. He helped Nigeria win the Africa Cup of Nations in 1994 and was a commanding figure in the country’s impressive outing at USA ’94. When he left the international scene he came back home and continued to play in the local league. What a resume!!!!

We had known for a while about his condition, whether mental, spiritual or physical; what did anybody do about it?

Even I am guilty because I remember a call on a football group on blackberry to help “contribute” for the late striker. We were all sympathetic towards his situation when we heard he was walking the streets of Ibadan with no shoes.

Unfortunately (though not in our place to “help” him) we did not act fast. Would we have made a difference with our “little contribution”? We will never know!

Where was the NFF in all of this anyway? Sunday Oliseh totally condemned the government on twitter for “abandoning Yekini”, Kanu Nwankwo has also come out to say “nobody should cry for him and has tasked Nigerians to strive to honour their heroes when they are still alive instead of crying ‘out their eyes’ and making eulogies at their death.

“Where was everybody when the man needed help”?

Those who gave everything in the service of their country must be accorded the desired

Adieu Rashidi Yekini the goal master...... attention at all times. Yekini suffered and died like an orphan. Today, everybody is lamenting over his death.

Nobody cared for him while he was alive and suffering”.

Now I hear the government gave 10million naira to his family. A little too late if you ask me. Reminds me of the Nollywood movie “died wretched, buried in 3.2Million naira casket”. The story of our beloved Nation!!!

Although I heard many people including the NFF made repeated efforts to reach out to him but he rebuffed all.

While his contemporaries like Daniel Amokachi, Samson Siasia, Augustine Eguavoen, Mike Emenalo, Sunday Oliseh and Ben Iroha have coached our National teams or are currently employed by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and European football clubs, Yekini shunned government appointments.

No one knew where he was at any given time, and he refused to speak to journalists who tried to interview him several times. He became a total recluse and only he knew why.

His ex-wife blames his friends, Oliseh and Kanu and many others blame the government and NFF. We all know how irresponsible o u r

government can be, but for the likes of Oliseh and Kanu, what did they do?

Truth is he is at peace now........A true patriot who served his country with honour and total commitment. I will never forget that his goal uplifting celebration with the net (screaming Rashidi Yekini), Nigeria’s first goal at the world cup.

Rest in Peace dear one!

"Football

drama in England" If anybody told me at the beginning of the football season in Europe that the English premier league will go down to the very last day to determine who will win the title, I would never have agreed. While other leagues in Europe already have winners, the EPL has proven to be the most exciting these last days of this season with all the twists and turns. I still find it hard to believe that Manchester United with their wealth of experience would throw away an eight points lead in 3weeks, gifting their local and bitter rivals the title for the first time in over 40 years, unless Mark Hughes’ QPR do them a favour this afternoon. It is almost impossible as the game will be played at the Etihad stadium. QPR need at least a point from that match to avoid relegation. The Red devils play their last match against Sunderland at the Stadium of light, what is the guarantee that even if QPR do the unthinkable, that United will capitalize by getting maximum points toda

•Yekini

y? If both teams win today, then the title is Man City’s because I don’t see United catching up on the goal difference. Win or lose today, United have done well (with mostly average players) to keep up with their star studded rivals.

Congratulations to Jose Mourinho and Real Madrid.

The special one did it yet again in another league. He becomes the only coach to win league titles in Portugal, England, Italy and now Spain.

Juventus football club remains unbeaten in the Serie A this season and have already won the scudetto. Well done Bianconeri, although one can only wonder about the true state of the Italian league after Juve drew 14 times this season.

For tennis lovers, what do you think about the new blue clay at the on-going Madrid masters?

It takes getting used to in my opinion; it is certainly faster than the traditional clay surface. It seems borderline hard court and clay court and big servers like Federer, Del Potro, Raonic etc should do well there. Raonic served 21 aces when he lost to Federer in the 2nd round. Who serves that many aces on clay? The courts, according to several players, including Nadal, are too slippery.

Nadal said. "The (blue) court ... doesn't make you feel comfortable. It's difficult, hard to attack and come back to defend.

You just have to try and adapt." I hope he doesn’t blame the courts for his early exit.

It doesn't m a t t e r what's on

the gro und, everyo ne has to play on it.

Sent from m y BlackBerry wireless device from MTN

With

Rashidi Yekini and vital lessons

N

IGERIA has just lost one of her finest footballers Rashidi Yekini. At his demise, there has been outpouring of encomiums concerning his contributions to football development in Nigeria.

He deserves all the praises and commendations, may his gentle soul rest in perfect peace. Amen. In his retirement, he was unable to sufficiently support himself and family, due largely to the fact that he had no job and no income.

Unfortunately he became sick perhaps with little care and assistance from any where. It is very sad that he died at a relatively young age of 48. If he had lived, he would still have offered so much to his fatherland. We have lost this opportunity. What are the vital lessons?

Rashidi Yekini was a great football talent. He had explosive power towering height, great speed, ball control, and accurate shots at goal.

He was goalkeepers nightmare. Rashidi Yekini was the only striker that Nigeria has ever had, that had the attributes of the current World Olympic sprint champion, Usain Bolt. In fact, it is not far from the truth to state that, though a footballer, Yekini had similar anthropometric attributes and kinetic qualities with Usain Bolt. It is not surprising therefore, that Rashidi Yekini was a greatly adored Nigerian footballer. You remember USA 1994 World Cup and that great goal he scored for Nigeria in the first match and several of his great outings for Nigeria? Now, on retirement what became of him?

His unfortunate experience of abandonment on retirement is a reminder to all of us that young athletes need a lot of counseling.

While in active service performing athletes must always have their future fully in focus. Yekini reminds us that while we enjoy the services of gifted athletes, it is a duty that we must ensure that we also guide them to their future of productivity. There are many retired athletes who cannot help themselves. Now is the time to begin to take concrete steps to avoid the calamity of lack of income in post retirement years.

I have written an article on this subject matter in this column, titled: “ Securing the future of Nigerian athletes” I have taken the liberty to reproduce the recommendations to assist our supportive actions, as follows: Educational Development: Young athletes in a generic sense, must be in school. Athletic talent or attributes can be successfully combined with education. The burden of ensuring that this is the case is on the shoulders of parents, coaches, sports managers and institutions. This also implies that the officers themselves must be educated. A half-baked coach or sports officer may not be able to develop a counseling programme that would impact positively and productively on the sports boys and girls under his care.

Flexibility of the Educational System: Nigeria's educational system must make provision for the athlete's individualized and programmed instruction. Sports people must be educationally catered for by more creative adaptations of the regular programme to meet their needs. The current system does not even recognize the fact that athletes must be given extra opportunity to receive tutorials and lectures. This is not good enough and has to change.

Remedial Programmes: It is observed that most athletes do not have prerequisites to benefit from formal education. In this case, remedial programmes should be organized to brush up and overcome their lapses. I believe that with sound pedagogical strategies, athletes who possess more of psychomotor intelligence can trigger off the appropriate level of development in the cognitive and affective domain, thus he is able to achieve all round development.

Professional Sportsmen: Professional Sports participation is a full time engagement. Most of the people in this category may not have the time for any other activity during their active years. They, however, make a lot of money and at the same time acquire exotic and exorbitant life style. Without proper guidance, the millions of money can be frittered away. Hence, inspite of the huge income made at a youthful age, bankruptcy can still loom large later in life.

As frustration sets in, many people in this category are known to become alcoholics and drug addicts. Some, indeed, do attempt suicide out of depression and despair.

The foregoing scenario can be avoided if a retirement programme is worked out for the individual. This would include proper investment of income, acquisition of a disciplined life style as well as educational redevelopment of the individual. Why are many retired athletes not interested in some form basic and professional education to secure their future. The Federal Government needs to provide scholarship for the athletes to secure their future.

Life Insurance: All athletes need to have life insurance. National athletes must be insured by the Federal Government on whose behalf they compete in international competitions. This would serve as some cushioning for unpredictable future.

These are some of the ways to secure the future of our athletes. I do hope that this dialogue would continue and that appropriate policies would be in place towards securing the future of our athletes. The athletes however, owes himself or herself the obligation of ensuring that being an athlete does not put his future at risk by always doing the right things.

Since Rashidi Yekini may not be there to receive any of these benefits, it is expected the Federal Government and concerned individuals will remember and support his family.

Rest in perfect peace my Rashidi Yekini.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY MAY 13, 2012

47

VOL 1 NO. 037

Managing newspaper as a brand B

RANDS management is colorless, indiscriminate in scope of application and free of constraints as far as marketing is concerned. For marketing and advertising practitioners, it is simply a way of life. Most times when definitions are put to this concept, all such presentations say same thing naming the brand and stating its promise(s).

Imperatively, therefore, every such product that assumes all the key characters stated above becomes a brand and must of essence be taken through the product life cycle. To that extent, a brand is a brand, no matter the segment of “its market�. Following from the definition and the characteristics of a brand, are some imperatives for any brand's success or survival.

A successful brand must attract returns on investment. To achieve that, it must attract consumer engagement profitably by delivering on Total Customer Satisfaction. To deliver on TCS, it must essentially be true in its formulation, offer quality and all such other attributes that will enable its competitive advantage at the market place.

The above serves as summary of the process of brands management.

However, the big picture is that for any brand to succeed at the marketplace it must be properly managed along the lines of professionalism, going through the strategic imperatives.

The launch and management of the then Universal Trust Bank's (UTB) Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) brand of instant money transfer in the early 1990s was one very interesting experience for me and my colleagues that worked on that brand.

This was a time when funds transfer was still in its traditional form, when any such transaction would wait on inter or intra bank transfer process.

The challenge then was that there was no process fast-tracking to meet the desire of then traders who would require cash for quick buying and selling. The service was designed to engage the highly mobile big volume/value traders who requires large sum of monies for instant business transaction, without having to physically move cash over long distance.

To effectively and efficiently meet that need, the bank developed an innovative electronic device that aided instant money transfer. That was one of the innovative money transfer services that gave birth to today's e-transact that now runs as a common banking service in modern times banking. Complemented by the articulated integrated marketing support at that time, the brand was a huge success.

The above case-in-reference demonstrates a systematic application brand development imperatives: proper and purposeful research, planning and development and a deliberate effort to connect the brand with the identified target market (customer-centric).

Add to that strategic focus for the success of UTB's EFT is the sense of purpose and commitment to achieving setmarketing objective for the brand and its owners. Nothing was given to chance, and that is why adherence to marketing and brands management discipline is classified as ARTICULATED. My days as a student of Mass Communication in University of Lagos left so much with me on issues of journalism, especially with print journalism. I came faceto-face with the grand rules for a successful career in the

profession. I was challenged at the beginning, but I held on because the commitment to becoming a well-read journalist.

I was so well equipped by the time I came out of school, to appreciate well-written news report, opinion piece(s) and editorial page. The choice of newspaper I patronized way back was determined by those elements I picked up while in school.

It follows, therefore, that newspapers are brands in the

competitive market of news gathering and dissemination.

Industry players such as Dele Giwa and his likes, way back, thrived on identifying and satisfying consume (readers') needs. They took competition in news gathering and dissemination market to a new level, by evolving new and innovative product usage in form of 'modern day� investigative journalism. Efforts of journalists in that league changed the face of journalism in our local market for good.

The unfortunate thing, however, is that newspapers/ magazine are not seen as brands Newsroom glamour, individual stardom, struggle for survival and all such interference tends to veil the newspaper as a brand, frontal.

Practitioners see themselves as all sorts of powerful society influencers, users of the ever-powerful pen mightier than the sword, third estate of the realm, the all-powerful commentators that can bring down political leaders, that they miss the point of brand building and development for optimal return on investment. Unfortunately, the glamour time is over, and it is time for business. With the advent of modern news sources including the internet, all sorts will unveil in newspaper management as businesses. We know that with the new media environment and habit, competition for readership (consumers) will get keener, and advertisers are watching. May we just quickly let it out here that advertisers are already looking at target marketing as the new face of media engagement for brands marketing support? What will you offer to attract advertisers if your

newspaper or magazine does not post a fairly large size of readership to support the profitable investment in form of advert placement?

So, it is time for brand building in the newspaper business world. Presently there are very clear hazards any growth-driven newspaper brand must look at, as follows: 1. Market. Newspapers as brands must begin to define their markets along the line of identified needs or void within the market it tends to operate. I know most operators will easily take position as general interest newspapers, but clearly, that will not work in the emerging market.

2. Brand Packaging and Branding. Managers and/or owners of newspaper brands must begin to see their offering from the perspective of the target-readers and not their board-room thinking.

Therefore, special attention must be on how to be seen to fit into the expectation of the target market. Of course such thinking will affect use of brand colors, nature and character of brand name, logo, masthead, etc.

3. Product quality. This is the very interesting part of it all.

The basic and primary essence of a print news source is news reporting. Given as basic, therefore, the quality of news judgment and presentation, therefore, become fundamental for any newspaper or magazine brand's success.

It is therefore forbidden for ill-trained reporter to be permitted in the business of news gathering and writing. So many readers today are reluctant engaging our local newspapers and magazine because of compromises in quality on offer. Stories run through several paragraphs, only as repetition of the first and opening paragraph. Stories now come as imagination of a reporter because beats are not properly covered, journalists do not read and so are themselves lacking in literary prowess, general information and exposure.

Spellings are most often wrong!

Add to product quality is brand involvement in experiential marketing for total value enhancement. If all a print medium do is sell news, such newspaper/ magazine automatically disengages from the public as fast as the need for news is satisfied. So, with several other sources of news (most of them are even free, less stressful and trendy), survival is keener for the prints. Therefore, as brands, newspapers/magazines need to engage readers (their consumers) at such value touch-points that will build a more enduring relationship. Newspaper/magazine brands must define their relevance to the public, to include public interest issues such as healthcare, public enlightenment and awareness, seminars on public health matters, human capital development, and etc. by the time the public sees newspapers and magazines engage in matters of public interest beyond their core business focus, they would become partners indeed as business opportunity.

On the whole, newspapers/ magazines require the services of professional brand managers to survive in the business world, as indeed all brands. It is time for re-think, among newspaper/magazine brand managers.

48

THE NATION ON SUNDAY MAY 13, 2012

‘Culture and tradition are a blessing and curse’ Tenidola Awoyemi is the Country Director of The Big Issue Lagos, a project of the United Nations Democracy Fund which is aimed at community development.

Prior to occupying this position, she was chosen as the Executive Director of Freedom Foundation after spending over 15 years in the Child Protection sector in England.

She spoke with Rita Ohai on wide variety of child and womenrelated issues.

W

ITH respect to how women and children are treated in Nigeria, is culture and tradition a blessing or a

curse?

Culture and tradition are a blessing on one hand and a curse on the other.

It is a blessing because we have a culture that values respect. For

example, children are supposed to respect their elders and wives are supposed to do the same to their husband's family. You do not get this in other societies. In the United Kingdom for example, my daughter brought home her friend from school and the friend was insisting on calling me by my first name.

It's not that the child was intentionally being rude but it is just the way she was brought up. The respect we have for each other is beautiful, valuable and something to be preserved because it holds us together as a people.

As a curse, there is a thin line between discipline and abuse. We have a lot of parents who are disciplinarians because they want to abide by our cultural or religious ethos. However, this often leads to a lot of physical or emotional abuse. We see children who are beaten mercilessly for little things.

Child labour is very present in our society and the employers of the kids end up beating them, starving them and punishing them unnecessarily. There is also the phenomenum of child sexual abuse which is a ‘silent’ common issue which people would rather pretend does not exist. Most of the time, these children are not able to speak because of the 'respect' they are supposed to have for the adults that are perpetrating this crime.

For women, you are expected to respect your husband even when he is beating you on a daily basis, raping and killing you. You are expected to respect his family and offer him food no matter what. You are not allowed to speak out because you husband is the head of the family and so the woman should be seen and not heard. In these light, culture can be a curse.

What do you think women can do to p r o t e c t themselves and their children from being victims t o t h e downside of tradition?

In the first instance, society needs to empower our women financially, psychologically and economically. Our women need to be given a voice. They need to be given the opportunity to grow. They need to know that speaking out is not a crime.

They should know that if they get beaten up by their husbands, they should be able to speak up without being

stigmatised. If they get raped, they should speak out with people looking down at them as though they are the perpetrators when they ought to be the victims.

As individuals they need to learn to be self-confident. The education of the girlchild is very important because it opens their eyes to a world of opportunities and they are able to get access to a lot of information. If they know their rights, are economically independent and are confident, no man will be able to stand up and mess with them.

In a situation where a husband is jobless or lazy, what are the things the woman can do to secure the future of her children?

The only thing she can do is to ensure that she is financially independent so that she can provide for the education and feeding of her children instead of waiting for any man to give her anything. In certain cases where there is still hope, she can try to encourage the man to get up and do something with his life. She would need to respect him but only to a certain extent because you cannot be submitting yourself to a man who is comfortable with not bringing anything home or does not have any respect for you either.

Focus is also very key. She needs to know that her children are her future and so will have to give them all her attention. If she has boys, she should train them in a way that they will not become like their father. If she has girls, she would need to raise them to be independent so that if a man like their father comes for them, they can head in the opposite direction.

Since your return, what are some of the challenges you see the average Lagosian facing?

Too many problems exist in this country.

When I initially came home from England, I wanted to run back, and I did a few times.

Where do I start from? Is it the challenge of electricity and PHCN or the difficulty with getting our children settled in good schools.

The high cost of quality education in Nigeria is alarming which is a shame because the government-owned schools are not properly equipped so there are no alternatives.

One of the major problems with this country is the state of childhood. The level of depravity that exists within the childhood phenomenon is sickening whether it is sexual abuse, neglect, physical abuse and emotional abuse. The level at which this things exist in this country is unprecedented and the government does not seem to be interested.

Also there is the health care system and the security matter, which is a different issue entirely. The list is endless. The state of the nation just seems so precarious. The level of unpredictability that we live in is ridiculous.

From stating all these societal problems, how do you think we can solve them?

Each person or organisation has to take a small bit of the huge chunk of issues and start dealing with them at their own levels. If we decide to leave the government to address them as a whole, we would never get anywhere.

If you were to choose between living in Nigeria and living abroad, which would you pick?

Everywhere has its pros and cons. Nigeria has many cons and a few pros but I tell you I would rather live because I would be making more of an impact in this society than living abroad. Over there, they would not need one black woman to come and tell them anything, here it is different.

She would need to respect him but only to a certain extent because you cannot be submitting yourself to a man who is comfortable with not bringing anything home or does not have any respect for you either

THE NATION ON SUNDAY MAY 13, 2012

New WOMAN

49

How to get what you want from a man W

OMEN have the power in a relationship, many of us just do not realize it yet. From massaging his ego to making him believe he's in charge (even when he really isn't), women can apply positive and efficient steps in order to get what they want from their men.

In a relationship between man and woman, it can be expected that there will be episodes of misunderstanding and arguments between the two. This is because man and woman are two similar, yet different beings.

There are certain qualities in a woman that may also be found in

a man and vice versa.

Nevertheless, their differences from one another often serve as a wick of quarrel between the two.

For a woman who simply wants the best for the relationship, their different perspectives and qualities can be frustrating to deal with; especially if these differences make it difficult for her to get what she wants or needs from her man.

Apparently, there are ways that a woman may be able to get her needs and wants from her man; despite their clashing differences through some valuable tips.

You need to show your man what kindness resides in your heart. Being kind is thought of by many people as a weakness, but to be kind requires more strength and courage than being cruel. If you will be kind to the man you love the most, he will develop a greater liking for you. He will want to be with you and will make him want to give what you also want in order to be with you.

Do not nag at your man. If you have the chance to watch a talk show on television, perhaps you know that one common root cause of arguments and problems in a relationship is when the woman nags at her man a lot.

Women who nag admit that they do this in order to relay a clear message to their men, but there are other effective means of communication than nagging.

Remember that nagging is only

appropriate for people who do because he nags at you; because not anymore have control of their you are afraid of his anger if you lives. Nagging is done by people do not follow him; and because who feel too desperate. If you you simply love him and wants to want your man to do something fulfill his needs. In the same way, for you, then realize that nagging you man will do things you want is not the right way to make him without the need of being asked, so. If there is one reason that will if he also loves and adores you. push him to do what you want, Do something that will make him and he will also do the then it is his love for you. Thus, happy same to you. what you can do instead of If your man does the things you n a g g i n g i s t o l o v i n g l y want, then always be able to c o m m u n i c a t e y o u r n e e d s ; reward him for his efforts. nourish and treasure his love for Everyone needs reassurance from you so he will be motivated to time to time. Your man will know serve you. that you value his efforts through Show him that you are worthy the rewards you give him. From a of his time and effort. Men and simple casual peck on the cheek, a women alike certainly invest their passionate kiss or a bedroom hard work and dedication on surprise, your husband will something and someone they certainly love it. He will continue know are worthy. Therefore, you to do things for you because he can see that worthiness is two- knows he will be quite rewarded way. You do something for your for it. man because of various reasons: Source: Robert Barrow at Articlesfatory.com woman scorned!' How much respect does the guy have for the lady after sleeping over in his place? Is it not better for the guy to do the right thing and marry the lady before she starts to sleep over at his place? How much respect does the guy's family members and friends have for the lady even if they get married later?

I am sixteen and I have never been in a relationship before, this is my first time. I lied that I am a twin. I gave him my other number, telling him that this is my twin's number and he calls and I will pick and now the relationship has gone far, what do I do now?

You have to tell him the truth. I personally think that at sixteen, it is better to concentrate on your studies and leave relationships for much later in life. I want to assume that you plan to finish high school and get a university degree before you consider settling down. Chances are that you probably will not get married until you are at least twenty two.

You have many years ahead of you, when you will meet many guys and think that you are in love. But many of these puppy affections will cool down within hours, days and weeks. My advice to teenagers, is that they should get close to God and focus on their academics. This prepares them for a future that is happy and glorious.

Question and answer Continued from last week leeping over at a guy's place is fast becoming a normal thing, Ma, is this right?

Every decision we make in life, has consequences. Some ladies prefer to sleep over in the guy's place so that they are sure he is not seeing another person.

They feel that while they are there, another person cannot be there. They also use the opportunity to check round the house to see if they will notice any personal belongings of another lady. Some ladies feel that sleeping ever at a guys place shows that they are now the lady in charge of the house.

The kitchen is their kitchen and they feel that they are sending a signal to other ladies to back off their man. Why does a man invite a lady to sleep over? The first and main reason is for sex.

S

•BLISSFUL MARRIAGE Former Miss Juliana Onuh and her husband, Sunday Ebute, an Abuja-based businessman looking radiant after their wedding at the St. John’s Anglican Church in Otukpo, Benue State, recently

Other reasons are so that she can clean the house, cook and do things that a wife should do in the house.

Men generally enjoy the pleasure of having a woman doing everything a wife should do without them having tied themselves down to her by getting married to her. they know that if the relationship does not work out, they can always back out easily.

Sleeping in a guy's place before marriage may be a norm in certain circles but it has disadvantages.

The first is that the break up may not be as easy as the man thinks.

Some ladies will destroy everything the man owns before they decide to move out. Others may become so bitter, they decide to teach the man a lesson by getting even on his wedding day. There are so many horror stories of ladies who poured acid on the new girlfriend or arranged to have the man beat up by thugs. 'Hell knows no fury, like a

50

THE NATION ON SUNDAY MAY 13, 2012

Arts & Life

SUNNY SIDE

Cartoons

By Olubanwo Fagbemi deewalebf@yahoo.com 08060343214 (SMS only)

POLITICKLE

Sunny Side interactive

OH, LIFE!

THE GReggs

Acknowledging the audience’s right of response, the writer here publishes text messages from faithful readers followed by his comments. The writer intends, with the reader’s co-operation, to thus sustain the traditional serving of creative, light and sometimes satirical pieces in this space.

Re: An April fool Thank goodness there is a sudden awakening from the staid reportage that characterised your column for sometime. You should make this a benchmark by either reporting with such lexical and comical repertoire or up the standard. I love this – An April fool. Thanks.

K.O. Olaniyi from Sango Otta. +2348068495313 Some, I’m sure, will note that I often reached the bar so raised in the past, but I’m glad I turned the corner for you. I like to think, though, that I benefited from a period of sustained fecundity and would cherish nothing more than extension of the same.

Re: Jibowu jam Fagbemi, while waiting for my food to digest after lunch, I picked up a previous edition of The Nation on Sunday of April 15, 2012 and came across your Sunny Side column. It left me reeling with laughter for quite a while. Thanks for providing a rich dessert to complement an average meal and may the soul of ‘Sergeant Fiba’ rest in ‘troubled piece’! +2348067275228 Thank you. May we digest such heartwarming serving every Sunday!

Re: Historical license Hi, I read your write up in The Nation newspaper of Sunday, 8th April, 2012. It’s a nice write up. I enjoyed it. Thumbs up, sir. I found this little error though. Socrates did not die of excess of wedlock; he died as a result of excess of a poison called Hemlock which the Greeks made him drink. (I guess it’s a typo error in the newspaper) which comes from a plant.

Thanks. God bless, Raphael Okoye, okoye@sun.ac.za Thanks for the eagle eye. The error of commission derived from satirical license, if you will, taken by the writer for the reader’s amusement. Still, read widely; only the keen can call to the keen!

Just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy your articles.

Buchi, abucicares2011@yahoo.com Thanks. I’d like to let you know too that your comment is appreciated. Let the wave of literary pleasure wash over all that are tuned in!

Re: Deliberate absurdity Fabulous interrogation! Delightfully absurd too. Thanks for helping our nerves disarm Boko Haram. +2348055830208 My pleasure. A wise man once said that all intellectual improvement arise from leisure and I’m inclined to agree. Here’s to many more laughs from where the last came from, and many more reviews from where the last raved from!

CHEEK BY JOWL

Anagram session The following is an interesting play on words through rearrangement of the letters for a different meaning. The perceptive reader will discover a subtle connection between each original word and the new one.

Drawer – Reward Dormitory – Dirty room Diaper – Repaid Desperation – A rope ends it Straw – Warts Slot machines – Cash lost in me Smug – Gums Animosity – Is no amity Star – Rats A decimal point – I’m a dot in place Step – Pets The earthquakes – That queer shake Step on – No pets Eleven plus two – Twelve plus one

QUOTE If everything comes your way, you are in the wrong lane.

—Author Unknown

Jokes Humour The Elephant Book EVERY NATION decided to write a book on the elephant: The French book - The Sex Life of the Elephant or 1000 Ways to Cook Elephant The English book - Elephants I Have Shot on Safari The Welsh book - The Elephant and its Influence on Welsh Language and Culture or Oes Ysgol Tocynnau Eleffant Ilanfairpwll Nhadau Coeden The American book - How to Make Bigger and Better Elephants The Japanese book - How to Make Smaller and Cheaper Elephants The Greek book - How to Sell Elephants for A Lot of Money The Finnish book - What Do Elephants Think about Finnish People The German book - A Short Introduction to Elephants, Vol 1-6 The Icelandic book - Defrosting an Elephant The Swiss book - Switzerland: The Country Through Which Hannibal Went With His Elephants

The Canadian book - Elephants: A Federal or State Issue?

The Swedish book - How to Reduce Your Taxes with an Elephant The Nigerian book - How to Do White Elephant Projects or How to corrupt an Insecure Elephant

Something, from Nothing A YOUNG student of eastern religion visited one master after another until he met a great one.

Eager to show his attainment and commitment, he said: “The mind, the god, and sentient beings, after all, do not exist. The true nature of phenomena is emptiness.

There is no realisation; no delusion; no sage; no mediocrity. There is no giving and nothing to be received.”

The master smoked quietly, saying nothing. Then he whacked the student with his bamboo pipe. The youth was instantly angry.

“If nothing exists,” said the great one, “where did this anger come from?”

•Culled from the Internet

R

EMEDIES Writer’s Fountain for writer’s deserve this exhilaration? Who is telling you block: Feel all those fear-anxiety-panic-terror that you don’t deserve to do what gives you feelings: Acknowledge them. You won’t get the greatest pleasure? Whose choice is it? destroyed or punished, the other shoe won’t Whose life? No one else is living it but you. drop, and your inspiration and creativity You have the strength to shake off those old voices. Like ropes made of glue, they grab at won’t run dry.

Grab a piece of paper and a pen. Pour out you to conform, to be what they want you to your feelings and thoughts right now. No or think you should be.

Remember the wise words of the great censoring.

Identify whose “voice” is talking you down: philosopher Dr. Seuss: “Be who you are and Whose “voice” is intoning that you don’t say what you feel because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t Yes, it’s true that: mind.” And fortify the directive with this •Chewing gum actually has rubber as an chaser from life and career coach Tama Kieves: “I allow myself to be uncorked, ingredient.

•In a day, a mature oak tree can draw unabashed, and showered with delicious good in every facet of my life.” approximately 50 gallons of water.

•Antarctica is the only land on earth not Shout to yourself: Take a deep breath. Open your arms wide. Repeat out loud: “I can stand owned by any country.

•Spiders usually have eight eyes, but not this. It’s not too good to be true. I’ve dreamed and worked all my life for this.” good eyesight.

And every time the anxiety demons hover •Another word for hiccups is “singultus.”

•In 1681, the last dodo bird died, hence the and sting, repeat this single self-booster, “I deserve joy in my writing!” phrase ‘dead as a dodo’.

With these methods, you’ll break through •It’s possible to lead a cow upstairs ... but and soar. Good luck! not downstairs.

THE ARTS

51

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, MAY 13, 2012

Glimpses of Africa Edozie Udeze, just back from Ife, Osun State, writes on the 5th African World Documentary Film Festival, that showcased the experiences of Africans at home and in the Diaspora

T

HROUGH the art of documentary film making, the life and culture of peoples of the world are made known to the public. That was what Professor Niyi Coker of the University of Missouri, Saint Louis, USA, had in mind when he, along with the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization (CBAAC) and the Institute of Cultural Studies, Obafemi Awolowo University, (OAU), Ile – Ife, Osun State, organised a five-day film and documentary festival last week.

Held at the Pit Theatre of OAU, and titled 2012 Africa World Documentary Film Festival and sponsored by Desmond Lee Foundation, the idea, according to Coker, was “to let us see and know some important events that have happened and are still happening in all parts of the world today”.

With about 60 films shown to the public, it was easy to glean through the dark years of Apartheid in South Africa, the evil powers of Emperor Haile Selessie of Ethiopia, the maltreatment of albinos in Tanzania, the ubiquitous nature of Voodoo practices in Haiti and why Obatala, Yemoja, Orisa, Esu and other native African deities and practices still persist in Cuba and Brazil and some parts of the Caribbean.

Essentially, the story of the Tanzanian albinos was more striking to viewers. They were seen as an eyesore to the public.

Their lives were endangered as they were often used for rituals throughout the country. And because of this, witchcraft became a normal day – to – day practice by the people. Both the albinos and the general public resorted to witch craft for succour. While the albinos sought their services for protection, the public consulted them to do away with the menace, seeing albinos as an aberration and harbingers of bad luck.

Any family that had one was quickly seen as an outcast as they were segregated against in schools and in public places. But with the intervention of some European charity groups, not too long ago, the Tanzanian government made a law to protect them.

Today, even though there are pockets of discriminations and malicious acts against them, their days are better now than before.

The films were assembled from many countries including Australia, Nigeria, Benin, Canada, USA, South Africa, Brazil, Libya, Uganda, Tanzania and lots more.

The celebration of the film festival was put in place to encourage students and other practitio-

ners to go into the field to do same.

“You see, Ford Foundation is interested in sponsoring projects like this. So, go for it”, Coker told the students and their teachers.

He equally challenged them to bring forth whatever they have been able to produce. “I promise you, I will show it in all parts of the world. What we are doing here today with this project is to let the Dramatic Arts students and their teachers realise that this is a profession they can pursue.”

Documentary film making is now dominant in the art sector across the globe. Through it people understand the history, the culture, life style, religious, social and political issues concerning the peoples of the world. Mostly, the films shown dwelt on the Africans wherever they are in the world. The story of the Garifuna journey from their Saint Vincent settlement in the Caribbean to the USA was equally thought-provoking and educative.

The Garifunas were from Africa as a result of slave trade. Today, because they deliberately refused to denounce their African cultures, they were hounded, tortured, maltreated, haunted and later driven to the USA where they now domicile and still stick to their African norms. There, they still worship their ancestors, eat their local foods, dress like Africans, produce cassava bread and generally remain their own persons.

Professor Remi Adeoti of the Institute of Cultural Studies, OAU, drew the attention of the students to the gains and objectives of the show. To him, it was a rare opportunity the students needed to encourage themselves go into film production and

•Scenes from African World Documentary Film Festival

documentary when they graduate.

Professor Tunde Babawale of CBAAC who featured in the opening ceremony was delighted to have so many films in one fell swoop. “This shows that we Africans have a lot to offer the world in terms of culture. Anywhere we are, we should portray what we have, for culture is strength”, he said.

Given the avalanche of historical exposures learnt from the films, Emma, a Dramatic Arts student of OAU, said, “I will begin now to show interest in this.”

•L-R: Profs Babawale, Salami, and Coker at the event

Parable Productions brings Ajapa back to schools

W

ITH the aim of boosting reading culture and restoring moral decency among School children, Parable Production is set to return folklore character, Ajapa the tortoise through its publications. According to Kingsley Idonijie, Head of Sales and Marketing of the production outfit, the brand owners of Ajapa, the desire to return to character to the lives of children stems from the dire need to bring morals back to the scheme of studies.

“The Ajapa we knew in the past is very tricky with all his funny adventures. He was always at the receiving end of the tricks even though sometimes he gets away with it even

By Ovwe Medeme

with all his wisdom and intelligence.

However, ours is a repentant Ajapa.

He has been there and done that so now he has decided to return with tales of lessons he has learnt. It is a moral character. It teaches the kids how to be wise and smart without being crafty and greedy,” Idonijie explained In addition to the moral factor, he further stated, is the need to aid school children to imbibe the reading culture. He said that in this computer age where children are hardly found reading books, reading culture has been on a sharp decline.

“They spend more of their time surfing the internet or watching TV.

What we are trying to do is to make reading entertaining for the kids. We have various medium by which we can do that. One of them is to go to schools and do storytelling. We have an old man who tells the story in a very unique African way. We will also do it in form of book reading sessions to whip up their interests. We also have DVDs which they can watch or the audio books which they can listen to. More importantly, there is the stage production in which they get to see the drama live,” Idonijie added Come June 1st, Idonijie said, Parable Productions will be staging a theatre drama. “We will be going round schools in a programme which we have tagged School Storm.

In that programme, we will be reading books to children, there will be a question and answer session, we will give out gifts and we will harness talents. We have our TV programme which we use to showcase the talents, kids that can play all types of musical instruments, that have done extra ordinary things; we will bring them to Ajapa TV and showcase them to other kids who are watching,” he further explained.

So far, he said, the activities of the production are sponsored by UNICEF. They also are in partnership with Fun Factory, Kid’s Republic and the Zamfara State Government, said Idonijie.

52

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, MAY 13, 2012

Arts/Reviews

A model science fiction A young boy once found himself wondering whether man came through evolution or was created by God. This fascination took him 25 years, the result of which is a science fiction entitled Vizan Tragedy. Edozie Udeze encountered this author, Kunle Awobodu who has created an ‘evolutionary’ novel as thrilling as the Darwian Theory of Evolution

I

N writing this science cum political fiction, Kunle Awobodu was able to create a suspense that is truly unparalleled in the history of literary fiction worldwide. He said the idea was triggered in him because of an incident that took place when he was a kid.

“It was something I couldn’t remove or erase from my psyche for a long time,” he began in a chat with this reporter.

That experience or episode was recorded thus in the opening page of the novel: “When a retired Nigerian soldier saw the strange headline of the Sunday Galaxy: Vizan Tragedy… little did she know that it was the thin end of wedge.

The story revived a question in her memory. She sent a copy of the newspaper to her friend in Europe. A magazine published the story. Weeks later, the Galaxy editor was bombarded with letters from different parts of the world. The inquisitive writers, believing that there was more to the story, requested that the newspaper carry out in-depth investigation. That was the genesis of a careful investigation that traversed four continents. Its outcome is adapted to this novel”.

The fiction took Awobodu 25 years to complete. “Because of the intense nature of the research work involved in the book, it took that long to complete. I didn’t want to come out with a science fiction that does not have an indepth research. That was why I put a lot of effort and work into it. By the time it came out in 2007, I was sure I had a book that can effectively compete with others anywhere in the world”, he explained, smiling with satisfaction.

The author stated further: “You see, man and ingenuity are two identical phenomena in the universe. Man cannot survive without ingenuity.

Ingenuity is a unique skill of man. Man’s ingenuity provides solutions to problems created by man and his environment. Therefore, ingenuity is as old as man”.

Owing to this profound concept and more, Awobodu decided to dedicate his novel to the Late Professor Ayodele

•Awobodu

Awojobi, an engineer and an academic, who in his words, “was a genius who epitomized the interface between science – technology and politics. Yes, I saw him as the mouthpiece of the common people; someone who devoted all his time and life to the propagation and discovery of scientific feat and exploration in Nigeria.”

The author, who studied Building Engineering both at Yaba College of Technology and the University of Lagos, was indeed conversant with scientific and technological terminologies that make for a good science fiction. He dwells on the story of Zansi and her son, Totenme, whose grandfather was a soldier in the thick forests of India in the Second World War. The intrigues involved in the story have plenty of medical terms to juxtapose the story itself. Once you open the first page, you are enthralled by the lucidity and clarity of the language. It grips you as you sieve through the pages to see what happened to the many mean and strange characters involved in the story.

According to Awobodu, the happenings in the Nigerian local political and scientific terrain can give one enough materials to do a comprehensive science fiction. “I was indeed fasci-

nated by our environment. Here politics and science are interwoven. All along, I had read so much and followed most of the things that happened in the society. And so, when the time came, it was easy for me to go to town with plenty of the information I had gathered,” he stated.

Initially, Awobodu was thrilled by the Darwian Theory of Evolution which has consistently maintained that man was ape-like in the beginning. This was one theory that got him thinking. “Oh, yes,”he squirmed, adjusting himself on his chair. “A popular and well-known man was once said to have been burn like an ape. In fact he looked more like a gorilla when he was born. He was said to have been born a strange creature.

And I asked myself in those early years of my research into this book, how can this be possible? It was in the process of that that the book developed into something bigger than I imagined”.

The book coming out in 449 pages shows a very serious work which the author said sapped his time and resources. “There were no publishers willing to take the work. When I had an offer to take it to Russia, I was advised not to do so because I’d lose it in transit. Today, it is a reality having been published by Vitrenal Limited, Lagos,” he said, with enthusiasm.

Owing to the porous nature of book marketing business in the country the novelist has assumed the role of the sole distributor of his work.

However, he still believes that something more pleasant and alluring can be worked out between him and the members of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) and those interested in the book business to make the book permeate the society.

Books

Showing the way forward

C

BAAC in the Hands of an ‘Unlikely’ CEO… Lifting African Arts and Culture beyond the Realm of Antiquity (2006 – 2010), is a book put together to denounce some cynics in the culture sector who often jump to conclusion once new appointments are made into the offices.

In compiling the stories that made up the book, the editors, McPhilip Nwachukwu, Akin Onipede and Femi Iyanda, took their time to look into the public and academic profiles of Professor Tunde Babawale, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization before he was appointed to that position in 2006.

Perhaps, because Babawale is (was) not a ‘core’ artiste in the reckoning of those who have chosen to be the watch – dog and champions of the culture sector in Nigeria, as soon as he was announced the substantive director, tongues began to wag.

Rumour mongers quickly went to town with myriad of stories that Babawale was incapable of handling the affairs of the Centre. The basic component of their reasoning and contention was that he was an ‘out-

By Edozie Udeze

sider’. To the cynics and critics, being a Historian and a Political Scientist, Babawale was not completely qualified to lead CBAAC, which until his appointment was almost a lame – duck centre; moribund, redundant and ineffective.

Today, the public has seen a better CBAAC, a more informed and versatile CEO who is ever eager and ready to take challenges thereby taking CBAAC beyond the confines of Nigeria. Today, the Centre has been able to fully perform its statutory mandate of projecting, protecting, preserving and presenting the cultural values of

How to live your vision

P

ERHAPS because of their fluency in thought and speech, the Yoruba people sometimes confuse me in the expression of their wisdom.

In one breath, they declare: “Omode o’le l’aso titi, k’oni akisa to agba…” (The child cannot outstrip the elder in his catalogue of old disused clothes). Before you can run too far with that, you are stopped with this: “Omode gbon, Agba gbon lase da ile Ife…” (Ife, the cradle of Yoruba land was created with the combined wisdom of both the young and old). And then, this, “Agba okan ogbon… (Literally meaning wisdom is not necessarily synonymous with advanced age).

It’s through the tainted glass of that seeming confusion or constellation of thoughts and sayings that I approach the review of Femi Onasanya’s One Missing Ingredient (OMI).

The booklet is a cornucopia of simple statements, or-

By Femi AkintundeJohnson

dinary ideas, common thoughts that when properly and fervently internalised will produce an extraordinary personality.

From the sympathetic to the profound; from the common-place of time-worn appears to the arcane historical personages and their iconic heritage, the author appears genuinely concerned and enamoured by the incredible wastage his generation is constructing for its future… and like a voice in the wilderness calling men and women to outreach, and surpass the limitations and sassivism of their environment… to reach for heights seemingly unattainable.

Onasanya’s One Missing Ingredients is well defined. Consistently descriptive in colourful shades characterisations, the author fleshes out “Persistence’ in many remarkable hues.

Chapter three reflects on

Oyegbile writes book on Jos/Ogbomoso

M

ULTI-AWARD winning journalist, Olayinka Oyegbile, has published a new book documenting the history of Ogbomoso People in Jos. The book titled; Home Away from Home…History of Ogbomoso People in Jos and published by Target Response Associates, a

Lagos-based publishing outfit, is aimed at putting in historical perspective, the contributions of the Ogbomoso people to the socio-economic development of Jos, the capital of Plateau State, and some other towns and villages in the state.

Chief (Dr.) Solomon Daushep Lar (CON), the first Executive Governor of Plateau State who wrote the foreword to the book described it as an invaluable documentation of the story of a people who travelled many miles to find a home where they have been able to actualise their dreams and harness their potentials.

He added that “It is a tribute to the original Nigerian spirit of love, peace and brotherhood and a lesson in the truism that there is strength in unity. The bond between the different ethnic nationalities in Nigeria is too strong to be severed by divisive tendencies orchestrated by people who only benefit from them.”

Beyond documenting the history of Ogbomoso people in Jos, Oyegbile in this book delve into the thorny issue of who is a citizen, indigene and settler.

It is a book that will provoke thoughts and deep reflection on our nationhood.

Africa across the globe.

All the articles written by the various newspapers mentioned in the book show how the Centre has been transformed from gloom to boom, from a mere civil service enclave to a glorious establishment, giving attention and impetus to issues of Africa, the black race and the Diaspora. It is a fact of history, very incontrovertible indeed, to assert that CBAAC is no longer confined to the usual arm – chair attitude characteristic of most Nigeria’s establishments meant to bring light, information and education to the people.

Some of the titles of the articles justify the confidence the CEO has brought into the system to now make him the ‘likely’ director. For example: That FESTAC and African History may remain in Focus, shows a man who has chosen to draw the interest of the Blacks outside the shores of Africa. In collaboration with the Brazilian government in 2008, the Centre moved to Rio de Janeiro where it gathered scholars from all over the world to discuss and chart recovery paths for endangered Black history and culture.

Since Babawale’s tenure, CBAAC has come to grips with its primary role.

Oyegbile, who currently works as a Deputy Editor with The Nation newspapers, was born in Jos where he had his early education. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communication from the Bayero University Kano and a Master of Art (Theatre Arts), University of Jos. He joined The Guardian in 1993 as a Sub Editor and has worked with The Punch, Daily Independent, Daily Times; TELL Magazine and Associate Editor of NEXT newspapers.

A widely travelled journalist, Oyegbile has won many international awards and fel-

lowships. He is a recipient of the prestigious Knight Fellowship of the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, Georgia, USA and the Public Health Fellowship of the World Health Organization. He is a Fellow of the American Cancer Society and Steve Biko Fellow of the Institute for the Advancement of Journalism, Johannesburg. Oyegbile is a member of the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICI) and has been the Lead Reporter for the Washington DC-based Global Integrity yearly publication of Corruption Notebook.

the reverse extremity of persistence – the Delilah treatment. Who says wisdom is found only in positive robes?

Samson and Delilah’s famous love-to-death story is upturned; not in celebration of the prostitute’s larcenous treachery, but more significantly, to underscore how penetrating the claws of persistence can go when unleashed on any task.

Yes, it can change the course of history; it can lead to complete destruction of the entire leadership of a country; Oh yes, it can provoke the first “suicide bomber” in recorded history.

To keep us rooted in the here and now, the author performs a SWOT analysis on Samson – and believe me, it makes good sense.

However, every enterprise has its obstacles and naysayers. Chapter four records sundry road-blocks to the stockpiling of Persistence fuel of success; Lack of vision, lack of commitment, pessimism, lack of self-esteem, past painful experience, lack of faith, discouragement, improper evaluation and investigation, inflation, family commitment and so on.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, MAY 13, 2012

53

‘Government must develop a coherent policy’ —PAGE 56

S

UNDAY ILOEGBEN, a Mobile Police Inspector had been married to Caroline for twenty years. The marriage was blessed with five children named Kemi [18], Lynda [16], Jenkins [14], Favour [11] and Ohis [7].

It was a close-knit family, or so many thought, until the dawn of April 12. On that fateful day the five children woke up to see their dying mother bleeding all over her body while their father was nowhere to be found.

Iloegben and his wife and children were living in a one room apartment at Olosan Police Barracks, Mushin. He was attached to the Area F, Ikeja.

Kemi, the eldest of the children had woken up around 3am on that morning to ease herself only to see her mother writhing in pains in the sitting room. According to her, "We live in a self contained apartment, and my parents slept on the mattress in the parlour while we, the children, slept in the room. I woke up around 3 am to go to the toilet I discovered that my father was not there on the bed. I then tried to wake my mother up to ask her of my father's whereabout, but I found her groaning in pains with blood gushing out from her head. I saw that a scarf was used to bandage it, I rushed to open the entrance door but it had been locked from outside.”

“I then went to the kitchen and jumped through the window and raised an alarm. Some of our neighbours came to my mother's assistance. She was then taken to two private hospitals but both rejected her for the wound was too much and she was bleeding. She was later taken to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, [LUTH] but she died the following day while receiving drips," a grief-stricken daughter told the The Nation.

It was gathered that there was no love lost between the couple.

Caroline, according to neighbours, had been living in agony with her husband who was always quarrelling with her and beating the children. She was said to have always retorted that she would stomach it all so as to save her marriage.

Corroborating the torture of their mother by their father, Lynda said "Our father used to beat us including our mother. Last year when our mother was ill, our father did not bother to take care of her. She had to relocate to the village to stay with her aged father who paid her hospital bills. She spent six months before regaining her health and later returned to Lagos.''

Kemi removed her clothes to show to our correspondent the evidence of the brutality their father meted out on her and her other siblings. According to the children their father was always beating them and their mother.

Furious temper

Lynda added that after their mother returned to Lagos following her trip home to treat herself some people tried to mediate peace and ensure they live in harmony but the father insisted he was tired of her. Kemi, on the other hand, said their father was always accusing their mother of being an obstacle to his progress. She de-

'Why did father kill our mother?'

A police officer was recently alleged to have hacked his wife to death. The suspect has since disappeared. Taiwo Abiodun met the five children of the deceased and reports

PHOTOS: TAIWO ABIODUN

•Children of the Iloegben

When The Nation visited the Olosan Police Barracks, the one room apartment the family had been occupying was deserted. A few of the neighbours who spoke to our correspondent confirmed that Iloegben was a tyrant and bully who ill-treated his entire family.

They were not surprised that he murdered his wife at last and bolted away.

A disturbed mind

One of the neighbours said, "The suspect is a drunkard and I believe something was wrong with him. If not-how would one kill a woman that has five children for him? He did not consider the ages of the children.

Range from 18 down to seven. It is a pity. Justice should be done.

Why is he on the run now if he knew what he did was right?''

The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Olosan Police Station confirmed that the suspect was on the run.

However, before the suspect bolted away he left behind some notes, which the children discovered when they were packing their property. In the view of Kemi, the crime was premeditated. "My father really planned this act as he removed all family photo albums that contained all the photographs from the house thinking nobody could trace him."

He left some notes behind. But reading through, the notes were unintelligible. Some parts read: OH!PEOPLE'S WIFE , YOU AE HERE DEAD, HOW ARE THE MIGHTY FALLING, NO THANKS TO PROSTITUTION……..THAT WAS THE EXIT OF A LONG THROAT , GREEDING AND WICKED WOMAN, THE XRACTER WHICH BROUGHT HER BACK AT LEAST TO GET THIS ''JUSTICE''…… OH! THAT WAS THE EXIT OF A CALOUS , HEARTLESS WICKED , GREEDING , A PROSTITUTE OF THE HIGHEST ORDER, BUT SENSELESS CALLED ''WOMAN'', WHAT AN END' But a careful reading of the message points to some of the accusations he had levelled against his wife -adultery etc. He also warned the police authorities not to bother to look for him. He wrote: Police ! Don't even waste time and energy to look for a long longsuffering and enduring man in the Hands Of A Heartless , Desperate and satanic called 'woman' cos I will do justice to myself to avoid sufering in your hands……

Lies, all lies

•The Suspect Inspector Iloegben

scribed him as being violent and always beating them over any minor offence they allegedly committed.

She stated, "Many times, while looking for his military beret, he would beat all of us, and saying we were obstacle to his progress.

There was a time he stopped us from going to school for three weeks.

When one of our teachers called him, he told him that he instructed

•The late Mrs. Iloegben

us not to go to school as our punishment. He did not have friends at all; he drives everybody away from him." On the accusations that their mother was an obstacle to their father's progress, the children said it was all a lie and a lame excuse. "He accused our mother of adultery, and said she was not educated and, civilized."

Meanwhile the children have left

the barracks and are now staying with Anthony Afeyodion, an uncle who is now acting as their guardian. Afeyodion said, "These children are now staying with me and my salary is meagre. I don't know how I can feed them and pay their school fees. My sister had always complained about him. In fact, I was shocked the way he treated her when she was sick. He did not care for her at all."

A neighbour to the family, Madam Peace Ebhomhal described the late Caroline as an easy- going and hard working woman. Testifying to the industry of the late woman, Ebhomhal said, "She was my neighbour, she could not hurt a fly. She was hard working and nice as a person. When she came back from the village and the husband did not want her to come in I allowed her to stay with me for some time. She got a job in a company and was managing herself and helping the children. Later she left my place. She was coming here to see the welfare of her children until the husband lured her to his house again. I was among those who took her to the hospital •Continue on Page 54

54

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, MAY 13, 2012

Life

Students unite against cancer

ing four campuses. A few lumps were found after screening from each school. This year's Campus Campaign was quite expository as youth joined the fight against breast and cervical cancer!" Mrs Orode Ryan-Okpu, the founder of Pink Pearl Foundation said.

Dignitaries from different universities graced the event, a number of which included a representative of the provost, Dr (Mrs) Patricia Igbigbi, the Chief Medical Director, Dr (Mrs) Bobola Agboule and the Dean of Student Affairs, Dr Emuh, all from Delta State University.

Group institutes award for journalists reporting cancer

T •Awareness in DELSU, Abraka Campus

T

O empower and enlighten the youth in the fight against breast and cervical cancers, Pink Pearl Foundation in 2008 launched campaign across the nation's universities. This year, the campaign was taken to four tertiary institutions. These are; Delta State University, Abraka and Anwai Campuses, University Of Benin and University of Port-Harcourt.

The campaign featured local presentations which were followed by intensive and informative lecture on breast and cervical cancers by Dr Ann Ojimba. After the lecture students engaged the

By Adeola Ogunlade

professionals with questions. Four university ambassadors were chosen after a thrilling quiz competition with each ambassador receiving N10,000 prize money.

One of the winners, Ogbogold Sandra from the University of Benin said, "I feel very delighted being an ambassador for such an educative foundation." She said she was motivated to attend the campaign after a scare of noticing an irregularity in one of her breasts. Though she knew about selfexamination, she was glad to know more about

cervical cancer.

The ambassadors were urged to continue to spread the word of early detection and cancer awareness to their immediate family, friends and community. Ewenode Ukane, ambassador for Delta State University, Abraka, suggested that the foundation should extend its reach to the rural areas where the level of cancer ignorance is at its highest. After the lecture in each of the universities, a combined population of about 327 students were screened for breast cancer with a few of them being diagnosed of either lumps or fluids.

"It was truly been a wonderful experience visit-

HE Sebeccly Cancer Care and support Centre has called for entries for its Best Reporter Cancer Awareness (BRCA) Awards.

A statement by the Centre said the award which was established last year was meant to "acknowledge excellence and commitment in cancer journalism and shed light on the pivotal role journalists play in informing the public on matters of cancer."

It said the media can raise awareness about ways of bridging gaps and addressing inequities in cancer, as well as portraying people's experience of the disease, adding that "The BRCA Award identifies journalists who promote intelligent and critical coverage of cancer issues."

The Award is open to journalists (electronic and print) who have demonstrated outstanding ability in covering cancer stories.

Stories should address cancer awareness and advocacy and entries should be submitted by May 31.

Details of how to enter for the awards are on the website www.sebecclycancercare.org Winners of the award will receive N100,000 each.

Wife murderer on the run 2

1

3

4

•Continued from Page 53

that night the husband killed her. There were wounds on her head, as blood was gushing out. It is a pity that the wicked man had to kill his wife for nothing."

Speaking further about the late Caroline, Ebhomal said she was a chaste woman and was not adulterous as alleged by the husband. She believed that the husband was mentally unbalanced and could be hiding nearby.

Victor Afeyodion who is an uncle to the deceased said the suspect married the late woman in Benin in 1992. According to him, "There was no traditional or court marriage to seal their union, and just about two weeks before killing her, the suspect was proposing to pay her dowry, not knowing it was all fake. The last time I saw the couple was when they had their second child, only for me to hear that he had killed his wife of over 20years. This is horrible,"

5

6

7

The late Caroline and her husband were members of the Jehovah Witness, the Kingdom Hall at Kayode Street, Onipanu, Lagos.

The children are very bitter against their father for killing their mother and have vowed never to forgive him. For Lynda, the only question she would like to ask her father anytime she sees him is: whether it is

right to kill their mother! Jenkins and Ohis, on the other hand, said, "We want to ask him whether he could replace our mother."

But for Favour, she wants to know the real offence her mother committed, saying "God will judge him for killing our mother. I don't even wish to see him.''

Drug-induced

On whether the suspect could be under the influence of drugs, the children and neighbours acknowledged that they know he smokeds and consumes lots of alcohol.

It was gathered that prior to the incident, he had alerted his family at home that he would soon go on official transfer and that they should not allow the wife's family to have access to the children.

However, what is not certain is the time

•Bromide of the suspect’s letters left behind

the man went to the village to instruct his people not to allow his wife's family to take the custody of his children.

Last week, the family, amid their grief buried their daughter. The suspect is still at large). They are now left to wonder how to take care of the five kids left behind as they are still in school.

Life

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, MAY 13, 2012

55

OAU Ile-Ife’s troubled House in Brazil D

ECADENCE in its myriad configurations would appear to have become a constant phenomenon in our poor, dear land. Stories abound of ineptitude and incompetence, of commitment to personal pockets rather than to the popular cause of true nationhood through concerted hard work and selfless agenda. Corruption proudly bears the emblem of Nigeria and, often enough, one wonders whether there would ever be any silver lining at the end of the ever-increasing tunnel. This writer is among the number so fed up as to have decided to keep mum because, as some would say, it is better to keep quiet than to run the risk of high blood pressure or hypertension and to become another candidate for space in the cemetery. Yet, silence is not always golden; for, we all know that it could in itself constitute an act of collusion with criminals who, in our land of plenty paradoxically caged in poverty, keep concocting potions of poison that they peddle as concrete plans and projects of patriotism.

From ivory to rubbish As a retired member of the once revered Ivory Tower now reduced to a near state of rubble and rubbish, one remains particularly interested in the evolution of our universities and intrigued by their decay and decadence. The usual sing-song of criticism and condemnation of Power isolated on the Abuja rock as culprit for that state of disgrace and inertia would impress only those struck by myopia and mediocrity.

For, if truth be told, the morass holding Nigeria hostage is all-encompassing, cutting across classes, and polluting the hearts and souls of millions of citizens. In essence, if Power is guilty of nameless crimes, the minions engaged in drudgery down below are dreaming every single day of their opportunity to reach the skies and taste of nirvana: ride the back of the down-trodden.

Bleed them until they become mere bones. Suck their blood and throw their skeletons to the voracious dogs of decadence. And the saga of murder and mayhem has held sway for many years.

One recalls the golden years of Nigeria's oil boom, the 80s, when representatives of Power purchased personal properties all over the global village. At the same time, Arab princes of Power were also engaged in like purchases, the only difference being that they spent the windfall to buy in the name of their nation. Thus downtown Atlanta, Georgia, in the United States, became an Arab enclave of skyscrapers as did other metropolis. Nigerian spending machines did not give a damn about their people.

Another memory: the disappearance of Nigeria Airways from national and international skies. Yes, the handwriting was on the wall but, as usual, no one cared. No patriotism. No pride. No consciousness. No commitment. While other nations kept afloat their airlines by all means necessary with full awareness of their importance as treasure and symbol of presence in the world, Nigerian Power blew up ours into smithereens. They offered an interesting explanation: the entity was no longer viable as it had been destroyed by Corruption; and the only logical action was to cut our losses and put the grounded elephant to perpetual sleep.

What, one might ask, has all that got to do with Obafemi Awolowo University, known as "Great Ife" for its pedigree of commitment, consciousness and overall avant-garde position in struggle, as well as promotion of its impressive motto, For Learning and Culture? The common

portant national service that must not be allowed to die. To avoid any doubt, let it be noted that Ife has never ceased to be at the forefront of laudable acts of cultural and intellectual awareness: take the example of the recent nomination and award of a doctorate honoris causa to the departed and much missed Afro-Brazilian writer-artist-activist-panAfricanist, Abdias do Nascimento.

The proposal was made by three prominent Ife ex-professors, Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka, ex-ViceChancellor Wande Abimbola, current Beninois Ambassador to UNESCO in Paris, Yai, and this writer.

Shattered hope Now, when the Ife House was purchased, the plan was to buy properties in other centres of the foreignlanguage year-abroad experience (in Francophone and Germanophone countries), with commercialisation in mind. Imagine if that plan had come to fruition, and how much hard currency would have accrued to OAU's coffers.

Imagine if, as this writer had recommended at the point of disengagement from OAU in 1987, the university had sought and found a means of transforming the Bahia property into a skyscraper gracing the tropical skies of Salvador, with the name of Ife or Nigeria emblazoned on its front wall, and what a windfall would have been accumulating in the institution's account. Without having done any investigation, one could still safely affirm that no other Nigerian university owns property abroad. It is common knowledge that the rulers of the land are anxious to pass down the burden of education financing to universities.

•Front view of the House

For reason to prevail

•Another side of the house

By Femi Ojo-Ade

denominator is the tendency to seek short-cut solutions to issues, to take the proverbial fire-brigade approach, and to sweep Corruption under the rug where it continues to fester and stymie progress and development. Furthermore, the OAU story that concerns us here is proof abundant that, in Nigeria, the ivory tower microcosm is essentially a chip off the macrocosmic block.

House of controversy

Some may already know the story of the OAU property in Salvador-Bahia, Brazil, but it might serve a purpose to inform those that do not know. Briefly, in the early 80s OAU decided to purchase a property in Brazil for the use of its students required to undergo the foreign-language year-abroad program there. The host university was and remains the Federal University of Bahia in Salvador. Part of the property would be let out to cover maintenance and other administrative costs. The property cost $45,000.00 (US), the then equivalent of some N30,000.00 Now, that act, seemingly simple and straightforward, became cause for eternal conflict and controversy; for, the anti-establishment forces were up in arms against what they

considered the administration's criminality. Perhaps the subsequent situation of inertia and neglect to which the property was later condemned could be traced to those early days of tall tales and blatant lies. For whatever reasons, the OAU House has never caught or retained the positive attention of various postpurchase administrations. It has been mired in abject neglect and has been source of litigation: a Brazilian attorney involved in the administration and being owed money by OAU took the university to court and the judge gave it one month to pay up or have the property auctioned. OAU had to scramble to send some $20,000.00 to save face and property.

There are other elements of maladministration galore.

The bottom line is that, rather than building upon what is no less than foresight on the part of the administration that purchased the property in the first place, subsequent executives have either paid little or no attention or tried to sell off the treasure. Treasure, you might ask? Yes, indeed: Consider first and foremost the question of culture. Salvador, Brazil's first ever capital city and the landing point of slaves, a vast number of whom were Yoruba from Nigeria, and the state of Bahia of which it is capital remain today

as "Africa in Diaspora," boasting an Afro population of some 75%. It need be stated that OAU's official presence in Brazil dates back to 1979 when the first exchange agreement was signed between it and University of Sao Paulo. That was soon followed by another pact with University of Brasilia with the last and most significant one, between OAU and Federal University of Bahia (UFBA), established in 1983. Race and culture thus determined the decision for preferring Bahia to other institutions, states and cities. Bahia is not only symbol of cultural continuity; it is a living example of our people's survival as humans against all odds.

OAU's presence, practically anchored upon the said property, is source of immense joy and pride. A casa da Ife (Ife House) has become synonymous with black brotherhood and sisterhood and Yoruba rootedness in Diaspora. It is only natural that Ife, cradle of our culture, cultivates such a firm relationship with Bahia, centre of cultural continuity and reconstructed bridges.

Obafemi Awolowo University, by purchasing that property and pursuing an academic programme that continues to train young men and women in a palpably conducive atmosphere, is carrying out a most im-

The question therefore is this: Why would OAU not maximise the unique opportunity to shore up its finances while simultaneously playing the noble role of cultural ambassador and intellectual trailblazer? As it was in past years so it is in the present: myopia and mediocrity couched in porous principles of pragmatism and sham patriotic concern for probity are making a hostage of simple common sense. In other climes where the search for paradise entails not a vigil by nightmarauding vigilantes hounding the Saviour with such fervour that He or She has refused to return to the hell below, but an allout endeavour to make heaven here on earth through concrete and concerted hard and honest work, universities, autonomous communities of exemplar intellectual pursuits of productivity and progress, seize every opportunity to make money for research and material development. There are endowments galore, and entrepreneurial engagements are encouraged so that the university may live up to its vaunted name of centre of intellectual, non-political, non-politicised activities and accomplishments. That is how first-class universities sow the seeds of their excellence.

So, the questions remain in regards of OAU's insistence on selling off the Brazil property: why destroy and not construct? Why choose retrogression over progress? Why kill instead of nurturing and cultivating? Why bulldoze bridges and not build them for the good of our students, our culture and our people? One explanation of the OAU decision would be that it is best to sell the •Continued on Page 56

56

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, MAY 13, 2012

Life

F

EMI Awoniyi had like most young men of his time (the Nigeria of the 90s) travelled to Germany in search of the proverbial Golden Fleece. For him, that meant one form of specialisation in metallurgy. After all, he graduated as a metallurgical engineer from the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife). However, a greater passion: writing, eventually directed his path toward another direction Journalism.

In a short while in far away Germany, he dumped engineering and became a journalist. “I’ve always had a love for the written word,” he said during a recent visit to Nigeria. “Although I did study engineering, I was always writing. I used to write articles for the Sketch Newspapers. I was a member of the Student Representative Council at the University of Ife. I was also once general secretary of Obafemi Awolowo Hall. So, I was politically aware. I did engineering because that was where I thought I could earn a good living.”

After his secondary school education at the legendary Christ’s School, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, Awoniyi heeded his cousin’s advice to study metallurgical engineering. He remembers the early 1980s as a period of great expectation of a steel revolution in the country with the projects in Osogbo, Katsina, Aladja, Itakpe and Ajaokuta.

“We felt the country needed the manpower. But, it was also exciting for me to participate in what we expected would be the basis of our technological revolution.”

He did his youth service at the Metallurgical Training Institute, Onitsha, where he was retained but opted to go to Delta Steel Company, Aladja, to work as Production Engineer. He worked there for three years before leaving for Germany in the early 1990s. His ambition was to get there and advance his studies in metallurgy.

However, upon getting to Germany, the challenges of living in a foreign land set in. “There’s a new language you have to learn entirely. You have to understand how the society and its institutions work. And the environment would let you know what’s possible for you to become and what would not be possible for you.”

He changed his plans and studied business and information manage-

‘How to solve Nigeria’s problems for good’ Femi Awoniyi publishes a magazine, African Courier, in Germany. The magazine is distributed throughout Europe. The engineer turned journalist/ publisher recently visited home and Joe Agbro Jr. met him. ment. And then reactivated his interest in journalism and started writing for newspapers.

It was an article “Haltet die Staatsdiebe,” (Stop the state robbers), he wrote on corruption in Africa and the collusion of Western banks in the influential German weekly DIE ZEIT in 1997 that eventually set him on his current path. “That article which I wrote out of fury... was chosen in 1997 as one of the ten most important articles that focused on issues that were not given adequate media attention in Germany.”

According to him, the public impact of his article gave him the confirmation that his future was in journalism. It would also lead to the birth of The African Courier the first issue of which hit the European news stands in February 1998.

The news and cultural magazine, which reports on African life in Europe and on Africa from an African perspective has been on for 14 years. It is available through paid subscription and at press shops in airports and train stations across Western Europe.

As a result of his work, Awoniyi is in constant touch with Africans and Nigerians in t h e Diaspora, particu-

•Awoniyi

or Femi Falana. In Germany, if there is any issue that calls for a public demonstration, when you see the calibre of people who are going to participate in that demonstration, you’ll be shocked. You have Bishops in their cassock; you have company executives, directors, students, and young people.

As citizens, we need to cultivate the attitude of ownership of the state. This means that if the government fails to do what it should do, the people should challenge the government. The people are the reason for the existence of the state. That is why you see protest actions permanently in Europe. In fact, the performance of a government depends on the pressure it is subjected to by the people.”

Awoniyi, who regularly visits Nigeria, is happy at what he calls “increased civil society consciousness.” But, he cautions; “The awareness is not yet fully there that the people have to own the process of governance in a democracy. A democratic government cannot just perform because it is benevolent. It will perform as a result of the pressure it feels from the electorate.”

How Nigeria can benefit from Germany Awoniyi also believes that Nigeria has a lot to learn from Germany, not only in governance, but especially in the area of industry. Lauding the Germans for not having a history of stealing mineral resources from foreign nations, Awoniyi said, “they have an economy that is not based on exploiting the Third World. Germans believe that we can achieve a lot with the resources that we possess in Nigeria. And Nigerians love Made-in-Germany products. I believe that we can benefit more from German expertise if we develop a strategic partnership with them.

For example, both countries have a Memorandum of Understanding on power, but nothing much has been achieved under that PHOTO: Joe Agbro Jr. agreement – and the fault is

larly in Europe.

“Nigerians are doing well in Europe; in their various social stations they mark themselves out as hardworking people. Anywhere they are – either as workers in the warehouse, factory floor, or as doctors or students or academics in universities, or as entrepreneurs in the major cities, Nigerians are known for being hardworking and determined to succeed. As a Nigerian, I’m really proud of my compatriots in the Diaspora.”

Governance in Nigeria The major lesson Awoniyi says he has learnt in his long sojourn in the West is “that everybody needs to be an active participant in t h e process of governance. We need thousands of W o l e Soyinka, Gani Fawehn im,i

on our side. Germans have the knowhow in many areas key to industrial and infrastructure development. We can develop a mutually-beneficial partnership with them to achieve our national goals.”

Creating jobs in Nigeria He believes that we should start producing many things that we consume and can produce.

“We need to bake bread with grains that are available locally. Europeans bake with wheat because that is what they grow. We can produce industrial starch from cassava. Ghana is already exporting cassava starch.

Build refineries so that we can stop importing petroleum products. Pursue the local content policy in the oil and gas industry more vigorously. Reactivate the steel plants. The government must develop a coherent policy that will make the country produce more goods and services – that is the only way to create employment and national wealth.”

Awoniyi agrees that the power situation is a major problem for industrial production, advising that state governments and private companies should jointly create industrial estates with dedicated power and water plants. “We can go round this infrastructure bottleneck.”

He is worried that power supply in the country has collapsed. To solve this problem, he said, “The federal government should hands off the business of electricity; the state and local governments should work with the private sector to manage the power business. Only then will we overcome this seemingly insurmountable problem.”

Ile-Ife’s troubled House •Continued from Page 55

property because it has been a source of too much grief and graft and corruption perpetrated with impunity by callous and clueless individuals.

This apparently reasonable position is absolutely untenable; for, those individuals have identity, with faces and names. In a system guided by law and order, nay, in a democracy, those accused of wrongdoing are made to pay retribution for their deeds. Thus, they and everyone else would learn a simple lesson of probity and accountability. Without bringing to light all that is wrong in the property saga, OAU would run the risk of spending an endless season in the mud of mismanagement and ineptitude of which a minority is guilty; nonetheless, the minority would no doubt sully the reputation of the majority. The Nigerian embassy in Brasilia has done the nation proud by sending reports on the issue at hand to the OAU administration. All the latter need do is act on those reports and recommendations.

The embassy's message remains unequivocal: selling off the property is not a viable option.

Finally, if OAU finds itself in a quandary or a cul-de-sac regarding the property, if it feels a certain inadequacy or incapability in managing and maintaining its piece of precious possession, then, rather than selling off and selling out, it should seek assistance from either the public (state

and federal governments) or private sector. Some years ago, during a heated debate over what to do with the property, the then OAU Registrar published a piece in the now defunct Sketch newspaper. In essence, he asked this writer to shut up, that he had no business commenting on any aspects of life at OAU since he had retired from the university. The response given at that time is being repeated here: every citizen of Nigeria has the right and the responsibility to speak out when he or she sees wrong ruling the roost, when rot is threatening to destroy the heart and soul of a society that deserves better, and when progress is being shackled by backward-looking people who should know better. Besides, every employee in a public institution cannot be deemed to be an outsider, particularly when, in this instance, the one accused of meddlesomeness rose to the height of his profession at that university. In addition to this response, OAU alumni, precisely those that benefited from the Portuguese programme and sojourned in Salvador-Bahia, are being called upon to make their voices heard. And one hopes that stakeholders, too, in public and private sectors, would weigh in so that, maybe for once, real reason may prevail.

Ojo-Ade (a former Head of Foreign Languages at OAU) is Professor Emeritus, St. Mary's College of Maryland, USA.

•A view from the back

57

BUSINESS

‘Advertising now stronger and bigger’

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, MAY 13, 2012

-- Page 59

Good riddance

Briefs

to PHCN’s debts?

Standard Chartered Bank, Foundation empower girls

I

N its quest to raise the standard of living among girls, the Standard Chartered Bank has restated its commitment towards building their skill set.

The bank gave this assurance at a forum held at the Ovie Brume Youth Centre, in Lagos.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Diran Olojo, Head Corporate Affairs, Standard Chartered Bank, who gave the welcome address, said the Goal Project, a unique project which focused on adolescent girls, had the support of the bank, because the bank believes women play a major role in the economic growth of their communities.

Speaking on the Goal Project, Mrs. Iwalola Akin-Jimoh, Executive Secretary, Youths Empowerment Foundation, said the theme of the Goal project was reaching new heights was first launched in 2006 India as a pilot.

Mrs. Akin-Jimoh said the project was to maximize the potentials of the girls through live skills they do on a daily basis, like interpersonal communications, building their self esteem, being financial independent and football training.

Expatiating, she said the Goal project runs in partnership with local and international nongovernmental organisations, adding that the girls are trained in capacity building and are also encouraged to reach out to girls in their communities.

Sharing their experiences, some of the beneficiaries, including Mukolu Blessing and Innocent Idowu from Surulere Girls Secondary school,Newland Secondary School,Ajegunle, respectively, said they have learnt the art of communicating with their peers as well as how to save money.

John Ofikhenua examines the proposed plan by the Federal Government to defray the N400billion debts owed by the Power Holding Company of Nigeria using the vehicle of the Nigeria Electricity Liability Management Company (NELMCO)

T

HE most sought after privatisation of the power sector will liberate the Power Holding of Nigeria Limited (PHCN) from debt, it was learnt from the Minister of Power, Prof.

Barth Nnaji. Speaking last week at the 2012 Ministerial Platform at Abuja, he pointed out that the Federal Government has now resolved to exit debt mostly in the power sector.

Following this decision, the government instituted the Nigeria Electricity Liability Management Company (NELMCO) to defray the debt.

The PHCN debt profile, according to him, is estimated at N400billion. Of this, fund, he said N24billion is owed to gas suppliers.

He said: “We owed the public debt. As I said, there is a lot of debt that have been accumulated by the PHCN. In fact, about N400billion.

It will be held by NELMCO. We don’t want any more debts to be accumulated on the head of government. It is part of the reason for the privatisation.”

The NELMCO Managing Director, Mr. Sam Agbogun has been on the move for the settlement of this debt. The company has since called on the various creditors to come forth for the verification of their claims.

He confirmed to The Nation that the Federal Government has the commitment and capacity to defray the liabilities. While stressing that government has resolved to settle the debt, he said N240billion was approved for NELMCO in the 2012 Appropriation Bill, which President Goodluck Jonathan signed into law. Therefore, upon the disbursement of the fund, the verified creditors would smile to the bank.

Also, as soon as the Federal Government and the Nigeria Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) settle their grievances over privatisation, NELCOM could sell some of the non-core assets of the PHCN to raise additional fund to meet up the settlement.

While noting that the company has not conducted a proper evaluation of the PHCN non-core assets, he hazarded a guess that government could rake in about N60billion from the sales. To ensure that government maintains a clean slate as far as electricity debt is concerned, Agbogun said government could seek discount from some of the creditors.

He said: “We have the capac-

ity. Don’t forget that the Federal Government is taking over these liabilities. Before now the PHCN itself has been part of the reform of the power sector to give the investors a clean bill. The Federal Government is making provision in the budget to settle them. So, that is the capacity that we have. In other words, we have Federal Government might behind us. Indeed, part of the reform is that this company should be set up and migrate some of these liabilities here and government will give us the resource to pay outside the sale of some non-core assets.”

Already, according to the NELCOM boss, the creditors have been responding to the call for verification. Thus, in the next two to three months, the company will commence payment since it has resolved to pay all the creditors in the next two to three years.

But there has also been the striking question of how the PHCN recorded such a frightening debt profile. Both Nnaji and Agbogun however have explanations for the question. To the minister who stated that PHCN is indebted to gas suppliers to the tune of N24billion, it was not collecting enough bills for the power it supplied. This, according to Nnaji, explains that there was no commercial structure in the power sector.

Continuing, he noted that the circumstance made the entity almost a non-commercial system, which was not attractive to investors. In the same vein, Agbogun opened up that there was an increase in the salaries of the members of the PHCN staff without a commensurate rise in the electricity tariff.

The NELCOM boss added that the most outstanding creditors are the power producers, which include Agip Nigeria Plc, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), Ibom Power, EAS and others. These major debtors said Agbogun supplied NEPA or PHCN some materials or embarked on some construction projects. He said some financial institutions like the World Bank, African Development Bank, Germany, Japan and others lent the Federal Government some funds to build power plants that are yet to be paid. Besides, some local creditors, though minimal, rendered some medical, insur-

•Barth-Nnaji

Firm, NGO make case for soy nutrient

D •Agbogun

ance and other services to PHCN. Besides, PHCN is indebted to the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Nigeria Gas Company and others. The PHCN is also indebted to First Bank, Union Bank and Afribank Plc. And their debt, said the Managing Director, attracts interest. Similarly, interest is incorporated into the Power Purchase Agreements. However, the Managing Director submitted that the interest which the debt has attracted so far is still lesser than N2billion.

His words: “I can give you an idea of who they are. The major creditors are the power producers.

The Shell, Agip, Ibom Power, EAS. These are the major creditors but we also have some foreign creditors, they are some companies that supplied PHCN or NEPA in those days some materials or did construction works. We also have some financial institutions like the World Bank, the ADB, then a few countries like Japan and Germany that gave Nigerian government

some loans to build power plants, which have not been paid. They are still there. So these are the major creditors. The local creditors are very minimal. They are not many. We have local creditors like those who provide service for PHCN like medical, insurance. We also have government creditors, we call them legacy debts. They are the ones owed Federal Inland Revenue Service, the one owed Nigeria Gas Company, the one owed NICON Insurance, the one owed Industrial Credit Fund. So these are parts of our creditors.”

The Federal Government has, however, saddled NELCOM with the responsibility of paying the PHCN pensioners. As at present, the monthly payroll is about N800million. But with the recent retirement of the Managing Director of the Transition Company of Nigeria (TCN) and other PHCN Executive Director, there was a slight upward adjustment.

EVELOPMENT Communication Networks, a nongovernmental organisation in partnership with AllTech Nutrient Limited, have stressed the need for soy nutrients among the public.

They made this call at a public forum in Lagos.

Addressing journalists, Mrs. Iwalola Akin-Jimoh, a nutritionist and the Executive of Ovie Brume Foundation said stressed the importance of soy nutrient to the body.

According to her, soya beans was discovered in Asia and has been known to prevent non communicable diseases as well as serve as a good formula for babies.

Besides, she said when consumed in processed form make humans healthy and it also reduces the risk of breast cancer in women.

She further said that soy which is high in vitamin B and E helps to purify the body because of its essential amino acids when consumed at the recommended level.

In his own words, Mr. Chimezie Obialor of AllTech Nutrient Limited described the amazing values of soya beans.

According to him, soy beans have the highest protein contents of 40 percent and it is among the most valuable food products in the world.

He said that isoflavens contained in soy helps the immune system to function properly, and that soy beans as a good source of protein helps to prevent diseases and it is also cost effective.

In a related development, a soy tasting forum was organised for students of Victoria Island secondary school, with Mr. Akin-jimoh, Programme Director, Development Communication Networks addressing the students on the nutritional values of soya beans.

58

THE NATION ON SUNDAY MAY 13, 2012

Business Intelligence

GROUP of retired officers of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) are at daggers drawn with the customs high command over inability to get their retirement benefits.

Mr. Edet Esin, a retired Public Relations Officer (PRO) whose last station was the Western Marine Command, Lagos said he and others who retired from service between 2004 when the new pension scheme came into force and 2009, are going through hard times, and this is having negative effects on their lives and families.

The retired former PRO said he was recruited into the NCS on December 2, 1974 and retired December 2, 2009 after putting in 35

A

Customs retirees kick over unpaid entitlements

By Uyoatta Eshiet

years of service and attaining 60 years of age as required by law.

Esin, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues, said at PENCOM office in Abuja in March 2011, he was told that the Commission has nothing to do with Customs money, that Customs remitted Officers’ retirement benefits direct to the PFAs. He said he is pleading with the

Federal Government to come to their aid and remove them from the new pension scheme and return them to the old one.

The retired PRO said Premium Pensions sent him a message that the token he received is what he will be receiving for 18 years which they have apportioned his retirement savings into from February 2010. For some others, Esin declared that their situa-

PHOTO SHOP

tion is even worse as their entitlement will elapse in 10 years and after that no more pensions for them for the rest of their lives.

Another member of the group, Mr. Augustine Akerele who retired as Superintendent of Customs on grade level 11 after 31 years and eight months of service, said there was disparity between what he was paid as the initial lump sum and what was paid to some of his colleagues who retired on the same grade level, salary, and the same rank.

Akerele said he complained to the National Pension Commission

through the Office of the Defense of Human Rights, Lagos State branch, Right House, 43, Adeniyi Jones Avenue, Ikeja when PPL was not forthcoming with satisfactory answers to his fears. In response, the National Pension Commission told him to send all his details to them, which he did.

However, he said for about a year now, there has been no further response from the Commission or PPL, his PFA. Mr. Ita Jeremiah Umoh, another customs retiree, complained that his own PFA, which is IBTC Pensions Limited does not pay interest on his money which he believes

they are using to invest. He said he is paid a static amount every month despite the interest his money is yielding for IBTC Pensions Limited. Another fear expressed is that he was told that his money will be exhausted in 15 years and after this, no more payment for him that there is no documentation to this effect. He complained.

Reacting to the fears expressed by the retirees, Mrs. Funmi Femi Obalemo, Head, Corporate Affairs Department, Premium Pensions Limited (PPL), said there is no cause for alarm. She said for any retiree who wishes to collect more lump sum out of his retirement savings with any of the PFAs, the new PENCOM policy is that such a retiree should apply to the Commission and upon approval which depends on some factors, such additional lump sum could be paid to the retiree.

Foundation boosts youth’s career development

A

•From left: Professor Francis Ojaide, president, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) with Chief Chris Eyitemi Orode, guest of honour at the 49th induction ceremony for new members of the institute in Lagos recently…

•L-R: Thelma Ekiyor, Executive Director, TY Danjuma Foundation; Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, Minister for Youth Development; Mosunmola Umoru and Goriola Daniel, entrepreneurs at the TY Danjuma Foundation 2012 Career Day held in Benin City, Edo State...recently

S part of its objectives of improving the lives of youths in Nigeria, TY Danjuma Foundation (TYDF), an indigenous philanthropic organisation has equipped over 1,000 youths with skills on career success and business development. At its 2012 Career Day event which was held in Benin City, Edo State, the Foundation provided the youths with life-building skills and an opportunity to interact with accomplished Nigerians that could serve as mentors.

Speaking at the event, themed “Developing the Capacity of Youths to Build Successful Careers and Businesses”, the Executive Director, TY Danjuma Foundation Ms. Thelma Ekiyor, said the Career Day is the contribution of the Foundation towards career development among Nigerian youths.

“The youths are key in the development of any nation. They are the long term investment of any responsible society. If their future is mismanaged, then we as a nation may be missing out on an important aspect of our future” Ekiyor explained On the high level of unemployment among youths in the country, Ekiyor chal-

lenged participants at the event to take the bull by the horn and attempt becoming employers themselves and be determined to discover the geniuses in them.

“We have to take the bull by the horn and start to chart our own course. Facebook was started by a young person.

Microsoft at a time was also created by a young person.

Even the life bulb at a time was invented by a young person, which means we can discover that genius in us. That is the challenge for the youths today because Nigeria is not a country of beggars but of initiators,” Ekiyor said.

The TYDF Career Day, which was first held in Abuja in 2010, has recorded successful stories of attendees who have utilised the opportunities provided at the forum to improve their lives. According to Ekiyor, such success stories are what the Foundation seeks to achieve.

“As a Foundation, TYDF through its Income Generating Programme is committed to providing grants to young people and youth organisations that are ready to contribute to this vital aspect of our national development.

They simply need to develop feasible proposals that will be judiciously implemented”, Ekiyor further explained.

In his address, the Minis-

MARBLE AND GRANITE CARE Artistic uses of marble S CULPTURE isn’t the only artistic use of marble.

One of the most precious ways to employ Marble is the creation of elaborate mosaics.

This technique, perfected by the Romans, allows the natural beauty of the stone to shine through both abstract geometrical patterns as well as perfectly realistic images.

Any residential or

commercial building has several important exterior components.

They are important for the visual appeal of the building and they are also among the essential things for building’s durability.

Some of such important components are exterior walls and columns.

For both these options,

nowadays people prefer using natural stone products.

Marble exterior is an excellent way of giving magnificent look to home exterior. Especially developed marble columns in different variants (size and designs) make it easy for people to choose their options.

Apart from that, marble and granite products are also used widely in construction of landscaped gardens.

Marble benches are a must for any backyard gardens.

For pavements, one and only option is to use sandstone tiles.

They are perfect for pavements.

However, marble tiles are also used by some of the people who can’t compromise with the quality, and for whom cost doesn’t matter.

ter for Youth Development, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, commended the TY Danjuma Foundation for taking the initiative to develop the capacity of Nigerian youths.

“This is the first time my Ministry is having an opportunity to engage youths this large at a forum on career development and I would say it is worthwhile because we must build the capacity of the youths for the nation to develop,” Abdullahi said.

Looking at the statistics of unemployed youths in Nigeria, Mallam Abdullahi said the TYDF Career Day could not have come at a better time.

In a related development, the Foundation has also supported NGOs that provide free medical services in selected deprived communities. Through these organisations, medical services were provided for over 100,000 people. The treatment provided consisted of surgeries, gynaecological procedures, eye care and the treatment of river blindness.

Based on the recommendations from the Taraba interventions, the Foundation will continue with the provision of free medical services primarily in Taraba and Edo States, and incrementally across the country. .

Business

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, MAY 13, 2012

INTERVIEW

F

IRST, can you tell us about your experience at Rosabel?

Well, I will want to take this opportunity to thank Senator Akin Odunsi and Otunba Tunde Adelaja for opening the doors for me to enter into the advertising world. They have been my inspiration from day one. Their desire to set standard in the industry is what I believe still keeps us going at Rosabel.

My experience at Rosabel has been that of a sailor going round the world discovering new grounds and opportunities. Here at Rosabel, we are never satisfied with the status quo. We constantly challenge conventional thinking and keep asking the relevant questions. I guess that was the foundation our founding father laid. So, I am not surprised that are still standing strong in the game.

I will say that at the time Rosabel was established in the 80’s, we were proud to come out from an existing foreign agency.

Rosabel is affiliated to Leo Burnett and it is a group of five companies which are Rosabel Group, Rosabel LeoBurnett, Rosabel Leodirect (a direct marketing and activation company), Bytesize (an On-line media company), and two independent media bodies which are Momentum Media and Starcom Media. At the time Rosabel started, advertising industry is more like a service thing.

If your client didn’t pay, and you had no work. But then, we had a rapid growth and our quality can be favourably compared with foreign agencies. The kind of recession we had last year affected us a bit but that did not make us not to deliver well. I don’t know of any agencies that have won eleven awards but we did despite the recession we had.

What is the secret of the agency’s success?

Three words, integrity, passion and vision. These three values keep driving us despite the economic condition and still, we won awards; integrity because we are not out just to make money, we are out to build brands. When building a brand, we tell ourselves and our clients the truth. It is case of confronting reality. We don’t claim to know it all. We learn every day.

Secondly, the passion for doing great works never dies in Rosabel. In fact, it is the core of our DNA. When you walk through our doors, you’ll feel it, see it and acknowledge it. It is same passion our founding fathers demonstrated in building some of the great brands of our time. Brands like Seaman’s Schnapps, TomTom, Bournvita.

Our vision is so simple. To be best not just in Nigeria, but Africa. I believe these three pillars have helped us to be where we are today and will take us to where we are going, Africa!

We’ve realised that most advertisers are cutting their advertising budget to stay afloat. Will this not affect you?

It’s unfortunate, but it is the truth. You wouldn’t blame them. That is what you expect every average brand owner to do. Some are beginning to look for other ways of doing cheap advertising through what is now commonly referred to as ‘new media’. These they believe will be cheaper and reach the desired audience. The question is, is it working? Is it affecting sales? It should not be

…THIS WEEK IN BUSINESS

N

IGERIANS using or trading in used television sets and radios, popuparly called Tokunbo have been asked to prepare to change their sets or change their trade before 2015 when a new law banning the importation of the items is expected to be in operation.

The Director-General (DG) of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Mr Yomi Bolarinwa, disclosed this in his lecture at the Oyo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. The lecture was organised as part of the capacity building program of the union.

He spoke on the topic: “NBC: The challenges of transition from analogue to digital broadcasting.”

The proposed ban, according to Bolarinwa, was aimed at meeting the 2015 deadline set by the International Telecom-

‘Advertising now stronger and bigger’ Mr. Clement Omemu is the Executive Creative Director, Rosabel Nigeria, one of the leading advertising agencies in the country. In this interview with Toba Agboola, he speaks on advertising practice in the country and other related issues about spending less. It should be about strategy.

The strategy that understands the lifestyle of the consumer. If the consumer spends more time on television, or the internet, you cannot afford to run away from that. You must meet him there. I think that is the best approach to advertising. Not just cutting costs for the sake of it.

There is this allegation that advertising agencies are owing media lots of money.

How true is this?

This process is a chain reaction. If clients owe you, to pay the media may be difficult and at the same time you might not have much credit. If we are not paid by our clients, therefore, agency will not pay the media. All we need to do was to make a format that ‘no pay, no work’. At a point, we made a standard of 70 per cent payment before any work would be done. But now, I think the relationship is good. However, where we have problem is a situation whereby the media is trying to take the job from us and do it themselves and at the same time, they try to make the money. I think every business has the problem of credit issue where clients will not pay. However this problem of the media trying to do the work of advertising agencies has been addressed by APCON where the media and advertising agency operate separately.

The industry in some sense is still governed by some understanding of credit. I mean credit regime that is permissible. But sometimes, when you do work for clients, it is not every of such service that you carry out that is pre-paid for. The reality is that

• Omemu

some of those things are done based on an understanding that they pay under a particular period of time, say for instance after 30 days or 40 days. In total, you cannot remove the bit about credit financing from the advertising practice. What everybody is asking for is some decent regime of ensuring that debts are not allowed to linger on for too long.

What can lead to a client change it advertising agency?

Sometimes, it is about management policies. Management could say they are tired of the works done by a particular agency and decide to change. There are times when a new management could want new agency. Sometimes, bad work could be the reason for change of agency. But in our own case at Rosabel LeoBurnett, it is not bad work but management decision to change agency.

What’s your view about barter arrangement in the industry?

For me, barter arrangement is not a good business. Some advertiser who sells cars will say they want to give cars in the place of creative cost minus the production cost

59

(which they will handle).

People will say they will give you cars minus production and creative cost. People do it but for me, I don’t like it. How do you quantify the value of the cars and the production and creative cost? Most times, the value will not be equal, and that is why it should not be encouraged in the industry.

That is my own opinion; it is not a good practice.

The question is, can you quantify the value of intellectual property with a Corolla?

Please this should not be encouraged. It is an insult to the value of intellectual property. Whatever agency that agrees to do that is simply desperate.

Where do you see advertising agencies in the next 10 years?

I do not see it coming down. Just like any other outfits, advertising is good as we see; everybody is looking for investment in Africa and Nigeria. This will only encourage other advert agencies to come to Nigeria and with this, advertising will grow.

Some buy local agencies and some get affiliated. So, it will only get better but the best thing for local agencies is to invest in manpower and technical know-how.

Most of us in this business are passionate about what we do. Ten years back, the Nigerian music industry was not like this, but the crop of p a s sionate musicians getting into the industry raised the bar of the industry.

In the past, we used to have media and advert agencies together but now, they are operating separately having web agency, media agency and advertising agency and more can still be created. So, the industry will expand and grow.

The success that a number of the brands in telecoms, banking and FMCG or in any of the major segment of the Nigerian economy and indeed the global economy have been quite enormous. The advances that some banks have made can be linked to the power and strength of marketing communications, chief of which is advertising. I don’t have any doubt in my mind that advertising will continually be relevant to the growth and sustenance of internal relevance of brands.

How do you combine work with family?

Whatever you do, try to find time for each of your commitments. The work we do is quite stressful, there is no closing time; we are called on anytime to work to make sure your client is happy but you have to create a balance. Although, i could have so many things to do but i have to balance everything.

You cannot give everything equal attention.

Nigeria to ban used TVs, radios by 2015 From Bisi Oladele and Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

munication Union (ITU) on full digitisation of Broadcasting Industry from analogue to digital (UHF) and VHF by 2020.

Bolarinwa, who was represented by the Secretary to the commission, Mr Mark Adeiza Ojiah, said the law would protect Nigerians from buying non-digital TV sets, adding: “appropriate regulation will be enacted to stop the importation of analogue broadcast and receiver equipment and enforce the placement of warning signs by store owners and importers who have inventory of analogue equipment that such receivers may not receive digital content at switchover except when plugged to a settop-box.”

He warned importers of tokunbo tv sets to keep abreast of new developments in the

industry to prevent them from losing out in business completely by 2015.

This came as StarTimes , a leading Pay TV service provider, pledged to transform Nigeria from analogue to digital communication system by 2015 .

It pledged to accomplish this by reducing the cost of its decoder from N7000 to N3,900.

The General Manager of the company, Mr Rocky Tiang told reporters in Ibadan that the offer was in line with the deadline of transforming from analogue to digital before 2015, adding that the Minister of Information, Labaran Maku recently released a deadline for analogue TV broadcast in Nigeria.

Don, others for CSR Roundtable Thursday

P

ROF. Chris Ogbechie, a faculty member of the Lagos Business School will on Thursday deliver the lead paper at a Corporate Social Responsibility Roundtable at the Exclusive Penthouse Hotel, Mulliner Towers, Ikoyi.

Tagged: “Nigeria’s Food Security Challenges: Opportunities for CSR, Brand Building and Integrated Solutions”, it will attract players in the public and private sectors.

According to the organisers, the forum is being organised to assist corporate organisations adopt new approaches and trends in their CSR delivery.

The event which is a prelude to the 2012 Agrikexpo Exhibition scheduled for August and sponsored by the Nigeria British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC).

The CSR event is free but attendance is strictly by invitation.

Business

60

THE NATION ON SUNDAY MAY 13, 2011

COMPANY NEWS

Yakowa repositions healthcare Beyond Talent K

ADUNA State Governor, Mr. Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa has reiterated the state government’s commitment to providing quality healthcare to the people of the state, disclosing that a team of professionals has been put in place to reposition the ministry of health for quality healthcare service delivery.

The governor who spoke when Partnership for Transforming Health System (PATHS 2), Kaduna office led by the State Team Leader, Dr. Gafar Alawode paid him a courtesy visit at Government House, Kaduna, said he has put in place a team of professionals to revive the Ministry of Health and the entire health sector in the state for better result.

Company launches e-payment solution

T

HE Managing Director of Upperlink Limited, an electronic payment service provider, Mr. Segun Akano, has said with the PayChoice payment solution, fraud associated in business transaction will be reduced to minimal.

He gave the remarks when financial and academic stakeholders gathered at the official launching of the PayChoice payment solution at the Lagos City Polytechnic, Lagos.

He said: “With PayChoice solution, business transaction associated with payment will have a boost because it will ease out cases of frauds. This has even been made easy that through internet you could just use any of the networks

By Musa Odoshimokhe

to make payment at home without having to visit the banks.

“We have used the Lagos City Polytechnic as starting point in our financial experiments. That is why we are launching PayChoice here and it will not be long to get to other institutions to help them facilitate payment by checking fraud.”

Responding, the chairman of the Lagos City Polytechnic, Mr. Babatunde Odufuwa, noted that PayChoice is a big innovation in business transaction because it was capable of exposing any fraudulent transaction within the swiftest time.

Governor Yakowa who expressed optimism that with the crop of professionals, including the State Primary Health Care Agency and State Drugs Management Agency in place, achievement of set goals in the health sector was feasible, assured that if they work diligently within the mandate, the people will enjoy quality healthcare.

“I have put together a team in the ministry as you can see, for the first time. I decided to professionalise the Ministry of Health. From the Commissioner, Permanent Secretary to the two new Executive Secretaries for the agencies, all are professionals because of the importance I attach to quality healthcare to the people. This is why they have no excuse whatsoever to fail in their responsibilities. More so, with the kind of support the state government is getting from

Firm offers bargain at 70% sales reduction in UK

A

N online portal, Mannastores.com has concluded plans to give free designers perfume to customers who buy through its online portal regardless of the value of their purchase.

The Chief Executive Officer of MannaStores, Ayoola Benson, made this known in a release issued in Lagos.

20 Nigerians bag awards in USA

T

H E F e d e r a l Government local content initiative in the oil and gas and allied sectors of the economy received a boost recently as 20 Nigerian youths trained in pipeline and undersea welding at Samsung Heavy Industries’ Geoje Shipyard, in South Korea, arrived through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, aboard Emirates Airlines.

The arrival of the 20

youths from Korea comes after the successful completion of their one month intensive training leading to the award of the American Welding Society three filet Tag and four filet Tag certificates from the Samsung Heavy Industries Shipyard in South Korea.

The trainees were the first batch of the Nigerian youths designated for such training, by Samsung Heavy Machineries Nigeria Limited.

DFID- PATHS 2 and other partners, the state government is determined to improve healthcare service delivery”, he said.

According to him, discussions are ongoing with health committee members in the state House of Assembly and other stakeholders on the challenges facing the state in terms of providing quality healthcare to the citizenry.

Expatiating, Yakowa pointed out that there was no need to start building new clinics here and there in the local governments.

Earlier, Alawode disclosed that the state has started taking delivery of drugs and medical equipment, with sizable number expected later this month even as he urged the governor to take part in the official commissioning when the state takes complete delivery of the commodities.

They were received on arrival by top officials of Samsung Heavy Industries Nigeria Ltd. Among whom were the Managing Director, Mr. Jejin Jeon and the company’s General Manager, Mr. Frank Ejizu.

Speaking at the brief arrival ceremony, Ejizu who spoke on behalf of the Samsung Heavy Industries, the facilitators said Samsung has through the training, demonstrated its belief in the capacity building for

By Adeola Ogunlade

According to him, the freebies is to reward customers old and new to take advantage of bargains available now in UK as big retailers are selling at up to 80 percent reduction of their retail prices as the new season approaches.

He that said that the firm also pays for subscriptions, school fees and software on behalf of customers within one hour of the order. This, he said, makes life easy for Nigerians in need of such services.

Benson said, “whatever the traders sell, his firm has database of information of wholesalers where they can get good quality goods cheaper than anywhere else, adding that the firm promises to give traders free featured adverts worth =N=5000 on their popular classified website www.mannamart.com with high volume traffic daily of people looking for bargains.”

Millionaire emerges at maltina promo

T

HADDEUS Ogadinma Ozuzu, a pure water seller from Imo State, is among the lucky millionaires that have emerged in the Maltina promo.

His fortune changed precisely on April 12, 2012 when he decided to quench his thirst as he always does at a popular provision store close to his house. He contemplated buying a bottle of his favourite malt drink, Maltina or two bottles of Coca-Cola, he deliberated on this in his mind and he later opted for Maltina “because I believe it will hold my stomach well before I finish preparing dinner.” That singular action appears to have changed his life for good.

Opening the bottle of Maltina, he decided to take a look under the crown cork because the previous week he saw a Television Commercial (TVC) where the brand is offering five new homes and millions of prizes as reward

• From left: Andrew Okwudu, Regional Business Manager (SBU) Nigerian Breweries Plc, presenting the N1m ATM to Ogadimma, first winner in the Maltina “sharing happiness promo”

to its consumers.’ “Immediately I turned the crown cork my heart stopped beating for a moment. I saw the letters N1M, this must be a dream I told myself. I then showed it

to the lady that sold the Maltina to me and she shouted, the shout attracted other bystanders, one of them even lifted me up.”

Not knowing what to do

next, the shop owner directed him to the nearest redemption centre where he presented his winning crown cork. He was later directed to the nearest Nigerian Breweries office where the necessary documentations were made and he was subsequently congratulated and presented with a Maltina branded ATM card to the tune of N1million because the brand supports the Federal Governments cashless policy.

“After filling the necessary bank form, I was handed the ATM card that will give me access to my money. It was at this moment that it dawned on me that I am now a millionaire, something I could only become in my dreams.”

Acknowledging Thaddeus’s commendation, Mrs. Ngozi Nkwoji, Senior Brand Manager, Maltina said the brand is all about “sharing happiness” and family bonding.

By Adetayo Okusanya Email: adetayookusanya@hotmail.com

In the words of lao tzu

W

E should every night call ourselves to an account; What infirmity have I mastered today? What passions opposed? What temptation resisted? What virtue acquired? Our vices will abort of themselves if they be brought every day to the shrift. – Seneca Last week, I introduced the concept of building one’s career by design and not by default. I established the distinction between “a default career” and “a designer career”. I also made the case that the ultimate responsibility for the successful development of a career, rests largely on the shoulders of the person to whom that career belongs, with everyone else playing a supporting role at best. With that as a backdrop, we will now examine the role that self-awareness plays in the development of a “designer career”.

At the heart of every great design lies purpose and at the root of purpose you will find intent, resolve and determination. Purpose is what distinguishes the design of a house from that of an office building or restaurant.

Purpose is what distinguishes the design of a nursery from that of the master suite or kitchen.

Purpose is what distinguishes the design of a car from that of an airplane or yacht. Purpose, is the “WHY” that drives us to do what we do. It is said that why we do what we do is often times more important than what we do. I believe that each of us has a purpose. Sadly, very few of us will discover our purpose early enough in our life time to make the most of it. To discover purpose, you must embark on a journey of self-discovery that culminates in selfawareness. Lao Tzu said, “He who knows others is WISE. He who knows himself is ENLIGHTENED.” Are you enlightened?

Do you know why you think, feel and act the way you do?

Why you said what you said, the way you said it. Why you reacted the way you did to what someone else said or did.

Why you like certain things and dislike others. Why you got along famously with one manager and fell out of favor with the other. Why you loved one job and totally hated another.

Why you may be best suited for one profession and not another.

To be “self-aware” is to pay attention to your inner state, the unseen things about you such as your thoughts, feelings, intentions, beliefs, expectations, aspirations, preferences, resources, intuition etc., which influence the things that are seen or experienced such as your words, actions, behavior, dressing, demeanor, personality, etc. A psychotherapist described it as “bringing to the conscious mind an understanding of the compulsions that push us around”. Besides self-observation and self-reflection, a great way to gain quick self-awareness is to undertake a personality assessment, which is a questionnaire designed to reveal aspects of your character or psychological makeup. Such revelations are often very useful in helping you make decisions about your choice of profession, industry, employer, job, work environment and career, to mention a few. There are a number of good personality assessment tools available on the internet. I have personally used Insights Discovery, Myers Briggs (MBTI) and DISC and they are all consistent in their description of my preferences.

Insights Discovery, my preferred personality assessment tool, describes me as having a dominant preference for Cool Blue energy, one of four primary color energies. The other Insight color energies are Fiery Red, Sunshine Yellow and Earth Green. Individuals that lead with Cool Blue color energy are self-contained and possess a strong desire to know, analyze and understand the world around them. We have a strong need for clarity and like to think before we act. We are also great at maintaining a detached and objective stand point.

Cool Blues place high value on independence and intellect and adopt a shared approach to problem solving. We are valued for our knowledge, thoughtfulness, logic, focus, patience, precision, prudence, caution, discretion, composure, diligence, consistency, attention to detail and ability to think before speaking. On the flip side, others can be frustrated by our perfectionism, reserve, excessive concern with process and organization and preference for working alone. This self-knowledge has been invaluable in the development of my career.

Self-awareness is a precursor to effective self-management, which in turn is a key ingredient for success in life. Get to know yourself and understand how you are configured. Become well acquainted with your preferences so that you can build a career that leverages the things that you are naturally wired to succeed in? Be educated, not only in the external word around you, but also in the internal world within you.

Invest today in figuring yourself out and fifty years from now, you won’t look back on your life wondering if you wasted precious time in the wrong profession. Get an Insights Discovery Profile and discover whether you are Cool Blue like me, Fiery Red, Sunshine Yellow or Earth Green.

• Okusanya is CEO of ReadinessEdge

61

WORLD NEWS THE NATION ON SUNDAY MAY 13, 2012

V

LADIMIR Putin appeared to shed tears of joy the night he won back the presidency in March. After less than a week in office, he may be tempted to shed some in frustration.

Since his inauguration on Monday, the man whose 2000-2008 presidency was characterized by steely control and a cowed opposition has faced a wave of confrontations and misfortunes.

Opposition activists, energized by this winter’s unprecedented wave of massive protest rallies and angered by Putin’s March 4 re-election, which they claim was riddled with vote fraud, are showing new willingness to risk arrest and police beatings.

A corps of the most determined has occupied a Moscow square since Wednesday.

Although small in number, the defiance is significant in a country where unauthorized rallies are routinely dispersed with force.

Putin has also taken hits on other fronts.

An airliner that is the pride of Russia’s campaign to regain a foothold in the civilian aviation industry crashed Wednesday under mysterious circumstances in Indonesia. The next day, a project of even greater

Putin’s first week sees wave of challenges

By JIM HEINTZ, Associated Press

national significance — the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, appeared vulnerable: Authorities said they had uncovered an elaborate and heavily armed plot to attack the games in the Black Sea resort.

Putin meanwhile baffled the world by announcing that he would not attend next week’s Group of Eight summit in Camp David — a startling absence for a man who appears to relish the world spotlight.

Nor did the days leading up to the inauguration augur smooth sailing for at least the early part of Putin’s new, six-year term. Tensions with the United States got a very public viewing when the military chief of staff threatened pre-emptive strikes if Washington moves ahead with a European missile-defense program. An inauguration eve protest attracted tens of thousands, well more than expected, and vivid scenes of police beating and dragging

demonstrators played worldwide. Two car bombs in Dagestan killed 13 and wounded scores.

Putin’s decision not to go to the G-8 summit — instead sending his predecessor and now prime minister Dmitry Medvedev — was explained as necessary for Putin to form his Cabinet. That raised eyebrow since Putin’s return to the presidency had been all but certain since he announced his intention to run last September. Some observers suggested it gave Putin a convenient excuse to avoid a highly visible international forum where his tough line against dissent could come under criticism.

The harsh measures against protesters on the day before the inauguration and subsequent arrests at smaller protests in the following days were a harsh contrast to Russia’s winter of discontent, during which demonstrators fastidiously stayed within the limits sanctioned by authorities and police in

turn kept close watch but did not interfere.

But the opposition now is raising the stakes, even setting up a small roundthe-clock demonstration in a Moscow square. That puts Putin in a bind. Either he invites international opprobrium with tough police action or risks allowing the opposition to expand its actions to something resembling the 2004 Orange Revolution tent-camp in Kiev. Putin denounced both the Orange Revolution and the similar Rose Revolution in Georgia — and allowing similar actions in Moscow could be seen as blinking first in a staring match.

One of Putin’s strong suits against the opposition has been Russia’s remarkable prosperity during his presidency and premiership. That has come mostly because of Russia’s vast reserves of oil, gas and minerals, but the country has sought to move beyond its natural-resources economy to become a

manufacturing power.

The new Superjet-100 regional airliner is a key piece of that strategy, and Russia is energetically seeking customers for it worldwide. The crash in Indonesia occurred during an Asian sales trip for the plane.

No cause has yet been determined, but either mechanical failure or pilot error would be a blow to Russia’s image. If the plane itself was at fault, orders almost certainly would dry up. The plane’s pilot was described as one of Russia’s most experienced, and if his error caused the crash it would follow a run of Russian airline disasters blamed on poorly trained or inattentive crews.

The announcement of the foiled plot against the Sochi games hit at two of Putin’s other traditional strong points.

Putin drove Russia’s campaign to win the right to host the event and his success was not only a personal victory but a

strong endorsement of Russia’s aspirations to be seen as a country that is modern, welcoming — and secure. Sochi’s location on the fringe of Russia’s insurgency-plagued North Caucasus raised concerns about terrorist attacks, fears that were countered with Putin’s strong record in the fight against Chechen rebels.

But the reported plot, blamed on insurgents, underlined that the militants, although less active than in recent years, have not been vanquished — a fact grimly underscored by the May 3 car bombs in Dagestan. A further embarrassment to the Kremlin could be seen in the claim that the plot was organized in Abkhazia, the Georgian separatist region adjacent to Sochi.

Putin, amid his difficult first week in office, did find time to reinforce his image as a strong leader beloved by salt-of-the-earth Russians. On Thursday, he made a well-publicized visit to a tank manufacturing plant in the scruffy city of Nizhny Tagil.

The plant became a potent symbol for Putin in January, when a cadre of workers promised him on national television that they would come to Moscow, if needed, to battle the rising protest movement.

62

World News

23 held over Congo munitions dump blast

T

WENTY-THREE people, all but one of them soldiers, have been charged and detained in connection with a blast at a Congo munitions dump that killed nearly 300 people in March, officials said yesterday.

Speaking on national radio Culture Minister Jean Claude Gakosso, the acting government spokesman, said the suspects were remanded in custody following an investigation into the causes of the blast that devastated the Congolese capital.

The explosions, which also left more than 2,300 people injured and 14,000 homeless, were initially blamed on a short-circuit and fire at the munitions depot.

“Following the investigation, the public prosecutor notified the 23 suspects that they were being charged under 11 different counts and served with detention orders,” national radio said.

Prosecutor Essami Ngatse declined to give out any details of the charges, telling AFP the preliminary investigation was secret, while a local human rights group said it feared the trial would be a “travesty.”

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, MAY 13, 2012

Israel Palestinians meet over hunger strike I

SRAELIS and Palestinians are negotiating through Egyptian mediators to end a mass Palestinian hunger strike, officials said yesterday.

Later, an Israeli envoy is set to meet with the Palestinian president about stalled peace talks.

Some 1,600 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails are on hunger strike to demand better conditions and to put an end to detention without trial.

The Egyptian-brokered talks mark the first time that substantive negotiations have been reported to be under way to defuse the protest since it began weeks, and in some cases months, ago.

Palestinian officials say Egyptian mediators are trying to hash out an agreement between the strikers and Israel.

An Israeli official confirmed talks were taking place but

would not elaborate.

All requested anonymity, because of the matter’s sensitivity. Egyptian officials weren’t immediately available for comment.

Two men, Thaer Halahleh and Bilal Diab, have been on strike for more than 70 days.

Both are members of Islamic Jihad, a Palestinian militant group that has killed hundreds in suicide bombings, shootings and other attacks.

It is not clear whether Halhaleh and Diab were involved in any militant activity because they are being held under “administrative detention,” a policy that can keep some Palestinian prisoners for months — even years — without charges. Israel has defended administrative detentions as a necessary tool to stop militant activity.

According to prison

officials, at least 1,600 of the 4,600 Palestinians held by Israel are refusing food. Palestinians say about 2,500 strikers are striking.

Israel is hesitant to clinch a deal with the prisoners, fearing it will encourage more strikes.

Many of the Palestinians striking have been convicted of involvement in deadly attacks.

Israel’s prisons service says the striking Palestinians are under constant medical supervision and are in stable condition.

Later yesterday, an Israeli envoy is expected to submit a letter to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas regarding the possibility of substantive peace talks, a senior Palestinian official said. The modest exchange is the highest-level communication between the two sides in months.

Yitzhak Molcho, a representative of Israeli Prime

Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, will meet with Abbas in the West Bank city of Ramallah, the seat of the Palestinians’ government.

Molcho will hand over a written response to a note that Palestinian negotiators gave to Netanyahu last month that sought to clarify their positions if talks were to resume, the official said. He spoke anonymously, citing the issue’s sensitivity.

An Israeli government spokesman declined to comment.

The communication by note demonstrates how thoroughly negotiations to carve out an independent Palestinian state have collapsed. Four months ago, preliminary meetings between Israeli and Palestinian officials in the Jordanian capital Aman also stalled.

T

HREE Boston University students who were studying in New Zealand were killed yesterday when their minivan crashed. At least five other students from the university were injured in the accident, including one who was in critical condition.

The students were travelling in a minivan at about 7:30 a.m. yesterday near the North Island vacation town of Taupo when the vehicle drifted to the side of the road and then rolled when the driver tried to correct course, New Zealand police said.

Three of the students died at the scene, police said.

Another woman was in critical condition at an area hospital, while at least four other students suffered moderate injuries.

UMEH

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Umeh Catherine Chetachukwu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Umenze Catherine Chetachukwu.

All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

AYANKOLA

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ayankola Omobolanle Omorinsola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Amusan Omobolanle Omorinsola. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

NDEM I formerly known and addressed as Miss. Idongesit .A. Ndem, now wish to be known and address as Mrs. Abigail I. Tamunokuro. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OLIKEZE

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Olikeze Uyunwa Ngozi, now wish to be known as Mrs. Emeter Uyunwa Ngozi. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OGWALA I formerly known and addressed as Miss Rhoda Eseoghene Ogwala, now wish to be known as Mrs. Rhoda Eseoghene Erastus. All former documents remain valid.

Standard Organization of Nigeria and general public please take note.

OBI

NDUBUISI I formerly known and addressed as Miss Ndubuisi Ada Eziuche, now wish to be known as Mrs. Aikhionbare Ada Eziuche. All former documents remain valid.

General public please take note.

T

3 American students killed in New Zealand crash

AMUJI

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Amuji Gertrude Chinyere, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Iloka Gertrude Chinyere. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Obi Uche Ada Catherine, now wish to be known as Mrs. Uche Ikenna -Agu. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Egypt funeral turns happy after dead man awakes HE funeral of a 28 yearold waiter in southern Egypt turned into a celebration when he woke up after being declared dead.

Hospital officials had pronounced dead Hamdi Hafez al-Nubi, who came from the village of Naga al-Simman in the southern province of Luxor, after he suffered a heart attack while working.

His family says grieving relatives took him home and, according to Islamic tradition, washed his body and prepared him for burial Friday evening.

A doctor sent to sign the death certificate found it strange that his body was warm. At closer observation she discovered he was still alive.

His mother fainted upon hearing the good news.

With the doctor’s assistance, both al-Nubi and his mother were awakened and soon were celebrating with guests.

CHANGE OF NAME

LAWAL I formerly known and addressed as Miss Abimbola Mutiat Lawal, now wish to be known as Mrs.Mutiat Abimbola Hassan. All former documents remain valid. Kaduna Polytechnic, and general public please take note.

EZEH I formerly known and addressed as Miss. Chinyere Ezeh, now wish to be known as Mrs. Chinyere Ifeanyi Okeke. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

IROEMEH I formerly known and addressed as Miss Iroemeh Chinwe Adline, now wish to be known as Mrs. Enas Chinwe Adline. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

•Member of the Free Syrian Army’s “Freedom for the River Assi Brigade” run as they take part in an attack on Syrian regime forces in the village of Nizareer, near the Lebanese border in Homs province yesterday. Violence in Syria cost at least eight lives on May 12, even as a UN force to oversee a truce neared half its planned strength, monitors said, while an Islamist group claimed deadly blasts in Damascus.

AFP PHOTO

Eight killed in Syria violence despite UN mission

V

IOLENCE in Syria cost at least eight lives yesterday even as a UN force to oversee a truce neared half its planned strength, monitors said, while an Islamist group claimed deadly blasts in Damascus.

In Idlib province, a stronghold near the Turkish border of rebels fighting President Bahar al-Assad’s regime, security force gunfire killed a man and a woman during a series of raids, the

Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

A third civilian was killed in pre-dawn shelling of the village of Mork in central Hama province, the Britainbased watchdog said, while a fourth was killed by sniper fire in the northeastern city of Deir Ezzor.

And four soldiers were killed in clashes between armed rebel groups and regime forces in Hantuten village of Idlib province,

northwest Syria, according to the Observatory.

Turkey’s Anatolia news agency reported that two Turkish journalists who were held in Syria for two months before being freed thanks to Iranian mediation arrived in Tehran yesterday.

Reporter Adem Ozkose and cameraman Hamit Coskun were flown to Tehran from Damascus, and the two men told Anatolia they were in good health.

Asian trawler stranded on Cape Town beach

A

fishing trawler with 28 Taiwanese crew ran aground early yesterday in dense fog off Cape Town, presenting a strange site to people on the upmarket Clifton Beach.

The 50-metre (164-foot) Eihatsu Maru got stuck about 35 meters off shore, driven by the incoming tide in Table Bay at the foot of the iconic Table Mountain, said the National Sea Rescue Institute.

Rescuers found “28

Taiwanese fishermen and the captain’s dog, a cross border collie named Alley, on board, with the generators of the vessel still running and all crew onboard safe,” said NSRI spokesman Craig Lambinon.

Rescue craft evacuated 19 fishermen to shore, said Lambinon, who added: “The remaining nine crew remain onboard their vessel, and the captain has insisted that his dog stays with him.”

The ship’s hull appeared

intact and the vessel might be towed back out to sea during high tide yesterday night, he added in a statement.

Environmental authorities will keep watch to check that the vessel’s 90 tonnes of fuel and ammonia used for refrigeration do not spill into the sea.

Sailors have dubbed the bay, notorious for its tempestuous waters, the “Cape of Storms” over the centuries.

A military court, meanwhile, has released eight activists, including blogger Razan Ghazzawi, until their May 29 trial on charges of “possession of banned publications,” human rights lawyer Anwar Bunni said yesterday.

Elsewhere, Syrian troops also clashed with rebel fighters in the flashpoint central province of Homs, in southern Daraa province, and in several areas of Damascus province.

The persistent violence came as the UN mission in Syria said it now had 145 military observers on the ground, just shy of half the force of 300 authorised by the Security Council. They are backed by 56 civilian staff.

The observers are tasked with shoring up a promised ceasefire brokered by UNArab League peace envoy Kofi Annan that was supposed to take effect on April 12 but which has been broken daily.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, Mr. famakinwa Owolabi Williams and Mr. Olatokunbo Owolabi Williams refers to the same person, I now wish to be known and address Mr. Olatokunbo Owolabi Williams. All former documents remain valid.

General public please take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME That Njah Dandison Emmanuel and Clement Emmanuel Dandison refers to the same person. I now now wish to be known as Clement Emmanuel Dandison. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, Dominic Olajide Buoro and Dominic Olajide OlanrewajuBuoro refers to the same person. I now wish to be known and address as Dominic Olajide OlanrewajuBuoro. all former documents remain valid. general public please note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, Mr. Innocent Osi and Mr. Olisa Osi refers to one and the same person. I now wish to be known and address as Mr. Olisa Osi. all former documents remain valid. general public please take note.

CHUKU I formerly known and addressed as Miss Chidinma Akudazie CHUKU, now wish to be known as Mrs. Chidinma Akudazie Ahamefule. all former documents remain valid general public please take note.

URUEYE

I, formerly known and addressed as Grace Omawumi Urueye, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Grace Omawumi Odihi. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, MAY 13, 2012

L

AST week, the French public rejected puckish, financialist President Sarkozy, replacing him with a blandly socialist Francois Hollande.

Although more milquetoast than metal, Hollande won because he eschewed Sarkozy’s devotion to fiscal austerity. Sarkozy’s bleak conservatism led him to play junior partner to German Chancellor Merkel in forcing haircloth economic policies down the maw of euro zone nations.

Driven by economic depression in Greece and deep recession in Spain, these policies resulted in the electorates of both Spain and Greece rejecting the national governments that served as accomplices to the Merkel/Sarkozy plan.

Months ago, Sarkozy thought himself insuperable; he saw no threat in the staid Hollande who has the charisma of damp paper. Sarkozy did himself disservice in thinking Hollande was his strongest electoral adversary. Had he understood the mood of his own nation, he would have noticed the face of his chief adversary whenever the lights bouncing off his evening champagne glass returned to him his own reflection. With France already one foot in the quicksand of economic recession and Sarkozy promising a greater dose, a change was predictable.

Hollande did not win the election as much as Sarkozy lost it. If he ever possessed a keen sense of the national sentiment, Sarkozy had lost it by luxuriating too long in the foam of self-admiration. He thought he could rally the nation for the economic war ahead by claiming the people needed to sacrifice more in order to build a stronger France. He sought to appeal to that unique brand of French nationalism much the same way de Gaulle did in his prime. Yet Sarkozy is no de Gaulle. Even de Gaulle fell to defeat when his brand of conservative hyper-patriotism ran amok of the times. Sarkozy trying to be the 21st century incarnation of de Gaulle was like watching a child struggle to don his father’s clothing.

Sarkozy rightly surmised the French electorate was nationalist. His problem was the majority defined nationalism much differently than he.

They did more than reject his definition. They were frightened by it. While he saw a revivified nation emerging from the crucible of austerity, most people saw the current troubles as the prelude to greater pain.

They questioned why Sarkozy would seek to impose policies the likes of which had laid down Greece and Spain. Being good Frenchmen, they rejected the notion that they should do as Greece and Spain did for they feared becoming what Greece and Spain had become. For them, Sarkozy’s way would not lead to sunlit places after a transient storm. His policies would resultant in a downturn that would be deep and cleaving without the chance of imminent respite. To them, his policies were not the way out. They were the tunnel at the end of the light.

Sarkozy and his fellow French conservatives had rushed to the cemetery to call forth the ghost of de Gaulle whenever they veered toward trouble. They harked to the memory of the statesman as if conducting a national séance. This tactic worked for the nearly twenty years they managed to keep the Left from the highest office.

The problem with this election was not that the spirit of de Gaulle was no longer willing. The difficulty was the specter of poverty and recession frightened the people more than the appeal to de Gaulle encouraged them.

Thus, they rejected Sarkozy and de Gaulle’s ghost by voting for the antihero, Hollande.

Hollande is a socialist in the French context, which means he is socialist only in his political labeling.

His left-leaning mettle will be soon tested. We will quickly learn whether this taciturn yet ambitious man has a reservoir of inner courage and principle that will make him the unexpectedly right leader at the right time. If not, he may be a busted flush,

World News

The left awakens (Europe busting at the seams) Economic injustice is the most frequent author of revolt

•Nicholas Sarkozy

By Brian Browne the Gallic equivalent to Britain’s inept Gordon Brown. Hollande will be under intense domestic and international pressure to stick to the course set by Merkel and Sarkozy. The global financial community and officials of the larger economic powers, such as American Treasury Secretary Geithner, will implore Holland to hold the line or risk precipitating a continental economic disaster that will bear Hollande’s name. The issues are heady and the political pressure will be dizzying.

Holland is accustomed to being the critic who, out of office, could say what he will, knows his words are merely words that will not return to haunt him because they will never be enacted. Every outside critic is brave and sure of his position because it will never be tested. Turn the critic into a leader, the bold confidence flees. Unorthodox answers and solutions turn less forthcoming. They are replaced by modest calculations of doing no harm and of establishing cordial relations with powerful political and economic constituencies the new leader had bitterly imprecated up to the very hour of assuming high office.

In the face of pressure from fellow global leaders and the most important members of his nation’s business establishment that deviation from the road now set will furrow the economy and jeopardize the euro zone, will Hollande stand firm? He might believe the things he said against austerity but does he believe them enough? Put another way, is he obedient to the reality on the ground or the ideology of the financial elite?

Hollande will be forced to show whether he is a man faithful to his utterances or just another disappointing politician whose private ambition checkmates his ability to do public good. We will see if he is but a financialist in socialist clothing.

If he understands the depths of the economic tumult that has shaken Greece and is tugging more at Spain than at France at the moment, he would honor his words and pay little attention to the false prophecies of the conservative Right. They seek to scare him into continuing the terrible policies upon which they lost the election. They claim slashing government budgets is the only responsible way forward.

Conservatives foretell doom should Hollande reject austerity and seek to improve economic life by opting for better economic growth through maintaining current levels of

•Francois Hollande

• Angela Merkel

government spending and activity in the economy. The conservative elite appear to be rich in deceptive imagination which may provide a clue to why they are so adept at financial sleight of hand. Yet, their grasp of reality is wanting. The dire situation of which they warn already exists. It does so as a consequence of their own policies.

This reality they cannot see and thus they view Hollande’s election as some wicked anomaly. They have yet to realize the rejection was not a rejection of Sarkozy or his abrasive personality but of their way of treating the economic lives of the nation and its people. In other words, the disaster they predict would come with Hollande, the people believe is already there and that Sarkozy and his cohort brought them to it. They people want a way out not a road further in. Thus, it was no surprise Sakozy lost the election. The surprise was that Sarkozy and his conservative allies across the world would see his loss as a surprise Thus, Sarkozy has taken his defeat so hard to heart as if the people had betrayed him instead of he them.

German Chancellor Merkel has splattered egg on her face. During the election, she took the unusual step of publicly endorsing Sarkozy.

Apparently, she thought her hold on European purse strings gave her right to directly influence another nation’s political process. Her heavy handedness worked in Greece months ago but not so in the France of today.

With the French election, she hopefully learned a lesson. She thought she could publicly influence the direction of the electorate as easily as she has privately bullied the leaders of weaker states. The leading apostle of fiscal austerity, Merkel is barely popular within her own domain. In other nations, she is the archangel of impoverishment. Her name is that of a villain not a saint. Despite the enormous powers she wields around regional conference tables, in the elections of other nations she has no vote or effective voice. European democracy has been strained by the economic upheaval but that democracy is not yet a dead letter. The people showed they can still reject a leader that other world leaders wanted.

Greece too just conducted recent elections. The elections raised more questions than provided answers. The lone answer was that, in ousting the coalition of mainstream conservative and center-left parties that has controlled government, the trouble nation rejected those complicit in the

spartan austerity program Merkel and Sarkozy forced down the nation’s throat. Everything else remains in the air.

The Grecian elections were a referendum on the austerity program.

The verdict was clear. It spoke only one word: Rejection. Austerity has placed Greece in a situation that can only be described as economic depression.

Examination of comparable economic data including (negative) growth rates, bankruptcy, business closures, and unemployment, Greece is in much the same straits America found itself during the Great Depression. Like America, the Greek public realizes it cannot get out of the water by swimming farther into it as the current austerity plan proposes. You cannot escape depression by following a plan founded on the profound deflation of government’s fiscal operations, a gutting of social services and the cheap auctioning valuable items of the national patrimony to that species of vulture known as international financiers.

While overwhelmingly against the current austerity, the Greek people cannot decide whether the best solution lays going further right or further left politically. Some people seek a more rightist solution. More have moved to the left but not enough to form a majority government. In the aftermath of the economic crisis and the forced imposition of an unworkable austerity plan, Greek politics is in shambles. No party currently has the numbers to form a unilateral government or the allies for a coalition. Neither the mainstream conservative or centerleft party will back more extreme parties without insisting the new party vow to continue the austerity program. None of the radical parties dare such a pledge. They understand their political gains in the election were based on their rejection of the current program. To adopt the program in order to form a governing coalition featuring one of the mainstream parties would betray the people. Any such government would be stillborn. Consequently, Greece is at the point where several parties crowd near the door but each blocks the other from crossing the threshold.

Possibly, the nation must hold another election to break the political stalemate. The mainstream parties hope for this. They believe the people will frighten of the current stalemate and return to the tried and establishment parties instead of risking further instability. The mainstream is likely deluding itself.

63

The people are past that point. They are at the point where they would rather venture an uncertainty that holds out the chance of some good resolution than chain themselves to a tumbrel that leads to the certain diminution of their economic lives for the remainder of a decade and beyond. If another election is called, the Greek people will not likely return to the worn, threadbare parties of the center. The people will have to move further right or left. Right offers no true solution to the crisis except an indign, xenophobic nationalism. But foreigners are not the problem.

Unbridled financialism and the undemocratic power of the financial houses are. The solutions of the left are more condign yet still insufficient.

The left rejects austerity and advocates a certain restoration of government spending. This is positive yet not enough. As it is currently structured, the European Monetary Union has the same deflationary effect in Greece and other euro zone members as the gold standard had on America during the Depression. As one of the remedies to the Depression, America had to remove itself from the gold standard.

Greece, Spain and others must seek a restructuring of the Monetary Union that gives them greater latitude to engage in deficit spending without incurring larger debt to the private financiers. This means a radical change in the architecture of the European Central Bank so that it can almost wholly finance the deficits of troubled member nations. This is the only true solution. The other alternative is chronic recession.

However, Germany will denigrate this remedy for it would lessen its power over its weaker sisters. Thus, there is a good chance that Greece is entering another financial and political crisis that could well presage the nation’s exit from the euro zone. This will toss the zone into crisis as Spain may soon follow the path that Greece is on. Already, the newly elected conservative government in Madrid is unpopular for embracing austerity even more so than the nominally Socialist but centrist party it replaced in government. If another election were held in Spain, both mainstream parties would lose ground to the more radical Left, with a smaller advance made by the extreme right.

The reality of these national economies shows that conservative austerity is bad economic policy.

Recent elections show austerity has swiftly gone from the inevitable solution to becoming the recipe of political suicide. The European left is beginning to reawake and start an inchoate challenge against the ideas of conservatism. We may be seeing the beginning of the end of the Age of Conservatism that has dominated Western democracies for the past thirty years. The astute man who now occupies and is currently seeking a four-year extension of his lease on the American White House seems to realize this, at least for electoral purposes. After over three years of governing as a moderate, he is again campaigning as a liberal. While this may be primarily an electoral affectation, it is also a realization that the people have had enough of the pendulum swinging too far in favor of the cosseted financial elite.

The public in these nations is restive because they realize things are unfair. The elites will use all of their wiles and resources to place everything back neatly in the box so that all can return to how they have been. This may prove impossible because too many people in too many nations feel the floor is breaking under their feet. They will not stand quietly if they are no longer able to stand financially. Money Power has gotten so used to taking what it wants that is has taken too much. Now, the people are awake because they are scared of losing what remains of their lives. Too scared to do nothing, the public fights back. The outcome of this contest is uncertain. That it is happening is nothing if not a good thing.

64

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, MAY 13, 2012

News

2015: Igbo youths set agenda for political aspirants From Ugochukwu Eke, Umuahia

A

GROUP, Coalition of Igbo Youths Assembly (CIYA), has called on those aspiring to be the leaders of Ndigbo to first of all prove their commitment to the cause of the people they are aspiring to lead or forget their ambition.

The group gave this resolution during an interactive session with the media in Umuahia yesterday.

President General of the CIYA, Innocent Madu, said that there is need for the people of Igbo extraction to come together now and find a roadmap for the 2015 election, which is fast approaching.

Madu said it was regrettable while other ethnic groups are busy strategizing, the Igbos are singing ‘’discordant and disjointed voices.”

NECO to release results Tuesday T HE National Examination Council (NECO) has assured that results of yesterday’s national common entrance examination into Federal Government Colleges will be ready next Tuesday.

NECO Officer-in-Charge of the FCT, Mustapha Abdul, gave the assurance while speaking with newsmen after inspection of the examination exercise in selected schools in Abuja yesterday.

He however explained that in line with the laws and regulations guiding the process, the results will be presented to the minister on the said date while the ministry will make it public afterwards.

Abdul said: “I can assure you that by Tuesday, the result will be with the Minis-

From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

ter of Education.

“You know, by law, NECO will conduct the examination and release the results to the Minister of Education, not to the public.

“NECO will do its bit and I can assure you by Tuesday certainly the results will be with the minister.”

He revealed that about 5,790 pupils sat for the 2012 edition of examination adding that most of the logistics problems encountered last year had been addressed.

The NECO official lamented that pressure from parents was one of the greatest challenges the examination body was grappling with.

Abdul said, “The greatest

thing that has been generating issues in this kind of examination is the pressure from parents who think junior cannot do it that ‘we will have to assist him to do it’ but we have always advised parents to let junior alone.

“Junior can do what mummy and daddy cannot do. We believe the children are capable. In fact, from the way they are attempting the questions, the children are doing very well.

“The other challenge has always been in the area of registration. Some parents don’t know how to register on line. They just go and log in.

“When this happened we just allowed the children write so that the child does not suffer for the mistakes of his parents because the child

did not register himself.

“So we allow the child write the examination and collect all the details then after the examination we treat their cases separately.

“After processing the result we merge the results with those of the remaining candidates so that the child can equally have his or her results.”

The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, Dr. Ben Ibe, expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the exercise.

He said, “From what I have seen, the (organisation of NECO) exam was good.

There were a few challenges but I can see that they were on top of it. You can see only a few candidates were absent maybe because their parents asked them not to come.”

FERMA commissions observation camp

I

N its bid to provide adequate security and safety while ensuring proper monitoring and maintenance of the road at all times, Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) has completed another Service/Observation Camp at Ogoni, in Tai local Council area of Rivers State.

The camp which is situated at KM.30+100, Ogoni along Eleme Junction-Onne Junction-Akwa Ibom State Border road, is made up of a police hostel for security, clinic for accident victims among others.

Speaking at the commissioning recently, the Zonal Coordinator South/South1, FERMA, Israel Kpakol, an engineer, said the completion of the camp which is the third of its kind in the state is a clear indication of the effort of FERMA to ensure the safety of all road users in the zone.

According to Kpakol, with the commissioning, FERMA has moved a step forward to achieving her vision which is to promote the economic well-being of Nigerians through the provision of good roads.

Kpakol also revealed that so far 99 of such facilities have been awarded by the Agency in all 6 geographical zones of the country.

Spend more time, investments on children, parents told

By Oziegbe Okoeki

A

MEMBER of the Lagos State House of Assembly, representing Ikorodu 1 Constituency, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade, has urged parents to spend more time and investments on their children.

He said this was the best legacy they could possibly leave for the younger generation.

Agunbiade spoke at a family forum organised by Fatima Charity Foundation, a Non Governmental Organisation, for Lagos East Senatorial District at the weekend.

• L-R: Bride’s father Engr. Olorunfemi Shittu; bride's mother, Mrs. Teju Philips; the couple, Olagoke and Olayemi, Mrs. Adetokunbo Shittu and groom’s father, Engr. Lanre Philips during their wedding at Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina, Lagos PHOTO: OLUSEGUN RAPHEAL. ...yesterday.

INEC, schools sensitise youths on electoral process From Ugochukwu Eke, Umuahia

A

BIA State chapter of The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is partnering with secondary school principals to educate students on electoral process with a view to putting a stop to malpractices during elections in the state.

Speaking in Umuahia, the state capital, at a workshop, the state electoral commissioner, Prof. Jacob Jatau, said that they are pioneering the electoral education among the youths in the country through the school principals as they consider them an important segment in the society.

Justifying the need for the workshop, Jatau said it would encourage voter education among institutions like political parties, traditional rulers and other socio-economic groups.

He described the earlier approach as a fire-brigade one, “We have decided to jettison it and take the bull by the horn by zeroing in on this very crucial and vital aspect of our electoral process to avoid making mistakes of the past.”

Also speaking on the occasion, Dr. Aloysius Okolie said that INEC has express readiness to change the misconception of voters, stressing that the school principals will be expected to form the basis of voter education in the political system.

Akpabio eulogises late political associate

EKSU plans hostels for students A … reads riot acts to lecturers E

KITI State University (EKSU) is to build hostels for its teeming students.

The move, its Vice Chancellor, Prof. Oladipupo Aina, said is primarily to curb the rising wave of cultism in and around the campus.

Aina spoke during the matriculation ceremony held over the weekend.

The 30-year institution, he added, equally plans to introduce “proper mentoring of the students by their lecturers to ensure that they were not easily lured into cult groups.’’

The hostels, he said, ‘’will significantly improve the quality of habitation of the students. The current situation of their staying in entirely unregulated environments makes them vulnerable to anti-social acts without necessary intervention”.

He said accommodating students on campus would enable the authorities monitor conducts especially after normal academic hours and halt the exploitation by unscrupulous home owners around the school.

The VC disclosed the readiness of some private individuals to partner the the university to build hostel ac-

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

commodation on build, operate and transfer basis.

He added that the Institution would also construct “separate quarters for lecturers on the campus to make the university live up to its name.

Also, the Senate of the institution has mandated lecturers to assess student ex-

amination scripts and make results available without delays.

A reliable source in the University disclosed that lecturers who fail to meet deadline for submission of students’ results might have their salaries delayed or forfeited.

“The option of making lecturers forfeit salaries became very plausible as complaints had become very

common among the students. The senate therefore decided to rectify it to redeem the image of the university,” the source added.

The development was confirmed by the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the institution, Mr. Ajibade Olubunmi, in a telephone interaction.

He said “the management of the university was ready to comply with any decision aimed at moving the institution forward.”

Orji tasks media owners on development

A

BIA State governor, Theodore Orji, has challenged media owners in the South East to be committed to professionalism rather than pursuing pecuniary interest.

He made this call at the Nigerian Union of Journalists South East Media Summit, which ended in Uturu, Abia state, yesterday.

The maiden South East Media Summit organised by the NUJ South –East and Gregory University , Uturu, Abia state held at the auditorium of the university with theme: “Challenges of Media ownership/development and good governance: South East Experience”, had

From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Nnewi

Professor Kate Azuka Omenugha , Head of Mass Communication Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka as the keynote speaker.

According to him, there is a lot to benefit from running a professionally managed media house even as he pointed out that the attitude of people managing the government media houses in the south east is suspect as no government-owned media house in the zone is strong.

In his address, the Acting Vice Chancellor of Gregory University, Rev Fr. Prof Jerome Okonkwo, com-

A

mended the varsity for collaborating with the NUJ on the summit.

He announced plans by the institution to commence Department of Igbo Language and culture for Igbo renaissance complete with media training content.

South East Vice President of NUJ, Comrade A m b r o s e Nwachukwu and the Abia state Chairman Comrade Hyacinth Okoli appealed to billionaires from South East to use their money to create jobs in the media for the teaming population reading mass communication and journalism in and around Nigeria.

KWA Ibom State governor, Godswill Akpabio has described a one-time Special Adviser on Political and Legislative Affairs to the state government, Mr. Joe Udobia as a politician worthy of emulation.

The governor spoke in Uyo, the state capital, when he paid a condolence visit at the residence of the late Udobia recently.

While extolling the virtues of the deceased, Akpabio said: “He was a good man who had always surmounted his challenges. As a politician, he was one of the most flamboyant politicians. He invented his own political lexicons in Latin and French.

He was hard to come by and a man of his calibre. As a wife, I want you to continue to toe the path of justice, fortitude and truth.’’

Akpabio who assured the family of government support, urged them to continue to live out the ideals of their late father.

Responding on behalf of the family, the wife of the deceased, Mrs. Grace Udobia thanked the governor for the visit.

In a related development, the governor has also commiserated with Uko Friday Umo, publisher of an Uyobased local tabloid, Community Pulse newspapers over the death of his mother, Dr. (Mrs.) Lucy Eboh.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY MAY 13, 2012

65

EBERE WABARA

WORDSWORTH 08055001948

ewabara@yahoo.com

Thumbs up, Aregbesola T

RIBUNE EDITORIAL of May 10 leads the pack of foibles today: "…there are still some honest Nigerians with very strong moral fibre capable of resisting the temptation to be dishonest and fraudulent even when it would appear save (safe) to do so."

Still on the above edition: "Twenty-five years is enough for wastages…backbitting…."

Spell-check: backbiting.

"Senate Whip condoles Oshiomhole, ThisDay" There is a difference in usage between 'condole' and 'console': the former takes 'with' as a phrasal verb while the latter stands alone.

Next on the line-up is THE NATION of May 10: "Motor dealer arrested over (for) death of his 15-year-old boy in Ibadan" "…like (as) I have always said…." "…a raging demand for the implementation of the government White Paper on the immediate past administration."

Truth in defence of freedom: 'White Papers' are exclusively issued by governments! It is like writing 'obituary announcement' when 'obituary' on its own covers 'announcement'.

"Old boys assures quality education" Why the discord and who did they assure?

"Aregbesola: Omisore sues National Mirror, seeks N1.1b damage" (DAILY INDEPENDENT, May 10) The man is futilely seeking damages from Omoluabi!

"One question that readily comes to mind is what does Amaechi stands (stand) to lose if…." (Source: as above) DAILY INDEPENDENT of May 9 contributed the next three errors: "The dictates of democracy is (are) anchored on the wishes…."

"Blatter condoles Nigeria over Yekini" Already addressed.

"Ikpeba denies gang up against Yekini" Gangup and enough of the crocodile tears for Yekini who was abandoned by everyone when it mattered most!

"We all want good things and for these good things to come we must all contribute our own quote (quota)…."

(THE NATION, May 9) Again, from the preceding medium: "Internment follows thereafter."

(Full-page Announcement by Edo State Gov-

ernment) Spell-check: interment.

"Murder of Oshiohole's (sic) aide: IGP gets Presidential marching order" (National Accord, May 8) Get it right: marching orders.

"Iru V.I. flags off dental care week" (THE NATION, May 8) Again, 'flag off' does not exist!

"Aregbesola commends Oyinlola over (for/on) mineral exploration" (THE PUNCH, May 7) It is equally commendable that a serving governor deemed it fit to appreciate his predecessor-it is rare in our convoluted country.

Thumbs up for Engr.

Rauf Aregbesola who passionately gives rudderless PDP sleepless nights by his inimitable leadership distinction in The State of Osun.

"THE GUARDIAN ON SUNDAY of May 6 did not live up to its reputation as a scholarly publication: "Rotimi Jacobs, principal prosecutor to the EFCC, gives thumb (thumbs) down to…."

"Setting standards for sustainable business practices that; unleash the talents of our employees…." (Access Bank's Mission, Centre-spread Advertorial, THE NATION, May 4) A passion for excellence: the semicolon in the excerpt is otiose and breaks the flow of an otherwise wellwritten statement.

"We regret to announce the untimely death of our friends, colleagues and comrades in a ghastly motor accident on Saturday, April 28, 2012 (another comma) along (on) the AfuzeAuchi road." (Full-page Obituary by Edo State Government, THE NATION, May 4) This mishap was fatal. The media officials should have known better and not allow the governor to sign a bad copy for public consumption!

THE NATION ON SUNDAY of May 6 untypically circulated six improprieties: ("US lawmakers write Jonathan, demand action against sect" (Front Page) The legislators wrote to Jonathan (not wrote Jonathan)….

"Imoke mourns lawmaker's late wife" Truth in defence of freedom: do we mourn people who are alive?

"Atiku pays tribute to Rashidi Yekini, condoles Oshiomhole" You either condole with or console.

"According to him, he

was the last journalist to interview the late MajorGen. Johnson AguiyiIronsi alive." Again, I ask: is it possible to interview a dead man? "…he has made remarkable progress towards cleaning the Aegean stable in the sector…." Business Intelligence: Augean stables.

"Nigeria, one of top 10 gas flaring nations-World Bank" (National Mirror, April 3) National News: gas-flaring nations.

"OAU alumni honours members, launch N500m Alumni Centre" (Nigerian Tribune, May 3) Why the discrepancy (honour)?

"This strike is taking heavy tool (toll) on public…." (THE NATION, May 4) "He advocates for a proper…." Delete 'for'.

"Nigeria's soccer house set to take the bull by the horn and change the face of the game."

Sport Today: take the bull by the horns.

"Almost 80 per cent of police stations were either razed to the ground or ransacked." Obviously, when a property is razed, it crumbles to the ground. Got the hang?

"The wretched has (have) no voice." "…the victim is a specie (species) from among the wretched of the earth."

"We could do nothing against such formidable odds giving (given) the worthless tools at our disposal."

"Within few months of his administration, the crime rate in the state ostensibly reduced to the barest minimum." What is the function of 'ostensibly' here?

"The congestion on our roads are (is) very unhealthy for the economic sector."

"A further review of the performance of the major currencies of Nigeria's trading partners also indicate (indicates) that the Euro...."

"A planned rally by students…was aborted yesterday in Lagos as heavily armed policemen took over the Yaba bus stop…" Something can only be aborted when the process had begun. The rally never kicked off as it was still at the planning stage.

"An association comprising of Great Britain and its former colonies...."

Delete 'of'.

"The strappy look is now the vogue." 'Vogue' connotes currency. 'Now' again?

T

HE Federal Government (FG) has promised to partner with state governments on agricultural counterpart funding to enable more farmers access financial support.

It also revealed that about 80 percent of the Nigerian farmers are unemployed due to rainfall pattern.

National Coordinator of the National Programme for Food Security (NPFS), Mr. Daniel Daudu, revealed these at the weekend during a visit to NPFS farm sites in Gwagwalada, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Karu Local Government Area of Nassarawa State.

He said the essence of counterpart funding is to sustain farmers, adding that rural farmers would be encouraged to key into the value chain crops to benefit from different government supports.

FG to partner states on agric counterpart funding From: Olugbenga Adanikin, Abuja

Daudu identified inability of states and local governments to make funds available to the farmers as a major-challenge.

Daudu, who is also the Director of Rural Development, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, said there was need for farmers to delve into other forms of farming such as poultry, mushroom keeping and snail, among others during dry seasons to remain engaged throughout the year.

He said: ''In a year of 12 months a typical farmer in the country especially in the north is able to cultivate for a period of five months because of the rain. ''For that period, he is

fully engaged but after, you realise that they do not have anything to do on the farm because they are constrained by weather.

"There is no irrigation facility so they have to retire back home and wait for the rain to set in," he added.

According to him, the idea is to look at the implementation stages of the NPFS sites across the country with a view to streamlining them into instrument that can be used for realising the Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA).

However, he noted that the initiative would discourage rural-urban migration and unemployment.

CIPMN inaugurates new executives

O

SUN State chapter of Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM) has sworn in a new executive council in Osogbo, Osun State capital.

Members of the council include: Mr. Anifowose Makanju, Chairman; Alhaji Fatai Adelu, Vice-chairman 1; M.O.Ashaou,Vice-chairman 2;Alhaji Adebisi Kayode, General-Secretary; Alhaji Zubair M.O.,

By Tunde Busari

Assistant-General-Secretary and Mrs. Odetayo O.A., Treasurer.

Makanju said: "I have no doubt in my mind that you have made a right decision and we shall not let you down in discharging our duties as they are required of us. ''But I must say that all hands must be on deck to collectively achieve our desired aim for the association".

Kayode promised to do

his best to run the secretariat of the association with a view to making it more effective among other chapters of the association in the country.

"It is high time we moved the association forward and the only way to achieve this is by investing our commitment into its operation. ''This is what we have decided to do to make it more attractive to other prospective members," he said.

66

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, MAY 13, 2012

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, MAY 13, 2012

67

FUEL SUBSIDY: Understanding workings of petroleum support fund (PSF) T

HE Report of the Ad-Hoc Committee of the House of Representatives headed by Hon. Farouk Lawanon the Fuel Subsidy Regime which was recently tabled before the full House and its Recommendations adopted as amended in some instances has in some key areas failed to address in a fair and transparent manner the participation of some Marketers in the Petroleum Support Fund Scheme.

It is indeed very strange that in their Recommendations the names of some Marketers whom the Committee openly castigated and in some instances openly indicted during the Public hearings of the Committee in February, 2012 do not have their listed anywhere in the said Report presented to the full House. In order to have a better understanding of the Fuel Subsidy Scheme, an attempt is made below to describe it for the benefit of all.

The Petroleum Support Fund (PSF) Scheme managed bythe Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) was established and borne out of the desire of the Federal Government under the regime of President OlusegunObasanjo to implement the palliative measures that were recommended by the Senator Ibrahim Mantu’s Committee to cushion amongst others, the effect of petroleum products pricing fluctuations on domestic product pricing in conformity with international product pricing. This initiative led to the setting up of the PPPRA whose Board comprises amongst others of all Stakeholders in the downstream sector of the Nigeria Oil and Gas industry, with its Management team headed by an Executive Secretary [ES, PPPRA]. Generally, the process commences with the Stakeholders Meeting summoned towards the end of each quarter to receive amongst others the planned importation programme of all eligible importers under the PSF Scheme.

After the meeting and after due consultation and approvals from the Presidency/ Minister of Petroleum Resources, the ES, PPPRA releases letters of approval for the Permits to Import Under the PSF Scheme in the Quarter of the Year in question.

For a better understanding of the process; we shall highlight the process for an importer/Marketer right from inception as succinctly as possible:1.A company that wishes to participate starts by sending in to PPPRA an Expression of Interest; following which due diligence is conducted on the Marketer by the Agency including amongst others, (a) its incorporation particulars and various corporate documents; (b) its ability to finance such import cargos; (c) whether it owns and operates a Tank Farm and/or in lieu, if it has a valid throughput Agreement and on satisfaction, PPPRA conveys its approval for the Marketer to participate under the PSF Scheme.

2.Thereafter the Marketer is expected to transmit its quarterly expression for allocation of import volumes which is considered during the quarterly Stakeholders Meeting and subsequently approval is communicated by way of a Permit to import the Quarterly volumes under specific terms and conditions by PPPRA. 3.To proceed further, the Marketer/Importer must obtain the DPR permit to import the PMS volumes so allocated.

4.On receipt of all the necessary permits, the Marketer proceeds with arrangements with its product supplier to procure a cargo at prices that are in line with the approved parameters stated in the PPPRA Product Template which is published periodically at its website (www.pppranigeria.org). The product supplier then issues a Pro Forma Invoice stating amongst others the Origin of supply, Country of supply, price, payment terms and port/point of delivery.

5.The Marketer then liaises with its Financing Bank to issue a documentary Letter of Credit (L/C). Its pertinent at this stage to point out that prevailing CBN regulations stipulate that for all imported cargoes of petroleum products ( Petrol – PMS, Diesel –AGO, Kerosene –DPK, etc) the delivery port/point must be outside

•Farouk Lawan

•Dezani Allison Madueke

Nigerian coastal waters for the supply to be eligible for foreign exchange settlement.

As a result all such PMS imports under the PSF Scheme, had L/Cs established for delivery either ex-Cotonou, Benin Republic OR ex-Lome, Republic of Togo.

6.Delivery of each of these cargoes are thereafter facilitated by the Marketer chartering daughter vessels that have the capacity to deliver each of its cargoes by lifting such cargoes by Ship-to-Ship (STS) Transfers ex-Mother vessels of the product supplier either ex-Cotonou or ex-Lome.

On completion of such product transfer operations, appropriate Bills of Lading (B/Ls) are issued after due confirmation of the quality and quantity of the products so transshipped by the Independent cargo inspectors in line with global maritime best practices. Subsequently, immediately after confirmation of quality and quantities delivered on board her, the daughter Vessel then proceeds to the Nigerian discharge port/point.

7.On arrival at Discharge port/point ALL relevant Government Agencies and stakeholders including, DPR, PPPRA, Navy, Customs, NPA, NDLEA, Independent Cargo inspectors, Marketers /Receiving Depot staff, Vessel Master, Shipping Agents; External Government Auditors e.g. Akintola Williams Deloitte all board the vessel and confirm the cargo volumes and issue appropriate clearances before commencement of discharge. The same Government agencies and stakeholders listed above including PEF staff also monitor and confirm the quality and quantity of products received into each storage shore tank/s in the Marketers/Receiving Depot and properly certify all these facts.

8.All relevant documents related to

each cargo received as detailed above including all related Import Documents are then compiled and then submitted to the PPPRA for processing of the Subsidy claims under the PSF Scheme. On receipt of these documents by PPPRA in the agreed format, they are subjected to scrutiny and verification to establish the under/over-recovery claims in compliance with the strictures of the PSF claims procedure.

9.From the PPPRA, the documents are forwarded to the Federal Ministry of Finances which co-ordinates the subsidy settlement and sources for funds and which Ministry subsequently forwards the Claims documents to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to redeem the secured obligations to the Marketers under the Scheme.

10.The CBN after cross-checking these documents, forwards the subsidy claims documents to the Debt Management Office (DMO) which then issues the Sovereign Debt Note (SDN) and notifies the CBN and PPPRA accordingly. Provision is made for the payment of PEF dues and PPPRA Administration charges by the Marketer; evidence of which payment is required of the Marketer before further processing of the Subsidy claims.

11.The SDN is then issued to the Marketer who forwards same to CBN for onward payment to the Financing Bank of the Marketer. Payments subsequently are made into the Bank account of the Marketer directly for deduction of the bulk amount advanced plus interest before crediting the Marketer with the balance of the Subsidy claimed.

The above brief process flow description is to highlight the detailed and labo-

“Obviously, it is this unfortunate lack of knowledge and understanding of the above highlighted examples that allowed for the rather hasty conclusions of the Committee in recommending that 71 Marketers be referred for further investigations by anti-Corruption Agencies, thereby including in the List some innocent Marketers who have absolutely no business being lumped there.”

rious process of Subsidy claims which usually is expected to be completed within an agreed period of 45 days from date of submission of the documents to PPPRA as mentioned in Item 8 above. Unfortunately, this has been found to be ambitious and usually this process takes much longer from experience of the Marketers under the Scheme.

The detailed explanation above is to re-emphasize and highlight the participation of far too many organs and agencies of the Federal Government in a way and manner that ought to have resulted in a more informed and balanced Report by the Ad-Hoc Committee of the House, if the Committee had probably had more time to canvass same. Apart from the contents of the Report, the Chairman of the Committee’s presentation during the full House Debate on the said Recommendations aired publicly life evinced a rather poor knowledge of the operations of PSF Scheme and of the Downstream sector of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry generally. As a result, the Committee ended up meting out injustice to patriotic Marketers and placing them on a list whilst those who clearly were well known as participants in the manipulating the scheme got away without even being mentioned at all.

For example from its recommendations about the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), it was strange for the Committee to rely fully on the records of a Federal Government parastatal in arriving at the conclusion that some Marketers’ Vessels never berthed to discharge the said cargoes even when a more studious in depth study of the Marketers submitted documents would have cleared those so affected. Also the Chairman of the Committee’s presentation to the full House on the recommendation on the issue of “offshore Cotonou” and “offshore Lome” as the foreign delivery ports being not eligible to qualify for FOREX payments and claiming that it was a Marketers ploy to evade payment of appropriate levies, dues and taxes to the Nigerian government is with due respect fallacious and displays astonishing ignorance of the nature of such maritime transactions.

As can be seen from Items 5 and 6 above, the designation of those 2 ports as delivery points was as a result of CBN regulations governing imports of ALL petroleum products that are eligible for foreign exchange disbursements in line with the L/Cs established as payment instruments for such imports from Foreign Suppliers by marketers generally. Also after the STS transfers at those foreign ports as stated in Item 7 above, all daughter Vessels that bring in the products for discharge into the various Depots must in all cases apply for and procure (i)NPA Berthing Permits after due payments of Wharfage fees, Pilotage dues, Port dues and Light dues as applicable, (ii) obtain Nigerian Naval Clearances and (iii) procure a plethora of other permits before the such Vessels are allowed to berth in the various ports and jetties to discharge the said cargoes.

Obviously, it is this unfortunate lack of knowledge and understanding of the above highlighted examples that allowed for the rather hasty conclusions of the Committee in recommending that 71 Marketers be referred for further investigations by anti-Corruption Agencies, thereby including in the List some innocent Marketers who have absolutely no business being lumped there. Moreso in the Report, there were no specific cases of infractions attached to the names of those on the List of 71 marketers to enable them clear their names before being so indicted. Now that a 2 (Two) Week period has granted for the Ad-Hoc Committee to look into the cases of the 18 Marketers that failed to appear before it in the first instance, in the interest of Justice and fair play, there is indeed a need to revisit that particular recommendation and allow those other Marketers in the list of 71 to also appear before the AdHoc Committee to clear whatever doubts that might have arisen from their presentations at the earlier Public Hearings of the Committee.

WORSHIP

68

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, MAY 13, 2012

NEWS

Adeboye seeks global peace •Honoured in London at 70

INTERVIEW

‘How the gospel can fix Nigeria’ C

•Adeboye being decorated at the event

G

ENERAL Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has identified religion as a potent force to promote global peace.

Religion, he noted, has often pitted people against one another.

Adeboye, however, said it could become a promoter of peace if religious and world leaders become involved in building bridges.

He spoke last weekend at an International Summit of Religious and Political leaders put together by the Christ Redeemer Friends Trust and the Inter-parliamentary Coalition for Global Ethics as part of activities marking his 70th birthday in London.

The respected preacher said: ‘’Since the beginning of my journey within the Redeemed Christian Church of God(RCCG), this has been a subject matter close to my heart. Indeed while at times it may lead to dispute, I believe fundamentally that religion is an overwhelmingly positive force in forging peace in the world.’’

He reiterated the call for enforcement of various United Nations resolutions on the advancement of the culture of peace.

Adeboye, who was with his wife, Folu, at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre noted he first advocated for the advancement of world peace at the United Nations in June 2011 in partnership with Knesset Rabbi Zeev, Chair of the Inter-Parliamentary Coalition for Global Ethics.

Addressing an audience made up of over 250 politi-

By Sunday Oguntola

cians, religious leaders, ambassadors and civic dignitaries, Adeboye recalled: “We held a conference at the UN to try to empower for the first time, a global network of spiritual leaders, educators, and government officials, as a leading force for peace through the creation of a partnership to fight against intolerance, racism, terrorism and violence on all levels.

“The initiative that we are hoping to develop will be aimed at constructing the defense of peace in the minds of men by creating a culture of peace as called for in numerous United Nations resolutions”.

According to him, “A culture for peace is a way to live together, it requires non-violence, tolerance and solidarity while acknowledging and respecting variety of traditions”.

Other speakers were the Grand Mufti of Bosina, Dr. Mustafa Ceric; Chief Rabbi of Geneva, Rabbi Dayan M.K; Rabbi Nissim Zeev, Chief Executive Officer, Humanitarian Aid Relief Trust (HART) Baroness Caroline Cox and many others.

Adeboye was also hosted

by Queen Elizabeth II’s Foreign Office Minister at the Foreign Office, Mr. Henry Bellingham.

A reception was held at House of Lords by Baroness Caroline Cox in celebration of the leading African preacher.

Adeboye thanked the religious, political and diplomatic leaders for the honour.

“This reception,’’ he said ‘’marks the end to what has been a busy but hugely productive and informative visit to London.’’

Group produces 36 catholic priests

A

GROUP, The Serra Club, has produced no fewer than 36 priests for the Catholic Church.

Its Lagos Diocesan President, Otunba Tommy Asenuga, said many more would-be priests will be produced in the coming years.

He spoke recently at the fourth annual edition of the club in Lagos.

Asenuga said its goal is to produce priests for the Catholic Church worldwide.

He recalled that the international body of the

By Stella Edmund

group started in the US over 90 years ago.

In 1980, Asenuga said the club was established in Nigeria with branches in Lagos, Abeokuta and IjebuOde dioceses.

Chairman of the occasion, Mr. Jimmy Agbaje, said the group had assisted several people unable to attend seminary because of financial hindrance.

The group, he added, has produced 36 priests so far, stating that it will do more in the nearest future.

ONGRATULATIONS on your new auditorium. How did you pull it off?

It was by the inspiration and grace of God. He commissioned us and we have found grace with Him. So, what change has that brought about?

Our people now believe more in God. When I said in six months, we would be worshipping in our auditorium, many wondered how when we did not have any money in the account. So, when they saw God at work, they now believe He can do things for them too at the personal level. Of course now there is a whole lot of stability. We were moving from place to place before. We have had movements and great disruptions. We could not plan on a long term basis because you never knew what would happen and when next you would need to leave. Since we came here, we can plan programmes and tell people this is where we are without fears that they won’t find us when they come. We can now plan on a long term basis at our own pace and time. We did not have control before but now, that has changed. So, we have liberty and we can do what we want. When we were using a multi-purpose hall, others could come and pollute the atmosphere spiritually and otherwise.

It seems the word is working for the church?

It is. I can assure you. We call this place Mega Life Centre and we believe God’s words give up the foundation to live a mega life.

So, what is the next level?

We want to reach out more beyond our environment and touch more lives.

We now have the stability to pursue the vision. Lagos is over-churched but underevangelised. There are so many people that need the gospel. So, we are looking at that. We are thinking of planting churches beyond Lagos too. We are organising seminars and workshops

Senior Pastor of Sure Word Assembly, Okota, Lagos, Pastor Dennis Inyang, spoke with Sunday Oguntola on the strides recorded in the church and on national issues. Excerpts:

• Inyang

outside the shores of Nigeria. We feel the time has come for us to take gospel outside the confines of our church.

We don’t have all the time because the Lord is coming back soon. So, we want to cover as much grounds as possible.

You just published a book titled No Second Fiddle.

Why? The message is simple;

you don’t have to play second fiddle in life. You are the best that God created; you are made in the image of God and He never made a secondclass person. If you do not do something to realise your potentials, then you can end up a failure in life. But if you decide to invest in yourself and raise the bar, then the sky is not even the beginning point. I have taught the

“I believe the gospel is the answer to our national challenges. The endemic corruption we have in Nigeria can be addressed by the gospel. The gospel is an agent of change. It is what will stop a man from being greedy and stealing.

It is what can convince people not to be corrupt. Every natural man wants to steal. So, he needs something supernatural to restrain him”

material for 10 years and have found out people give up too soon on life. They think they cannot excel because of their circumstances and situations. So, I am attacking all of that in the book and reiterating that all you become in life is up to you. If it is not about your degrees, education or talents but it is all about determination.

Anybody can become anything in life.

You said earlier that Lagos is under-evangelised.

That is unacceptable to many. What do you mean?

I know it is but the facts are there. There are churches all around but how many people have encountered God in Lagos? Church buildings have nothing to do with impact.

How many Lagosians are in touch with God? They may be in church but how many have been cleaned up and changed by God? Not too much as we think or imagine for a megacity in Lagos. So, we need to get to the grassroots and offices and get people to make a decision to serve Jesus. An average church person is not interested in evangelism. Many just want God’s blessings. Without discipleship, we are going no where.

The church is more or less a restaurant where people just come like to eat without sharing with others. I believe the gospel is answer to our national challenges. The endemic corruption we have in Nigeria can be addressed by the gospel. The gospel is an agent of change. It is what will stop a man from being greedy and stealing. It is what can convince people not to be corrupt. Every natural man wants to steal. So, he needs something supernatural to restrain him. If you put a goat where a yam is, the goat will eat it. If it does not, then the nature has been changed. So, anyone who has divine nature will find it easier to resist opportunities not to steal and be corrupt.

The more people that can keep to the gospel, the better it will be for Nigeria.

NEWS

Employee allowed Sunday off to worship

A

N EMPLOYEE has been given Sunday off to attend church after more than a year of negotiations with his employer.

The unnamed employee and employer, a London tourist attraction, reached the agreement following the late intervention of the Christian Legal Centre.

The employer had been reluctant to grant Sunday off despite allowing one of their Muslim employees to have Fridays off.

The employee said: “I’m

very grateful to the Christian Legal Centre for standing with me. I’d like to thank Standing Counsel Paul Diamond, Andrea Williams, CEO of the Christian Legal Centre, and Libby Blaxall, because without their help I may never have reached an agreement with my employers. I am so pleased that I can attend church on Sunday and continue my job.”

Andrea Minichiello Williams, chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre, said: “We are really pleased that our client will be able to continue

in his job and that his desire to worship God on Sundays, according to his faith, will now be respected.

“There is usually a way to ensure that Christians who want to worship on Sundays are accommodated. We urge employers to do what they can, and take a common sense approach.”

Earlier this year, children’s worker, Celestina Mba, lost her job because her employers refused her request to have Sundays off on religious grounds.

Ms Mba had worked at the Brightwell Children’s Home in Morden for nearly three years.

Her beliefs were initially accommodated by her employer, the London Borough of Merton, but it later changed its policy, forcing Ms Mba to choose between her job and her faith.

An employment tribunal ruled against her on the grounds that respecting Sunday as a day of worship was not a ‘core’ part of the Christian faith.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, MAY 13, 2012

Worship

69

CONTROVERSY

With Sunday Oguntola (08034309265) Email: shinystarontop@gmail.com

Should men of God use security details?

T HE power of God was palpable. Even participants acknowledged it. It was at an intensive prayer session organised by a leading Pentecostal church in Lagos. Stressed after ministering for over an hour, the man of God made to leave for his office. Suddenly, a woman ran from the back pew. Her young son followed. They seized the general overseer’s leg shouting, ‘’Daddy, please bless us. Pray for our father to survive.” There was an eerie silence. Thoroughly embarrassed, the man of God laid hands on them. But before he could finish praying, hundreds of worshippers had approached him. It took over an hour to rescue him from their grip.

That was the last time the church held a service without security operatives. Church authorities said the arrangement became imperative to protect the general overseer from harm and assault. The next few weeks witnessed increased security around the general overseer. First, he secured two mobile policemen. His security team now boasts of an advance convoy and armed personnel. ‘’We need to have all these structures around him because he is a popular figure always vulnerable to attack and harassment,’’ a top official of the church explained last week.

Observations revealed many leading preachers in the country have security details. Some have bouncers while others settle for policemen and even men of the State Security Service (SSS). Most of them move in a convoy of security operatives.

One of them who spoke under strict anonymity said: ‘’Security is critical for us. We have all kinds of people trying to access us. Some even have ulterior motives. Some intend to harm us. It is as if one enjoys these security arrangements but when you get to a certain stage in life, you have no choice but to submit to them’’.

Senior Pastor of Housefavour Church, Egbeda Lagos, Rev. Bayode Olubo, also sees nothing wrong in ministers using security escorts.

He said pastors are battling with spiritual and physical threats that must be tackled on all fronts. ‘’First, if you make yourself too available as a pastor, people would abuse the privilege. The reality is many people who come to church are not Christians. Many are there to at-

• Olubo

“Peter always had a sword with him.

That was why when they came to arrest Jesus, he used the weapon. When children wanted to come to him, there were disciples that shielded Jesus away.

He had to intervene for them to access him. So, I have no doubt that Jesus used security guards and I see nothing wrong with ministers doing the same.”

• Douglas-West

•Ogudoro

“You must know that God has been gracious and merciful to our ministers and they can’t afford to die now. They must live long to enjoy the mercies of God. The security they are going about with will not save them if the situation gets worse than this and that is a lesson for them to take up the establishment on good governance.’’

•Akin-John

• Awosope

“For some pastors, it has become a status symbol. They think the more they are isolated from people, the more they are respected. So, they must realise that God is the ultimate security because even the most secured have been attacked.

American presidents were killed, a former Head of State in Nigeria, Murtala Mohammed, was assassinated despite the security around him. So, it is better to know that God is the only one that can protect’’.

•Ojo

“A man of God cannot and should not seek protective immunity under the leaking umbrella of insecurity by insulating himself with a battery of armed guards. He is at not at war with the congregation or community of neighbours. There is no use attempting to copycat the politicians who had already gained notoriety.”

“Most of them that use security do so because they have made so much money and have something to hide. It will shock you to know that it would be easier to see Jesus today than some of these our ministers.

But thank God we are all going to the same heaven. Every man will face God without a security guard.

That is always my consolation.”

“God is our security but you will notice that some of Jesus’ disciples had weapons. It is just that it should not be what you put your faith on.

In Acts, some Jews threatened to kill Paul and even took a vow to execute the agenda.

They had to provide him with security guards until he escaped. But generally speaking, it is not biblical.”

tack pastors and perpetuate evils.’’

He said Jesus used security guards during his earthly ministry, pointing out that several people

who wanted to reach could not because he had personnel protecting him. Olubo further explained: ‘’Peter always had a sword with him. That was why when

they came to arrest Jesus, he used the weapon. When children wanted to come to him, there were disciples that shielded Jesus away.

He had to intervene for

them to access him. So, I have no doubt that Jesus used security guards and I see nothing wrong with ministers doing the same’’.

Senior Pastor of Grace Family Church, Lagos, Rev. Yinka Ojo, acknowledged security belongs to God ultimately. He, however, said there is nothing wrong with using security escorts as a minister. According to him, ‘’God is our security but you will notice that some of Jesus’ disciples had weapons. It is just that it should not be what you put your faith on. In Acts, some Jews threatened to kill Paul and even took a vow to execute the agenda. They had to provide him with security guards until he escaped.’’

Ojo, however, said he does not personally feel obliged to use security details because ‘’it is not biblical generally speaking’’.

A Christian counsellor, Peter Ogudoro, said there is no way ministers would not use security escorts with the present security challenge. ‘’You must know that God has been gracious and merciful to our ministers and they can’t afford to die now. They must live long to enjoy the mercies of God. So, in that sense, you could say using security escort is not unexpected.

The Bible says we must be wise and these people are just being proactive.’’

He, however, said the situation wouldn’t have arisen had church leaders taken up the establishment on good governance. ‘’If they were talking to our political leaders and pressurise them, we wouldn’t be where we are now because going about with security details does not guarantee freedom and liberty. The security they are going about with will not save them if the situation gets worse than this, and that is a lesson for them to take up the establishment on good governance,’’ he stated.

Church Growth expert, Dr Francis Bola-Akin, admitted there may be needs for occasional security arrangements around men of God. ‘’Some ministers because of their popularity and status cannot walk freely on the streets without being mobbed,’’ he began. ‘’So, we can provide people to guard them to avoid such situation.

That is acceptable and understandable’’.

He, however, frowned at the excessive use of security escorts by ministers to oppress and intimidate people. Jesus, he said, could not be imagined doing that.

Akin-John said: ‘’Most of them that use security do so because they have made so much money and have something to hide. Our

Jesus is the Lord of humility and order. They use security because they are not open and want to very isolated from people. It will shock you to know that it would be easier to see Jesus today than some of these our ministers. But thank God we are all going to the same heaven. Every man will face God without a security guard. That is always my consolation’’.

General Overseer of Balanced Gospel Church, Bariga Lagos, Dr Elijah Awosope, said though it may not be wrong for ministers to use security escorts, they must strive to be accessible to their members. ‘’For some pastors, it has become a status symbol. They think the more they are isolated from people, they more they are respected. So, they must realise that God is the ultimate security because even the most secured have been attacked. American presidents were killed, a former Head of State in Nigeria, Murtala Mohammed, was assassinated despite the security around him. So, it is better to know that God is the only one that can protect’’.

The Parish Priest of St Peter’s Anglican Church, Lekki, Lagos, Rev. Asoliye Douglas-West, said: ‘’Though the current state of heightened insecurity is deeply worrisome and scary, it is neither a sufficient nor adequate ground for any worthy man of God to be body-guarded by armed security operatives.’’

According to him, ‘’It is inexcusable. It is a sign of weakness and display of doubt.

Security is everybody’s business especially in our current uncertain state, even so it has become imperative for citizens to be well self-advised to exercise extreme caution and vigilance to stay safe and free.’’

He berated ministers using security escorts saying, ‘’a man of God cannot and should not seek protective immunity under the leaking umbrella of insecurity by insulating himself with a battery of armed guards. He is at not at war with the congregation or community of neighbours. There is no use attempting to copycat the politicians who had already gained notoriety. ‘’This would only repudiate the scripture which teaches us that ‘the watchman waits in vain, but it is the Lord that keeps the city’ … after all the Lord that watches over His chosen people neither sleeps nor slumbers. We cannot hold claim to liberty and yet inadvertently subordinate our freedom to self-inflicted captivity.’’

70

Worship

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, MAY 13, 2012

Power of planning in marriage

Protecting your family heritage (2) Archbishop Sam Amaga

Family Heritage

I

N protecting your family heritage, and to be able to preserve a future for your children; certain truths are vital for you to know about your children’s age bracket and behaviours.

Ages 1-9 This is the age of dependency. During this age; children learn a lot by observation. They often do what their parents do or what their friends do. Parent must watch who their friends are at this time. They do not have the wisdom to discern between bad and good behaviors.

But as you give them strong foundation, they experience supernatural overflow. You are giving them foundation which shall not be destroyed.

But if parents are not spiritual, they just let the children grow through TV and film culture then there is trouble. Remember the scriptures says; If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do? Psalm 11:3 Ages 10 -19 This is the age of adventure. Children like to try many things of which some may turn out positive, but they miss many things at this age as well. They have the body of adults but the minds of teenagers. They want to be left alone to do what’s right to them. But this is the period to take their spiritual mentoring seriously. For the scriptures says; the rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to

shame. Proverbs 29:15 It is at this age most children manifest foolishness and rebellious. Habits formed at this age tend to follow them on to adulthood except there is a divine intervention. But those who have been raised on Godly foundation tend to be conscious about the rebellious spirit of their age and they make conscious effort to grow in the spirit. At this age also, their hormones are running wild. Most of them lose their virginity in this age bracket.

But Godly parent must mix mentoring with discipline to save them from destruction. That is how you can protect your family heritage.

Parents, the following will help you to handle this adventurous stage in your children’s lives. Do not spare loving discipline.

These are the scriptural stand points for this.

Don’t be afraid to correct your young ones; a spanking won’t kill them. A good spanking, in fact, might save them from something worse than death. Proverbs 23:13-14 (Message) Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.

Proverbs 29:17 You must love them, provide for them, teach and train them; but also with loving discipline when needed, that is the only way to protect your family heritage.

Children on their part must; Give themselves to disciplined instructions as admonished in proverbs 23:12; Apply thine heart unto instruction, and thine ears to the words of knowledge.

Discipline is the sure guarantee for a great destiny. Children left to themselves have always had

troubles in later life as seen in this scriptures; Wise discipline imparts wisdom; spoiled adolescents embarrass their parents. Proverbs 29:15 (Message) So, parents – the only way not to be embarrassed tomorrow is to apply loving discipline today. Discipline your children; you’ll be glad you did— they’ll turn out delightful to live with. Proverbs 29:17 (Message) Children when you are not listening to Godly parents, you are suffering from moral bankruptcy and the consequence is that you will end up as moral drop outs. Moral dropouts won’t listen to their elders; welcoming correction is a mark of good sense. Proverbs 15:5 (Message) Children also note that, it takes accepting Godly parental instructions and discipline to keep the right path and direction in life.

Oh listen, dear child—become wise; point your life in the right direction. Proverbs 23:19 (Message) Only smart and wise children make their parents glad. Dear child, if you become wise, I’ll be one happy parent.

My heart will dance and sing to the tuneful truth you’ll speak. Proverbs 23:1516 (Message) PARENTS The purpose of discipline is not to hurt and maim them but to help them create golden destinies. A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit. Proverbs 15:4 The words you put into their lives and destinies will matter in their future.

Contact: Archbishop Sam Amaga @ Salem Mission House, Mabushi Abuja.

E - m a i l : archbishop@saleminternational.net Phone: 08023018836

Dr James Iruobe

MARRIAGE & DESTINY

“F

OR which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it. Lest after he has laid the foundation and is not able to finish it, all who see it begin to mock him” Luke 14:28 & 29. (NKJV) Planning is a scheme, program or method worked out before hand for the accomplishment of an objective. The above scripture lucidly shows the importance of planning in marriage and likewise all areas of our lives. Two attitudes to planning need to hold in focus; on the one hand we need to be prepared for what may lie ahead, which may mean contingencies and flexible processes. On the other hand, our future is shaped by consequences of day to day actions. What this means is that every good plan must be done with the short term and long term in view. Planning involves knowing who you are, your strength and weakness and your spouse strength and weakness, you need to know how ready you are spiritually, physically, financially, emotionally, socially and other aspects of your life.

For this reason and more this subject is intensely analyzed and brought to you in an at-

tempt to prepare you for marriage. Never rush into that marriage because of your feelings! Take time to plan your way into it and I can assure you that you will never regret it.

The problem of inadequate preparation A young man went to a swimming pool and saw people swimming and he thought it was a simple thing to stay afloat. So he jumped into the water and sank. Why? He did not know that it takes lots of practice to learn to stay afloat. More often than not, many people have jumped into marriage that way before they started looking for help here and there because they had been inadequately prepared for marriage.

Some couples have jumped into marriages without adequate preparation and they were forced to jump out. Marriage is a serious institution and God who instituted marriage took time to plan for it.

He made all the provisions ready for Adam before forming Eve from Adam’s rib.

Rate of divorce is escalating everyday because somebody somewhere did not take time to sit down, calculate the cost, examine his or her readiness for this important institution before saying ‘I do’. My advice to intending couple is to do proper planning before venturing into marriage.

Peradventure, you are already married and you did not plan; then you could still sit down, talk and agree. This as you can see involves planning again.

You sit down; have a robust discussion and agreement with your partner before becoming one.

One beautiful thing about planning is that pre-

pares you very well for the task ahead, change what needs to be changed and acquire what you need to acquire before attempting a task.

It is an irony that many couples before married plan elaborately for the wedding ceremony which is a one day affair but fail to plan for the marriage which is supposed to last their life time.

My counsel is that it is crucial to sit down with your spouse before married to plan •Your wedding •Type and place of accommodation •Career paths •Number of children and their education •How to handle family finances •Savings and Investments •How to handle in-laws and dependants •Church to attend and spiritual growth •To own your own house The Benefits of planning:1. Planning takes time but saves time in the long run 2. Planning helps you to avoid waste of time and resources 3. Planning helps you chart a course and stay focused 4. Planning reduces conflict in the home 5. Planning helps you manage your family and finances better.

For counseling on marriage and other pressing issues, you can reach Dr James Iruobe through Elshaddai Covenant Ministries, 7, Social Club Road, New Oko-Oba, Lagos .Tel 07034183333, 08083001752 or e-mail james.iruobe@gmail.com.

CHRISTIANITY ACROSS THE GLOBE

Obama supports gay marriage, North Carolina kicks

P

RESIDENT Obama last week became the first sitting U.S. president to support gay “marriage” publicly, an announcement that was surprising perhaps only in its timing and one that could impact the general election.

The announcement came one day after North Carolinians overwhelmingly affirmed the traditional definition of marriage. Four other states will consider the issue this year, a year in which Obama is seeking reelection.

Obama seemed to be forced into stating his position after Vice President Joe Biden told NBC’s “Meet the Press” three days earlier that he is “comfortable” with gays and lesbians “marrying.”

Obama made the announcement during an interview with ABC News’ Robin Roberts.

“I’ve just concluded that for me personally it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same-sex couples should be able to get married,” Obama

told Roberts.

Even before Obama was elected, some conservative and liberal pundits scoffed at the suggestion that Obama did not support gay “marriage.”

In 2008, he opposed California Prop 8, a constitutional amendment that defined marriage as being between a man and a woman.

In 2011, he ordered the Justice Department to stop defending in court the Defense of Marriage Act, a federal law that defines marriage in the traditional sense, and he also announced support for a congressional bill that would overturn the law.

And this year, his spokespersons announced he opposed proposed constitutional marriage amendments in North Carolina and Minnesota.

He had also spoken twice to events held by the Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest gay group. Yet all along, the White House main-

tained he merely was “evolving” on the issue.

Bryant Wright, president of the Southern Baptist Convention, reacted to the news with sadness.

“It is very depressing news when the president of the United States uses his power of influence to endorse same-sex marriage,” Wright, pastor of Johnson Ferry Baptist Church in Marietta, Ga., told Baptist Press. “ ‘’ Scripture is very clear that from the beginning, God intended marriage to be between one man and one woman. It is important for us who are followers of Jesus to uphold the sacredness of marriage according to Scripture.”

Wright added, “Christians are called to pray for our government leaders, and it is now more important than ever to pray for President Obama in this very misguided decision.”

It remains to be seen whether it will cost Obama politically.

Although some polls now show majority support for gay

“marriage,” it has yet to translate to the ballot.

North Carolina voters Tuesday passed a constitutional amendment defining marriage between one man and one woman, and the margin of victory — 61-39 percent — surprised even supporters.

Thirty-two states now have voted on the issue, and traditional marriage has won with an average margin of 67-33 percent.

After watching the North Carolina results Tuesday night, pollster Tom Jensen of the left-leaning Public Policy Polling sent out a Tweet, saying, “Hate to say it but I don’t believe polls showing majority support for gay marriage nationally. Any time there’s a vote it doesn’t back it up.”

Maine and Minnesota will consider the issue in November, and Maryland and Washington state likely will as well.

Frank Page, president of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Executive Committee, said he was “saddened” and “deeply disappointed” by Obama’s announcement.

Catholic societies carpet govt, health workers

By Stella Edmund

T

HE Annual Joint General Assembly of major Superiors of Nigeria, a group of all religious congregations and societies in the Catholic Church, ended recently in Lagos with a damning verdict on the nation’s health sector.

Most health workers, the Assembly observed, were not committed to the plights of the masses.

The Assembly also chided government for not investing enough resources and manpower in the sector.

The situation, participants said, had led to avoidable deaths and permanent disabilities to millions of Nigerians.

The theme of the assembly was ‘‘caring for the career of health issues’’.

A participant, Charles Okeke, lamented government’s insensitivity to the health sector for many years.

He blamed the development on greed and corruption, saying ‘’this is why nothing seems to be working in the health sector’’.

Okeke urged Nigerians to embrace alternative medicine because every ‘’plant has medicinal values for human care’’.

The Superior, Our Lady of Apostles, Rev. Sis Assumpta Mordi, called on government to spare a thought for the poor masses of the nation.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY MAY 13, 2012

Sport Extra

Osaze wants to end season with goals P

ETER Odemwingie on Saturday called on Albion to give their fans one more glorious memory of an unforgettable season by upsetting Arsenal tonight.

The Baggies will end their campaign – and Roy Hodgson’s reign – against the Gunners at The Hawthorns.

And striker Odemwingie, who is still hoping to be fit to play some part in the game after a hamstring problem, is keen for Hodgson’s men to end a special season with another high.

The campaign has seen the Baggies do a double over Wolves, end a long wait for wins against Villa and Stoke and ensure they will finish as the leading club in the West Midlands.

A point tonight would give them their best-ever Premier League tally – beating last season’s 47 points – and they could still finish higher than last term’s record 11th place.

But Odemwingie, who is again set to end the year as his club’s top scorer, wants to end it with one more success and give Hodgson the fitting send-off as he leaves to take over the England team.

The Nigeria international said: “We saw the Liverpool versus Chelsea game on TV this week and everyone saw how different it is when you win the last game, no matter how the season went.

“If we win, you will see people smiling, especially if we

can beat another big club.

“It would be reassuring them that progress is being made in the team and the club is moving forward.

“So, hopefully, we can get a positive result, even though we already know the club and the supporters are pleased with where we have ended

•Odemwingie

I'll bring Eagles closer to Nigerians—Keshi

S

UPER Eagles’ Head Coach, Stephen Keshi has promised to bring the national team closer to Nigerians in a task to awaken the support of the soccer-loving populace for the Super Eagles in recent years and that will also strive to bring the Super Eagles team to Kogi State for camping having the new state-of-the-art 25,000 capacity Lokoja Confluence Stadium now fully in place.

•Team to camp in Kogi The Super Eagles tactician, made this known in a brief reception with the Kogi State Football Association, football administrators and other notable stakeholders in the state in Lokoja, the Kogi state capital.

The big boss further disclosed that the door is open for coaches who intend to visit his camp for more

YEKINI’S EIGHT DAYS PRAYER

NFF recommends a post-humous National Award

P

RESIDENT of the Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Aminu Maigari on Saturday eulogised fallen Nigerian legend, Rashidi Yekini, saying the late footballer lived a life of service and honour.

Speaking in Ira, Kwara State during the Eighth Day Fidau Prayer for the departed ‘goals father’, Maigari pledged that the NFF would launch an annual U-15 National Championship in honour of late Yekini, and also recommend to the Federal Government, through the National Sports Commission, for him to be given a post-humous National Award.

“Also, we plan to organise a Memorial Match in his honour, which will bring together players of his USA ’94 Class and a Nigeria Selected side, which will be played at the Ilorin Township Stadium,” Maigari said at the palace of the Onira of Ira, Oba Abdulwahab Oyetoro.

He said further: “The NFF is looking into getting our players to invest for their future while still active, and will also look into the possibility of working with our

up this season.

“We have had many victories this season that we won’t forget and this would be another one of them.

“It’s reassuring that we are a very good team with a lot of potential and next season that will expect a lot more joyful moments.

“It is Roy’s last game and I’m sure seeing him smile and shake everyone’s hands to say goodbye after winning a game like this would help him to leave on a positive note and go to his job with the national team with a little bit more confidence.”

Odemwingie returned to training on Wednesday after the hamstring injury that kept him out of the 2-2 draw at Bolton.

•As Maigari hails departed hero sponsors to put in place a special fund to take care of the welfare of our National heroes while active and retired, though we have been doing that within our limited resources.”

The Onira of Ira, Oba Oyetoro welcomed the NFF delegation and urged the Federal Government to name a national monument after the legend.

In company with NFF 1st Vice President, Chief Mike Umeh, Executive Committee members High Chief Emeka Inyama and Dr. Shehu Adamu and his personal assistant Nasiru Jibril, Maigari then visited the family house of late Yekini, where he met the mother, Alhaji Sakirat Yekini and his widow. Kwara State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Barrister Kayode Tewoju and the Chairman of the Oyun Local Government Area, Mr. Ibrahim Omoniyi were also part of the delegation.

At the family house, Maigari and his team delivered a letter of condolence to the family, as well as letters

of condolence from FIFA President Sepp Blatter and CAF President Issa Hayatou.

The delegation then moved to the Ira Community School ground for the prayer.

Earlier on Friday, just as they landed at the Ilorin International Airport, Maigari and team were met by Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, who commended the efforts of the NFF since the death of the football hero, saying the Federation did well to have representatives at the burial and also send a strong team to the Eighth Day prayer.

•Yekini

coaching enlightenment.

The Chairmann Kogi State Technical Committee for Football Administration, speaking on behalf of the State FA and others football administrators, Hon Mustapha Allaydey lamented the poor relationship between football coaches across the country urging Keshi to use his good office to revive the cooperation. He further, hailed the confidence of the Super Eagles’ boss in local players, advicing that the Federation should encourage collaboration with Youth Sports Federation of Nigeria and appealed to A' grade coaches to take their time watch some the competitions organised by YSFON in view of rediscovering some abandoned talents in various part of the country.

The former Mali and Togo national team handler's vist might have taken Kogi citizens unaware but from all indications, Keshi confirmed his visit was to have a feel and sight on the newly built 25,000 olympic size stadium recently acquired by the state government under the previous administration led by Alhaji Ibrahim Idris which is now currently in use.

No doubt the distinguished visit of the national team coach will boost football and encourage sports in lowly-sport developed Kogi State as the hoped the visit of the Super Eagles team for camping will raise the support of Super Eagles which has dwindled in recent year due to drop of quality of play at the continental and international football competition but seems their are growing confidence and hope for great turn-around with the big boss in charge.

71

Mikel: I've shamed my critics

M

IKEL Obi has revealed his form at Chelsea has put to shame critics who have been quick to show him the exit door at the top London club.

He specially told MTNFotball.com he was never troubled by news of his impending sack by Chelsea as such a thing does not exist.

He also said in this exclusive interview with MTNFootball.com his team is poised to win the UEFA Champions League after beating Liverpool to win the FA Cup. Congratulations on win- focused. ning your fourth FA Cup You are an unused substiwinners’ medal with Chel- tute in the final of 2008 sea. How did it feel to win Champions League, how again? did you feel watching ChelThanks. It was a great feel- sea lose from the bench? ing. We were happy to have I felt bad because I wanted won as it will prepare the to be part of the action at very ground for us to win the big top level, but that is gone now. one, the Champions League.

How are you looking forTalking of Champions ward to this year’s final?

League, what was the feelI can’t wait to be on the pitch ing like to reach the final on May 19th for the first time for the second time in four in Champions League final. years?

I am looking forward to a I felt great. We believed in good outing in the final as a ourselves that we can do it player and for the team to lift right there at the Camp Nou, the trophy. so we went for it and Many times during the seaachieved our aim. son, you have been rumoured We know it won’t be easy to be on the list of players to so we prepared for the war be fired at Chelsea? on the pitch, when they (He cuts in) I have never alscored the second goal, I lowed that to bother me beknew it would be tougher cause I do well whenever I am but we kept up the pace be- on the field and nobody has cause something told me we ever told me that at Chelsea, will score and go through but whoever was responsible to the final. for spreading such news has What was the key to your now been put to shame. I am success at Barcelona? here to stay, make a name and We showed character and rewrite history with Chelsea. determination. We gave all Your team will miss the within us for the game. services of four players inYou face Bayern Munich cluding John Terry, Ramires in front of their fans in the and Ivanovic, how will you final. What are your cope without them? thoughts leading to this It is unfortunate they will epic final? miss the final after working They are a good side no hard for us to get there. They doubt, our target is to win will be missed no doubt but the trophy and that is what we will go all out to do our we will be playing for in best to win for them to make Munich. the entire team happy. Those The final will be played who will step in for them will at Bayern Munich home do well too. ground, don’t you feel that You have been a regular will affect Chelsea? player under interim coach It is an advantage for them Roberto di Matteo, do you but that notwithstanding want him stay? we can beat them. We did it Yes. He has really done well at Camp Nou in front of all since he took over. He has the Barcelona fans and now turned the team around, we I see nothing stopping us in do everything in unity and Munich. All we need do is we all want him stay, but we to concentrate and remain don’t have final say on that.

•Mikel

http://www.thenationonlineng.net

QUOTABLE "Rashidi will not rest properly until justice is done. Rashidi's death must not be swept under the carpet. He died under circumstances that reek of conspiracy and murder!"

SUNDAY, MAY 13, 2012 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM VOL. 6, NO. 2124

— Chief Segun Odegbami on the controversy surrounding the death of the former Super eagles' striker, Rashidi Yekini.

L

AST week, the Western Region marked the 25th anniversary of the death of the largest being in 20th century Yorubaland, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

Many eminent personalities said wonderful, if in some respects, emotive, things about his contributions to the development of the region and his regrettable inability to offer even more salient contributions to the development of Nigeria. Thrice he sought to be the country’s chief executive, complete with unassailable programmes and succinct vision, but thrice he was rejected. He was distrusted, and on top of it, vilified as a tribalist who subtly espoused a regionalist supremacy agenda.

However, for the first time in recent years, the region’s top political elite transcended party affiliations to celebrate the sage, though the region’s political fault lines were still evident even in the church service and were unlikely to respond to any medication soon.

Awo deserves celebration, whether along unified party and ideological lines or across divided lines. And though it took barely 15 years after his departure to fritter away nearly all of his accomplishments and to return the Yoruba to the stagnation and defeatism from which he roused them in the 1950s, he will continue to be celebrated.

One of the respected views offered during Awo’s remembrance service came from Dr Peter Adebiyi, Bishop of the Diocese of Lagos West, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion. His speech was in part theological, and thus politically unrealistic, and in part emotive, and thus utopian. Overall, he gave an admirable address that honoured the departed celebrator. In his speech, Dr Adebiyi considered Chief Olusegun Obasanjo a formidable Nigerian leader of Yoruba origin. The bishop gave no scientific reason to corroborate this conclusion, for as I have said here many times, Obasanjo had no pretext to be called a leader.

The bishop also wondered why Yoruba leaders could not bury their differences to forge a common front for the development of the region. I have also said it was unrealistic to expect a common front anytime soon or even in the foreseeable future in Yorubaland. The region’s dominant elite can always thrive in spite of opposition, no matter how vociferous. Unity is desirable, but it is neither a necessary nor a sufficient condition for progress. If it were a necessary condition, under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the region would have flourished rather than decayed in the eight years the party held sway.

The general thrust of the Awo anniversary was to remind Nigerians, and the region in particular, about the sage’s stellar performance when he was premier of the region. Dr Adebiyi did well to remind us of Awo’s landmark achievements which included the first television station in Africa, the first flood-lit stadium in Nigeria, Cocoa House (the tallest building in its days), free education, agricultural settlement schemes, Christian/Muslim pilgrims welfare board, and many more. After the anniversary service many writers and speakers testified to the accomplishments of the sage, including recalling his democratic credentials, principles, and humanism during the turbulent years of his premiership and the First Republic, and during the Second Republic. He was in short an exemplar of politics.

But in the effusions of last week, I think many people sadly missed the real reason Awo has endured unchallenged and resplendent in our collective imagination, and as solid as ever, and even looming larger with each passing year. Awo does not endure in our imagination because his vision was nonpareil, or because he built many matchless firsts. He does not endure in our memory because he was truly a democrat, notwithstanding the fog and curious mendacities with which some analysts drape and festoon his rise to the premiership of the region after the 1951 elections. He does not endure because he outlasted his enemies to offer us the benefit of his experience and incomparable talents and capacity during the civil war years. And he does not endure because he was personally disciplined, hardworking

25th Anniversary: What made, and still makes, Awo tick (1)

•Awolowo

•Gowon

and because he ran a true mass movement political party, the Action Group, which was described by scholars to be the most disciplined party in Africa. This man of many talented parts doubtless achieved many memorable things; but he is alive in our hearts today and celebrated all over because of something else uniquely nuanced.

History offers us hidden explanations for Awo’s greatness and imperishable legacy.

Simply put, Awo endures because he had character. In the ordinary meaning of the word, character is merely the aggregation of a person’s distinguishing qualities and features.

But great men like Winston Churchill and Charles de Gaulle, two statesmen who have influenced Palladium the most, define character beyond the capacity of the dictionary. De Gaulle, for instance, suggests a person’s intelligence, charisma, mystique and vision are part of the building blocks of a person’s character.

(But more of this in the second part of this article).

It is character that makes a leader see into the future and the opportunities encased in its womb when his rivals and contemporaries see only the expediencies of today. It is character that gives a leader the courage to sacrifice everything, including his life and even family, in

the pursuit of a cause or in the observance of an abstraction as seemingly nugatory as a principle. Until a leader has the ability to see farther than his contemporaries, and be ready to sacrifice his life, his reputation, and his most prized possession for what is not visible, he could not be said to have character.

It is character that makes a leader willing to hug martyrdom for a just and noble cause, to walk alone when situation demands it, to retire into the woods to consult with his anguished and sometimes disconsolate soul, to be inflexible when everybody else calls for moderation and conciliation, and to pursue the cause of justice without wavering even when it would hurt him, hurt his private interests and hurt his political fortunes. Great leaders with character love their families, but they have no illusion sacrificing them. No family anywhere owns a great man. The lien on his ideas, personality, and achievements belongs to the people, not the family.

If you are a student of history, you will recall how many times great leaders have walked alone, the unquantifiable sacrifices they have made, and how many times their political and leadership careers were brusquely written off as dead. I have written about the lives of Churchill and de Gaulle in this place, and I do

“In the effusions of last week, I think many people sadly missed the real reason Awo has endured unchallenged and resplendent in our collective imagination, as solid as ever, and even looming larger with each passing year. Awo does not endure because his vision was nonpareil, or because he built many matchless firsts. He does not endure in our memory because he was truly a democrat, notwithstanding the fog and curious mendacities with which some analysts drape and festoon his rise to the premiership of the region after the 1951 elections.

He does not endure because he outlasted his enemies to offer us the benefit of his experience and incomparable talents and capacity during the civil war years. And he does not endure because he was personally disciplined, hardworking and because he ran a true mass movement political party, the Action Group, which was described by scholars to be the most disciplined party in Africa. This man of many talented parts doubtless achieved many memorable things; but he is alive in our hearts today and celebrated all over because of something else uniquely nuanced”

not want to recall them again here until part two of this piece. But let me take just two examples from the life and times of Awo himself to substantiate the thesis that what made him a great man and still makes him a legend in our estimation was his character, not his buildings and policy firsts, as important as they were to the composition of his legacy. Perhaps this insight will help modern politicians and those who aspire to leadership positions.

I cite first the case of the persecution he endured in the hands of the federal government in the First Republic. I quote him in his own words from a March 1966 letter he wrote to Gen Aguiyi Ironsi, who seized power two months earlier, asking for a free pardon, in case some of us think Awo was unmindful of the consequences of his inflexibility or inured to the salient part it played in leadership mystique: “In the course of my evidence during my trial, I stated that my Party favoured and was actively working for alliance with the N.C.N.C. as a means, among other things, of solving what I described as ‘the problem of Nigeria’, and strengthening the unity of the Federation. In October 1963 (that is about a month after my conviction and while my appeal to the Supreme Court was still pending), a Peace Committee headed by the Chief Justice of the Federation, Sir Adetokunbo Ademola, made overtures to me through my friend Alhaji W. A. Elias to the effect that if I abandoned my intention to enter into alliance with the N.C.N.C. which, according to the Committee, was an Ibo Organisation, and agreed to dissolve the Action Group and, in co-operation with Chief Akintola (now deceased), form an all-embracing Yoruba political party which I would lead and which would go into alliance with the N.P.C., I would be released from prison before the end of that year. I turned down these terms because I was of the considered opinion that their acceptance would further widen and exacerbate inter-tribal differences, and gravely undermine the unity of the Federation.

“Today, the military government, of which you are the head, leaves no one in any doubt that it stands for Nigerian unity. But it must be emphasised, in this connection, that if I had prized my personal freedom above the unity of Nigeria, I would have been set free in 1963. In that event, this petition would not have been necessary, and the work of consolidating the unity of the country to which you and your colleagues now set your hands might have been made extremely more intractable and irksome.

“As recently as 20th December, 1965, identical peace terms (the only variant being that the alliance with the N.C.N.C. which was now a reality should be broken) were made to me here, in Calabar Prison, by a delegation representing another Peace Committee headed by the self-same Chief Justice of the Federation and purporting to have the blessing of the Prime Minister, with the unequivocal promise that if I accepted the terms my release would follow almost immediately. I rejected the terms for the reasons which I have outlined above. “(2) One of the monsters which menaced the public life of this country up to 14th January, this year is OPPORTUNISM with its attendant evils of jobbery, venality, corruption, and unabashed selfinterest. From all accounts, you are inflexibly resolved to destroy this monster. That was precisely what my colleagues and I had tried to do before we were rendered hors de combat since 29th May, 1962.

On two different occasions I was offered, first the post of Deputy Prime Minister (before May 1962), and second that of Deputy Governor-General (in August 1962), if I would agree to fold up the Opposition and join in a National Government. I declined the two offers because they were designed exclusively to gratify my self-interest, with no thought of fostering any political moral principle which could benefit the people of Nigeria. The learned Judge who presided over the Treasonable Felony Trial, commented unfavourably on my non-acceptance of one of these posts and held that my action lent weight to the case of the Prosecution against me. I must say, however, that in all conscience, I felt and still feel that a truly public-spirited person should accept public office not for what he can get for himself — such as the profit and glamour of office — but for the opportunity which it offers him of serving his people to the best of his ability, by promoting their welfare and happiness. To me, the two aforementioned posts were sinecures, and were intended to immobilise my talents and stultify the role of watch-dog which the people of Nigeria looked upon me to play on their behalf, at that juncture in our political evolution.”

To be continued next week

Published by Vintage Press Limited. Corporate Office: 27B Fatai Atere Way, Matori, Lagos. P.M.B. 1025, Oshodi, Lagos. Telephone: Switch Board: 01-8168361.

Editor - 08033510610, Marketing: 4520939, Abuja Office: Plot 5, Nanka Close AMAC Commercial Complex, Wuse Zone 3, Abuja. Telephone: 07028105302 E-mail: sunday@thenationonlineng.net Editor: FESTUS ERIYE