The Nation November 20,2011

DAHIRU MUSDAPHER

HOW CJN IS SHAKING UP JUDICIARY – Pages 23-24, EDITORIAL Page 13

Living next to ‘God’

– Page 57

Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

Vol.06, No. 1949

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

SUNDAY

NOVEMBER 20, 2011

N200.00

BAYELSA GUBER CRISIS

PDP defies court, holds primary Jonathan, Sylva absent as federal, state lawmakers boycott Seriake Dickson emerges winner, three aspirants walk-out INEC says court to determine validity of poll Soldiers, policemen take over Yenagoa Yusuf Alli, Isaac Ombe and Kelvin Osa-Okunbor

Continued on Page 5

Behold the queen Bayelsa Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial aspirant, Seriake Dickson (middle), with Minister of Police Affairs, Caleb Olubolade and an official of the five-member PDP electoral panel shortly after Dickson emerged winner of the primaries, held in Yenagoa, yesterday.

Twenty-one year old, Feyijimi Shodipo, a polyglot who speaks German and three other languages, emerged as winner of the 2011 Miss Nigeria beauty pageant held in Lagos at the weekend.

Photo: OLUSEGUN RAPHEAL

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2011

IN OTHER WORDS “I am the modern-day Jesus Christ that you all have been waiting for.” Apparently a man of many parts, Oscar Ortega Hernandez, charged with trying to assassinate President Barack Obama after he fired shots at the White House, made this revelation in a video he recorded in September.

Pope Benedict XVI waves to the crowd in Ouidah, Benin Republic yesterday. Pope Benedict XVI denounced corruption, warning it could lead to violent upheaval, while calling on African leaders not to rob citizens of hope on his second visit to the continent.

Photo: AFP

WEEK NOTES And these also happened!

BURGLAR OF THE WEEK An Osogbo Senior Magistrates’ Court on Thursday sentenced a 28-year-old nursing mother, Taye Joseph, to seven days of community service for stealing a carton of Indomie.

The convict was to be kept in the custody of Ataoja Police Station in Osogbo from where she was expected to be coming to clean the court’s premises for seven days.

Senior Magistrate Olusola Aluko, however, gave an option of N300 fine for each of the seven-count charges brought against the convict. Joseph had

pleaded guilty to the sevencount charges of conspiracy, house-breaking as well as stealing and asked for leniency.

The police prosecutor, Solomon Oladele, told the court that Joseph forcefully entered the shop of one Fasilat Yinusa and stole a carton of indomine valued at N1, 200. He added that the woman stole some biscuits, Viju milk, eggs, packets of cigarettes and Bournvita among other items from the shops of Mulikat Agbeja and Folasade Suleieman.

BUTCHERS OF THE WEEK

The Abia Police Command has arrested two persons for allegedly beheading two corpses kept at a local mortuary in Owerrinta, Isiala Ngwa Local Government Area of the state.

The corpses, male and female, were kept at the Night Moon Mortuary in Owerrinta, where the suspects allegedly beheaded them at about 3.30 a.m. on November 4.

The Police spokesman, Mr Geoffrey Ogbonna (ASP), who confirmed the incident in Umuahia on Thursday, said that the suspects were arrested at Owerrinta.

He described the act as “ungodly and sacrilegious’’ and said that the police were investigating the matter to unravel the culpability of the suspects.

“How can one behead a dead body, what is he or she going to do with the head?’’, he queried. The proprietor of the morgue, Dr Boniface Ubani, had reported the incident to the police on November 5. The suspects had attacked the mortuary attendants before carrying out the act.

PET OF THE WEEK A Florida, United States couple said they had to force their dog to vomit when the canine ate an envelope containing $1,000 cash.

Christy Lawrenson said they left the envelope of money, which was put aside to help pay off her car, on the counter of her St. Augustine home about two weeks ago and her husband returned home on his lunch break to find pieces of $100 bills scattered across the floor, WKMGTV, Orlando, reported Monday.

Lawrenson said her husband poured a peroxide mixture down the throat of Tuity, their Labrador retriever-chowbulldog mix, and the canine soon threw up the rest of the money pieces.

“My mother-in-law and our best friend were here and we were speechless. But they just laughed the whole evening and they helped us retrieve $900,” she said.

Lawrenson said the final $100 bill was missing too many serial numbers to replace, so they mailed it to the U.S. Department of Treasury with a letter of explanation and are hoping it will eventually be replaced.

SINGER OF THE WEEK

Italy’s former prime minister and cruise-ship crooner Silvio Berlusconi released an album of love songs on his last day in office on Wednesday.

The self-declared Latin lover, who often boasted that he single-handedly kept large groups entertained for hours on end with his charm and silky voice, wrote the lyrics for the album entitled “True Love.”

His singer friend Mariano Apicella performs the sensual

“It hurts and I am still hurting because I couldn’t envisage such a reaction. When you have done something which was not totally correct, I can only say I am sorry for all those people affected by my declarations.” FIFA President, Sepp Blatter, eating humble pie after appearing to suggest on Wednesday that racial discrimination on the football pitch could be settled with a handshake.

Neapolitan songs, which tell of tormented love, featuring lyrics such as “another day of wind and rain, another night without you,” or “Stay, and leave me your heart.”

Berlusconi, now 75, has written other albums with Apicella, though this is the first that includes Samba tracks. “I run my hands down your side, because it’s you. I adore you and I already miss you,” says another lyric.

NOTA BENE

Setback for breast cancer patients

The blockbuster drug Avastin should no longer be used in advanced breast cancer patients because of dangerous side effects.

The United States Food and Drug Administration declared Friday there is no proof that the drug extends the lives of advanced patients.

The ruling by the FDA was long expected, but it was certain to disappoint women who say they’ve run out of other options as their breast cancer spread through their bodies.

Impassioned patients had lobbied furiously to preserve Avastin as a last shot.

‘This was a difficult decision,’ said FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg.

She added that ‘it is clear that women who take Avastin for metastatic breast cancer risk potentially life-threatening side effects without proof that the use of Avastin will provide a benefit, in terms of delay in tumor growth, that would justify those risks.’

Those risks include severe high blood pressure, massive bleeding, heart attack or heart failure, and perforations in parts of the body such as the stomach and intestines, Ms Hamburg said.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2011

Column

The invention of African intellectual tradition

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nooping around With

Tatalo Alamu

• African captured as slaves

I

LLUSTRIOUS members of the high Table and the table not so high, distinguished members of the audience, notable and budding philosophers, Professor Sophie Oluwole, the keynote speaker who is also the moving spirit behind the whole event, it gives me great joy to be here as the chairman of this interactive session on the occasion of the World Philosophy Day. I must particularly thank the Centre for African Culture and Development for putting the issue of Africa’s lost intellectual heritage on the front burner of discourse again.

Given the multifarious problems confronting humanity, it is only sensible that once a year, a day should be set aside for sober philosophical reflections on the state of the human society and the prospects for the survival of the species. Some of these concerns are not to be taken lightly or dismissed glibly.

As Claude Levi-Strauss, the great French Structuralist anthropologist, has put it with caustic relish, “the world began without man and will end without him”.

I am not by any stretch of the imagination a professional philosopher. But there is a philosopher in everybody. The ability to think and to think through problems is what distinguishes human-beings from our animal cousins. If prostitution is the oldest human profession, philosophy must come a very close second. It is impossible to conceive of a human society without thinking of its thinkers and savants. These are the wise people, the cognoscenti, the visionary dreamers and conceptual pathfinders without which the great strides and the epic feats of knowledge and self-knowledge recorded by humanity would have been impossible. Without philosophers, a society must atrophy and perish.

This year’s World Philosophy Day is coming against a

background of great global unease, of human eruptions on a revolutionary scale and scope, of a fierce contention between man and a capitalist machine that no longer recognizes even its own.

There is a trans-societal struggle to bring to heels a world in which inequity and inequality among classes, races, hemispheres and nations have assumed a staggering and idiotic proportion.

A consensus appears to have emerged that the world cannot continue along the lines of the present economic disorder and disequilibrium. After almost six hundred years of unrivalled hegemony, the World Order imposed by the capitalist mode of production and its twin bye products of liberal democracy and the nation-state paradigm appears to be at the end of its historic tether.

It is hard to predict what will follow, but it is a profound irony that while the system bequeathed to the world by western modernity is unraveling at the seams; while the philosophical and intellectual assumptions that underpin and power its baleful hegemony are being daily rubbished by new and novel imperatives, Africa is bogged down at the level of clearing the intellectual debris of misconceptions and misinformation imposed and inflicted on it by the expiring World Order. In

a classic case of double jeopardy most of Africa has joined Europe and the west on the road to economic and political ruination without being able to develop the substantial infrastructural insurance of the capitalist metropole.

The misconceptions about Africa’s intellectual heritage are many indeed; the orchestrated misinformation very scary. But intellectual misconceptions do not just arise in a vacuum or out of a void. There is always a philosophical fundament which underlies and structures such misconceptions. In the particular case of intellectual misconceptions of Africa, It might have started out as mere prejudice colouring the worldview of sea-faring merchants and buccaneering adventurers, but it was later to receive its philosophical ballast and intellectual scaffolding from dominant western intellectuals and thinkers as a means of providing rationale for the project of modernity and its systematic brutalization of the human species from Africa.

Let us now put the matter as crudely and as graphically as possible. Can the Blackman philosophize? At face value, this appears to be a particularly inane and vexing question. How can there be a people who cannot philosophize? But by philosophizing, we do not mean stringing together witticisms and

“The absence of western-type formal academies of learning from Africa at the time of colonial conquest does not invalidate the African capacity to learn and to philosophise at the most rarefied level of abstraction”

wise-sayings into a coherent cosmogony or worldview. We are talking of the capacity for conceptual formulation and rigorous abstractions; the ability for sustained intellection and paradigmatic speculation.

A whole retinue of western thinkers and intellectuals are united in the belief that beyond empty story telling and the regurgitation of received wisdom, the African is incapable of sustained abstractions. From Hegel to Karl Marx and down to Hugh Trevor-Roper who noted that African history is a dark void and an embarrassment to humanity, these western intellectuals are unanimous in the notion that Africa has no cultural or intellectual heritage worth talking about.

In an infamous passage from his Notes on the State of Virginia, Thomas Jefferson, a founding father and Third President of America, noted thus of the African American: “It appears to me that in memory they are equal to whites: in reason much inferior, as I think one could scarcely be found capable of tracing and comprehending the investigations of Euclid; and that in imagination they are dull, tasteless, and anomalous”.

It is note-worthy and interesting that whatever the ideological temperament of these western intellectuals, they were all united in their denigration of Africa’s cultural and intellectual heritage. The project of modernity, being a “national” project that transcends individual ideological proclivity, does not brook intellectual dissension. The discursive formation behind the formulation of western hegemony suffers from its own tyranny of the mother culture.

Karl Marx, for example, thought that pre-historic societies, such as was the case with all societies preoccupied with mythology, tried to dominate nature in and around the imagination and that this fixation with idiotic superstitions gives way once humankind masters his environment through scientific certitude and the knowledge that comes with enlightenment.

To be sure, it is possible that at the time of the colonial incursion, the African continent might have suffered a brutal and catastrophic regression into the state of nature. But it does appear that what we are dealing with here is the substitution of one set of superstitions for another. The absence of western-type formal academies of learning from Africa at the time of colonial conquest does not invalidate the African capacity to learn and to philosophise at the most rarefied level of abstraction.

In the twelfth century, there was a university in Timbuktu which had an attendance of twenty five thousand students in a city of a hundred thousand, although this might have owed its provenance to the dominant Islamic culture. Ibn Khaldun, the fourteenth century Tunis-born

Arab African philosopher and globally acclaimed political theorist, anticipated most of Marx and Vico’s theories about the cyclical nature of historical evolution. His notion of asabiyah, or group coherence and bonding in conditions of exacting harshness, showed a remarkable insight into the construction and deconstruction of tribal hegemonies.

Although there were no formal schools in pre-colonial Africa in the sense that we have come to know them, traditional African societies had their own informal system of education which produced the requisite elite to man the institutions. It was a capillary network of politicians, diplomats, historians, judges, spies, shamans, votaries, savants, psychiatrists, native healers, astrologers, information gurus among other traditional professions.

Indeed the extant ideological apparatuses of the pre-colonial African states still retain an efficacy and power of compliance long after their political and material basis and rationale have been subverted by the colonial irruption. It was not for nothing that Peter Morton described the Yoruba Ogboni confraternity as “mystery-mongering greybeards.”

Even if we are to put all this aside, even we are to concede that medieval Africa did suffer a terrible regression to the savagery of the state of nature, the roots and foundation of western modernity in the ancient African civilisation of Egypt cannot be denied. The myth of the black savage shambling about in the cave of cultural and intellectual darkness is just that: a myth rooted in intellectual superstition.

In order to deal with the conquered and subjugated people of Africa, but, more importantly, in order to explain away the systematic cruelties of western colonisation, western intellectual tradition had to “reinvent” the native African cultural heritage to suit their preconceived notion. Terence Ranger, following the conceptual breakthrough of Eric Hobsbawm in his landmark study of European elite, has written copiously and eloquently on this reinvention of African tradition by the colonialists.

This was the same phenomenon observed by Edward Said, the late Palestinian American cultural theorist , in his pathbreaking study of the colonial imaginary in the orient. In order to handle better and justify the brutal decimation of India and the orient, a particular notion of the orient has to be invented and erected in place of the real thing.

Thus orientalism, or the reinvention of the orient by the colonial imagination, has little to do with the real orient just as the reinvention of African intellectual tradition has little to do with the real Africa.

Continued on page 22

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NEWS THE NATION ON SUNDAY NOVEMBER 20, 2011

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WO policemen were yesterday killed by a gang of 10 unknown gunmen who blew up the Divisional Police Station in Kabba, Kogi State.

A bank, located some 250 meters from the police station, was not spared as the rampaging bandits sprayed it with bullets apparently in frustration at their inability to break open the bank’s vault.

But computers and other equipment in the building were damaged.

Former governor of the state and gubernatorial candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Prince Abubakar Audu has condemned the bombing of the police station and robbery at Kabba/Bunnu local government.

It was gathered that the hoodlums took their time to raid the police armoury before blowing up the building. They reportedly helped themselves to some guns and ammunition.

Words soon went round the town that the invaders might be Boko Haram members.

The police declined to speak on the matter. Their s p o k e s m a n , Mr.Olasunkanmi told The

Twopolicemenkilledasgunmenblow up Kabba police station Mohammed Bashir with agency report

Nation on phone that he had not been authorised to talk on it.

In Maiduguri two soldiers and a child were also killed after Boko Haram members ambushed them at the weekend.

The Commissioner of Police, Borno State command Simeon Midenda confirmed the attack yesterday Witnesses of the Maiduguri incident said the sect members shot at a military patrol in the city, and one of the stray rounds killed a 9-year-old.

No one has been arrested over the killings.

Audu was speaking at Aiyetoro Gbedde in Ijumu local government area during a reception organised in honour of a member representing Ijumu constituency

• Boko Haram kills two soldiers in Maiduguri • Abubakar Audu condemns attack in the state house of assembly, Yori Afolabi.

The former governor promised to reabsorb all sacked workers sacked once he assumed the leadership of the state. He said the College of Agriculture Kabba would be made a full-fledged university.

He described as laughable, the decision of the incumbent governor Ibrahim Idris to impose his In-law on the people of the state after failing them in the past eight years urging the people to reject the PDP’s calculation with their votes.

Meanwhile, the commissioner of police, Amana Abasankanga who paid on the spot assessment to the station said immediately he was alerted of the incident he mobilised anti-riot officers stationed in Okene to go with the APC tank to deal with the situation. Unfortunately on entering Kabba, they met the bandits who opened fire on the rescue team and deflated the tyres of the APC tank before they escaped.

The police boss who said his men swiftly responded to the exchange of

gun fire with the bandits before they managed to escape said, he had put his men on red alert and expressed hope that the bandits would soon be arrested.

Although the commissioner could not categorically say whether it was the Boko Haram sect that carried out the attack, he said they were working on the theory that the bandits could be desperate armed robbers as he said that police preliminary investigations revealed that a large sum of money was deposited in the bank on the pre-

vious day for the payment of teachers and council workers’ salaries.

He said the bank has been raided by armed robbers twice in recent times.

He urged residents not to panic as the long arm of the law will catch up with them. The police boss, however, refused to give the names of the victims but identified their ranks as an inspector and a corporal.

One Corporal Olatunji Opeyemi who managed to escape the scene with bullets wounds, said the bandits came in three vehicles accompanied by a power motor bike rider at about 1.30 am and forcefully gained access into the police station.

Governor Ibrahim Idris described the incident as unacceptable, saying it was barbaric for anybody to shed innocent blood .

Hijackers seize boats, hostages in Bayelsa

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UNMEN boarded two fishing vessels just off the Atlantic Coast in Bayelsa State and took two people hostage, security sources said yesterday, the latest in a series of hijackings in the area.

The captains of the two boats were taken early on Friday, the same day eight pirates took three hostages from an oil supply vessel contracted by Chevron Corp, two security sources close to the incidents said.

Chevron confirmed the attack on the vessel owned by its contractor, the second hijacking on ships hired by the U.S. major off the coast this month.

Bayelsa has hundreds of kilometres of oil pipelines and other industry infrastructure crucial to Africa’s largest crude exporter. Violence in the Niger Delta’s vast swamps and waterways has in the past cut oil output, moving global prices.

The state is currently embroiled in a political dispute that pitches Governor Timipre Sylva against the leadership of his party,PDP,which does not want him to return for a second term in office.

Reuters quoted one Western diplomat as saying Sylva may have “become unpopular with someone right at the very top of the party”. A lot is at stake.

Sylva has condemned the deployment of soldiers to a state he is still supposed

to run but also publicly urged his supporters to remain calm and keep the peace.

“Three ships taken in the same day. It could be a coincidence but elections in the Niger Delta can be volatile and this one particularly so,” one security source said.

Nigeria produces more than 2 million barrels per day of crude oil and is a key supplier to the United States, Europe and emerging markets in Asia.

• From right, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan and Deputy Governor, Prof. Amos Utuama, during the funeral service for the late Senator Fred Brume, at Ubogo, on Friday.

INEC, SEIC seek elections in caretaker-run LGs

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O ensure adherence to the 1999 Constitution, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) are seeking elections in all local government areas (LGA) being run by sole administrators and caretaker committees.

They said in the communiqué issued at the end of their first National Consultative Retreat held in Enugu that sole administrations and caretaker committees have no place in the local government system in the country.

They advocated financial autonomy for SIECs just like INEC that is already enjoying first line charge to the Consolidated Revenue Account. The communiqué reads in part: “That Local Government Councils, as

• Want SIEC be placed on first line revenue charge in States From: Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

the tier of government closest to the people, must be democratically elected as provided by the Constitution. Therefore, sole administrators and caretaker committees have no place in our system of local government.

The retreat demands immediate commencement of elections into councils where such sole administrators and caretaker committees currently exist.”

“That SIECs and INEC should work with relevant legislative bodies to harmonise the legal framework guiding Election Management Bodies (EMBs) to ensure their independence, financial autonomy and security of tenure. In this regard,

the retreat recommended that just like INEC is on the first line charge to the Consolidated Revenue Account, SIECs should also be placed on first line revenue charge at the state level.”

“That INEC and SIECs should establish a peer review mechanism that will ensure sharing of experiences and setting of benchmarks for the conduct of free, fair and credible elections in Nigeria in line with global best practices.”

“That INEC and SIECs should work together to increase opportunities open to women, youths and the physically challenged to participate in the political process. In addition, renewed emphasis should be placed on continuous civic and voter education.”

They also resolved that INEC and SIECs should hold parties to the strict observance of their own con-

stitutions and other rules in the conduct of their congresses, primaries and other processes.

Gaddafi’s son, Saif, arrested in Libya

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UAMMAR Gaddafi’s son and heir apparent Saif alIslam has been detained in the southern desert, Libya’s interim justice minister and other officials said yesterday..

Fighters from the western mountain city of Zintan claimed his capture as gunfire and car horns marked jubilation across the country at the seizure of the British-educated 39-yearold who a year ago seemed set for a dynastic succession to rule.

He and three armed companions were taken

without a fight overnight, officials said, and Saif al-Islam was not injured - unlike his father, who was killed a month ago on Sunday after being captured by fighters in his home town.

“We have arrested Saif alIslam Gaddafi in (the) Obari area,” Justice Minister Mohammed al-Alagy told Reuters, adding that the younger Gaddafi, wanted for crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court at The Hague, was not injured.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY NOVEMBER 20, 2011

News

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World Bank investment in Nigeria hits $2bn • Focuses on infrastructure financing

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Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashol (left), the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Senator representing Lagos Central Senatorial District, Senator Oluremi Tinubu (back left), and the Olu of Afowowa Sogaade Ajiborisa I, Oba Mufutau Olatunji Hamzat during his coronation, yesterday.

ORLD Bank has disclosed that its current investment in Nigeria has hit $2 billion. With this the Bank will pay more attention to infrastructure development in the country.

It was also revealed that the World Bank will henceforth ensure that institutions it helps set up in Nigeria are adequately maintained.

These revelations were made at the Bank’s projects reviews in Nigeria by the Senior Manager, Sustainable Development Department, Africa Region, Anna Bjerde, who monitored the bank’s projects in Lagos State.

She noted that the projects located at Agege, Berger and Bariga areas of Lagos state were encouraging. She, however, lamented that the areas monitored had hygiene problems to contend with.

To help tackle the hygiene problems of these parts of Lagos

Nduka Chiejina, Assistant Editor

the World Bank manager said the bank would focus on providing drainages that would help reduce environmental diseases.

The Director, Poverty Reduction and Economic Management, Africa Region, Marcelo Giugale who monitored projects in three states (Ondo, Rivers and Enugu), commended the World Bank projects in these states, disclosed that a 10-year Enugu-Abakaliki, Ikom-Anan road contracts would soon be signed and the contract would include maintenance.

Apart from infrastructure, other areas the bank plans to intervene in are in the areas of agriculture, especially marine foods.

Anna Bjerde said the agricultural sector was performing well but she lamented that the markets needed a makeover to make them more appealing to patrons of the markets.

PDP defies court, holds primaries •Continued from Page 1 The acting National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Abubakar Baraje emerging from a meeting in Lagos yesterday with former President Olusegun Obasanjo told reporters that there was nothing new in the PDP’s decision to disqualify Gov. Sylva who, he said, knew why the party shut him out.

He said:” “PDP is fully on ground in Bayelsa. It is PDP state, we do not have any fear.

“The anxiety over the disqualification of Sylva is perhaps because he is a serving governor, And for the first time may be the PDP is disqualifying a serving governor. It has happened in a PDP state before in Anambra State, we disqualified a serving governor before, it is not new.

“We are not disqualifying Sylva because of anybody. We have our rules and regulations, and the constitution of the party.

We are not very satisfied with some of the behaviour of Sylva, in line with the constitution of the party. We have drawn his attention to it, and he agreed with us.”

He denied reports that a Federal High Court restrained the PDP from holding the Bayelsa primary,arguing that what exists is a motion on notice.

An INEC source said yesterday that the drama thrown up by the PDP in Bayelsa would be resolved by the court.

Seven aspirants lined up for yesterday’s primary with Dickson as the anointed one but midway into the exercise three had walked out. Christopher Enai, Austin Febo and Boloubo Orufa said it reeked of fraud and insincerity.

Dickson got 365 of the votes cast.

Kalango Youpele had 2 votes; Fred Ekiyegha 2 votes.

Enai said the Caleb Olubolade -led Election panel promised to look into the alleged irregularities that attended the ward congresses but never did.

“The Panel said it would give us feedback, and we waited.Up till this moment we have not heard anything from them. I cannot be part of a fraudulent primary be-

cause we cannot return to the old method of running away with materials”, an angry Enai said as he stormed out of the venue.

He alleged that the results of the ward congresses were compiled and written somewhere by a particular aspirant.

Asked what would be his next line of action, Enai said “we will continue to push for the cancelation of the results; we will call for a better and credible primary to be conducted”.

Febo said:”The process is fraudulent. This is not a credible primary. We cannot continue to do illegal things always, and we should be seen to be moving forward and not backward. Party supremacy is guided by regulations but the foundation of the guidelines is not followed. Whatever candidate that emerges from here is illegal.”

In his acceptance speech, Dickson commended members of the Rtd Navy Captain Caleb Olubolade –led panel for a successful exercise saying they have laid the foundation for a new Bayelsa state..

Dickson promised to commence the process of reconciliation and appealed to PDP members in the state to join hands with him in building a new state.

“The new PDP in the state will depart from the former rancour. All PDP leaders in the state will be on board so that we can together secure our hope for a better tomorrow,” he said.

Explaining why they could not be part of the primary, the 102 delegates said it would have been ‘contemptous of a judicial order capable of bringing the judiciary into disrepute,” a reference to the order of the Federal High Court stopping the primary.

Yesterday’s primary was held under tight security.

Armed soldiers and policemen who had been deployed on the streets of Yenagoa ahead of the event remained at their duty posts including check points while the primary lasted.

As the accreditation of delegates got underway two military helicopters hovered round the state capital on surveillance .

The Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG) in charge of Research and Planning, Force Headquarters, Mr. Mohammed Yusufu, personally led the police team to the venue. He was accompanied

by Mr. Hilary Okpara, the state Police Commissioner.

In and around the premises scores of armed policemen took position in strategic places to ensure peace.

The State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Nathan Egba said of the unusual security arrangement:”It is a further show of intimidation, while their faction of PDP is going ahead with the accreditation of delegates for the Governorship primary in defiance of the Abuja High Court order.”

The Independent National Electoral Commission which the Electoral Act requires to observe party primaries the type held yesterday in Yenagoa stayed away on the strength of the court injunction. An official of the commission said the validity of the primary would be determined by the court.

The official said it would not join the fray to avoid being accused of partisanship.

But the commission said it did not send observers to the primary election because it was duly served a Federal High Court order.

A highly-placed source in the commission, who spoke in confidence with our correspondent in Abuja, said: “We cannot invalidate the outcome of the primary in Bayelsa; only a competent court can do so. So, we won’t make any pronouncement on the legality or otherwise of the primary.

“We were served the order of the Federal High Court and in deference to the court we refused to observe the primary. Only the court can determine the validity of the primary election if there is any issue laid before it on the primary.”

“Section 85 of the 2011 Electoral Act says we may monitor the convention, congress of a political party to nominate candidates.

Now that we were barred by an order of the Court, only the same Court can make a definite pro-

nouncement on Bayelsa primary.

“The Court will have to take a decision on Bayelsa State based on Sections 31 and 85 of the Electoral Act. We are leaving the issue at that.

Responding to a question, the source added: “We do not want to join the fray and we do not want to be dragged into the matter beyond our respect for the Court by obeying its order.

“We will leave the court to interpret Sections 31 and 85 of the Electoral Act.” “Section 31 says: “Every political party shall not later than 60 days before the date appointed for a general election under the provisions of this Act, submit to the Commission in the prescribed forms the list of the candidates the party proposes to sponsor at the elections.

Section 85(1) and (2) reads: “A registered political party shall give the Commission at least 21 days notice of any convention, congress, conference or meeting convened for the purpose of electing members of its executive committee, other governing bodies or nominating candidates for any of the elective offices specified under this Act. “The Commission may, with or without prior notice to the political party, monitor and attend any convention, congress, conference or meeting which is convened by a political party for the purpose of (a) electing members of its executive committees or other governing bodies; (b) nominating candidates for an election at any level; and (c) approving a merger with any other registered political party.

At his interaction with reporters in Lagos acting national chairman of the PDP,Alhaji Baraje insisted that the public would soon know why Gov.Sylva was disqualified by the party.

The acting PDP chairman held a brief meeting with the board of trustees chairman of the party, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo at the inner lounge of the Presidential Lounge of the Lagos Airport to examine the way forward for the ruling party in view current developments in Bayelsa

State.

He explained that it was only natural for him to see Obasanjo and not ignore him , but make a brief stop to examine the way forward for the party.

Baraje said the Bayelsa governor violated the rules and regulations of the party and has admitted so.

Baraje explained that the PDP could not afford to make the offence public now to save the governor from ridicule adding that once the rimary is over the issue would be made public.

He said:”There was really no meeting with Obasanjo. I came on my own and met him here.We just met, as a former president , chairman of the board of trustees, we reviewed the situation of the party. It was a general talk about the party. I can assure you that there is no drama in Bayelsa. It is wrong to say that we have a court injunction. There is no court order, what we have is a motion on notice.

“What the PDP has is a court notice, motion on notice. The party was asked to show why, some of the prayers in the notice must not be granted. That is why we are going ahead with our congress.

I can assure you that INEC is part of the congress.

“If you want to know the offence of the governor, when the congress is over i will let you know. If we let the whole world know now, we are ridiculing Governor Sylva. He is still a respected member of the party. After the congresses, we will let the entire Nigeria know. The matter will not polarise the party.

“As a human being, nobody that is disqualified will be happy . If you are wounded, will you be happy? Naturally when disciplinary action is taken , you expect some people to be wounded, they will feel otherwise, we believe he will reason along with the party.

“So, there is no polarization .He will not be happy that he is disqualified, we have taken disciplinary action against some members of our party, but we kept it silent. Sylva’s matter is only an issue, because he is a serving governor facing an election.

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY NOVEMBER 20, 2011

News

Gunmen kill two in Akwa Ibom Fayemi awards 14 road contracts • Suspects arrested S

USPECTED armed robbers killed two persons yesterday at Ikot Apaden, in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

An eyewitness said one of the victims was Chief Christopher Ikpe, a highranking chief from a neighbouring village, Ekin.

He mentioned the other as Bernard Udoma.

He explained that the incident occurred few meters from Akwa Ibom State University in Ikot Apanen,

From Kazeem Ibrahym, Uyo

Mkpat Enin Local Government Area.

The Nation learnt that the armed robbers stormed Ikot Apaden in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area for the operation.

It was also gathered that there was a gun battle between the robbers and the police.

The source said: “We

are not sure if those that came for the operation are armed robbers or hired assassins because they actually had a drink with the chief before he was killed.

“I know the chief too well. Even one of his sons is a youth leader in the community.”

State Police Public Relations Officer of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command, ASP Onyeka Orji,

said the armed robbers killed two unidentified persons.

Orji explained that two of the armed robbers have been arrested by the police while others escaped with various degrees of injuries.

The police spokesman said the command would soon arrest the fleeing members of the gang.

He listed items recovered as a J5 Hiace Bus used for the operation, one AK 47 rifle and 22 rounds of ammunition.

Police foil robbery attack on former Deputy Governor

C

OURAGEOUS men from the Ogun State Police Command at the weekend foiled an attempt by a seven – man armed gang to rob former Deputy Governor, Alhaja Salmot Badru, at her residence few meters away as short distance from the Obasanjo Hilltop mansion, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

The suspected robbers, who arrived in a Toyota Hilux Bus, laid siege to Badru’s home around 10.00pm and were on the verge of using her maid as to gain access to the compound when a detachment of the Police stormed the venue in good time.

The former Deputy Governor during Governor Gbenga Daniel’s eight years in the saddle, it was learnt, returned from a trip to the Federal Capital, Abuja few hours before the robbers attempted to raid her home.

It was gathered that robbers who were furious

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

over the difficulties encountered in entering Badru’s apartment, fled on sighting the police.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Olumuyiwa Adejobi, told The Nation that the Command received many dis-

tress calls from Badru’s neighbours in respect of the strange visitors and the quick response of police averted the danger.

He said the armed gang neither entered the apartment nor harmed any occupant.

Adejobi explained, ”If we had not gotten to the

place on time,, the robbers would have attacked the woman and carted away valuables. That is why we encouraged people to be their brother’s keeper.

“Nothing was taken away and nothing was done to the woman. We raised four patrol police teams immediately we were alerted.”

Retention of fuel subsidy will not kill Nigeria-TUC

R

IVERS State Chapter of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has faulted President Goodluck Jonathan’s claim that Nigeria will crash if fuel subsidy is not removed.

The union told Jonathan to address unemployment and corruption instead of dissipating energies on removal of fuel subsidy.

Its Chairman, Chika Onuegbu, told reporters yesterday that the proposed re-

From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

moval of subsidy on fuel would aggravate economic woes in the nation.

He said, “We are hopeful that Nigeria will not crash if fuel subsidy is not removed. ‘’Rather, what may crash Nigeria is if the government continues to take the people for granted, by not adequately addressing corruption, poverty, insecurity and unemployment in

Nigeria.”

On the controversial Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), Onuegbu said, ‘’we observe that one of the fundamental objectives of the PIB is the deregulation of petroleum product prices and holistic review of the downstream sector.

“The loss to the Nigerian economy as a result of the delay in the passage of the PIB is colossal and several times the amount spent on fuel subsidy.”

•••cautions against shoddy job

E

KITI State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has warned contractors handling the 14 newly awarded road projects across the state against shoddy jobs.

He also said they should not enter into shady deals with government officials.

The governor gave the warning in Ado Ekiti at the weekend during a meeting with the contractors on specifications for construction of the new roads.

The projects are: the dualisation of Old garageOjumose road in Ado Ekiti; Old garage – Ajilosun road; Igede-Awo- Osi-Ido road; Ikere-Igbara Odo road and Ikogosi-Ipole Iloro-Efon road.

Others include Ijan-Ise road; Ijero-Ipoti-Ayetoro road; Ilawe- Igbara OdoIbuji road; Ikole- Ijesa-IsuIluomoba road; Ijan-Ise road and Oye-Ikun-Otun road.

There is also dualisation of IgbehinFist Baptist Church (via post office); Ijigbo Baptist College- Ilawe.

He said work would begin on the roads during the flagging off of his tour to the sixteen local govern-

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

ment areas tomorrow.

Fayemi said the state cannot afford a repeat of failed road constructions.

According to him, “Ekiti people are desirous of improvement on their roads and we want jobs that will be done that we will not go back there in one year’s time because that was the experience around here: under two years the roads are gone.”

He added that the State would fund the projects through the bond it just obtained at the Capital market.

He warned that government would not tolerate excuses or allow any contractor to go on holiday throughout the duration of the project.

Fayemi stressed, “We will pay you upfront your mobilisation of 30 per cent allowed by the law but I am not going to entertain any holiday. ‘’So the idea that you are going on holiday between December 15 and January 15 as is common in the construction industry is not allowed in this State.’’

268 die in road accidents

N

O fewer than 268 persons have died in road accidents at the Ovia River in Edo State along the Benin-Ore-Lagos in the last three months.

Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) zonal commander, Mr. Yakubu Attah, disclosed this during the flag-off of FERMA’s preventive road maintenance and surveillance gang in the South-South zone.

Attah said, “No amount of money can prevent accidents on our roads if we do not put things int proper perspective. ‘’I have always suggested that FERMA and the FRSC should work together for better results. The Ovia bridge area alone has

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

claimed 268 lives in less than three months due to accidents, many of which are avoidable.’’

Minister of Works, Mike Onolememem, attributed the road carnages to those he described as saboteurs.

According to him, ”People use and abuse our roads every year.

It is like building a house and vandalising it. ‘’Look at the issue of Ovia Bridge area that was mentioned. People cannibalise the road divides to make mere spoons. ‘’This is not done in any other part of the world.

And, it is some of these things that have led to loss of lives our roads.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

IRENE I formerly known and addressed as Miss Irene Ubani, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Irene Ubani Samuel. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

OMOWUNMI I formerly known and addressed as Omowunmi Agbaraojo, now wish to be known and addressed as Omowunmi Agbaraojo Salami. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

HOSPITAL VACANCIES LOCATION: Ijaiye Ojokoro, Lagos State.

1) POST - NYSC MEDICAL DOCTORS with Surgical Experience (Accomodation provided) 2) STAFF NURSES / MIDWIVES 3) HOSPITAL MANAGER Please apply with C.V. and scanned credentials to elmaspecialisthospital@yahoo.com within 2 weeks Tel: 07069708815, 08089061340

News

THE NATION ON SUNDAY NOVEMBER 20, 2011

Osun PDP to dissolve party EXCO

T

HE Executive Council of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State may be dissolved any moment from now, it emerged at the weekend.

Feelers from recent series of meetings of the leaders of the party revealed that the Chief Sunday Ojo-Williams Executive has lost support of members.

Only 2 percent voted for its continuity while more than 80 percent stood for its dissolution.

Elders have continued to hold marathon meetings on dissolving the EXCO which has been accused of many atrocities.

•Party chieftain slumps, dies in meeting From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

Chairman of the PDP in Boluwaduro local government of Osun State, Raimi Awoleye, slumped and died during a rowdy meeting yesterday at the residence of the national vice chairman South West of the party, Alhaji Tajudeen Oladipo at OkeAyepe.

It was alleged that former Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola and Senator Iyiola Omisore mobilised supporters to the meeting to prevent Dr

Yemi Farombi-led panel from submitting its report allegedly unfavourable to Chief Sunday OjoWilliams, who is leading the party in acting capacity.

The deceased apparently died from heat at the venue where members were jostling for positions.

Majority of members voted to allow fresh blood to run the affairs of the party at all levels.

The panel strongly recommended sustained, effective propaganda efforts to attack the ruling Action

Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

The Nation exclusively gathered that findings and recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Panel chaired by Engr.

Yemi Farombi were not favourable to the EXCO. Efforts by former Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola and Senator Iyiola Omisore to save OjoWillams allegedly failed.

The panel also recommended that Oyinlola should continue to be recognised as the party leader till next state congress.

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Tinubu for Enahoro memorial lecture From Osagie Otabor, Benin ATIONAL Leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, is to deliver the first memorial lecture in honour of the elder statesman, Chief Anthony Enahoro.

The lecture with the theme “Nigeria’s need for Constitutional Democracy” holds next Thursday President of the Benin Club, Mr. Sam Iredia, said the lecture is part of the 80th anniversary celebration of the club.

Iredia said late Enahoro was the first Nigerian to be admitted as member of the club earlier known as European club.

The club was founded in 1931 and was exclusively for the expatriate community.

The Benin Club President said that the club has built an enduring legacy of rare and uncommon honest leadership founded on strong democratic tenets.

N

Tambuwal justifies Jonathan’s constitutional review committee

By Kelvin Osa-Okunbor

S

PEAKER of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, has promised to sponsor a bill on relevant sections of the Nigerian Constitution that requires amendment.

Tambuwal, who disclosed this in an interview with reporters on arrival at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, said there is nothing wrong with the President setting up a committee to review the current constitution.

He said, “Any stakeholder in the Nigerian polity can seek for advice on certain sections of the constitution to be amended. So, I don’t see anything wrong with the president coming up with an idea of a committee to advice him on that.”

On the relevant sections of the constitution that he is seeking review, Tambuwal said: “I will sponsor a bill on that.

The ones that I want to be amended, I will sponsor a bill on that aspect of the constitution.”

… Assures on security of lives

By Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

S •L-R: Acting Director-General, National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) Prof. Tijani Bande (OFR); Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Board Chairman, Major-General Paul Omu (rtd) at the institute’s annual lecture in Jos at the weekend

Ogun releases names of successful job applicants

O

GUN State Government yesterday released the names of the first batch of successful applicants for the 10,000 jobs scheme promised

•Amosun presents employment letters tomorrow

By Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

by Governor Amosun.

Ibikunle

Varsity holds international conference on security

A

THREE-day international conference on security is to begin next Tuesday at Ellion House Hotel, Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos.

The conference, which is to be attended by security experts both at home and abroad, is hosted by the School of Law of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) in conjunction with Vision Articulation and Foresight Consulting (VAF). National Assembly Committees on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters as well as Security Intelligence and Public Safety have endorsed the conference.

Papers are to be presented by security experts, diplomats, criminologists,

senior intelligence, military and police officials as well as religious leaders.

The conference is to examine the causes and proffer solutions to the threats of insecurity and spate of bomb explosions that have gripped the country in the light of Boko Haram attacks.

A statement by the organising committee said the conference was convened “in the light of the recent spate of bombings within the country which has led to the unwarranted loss of several lives, including the recent bombing of the UN Headquarters in Nigeria and the not too distant ‘terrorist/freedom fighters’ activities in the oil rich Niger-Delta region.”

The lucky 3,664 candidates passed the interview tests conducted last November 3 and 4 at the June 12 Cultural Centre and Moshood Abiola International Stadium, Abeokuta.

Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Alhaji Yusuph Olaniyonu, in

a statement said, the successful applicants would collect their letters of employment at a ceremony to be presided over by the governor tomorrow.

On the list are 1,123 skilled workers and 2,532 other cadres. He urged the applicants to check their names on the state websiteogunstate.gov.ng

Have Your Say Given the criticism of this year’s National Honour Awards, how can the Federal Government make the awards more credible?

— Send SMS with full name and location before Wednesday to 08074473182 Responses to previous week’s question are on pages 52

PEAKER of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal yesterday promised that the Federal government would continue to do what is necessary to safeguard lives and property.

Tambuwal urged Nigerians to strive towards peace and unity to make the nation move faster on the path of steady growth and development.

He spoke at Afowowa in Ewekoro Local Government of Ogun State at the coronation of the community’s monarch, Oba Muftau Olatunji Hamzat.

Dignitaries at the coronation include Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola; his deputy, Adejoke Orelope- Adefulire; former Governor of Ogun State, Chief Segun Osoba; Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Senator Ganiyu Solomon, Hon. Opeyemi Bamidele, Lai Mohammed and Tunji Bello.

The Speaker lauded the Southwest lawmakers at the House of Representatives, saying they have been quite “cooperative and supportive”.

Tambuwal who stood in for the National leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria(ACN), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, at the occasion in his goodwill message, commended Oba Hamzat for his integrity and leadership that has helped to foster unity and development in his domain.

He pledged to cooperate with the Ogun State lawmakers in the House, particularly the member representing Ifo/Ewekoro Federal constituency, to attract Federal government projects to the Afowowa community and adjoining communities.

He acknowledged that Oba Hamzat’s association with Tinubu is commendable and rewarding, describing the monarch as a “man of the people.”

Also at the ceremony were the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu; former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Mrs. Adebisi Sarah Sosan; Senator Munirudeen Muse; ACN national legal adviser, Mr. Muiz Banire, Lagos State Chairman of ACN; Mr. Henry Ajomale and Mrs. Kemi Nelson.

NHIS opens for Ondo retirees From Leke Akeredolu, Akure

T

HE National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) at the weekend extended its package to retirees in Ondo State.

The scheme was initiated for the attainment of vision 20:20:20. Speaking during a workshop programme for the prospective beneficiaries of retirees in Akure, the state capital, the Deputy General Manager Technical Operations Department of NHIS, Dr. Amamatu Yusuf, told prospective beneficiaries in Akure, the scheme would help reduce their huge health bills.

She said, “Most retirees are mostly affected by diabetes and High blood pressure. ‘’There is standard benefit package for the beneficiaries so that they will not be spending all their stipends to tackle these ailments”.

8

THE NATION ON SUNDAY NOVEMBER 20, 2011

THE NATION ON SUNDAY NOVEMBER 20, 2011

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY NOVEMBER 20, 2011

COMMENT and ANALYSIS

11

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2011

Festus Eriye efestus2003@yahoo.com 08052135878 (SMS only)

I

S the media too hard on President Goodluck Jonathan? Are we overly critical of his every move? Do the opposition just leap to attack his actions without properly digesting them? That is the narrative that he president’s men and supporters would dearly want the world to swallow.

But let’s not forget that it was this same media not so long ago that was being accused by some of being in the pocket of the president. What could have gone wrong so quickly with a partnership supposedly forged in the vaults of the Central Bank?

If the media is becoming overly critical it is because there is so much to criticise. To understand what has happened to this relationship you need to look again at the man and the circumstances under which he came to power. You have to look at what Jonathan has done with whatever assets he had, or still has.

Even the worst Jonathan hater would admit that a nation as sick as Nigeria cannot be transformed in six months. All that people want is a sense that the government in place is focused and settling down to business.

They don’t get that impression. Instead, what is emerging is a sense that Jonathan has quickly gone off track – allowing himself to be bogged down by irrelevancies like a seven-year single term for president. What does a jobless man who can’t feed his family care whether a president stays for 90 years?

When he is tackled for drifting, he gets all defensive – starts feeling sorry for himself and releasing cringe-worthy statements that are unbefitting of his position.

Robust criticism of his plan to remove the fuel subsidy was soon being interpreted as an attempt by the opposition to topple his government.

But if those who whisper in his ears everyday would backtrack and examine the people’s reactions to similar moves by past administrations, they would discover that what is happening is nothing personal against Jonathan.

One of the key assets the president had while running for office was his supposed humility and likeability. All over the world these are important virtues for a politician seeking office. When former US President George W. Bush was running against the Democrat, Al Gore, one of the things that helped him was his likeability.

Gore, in spite of his experience as a vice president and former senator, was widely perceived as a standoffish, knowit-all. He paid dearly for that characterisation at the polls.

But affability and likeability can only get you in the door; they will not sustain you in office once voters start to doubt your ability.

US President, Barack Obama, is still perceived by most American voters as likeable. But many of those who hold those views are not sure if they would vote for him a second time because of his stewardship over the economy.

Whatever made Jonathan likeable whilst running for office has long since exceeded its sell-by date because Nigerians are looking to national leadership to address everything from Boko Haram to more mundane bread and butter issues.

The president may not have worn shoes

The face of modern slavery

Finally, Jonathan W embraces Pharaoh The transformation of a man in power is a wonder to behold

•Pharaoh

to go to school, but in today’s Nigeria many kids cannot even afford to go to school. And their parents want solutions.

Nobody wants to be the butt of cutting criticism; we all want to be loved and feted.

Unfortunately, Jonathan’s attempts to reconnect with the people have been leadenfooted and ruined by his defensiveness.

A while back he declared that he wasn’t going to act like a general or Pharaoh just so people would see him as assertive. He was apparently going to be himself. And what is that? Many who thought they had an inkling are not so sure any more.

For one thing, the analogy with generals and ancient Egyptian kings is all so flawed because it limits our interpretation to our experiences with the political soldiers who mismanaged Nigeria

over four decades.

History, on the other hand, is replete with the exploits of great military leaders who transformed their nations – from Kemal Ataturk in Turkey to Gamal Abdul Nasser in Egypt to Park Chung Hee in South Korea.

A certain Pharaoh might stink badly in Christian circles because of his image as an oppressive ruler who dealt harshly with the Jews at a particular point in time.

Still, we know from the physical evidence of monuments like the Pyramids and the Sphinx – that many Pharaohs were go-getters and achievers – whose legacy millions still flock to see up till today.

Curiously, while Jonathan is loath to compare himself to generals and Pharaohs, he is busy acting like some Nigerian generals and mini-Pharaohs of our recent past. Consider what is presently playing out in Bayelsa State over something as small as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial primaries.

Abuja’s crude manipulation of what should have been an open process has foisted on the hapless state a needless crisis. With his ego tangled up in the mix, Jonathan has had to deploy the instruments of state coercion so that his will is done inYenagoa.

If newspaper reports are anything to go by, not even during the general elections did we see the sort of force deployed in the state. And all because of a power or ego struggle between Jonathan and Governor Timipre Sylva.

This is all so reminiscent of President Olusegun Obasanjo’s days when it didn’t matter what party cadres wanted: what counted was what he wanted.

In a democracy it is the people that have their way – not one person no matter how powerful. Kings, on the other hand, lay down the law and their subjects fall in line.

Jonathan, the anti-Pharaoh, has come full circle. He is throwing his weight around with all the abandon of an ancient Egyptian monarch. And, still, he wonders ‘why don’t they love like they did before’?

“This is all so reminiscent of President Olusegun Obasanjo’s days when it didn’t matter what party cadres wanted: what counted was what he wanted. In a democracy it is the people that have their way – not one person no matter how powerful. Kings, on the other hand, lay down the law and their subjects fall in line”

By Nicholas D. Kristof

HEN I write about human trafficking as a modern form of slavery, people sometimes tune out as their eyes glaze over. So, Glazed Eyes, meet Srey Pov. She’s a tough interview because she breaks down as she recalls her life in a Cambodian brothel, and pretty soon my eyes are welling up, too.

Srey Pov’s family sold her to a brothel when she was 6 years old. She was unaware of sex but soon found out: A Western paedophile purchased her virginity, she said, and the brothel tied her naked and spread-eagled on a bed so that he could rape her.

“I was so scared,” she recalled. “I was crying and asking, ‘Why are you doing this to me?’ “ After that, the girl was in huge demand because she was so young. Some 20 customers raped her nightly, she remembers. And the brothel twice stitched her vagina closed so that she could be resold as a virgin. This agonizingly painful practice is common in Asian brothels, where customers sometimes pay hundreds of dollars to rape a virgin.

Most girls who have been trafficked, whether in New York or in Cambodia, eventually surrender. They are degraded and terrified, and they doubt their families or society will accept them again. But somehow Srey Pov refused to give in.

Repeatedly, she tried to escape the brothel but she said that each time she was caught and brutally punished with beatings and electric shocks. The brothel, like many in Cambodia, also had a punishment cell to break the will of rebellious girls.

As Srey Pov remembers it (and other girls tell similar stories), each time she rebelled she was locked naked in the darkness in a barrel half-full of sewage, replete with vermin and scorpions that stung her regularly. I asked how long she was punished this way, thinking perhaps an hour or two.

“The longest?” she remembered. “It was a week.”

Customers are, of course, the reason trafficking continues, and many of them honestly think that the girls are in the brothels voluntarily. Many are, of course. But smiles are not always what they seem. Srey Pov even remembers flirting to avoid being beaten.

“We smile on the outside,” she said, “but inside we are crying.”

Yet this is a story with a triumphant ending. At age 9, Srey Pov was able to dart away from the brothel and outrun the guard. She found her way to a shelter run by Somaly Mam, an anti-trafficking activist who herself was prostituted as a child. Somaly now runs the Somaly Mam Foundation to fight human trafficking in Southeast Asia: She’s the one who led the brothel raid that I recounted in my last column.

In Somaly’s shelter, Srey Pov learned English and blossomed. Now 19, Srey Pov can even imagine eventually having a boyfriend.

“Before I didn’t like men because they hit me and raped me,” she reflected. “But now I think that not all men are bad. If I find a good man, I can marry him.”

Somaly is creating an army of young women like Srey Pov who have been rescued from the brothels: well-educated and determined to defeat human trafficking. Over the years, I’ve watched these women and girls make a difference, and they’re self-replicating.

Srey Pov, Somaly and many others encountered a form of oppression that echoes 19th-century slavery. But the scale is larger today. By my calculations, at least 10 times as many girls are now trafficked into brothels annually as African slaves were transported to the New World in the peak years of the trans-Atlantic slave trade.

So for those of you doubtful that “modern slavery” really is an issue for the new international agenda, think of Srey Pov — and multiply her by millions. If what such girls experience isn’t slavery, that word has no meaning. It’s time for a 21st-century abolitionist movement in the U.S. and around the world.

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY NOVEMBER 20, 2011

Comment & Analysis

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

L

AST week, one of the most hated figures in printing history was at work in this space. His name is Printer’s Devil.

Each time he is mentioned, it is certain that something has gone wrong. He often takes the blame, though when everything is fine, no one remembers him.

He comes from a lowly background, defined as an apprentice in a printing firm who performs such tasks as mixing pots of ink and fetching type (cast alphabets). It is a modest job even though presidents like Lyndon Johnson and novelists like Mark Twain were once printers’ apprentices. He came away with black stains and became associated with dark arts or black magic.

Printers, too, were linked to the belief that a certain mischievous devil, Titivillus, went about changing type and misspelling words. Again, the apprentice was the ready target of blame.

My article entitled ‘Don’t blame Cameron’ ran without the very important first word ‘A’ that opened the column. I put it down to the printer’s devil.

But by no fault of the poor devil, a whole 10 years was knocked off David Cameron’s age, leading readers to unleash a volley of corrections. My apologies.

In any case, that Cameron article as well as the one before it, published on November 6, triggered so many reactions that I thought I should print them here.

Re: ‘Our lawmakers need help’ My friend, you best wake up and smell the moin moin. Sex between men in Nigeria goes on all the time, hidden yes, but don’t shove tradition down our throats.

Printer’s devil, corrections and reactions 08079225858 Our lawmakers need help. They are too detached from the masses to know what we need. When are they going [going to stop] making laws of no enforcement? This democracy thing..na waoh.

Akin Francis 08025104063 Maybe you are not aware. It is an open secret that majority of those lawmakers in Abuja are homosexuals and lesbians and that is why the satanic issue came up for mention in the National Assembly amidst other burning issues like Boko Haram, violent robberies, deranged police force, darkness being caused by PHCN saboteurs and unimaginable corruption in high places. Nigeria is heading towards Golgotha!

Tunde Adeniji, Old Ife Road, Ibadan, Oyo State.

Thank you for your write-up on Nigerian lawmakers. I quite agree with you and go further to say that God Almighty will punish all the lawmakers who not only cause confusion but also waste our time and resources.

Mustapha Yusuf, Jos Keep on the good advice. I’m proud of people like you.

08035181624 Can you please name those who sponsored or initiated those [bills] so that we can point fingers at those who are wasting our time?

08023071106 Indeed the so-called lawmakers need help but in case they consider it too tasking to seek help, here are some directions herein stated inter alia: approval of the 26% UNESCO recommendation for education; passing into law the ASUU/FG agreement,

etc.

Babeko Oluwalosheyi, OAU 08030858606 This is particularly disturbing. I can imagine such ‘honourables’ scampering heels over head during the last bomb scare around their chambers. Perhaps that should have been enough issue to debate on. I think psychological evaluation should be a basic criterion in selection of these mentally bankrupt craftsmen. At least it will determine their mindsets and level of sanity.

Owokunle BA 07087800208 Your piece on our lawmakers reminds me of how OBJ was worshipped via absurd congratulations because he signed our budgets. These ‘lawbreakers’ are so empty that they are only interested in their allowances which they shower on their girls/gay friends.

Tayo Ogedengbe, Okeagbe, Akoko, Ondo State.

Whoever sponsored the same sex marriage bill is obviously a closet fruitcake and should not only be exposed but never returned to the National Assembly. Imagine debating such obscene trivia when Boko Haram is rampaging.

08060116094 Deal with those who engage in such unwholesome sacrilege.

Chief Ikemegbunam J.N, 08036925729 Re: ‘Don’t blame Cameron’ Let the British PM know that we are not in Sodom and Gomorrah!

Godwin, Jos Thanks for your very intelligent article on David Cameron.

08038749534

Shiploads and lorryloads of insults have arrived on the African soil. Cameron is not to blame but our copycat and beggarly mentality. David Cameron has brought a new dimension to the concept of neocolonialism. All true sons and daughters of Africa must rise in unison to resist this new attempt by the descendants of colonialists to subjugate us to their whims and caprices.

WA Braimo 08138601334 David Cameron was born October 1966 and became PM last year at the age of 43, not 35 as you indicated in your write-up.

Matthew Akalusi, Jos 08037084744 I like the way you addressed Mr Cameron’s issue. Keep it up. It is immoral and senseless for him to say that.

08036050205 The British PM cannot be 35 as you mistakenly put it in The Nation.

Barrister Moronkeji Thank you immensely for this piece.

Africa continues to be governed by fools and since fools have no honour, anybody can tell them anything. It is sad that the richest continent is also the richest in fools.

AK Alhassan, Jos 08033320825 Cameron is 43 and nearer 44 than 35 years.

Yusuf Leo, Kaduna “By what strand of logic should that be allowed to stand?” you ask. Well since you brought up philosophy, remove God from the equation. Don’t preach to us in your subjective articles. Homosexuality has been a part of our culture in Africa. Hope you woke up and smelt the moin moin.

08079225855

THE NATION ON SUNDAY NOVEMBER 20, 2011

Comment & Analysis

13

A radical CJN? Can Musdapher take the judiciary to the Promised Land? Time will tell

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OME of the utterances and actions of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Dahiru Musdapher, since his assumption of office give the impression that we have a radical jurist in the mould of the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi at the apex of the country’s judiciary. When he was sworn in as the new CJN, Justice Musdapher admitted that the judiciary faced a serious moral crisis and needed urgent reform.

Many people, however, took with a pinch of salt the new CJN’s pledge to decisively tackle the problems plaguing the judiciary. This was because he was widely perceived as a key actor and indeed contributor to the moral and professional degeneration that characterised the judicial arm of government, particularly during the tenure of his predecessor, Justice Aloysius Katsina-Alu. Indeed, so disenchanted had most Nigerians become with the depths of infamy to which the judiciary had sunk that several leading legal practitioners canvassed that the new CJN be picked from outside the Supreme Court so that fresh blood could be infused to cleanse the system.

Justice Musdapher has however so far by his assertions and body language given reason for some confidence in his pledge to cleanse the judiciary. One salutary step he took, shortly on assumption of office, was the setting up of a widely representative and substantially credible Judicial Reform Committee under the chairmanship of a retired Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mohammed Uwais. In his recent address at the fifth annual General Conference of the Section on Legal Practice of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) in Abuja, the CJN once again gave a positive indication of the direction in which he seeks to lead the judiciary. Denouncing the concept of ‘plea bargain’ for corrupt politicians and public officers in uncompromising terms,

T

HE attention of Lagos State Ministry of Justice has been drawn to a publication in The Nation on Sunday of November 13, 2011 titled ‘Conspiracy against Lagos Tenancy Law’ which appeared on page 23 and 24.

The author of the referenced publication, Sunday Oguntola purportedly relied on section 4 of the Lagos State Tenancy Law of 2011 which was quoted on page 23 of the paper in the write-up. According to him: “Section 4 of the law state titled (sic) advance rent states.

(1) It shall be unlawful

Justice Musdapher described it as “a novel concept of dubious origin”. In his words: “It has no place in our law – substantive or procedural. It was invented to provide soft-landing to high profile criminals who loot the treasury entrusted to them. It is an obstacle to our fight against corruption. It should never again be mentioned in our jurisprudence”.

Earlier, Justice Musdapher had given judges handling corruption cases six months to dispose of them. Speaking at a lecture organised by the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS) in Abuja, the CJN directed that corruption cases be heard and determined within the period or be struck out if not diligently prosecuted. Again, the CJN was emphatic in asserting that “I must make specific mention of the need for judges to prioritise criminal matters bordering on official corruption that are placed before them. It has since been recognised that corruption is the bane of development in Nigeria. Therefore, it is imperative for all judges to realise that these cases are extremely important to Nigerians and must be dispensed with swiftly”.

Again, the CJN was at the head of a five-man

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

LETTERS

Conspiracy against Lagos Tenancy Law for a landlord or his agent to demand or receive from a sitting tenant rent in excess of three (3) months (sic) in respect of any premises.

(2) It shall be unlawful for a sitting tenant to offer or pay rent in excess of three (3) months (sic) in respect of any premises.

(3) Any person who receives or pays rent in excess of what is prescribed in this section shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable to a fine of one hundred thousand naira

(N100,000.00) or to three (3) months imprisonment or any other custodial disposition.’’

Please be informed that the above quote was a wrong and inaccurate reproduction of the provisions of section 4 of the Law. For the avoidance of doubt, section 4 of the Lagos State Tenancy Law assented to

by His Excellency, Mr. Babatunde R. Fashola (SAN), on August 2011 provides as follows: “4 (1) It shall be unlawful

for a landlord or his agency to demand or receive from a sitting tenant rent in excess of six (6) months from a monthly tenant and one (1) year from yearly tenant in respect of any premises without prejudice to the nature of tenancy held at the commencement of the tenancy.

(2) It shall be unlawful for a sitting tenant to offer or pay rent in excess of one (1) year for a yearly tenant and six (6) months for a monthly tenant in respect of any premises.

ActionAid Nigeria and same sex marriage

T

HIS is to clarify the stand of ActionAid Nigeria on the above issue. Contrary to reports in some newspapers that the organisation has “condemned same sex marriage, saying it should not be allowed in Nigeria”.

The report is a clear misrepresentation of our stand on sexuality rights and misunderstanding of our position. What the Country Di-

panel of the Supreme Court that recently unanimously ordered the retrial of the gubernatorial election petitions of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Akwa Ibom and Benue states.

Barely able to conceal his anger at the perceived miscarriage of justice by the lower court in the cases, Justice Musdapher said: “It is too early for me to start losing my head. What is the difference between letter and motion ex-parte?

Everybody is watching us. I’m begging in the name of justice, matters should be decided on their merit and not technicalties. Our responsibility is to do justice without technicalties…They just want to take an easy way out and finish the matter. We will say no to it. Democracy is the number of people that voted for A or B; let justice be done”.

It was still in this spirit that Justice Musdapher ordered, last week, that the Borno State Election Petition Tribunal should reconvene and deliver judgment in respect of the petition before it and ignore the earlier directive of the President of the Court of Appeal that the tribunal stands dissolved. But herein lies the dilemma that confronts the CJN. He openly supported his immediate predecessor when he unlawfully caused the arrest of the governorship election petition before the Appeal Court, Sokoto Division. As the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) has rightly protested, “The Appeal Court has since concluded the trial of our case and reserved judgment, but the Supreme Court, through a consequential order arrested the judgment. After more than four years of going to the polls, it is disheartening that the people of Sokoto State are yet to know who actually won that election.” This is a matter on which there must be full disclosure if we are to take Justice Musdapher’s expressed passion for change seriously.

rector of ActionAid in Nigeria, Dr. Hussaini Abdu said, “ActionAid as a rightsbased organisation does not discriminate against people based on their sexual identity. Our organisation is not in sympathy with those who are homophobic. We place human rights at the centre of our development approach and condemn the criminalisation of people because of their sexual ori-

entation. Every human being is entitled to enjoy the full range of human rights, without fear of discrimination or criminalisation.”

Any attempt at discriminating against people based on their sexual orientation will have adverse effect on other areas of human rights in Nigeria including democratic governance and sustainable development, which

cannot take place where groups of people are excluded from enjoying their civil liberties.

We at ActionAid therefore reiterated that the claim that we condemn same sex marriage does not represent our true working principles.

Onyinyechi Okechukwu Communications Advisor ActionAid Nigeria Abuja

(3) It shall be unlawful for a landlord or his agent to demand or receive from a new or would be tenant rent in excess of one (1) year in respect of any premises.

(4) It shall be unlawful for a new or would be tenant to offer or pay rent in excess of one (1) year in respect of any premises (5) Any person who receives or pays rent in excess of what is prescribed in this section shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine of One Hundred Thousand Naira (N100,000.00) or to three (3) months imprisonment.”

It is important to note that the Lagos State Tenancy Law is not a rentcontrol of legislation. It is a Law to regulate rights and obligations under tenancy agreements and their relationship between landlord and tenant including procedure for recovery of premises.

Having regard to the importance of the Law in regulating the affairs of the people of Lagos State,

the Government has put in place Dedicated Assistance Team (DAT) to provide free services by informing and assisting the citizens concerning their rights and obligations under the Law. The Dedicated Assistance Team is authorised to:i. P r o v i d e information about the Lagos State Tenancy Law to the people; ii. Inform residents about their rents and obligations under the Law: iii. Receive and process complaints submitted by landlords and tenants; and iv. Resolve on amicable terms disputes arising from the operations of the Law. The Dedicated Assistance Team could be located at Offices of the Citizens’ Mediation Centre at Alausa, Amukoko, Agege, Ikorodu, Onikan, Iba, Bariga, Yaba and Ikotun as well as at the Offices of Public Defenders throughout the state.

Olanrewaju Akinsola Senior Special Assistant (Justice Sector Reforms) to the Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice

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14

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2011

Comment & Analysis

Boko Haram: Terror, politics, and culture Ropo Sekoni ropo.sekoni @thenationonlineng.net

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OKO Haram has become a major problem for the country’s peace, security, and stability, even if we do not want to accept that the fundamentalist group is not just about terror. The group is doing the country a lot of harm through its terror attacks. But it is also provoking the country (almost unnoticed for this dimension) to think outside the box. While working hard to contain terror as the main text of the sect’s mission, it is necessary to start paying attention to the subtext of the group’s vision.

The National Assembly is right to give further encouragement to the President regarding the need to give whatever it takes to root it out of the nation’s life Boko Haram’s terrorism. The destruction of innocent lives of Nigerians and of foreigners working for global peace is bad enough to anger every patriotic Nigerian. Our legislators, like our president, have no reason to be anything but patriotic, especially at a time like this that calls for vigilance from every citizen. If the President and security

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

‘W

AY back in 2003, I was privileged to be lectured for some 45 minutes by the guru on the fundamentals of oil economics. According to him, oil was a macro product, that is to say, a commodity whose price affects, or indeed, determines the prices of other products. It seems this is the basic fact which has eluded President Jonathan and his spin doctors’ - Professor Akin Oyebode, University of Lagos Professor of Jurisprudence, talking about Prof Sam Aluko on ekitipanupo@yahoogroups.com.

Now that Nigerians are beginning to see an uncharacteristically decisive President, as eloquently attested to in his unwavering determination to remove the ‘oil subsidy’ come what may - kind of reminds you of OBJ and his impunities - I think we owe the new and improved President Goodluck Jonathan the patriotic duty of letting him see the other side of the Washington doctrine as far as it concerns any social amenity in developing nations, especially those countries to which they have succeeded in ‘diplomatically’ inflicting a ‘locale’ to sell their enslavement preferences.

Fortunately for Mr President, we are here leveraging on the views of one we could, with considerable justification, call his friend.

Like the president, we are talking of a solid academic and one that is proud to own up to the fact that he voted for candidate Goodluck Jonathan at the April, 2011 general elections.

People who are committed to modernization may see the demands of the sect on education and legal system as unrealistic chiefs are calling on each citizen to see himself or herself as security officer, then the National Assembly did the right thing to have held a special meeting on the imperative to secure the life and property of all citizens and residents in our country.

The executive and legislative branches of government have not shown any noticeable concern about the politics of Boko Haram.

It is only through innuendoes by mushroom organizations that the public has come to know that the sect may be about creating an ungovernable situation for the executive. Recently, an organization of youths in the Niger Delta called a meeting of youth organizations nationwide to deliberate on making Boko Haramists see the need for peace and stability in the country. The organization claimed that it has been a tradition for the Niger Delta to support governments led by people from the North and that its members require that one good turn should deserve another, now that it is the Niger Delta that has produced the President.

In addition, beer parlour gossips project Boko Haram as an Islamist sect that has the nodding of leading northern political leaders.

The argument for this is similar to the one proffered by the Niger Delta Youth Group, namely, that some northern politicians are not happy with the emergence of Goodluck Jonathan as president. That they

are determined to frustrate the man and make his regime unsettling for the country, to give the impression that the man is not capable of ruling Nigeria. Some urban folklore even claim that the political mission of Boko Haram includes making Nigeria so ungovernable that the country would look for an alternative to the current political system, in the interest of restoring peace and stability to the nation.

What modern and traditional leaders of all forms and persuasions have apparently ignored is the cultural philosophy of Boko Haram: the talk that education is sacrilege and the unrelenting demand for extension of Sharia jurisprudence over the entire northern section of the country. Even when calls are made for dialogue between Boko Haram and the government, it has not been clear what the agenda should be. Is the agenda to assure sect members that the federal government wants sect members to stop fighting without asking them to give up the cause they are fighting for? Is the federal government likely to promise the sect that if it stops its terrorism the government will listen to its demands?

What if Boko Haram should agree to a dialogue with the federal government, more so now that the National Assembly has given full support to the President to bring an end to the sect’s terrorist acts through whatever means? Is the cultural subtext of Boko

Haram’s ideology going to be accepted or rejected in toto? Even if Boko Haram members turn in all their weapons today and their foreign accomplices are prevented by no-nonsense immigration officials at all entry points from entering the country, the chances are high that the sect’s desire for Sharianisation of northern Nigeria may not automatically disappear from the radar.

To restore peace and stability to the nation, leaders of thought need to pay attention to the kind of dialogue that can bring acts of terror by Boko Haram to an end and at the same time assure the nation that the virus that the group has represented in the last five months would not come back, after a total defeat of the group on the “battle field” or at a roundtable treaty endorsement by government and sect representatives.

If Boko Haram had not opted for violence and had not become part of an international terror group, such as al Qaeda, the sect’s cultural ideology would not have been too distant from calls by other organizations for a formal forum to examine the place of cultural diversity in the structure of the nation’s government. For example, the sect’s preference for Sharia would have been seen as a demand that is designed to contest the secularity of the constitution and to dismantle the cultural

and religious diversity of the North. The opposition to western education by the sect is also a bold attempt to interrogate the philosophy of education that has been in existence since the Amalgamation of 1914.

People who are committed to modernization may see the demands of the sect on education and legal system as unrealistic.

But similar demands have led to crisis in several countries in history. Nigeria cannot afford to continue to evade some serious questions about its existence as a multiethnic and multi-religious nation-state. The search for sustainable peace and stability in the country will require the federal government to provide opportunity for a national dialogue that will enable religious and cultural groups including Boko Haram to bring their own demands to the table for discussion. Such dialogue may be inevitable in the nation’s search for peace and stability as preconditions for unity and development.

There is no better time to do this than when the President has created the Belgore Committee to review the constitution in terms of what he has identified as “settled areas.” There is a need to go over settled and unsettled areas, if we are to move away from the No-Go area syndrome of military dictatorships that had prevented

Blowing off oil subsidy halluciations If they say they are subsidising oil, from where are they subsidising it: from yam?

I speak here of none other than Prof Sam Aluko, a Professor of Economics, indeed, a Professor of Emeritus Professors, who volunteered as follows about President Jonathan: ‘I voted for Jonathan in spite of my detestation for PDP. I did not vote for PDP and that was the only election I voted PDP because of Jonathan. I voted for him because he’s an intellectual; he went to school, taught in the university; he is the first Nigerian president to be highly qualified. I am not saying that education is the only criterion but apart from that, he has character.’

That very friendly remark - call it ‘espirit de corps’ - is taken from an interview the erudite Professor granted THE NATION newspaper and was published, under the byline of Hakeem Gbadamosi on 3 July, 2011, when the current craze about oil subsidy removal was still nothing more than a whispering campaign, known to only the initiate; but which has now ‘captured’ – to use their word – the airwaves and presented in advertisements as the ‘deu ex machina’ to our crippled economy. About the only thing they have not told us is that it is also a silver bullet that will take Boko Haram down together with the Nigerian downtrodden about who this government cares not a hoot.

Enjoy Professor Aluko in the interview titled: Do not be deceived; there’s no oil susidy’ ‘ Professor Sam Aluko, economist, former Special Adviser on Economic Planning to the Ondo State government in the Second Republic, and chairman, National Economic Intelligence Committee (NEIC), under the military administration of the late General Sani Abacha, speaks on some topical issues in Nigeria and the way for-

ward. Excerpts: What is your view on the ongoing controvesy about removal of oil subsidy?

We have been talking about the removal of oil subsidy from 1999 when Obasanjo came in and at that time, oil was sold for N18 per litre.

But today, we are paying N65 per litre, and they are still talking of oil subsidy.

At that time, Obasanjo increased (petrol per litre) to N20, N22, and N25. As I keep saying, it is a deceit. When I was in (the Abacha) government, I told them and they agreed that when you said you are subsidizing something, it means you are paying less than the cost of production.

For instance, if government wants to subsidise the price of yam and yam is selling for a thousand Naira in the market, and government demanded for N800 and promised that it would give the farmers N200, so that food can be cheap, one can now say government is subsidizing the cost of yam, for the consumers. Similarly in the petroleum case, the cost of exploration of oil should not be more than N40 now and we are buying petrol for N65, kerosene N100, and almost N150 for diesel.

So how can government be talking about subsidy when the cost of production of oil is less than what we are paying now? To me, we are paying tax to the government on each litre of fuel bought. In other countries, it is through such things that government makes money. For instance, the cost of production in England is about 30p and so when they charge 1 Pound, they know that government is collecting 70p as tax on a litre of petrol.

And anytime they want to raise the state’s revenue, they put additional tax. They won’t say they are

removing subsidy but they call it taxing, because that is the easiest way to tax. It’s a consumption thing and people who consume petrol are mainly those who have cars. They are honest to their citizens that they are collecting tax. Same thing obtains in America where they pay road tax or fuel tax.

Does that mean the govrnment is not sincere to the people?

They have not been sincere at all. Instead of refining our oil, and collect tax on same, they are selling our crude without any additional effort on exploration- which, by the way, is done by foreigners.

The NNPC does not explore more than 10 percent of the crude oil we export. So government has no cost; they export the crude, make a lot of money and use that money to import fuel instead of refining at home.

If they say they are subsidizing oil, from where are they subsidizing it: from yam?

Because 95 percent of government revenue comes from oil you cannot claim you are using oil to subsidize oil. Government is making a lot of money from export of our crude oil because the cost of production of our crude oil is about a quarter of what they sell for. Government is making a lot of money from exporting crude, and merely using a part of that money to import. Therefore, if they are genuinely subsidising, let us ask them where they get the money from? At least, 90 percent of Nigerians do not pay tax. Or are they subsidising from our tax? Everybody depends on that oil money. So where are they getting the money from? Definitely from oil but you cannot be using oil money to subsidise oil when you derive your revenue from the oil.

Government is only deceiving us and they have been doing that time

and time again. When I was in government, when they increased fuel from N14 to N18, my committee, the National Economic Intelligence Committee, objected. Our argument was that since government was making so much money from oil the citizenry ought to pay less and that since government was increasing by N4, the increase should be devoted to infrastructural development. That, exactly, was how the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF) came into being as a development fund for roads, healthcare and some other infrastructure procurement. President Obasanjo came in, abolished the PTF and put nothing in its place.

You would see that government did not talk about removing subsidy then. Rather, it said it wanted to increase prices and that the increase would be put into infrastructure development and did precisely that.

That was a government that was sincere with Nigerians. Every oilproducing country does that for its citizens. I was in Iraq before Hussein was killed. Every Friday, he would say ‘this oil is a natural resource from God; it is God’s gift and we are making a lot of money from it. All Iraqis should buy free fuel every Friday.’ He did not say they were going to remove subsidy.

Rather than our government to do something similar, it is only oppressing us with the oil. I think it is unfair. In civilized countries, such a government would be voted out of power.

This government’s claim of oil subsidy is a fraud.’

Not a word can I add to Professor’s Aluko’s views, except to say that majority of Nigerians do pray that these views will profit those, who on the long run, have the most to lose from making a false step and, here they think not of only Mr. President but the entire, unfeeling political class.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY NOVEMBER 20, 2011

Tunji

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

B

UT for the fact that President Goodluck Jonathan has developed thick skin to criticisms, he would by now have been fretting over the bombshells that not-too-knowledgeable people have been hauling at him for following the annual ritual of giving national honours. I found the criticisms so nauseating because most of them are ill-informed and therefore uncalled-for. Many Nigerians have developed the arm chair critic mentality of just picking holes in whatever government does. !

But President Jonathan needs a breather. This is a man who has a lot of good package for us if only we can see, especially as enunciated in his manifesto which he only unfolded after we had given him our mandate. The biggest of the goodies is that of removing what many of these critics have dubbed ‘so-called’ fuel subsidy. Some of the critics say there are more burning issues like tackling the Boko Haram and giving Nigerians jobs, power, good roads, etc.

May God forgive them because they know not what they do. They say Nigeria is not safe. Yet, the French foreign minister, Alain Juppe, was in Kano upper Saturday; he was neither robbed nor kidnapped. Same for the French ambassador to Nigeria, Jean-Michel Dumond, who recently was in Kebbi and Sokoto states. Instead of joining President Jonathan in clinking glasses that these two

Postscript, Unlimited!

By

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

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AUGHTER, the sages write, is really the best medicine. They go further to say that a merry heart does the body good; they go even further to claim that life, love and laughter are intricately tied together. Even more preposterously, they claim that those who know how to laugh at life’s situations live longer. This means of course that those who don’t know how to laugh soon wither off. Well, all I can say is that whoever says this has obviously never had a toothache.

Anyone who has ever had a bout of toothache can testify to a number of things. One, it begins quietly, often when you’re cracking a bone.

The ‘crack’ sound you hear from the cavernous yonder often catches you by surprise. Two, it is no respecter of persons. It would have a king writhing in pain, on the bare floor, underneath his expensive throne, crown flung aside most disrespectfully, the same way it would seize a market maid. Thirdly, it never strikes in the morning when you can quickly redirect your route towards the dentistry. No sir, the blasted thing always strikes deep in the night when help is anywhere but right where you are; or else it strikes at the beginning of the weekend, ruining your every chance of

Comment & Analysis

15

To whom honour is not due Want national honours? We have them aplenty cases were enough indication that Nigeria is safe to visit, these implacable critics insist that the country is insecure.

Whereas those complaining about power can go buy Power Horse or some other energy drinks.

From the elementary knowledge of what I learnt from my personal consultant on power and energy, that may be a good starting point. For those who want jobs, are they not aware that Alhaji Aliko Dangote alone has given more than 12,000 Nigerians jobs, and that he is not resting on his oars as he also plans to recruit about thrice that figure when some of his other dreams come to pass? And for those complaining about our roads being death traps, since Nigerians do not want to die on their own (even if they all want to make heaven) what is wrong in government setting traps on the roads so as to quickly send them back to where they came from? Are they not dust?

And is it not to dust that they shall return? So, why are they complaining of death traps?

From all these we can see clearly that these critics do not mean well and that contrary to what they

want us to believe, our dear president has our interest at heart. As a matter of fact, that was why he had to go out of his way to honour 355 Nigerians in recognition of their invaluable services to the nation.

Then, those who don’t know began pummelling the president, instead of praising him.

First, they say most of the awardees do not merit it. I wonder what they meant by that. But for the fact that the president has put on strong armour against their criticisms, he would not have honoured deserving men in charge of our collective security, the Chief of Army staff, Chief of Defence Staff, Police inspector-general Hafiz Ringim, Boko Haram or no Boko Haram, etc. I agree with the president that these men deserve the awards because at least they were able to ensure that the French envoy in the country and France’s foreign minister who went to parts of the north notorious for the Boko Haram attacks returned in one piece. By that feat, they will tell their people and government back home that Nigeria is safe. That was experiencing security first hand! And the foreign investors will see that

“If you ask me, we even need a supplementary list of awardees to be honoured by December 31; people who would have broken new grounds between now and year-end. I suggest we start with those responsible for the inadequate medals on Monday. I am sure those responsible for what the critics call ‘national embarrassment’ of October 1 last year must have received their own medals at that great event on Monday”

Nigeria is the haven that President Jonathan says it is.

Now, when the critics ran out of ideas, they picked on the inadequate number of medals for the awardees. They pretend not to know that it is not an easy task to make medals for as many as 355 deserving personalities. Not even the United States with over 200 years of independence can meet that target. Our critics messed up their case by referring to a similar experience last year when medals did not go round the 50 people that were honoured during the celebration of the country’s 50th Independence anniversary.

Perhaps the most nauseating of the criticisms is that by people who feel we need not hold the event every year. To such people, we should be honest enough to tell ourselves the ‘home truth’ that the country is in a shambles; therefore we may have to put the awards on hold for some years until we are able to get our axe together again.

What bunkum? Don’t they know how many people we would have succeeded in denying jobs in the country where the medals are ‘manufactured’? And how much we would have denied even our own civil servants who award the contracts because they would not be able to misappropriate (it is the small people who steal, the big people misappropriate) public funds?

These are the kinds of problems to be expected when people dabble into areas they know nextto-nothing about; yet they see themselves as experts or superstars in

those areas. As we can see, the country is working. If the roads are death traps, and you are not ready to die yet (even as you want to go to heaven), then fly or try the railway or swim or go by canoe or speed boat. If the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) is holding power instead of releasing it, that should also not be a problem; take any of the energy drinks available in the market. If you think the country is not secure enough, go to Afghanistan and you will agree with our president that terrorism is not peculiar to Nigeria. All of these things that the critics complain about have alternatives. All of them, except fuel subsidy.

You can therefore imagine the chaos that would be witnessed if we have to suspend the award even for one year; there would be a deluge of awardees such that we would not be able to cope with the numbers the following year. If you ask me, we even need a supplementary list of awardees to be honoured

by December 31; people who would have broken new grounds between now and year-end. I suggest we start with those responsible for the inadequate medals on Monday. I am sure those responsible for what the critics call ‘national embarrassment’ of October 1 last year must have received their own medals at that great event on Monday. A country that has remained potentially great for over 50 years should be able to produce more than 355 distinguished personalities deserving of national honour in any given year. It is not easy to be in the potentially great ranking for that long without being relegated to the perpetually hopeless.

If laughter is indeed the best medicine, why can’t it cure toothache? enjoying that cow-leg pepper-soup you skimped, saved or accepted bribery to buy. I tell you, when the toothache comes on one, there are no age restrictions on the shouts of pain as you writhe and respond with irritated malice to any question from the rest of the healthy world. ‘Where are the car keys?’ ‘Un hoe, un mo mont’, which, at other normal times, would probably have come out as ‘In here, in my mouth’.

I have been a faithful student of laughter; I have even done researches on the sort of humour that produces it. And they are many.

The quirky twist of understanding or words is one source. Take the instance of a well-known thief caught in the act of stealing someone’s purse only to turn around to claim that he actually thought it was the one he had lost earlier. Or, take the case of a man addressed by his wife as ‘Hon’. Asked what it meant, his wife replied it was a term of endearment to which the man replied, ‘After forty years, it is a term of endurement’.

The most ready source of humour of course is when animals are given human characteristics and they are depicted slaving away at the stove, playing cards or tennis or even driving. Animals taking on human frailties brings out the ridiculousness of those humans some more, and makes the animals look like saints. It is obvious that all the while the poor animals are thinking, ‘Are you sure human beings do these things?’

Has it struck you that no matter how much you prod and joke, Nigerians do not seem to appreciate humour? I am willing to be corrected on this but most Nigerians I see appear to have given their sense of humour a permanent holiday.

Indeed, they all go around as if toothache has taken hold of their heads and they cannot generate or even respond to laughter. Everyone is going around with deadpan seriousness as they grapple with the reality of life in Nigeria – a life of no water, no electricity, no food, no health, no this, no that – it is all they can do to stay alive, let alone smile. The market woman has no joke for the buyer, only a frown of ‘I beg commot for my front if you no fit buy’. Ditto for the petrol attendant, the taxi driver, and all the people you meet every day.

Don’t get me wrong. I occasionally come across genuine humour merchants, no, not professional ones – those are simply plying their trade – I mean, people who generate spontaneous laughter from any given situation they find themselves in but they are too abominably few. Just the other day, I cut into someone’s lane in traffic with my car and, quite offended, he shouted, ‘Stupid woman. Go get a driver!’

Now, how is that for a response? I mean, how was that supposed to help my driving? I have found that Nigerians do not respond with mirth to the many contradictions that surround them.

Indeed, I sometimes I think the little humour in the country can

only be found at Lagos bus stops where the country prefers to let its citizens screech their ways around the land like crazed mice drunk, skin and teeth, on punch. So, instead of turning into the refined, wellnurtured citizens who board vehicles gently like the rest of the civilized world, we are turning into the kind of people who scratch their living out of the eyes of others. Then you hear ‘Shod, Shod, Shod’ hollered all day long at passers-by in Oshodi and you are wondering if a lost gentleman is wanted to shod the earth, not knowing they are only calling out a destination.

Sometimes, too, you can find some humour in the Niger Delta where so much oil is flowing out and so much money is flowing, paradoxically, into the ground. The other day, a report was given that the highest unemployment level is in the Niger Delta region. How come, with so much wealth flowing into the place? The report went on to say that the problem is that people there do not work. Money is ‘just shared’; factories are not set up; tomorrow is not thought of, it does not exist. And, when an indigene is employed, I hear, he simply contracts the work out to a nonindigene who ‘reports’ back to the indigene with an agreed percentage of the wage earned. Hilarious.

Can no one there appreciate where all this is going to lead? That we will eventually have a region of contractors?

Maybe, too, we are too sad to find the humour in the rather tragic

and illogical situation unfolding in the northern part of Nigeria, where the millions of unschooled children are even now taking advantage of the decades of neglect from the leaders. Now, guess who is crying.

No, it’s not the children who were the victims; ’tis the leaders who were the neglectors. Believe me, it’s not funny when one’s teeth are set on edge because one’s father has eaten sour grapes. You cannot only not taste of any brew, let alone one’s own, you can also be forgiven for not showing any sense of humour.

Me, I continue to find humour all around me. Take the national honours list for instance. Over many years, the nation has now become disenchanted with that list. If it is not filled with the names of crooks, it is filled with the names of serving politicians and you wonder where the difference is. This year’s list obviously tops it, containing the names of the nation’s primary ruiners, and here we are conferring great honours on them. Come on!

Perhaps, I should correct myself.

Nigerians do have a great sense of humour. It does not lie in the universally acknowledged quirks of character, actions or even words. It does not lie in attempting to make light of different situations that accost us daily. It lies in doing exactly those things that go against nature, reason and good judgment, defy any human understanding, or belong in the animal kingdom. They are the things that give us toothache, which laughter can obviously not cure.

16

THE NATION ON SUNDAY NOVEMBER 20, 2011

POLITICS

17

THE NATION ON SUNDAY NOVEMBER 20, 2011

Last Monday’s National Awards to about 360 Nigerians was substantially marred by reports that literary icon, Professor Chinua Achebe, had rejected the offer to be honoured. Associate Editor, Sam Egburonu, with additional reports from Gbenga Niyi and Jennifer Mordi, x-rays the background to Achebe’s hardline decision and his enduring political relevance

N

EWS that Professor Chinua Achebe had rejected the national award offered him by the Federal Government of Nigeria was the major smudge of the conferment, last Monday, of 360 awards to Nigerians from various sectors.

Since then, the rejection has helped to keep the exercise in the front burner of national discuss. It not only re-opened the issue of the role of a writer in the socio-political life of his people but also brought into focus the essence and relevance of national awards in the present day Nigeria.

It was the second time in seven years that the literary icon would snub the same national honour.

When he first rejected the award in 2004, he explained that his decision was intended to challenge Chief Olusegun Obasanjo administration to tackle issues of corruption and bad governance.

“For some time now, I have watched events in Nigeria with alarm and dismay,” he complained, alleging that a band of renegades, with presidential connivance, hijacked his home state, Anambra. As a way of protesting against this development, he rejected the national honour.

For this year, Achebe explained that he also had to reject it because the situation he outlined in 2004 has not been resolved.

As was the case in 2004, the rejection came as a slap on the face of the government and the sitting president had to offer face-saving defence.

Presidential spokesman, Reuben Abati, speaking for his boss during the week, defended that Achebe’s rejection “flies in the face” of today’s reality.

He cited elections of 2011 as a proof that unlike Achebe’s claims, the political situation in Nigeria has changed positively from what it was in 2004.

Many Nigerians have reacted to the controversy. While some argued that Achebe’s rejection of the award amounts to a rejection of his country, Nigeria, others are contending that he demonstrated patriotism by saying the truth and refusing to be part of a national jamboree in the face of scorching difficulties, lack and disillusionment.

Others are even raising eyebrows as to why a literary personality like Achebe should allow himself to be dragged into political controversies.

The Nation however learnt that Achebe, as an individual, hold strong political views and is deeply interested in political leadership. He does not only see himself as a writer, but as a concerned citizen who must play active role in the development of the ideal state. So, when he speaks on issues of sociopolitical dimension, it is with the same passion as that of literature.

Undoubtedly, he has a way with words and it can be said that in a way, he owes his successes and challenges, including intellectual and other battles, to the way his ad-

Achebe: Burden of the objector mirers and critics perceive his diction and strict stance on issues of socio-cultural and political importance.

A creative writer of global acclaim, his unique style, which is essentially simple but deep, has a form of directness that has continued to astaund and provoke both his admirers and critics.

So, in the academic circles, where he has unarguably become a Collosus, his courage to challenge existing models has continually put him at the centre of hot intellectual battles.

A fighter, his colleagues in the acaemia will tell you that he does not seem ever tired or afraid to be involved in such intellectual debates anywhere in the world. When he is not challenging European colonian view of African culture as in his classic, Things Fall Apart, and most of his other novels, he makes bold to Africanise the English language.

But it has become obvious that Achebe’s dogged fights are not limited to literary or intellectual matters. He has shown equal passion on socio-political situations in his home country in Nigeria and Africa as a whole.

When he retired from the University of Nigeria in 1982, he became active in politics as he identified with the left-leaning People’s Redemption Party (PRP). A year later, in 1983, he became one of the party’s national officers.

So, when he published the slim but influential book, The Trouble with Nigeria, to coincide with an upcoming elections then, it was easily recognised as an informed piece from an insider with the capacity to say it the way he saw it.

In the book, Achebe concluded that “the Nigerian problem is the unwillingness or inability of its leaders to rise to the responsi-

“The Nigerian problem is the unwillingness or inability of its leaders to rise to the responsibility and to the challenge of personal example, which are the hallmarks of true leadership.”

- Chinua Achebe in his book The Trouble with Nigeria

bility and to the challenge of personal example, which are the hallmarks of true leadership.”

As if to confirm his remarks, the elections that were held shortly after he published that book were marred by widespread violence and fraudulent practices.

•Continued on Page 20

18

THE NATION ON SUNDAY NOVEMBER 20, 2011

Politics

Forces contending for Bayelsa The political landscape in Bayelsa State is set to change with far-reaching implications. Sunday Oguntola writes on behind-thescene intrigues surrounding the governorship race in the state of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) structure. He also has grassroots support.

Bayelsa Chapter of Association of Local government of Nigeria (ALGON) is fully behind him.

All chairmen in the state are rooting for him.

Twenty four members of the House of Assembly have declared unflinching support for the governor’s second term bid. Various opinion and political organisations have signed for his reelection. With such swelling support, Sylva should be home and dry. But politics is no mathematics.

Two plus two does not necessarily make four in politics. That is what is playing out in the state . Sylva has everything to return to power but presidential support.

The incumbent was disqualified from contesting the PDP primary, which held yesterday. The party said he did not meet its criteria to be the flagbearer in the election slated for next February. The governor has sued the party, saying he has been denied his fundamental rights.

Sylva argued that he won PDP’s primary in January and should be given the party’s ticket. But PDP’s

I

T may well end as one of the toughest political battles of this dispensation.

Armed with intimidating weaponry and credentials, the gladiators have drawn the battle lines, prepared to crush one another. Bayelsa State Governor, Timipre Sylva, ordinarily should be the favourite to win. He is the incumbent with full control

National Working Committee (NWC) insisted it would organise a fresh primary despite a Federal High Court injunction to the contrary.

Justice Gabriel Kolawole, in his ruling following an exparte application filed on Sylva’s behalf by Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), said, ‘’When I looked at the totality of the facts in the substantive Originating Summons and when these are considered vis-à-vis the extant provisions of the Electoral Act as Amended, my view is that the Court will not in any way be handicapped,

even if the exparte orders, in particular, prayers 1 – 3 are not granted because the court retains the power to direct the 1st Defendant (INEC).’’

He went on, ‘’Let me state, for the avoidance of doubt, that in relation to prayers 1 – 3 of the Motion Exparte, the Plaintiff has made out a strong case which ordinarily should enable this court to grant the said prayers. ‘’But in the light of the analysis I have done as regards the statutory powers which the court has pursuant to Electoral Act, 2010 as amended, the 2nd Defendant [PDP] does not, in the long run, have the final say because the court can always make appropriate orders as the justice of the case will require to redress any wrong that may be occasioned by my judicial hesitation in granting the said prayers 1-3 on the motion exparte.”

SYLVA’S ‘SINS’ As at press time, the PDP is bent on conducting the primary, the ruling notwithstanding. There is no doubt Sylva’s political problem is Abuja and not Bayelsa. Bayelsa is believed to be in his kitty but Abuja has become too tough to handle. Analysts have fingered President Goodluck Jonathan as the main obstacle between Sylva and second term.

Sylva’s problem with Jonathan, sources said, started right from when he was elected. Jonathan emerged Bayelsa PDP’s governorship candidate in 2007. He was coasting home to a second term ticket when the late President Umaru Yar’Adua picked him as his running mate.

Because Jonathan was destined to win the party’s ticket, every other interested candidate stayed away. They already conceded victory to him. But Sylva joined the race notwithstanding. He came a distant second to Jonathan. When the latter became Yar’Adua’s running mate, Sylva automatically became the PDP’s flagbearer. This political ‘miracle’ came as a rude shock to many. Jonathan’s camp was rattled but concentrated on the federal structure.

Four years down the line, many associates of the President felt it was payback time. Many of them, it was learnt, had vowed that over their dead bodies will Sylva, who they consider a ‘small boy’, win a second term ticket. Sylva, they said, has not really given the President much leeway in the state. ‘’The President is number one

in the country. He cannot play second fiddle in his home state,’’ a source said last week.

Soon after his election, Sylva was foisted with Ebebi Peremebowei as deputy, an associate of Jonathan. Peremebowei gave Sylva a hell of troubles. The duo fought tooth and nail. But at the end, Sylva won,

THE NATION ON SUNDAY NOVEMBER 20, 2011 using state apparatus. The deputy was shoved aside in a way Jonathan’s camp considered another rude affront. The battle lines were therefore drawn from then on between Sylva and Jonathan.

Also, it was learnt that the President’s camp has not forgiven Sylva for the roles he allegedly played during the stormy days of Jonathan’s transition from Acting President to President. Sylva, they alleged, worked against Jonathan becoming President. A source said, “We have it on good record that many South-South governors worked against Mr. President in those days. They did not want someone in Abuja from the region that will overshadow them. We have the facts and will get even at the appropriate time’’.

It is instructive that Jonathan has not made a pronouncement since the Bayelsa PDP’s internal crisis began.

He has kept mum, which analysts said is a clear indication that the travails of Sylva has his full backing. ‘’When a President keeps silent on a sensitive issue such as this, it says a lot. Any President will be interested in winning his home state and when he does not m a k e public state-

Politics

The President’s men

Their strategy

W

T

HILE Sylva has been able to rally the support of local politicians, the almighty Abuja-based President’s men have been unapproachable. The Abuja-group, as it is called, consists of leading political appointees from Bayelsa said to have the President’s ears. They include National Security Adviser, Major General Patrick Azazi(Rtd), Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani AlisonMadueke and Special Adviser to the President on Research, documentation and Strategy, Oronto Douglas. The group also includes Hon. Seriake Dickson, who has been cleared to contest the primary. He is seen as the anointed candidate of the Presidency. He is a member of the House of Representatives.

But the enlarged group has local politicians who are basically the foot soldiers. They include Chiefs George Turner, Fred Agbedi, Dorgu and Rufus Abadi. These established men have reportedly enlisted the support of former chairmen of PDP in the state to win the race. Peremebowei is also a key member of the group toiling day and night to stop Sylva.

HE group, sources said, is banking on federal might to scale through. In the nation’s political arena where might is right, it would be suicidal to underestimate federal power. That Sylva is disqualified from the primary in the first instance clearly shows how powerful federal forces can be in any part of the country. Like all political battles, much war-chest has been made available to ensure victory. Close sources said the group is fully aware of Sylva’s grassroots support and has intensified efforts to neutralise the governor’s base. Many of his backers, it was learnt, are being wooed over to guarantee victory.

The group also has the support of security forces.

Yenogoa, the capital city and surrounding towns had a taste of federal might last week. Troops were deployed to the state to provide security and prevent breakdown of law and order. The Governor was also reportedly prevented from accessing the party’s secretariat by heavilyarmed policemen. This already shows who is in charge and whose command will be obeyed.

ment on it, it is an indication he is working underground,’’ Jude Eze, a public commentator said.

“

It is instructive that Jonathan has not made a pronouncement since the Bayelsa PDP's internal crisis began.

He has kept mum, which analysts said is a clear indication that the travails of Sylva has his full backing. ''When a President keeps silent on a sensitive issue such as this, it says a lot. Any President will be interested in winning his home state and when he does not make public statement on it, it is an indication he is working underground.

”

SYLVA’S COUNTER-STRATEGIES But Sylva is certainly not one to go down without fighting. He has stepped up efforts since reconciliatory and persuasive trips to the presidency failed to yield positive dividends. He is banking on public sympathy, which is clearly in his favour now. He is seen as an oppressed, helpless governor who deserves better treatment. He is seen as unjustly persecuted and harassed. Many Nigerians are of the view that to subject an incumbent governor to the ignominy of disqualification from a primary is mean, to say the least. This public sympathy is working for Sylva. But then, sympathy

•Azazi

does not win elections. This much Sylva is aware of.

Former Anambra State Governor, Dr. Chris Ngige, had much of it in 2006. Yet, he was shoved aside by hawks, despite public outcry.

This is why Sylva is also using the power of the law. This seems to be working well. He has an injunction against fresh conduct of PDP primary. The judge even threatened to nullify whatever actions might result from PDP’s disobedience of his ruling.

For now, Sylva is in the good books of the law. But the same cannot be said of his party. Sources said he has assembled a massive legal team to fight his disqualification from the primary to a standstill. How far this will go remains unpredictable.

HIS OPTIONS But he sure has several appealing options. One, he could remain in the PDP and fight from within. This appears very fascinating. Should the governor opt for this option, he would mobilise to ensure Dickson does not win the party’s ticket. A source described this as phase one of the battle. ‘’Phase one is stop Dickson from winning PDP ticket at all cost. With him out of the way, the battle is 50% over,’’ he confided. It remains to be seen if Jonathan would watch whoever he supports lose the party’s ticket in Bayelsa. The NWC expected to conduct the primary is loyal to PDP’s national leader. There are even insinuations that the NWC would just announce a predetermined result.

Even if Sylva stops Dickson from winning PDP’s ticket, it does not erase the fact that he won’t be contesting under PDP. Without the incumbent running on the ruling party’s ticket, the race would indeed be interesting to see. This is why many are urging Sylva to consider leaving PDP altogether.

History does not favour this option. In 2003, former Anambra Governor, Dr Chinwoke Mbadinuju, lost the ticket of the

PDP. He opted for the Alliance for Democracy (AD) but failed. He lost scandalously. That same year, former Borno Governor, Mala Kachalla, chose that option too. He left the All Peoples’ Party (APP) when Ali Modu Sheriff incited a coup to deny him the party’s ticket.

Kachalla went to the AD where he lost too.

But proponents of this option say this is a different scenario. Sylva, they said, would have destabilised PDP before leaving. With Sylva bent on contesting and the PDP’s doors shut against him, this appears the most appealing option.

Sources said the governor is considering the All Peoples’ Grand Alliance (APGA) or the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

Any party would love to welcome a sitting governor. But how far can he go without the PDP’s structure, which is the strongest in Bayelsa?

We live in interesting times indeed and Bayelsa State gubernatorial race may get turn out to be one of the most fascinating political contests in recent times.

•Douglas

• Allison-Madueke

•Dickson

19

20

THE NATION ON SUNDAY NOVEMBER 20, 2011

Politics

Why I rejected the awards—Achebe In 2004 and this year (2011), Professor Chinua Achebe did not mince words while advancing reasons for rejecting National Awards from Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan’s administrations respectively. In both cases, he formally communicated the reasons for his action in letters addressed to the President. Excerpts

In 2004 “I write this letter with a very heavy heart. For some time now I have watched • Achebe events in Nigeria with alarm and dismay.

I have watched particularly the chaos in my own state of Anambra, where a small clique of renegades, openly boasting its connections in high places, seems determined to turn my homeland into a bankrupt and lawless fiefdom.

I am appalled by the brazenness of this clique and the silence, if not connivance, of the Presidency.

“Forty three years ago, at the first anniversary of Nigeria’s independence, I was given the first Nigerian National Trophy for Literature. In 1979, I received two further honors – the Nigerian National Order of Merit and the Order of the Federal Republic – and in 1999 the first National Creativity Award.

“I accepted all these honors fully aware that Nigeria was not perfect; but I had a strong belief that we would outgrow our shortcomings under leaders committed to uniting our diverse peoples. Nigeria’s condition today under your watch is, however, too dangerous for silence. I must register my disappointment and protest by declining to accept the high honor awarded me in the 2004 Honors List.”

In 2011 The reasons for rejecting the offer when it was first made have not been addressed let alone solved. It is inappropriate to offer it again to me. I must therefore regretfully decline the offer again.”

Presidential responses Both Obasanjo and Jonathan’s administrations responded to Achebe’s rejection of the awards: Obasanjo’s response in 2004 “Our response is that his (Professor Achebe’s) position as regards the state of affairs in his native land and his rejection of the great honor done to him by the Nigerian people is regrettable. It is not a slap in the face of the Nigerian government or Mr. President, but rather, it is a slap in the face of the Nigerian people… It is also • Obasanjo pertinent to note, as a general point, that no matter how distinguished and resourceful a person you are and no matter how brilliant and gifted an individual you are, if you feel that your country does not deserve to honor you, then we believe that you certainly do not deserve your country. This is because the greatest honor that anyone can receive is that which is bestowed upon him, not by a foreign land or foreign organizations, but by his own country.

-Being excerpts from a statement issued by then presidential spokesman, Femi Fani-Kayode, 2004.

Jonathan in 2011 “Coming as it does, against the background of the widely acclaimed electoral reforms undertaken by the Jonathan administration, the claim by Prof. Achebe clearly flies in the face of the reality of Nigeria’s current political situation.

As reflected in the • Jonathan immense improvements recorded in the conduct of the last general elections which were applauded within and outside the country as the most credible elections in Nigeria in recent years, the Jonathan administration has made tremendous efforts to positively change the political architecture complained about by Prof. Achebe and other Nigerians.

Politically, Nigeria cannot be said to be where it was in 2004 as the Jonathan administration has embarked on extensive electoral reforms to institute a regime of electoral integrity that all Nigerians can be proud of, believing that governance will be greatly enhanced in the country if the will of the people prevails at elections.

Prof. Achebe remains in President Jonathan’s consideration, a national icon, a Nigerian of high attainments, indeed one of the greatest living Africans of our time.”

- Excerpts from a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Reuben Abati, 2011

Achebe: Burden of the objector •Continued from Page 17 Though Achebe retired from active party politics soon after, allegedly complaining of the crude tactics that were being employed, it has been observed that he has not given up on the Nigerian leadership puzzle.

He has, as his confessed in 2004, being monitoring the nation’s political development and is totally disappointed.

Once asked whether Nigerian politics had changed since he wrote his prophetic novel A Man of the People.

Achebe replied: “I think, if anything, the Nigerian politician has deteriorated.”

This conclusion, in a way, explained his passion and rejection of the national awards in 2004 and today.

But as the controversy rages on the question in the lips of most Nigerians is who, between President Jonathan and Achebe, is ignorant of the stark reality of the Nigerian situation?

Has the socio-economic and political situation improved enough to justify the presidential disappointment at Achebe’s rigid attitude?

Prof.

Nwachukwu

Agbada, the Dean, School of Post Graduate Studies, Abia State University (ABSU), said the rejection means there is something fundamentally wrong with Nigeria. “My contribution is that what is wrong with Nigeria has not been touched since Achebe rejected the first award by Obasanjo in 2004. In other words, there is no fundamental difference up till now.”

Akachi Ezeigbo, a Professor of English at the University of Lagos spoke in the same direction. She said, “Achebe has the right to reject the national award for the second time and he has his reasons. His rejecting the award should act as a challenge to every Nigerian, whether in government or not.

So if he thinks that things have not changed since seven years ago then for him, things have not changed. I don’t want to blame anybody for anything but it is a challenge that we all should work towards change in Nigeria,” she said.

Dr. Godwin Udoh, a political analyst in his contribution, wondered why the presidency is surprised at Achebe’s rejection of the

award. “Achebe is a man of principle, a hardliner, if you like. But that is beside the point. The question we should answer now is if he was merely doing it to slight the president or if he has genuine reason to reject such an honour twice? I think the erudite professor is known for taking such stance,’ he said.

Udoh recalled that when Achebe was given a distinguished label of the “Father of African literature” by Nadine Gordimer, as he was awarded the Man Booker International prize recently, he rejected that honour, out rightly.”

Achebe had later explained to the student newspaper of Brown University why he rejected that offer: “It’s really a serious belief of mine that it’s risky for anyone to lay claim to something as huge and important as African literature ... the contribution made down the ages. I don’t want to be singled out as the one behind it because there were many of us – many, many of us,” he said.

He further told the students his burden with the problem of leadership in Africa when he said: “Today,

Africa is a continent of issues wherever you look, and so I thought the best thing to do now is not to limit ourselves to one or two or even three issues, but to look at Africa bursting with problems and find out what we can do in each case.

“For instance, the issue of governance, which is a major problem – presidents that do not want to retire when their terms are up, elections that are rigged, violence at elections ... Whatever we are doing, we’re not doing right. Nigeria has been independent for nearly 50 years and look where we are,” he said.

The point that becomes apparent from Achebe’s repeated expressions of dissatisfaction with the state of affairs are both his deep interest in Nigerian politics and his determination never to give up.

It is therefore left for the government to actually prove to the likes of Achebe that Nigeria and her leaders are worth celebrating. According most Nigerians spoken to, such proofs would emanate only from concrete socio-economic and political development and not from exchange of verbal arsenals.

Political Politics turf

with Bolade Omonijo boladeomonijo@yahoo.com

PDP and rule of impunity

U

NDER former President Olusegun Obasanjo, no one expected adherence to the rule of law. He could not draw a line between his reign as military leader and presiding over a democratically elected government.

At election time, he simply dictated who would be PDP governorship candidate, House of Assembly flag bearer or local government chairman. In the party, no National Chairman survived if he did not totally submit to Obasanjo.

In 2007, when it was time to pick the EmperorPresident’s successor, he looked in the direction of a pale, frail looking man who was clearly lacking in the guile, stamina and understanding needed to run Nigeria. Many have sworn that Obasanjo deliberately picked Yar’Adua that he might fail. I don’t think the man is that vicious. I don’t think that he hates Nigeria. I want to believe that he loves Nigeria only a little less than he loves himself.

It is rather unfortunate that the lot of laying the foundation for a new Nigeria fell on Obasanjo. A lot of the problems that we have in the polity today stem from the fact that a man like Obasanjo was elected the first President of the Fourth Republic. As a General, he had no time for discussion, let alone debate. A contrary opinion, to him, amounted to sabotage and treason. As he could not sentence to summary execution, he settled for summary dismissal. The man must be obeyed at all times, in all circumstances.

Yar’Adua appeared humble. He committed himself to following the path of honour and democracy. He was humble enough to acknowledge that the election that brought him to power was heavily flawed and pledged to reform the process. He obeyed all court rulings and refused to interfere with the working of the National Assembly.

When Obasanjo sought assistance to install his man, Sam Egwu, as chairman of PDP, Yar’Adua politely declined.

Yar’Adua might have failed as President. He might not have passed the test of governance. You could say he was not an effective leader. Above all, his health failed and he could not win the battle for life. The man died and was succeeded by Vice President Goodluck Jonathan.

A lot was expected of the new man. For one, he had been lucky all life. All that others fought for, Jonathan obtained on a platter of gold. It was therefore expected that he would be godly in office. It was also expected that, as a doctorate degree holder, he would have a full grasp of issues, moreso since he had occupied high offices that could have prepared him for the demands of the office.

Since he assumed the reins of power, Jonathan has chosen to disappoint the people. No sooner he was installed President last year than he started making moves that suggested that he could be as deadly in power as General Ibrahim Babangida. If there is anything he had demonstrated, it is that those who elected him underestimated his appreciation of presidential powers.

He took control of the party and shoved aside whoever he thought was a threat. The time that he could have spent planning the good of the country is far less than he spent in plotting how to deal with political enemies.

Events of the past week have shown how bloody a political player the President could be. He has said nothing. He has done all he could through the machinery of the party, yet all his fingers are visible in the actions taken by the national leadership of the PDP. Governor Timipre Sylva was identified as an enemy who must be prevented from contesting the party primary. To achieve that, he had been screened out last Sunday. Then, the party followed up by purportedly conducting, last Monday, ward congresses that left no one in doubt about the determination to asphyxiate the governor.

Five of the seven cleared aspirants have come out to say the Muhammed Wakili-led electoral did not conduct elections in any of the 105 wards in the state. The only person who has contradicted that is the man believed to have been anointed by the President, awaiting coronation, Hon. Seriake Dickson. Then followed reports that troops have been moved to the state. The worst indication yet that we are either in a police state or banana Republic was the reaction of the PDP to the decision of Justice Gabriel Kolawole of the Federal High Court, Abuja. The court forbade PDP from conducting the primary on Friday and adjourned hearing to November 22. But, the party, in a manner reminiscent of the Obasanjo years, swore to disregard the ruling.

There can never be legal backing in a democracy for disobedience court orders. It is yet signs that the ship of state, as the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo warned in the Second Republic, is once again approaching a rock. Then, Alhaji Shehu Usman Aliyu Shagari of the National Party of Nigeria was the Captain. Today, history will record Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan as the helmsman who refused to heed warnings and calls to stay on course.

SUNDAY INTERVIEW

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2011

H

OW is life outside of government?

First and foremost, it’s a lot more peaceful. You have more control on your time and life. You also have the opportunity to do things that being in government have prevented you from doing. It has made me closer to my family.

How was it like serving under former President Obasanjo?

Well, I don’t know whether my experience can be generalised because I have a unique relationship with him. I was personally close to him before I came to serve in his government. I had always been some kind of confidant - even before I joined the government. I had always been some kind of informal adviser; I realised he is a workaholic, a man who knows his onions. So, you had better be competent and sure before you present anything before him. He can easily spot the weaknesses of whatever you are doing. Otherwise, if you know what you are doing and can add value, then you will be fine with him. He is somebody who appreciates and promotes competence. But well, there are other downsides to it. He can be brash…

Did you have personal experiences of his brashness?

Oh, a lot.

Can you recall one or two instances?

Well, like I said, I had a unique experience with him but I can confirm he was brash towards me many times. I have a habit, which I realise can also be a vice, subject to the context you are looking at it from. I can say my mind on anything regardless of what it will cost me whether I am talking to the President or anybody else.

That is just my nature; I don’t mean any rudeness. I don’t know how to cringe. But

‘Obasanjo wasn’t desperate for third term’ Former Managing Director of News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) and Special Adviser to former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Political Affairs, Akin Osuntokun, spoke with Sunday Oguntola on behind-the-scene intrigues that led to the emergence of the Late President Umaru Yar’Adua and why Obasanjo fought former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to a standstill. Excerpts: again, there had been instances where it could have been defined as effrontery. He knew me too well on that and always wanted

to know what I felt about issues; maybe because he knew I will always say my mind the way it is.

It is not that he will not abuse me after I might have said it but wherever we were and I kept quiet, he will always ask for my opinion.

Did he consult you on the Third Term project?

Well, he did not. But I was the one who raised the issue with him. My own take on it was that he never at anytime made up his mind to get it. That was the impression that I got.

When I raised the issue with him, I said ‘Sir, people are making this insinuation because you have not grown somebody to succeed you’. Then, he said if he made his successor known, people will start attacking him and he wants to spare his successor all

that. That was the context in which we discussed the issue.

Did you ask him whether he wanted it or not?

I assumed he didn’t want it.

But he didn’t say he didn’t want it From his response to me, he wasn’t categorical. From when it started and ended, there was never a time I saw a categorical stance.

His body language did not show him. I couldn’t say he had made up his mind on it.

But he wouldn’t have minded if he got it?

That is what I am saying.

Whatever was going on since he allowed it - that meant he wasn’t averse to it. Whether he wanted it so desperately or not, I cannot categorically say.

How about the Ghana-MustGo bags exchanging hands? You should know as the then Political Adviser I don’t know anything about that. What I know is what I am telling you. I never saw desperation like somebody who really wanted

’’His plan was to leave Atiku to grapple with domestic issues in their first term for some sort of on-the-job training. That was why he spent a lot of time travelling abroad. He deliberately contrived it like that to give Atiku the exposure and the training. In their second term, he will reverse the order’’ •Osuntokun

something. It was not his usual gogetting attitude.

Maybe he knew he wouldn’t get it?

I don’t know. How will he know he wouldn’t get it? I think it was a case of if it comes fine, if not all well and good. That was how we summed it up.

Did he tell you he was going to hand over to the Late President Umaru Yar’Adua?

No, he did not until he invited him.

Even as his special political adviser?

You see we had a group, which he constituted. It was more or less his kitchen cabinet where such issues were discussed. He gave us the leeway to peep through it to come up with a recommendation. He asked for the benefit of our opinion. This was about a year before he handed over. The only thing I remember is that we narrowed the successor down to two categories of government functionaries from where he would emerge. We said the successor will come from the North. Then he must be a minister or governor. So, we picked three from the governors’ category and three from the minister’s category.

The late President was from the governors’ category.

Who were the others from his category?

No, no, no I don’t want to talk about them. I mean it is needless now.

How about the ministers’ category?

Let’s just leave that side. There is no need mentioning names now.

So, what stood Yar’Adua out?

Prudence, credibility, intelligence and a good pedigree.

But we did not see any of these during his presidency Maybe, he was humbled by his personal health issues. In my mind, before and after he became president, he was intellectually capable. Credibility as a president? I don’t know. I was not an insider in his government but the kinds of things we were reading in the newspapers did not show this.

Did Obasanjo settle for the late president to stop Atiku’s presidential ambition?

Well, people can always add two plus two and get six.

I don’t know. But why would he be supporting Yar’Adua because of Atiku? At that stage, Atiku was irrelevant in the scheme of things.

How much did you know about the rift between Obasanjo and Atiku?

Well, President Obasanjo told me that he planned to hand over to Atiku when they started their term in 1999. His plan was to leave Atiku to grapple with domestic issues in their first term for some sort of on-the-job training. That was why he spent a lot of time travelling abroad. He deliberately contrived it like that to give Atiku the exposure and the training. In their second term, he will reverse the order. Atiku would have international exposure while he would stay •Continued on page 22

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY NOVEMBER 20, 2011

Sunday Interview

•Continued from page 21

back at home for domestic affairs.

That was his strategy. So, at the beginning, it was his intention to hand over to Atiku. But, you know, whatever I say you have to look at it that I am a partisan party. I am not an unbiased umpire. My own impression, even before I got to the government, was that the latitude Obasanjo gave Atiku and the power over patronage and all that, Atiku used to build his own political structure. He was giving appointments and many appointees felt more loyal to Atiku and not the President. He was gradually pulling the rug from under Obasanjo, inciting people that he should consider the ‘Mandela Option’ and not run for second term. There were insinuations that Atiku’s camp orchestrated the many negative press reports against President Obasanjo. Whether Atiku knew about it or not, I cannot say. I also know that there were people who did not want Atiku to succeed Obasanjo and deliberately set them against each other. They wanted the post for themselves.

Were you consulted on how to tackle Atiku?

Of course, I was even before I joined the government. Obasanjo is vulnerable in terms of media and publicity. He didn’t care much about it, which is a weakness as a President because you are a political leader. So, the gap I filled was to do media damage-control for Obasanjo along with others. So, I told the president he had to channel his own views too and confront his opponent whoever that might be.

But the rift distracted their administration. Didn’t it?

Unfortunately yes and I agree with you. Power struggle everywhere is draining and distracting. At the beginning of their second term, Obasanjo told Atiku and former President Ibrahim Babangida to give him time before they began their presidential campaigns. He said he did not want to be distracted and wanted to grapple with the economy very well. But they did

‘Why Obasanjo was angry with Atiku’

•Osuntokun

not heed his advice. That made him very angry with Atiku especially.

Then he fought him with everything he had?

I don’t know if he did.

But at a time Atiku could not even attend Federal Executive Council (FEC) meetings again, even as a sitting Vice President.

It is even alleged that Chief Femi Fani-Kayode once ordered him out of a meeting.

Nobody can stop the Vice

President from attending the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting and Fani-Kayode did not walk him out of council meeting.

But reserve that question for FaniKayode when you see him.

What lessons did you come away with in all these?

I learnt to be more tolerant and persevering in all you do. Then, I learnt to see things from any person’s point of view. It is difficult to do but most needed. Then, I

learnt that if anybody tells you anything about somebody, you better go to that person and find out. In politics and government circles, a lot of that goes on. There is a lot of power play and gossip.

So, how did you cope with all of that?

I am a Christian and I have a very turbulent background in politics. My father was a minister in the Western Region for 11 years.

As an infant, my first public consciousness was that our house was being burnt down. So, if you have had that rough experience, you will be prepared for the rumbles of politics. I am a very restless person who craves excitement, and I have realised you can impose your personality on things. You can put your foot down. I don’t have to be a thug or recruit thugs to win elections. I try to marshal these points as much as possible. I felt people’s pulse outside government and have critics that I consulted. A critic does not have to be an adversary.

You started out as an Awoist but you left the progressive fold for PDP? Look, you are using undefined terms. I am not an Awoist. I respect the late Chief Awolowo, but I am not a fanatical person. There were many things he did that I didn’t like but on the whole, he was worthy of emulation. He was a towering public figure in Nigeria.

Nigeria would have been a lot better if he had been President. But the way Awoism is defined, I cannot be a part of it. I am neither a fanatic nor a zealot. When he picked his running mate in 1979 from the South East, I would have advised him against it. So, I am not an Awoist. Yes, I was a progressive

and I think I am still one. As a man, you start life being idealistic wanting revolution and all that.

The annulment of the June 12 presidential election revolutionised my political thinking. I was in the Alliance for Democracy then I was invited by President Olusegun Obasanjo to be the spokesman of his campaign in 2002 for the second term.

But you left AD in anger then?

There were a lot to be angry about. I was not happy about what happened and much unhappy that nothing was being done to rectify what we perceived to be injustice.

But I was excited by the offer and saw an opportunity to demonstrate what I studied. I wouldn’t have wished for anything else in my political career.

How do you sum up your experience in NAN? Well, I am a very restless person.

My job involved so much administrative work, which I did not like at all. The administrative bureaucracy got on my nerves.

Administering about 50 offices in Nigeria and four overseas in London, US, Ivory Coast and South Africa was tough - especially with limited resources. But it taught me to be tied down.

Will you be seeking any elective post soon?

The way Nigeria is, you don’t add two plus two and get four.

Some extraneous, arbitrary factors can trash whatever aspirations people have. I think any person that will seek elective office must be rich.

People are so desperate these days.

What will deter me is that I don’t have a big purse but I will maintain a sustained interest in politics.

Maybe one day, people will change and I might be called up to serve.

“At the beginning of their second term, Obasanjo told Atiku and former President Ibrahim Babangida to give him time before they began their presidential campaigns. He said he did not want to be distracted and wanted to grapple with the economy very well. But they did not heed his advice. That made him very angry with Atiku especially”

The invention of African intellectual tradition Continued from page 3

Western modernity had to resort to this fictional and ideological reconstruction of reality because it was first and foremost a power project based on the application and manipulation of knowledge. In order to cast itself as the unique bearer of a new universal order and an emergent world-historical rationality, it has had to deny what went before it and to suppress what is contemporaneous with it.

Yet there was nothing divinely preordained or inevitable about its subsequent global dominance. Before its ascendancy, there were other competing projects of modernity. For example before it succumbed to internal disorder, China was the leading world nation around the twelfth century. Portugal was the first truly modern nation-state. The old kingdom of Benin had a representative in the court at Lisbon by the middle of the fifteenth century.

But it is one thing to uncover the roots of misbegotten representation, it is another thing to know how to go about reclaiming a lost heritage. The power of knowledge cannot be confronted by the power of superstition. As Terry Eagleton famously noted, “one sure thing about the organic community is that it is always

gone”. The myth of the organic community is the cudgel we employ to beat a recalcitrant and hostile contemporary reality into place.

Much as we idealize and romanticize the ancient African community and our lost heritage, it is virtually impossible to reclaim that mythical past. Yet, the greatest problem facing the Black race collectively and as people sequestered within strange and alienating nation-states is the reconstitution and reconstruction of the colonial subject from a serf of colonialism to a citizen of the post-colonial realm of freedom.

The question is: is it possible to philosophize in a strange language? It is to be noted that countries and societies such as China, Japan, India and the oriental tigers, while enduring the odd colonial infraction or even brutal decimation, never surrendered the cultural and intellectual initiative to the colonialists. They swiftly reverted to their indigenous cultures and powerful philosophies once the colonial masters departed. Buddhism, Confucianism and Shintoism acted as binding glues for these societies helping them to survive and even leverage to their advantage the worst of the psychic and cultural atrocities of colonization.

In the particular case of colonial Africa,

it is a major historical tragedy that there was no major or dominant African culture strong and resilient enough to withstand the ravages of colonization and to subsequently act as a cultural and philosophic hub for the rest of the continent. A feeble attempt to impose the Swahili language as this pan-African cultural hub could not even get off the ground probably because the Swahili culture itself emerged from the crucible of Arab colonization in Africa.

The urgent task at hand, then, is how to salvage what is still crucial and important about Africa’s cultural past without going completely “native”. Much as we may wish, we can never return to that old world and the pre-colonial African society. It is gone forever. No human society can wish away six hundred years of its history.

We must now turn the adversities of alienation into great advantages as famously echoed in Abiola Irele’s inaugural lecture. But while enjoying the paradoxical bounties of creative alienation we must also warily patrol the field in order not to turn out as metropolitan mimic-men or hybridized trapeze artists permanently walking a cultural tight rope just for the sake of grudging applause from our former masters.

This is an urgent task for African

knowledge producers and the pan-African cultural and intellectual elite. The world does not wait for anybody. Even as the old order is crumbling and collapsing before our very eyes, the extant dominant powers are furiously and frenetically reconstructing the vanishing world to suit their interests and permanent prejudices. The NATOled liquidation of Gaddafi’s Libya, America’s renewed military interests in Africa, France’s not so covert military intervention that saw off the ancien regime in Cote D’Ivoire, are all pointers to a ceaseless power project even in the face of historical superannuation.

Knowledge is both power and selfempowerment. Before political subjugation comes intellectual subordination. African elite must seize the day and the initiative to invent the continent anew as the past and possible future of humanity. Otherwise, it will be done for them and Africa will be reinvented once again by the emergent masters of the universe with even greater and more drastic consequences. As we have seen with western colonisation, if the adversary wins not even the dead or their heritage are safe. I thank you all.

Being the chairman’s opening remarks at the World Philosophy Day held at the University of Lagos, Akoka on Friday, 17th November, 2011

COVER

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2011

Chief Justice of Nigeria, Dahiru Mudsapher, will spend a mere eight months in the saddle as the Chief Justice of Nigeria.

Conscious of the brevity of his tenure, the jurist is clearly determined to make the most of his time in power. Associate Editor, Taiwo Ogundipe, reports on his running stream of reforms and asks whether they will endure.

T

HE announcement of Justice Dahiru Mudsapher as replacement for the immediate past Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Aloysius Katsina-Alu, who retired on August 28, 2011 at the mandatory age of 70, did not generate much excitement.

Musdapher was regarded as a member of the inner caucus of Katsina-Alu whose tenure was marked by many controversies and what were regarded as anti-people moves and decisions.

President Goodluck Jonathan himself noted during the swearing-in ceremony of Musdapher as Acting Chief Justice that he “was assuming office at a very challenging time in the history of Nigeria, not only for the judiciary but also for the larger society which looks up to the judiciary as an impartial and courageous arbiter.”

Musdapher’s appointment also threw up a constitutional issue. He had to spend his maiden interaction with the public defending his appointment. He argued that his appointment followed constitutional procedure. In his words: “The constitution is very clear; as far as I’m concerned it is the prerogative of the President to pick and choose anyone he wants from the justices of the Supreme Court or anywhere else,” At that event, Musdapher vowed to do justice to all for the common good of the country. He noted: “The downturn in the society has not left the judiciary alone, no doubt about it. God willing we will do everything to ensure that things are better in the judiciary. We will face the challenge squarely and make sure that it becomes one of the best in the world.

“The delays in the dispensation of justice will be reduced to the barest minimum; we’ll make sure that we look at the procedural rules and all the laws and make suggestions for the amendment to the laws governing the procedures.”

The then acting Chief Justice revealed more of himself verbally when he was later grilled by senators for about an hour at confirmation hearings to make him the substantive Chief Justice. He reiterated that the judiciary needed cleansing. He had earlier made a similar speech at a ceremony the previous week to mark the beginning of new legal year for Supreme Court. On that occasion, he said: “The public’s perception of our propriety and the system we represent must be that of respect and admiration.

We must consistently perform our judicial functions in a manner that would not erode the public’s belief that those saddled with the responsibility of redressing wrongs done unto them are beacon of fairness and justice. It is very important to ensure that those who abuse the privilege of judicial authority are exposed, expunged, banished and punished.”

During his grilling at the Senate, he told senators: “It has to be admitted that the public is not very satisfied with the manner things are being done in the judiciary.”

He said the problem could not be divorced from the society in which judges find themselves. “Most important is the issue that people seem to be aware of and talk about and that is the electoral matters.

People always want to win because of obvious political reasons but by and large, the problem is not all that bad. It is the perception of people, who lose elections.

“But one has to lose and another wins.

Unfortunately, in this country, anyone who loses feels there is an influence somewhere but if anyone has any evidence of anything

that was done wrongly by any judge, the National Judicial Council (NJC) will take action on that”.

On the under-performance of judges, Musdapher said though the judicial body was not satisfied with the way cases were handled, he nonetheless blamed the government partly for not providing enabling environment and facilities for the efficient performance of judges.

He said, “The question about under performance of judges is true. We are not very much satisfied with the way cases are handled but it has to do with facilities given sometimes by the government. At the federal level, things are better compared to the states given the facilities at the Court of Appeal. It is at the state high courts that we find things a bit difficult. There is the need to amend political laws to make things easy for the Judiciary”.

Musdapher then assured the senators that he would fully restore public confidence in the judiciary, saying that, “I want to have a better judiciary as much as I can.”

A lot of people of people must have taken declarations of the new CJN with a pinch of salt, regarding them as mere platitudes mouthed by any new appointee.

However, his most recent declarations variously on a number of legal issues have been generating spirited debate. He announced the abolition of the plea bargain procedure hitherto employed by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, in settling high profile cases of corruption out of court.

He described the plea-bargain system as “a novel concept of dubious origin.” He pointed out that “it was invented to provide soft landing to high profile criminals who loot the treasury entrusted to them.”

He made the statement at the opening ceremony of the fifth annual general conference of the section on legal practice of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA. Musdapher declared that plea bargain “has no place in our law- substantive or procedural. It is an obstacle to our fight against corruption; it should never again be mentioned in our jurisprudence.”

He equally condemned what he termed, “trial by public parade of suspects on pages of newspapers and on the television.” He said: “Every legal practitioner is familiar with this term by which citizens are dumped in prison by a court which lacks jurisdiction to try them. It is largely responsible for the congestion in prisons across the country. The State cannot incarcerate its citizen while scrambling for evidence to build a case against him, and if has a case it should the accused to a court of competent jurisdiction.”

He added: “As often in the case when he is set free because he has no case he goes home in shame, a damaged man, without apology, without compensation. Trial by public of a suspect even when he is not an accused person on pages of newspapers and on television is equally bad. It is difficult to convince an average person that one who has been so paraded has not committed any offence.”

Musdapher equally observed that: “The guilty are afraid and when a man who has abused the public trust reposed in him feels the heat of the approaching long arm of the law he rushes to a judge with flexible conscience who makes him untouchable to the law enforcement agents. It is another obstacle to the struggle to uproot corruption •Continued on Page 24

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Cover

•Continued from Page 23 in this country.”

Before this the CJN had pronounced that the duration of criminal trials should not go beyond six months.

Speaking to The Nation on Sunday, Professor Itsey Sagay, SAN, endorsed most of the Chief Justice’s pronouncements. He said he agreed with Musdapher particularly on his pronouncements on holding charges and duration of criminal trials. In his view as well, there is too much delay in our court processes.

Sagay said the Chief Justice’s outlook “is a very good step forward. It is a good intervention on his part. This will ensure that courts will be guided properly not to have undue delays in trials.”

He, however, “differed from him a little bit” on the issue of plea bargain. “The press must have misquoted him. It is not within his jurisdiction to issue such a pronouncement. It is within the purview of the legislative houses at both the national and state levels. The assemblies are the ones that have the power to issue such a pronouncement.

“A decision to go for plea bargain is at the discretion of the prosecuting body, in most cases, the attorney general at both the state and the national levels. They are empowered by the provision of the law to do that.”

However, Sagay agrees with Musdapher that there have always been abuse of the process.

He warns that “The EFCC and other prosecuting bodies should work to ensure substantial recovery of stolen resources. They should also ensure that those who are found guilty are sentenced to at least minimum of jail terms so that it will be on record that they are convicts.”

Giving a sort of a verdict, he stated that the tenure of the new Chief Justice has been very encouraging. In his words: “Before he came in, I was in a state of deep depression about the rule of law and the diminishing state of the judicial system in the country. I believe I’m also speaking for my professional colleagues. His short intervention so far has brought about a timely reversal of the dark days of our nation brought about by the immediate past leadership of the judiciary - including the National Judicial Council which took a number of decisions that worked against the course of justice and the growth of the judiciary in the country.”

Sagay says that Mudsdapher’s tenure has also “marked a turnaround or the liberation of our electoral system from the stranglehold of the fraudulent and ill-motivated judicial officers in the country.”

He added that the Chief Justice presiding over the Supreme Court panels that sat on the Akwa Ibom and Benue States governorship cases, and his pronouncements that justice in the suits should not be sacrificed on the ground of technicalities was a heartwarming development.

Sagay concluded: “I see this development as a resuscitation of the judicial revolution started by Justice Olabanji Orilonishe during the Edo State governorship election, a development that was further deepened by Justice Umar Abdullahi and later Justice Isa Salami former presidents of the

Revolutionary or cosmetic reformer?

•Musdapher, left, receiving foreign dignitaries

Court of Appeal. It appears Musdapher wants to use his short tenure to leave a good legacy behind. So far, he has uplifted our judicial system.”

Also commenting on the pronouncements of the Chief Justice, another frontline legal practitioner, Femi Falana, argued that the position of the CJN cannot be faulted on plea bargain. Falana recalled in an interview with The Nation on Sunday that when the concept was first introduced by the EFCC, those who plea-bargained fortified all their assets that were traced and confiscated. He observed that they were also jailed even if the sentences were light.”

He lamented: “But the whole concept has been bastardised as beneficiaries of plea bargain are allowed to go away with the substantial parts of their loot while they were hardly jailed.” He stated that one of them admitted she stole N190 billion. She was asked, Falana recalled, to forfeit all and was sentenced to six months in jail. “And the prison term, according to the judge of the High Court that tried her, should be in a high brow hospital in Victoria Island, Lagos!”

He argued: “Under Criminal Law, no court has the power to dictate a hospital for a convict. It is the exclusive preserve of the prison management to decide that.

The court cannot issue a warrant to convict a suspect or convict to a particular prison. Once this is done, the court takes over.”

Falana also spoke some other cases where those who were entered into plea bargain were not even taken to court. He recalled the case of an ex-governor docked for theft of N5 billion and was asked to pay just N3 million fine. “That is not plea bargain but a subversion of the criminal justice system.”

The rights lawyer further observed that plea bargain is all the more illegal when it is to cocoon the pampered members of the bourgeoisie who have committed economic crimes against the Nigerian people. He observed that Section 14 of the

“It is too early to say that Musdapher is the messiah the country has been waiting for in judicial reform. We have to see a bit more before we can make that assumption.”

EFCC Act 2004 has a provision for some form of plea bargain. “But what is going on now is a radical departure from the intendment of the law,” he lamented.

He argued that there is need to have the position of the law clearly defined. Right now, he observed, a lot of discretion is exercised by the prosecutor and the trial judge.

And the discretion is susceptible to abuse.

He said the law is clear on holding charges. He declared it simply “illegal.” Going down memory lane he said: “For several years, Nigerian courts have recognized the right of the accused persons not to be subjected to harassment on the basis of holding charges. Incidentally, I handled the first case in this regard in 1983 – that of Andrew Ogor and Kolawole where Justice C. A. A. Ayorinde declared holden charges illegal and unconstitutional.

“And that has been the position of the law until 2007 when the Supreme Court curiously in the case of Lufadeju and Attorney-General of Lagos State held that holden charge is permissible under our law. So it has been permissible in Lagos State. It was on that basis that the Nuhu Ribadu-led EFCC began to ask for court orders to detain suspects beyond the stipulated time of 24 hours. The common practice now is to get a court order to legalise extended detention.”

Another prominent legal practitioner consulted by The Nation on Sunday is Chris Uche, SAN. He supports the stand of Musdapher on plea bargain. He stated: “To start with, our law, the constitution and the Criminal Procedure Act do not make any provision for such. Therefore, it is truly an alien concept in Nigerian jurisprudence. It is susceptible to abuse. We’ve seen it being glaringly abused in some high profile cases. It has become a medium for compounding felony rather than punishing crime. I’m hoping that the new Chief Justice has taken this bold step to intervene to stem the increasing ridicule of the administration of our criminal justice system.

Regarding the issue of holden charges, Uche observed that our constitution does not make provision for them. He said there have been Supreme Court and Court of Appeal decisions that holden charges are alien to our

judicial system. He argued that the prosecutors must be prepared to file the appropriate charges or the information in the appropriate courts that have competent jurisdiction and not just to rush accused persons to courts such as they do in magistrate courts.

This, in line with what the Chief Justice claimed, he said is usually done for the purpose of sending the accused persons to prison custody while they go about seeking information to prepare charges. The prosecutors, Uche stated, should go to courts when they are really ready.

On the duration of corruption trials which the Chief Justice has directed should be limited to six months, Uche said what the nation’s number one judge has done is highly commendable “because the duration of criminal trials is generally becoming scandalous in the country.”

He said: “It is said that justice delayed is justice denied. In many cases, the Ministry of Justice or the prosecuting bodies unduly drag their feet. There is no reason why criminal cases should be unduly delayed. The prosecutors should be really ready with their witnesses. This equally applies to us as defence lawyers. We should not stall trials by frivolous and unnecessary applications for adjournments. The judges must also be in charge to make sure that trials proceed without unnecessary delays. If we all get serious with prosecuting cases promptly, this will help to restore the confidence of the society in the court processes.”

Giving a verdict on the Chief Justice’s tenure so far, he said: “I give kudos for the intervention made within the few weeks he has assumed office. We the lawyers assure him of our support for the innovation he has introduced.

They are productive and they will last.”

Ricky Tarfa, SAN, another leading lawyer, when approached

by The Nation on Sunday to comment on the pronouncements of the Chief Justice, had this to say: “I have not read his comments in full. However, I would rather not comment because I’m representing some of the people in courts such as ex-Governor Chimaroke Nnamani was of Enugu State. His matter is still on appeal. So it is very difficult for me to take a position of

CJN’s pronouncements now.”

Also asked to give an opinion, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu Ale, a former president of the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA Mrs. Boma Ozobia, the president of the Commonwealth Lawyers Association said she was “totally” in agreement with the Chief Justice regarding his outlook that our judicial system should not be bogged down with technicalities.

She observed: “It had been the habit with the professionals in this jurisdiction to litigate the margin of a case rather than the meat of it.

Cases go on for years without touching the meat of the case.”

She stated: “It is not good for our judicial system as well as our nation. England from which we copied our judicial system has simplified the process. Their own simplification of the process ensures that the courts are dealing with the real issues of the cases.

Our own technical complications hinder the quest for justice. This is not ideal people go to court expecting justice.”

She declared: “I’m in support of it. I hope we’ll sustain it and develop it further.”

Commenting on plea bargain, she said it works in other jurisdictions. “Here we have to ensure that the right structure is put in place so that convicts will not escape justice. In an ideal situation, it is a good measure to deal with court congestion. If we can find out a better way of doing it, the measure will effectively weed out convicts who will end up becoming burdens on the state.

We can also use the measure to get back stolen money from the accused or convicts.”

However, in giving a verdict on the tenure of the Chief Justice so far, she said “it is too early to say that Musdapher is the messiah the country has been waiting for in judicial reform. We have to see a bit more before we can make that assumption.”

Apart from that, she said: “He is merely an individual. The focus should be on the institution. Here we focus more on individuals rather than institutions. We have to build institutions rather than men.”

THE ARTS

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2011

•Bababwale receiving akara balls from Dr. Jeleel Ojuade of the University of Ilorin at Nigeria •Brazilian women preparing akara balls for guests House

A day in Nigeria House, Salvador N

IGERIA House in Salvador, in the state of Bahia, Brazil, is an embodiment of Nigerian cultural values and heritage. Located at the heart of the city-centre, the House was officially given to the Nigerian government many years ago by the Brazilian authorities because of the conviction that majority of the slaves in Salvador, Brazil came from Nigeria.

The House is a historical monument built about 500 years ago at the peak of slavery and slave trade. It has been noted that the House which has about four rooms and a courtyard was where slave masters kept some of the slaves. Built in old Brazilian architectural designs and fortified with bricks and stones, there is an opening in the sitting room upstairs from where slave masters constantly peered at the slaves to ensure that they were not preparing to cause havoc or organise a revolt.

The opening is in form of an elevated platform and today it has been turned into a museum and art gallery by the custodians of the cultural heritage. In the middle of the gallery is a huge Egungun masquerade adorned in colourful costume and mask to symbolise the beauty of ancestral spirits in Yoruba traditional beliefs and norms.

According to an inscription on the dais, egungun represents the return of spirits to mother earth in the guise of robed masquerade. But, then, some may return, wearing masks or headdresses carved in wood and stone. Today, this masquerade has been adopted in many Yoruba-speaking areas of Brazil.

Even then, in Bahia, where the population of the blacks is about 85 per cent, the worship of Orisa and Sango can be seen replicated

In Salvador-Bahia, Brazil, Nigeria House situated in the historic centre of the city says much about the era of slave trade. Edozie Udeze, just back from Brazil, writes on the historical significance of the monument in most of the African masks shops located within the vicinity.

There, people live communal life.

Among the items conspicuously displayed inside the House are artefacts and monuments of varied Benin, Owo, Igbo-Ukwu, Nok, Nupe, and Calabar origin.

There are also cultural relics on the Lower Niger, Epe, Eyo, and other different religious and spiritual connotations. The traditional carvings in stones, metals, woods, and monoliths symbolise the profound etchings of the cultural values of the Nigerian people across ethnic groups.

The second room in the House has become a classroom for people learning the Yoruba language in Bahia. According to Funmi Ogundipe, one of the Nigerian students for the cultural/ language exchange programme in Bahia, the idea is to ensure that those who learn Yoruba also have the opportunity to learn Portuguese.

“For those of us who are here for the one year programme, it also helps us to be in tune with home. Even though we are learning Portuguese, we don’t intend to lose touch with home,” she said smiling.

In the words of Ayo Olayanju, the custodian of the cultural house, “Nigeria House in Salvador is the first Nigerian Cultural Centre abroad and we hope that the federal government will establish more in other countries of the world. You see, this place has been helping us to propagate Nigerian cultures abroad and establish cordial relationship with the host nation.”

While on a visit to the House during the just concluded international conference on multiculturalism put together by the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization, (CBAAC) some Brazilian ladies fried Akara balls with which they entertained visitors. It was amazing to taste Akara in a foreign land. But mixed with shrimps and moi-moi, it tasted quite differently. It was equally observed that those blacks who have been keeping this tradition in place still feel that Akara is one of the best meals in the world. “It is good, yes, it is good,” Beatrice, a Brazilian lady managed to say in English as she served the people.

After a taste of the Akara interspersed with moi-moi, Professor Tunde Babawale of CBAAC

“In Bahia, where the population of blacks is about 85 per cent, the worship of Orisa and Sango can be seen replicated in most of the African masks shops located within the vicinity. There, people live communal life.”

•Olayanju, custodian of Nigeria House

•Egungun inside the gallery.

informed: “Ah, I have not eaten Akara in this form before. Oh, this tastes good. It really tastes good.”

As he beamed with smiles, he encouraged more people to have a taste.

Nigerians and guests from other climes who came for the conference momentarily forgot their own food customs and fell for the Brazilian. Of course, the people were warm and cordial, and even when the issue of language barrier was thick. Indeed,

PHOTOS: EDOZIE UDEZE

the Akara experience further led credence to the theme of the conference: ‘Multiculturalism and the prospects for Africa and African Diaspora development.’

No one needed more proof to appreciate the fact that culture is a solid tool to cement relations between nations across political, economic, and religious divides.

As we departed the place, many Brazilians came out of their homes to admire and bade us goodbye.

26

Arts Extra

First Chapter I

N the shade of the house, in the sunlight on the riverbank near the boats, in the shade of the sal tree forest, in the shade of the banyan fig Siddhartha’ grew up, the handsome son of the Brahmin, the young falcon, together with Govinda, his friend, the son of a Brahmin. Sunshine browned his pale shoulders on the riverbank, while bathing, during the ritual ablutions, during the sacred offerings.

Shadows flowed into his dark eyes in the mango grove, when at play with other boys, while his mother sang, while the sacred offerings were made, while his father the scholar gave instruction, while the wise men conversed.

Siddhartha had already been participating for quite some time in the discussions of the sages, with Govinda he practiced debating, with Govinda he practiced the art of concentration, in the service of meditative absorption. Already he understood how to speak the Om without a sound, the word of words, soundlessly pronouncing it within while inhaling,

THE NATION ON SUNDAY NOVEMBER 20, 2011

Struggle of the soul One of the most widely read novels of the twentieth century, Hermann Hesse’s Siddhartha explores the struggle of the soul to see beyond the illusions of humankind and achieve a deeper wisdom through spirituality soundlessly speaking it out while exhaling, his soul gathered in, composed, his brow surrounded by radiance, ringed with the glow of his clear-thinking mind. Already he understood, within the interior of his being he recognized Atman, indestructible, at one with the universe.

His father’s heart skipped joyously for this son who was quick to learn, who was thirsty for knowledge; in him he saw growing a great sage and priest, a prince among the Brahmins.

Rapture made his mother’s breast flutter – whenever she saw him, when she saw him stride along, when she saw him sit down or stand up, Siddhartha, the strong one, the handsome one, he who strode on slender legs, he who greeted her with perfect decorum.

Love stirred in the hearts of the young daughters of Brahmins when Siddhartha walked down the city’s alleyways, with his radiant brow, with the eye of a king, with his narrow hips.

More than all of them, though, his friend Govinda, the son of a Brahmin, loved him. He loved

Siddhartha’s eyes and gracious voice, he loved his gait and the perfect decorum of all his movements, he loved everything Siddhartha did and said, and most of all he loved his mind, his lofty, impassioned thinking, his fervent purpose, his high calling. Govinda knew: this would be no ordinary Brahmin, no idle sacrificial official, no greedy merchant of magic formulae, no vain empty orator, no mean conniving priest, neither would he be a silly simple sheep in the herd of the many. No, nor did he, Govinda, want to be one among ten thousand Brahmins. He wanted to follow his beloved, his magnificent Siddhartha.

And if ever Siddhartha were to become a god, if he were to arrive among the radiant, then Govinda wanted to follow him, as his friend, his companion, as his servant, his spearman, his shadow.

Everyone loved Siddhartha in this way. He brought delight to everyone, to everyone he was a pleasure.

But he, Siddhartha, did not delight himself, he was no pleasure to himself. Ambling down the rosy paths of the fig garden, sitting in the bluish shade of the meditation grove, washing his limbs daily in the expiatory

bath, making sacrifices in the deep shade of the mango forest, with perfect decorum in all his gestures, beloved by all, a joy to all, in his own heart he still bore no joy. Dreams came to him and turbulent thoughts came flowing from the river water, sparkling from the night stars, melting from the sun’s rays; dreams came to him and a restlessness of his soul rose in the smoke from the sacrifices, breathed from the verses of the Rig Veda, trickled down from the teachings of the old Brahmins.

Within himself Siddhartha had begun to nourish discontent. He had begun to feel that the love of his father and the love of his mother and even the love of his friend Govinda would not forever after delight him, soothe him, satisfy and suffice him.

He had begun to surmise that his venerable father and his other teachers, that these wise Brahmins had already conveyed the majority and the best part of their wisdom, that they had already poured out their plenty into his waiting vessel, and the vessel was not full, the mind was not satisfied, the soul was not calm, the heart not stilled. Ablu-

tions were good, but they were water, they did not wash away sin, they did not quench spiritual thirst, they did not dissolve fear in the heart. Sacrificing to the gods and invoking them was excellent – but was this all? Did sacrifices bring happiness?

And what was the nature of the gods? Was it really Prajapati who had created the world? Was it not the Atman, He, the Sole One, the All-One? Were not the gods representations, created as you and I, subject to time, tran-

Inspired by his roots ENCOUNTER Segun Adefila is a composer and playwright whose ability to create songs and dance-drama from dayto-day events in the Nigerian society has made him and his Crown Troupe of Africa, one of the best in the country’s culture sector. Edozie Udeze had an encounter with him •Adefila

W

HO is Segun Adefila and what is his role in the performing arts in Nigeria?

Ah! I can answer only a few of your question, the rest as a performer, people will have to deduce from what I do. It is the audience who, after watching what you have done on stage, are the best judge. Segun Adefila is simply an upcoming performing artiste. Yes, upcoming because those who are there before us attained excellence. I don’t know how they were able to achieve it.

May be the atmosphere and the condition were conducive for them then. May be

they did not deal with what we are now dealing with – that’s in terms of population explosion, financial crisis and so on and so forth.

I am sure they had their own challenges. When I see the works of the late Hubert Ogunde, Lere Paimo, from literary to performing arts, I see that my own generation still has a way to go.

For now, I am trying to go back to my roots to see what I am supposed to do as a cultured child.

What do you mean by that…?

Ah! Coming from a masquerade background, where the mask is the dancer, the mask is an orator, he is a

singer; a performer and so on.

He is the voice of the village; the whole clan, you know. At festivals, the masquerade stands for the whole clan as a unifying factor. Of course that’s what the arts is supposed to do. People like Fela were indeed able to achieve that.

Having therefore seen what artistes have done traditionally and what has been done in the contemporary art, I say that I am struggling. We are still struggling to follow that pattern to do what an artiste should do.

A masquerade background?

Please elaborate on this.

Yes, I am from Omuaran, in Kwara State. I am indeed from a royal family and back there, traditional festivals mean a lot to us. Masquerades

mean a lot to us. In fact, my first introduction to performing arts was through the masquerade.

As a masquerade, a very young masquerade, I remember how I used to feel back then in my costume.

Once I am inside it, I’m totally transformed. Even small masquerades then had their purposes, had some functions to perform in the society. Then if you take away those functions from any society, it will, of course, feel some rot. That is what is happening to us now.

The culture has been disrupted, or if you like, neglected. We can’t even upgrade those masquerades. Now I am using this

masquerade as a metaphor – for in your singing, in your performance, in your writing, you are supposed to be a transformed human being.

That is the centrality and the beauty of the art. You are supposed to be the link between this world and the other world. It is not about a celestial world you do not know about. It is connecting your people with reality. It takes you to the highest level of creativity.

People will groan about the removal of oil subsidy, no light, no water, no food.

It is you who will waire those into songs, into performances, into fiction. You can make them laugh or cry or be mute, or even sigh and say we are waiting for God to come and change things for us. It is your role as an artiste in the society.

How did you start as a creative person with the formation of Crown Troupe of Africa?

Ha! We started like a joke, with a few friends. We just wanted to sit somewhere from morning till night. We did not even know where that would take us. It was about passion, the way football drives you on. I mean footballers who play out their hearts, not those who place money first. We began by sitting down and singing, just to catch our fun. I feel

sitory? Was it therefore good, was it right, was it a meaningful and supreme act to sacrifice to the gods? To whom else was one to sacrifice, whom else was one to venerate, besides Him, the Only One, the Atman? And where was Atman to be found, where did He abide, where did His eternal heart beat, where else but within one’s own I, deep inside, in what is indestructible, borne within every individual? But where, where was this innermost and altimate I? good now when people sit down to listen to me, to watch me on stage.

You see, I went to the University of Lagos where I was taught by some of the best teachers in Creative Arts. They made it possible for us to have focus, to believe in the vision we had.

They said to us, raw talent apart, you have to fine-tune what is in you. So, I read a lot, a lot about those whose arts were functional, whose love for arts was to take it to the highest level and before you know it, Crown Troupe of Africa was formed and we have never looked back.

My experience as a young Nigerian of today informed what Crown Troupe has been doing and we hope to do more. We love to sing love poems and live our dreams. But right now Nigeria needs a bit of talking to which we do also with the tune of the art.

So, when we left school, we decided to give it all we have. There were no funds, but we said we would do it.

Our fore-fathers didn’t need modern stages to perform, they didn’t need elaborate funds to achieve that. We didn’t need to wait for Nigeria that can’t light the nation in 21st century. So, we took refuge in our arts instead of turning into criminals. And this is where we are today. So, we give the society that raw art that is new in some ways.

Chelsea

VS

Liverpool

Chelsea

VS

Liverpool

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2011

A M O I CH UDEH

I y h W d e n o d n a b a m l i f r o f g n nursi – Page 41

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Glamour

Kehinde Falode Tel: 08023689894 (sms)

UK-based Nigerian-born jeweler, Bunmi Balogun of Manna Jeweller, studied Biotechnology and Management before she found herself making fine, exclusive and exotic handmade jewellery in her Kensington studio in London.

At the recent MTN Lagos Fashion Week Exhibition, she spoke with KEHINDE FALODE on her craft and other issues

THE NATION ON SUNDAY NOVEMBER 20, 2011

E-mail: kehinde.falode@thenationonlineng.net

•Manna Jewellery

, y r e l e Jew more than a fashion item -Bunmi Balogun

•18K gold capped Garnet Teardrop

S

OME of y o u r stones are not common, how do you source for materials?

I actually have to search for precious stones actively all over the world. I am very fussy about the stones that I used; I do a lot of researches and I get in touch with lot of my stockists and asked them for specific things when I come up with a concept and ask them to source stones for me.

Most of the time, they come up with the goods, but sometimes, they design the colour and the pattern that I want.

They are quite

•Traditional Indian pendants with a modern twist

affordable (laughs). For what they are, which is proper jewellery that last, that you c a n h a n d down to y o u r children, I think it's affordable.

Nigerians pay almost the same amount of money for things that are less durable and less well produced. The least of my jewellery is 18k gold and I think it is affordable for the quality of the stuff.

Do you have a store here in Nigeria?

Not yet, but I am talking to people about stocking the jewellery. Apart from this, I am a Nigerian, so I will always come here.

How has the market been?

The feedback has been really good. People are in love with the jewellery,

because they say there is nothing like it around. I am having some sales, which has been really nice. What I have benefited from the most is hearing people's reactions, which has been really positive.

Where do you get your inspiration from?

It sounds like a cliché but life really, I work around and something stands out to me and then, I try and put those concepts into the jewellery. I could walk to a tree that I like and try and create a piece of jewellery that reminds me of that tree.

Also, I am quite inspired by people.

How long does it take to make a set of jewellery?

It could take a week because I am a perfectionist. I might have finished it in a rough form in few hours but to get everything put in the right place, it could take me a week. And once I produce one piece, I can reproduce very quickly.

How long have you been into exotic jewelry?

I've been involved in this for about six years. Back then, it used to be a hobby and it kind of took over from my proper job. So now, it's my proper job.

•A blend of culture and mordenisation

32

Glamour

THE NATION ON SUNDAY NOVEMBER 20, 2011

W

Hair

E ssentials

ITH the help of the right hairstylist and good hair products, you can move from looking ordinary to looking very beautiful.

To keep your hair healthy and luscious throughout the year, some things must be put in place. For example, dandruff must be kept away from the hair and if it’s found, it must be treated quickly. Dandruff is caused by the poor circulation of oil into the root of hair or the scalp. This usually leads to dry scalps because of the lack of oil and also the head becomes itchy and scaly. In hair treatment, knowledge of one’s hair is important.

You need to know the texture, elasticity and type of your hair.

All these will determine the type of hair products you can use. “I realized that most people don’t even have the time for chemical application. Every hair type must be timed so that you don’t over process the hair. It is not a matter of, ‘it is hurting

s ip

T

me’? Or I will wait until it relaxes. It is a matter of the strength of the relaxer you are using,” says famous stylist, Bobby Eke of Bobby’s Signature. When it comes to conditioning the hair, Eke says Nigerians know little. “Hair must be properly conditioned. It is not about the oil. It is all about the protein of the conditioner you are putting into your hair and this is what will determine how healthy your hair can be. The key things in maintenance of hair are conditioning.

If you have your hair conditioned all the time using the right conditioning, you are on your way to a perfect and fantastic hair,’’ he says.

Hair texture tips: •Too much exposure to the dryer and thong machine can actually dry your hair out, if you are not conditioning it properly.

•The wrong use of chemicals.

for luscious

hair •If the relaxer is left on the hair for too long, it could lead to hair damage •Stress can lead to hair loss if you are on medications •Poor circulation of oil unto the scalp •Poor conditioning •Not trimming your hair after every chemical application.

•Lastly, look for the type of hair products that flows with your hair type and stick to it religiously.

•Iyabo Ojo

•Model •Nse Ikpe-Etim •Model

Care for dandruff K

•Coconut

EEPING your hair healthy and beautiful does not have to cost a fortune. In fact, with just a few common household ingredients, your hair will look healthy and shiny all year round: -Apply the warm mixture of olive oil, lemon juice and coconut oil. Do a steam -towel- wrap for 15 •Hebiscus flower minutes and wash the hair with a shampoo.

-Crush the leaves of petal hibiscus flower

and wash the hair with this juice.

For shiny and healthy hair

Mix a little vinegar in warm water and rinse your hair with this solution. This will add bounce to a dull and lifeless hair.

Apply the warm mixture of olive oil, lemon juice and coconut oil. Do a steam -towel- wrap for 15 minutes and wash the hair with a shampoo.

•Lemon

Glamour

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2011

Moyo Lawal, try sitting down decently in this dress meant for a 10-years-old.

Oops

ia's Niger a e h t nths, busy, with s o m w e te last fe as been qui d a c t r e s s d e h t n n h n a I scene a c t o r s a movies e i v d o m r o f eir new m fans an e b m th fro nu vie iering e reviews ip side, mo d m e r l p g rav est an n the f earnin alike. But o the very b sense g critics e also seein in a fashion by t r fans a f our stars this even o t wors tured at eal p as ca egun Raph s u Ol

Biola Osho would have looked beautiful if she had covered up her cleavege and increased the length of the dress. Oops!

This Mini-dress does nothing to flatter Priye Anyoka’s plussize figure.

Cover-up your legs next time.

Oops!

Toyin Aimakhu can barely stand straight in the pieces. Oops!

This little black dress looks good on Joy Elumelu.

The simple accessories and upswept hairdo complete the look.

Kudos!

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Glamour

THE NATION ON SUNDAY NOVEMBER 20, 2011

Favourite actor & actress popularly Yetunde Orijah, de Omo known, as Yetun ars of e st Ibadan is one of th MTN , ow sh y it music real t es (W e m Fa Project he T . a) Afric Akingbolahan r crooner shares he gs in th n top te with KEHINDE FALODE.

Martin Lawrence & Angelina Jolie

Favourite local fabric Ankara

Favourite food

Favourite shoes designer Next

Favourite bag designer Chanel

Favourite cologne Chris Adams’s Active Man, because l like male perfume

Favourite sunglasses Puma

Favourite designer Jane Micheal

Favourite hairstyle Mohawk

Amala & Ewedu!

Yetunde ’s

Top

10

Favourite colour Black

THEATRE

With VICTOR AKANDE

t

BIGSCREEN

SOUND TRACK

Tel: 08077408676

plus

R&B crooner Femi Adeyinka, better known in music circles as CAPITAL FEMI, took a gamble when he left the United States to pursue a career in music here in Nigeria.

But his gamble has paid off as his career is receiving boost and recognition in the highly competitive music scene.

The fast-rising vocalist opened up on why he decided to journey home to live his dreams of becoming a recognised musician among other issues in this interview with AHMED BOULOR.

Coming back to Nigeria is best decision of my life —Capital Femi

H

OW does it feel emerging a winner at this year's Headies?

I feel blessed. It is one of those things you hope to achieve as an artiste and I was hoping to win it and I eventually did. It really tells a whole lot about one's effort overtime. I am very grateful to the judges too for deeming me a winner and if you ask me winning that award is making me want to do more and give more to my career in music.

Did you believe you were going to emerge winner in the category you were nominated in?

No if you ask me. The night before the Headies, I was in front of a mirror and I was pretending I won the award.

(General laughter) I was just doing my thing on the said day. Then on the day of the awards, I was really expectant because I was nominated in two categories. When the first category went and I didn't emerge winner, I said to my self that I would really be satisfied just being nominated for the Headies. But when I was announced as the winner, I was so ecstatic because I had no idea I would win. It was so funny on that night because Goldie, my record label mate kept assuring me that I would win an award. But I was skeptical about it and I only believed the whole thing when I was announced as the winner in the category that I was nominated for.

Within the short while you've been on the scene, you've won an award for yourself and you have also succeeded in winning more fans over; what would you say is responsible for your steady rise?

The key for me is being dedicated and being true to my craft. I love what I do and I always try to give my all in whatever I do. Music is a passion for me and it stems from within. I have always had a positive mindset and I always hope for the best. I thank God for everything especially for the love and acceptance that has been shown to me

by my fans and everyone that has contributed towards making me grow in my music career.

Coming all the way from America where your career in music began; did you ever think that your style and brand of music would easily be accepted by music fans here in Nigeria?

I came to Nigeria with an open mind and everything that is possible has happened in my life ever since I arrived in Nigeria. I just believed that if I did music which I really enjoy from my heart and if I continue to be true with my craft, then everything will go on well with my career. Not everyone will love what you do but some people will show you love and support. I also came to Nigeria with a positive spirit and attitude in order for my music to be accepted.

But you also had an opportunity to continue your career in music overseas; why then did you return home?

Coming to Nigeria was one of the toughest decisions that I had to take in my life because I started recording my songs back in America. At that point everything was happening really fast in my life and that was when my brother convinced me to come home to continue doing music. I was also monitoring the industry here in Nigeria and I was

The night before the Headies, I was in front of a mirror and I was pretending I won the award.

(General laughter) I was just doing my thing on the said day

convinced I had to come back home.

You know it is always good to have a strong home base because if your people love you at home it will positively affect your career in the long run. So I decided to take the chance because I had nothing to lose and if by chance my career does not take flight here I could always go back to America.

Coming back home was one of the best decisions I have taken in my life and as you can see, I am enjoying myself and I don't regret taking that decision.

What in your opinion stands your craft out as an emerging vocalist?

I think it is the true R&B self in me that stands me out as an emerging R&B star. Another thing that has stood me out is not complying with the usual norm that is prevalent on the music scene. The key is just being me; being original and expressive. I won in the Best Vocal Performance category at the Headies and I really hold that dear to my heart. If you want to be recognised you have to deliver the goods and I have been able to do that and I am really thankful to God for all that has happened to me in this short spell.

How did music start for you?

I discovered I could sing when I was in High School; I didn't start singing in my mother's womb like most people would say (general laughter). I used to sing at talent shows and I was just having fun then with my friends. But as time went on, people started encouraging me and my teacher also advised that I try my hands on music. I took music really serious when I got into College and like they say, the rest is history.

Could you recall your very first performance here in Nigeria?

My very first performance was at the Ovation Red Carol; that was two years ago and the auditorium was full to capacity. In America, I performed with --Continued on page 38

GISTS

PAGE

35

e-mail: victor_akande@yahoo.com

Stella Damasus denies arrest

S

EQUEL to the rumours making the rounds that actress Stella Damasus was arrested at the weekend by officials of the NDLEA on her way to Dubai, over a substance suspected to be cocaine, the actress had, through her publicist, denied that any such thing happened.

Stella's aide, who seems to be angry by the report, said in a blackberry chat that the rumour was the handiwork of some idle journalists. “To put the record straight, Stella left Nigeria for Cameroon on October 30 for a movie project she had been working on for some time now, and she did not have any such encounter with NDLEA officials. She is currently in Cameroon working with the likes of Daniel Ademinokan and Lambhogini. The false report is simply the handiwork of some lazy yellow-journalists who use the internet as a tool to misinform the public,” he said.

While olofofos are busy peddling rumours about the actress, her fans are waiting to see the actress in the new flick entitled Two Baby and a Bride. The movie is billed for premiere on November 17.

Rita Dominic’s penchant for spa

N

OLLYWOOD actresses are known to have a penchant for one thing or the other. While some are known to be incurable party goers, others have the penchant for spending their birthdays with motherless children.

Recently, thirty-something-year old Nollywood star, Iniobong Edo, one of the most recognisable faces on the movie scene, chose to celebrate her birthday at a Lagos slum which attracted media attention.

While others are showcasing their proclivity in some noble causes, others like Rita Dominic are living the life.

The sultry Nollywood actress is said to have a penchant for visiting the spa and her day is said not to be complete without visiting the spa when she is not on set.

36

Entertainment

Actress Mary Uranta may not be a house-hold name in the Nigerian movie industry, but certainly she's one of those familiar faces. A graduate of Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST), Uranta started her journey into the world of makebelieve as an undergraduate some six years ago. Still paying her dues, she is one of the busiest in the industry at the moment as she shuttles between two different locations. In this chat with MERCY MICHAEL, the actress talks about her slow rise to fame, peculiar life style, relationship and other things. Excerpts

H

y a l p t ’ n a Ic ‘dirty’ like o t o d e m o s r a l u p o p be

F

a t n a r U y r a —M

thought instead of waiting another year, let me go for it, get my degree and do whatever I want to do.

In terms of script, what kinds of script have been coming your way?

I'm yet to really get a great script. I think that all I have been doing, because most times I sit back at home, put my movies on and watch them. And I see that I've not really done what I love to do. I haven't even done what will project me. I still do things that people give to me. A producer comes and says come and do this, you do it because it's what is available. If I have the opportunity to start my own production outfit, I know the type of movies I will do to really get me where I want to be.

Despite the uncertainty, why are you still in the industry?

I'm in it for the passion. If it were for money, I would have gone a long time ago.

But I know that one day will be my turn, all I just need to do is work hard then I will arrive.

How do you feel to see some of your colleagues 'arrive' like you said while you're waiting to 'arrive'?

Nobody will ever feel good about that.

But the only thing it does is that it makes you sit up and know that it's not easy to attain stardom. And you really have to work very hard to be at the top. But then, some people didn't get there through hard work. They got there by playing 'dirty'. I can't do nudity role. I can't play 'dirty' like some do just to be popular. I have a family who is watching me. Genevieve is our number one actress today, how many nude roles did you see her play? How many nude roles are you seeing Monalisa play? These are our A-list actress. Those that do it, do it because they want to be known. But do they have to know you for the wrong thing? I will shine when it's my time to. I don't like to 'belong'.

What's your relationship with your

colleagues?

I'm free with everyone. I know those who are my senior colleagues. I see them on set; I greet them like my seniors. It's just like working in a bank and you have an MD, would you come and rub shoulders with your MD? No, you should know who your senior colleagues are, when you see them you greet them and comport yourself. And those who are your contemporaries, whether they are making waves, or they're getting more roles than you, you flow with them. The industry is a table, it turns. One day it will be my turn. So that is it.

Who are your friends in the industry?

It is common saying that there are no true friends in the industry but that doesn't mean that I wouldn't mention a few names, people that I look up to, that I can pick up my phone and call if I'm in need. If I say there are no true friends, it also means that I am not a true friend to anybody. But because I know I'm a true friend to people who come around me so I can actually give it up for some people. Adaora Ukoh is my friend. Halima Abubakar, Susan Peters, Monalisa Chinda, she's like a big sister to me. Emeka Ike is like a brother, a lot of them. These are people I can actually call up anytime and say I need help and they will actually turn to me and give me that help.

You have a quiet mien and in your kind of industry don't you think it might affect your rise?

I'm not an introvert. A lot of people tend to say that but I'm not. It's just that I like to keep to myself. People say I don't come out, I don't make noise. Should I come on the street and start singing? I don't get it. I've never been an introvert. I'm a very lively person. But If I go out in public, I like to comport myself and do the right things.

Fine, I really don't hang out with a lot of people because I don't live the kind of life style they live. It's not that they are not my friends or that I don't greet them but we can't be together 24hours because I do not live 'that life' with them.

What are your thoughts about awards?

I like awards when I merit them. Some

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Movie production in Nigeria is no longer business as usual and London-based director, Niyi Towolawi, says that he is set to up the game a notch higher. With a career spanning ten years, the actor is set to release his second Nigerian effort, Turning Point, starring Jackie Appiah, Patience Nzokwor, Oge Okoye.

He speaks with OVWE MEDEME on life behind the camera and a host of other issues.

OW long have you been in the industry?

Okay, professionally for about six years now.

So what would you say have been happening to your acting career?

It actually has been off and on for me, before finally I decided to stay back and face it. I actually started a long time ago while I was in school. I went to Rivers State University of Science and Technology. Then, they used to come to school to do some auditions so I go and all that. At a point I realized I loved it and decided to go for it.

Once in a while I will come from school to Lagos to do a cameo. Finally, six years ago I decided to come in fully even then, it's still been off and on for me.

What other thing do you do that takes you away from acting?

Nothing really, I spend most of my time outside. I do buying and selling as well and whenever I travel to get my things, I take my time, I relax. I don't go because I need to buy for two weeks, one month and come back; no, I take my time to do all I have to do. And apart from that, the industry as not being encouraging, in as much as you love acting, it has not been encouraging that you'll want to put in your all. You can't put in your all because you still have to go out there to fend for yourself, to make ends meet, pay your bills. If the industry was paying everyone the way it pays a few people then you'll want to give in your all because that is where you make your money from, but if you have to work here and get your money from somewhere else, it discourages you sometimes.

With the prevalent scenario, do you see yourself quitting?

No, the present circumstance cannot make me quit. It can never take me away from here because I love to be here and I know I will be here.

Is acting what you actually studied in the University?

I actually studied Sec. Admin.

Why the choice of an acting career?

Sec. Admin has never been what I wanted. I just stumbled on it instead of waiting a year at home. Before then, I got Sociology in Uni-Port, I didn't go for it. I wanted Mass Communication, English or Linguistics but I couldn't get it. And the following year, I got Sec. Admin and I

Entertainment

THE NATION ON SUNDAY NOVEMBER 20, 2011

people pay money for awards but not me. If I'm in my house sleeping and they call me up that Mary, we are giving you an award tomorrow; it's a huge honour because I never saw it coming but not when I already know. I got an award recently, International Role Model Awards. I was just in my house and the next thing my phone rings all the way from Abuja, not entertainment award.

This is an international award from African Youth Society. You and I know what it means, it's not like the usual award. I was surprised and I had to ask why I was being giving the award. Like what they said on the day we were being presented the award, this award is meant for those who do not have scandals. This award is meant for those who are pure, praises and I was just happy to be part of it.

But do you think it is possible to be in this industry and be 'sane'?

Yes I think so. Me being on screen doesn't mean I should live a reckless kind of life style in public or even behind? Something that is not part of me, I begin to act it because I want to impress people? Most of these things you see some of my colleagues do, I tell you, they don't have it in them.

They do it because they want to belong to a certain class.

Is marriage in the offing?

That is want thing I don't like to discuss.

It's not in my place to discuss marriage. It is a man that proposes to a woman. So all you need to do is keep praying and the day it will come, it will come. But I don't sit down and plan for marriage because I cannot marry myself.

Most of these things you see some of my colleagues do, I tell you, they don't have it in them. They do it because they want to belong to a certain class

OR how long have you been directing?

I've been directing for around 10 years, shooting dozens of music videos and several shorts. This is my second feature film as director. My music background as well as drawing comics as a child strengthened my style as a filmmaker.

How do you feel making the Movie Tuning Point?

Making Turning Point feels great, like a privileged opportunity in every regard. It took just 6 months from inception to filming on location in the US. We are yet to film additional scenes in Nigeria with Patience Ozokwor (Mama Gee) and the rest of the cast. The level of talent in America and the professionalism is way beyond anything I've ever experienced and leading such a strong team was a humbling experience.

What story does the movie tell?

The story explores the theme of complacency through a playboy investment banker who bows to family pressure to abandon his American sweetheart for an arranged wife from back home. His life is turned upside-down when the marriage turns out not too rosy, setting off a chain of events that forces him to confront his reckless past.

What locations will the movie be shot?

The film is being shot in various states on the east coast of America, from New York to Delaware. There are also additional scenes to be filmed in Nigeria.

Based on the script and the cast, what response are you expecting the film to generate?

The reception to the film, so far, has been extremely positive. The script is very strong and that was the selling point in getting on board a Hollywood cast and crew. The delivery of the actors and output from the entire production team was very high and that led to some of the best production values.

Has the response from fans over the past been ego busting or have you been able to handle it?

I don't really feed off what people think.

Fortunately, the work does speak for itself but I'm on a quest to continuously push the bar and close the gap between Hollywood and what indie guys like me are doing. As long as $150+ million pictures are being made, there's always something to aspire to.

As a director, what does it take to turn scripts into movies?

I guess a compulsion to tell a story and loads of gut-bursting hard work.

Recognising a good script is definitely a good starting point and once that's locked, a strong cast and production team are needed to deliver the project. There are so many elements, some very minor details that if overlooked would have a snowballing effect that can ruin the completed film.

What are those qualities a good director should posses?

Directing is part technical and part managerial. A good director needs

•Niyi onset of a movie

Being a black filmmaker in UK is challenging —Towolawi

to understand what type of picture they are making and what sort of visual style best tells the story. I often compare filmmaking to warfare because they share several parallels and in this case, a good director is a like a great war general, knowing what sort of strategy to employ and how to get the best out of his people. Besides being technical and creative, I think the qualities that help me as a director more than anything else are tolerance and patience.

You have to manage all sorts of personalities, often under immense pressure and you need everyone to deliver even when there are egos and other personality clashes at play.

Who are the members of your cast and crew?

The Hollywood stars of “Turning Point” include K.D. Aubert, Todd Bridges, Ernie Hudson, Cynda Williams, Joe Estevez, alongside Nollywood stars Jackie Appiah, Patience Nzokwor, Oge Okoye, Ebbe Bassey and Enyinna Nwig we. The crew

•Niyi with a one of the cast of Turning Point

consists of Hollywood veterans that have worked on numerous blockbusters including “I am Legend”, “Spiderman 3”, “Dark Knight”, and a host of others. It was particularly delightful to work with Hollywood and Nollywood actors on the same scenes; the different schools of thought playing well against each other and the Americans couldn't get enough of the level of energy the Nollywood cast brought to the set.

Do you expect an increase in viewership based on the pedigree of the members of your cast?

Definitely. The cast is made up of people that appeal to different generations, genres and nationalities. Everyone that has heard of the film or associated with it so far has a star that they are drawn to. From Jackie Appiah, Oge and Mama Gee attracting the Nollywood fan base to Ernie Hudson and Todd Bridges who became legends from “GhostBusters” and “Diff'rent Strokes” respectively. K.D. Aubert is also a big driving force, from her modeling background to working with Ice Cube in the “Friday” series and other comedies such as “Soul Plane”.

Are you planning to take the movie to various festivals to have it screened?

“Turning Point” has an expected release of mid 2012 and will feature in major film festivals with dates before its cinematic release. Since most film festivals only accept films that haven't screened in cinemas in their territory, we will have to opt out of certain festivals.

Why did you go into film production?

It is seriously a question I'm

yet to find an answer to. I have always been creative and find filmmaking a platform that utilises all my creativity. The film industry is the only industry that employs any type of skill or talent someone has.

For how long have you been producing?

I've never considered myself a “film producer” because the role is more business than creative in nature and I am much more of the latter. Regardless, I have produced everything I've ever done and “Turning Point” is the first project that I've had other producers on board. Leaving someone else to worry about how much people should get paid and negotiating location rates, etc, is definitely a good thing.

How do you source funds for your movies?

“Twisted” was self funded but “Turning Point” was part funded by a group of friends managed by producer Pax Osaro.

There are other corporate ways of raising funds through film funds and public bodies such as the UK Film Council that paid for the film transfer of “TWisTED” and other charitable bodies and sponsorship, each with their own requirements of entry.

How do you know what scripts are commercially viable?

Every script has a budget scale that it can be delivered on and sadly one's imagination has to be confined to within one's pockets. Films with huge explosions and planes crashing into mountains can be conceived all day long but if the required funding isn't going to happen then the focus needs to change to what's achievable.

In this case, that would be strong, character-driven dramas, which is evident from the screenplay itself. I write a lot of short synopsis and something intriguing that connects with the audience on a deep personal level is usually a winner.

Actors and actresses are known to be very temperamental. How do you handle them?

Temperamental actors require patience and creative management. Egos, diva tendencies and playing out various insecurities do happen and when an actor cracks, is unsure of their performance, insists to play a character in their own way or personalises issues with other actors, it affects their delivery. Then they need to be accommodated in such a way that the problem doesn't transfer on to the screen.

All the actors in the US production were extremely professional and typically got along well. There was a major sore thumb that constantly aimed to ruin the chemistry but the situation was successfully handled throughout.

What would be your advice to somebody who is aspiring to be a film producer?

Film production is like any business and needs to be treated like it. Investments can be highly rewarding or go down the drain, so outcomes can vary widely. The fact that projects are creative ventures, decisions need to be unsentimental, otherwise they become pet projects that cater solely to family and friends.

How do you separate your professional life from your personal life?

My professional life is very professional and my personal live is very personal. It's like any other profession, where you can be friends with people you work with but still professional with them at work.

Fortunately, I am not recognisable and I have no desire to be a public face so it's cool.

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Entertainment

THE NATION ON SUNDAY NOVEMBER 20, 2011

W L O H L Y OOD P

OP star Rihanna has been criticised by anti-smoking campaigners for lighting up a cigarette in her latest music video.

The Umbrella star recently filmed the promo for her single We Found Love in Ireland and she is seen smoking in the footage.

She has also released a series of publicity shots for her new album, Talk That Th*at, and the provocative pictures show her sitting on a sidewalk and smoking, while others see the star reclining on a staircase with a cigarette dangling from her lips.

Officials at the Ulster Cancer Foundation of Ireland have now

taken aim at the singer and accused her of promoting the bad habit to her young fans.

Doreen Reegan, a spokesperson for the organisation, tells the Daily Mail, "Three-quarters of adult smokers start the habit as teenagers, which is why it is so irresponsible of Rihanna to influence her young fan base in this way... After so much hype around the filming of the video it was very disappointing to see Rihanna so blatantly smoking throughout it.

"Artists such as Rihanna are held in high esteem and regarded as role models by millions of young people.”

Demi Moore, Ashton Kutcher split

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Rihanna under fire over smoking video

ILM and television stars Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher said on Thursday they are ending their marriage after six years, breaking up one of the most widely followed May-December romances Hollywood has seen.

The marriage between Moore, 49, and Kutcher 33, has been in trouble since late September when a San Diego woman went public about an brief affair she had with Kutcher, a star on CBS television comedy "Two and a Half Men," during a weekend of partying in the southern California city.

“It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that I have decided to end my six-year marriage to Ashton.

As a woman, a mother and a wife there are certain values and vows that I hold sacred, and it is in this spirit that I have chosen to move forward with my life," Moore said in a statement.

Crane over Ghollywood

Samini wins Channel O Award

A

T the Channel O Music Video Award held last weekend at Sandton Convention Center in Johannesburg, South Africa, Ghana's dancehall artist, Samini, won the category for the Most Gifted Reggae/Dancehall Video award.

The Ragga artiste who goes by the name Emmanuel Samini expressed gratitude to Ghanaians for their support which eventually saw him winning the Channel O music video awards.

Speaking on his first interview after receiving the award, Samini described the award as “quiet competitive” having been nominated for more than three times in previous editions.

He said he was not really prepared for the award because “it had happened too many times that we go there and we don't bring it back.”

•Samini

Nude picture of rapper Tiffany leaks weeks before the rapper travelled to the UK for a streak of performances, she was robbed at her home where her money, blackberry phone and other personal belongings were stolen.

She was said to have reported the case to the Tema Community •Tiffany 18 Police after the incident N Ghana, going by reports, happened and although several social networks are traumatized by the event, the abuzz with a nude picture of rapper recovered quickly from the Ghanaian female rapper, Tiffany. burglary and went to the UK for This display of the photo on the her shows and also focused on internet was said to be the recording her upcoming debut outcome of a failed attempt by a album. blackmailer to extract huge sums Tiffany has, however, not of money from the rapper. known peace after her According to sources, a few performance at the Red Lipstick

I

music concert as she has been receiving calls from an unknown man who threatened to leak her nude pictures if she did not pay up.

According to sources, it appears that the blackmailer got the nude pictures from Tiffany's blackberry phone that was stolen from her home.

Yvonne Nelson escapes death

R

EPORTS have confirmed that popular Ghanaian actress Yvonne Nelson escaped death recently after it was discovered that her food has been poisoned.

The incident took place a few hours before she embarked on a trip to Paris where she celebrated her birthday with close friend and actress Yvonne Okoro.

“It was stated that the incident took place at about 12:30 midnight last Friday; she had to be rushed to the hospital for an injection and was told it was

food poisoning,” a close source said.

The actress did not answer calls or respond to blackberry messages to react to the claim.

She however confirmed the story on her blackberry status Saturday afternoon, saying, “One birthday gift at 12:30 was an injection.

God bless you all.”

What remains unclear is the type of food poisoning and if it was intentional or not.

•Yvonne

--Continued from page 35

so many artistes such as 9West, Ne-Yo, Bubba Sparxx and some other known American artistes.

How much of influence does your elder brother Gbenga have on your career?

I must confess that he has a very big influence on my career because he has been in the industry for quite a while and he knows the dos and don'ts in the industry. He has a big influence on what I do and I am very grateful to him that my career is where it is today due to his influence. Truthfully, if he didn't have a succesfull career in the industry my parents would not have allowed me to veer into music.

Do you look forward to carting home more awards in the near future?

I say amen and yes to that…

How are you preparing for the release of your debut album?

The album will be released very soon and we are just ensuring that the right things are put into perspective such as publicity and what have you.

Winning a Headie is also a good way to announce my entry on the scene.

How much influence do you think winning a Headie would have on your forthcoming debut album?

I think it would have a great influence on the album because the album will now be under a microscope as people would really expect more from me. It's really more of pressure on my side because expectations are getting higher. But it is good pressure if you ask me; as an artiste and a professional it is okay to have a certain level of pressure because that would inevitably bring out the best in you.

Why did you choose to christen your debut album 'CAPITAL FEMI'?

I chose that because there is a song on the album entitled CAPITAL F-E-M-I. A lot of people also know me by that too; everywhere I go people refer to me by that name and so I had to come to a conclusion with my management team and we decided to settle for that title.

How did you hook up with TY Mix for the song entitled 'In the Name of Love'?

I met TY Mix a few times and we exchanged numbers; I collaborated with a rapper called Magnito who was doing a remix of his song entitled 'Medicine Girl' and TY Mix produced the song. He liked my performance and we exchanged contacts. We also worked again on a song I did with Goldie and he was so impressed that he asked for us to do a song and that was how it all happened.

Entertainment

THE NATION ON SUNDAY NOVEMBER 20, 2011

Fatai Rolling Dollar to create music school

F

ATAI Olayiwola Olagunju, aka 'Fatai Rolling Dollar', is set to establish something that he will be remembered for when he finally bid the world good bye According to baba, as he is fondly called, “I want to do something that people will remember me for. And that is the reason I want to build a music school, where young and fresh talents can be found and nurtured to become big and useful in the society later in the future.”

Fatai Rolling Dollar was born on 22nd July, 1928 in Lagos, to a royal family; he is originally from Ede, a town lying on the Osun, the river famously linked to Yemoja, the river goddess. He

•Rolling Dollars

attended schools in Lagos and was later to move to Ede at the age of sixteen, on the death of his father. Showing a rebellious streak at an early age, he allowed himself to be drawn towards music.

In 1957 he formed an eightpiece band called Fatai Rolling Dollar and his African Rhythm Band, and they recorded numerous seven-inch singles for Phillips West Africa Records.

Former Natives member, Aj’ay Prestige drops two singles

F

ORMER member of the now defunct music group, Da Natives, Agon John, otherwise known as Aj'ay Prestige, is set to relaunch his career as the artiste says that he

•Aj’ay Prestige

has been involved in a lot of work.

Since their release last week, his two new singles, Na Go De (Thank You) and Can't Get Enough have been receiving massive downloads online and airplay.

The songster also revealed the reason he parted ways five years ago with his colleague, Hyacinth Idibia, younger brother to the multiple award winning singer, Tuface Idibia. “It was actually a professional decision because musically, we grew apart from each other. My interest at that particular time was different from his'. Our problem started when we failed to do a followup to our album, “We Be Da Natives” because it would have been a great opportunity for us to get stardom. We're good friends.”

Real reason D’banj didn’t attend Channel O award

A

MIDST pomp, the Channel O Music Video award was held but the absence of superstar, D'Banj was obvious at the ceremony. It was reported that the Koko Master did not show up to pick up his Special Recognition Award for the award held on November 12th 2011 at Sandton Convention Center in Johannesburg, South Africa.

According to sources, the artiste was overwhelmed on getting to the airport en route South Africa with his crew.

D'banj arrived to discover that the awards organizers had gotten him an economy ticket, instead of a business class ticket because he had been placed on a waiting list for a business class ticket but the flights were fully booked days ahead.

He was reported to have

H

AVING survived several gruelling weeks in the house, Christian Doherty emerged the winner of the third season of Glo Naija Sings. The latest star who simply goes by the name Christian, was selected from the Abuja auditions to participate in the Top 10 contest. In what can be termed an explosive, power-packed and emotional grand finale, the third edition of the

Obesere, Osupa, Aluko for Fuji Festival

F

OR the second year running, communication giant, MTN, is throwing its weight behind one of the most anticipated Fuji Festivals in the country tagged MTN Fuji Festival.

MTN is standing in as the title sponsor of this year's edition following the success of the two previous editions.

The event is expected to have top Fuji stars such as Saheed Osupa, Abass Akande Obesere, Remi Aluko, Taiye Currency, Taju Paso, and many other budding Fuji acts to be discovered in the cities visited.

According to Semiu Adenekan, the brain behind the Fuji festival, adequate logistics have been put in place to guarantee a hitch free event this year. He also said that

39

this year's edition is aimed at taking the festival to major towns in the south west states of Nigeria.

“The event is not about profit making, but to discover and develop talents. It is also an opportunity for the sponsors to take its brands closer to its consumers who live in remote parts of south west states of Nigeria,” Semiu said.

The event is expected to begin in Saki on November 11, Ogbomoso and Offa on November 12 and 13 respectively, while the train will move to Ado Ekiti, Ilesa and Ibadan on November •Obesere 18, 20 and 25 respectively.

refused getting on the flight, thus missing the ceremony.

Channel O representatives had to go to his Lekki home to record an acceptance speech which was aired at the awards. The artiste also picked up the Most Gifted Male Video for Mr. Endowed (Remix)', which featured world famous rap star, Snoop Dogg.

But Media Image Managers, Mo' Hits media company, has come out to statement making the rounds that he did not attend the show because he was placed on economy instead of business class. “D'banj did not attend Channel O awards because he could not fly the night he was billed to fly. He was booked on a Business Class seat but placed on waiting list, so on getting there, he and his crew discovered there was no seat available for D'banj. All efforts

to get him to fly that night proved abortive. This happened on a Friday, a day before the show and the next flight to South Africa was Saturday night, the night of the show.

Consequently, D'banj could not attend. We want to state categorically that D'banj had no issues (and still do not have any issue) with the awards organisers. He was even willing to fly Economy if there was an available seat because he had cancelled other engagements just to attend the show. He was as disappointed as all his fans looking forward to seeing him at the show that was why he stayed indoors to watch it on TV. Both the star and the awards organisers have moved on having all realised the issues that made it impossible for D'banj to be at the show.”

How Christian emerged Glo Naija Sings winner

competition was finally wrapped up with Christian pitted against two other contestants, Vicky and Mattade, at the grand finale.

This was at the end of a spectacular and star-studded grand finale which kicked off with the “elegant stallion”, Onyeka Onwenu, performing her popular hit, “One Love”, with the Top 10 to a standing ovation from the audience.

Preceding the declaration of the winner by host, Dare, the show witnessed special performances by the Top 3 who sang songs they thought helped them get to the grand finale. They also performed special duets with top-rated Nigerian artistes. In impressive performances, Vicky went head to head with the amazing Mo' Cheddar while Christian rocked with Davido and Mattade dueled with Jaywon.

The Top 3 also performed new, catchy singles which received rave reviews from the audience. The show •Christian also featured spectacular guest performances by Omawumi, Glo Naija Sings host, Darey and Season 2 winner,

Casey, who performed his snappy single “Not My Girl”.

Welcoming the winner to the exclusive club of Glo ambassadors and handing over the keys to a Toyota RAV 4, Globacom's Director of Sales, Mr Patrick Awotwi, congratulated Christian for putting up a spectacular performance. He also thanked the Top 10 contestants and all who participated in the show for displaying great skills and outstanding talents.

“Your performance has justified our commitment to providing an enabling platform for our youths to discover and nurture their talents in order to be the best that they can be. Already you are all stars and we encourage you to continue to excel in your future endeavours and rule your world.

Please be assured that we are proud of you and all of Africa is proud of you,” he said.

Also on hand to present a dummy cheque for 100,000 USD to Christian was the Managing Director of MNET, Mrs. Biola Alabi, who congratulated the winner and thanked the sponsors, the contestants, the fans, audience, the producers and the media for their roles in making possible another great season of Glo Naija Sings.

40

Entertainment

Peak Talent Hunt

12 finalists emerge

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ITH 24 nationalists pruned down to 12, all is set for the weekly eviction and elimination shows of the Peak Talent Hunt. Organizers of the competition have said that in the Peak Talent House, the acts will receive professional coaching to help them compete in the weekly elimination shows.

Based on their performances, a combination of judges and viewers' SMS voting will decide who stays in the house. In all, according to the organizers, there will be 5 elimination shows leaving the final three acts that will compete at the grand finale in December from where the star prize winner will emerge. Judging criteria, they said, will be based on stage presence, entertainment value, talent, and ultimately true potentials.

Prior to the selection of the 24 finalists, auditions have been concluded in 11 cities around Nigeria which includes Abuja, Makurdi, Enugu, Owerri, Benin, Asaba, Calabar, Uyo, Akure, Ibadan and Lagos. From the 11 cities grouped into 6 zones, 120 acts qualified for the zonal finals in Lagos from where 4 Acts qualified for the National finals per zone.

With emphasis on developing talent the Peak Talent Hunt is a mixture of different genres of the arts. According to the Director of Production of the hunt, Bayo Awolaja, among the contestants are singers, jugglers, dancers, comedians and a host of others.

In its third season, the show, he said, will dole out 40-million naira worth of prizes with the Star prize winner will get 10 million worth of cash and talent development contract. Viewing audience will also win exciting prizes such as Apple iPads 2 and Blackberry phones based on their SMS voting.

The 12 finalists for the show are Joseph Shortcut (Comedian), Plus One (Dance rappers), Edache Immaculate (Singer), Chima John (Rapper), Jane Francis Amadi (Rapper), Bernard John (Violinist), Marvelous Osunbor (Rapper), Ejiro Elvis (Singer), Phina Isiave (Singer), Simon Ikechukwu (Singer), Victoria Bassey (Singer) and Jeremiah Olaleke (Drummer) Set for december 20, the show will witness its grand finale at Eko Hotels and Suits. Winner of second edition of the talent show was enrolled at Muson School of Music as well as with a management career Development Company in the UK. The eventual winner for the show will be signed up for two years.

•Simon Ekechukwu

THE NATION ON SUNDAY NOVEMBER 20, 2011

BIG

CINEMA GUIDE

PICTURE Supported by: SILVERBIRD CINEMAS

Abduction: Quest for an identity

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ITH the search of a true identity as its thrust, Abduction is a flick that touches on deceit and the will to survive. Trouble begins when Nathan comes across a photograph of his 3 1/2-year-old self on a missing-children Web site, a cyber fishing expedition that directs the baddies to his home, where they storm the place and kill his parents minutes after he discovers he is not their biological son.

As a mad chase ensues, Abduction tickles the imagination of the viewer with its fastpaced plot. Nathan's quest leads to a pursuit by two small armies, one made up of C.I.A. officers, the other of Eastern European goons led by one Kozlow, who finally clash at a Pittsburgh Pirates game. Both sides are desperately searching for a list of spies encrypted in a cell phone that landed in Nathan's hands.

Dr. Bennett, Nathan's shrink, informs the young lad that Burton, the CIA agent leading the search, is not reliable and so cannot be

trusted. She discloses that Nathan's biological father, Martin Price, is really a CIA agent who stole from Kozlow a list containing the names of corrupt CIA agents.

Bennett informs him to make for a safe house in Arlington, Virginia. Karen decides to go with him on the quest. Before they leave, Bennett informs him to only trust his father along with a guy known as Paul Rasen.

Nathan and Karen get through to the safe house, while both Burton's and Kazlow's goons look for them. There, Nathan finds Martin's mobile phone in addition to a picture of his biological mother. The saga begins when Nathan has to make up his mind on who to trust and who not to.

Directed by John Singleton (“Four Brothers,” “2 Fast 2 Furious”), from a screenplay by Shawn Christensen, “Abduction” is graced with reputable actors like Alfred Molina, Sigourney Weaver, Jason Isaacs and Maria Bello.

Colombiana sketches a female assassin’s revenge mission

A

movie about a female assassin who is seeking revenge for her parents' death, Colombiana comes with a lot of action and romance. After witnessing the death of her parents at a drug lord's hands and escaping the drug lord's clutches, Cataleya (Zoe Saldana) seeks vengeance by deflecting to the American Ambassador with an important computer chip that her father left her.

In exchange for the information on the chip, the Ambassador arranged for her to be moved to America. Half way through, she escaped once again and makes her way to Chicago to look for her Uncle Emilio who takes her in with the hopes of giving her a normal life.

Instead, she prefers to be trained as an assassin.

Conveniently, Emilio has ties with the underworld. Fast forward 15 years, Cataleya becomes a top notch assassin for her Uncle.

She starts leaving her trademarks on her victims to attract her parents' killer. What she didn't expect was that she was putting her loved ones as risk as she seeks vengeance.

Cataleya has sex with a guy who thinks her name is Jennifer. He takes her picture and events unfold.

Colombiana is filled with over the top action sequences and scenarios that were aesthetically nice to look. This movie utilizes Zoe Saladana's (Avatar, Star Trek) body and looks well while giving her room to showcase her acting.

The flick is a TriStar Pictures release, Directed by Olivier Megaton and is rated PG13 for violence, disturbing images, intense sequences of action, sexuality and brief strong language with a running time of 1 hour 47 minutes. The cast includes Zoe Saldana, Michael Vartan, Jordi Molla, Cliff Curtis, Lennie James and Amandla Stenberg.

Colombiana Genre: Action/Adventure Lagos, Port-Harcourt ******************************* Abduction Genre: Action/Adventure Lagos, Port-Harcourt, Abuja ******************************* Tower Heist Genre: Action/Adventure Lagos ******************************* In Time Genre: Action/Adventure Lagos, Port-Harcourt ******************************* RA. One Genre: Action/Adventure Lagos ******************************* Johnny English Reborn Genre: Action/Adventure Lagos, Port-Harcourt ******************************* Friends with Benefits Genre: Suspense/Horror Lagos, Abuja ******************************* Suing the Devil Genre: Suspense/Horror Lagos ******************************* Dolphin Tale Genre: Drama Lagos, Port-Harcourt ******************************* The Change Up Genre: Comedy Port-Harcourt ******************************* What's your Number Genre: Comedy Port-Harcourt, Abuja ******************************* Gossip Nation Genre: Drama Abuja ******************************* Contagion Genre: Action/Adventure Abuja ******************************* The Smurfs Genre: Science Fiction Abuja

THE NATION ON SUNDAY NOVEMBER 20, 2011

41

Glamour

42

THE NATION ON SUNDAY NOVEMBER 20, 2011

‘I’m not keen about falling in love again’ Y

OU look all together and beautiful for a mother of four, what's your beauty routine like?

I have a facial every week. I'm very paranoid about facials. I have a body scrub every two weeks. I use serum, moisturizers. I'm the kind of person that every new product that my friends say is good, I go for it. So, I'm always experimenting. I don't have one product that is my product.

How often do you exercise?

Actually my exercise doesn't last beyond 30 minutes.

At the beginning of this year, I lost too much weight and I don't want to lose so much, so I just trim to make my arms and thighs go down.

Before the film fest, the name Chioma Udeh was not known. Tell us more about yourself.

I lived in America for 11 years and moved back to Nigeria five years ago.

Back in America, what were you doing?

I was a nurse in the US. I was a floor nurse for two years and thereafter, I opened up my own agency. I also sold gem stones, diamond and all sorts of jewelry. It's another passion of mine. When I say passion, it's indeed a passion. So, I did a lot of that.

Are you now abandoning your nursing profession for film?

Oh yes, that's completely gone. That was for a time and season. It's finished.

You're not married?

Right now, no. But I was once married.

Are you not keen about falling in love again?

Absolutely not!

What if love finds you?

Love will not find me, because I'm not available.

How many kids do you have?

Four And they live with you?

Of course yes.

At what age did you get married?

I got married early.

Could that be the reason you are no longer married now?

May be and may be not.

Were you a victim of early marriage?

You see this marriage part, let us just leave it out.

Where are you from?

I'm from Iheala, Anambra State. I was born in Italy where my father served as a diplomat. From there, we moved back to Nigeria.

Besides organizing AFRIFFT, which is an annual event, what else do you do?

I own a logistics company; I do logistics for Total. It's a lot of work for a whole year. But truth is, film is now taking a whole lot of my time. Every now and then, I'm travelling with Peace Osigwe to the different film festivals around the world in order to gain more knowledge so I could improve in what I'm doing. This year, I calmed down on the logistics and up my game a little bit on the festival. But

Chioma Udeh is an upwardly mobile young woman with eyes firmly gazed at the top. The unassuming founder and Project Director of Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) in this chat with MERCY MICHAEL, takes us into her world of beauty, marriage and business

logistics feeds me, so I have to find a balance.

Can you recall one of your trips that was fascinating?

The Durban Film Festival was fascinating for me. It made me feel like that's where we are heading. It's a small film festival, but very well organised. For me, it was what I wanted to do. Cannes Film Festival is huge, it's overwhelming and you may want to say to yourself, can I ever get there. With Durban, you see it right there. It was good.

One of the highlights of this year's festival is the boat cruise…

I like to enjoy myself. The international filmmakers coming into Nigeria for the festival would have a different experience from our world. They are going to see the slave trade ground. It's going to be nostalgic for some. For some, it's like wow! For me, my happiness will just be, being on the boat and riding with them.

What is sponsorship like this year?

I have Total, which has supported us from last year. We got the best deal ever in Arik. They say to us please don't tell other people what you got. I liked what they offered us in terms of asking us to please create indigenous awards, which wasn't done before. They asked us to create indigenous awards so they could give tickets to some filmmakers to go to the Tribecca Film Festival next year. So we have three business class tickets going to three filmmakers.

Who are the international stars coming for this year's award?

We are expecting Tichina Arnold and Lynn Whitfield.

We also have Rockmond Dumbar (he played Benjamin in popular season, Prison Break). He's followed the festival all year and very happy with it. He submitted a movie this year so he's coming back again. And then we have other African stars that are coming.

What is it like working with the AMAA (African Movie Academy Award) boss, Peace Osigwe?

Peace and I have a different kind of relationship.

Professionally, she's put me on my toes. She never says anything until she gets to the end and she starts pushing.

She's always pushing. But we are more like sisters really.

And we found out five years ago that we are related by marriage. My brother is married to her first cousin. So, our relationship is closer than what a lot of people see and think.

What are the modalities for choosing the films to be shown at the festival?

We have a selection process. Basically we choose the best films that we consider will work in this environment. It's not every film that's going to work in the Nigerian environment. We learnt that last year.

Basically, we choose interesting and engaging films. Nigerians love funny movies, stories that they can relate to. Nigerians are not really keen on cerebral, hearty films, which are what makes up most film festivals. We have those.

We have the cerebral. We have the hearty. We have a lot of easy go happy films.

Glamour

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2011

43

Social KAYODE ALFRED

(E-mail: kayflex2@yahoo.com, Tel: 08035733605, 08099400057)

Tussle over late Tayo Aderinokun's estate

Kafilat Ogbara gets new appointment

F

EW months after the former MD/CEO of GTBank, Mr.Tayo Aderinokun, passed on, the battle on who takes charge of his multi-billion naira estate has begun. And the combatants in what promises to be a fierce battle are the deceased's wives-Funlola and Salamotu. A few of the properties said to be raising dust are two blocks of luxury flats in Parkview and Banana Island, Ikoyi. Named Rebecca's Court, each of the flats goes for a whopping $75,000 as rent. According to those who should know, the houses were built by First Marina Properties, a subsidiary of First Marina Ltd where Salamotu holds sway as Managing Director.

There is also the old Ikoyi Hotel, which Tayo bought a few years before he died.

Sources say Tayo's family members are sharply divided over who to pitch their tent with between Funlola and Salamotu, who never see eyeto-eye.

T

HIS is definitely the best of times for Lagos politician, Kafilat Ogbara. Kafilat, who failed in her bid to clinch the Kosofe federal constituency seat in the House of Representatives during the 2007 general elections, has become very socially active in recent times. SC gathered the Ogbara's recent appointment as a Special Assistant to the Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, was allegedly facilitated by a former president, who is said to be fond of the lawyer-cumpolitician.

Why Nikki Khiran is still single

More on Kate Henshaw’s marriage break-up

T

HE news came like a rude shock. But to those who are close to popular actress, Kate Henshaw and her British-born hubby, Roderick James Nuttal, their parting of ways never came as a surprise. Citing the usual 'irreconcilable differences' as the cause of the break-up, the couple, who had put up a façade of marital bliss for 12 years, decided to go their separate ways when all attempts to patch up their differences failed to yield positive result. According to those who should know, Kate's alleged extramarital affair with a popular London-based international promoter, Ayo, and a powerful man in the seat of power, may have compelled her husband to kiss the marriage goodbye. For now, the beautiful actress is taking the situation in her stride and ready to start a new life as a single woman.

L

OATHE or love her, Nikki Khiran sure knows her onions when it comes to her job. A fashion designer of high repute, the UKtrained lady has, however, not been lucky in the relationship department. Though romantically linked with a few successful guys in the past, her affair with a businessman, Remi Ogundeji, was the most celebrated. A few years ago, Nikki and Remi even went as far as sealing their affair with a low-key traditional wedding in Ilorin, Kwara State. But just when the couple were to fully savour the bliss of matrimony, the marriage packed up to the shock of their friends and family members. So emotionally bruised was Khiran that she, there and then, decided to keep men at arm's length. Recently, the gist in town was that Khiran was set to walk down the aisle with an undisclo sed man. That later turned out to be a hoa x. At the moment, Nikki is very busy with her label and how to take the A-list fashion outfit to the next level.

Oceanic Bank's Nonye Mpho moves on

N

ONYE Mpho, Group Head of Corporate Communications, Oceanic Bank, has resigned. The beautiful young woman, who reported directly to the GMD/CEO, was head hunted from renowned management firm, Mc Kinsey in 2008 to reposition the Oceanic brand. After assisting in turning the Oceanic brand around leading to a successful merger with Ecobank, Nonye's next port of call is yet unclear.

However, one thing is certain: Mpho, according to close friends, is done with banking and is presently considering offers from blue-chip firms in the oil and telecoms industry.

44

Glamour

&

Fatia Balogun

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2011 Yemi Solade

OLUSEGUN RAPHEAL (08033572821) raphseg2003@yahoo.com

e d @ a s r a d r p a w A Star d o o w y l l o N f o t s Be

I

T was an event to celebrate excellence in the film industry. Organised by movie critic and writer, Seun Oloketuyi, the 'Best of Nollywood Awards', which held last weekend at the Lagoon Restaurant on Victoria Island, Lagos, had all the trappings of class, glitz and razzmatazz. Starting almost two hours behind schedule, the event was attended by virtually all the wave-making and upcoming movie stars, who make Nollywood tick. Olusegun Rapheal was there

Halima Abubakar

Kunle Afolayan

Ayo Adesanya

Kenny St Ogungbe

Yemide Talu

Sola Kosoko

Julius Agwu and Wife

Bimbo Thomas

FROM THE CAMPUS PAGE 46

With Prof. Emmanuel Ojeme

THE NATION SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2011

WORLD TOUR FINALS:

Who will it be?

By Bumi Ashebu

F

OR the next one week starting from today, the best eight players in the world will battle it out at the O2 arena, London’s premier sporting and entertainment venue in the World Tour Finals.

The ATP WTF is big in every sense. For me it is as big as a grand slam, just not as popular. It is sponsored mainly by Barclays and is called the “Barclays ATP World Tour Finals. It is a tennis tournament played at the end of each year, involving the top eight players in the men's tennis world rankings.

The event moved from Shanghai to London in 2009 for a period of five years and enjoyed huge success in its first year in the capital, setting an all-time indoor tennis attendance record with 256,000 fans onsite over eight days.

Unlike most of the other events on the men's tour, the ATP World Tour Finals is not a straightforward knockout tournament. Eight players are divided into two groups of four, and play three round-robin matches each against the other three players in their group. From there, the two players with the best records in each group progress to the semifinals, with the winners meeting in the final to determine the champion.

Price money for the champion is about 1 million pounds and winners are awarded up to 1,500 points.

World ranking points are now at stake, with an undefeated champion earning the same number of points they would for winning one of the four Grand Slam events. There’s a lot to fight for.

Former World Number ones, Pete Sampras, Ivan Lendl and Roger Federer hold the record for the most titles, each with 5. Roger Federer is the defending champion after beating his longtime rival, Rafael Nadal in a much anticipated final.

Nadal had a brilliant year, winning three grand slam titles and Federer on the other hand seemed to be finished at the time. Like last season, the Swiss tennis star’s tough season is ending on a high, with his victory in Basel and Paris putting him in good stead for the seasonending tournament in London. He had never even reached the final of the Paris masters until last Sunday when he beat Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-1, 7-6 to win his first Paris Masters and 69th title of a glittering career. He will be reeking of confidence right now even though he is

Sports teacher in the development chain (3)

I

N the last two Sundays, we have focused this column on the role of the physical education teacher in sports development. It is incontestable from the analysis and it’s discussions that the physical education teacher who operates within the school system has a pivotal role to play in school sports development. The schools must therefore, ensure that they avail themselves of the services of the physical education teacher, to teach the subject and drive school sports programmes in the instructional, intramural and extramural perspectives.

In this last segment of this topic, we will be looking at some key characteristics or features a physical education teacher must possess to excel on this job.

1.

Setting Vision and Goals A physical education teacher must be clear about his philosophy, vision and goals. These are essential ingredients that give direction and character to the school sports programme. Without statements of beliefs, values, vision and goals for the school sports programme, it would be difficult to avoid mediocrity 2.

Motor skill Competences A physical education teacher must possess versatility in the motor skills of different sports. With motor skill competences, the teacher is able to guide the students properly in the acquisition of the skills of sports, which in turn will increase and improve sports participation.

3.

Physical Fitness A physical education teacher must be physically fit.

This would enhance his or her sports participation and show the children, in a most competent manner, the techniques of sports participation by direct engagement.

• Roger Federer

4.

Capacity to Apply Theory to Practice A physical education teacher must possess the capacity to apply theory to practice, using the concepts, principles and language of the subject matter of physical education, sports and human kinetics. This is a demonstration of expertise and professionalism, and also differentiates him as an educated person from roadside dealers in unregulated and unprincipled sports academies.

5.

Ravishing Sports Orientation A physical education teacher must possess a ravishing sports orientation that has the multiplier effect of triggering pupils and students’ unquenchable desire to take part in sports and study of physical education. This affective disposition is an essential tonic to blow the minds of the pupils and students concerning the unlimited possibilities for a successful schoolboy or girl athlete.

drawn in what some people have termed “the group of death” with Nadal, Tsonga and Fish.

This year’s world tour finals features Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray, Roger Federer, David Ferrer, Tomas Berdych, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Mardy Fish.

Though Djokovic has won 3 grand slam titles and five Masters this year, Andy Murray two masters and Nadal has one grand slam and one master’s title, Roger Federer is still the favourite to lift the title again in London. And with Djokovic troubled by a nagging shoulder injury, Federer will be confident of defending his title in London.

“I can still finish this year on a high,” he said.

The bookmakers agree, making Federer the 2-1 favourite, just ahead of Murray and Djokovic In what is one of the greatest rivalries in tennis history, Federer and Nadal will once again battle for

supremacy in the round robin. With Federer on a twelve match winning streak but Nadal winning all three matches the two have played this year, this one is poised perfectly and could be a classic.

In addition to this match, the British crowd will be eager to see how Andy Murray competes against a seemingly invincible Novak Djokovic, who has had a remarkable year, winning three of this year’s four Grand Slams and dominated everyone on the tour. He spectacularly defeated Murray in the Australian Open final at the beginning of the year.

However, with Scot winning eighteen of his last nineteen matches and winning titles in Bangkok, Tokyo and Shanghai, there will be an expectation from the home crowd and Murray will be expected to fight hard against the Serb. If Murray were to pull off the upset and even go on to win the tournament he would round off a successful year after reaching semi-finals in all of

the Grand Slam tournaments. For obvious reasons, I will not put my money on Andy Murray winning this tournament.

The pressure from the British media alone is usually too much for him to bear.

Whatever the case, this year’s ATP World Tour Finals are going to be harder to predict with question marks over the fitness of the two best players in the world as well as the unpredictability of players such as Tsonga and Berdych and with Andy Murray trying to capture his first end of year title, Federer trying to record a record sixth win in order to surpass Ivan Lendl and Pete Sampras, and Novak Djokovic looking to put the finishing touches to an incredible year, this is going to be a tournament you do not want to miss. And like Roger Federer said “anybody can beat anybody”. Maybe one of the under dogs can pull off a major surprise like Nikolay Davydenko did in London in 2009……..Only time will tell.

6.

Intrinsic Motivation A physical education teacher must possess unfathomable intrinsic motivation. This makes it possible for him or her to work and keep pushing the school sports programme to great height, even in difficult circumstances.

7.

Occupational Counselling It is important to arrange occupational counselling sessions with students to educate them more about social services and opportunities in physical education and sports. The more pupils and students recognize the opportunities for earning a living, hitting the limelight and gaining recognition in society through P.E. and sports, the more interest they will have in the programme.

8.

Communication Ability This is essential for effective teaching and coaching of pupils in the school P.E. and sports programme.

9.

Proper Grooming

A P.E. teacher must be well groomed and decent. This would stimulate pupils and students to like his person and also more desireous of working with him.

10.

Research and Knowledge Development A P.E. teacher must continuously update his knowledge through research, workshops and seminar to keep abreast of new knowledge and subsequently improve service delivery.

I hope that this brief outline of enabling attributes would be of help to teachers in service and also help preservice teachers to benchmark themselves as we seek ways to improve physical education and sports in schools.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY NOVEMBER 20, 2011

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48

With Patience Saduwa

THE NATION ON SUNDAY NOVEMBER 20, 2011

•Job satisfaction: You can make your job more interesting by learning some career-boosting skills

D

O you hate your day job?

Bored? Not motivated?

You want to be a success at work, doing a job you love, right?

Right.

But sometimes it's hard to figure out how to get your career moving in the right direction -- whether you're 22 or 72.

So, based on my experience observing thousands of job seekers over the past 10 years, here are some tips to help you set the goals and build the skills you'll need to make your current job more interesting and to reach career nirvana …

Start where you are Make every effort to build your skills in your current job, so that when you leave or try for a promotion, you'll have the required expertise.

Try to make a little progress every day, rather than hope for a big promotion someday. In other words, if you exceed expectations today by doing just a little more than is expected of you, you'll move up the ladder of success faster down the road.

Sharpen your computer skills Today, no matter what your job is, you'll likely need a computer to do it well.

Learn everything you possibly can about the software needed in your field, and you'll quickly make yourself more marketable.

Example: sales executives must be fluent in PowerPoint, bookkeepers in Excel, administrative assistants in Word, etc.

For guidance, ask your boss to name all the software you'll need to know to get ahead in your field, then get started mastering those skills.

Develop the habit of lifelong learning

If you commit yourself to a lifetime of workplace learning, it will pay off in bigger paychecks and greater job security for years to come.

Unfortunately, most folks think that education ends on graduation

Ways to spice up your career day. To prove it for yourself, ask any 10 friends to name the last three books they read about their industry. The resulting silence will demonstrate how easy it is for you to stand out in your field.

It's been said that if you spend just one hour a day reading the best books in your field, you can become a leading expert in five

years. And leading experts are never wanting for the best jobs anywhere. So why not join the experts?

To sum up, stop waiting for your dream job to come and find you.

Instead, start where you are, exceed expectations, sharpen your skills, keep learning … and soon

you'll be on your way to the top of your field.

Make lists for tasks If your workload is rather overwhelming, prioritize everything in a list, from daily and weekly tasks to monthly goals.

Make it a game where you can see how much you can get done in a day. If you meet a goal, set it higher next time and try to break that hurdle.

Cleanse your aura Create a desktop area that calms you, makes you feel creative and constructive. Whether it has pictures of you at your favorite beach or your favorite significant other, sometimes little visuals like this can trigger positive vibes to get you through your work day. A calendar of your favorite sports team's schedule can also be encouraging (as it reminds you of the game you're going to next week). You spend 40 hours (+) of your life a week at work. You probably spend more time there than you do in your own house.

Why not make it a little more homey? The plus side is you don't have to pay rent.

If you work at a place you detest for a few months with no future opportunities of advancement or change, you might want to consider finding something else, anything else that will make you happier (although in tough economic times, most people are lucky to even have a job).

Source: jobdig.com

Banker turns ‘super nanny’ After nearly a decade of working in Equatorial Trust Bank, Mrs. Chuka Nwuche left to start a crèche. She owns the franchise for Super Nannies an international child-care group in Nigeria. The mother of two from Imo State, spoke with Sunday Oguntola on why babies are better off with trained, qualified nannies.

•Nwuche: 'Trained, qualified nannies are better at taking care of babies’

W

HY did you leave banking to start super nannies?

I needed time to take care of my young family. I had worked in the banking sector for almost nine years so I felt I needed a new challenge.

Before I left, I realised I have a passion for kids and decided to make a business out of it. I started the crèche and must say that I thoroughly enjoy what I am doing. I wouldn't trade it for anything or money in banking. I am fulfilled and satisfied.

So, what really is Super Nannies all about?

It is about quality childcare and giving the care givers, that is the nannies and class assistants, basic training on how to look well after babies.

You will find out that in this part of the world, we don't really have professional nannies. What we have are quacks, untrained people saying they are nannies.

Anybody can just wake up today and say she is a nanny without passion, without

training. So, we are essentially professionalising the profession.

Most nannies cannot recall what happens to a baby. So we train them to record everything starting from what the child eats, when he defecates, sleeps and other details in an exercise book.

The essence is when the mother gets back she is able to know what has happened to the child. And in the case of an emergency, she can tell doctors when last the child ate, slept and all the likes. We teach first aids too so that when there is an emergency, they can respond without panic and save kids.

How did you acquire the franchise and some of the challenges faced on the job?

I run a crèche on Adeniyi Jones. So I started out by employing young ladies to be nannies. I had to do away with them when I found they could not deliver. So, I settled for married women since it is taken for granted that a mother should know how to

take care of kids. But I found this untrue. Many of them could not change diapers and do basic child care stuff.

So, I started looking for where to train them. I was willing to pay but I browsed and came across Super Nannies, South Africa. I approached the lady in charge for a franchise, which she sold to me. We have a website in Nigeria and we also outsource. We have a pool of trained nannies that we recommend to clients. We would have done security, medical and competence tests that guarantee the safety of babies kept in their care.

How long is the training?

It is just for two weeks and for now, what we have is a classroom setting where they are really taken through the rudiments of childcare. But we also offer home services for those who want us to come over to train. We offer a manual that they can use later for further studies.

New WOMAN

THE NATION ON SUNDAY NOVEMBER 20, 2011

49

Real life love stories

Return of an old flame

Continued from last week

I

T was through Timi that Eric and I met. She had a course mate, Mike who was Eric's friend. There was a day he came to our room to borrow a book from her and Eric was with him. Timi introduced us. I was studying Computer Science and it turned out he was highly interested in computers. This was back then when computers were not as common as they are now. He wanted me to give him private lessons in computers. I agreed. I don't know how he did it but he even got a computer (a fairly used one though) and we started the training.

He had an off-campus accommodation, a twobedroom apartment that he shared with some friends. I went there once a week to teach him and that's how we became friends.

Initially, it was strictly platonic. He had a serious girlfriend then, Becky, a student at another school in the city. She used to visit him once in a while and we didn't get along. Whenever she saw me with Eric, she would start frowning and acting funny. Timi told me to ignore her, that she always acted that way whenever she saw any girl around him. 'She's always jealous and suspicious of other girls,' were her exact words.

It was three months after I began teaching Eric that things changed between us.

He invited Timi and I to his friend's birthday party and after that we had to stay back at the house because of the time. Timi was with her boyfriend. I don't know how it happened and I ended up spending the night with Eric. That was how we started dating.

When I told Timi what happened, she said I should be careful because of his reputation. She didn't want my heart broken, she said.

But by then I was already in love with Eric and I believed he loved me too. I was young and naive, just 19 with very little experience about men or relationships.

Eric and I were together throughout my second year. It was a great time for me especially at the beginning as Eric was so nice to me. He used to call

•Confused soul: ‘He says he has changed but can I trust him?’

me his 'computer babe' and gave me lots of gifts. He broke up with his girlfriend, Becky shortly after we started going out, citing 'obsessive behavior and jealousy' as the reason for dumping her. As our affair progressed I realized why Becky acted that way.

Girls were always hanging around Eric. He assured me he had nothing to do with them, that they were just friends and course-mates. I believed him. Though I had my suspicions, I ignored them. I didn't want to end up like his ex, Becky.

Timi and Eric’s betrayal Even when I caught two girls fighting in his house over him, he said I should not bother myself about them, that they were silly, idle girls who had nothing better to do than fight over another girl's boyfriend. He said he loved only me. As I said, I was young and naïve and I accepted his explanation.

Eric was the out-going type. He loved to party and have fun. Each weekend saw him and his friends going to one club or party in town. I didn't like parties. When not attending classes, I

preferred spending time with my friends, gisting, watching movies on Timi's video player or reading novels.

It became a source of quarrels between us-he

always wanted me to go with him. I tried it a couple of times but hated the noise, the serious drinking that went on and other crazy stuff going on. I was no saint but even at such a

Timi should go with him.

A few days after, some girls, fellow students who were also at the rave came to tell me how Timi and Eric were all over each other, smooching all the time and acting like a couple in love. I heard they even disappeared for some hours and only returned towards the end of the party.

Timi denied it when I confronted her with the story, calling the girls 'busybodies' who liked to stick their noses in other people's business. But I noticed a change in their attitude-they hardly spoke to each other whenever I was around. This was unlike before when they used to joke and laugh a lot with one another. I had my suspicions but I kept my cool. Then there was this Saturday morning I went to Eric's flat to iron my clothes as there was no light in our house. Timi had gone to her parents place for the weekend so I was alone. What I saw when I got to his house still sticks in my memory till today.

What did Ng see at Eric's house? Keep a date with us young age, there were next Sunday! certain things I didn't want to be involved in. There “Follow your heart, but was a day Eric wanted us to don't forget to take attend one of such parties- a your brain with you.” bachelor's eve. I wasn't interested so I suggested -Anonymous

Relationships Deola Ojo 08027454533 (text) Pastordeegfc@yahoo.com

Loving you when it seems nobody does (2) Continued from last week happily married today.

Care for yourself and take ELIEVE that this is care of your beauty. A man or a passing phase. The woman who will not care for fact that nobody is self because no one is interested in you right now i n t e r e s t e d i s d o i n g does not mean that nobody him/herself a disservice. You will ever be interested in must want to look good for you. Many people who are yourself. The fact that no one married today passed a will tell you that you have a phase like this one. One lady nice hair cut does not mean had no proposals for over a that you should not go to the year, and then within a barbers. As a man you need to month she had three take good care of yourself proposals for marriage. She and look good at all times. As settled for the man who a lady you also need to look seemed to be a perfect good and presentable. gentleman and she is Date for one. Arrange a

B

special outing for yourself alone. Not because you are hoping to meet someone but just because you want to treat yourself well. I sometimes see persons who are dining alone in a very expensive restaurant. If there is no one to take you out and pay for your meal, then take yourself out and pay for your own meal.

Encourage yourself when there is no one around to encourage you. This is especially important if you live alone. You can decide to put on some good music and

dance alone. You should also look for other people to encourage. Perhaps you are thirty five and still single. If you look around you will see people who are up to ten years older than you and are still single. You could affirm these people and tell them you appreciate them for their achievements.

Family is very important. You may have parents, siblings, uncles, aunties, cousins or distant relatives, try to spend time with them. It is so easy to shut off everybody when you feel love is missing from your life. A healthy life consists of both family love and romantic love. If romantic love seems absent right now, then fill up your time with family love. Give your family members a call and visit them occasionally. If you have young nieces and nephews, plan outings with them. You will have a good time and they would be so glad that you are a wonderful uncle/aunty.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY NOVEMBER 20, 2011

50

SUNNY SIDE

Cartoons

By Olubanwo Fagbemi deewalebf@yahoo.com 08060343214 (SMS only)

POLITICKLE

Canine conundrum •Or ‘Let Them Say’

CHEEK BY JOWL

OH, LIFE!

THE GReggs

A FEATURE of the man’s youth was his love for animals. While a boy, he managed to find time to tend to some animal or the other in his spare time. The interest ranged from poultry to pets. But of all the animals, dogs were the favourite. Ironically, he didn’t own any himself, in a home where none shared his interest in canines. Of all the dogs on the estate where he lived, however, the boy loved two the most.

Let Them Say, his friend Aku’s mangy black dog was unforgettable.

If ever a dog could be described as one without a care in the world, it was this dog with a patchy fur, affectionately called ‘Ledemsay’ by all. It knew every kid on the estate, or didn’t seem to mind any of them, let alone what they had to say. Much to the embarrassment of its young master who touted the likelihood of the dog becoming one of the most ferocious guard dogs around, Ledemsay wagged its tail for all, friend or foe.

It took a liking to the boy and would answer his call, even from four blocks away. The dog was attentive and showed remarkable timing to meet the boy when he left the house after mealtimes – the boy often spared some meat or morsel for the expectant carnivore.

As with many of its street-wise kind, however, the dog loathed bathing and could sense the event as it approached. Eventually, it grew to distrust anyone who reached for a bowl, bucket or sponge nearby. In time, it developed quite a reputation for evading more than bath times. It regularly took evasive action when a hiding for some misdemeanor – such as indiscreet heeding of a stranger’s advances on the street – was imminent. Sometimes, to avoid punishment or a wash it hid for a day or two only to return in one piece.

Still, the boy joined his friend in worrying over the dog’s habits, especially as a community of dog flesh-craving people habited the area west of the estate. Yet, the charmed life led by Ledemsay for four years ended not in some connoisseur’s pot but beneath the wheels of a reckless driver’s truck on the estate’s main road one evening. The boys cried as they buried the dog on a heap behind the area.

In possession of exceptional traits from the same period as well was Lucky. A short brown dog, it was owned by another friend, Anthony. Lucky contrasted sharply with Ledemsay. Somewhat reserved, it commanded respect from the rudest of kids. It was a much better guard dog than Ledemsay too. Fierce at night, it was impossible in daytime.

No one but a stranger attempted to leave Anthony’s house with an item they didn’t come with except in the company of the host.

Lucky’s bark was loud and quite distinct, and such was its industry that Anthony bragged that a household item wasn’t missing in two years. But Lucky was not fated to be around for long either.

It sauntered out of the estate for what was thought to be a routine jaunt one morning and never returned. Days of searching yielded no Lucky, and everyone, Anthony in particular, conceded they’d run out of luck. The boy always thought Lucky would return, however, and remained on the lookout.

About a year later, manning the outpost of the mother’s shop that stood at the entrance of the estate, he watched a group of herdsmen pass by with their grazing cattle. A dog, not unlike Lucky in appearance, stood on a rise of land in front of the boy and, looking forlornly into the estate, whined softly. The boy fancied it to be the long-lost dog. “Lucky!” he called out. The dog glanced his way and the boy thought recognition flickered in its eyes.

Just then, one of the herdsmen summoned in a peculiar tone and the dog turned abruptly to obey the call. The boy shot off into the estate to get the others, but by the time they returned, the herdsmen were gone with their cattle and Lucky – forever.

QUOTE Our perfect companions never have fewer than four feet.

—Colette

Recalled Charge

Humour Jokes

THIS is a true story from a UK bank. The bank concerned had introduced a charge to be levied when people paid in money to be credited to an account held by a different bank.

The charge was one pound and had been in force for about 6 months or so. An affluent, upper-class lady entered the bank and

presented the cashier a cheque which she asked to be paid into an account held by a different bank.

The cashier duly told the lady that there would be a charge of 50p. Indignantly, she told him, “I wasn’t charged the last time.”

And the cashier immediately replied, “Well, that will be two pounds then.”

•Culled from the Internet

Skill Workshop A scrupulous writer, in every sentence that he writes, will ask himself at least four questions, thus: •What am I trying to say?

•What words will express it?

•What image or idiom will make it clearer?

•Is this image fresh enough to have an effect?

And he will probably ask himself two more: •Could I put it more shortly?

•Have I said anything that is avoidably ugly?

One can often be in doubt about the effect of a word or a phrase, and one needs rules that one can rely on when instinct fails. I think the following rules will cover most cases:

6 Questions/6 Rules by George Orwell •Never use a metaphor, simile, or other figure of speech which you are used to seeing in print.

•Never use a long word where a short one will do.

•If it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out.

•Never use the passive where you can use the active.

•Never use a foreign phrase, a scientific word, or a jargon word if you can think of an everyday English equivalent.

•Break any of these rules sooner than say anything outright barbarous.

SUDOKU 1ST STEP IN SOLVING PUZZLE: (354) Look at the 3 left vertical (abc) 3x3 boxes.

The bottom box has 6 in cell Hc, while the middle box has its 6 in cell Ea. The top box must, therefore, have its own 6 in column b, where there are 2 vacant spaces — cells Ab

PUZZLE 354

A 6 B 3 2 9 C 1 9 8 D 2 7 5 E 6 2 5 F 8 G 3 4 1 H 9 6 7 1 4 I 8 9 7 a

b

c

d

e

f

g

h

i

20/11/2011

and Bb. But since row A already has a 6 — in cell Ah, the only space available to accommodate 6 in the top box is cell Bb. Reasoning along these lines, try and fill in all the other vacant cells.

Solution on Saturday. Happy Puzzling!

SOLUTION TO PUZZLE 353

7 1 3 4 5 9 8 6 2

8 5 6 7 2 1 9 4 3

2 9 4 6 8 3 7 1 5

9 4 2 3 7 5 1 8 6

1 8 5 2 4 6 3 7 9

6 3 7 1 9 8 5 2 4

3 2 1 9 6 7 4 5 8

4 7 8 5 3 2 6 9 1

5 6 9 8 1 4 2 3 7

THE NATION ON SUNDAY NOVEMBER 20, 2011

51

With Joe Agbro Jr. 08056745268

Hello children, Trust you are all in the best of health and doing well in your academic work.

WORD WHEEL This is an open ended puzzle. How many words of three or more letters, each including the letter at centre of the wheel, can you make from this diagram?

We’ve found 28, including one nineletter word.

Can you do better?

BIRTHDAY

POEM

Mama YOU are exclusive, been my passage from birth to earth.

I cherish your strength to every length.

You were my tent throughout infant, I’m now sensible but still your pet I wish you good health with lots of wealth.

I have never compromised your love for me.

In times of test you were the best, I know you are GOD sent.

Whenever I’m in doubts, You are always at hand to give facts.

Riddles with Bisoye Ajayi All around, but cannot be seen, can be captured, cannot be held. No throat, but can be heard

Mama you are my air, I will love you till the end.

Habib Akewusola, Department of English, University of Ilorin

Miss Ajayi is a JSS 1 student of Queens College, Yaba, Lagos.

•Olivia Demilade Okunade on her 1st birthday recently

PUZZLE

Word wheel NINE LETTER WORDS -taxpaying OTHER WORDS-ant, apt, gait, giant, gnat, nit, paint, pant, pat, patina, pint, pit, pity, tag, tan, tang, tangy, tap, taping, tax, taxi, taxing, tin, tiny, tip, tying, typing

WORD SEARCH Top cities to live in T he world's most liveable cities is an informal name given to any list of citis as they rank on reputable annual survey of living conditions. For instance, the city of Melbourne, Australia, was ranked as the world's most livable city in 2011.

Liveability rankings are designed for use by employers assigning hardship allowances as part of job relocation.

There have been numerous arguments over the expansion of livability rankings for other purposes. However, the annual city rankings attract extensive media coverage, are a popular topic of discussion and have attracted the attention of even the White House.

AUCKLAND BERLIN BERN COPENHAGEN FRANKFURT HELSINKI MADRID MELBOURNE PERTH SYDNEY TOKYO TORONTO VANCOUVER VIENNA ZURICH

Five patients, all potential blood donors, are waiting in the doctor's surgery and are sitting on the bench from left to right. Can you determine the position of each patient along with their blood group, age, height and weight? Their ages are 5, 9, 30, 46 and 60. Their heights are 40, 48, 60, 65 and 74. Their weights are 40, 75, 96, 125 and 165.

The person on the far right is 37 years older than Jason, and is 60 inches tall.

Jason weighs 56 pounds more than his height.

Alan weighs 75 pounds and is 74 inches tall.

John is type AB and weighs 56 pounds less than Jason.

The person in the centre is 9 years old, is blood type AO and weighs 96 pounds.

Adam, who is the first, is 65 inches tall, and weighs 100 pounds more than his height.

The person who is blood type O, is 25 years older than the person to the left of them.

Kevin is 60 years old.

The person who is blood type A, is 55 years younger than Kevin and is not next to the person who is type AO. The person who is next to the 9 year old but not next to the person who is 65 inches tall, is blood type B, and weighs 125 pounds.

Word search created by Jennifer Mordi

Send in your stories, poems, articles, games, puzzles, riddles and jokes to sundaynation@yahoo.com

Answer to Riddle: Wind

52

HAVE YOUR SAY

DIS GENERATION

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2011

D

O Nigerians think highly of the men of the Nigeria Police Force? Many are convinced that one of the ways to checkmate their excesses is to make them go through psychiatric tests, from time to time.

Here are what they say.

My view is that the Police as a security organisation have been infiltrated by criminally-minded individuals who probably needed psychiatric test even before being employed. The action of the police, therefore, is criminal and condemnable in its entirety. Perpetrators of such acts must be arrested, prosecuted and made to face the wrath of the law to serve as deterrent to would-be trigger-happy policemen.

Samuel Ishaya Shammang, Mangun Town, Plateau State.

The killing by police is an evidence of how mentally unbalanced and how little they think of themselves.

Otherwise, why will you make a sport of your fellow man when he hasn’t done anything against you or the society you are protecting? It’s condemnable and unacceptable.

Ada George, PHC, Rivers State.

Most of our policemen have lost their mental sanity and that is the more reason they kill unnecessarily. We need the services of psychiatrists in the police.

Prof. M.A.O. Aluko, Ile-Ife, Osun State.

Any policeman found guilty of extra- judicial murder should be summarily executed to serve as a deterrent to others. Trigger-happy policemen are often tactically kept away by Police authority under the pretence of “further investigation”. He who kills innocent people deserves to be killed also.

Olutoba Ajiboye, Ibadan, Oyo State.

Killing of innocent citizens by the Nigeria Police is another endemic disease that calls for concern. Unless the bad eggs are removed from the rest, they will continue to affect the others like cancer in a system.

Hamis F.A Balogun, Akure, Ondo State.

Government should organise training and workshop in order to teach them how to handle weapons. And they should undergo psychiatric checkup as many times as possible.

Ipinmoroti Tope Samuel, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State.

My view on the incessant killing of innocent citizens by some members of the Nigeria Police Force is that any member of the force that kills any person by his negligent conduct in handling his rifle should also face the law. I believe the police authorities have been arresting and prosecuting its members before the courts of law over the so-called police brutality.

Abdullahi S., Umuahia North LGA, Abia State.

I think the blame should be that of the government because it is just arming without making sure that there is adequate control. I can’t imagine that the government will arm a police officer and the same will be expected to climb a bike to go to his duty post, and whatsoever happens between the station and the officer’s duty post is only God that knows. Well the truth remains that Nigeria lacks committed leader. Police will one day kill one that will change Nigeria for good.

Okey Agbogu, Calabar, Cross River State.

The Nigeria Police Force has always been in the thick of collective insensitivity and corporate irresponsibility. That is why we hear such things as indiscriminate shooting, stray bullet, extra-judicial killings, extortion and such other ignoble acts.

Going by the frequency of their irresponsible acts which appear to have gone out of control of their managers, I strongly recommend the decentralization of the force to the control of the state governors.

Kayode A, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The Federal Government should call the inspector-General, DIGS and AIGS

What is your view on incessant killing of innocent citizens by the Nigeria police? to order. Any policeman or woman that is caught to have taken a citizen’s or non-citizen’s life unjustly should be detained, tried, jailed for life or sentenced by hanging.

Lanre Oseni, Lagos State.

The Nigeria Police is a creation of the same system we have built. Much as nobody encourages the killing of innocent souls, we have to contend with the fact that we have to reform ourselves as we reform the Police.

Alfred Egbegi, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

We need very strict laws stipulating death penalty. The erring policeman must be put to death. Dismissing them from the service is like treating the issue with kid gloves. Most Nigerian citizens are morally bankrupt with the lowest discipline quotient. Only laws with dragon’s teeth can checkmate these demented officers among our policemen from killing innocent citizens over little misunderstanding.

I also want to seize this opportunity to beg for an improved condition of service for policemen deployed to road-blocks and other harsh locations.

Ben Orimoloye, Akure, Ondo State.

Nature knows how to take care of our killers. Because we are defenceless, our armed protectors turn against us killing and maiming us. Soon, they will retire and join us as unarmed defenceless people to be killed by the newly armed.

C.A.N. Obilo, Owerri, Imo State.

There is no reason enough for the killings. We live in a society where everyone is for himself, where greed, lies, ignorance are high.

Gimba Joseph, Jalingo, Taraba State.

Police incessant killing of innocent Nigerian citizens cannot be deliberate.

All professions have records of hazards, the security forces being more prone to such. My grouse with them is this seemingly non-humanity in the training of their junior officers who do this accidental killing.

Rhode-Martin, O. Yoyoma, Okpara Inland, Delta State.

It is unfortunate that some members of the Police have become foes rather than friends of the citizens. Such reckless killings are against God and humanity. When you travel Nigerian roads you have the robbers and the Police to contend with. It’s like the case of the “devil’s alternative” — whichever of the two you meet on our highway you have some self-dignity or material things to part with. In these days of terrorism, what should pre occupy the minds of our policemen is to observe the persons vehicles are conveying, search for weapons and other dangerous substances and not just vehicle particulars. They should deemphasize those things that cause undue delay on our roads. We should avoid long queues on our roads because that in itself is a quick source of attack by blood-thirsty terrorists.

Andy Egbadon, Benin City, Edo State.

As presently constituted, more than 70% of men and women of the Nigeria Police Force are semi-literates who find themselves in the Force not by free-will but by accident as they try to evade the glut in the unemployment market. This is one of the reasons why the Force lacks competency and initiative in combating crimes and is completely bereft of modern strategies in the handling of crises and maintenance of peace. Honestly speaking, until the Force is populated by the right people, the incessant killing of innocent citizens will continue unabated.

Olaniran Afolabi A., Benin City, Edo State.

One notable Nigerian suggested once that some Nigerians should

Tolani Thomas, Isolo, Lagos State.

•Minister of Police Affairs, Caleb Olubolade undergo regular psychiatric tests.

Many Nigerian police officers should be put into this group that requires regular tests. They do not know their bounds and therefore are unduly reckless. Besides this regular test, they should be re-trained regularly. Those of them that are too rigid to be reeducated should be shown the way out.

There are many educated Nigerians out there to be used. Most officers are too archaic to police modern educated people. They have colonial attitude to policing.

Akinduro, H.O, Okitipupa, Ondo State.

The cause of the incessant killing of innocent citizens by the Nigeria Police is the RECRUITMENT ERROR. Muniru Gambia, Iwo, Osun State.

The police should test the sanity of people they recruit into the force before recruiting them. Drunkards, drug addicts and uncivil officers should be flushed out by setting up an undercover committee in every state to monitor the activities of the men of the force.

Bello Lukman, Political Science Dept, Unijos.

First of all, let every Nigerian have guns. That done, the policemen will not have the temerity to kill people anyhow. Even then the armed gangs will have a rethink.

Chief K. Adegbokiki, Ota, Ogun State.

I don’t know how to describe a policeman who points a gun at an innocent citizen. Could he be crazy or frustrated? Or could it be a case of transferred aggression? Whatever is the case, I think the most senior officer present where the incident happens should be sanctioned with the officer who commits the crime.

‘Dapo Adeyemi, Lagos State.

The killings are barbaric, primitive and unacceptable in this modern Nigeria. Police officers need training on attitudinal change.

Mohammed Yahaya, Gwagwalada, Abuja.

Most of our policemen today were political touts and got the job as a settlement from their masters. Majority of them are drug addicts and I suggest strongly that all policemen recruited between 1988 to date should not be allowed to carry arms and should see a psychiatrist and those on drugs should be taken to rehabilitation centres. They should not be sacked because if they do that they will become armed robbers.

Dr Oliver J. Nzalak, ABU Zaria, Kaduna State.

It is time the Federal Government started to be recruiting well-educated people into the nation’s Police Force.

Majority of the present crop of officers see at any check/roadblock are semiilliterates who dropped out of primary school.

Start recruiting graduates. Train them on human rights.

Sunday Okoye, Sabo Ora, Edo State.

There should be training and retraining of officers and men of the Nigerian police force. Seminars and symposiums should be organised to sensitise police on the importance of protecting lives rather than abusing the privilege of self-defence. Any police officer that kills innocent citizen should be given stiffer punishment like life imprisonment. Illiterates should not be recruited into the force.

Certificate lenders should be exposed and punished.

Frederick, Benin City, Edo State.

I condemn the wanton killings of innocent citizens by over-zealous, high-handed and lawless Nigerian policemen. I advocate the total prohibition of all ‘’roadblocks’’ because they are the major mediums policemen use in illegal extortion and extra-judicial killings.

Olukolade, Okitipupa, Ondo State.

To curtail this dastardly act, the police culprits should be given the legal punishment without delay in accordance with the law. The police authority should also subject new recruit to psychiatric test and also make them to produce a letter of referee from respectable personalities in the society, especially religious leaders.

Lawrence Enaholo, Ikorodu, Lagos State.

It shows the level of lawlessness the nation’s Police Force is given to. Their superior bosses cover up the killer corps always because they too partake from the proceeds of illegal roadblock and extortion. Hence they would not change. Decency has been thrown into dust bin. It is a sorry and pitiful case that the masses and the okada riders are in a hopeless situation. I pray against blood revolution similar to Agbekoya of 1967. If revolution should go along with Boko Haram carnage, sorry for the nation.

Alagbawi, Oyo State.

The Nigeria Police Force are only strong when dealing with innocent citizens. Killing of innocent people is unacceptable.

Ochojila Adah, BSU Makurdi, Benue State.

The Nigerian Police are grossly undisciplined, highly battered, morally decadent, badly trained, and structually deficient. As a result they indulge in all sorts of barbaric acts, including incessant killing of innocent citizens. Therefore, the NPF needs to be properly structured to meet modern realities. Top ranks of the NPF need to be appointed from outside the Force, say university professors, lawyers, etc., who will be sent on police training abroad. For instance, let Jonathan, if possible, appoint Prof. Wole Soyinka as IGP. With little training, he will surely perform above any IGP in the past.

Yinka Shina, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

It’s no longer funny that people die for no just cause. Sometimes police kill purposely because they want people to know the power of what they have in their hands. I was a victim but thank God I’m still alive. Sometimes it could be because of drinks, carelessness and family problem that they misbehave.

In fact, we should stop this godfatherism in employment because this brings the wrong people into the Force.

Ekeoma Amobi, Owerri, Imo State.

Continued on The Nation website: www.thenationlineng.net, click on Sunday Magazine, then Have Your Say

By Jennifer Ehidiamen 08054503875 (Sms only)

Beyond all the unemployment statistics

O

N November 16th, the Guardian Newspaper Nigeria and The Guardian UK coincidentally published the current unemployment figures in Nigeria and Britain, respectively. The statistics are overwhelming.

The Guardian Nigeria reports: “National Bureau of Statistics yesterday said the rate of unemployment and inflation is on the rise in the country…”

According to NBS, unemployment rate in Nigeria increased to 23.9% during the first half of the year. In addition to the already daunting statistics of over 43million unemployed youth, an additional 1.8million people joined the long queue.

“The Bureau attributed the rise in the ranks of the nation’s unemployed to fresh entrants to the job market and worker layoffs across all sectors of the economy in the course of the year.”

Meanwhile, in the UK, the current statistics postulates that jobless youth between 16 to 24years old is now at 1.02million.

The Guardian UK report: “The Office for National Statistics said that there were a total 2.62 million unemployed people in the quarter, the highest total since 1994.

That left the unemployment rate at a bigger than expected 8.3%, the highest since 1996. “ I mean, by the end of the next semester, more young people will be churned out of academic institutions, with “high hopes” of employment opportunities. Or maybe not.

Someone asked on a social media network recently, “Is 2012 the year of entrepreneur?” That won’t happen, unless we all make it be- government and existing companies provide friendly environment for budding entrepreneurs.

So beyond the overwhelming statistics of unemployment at its peak in different countries across the world, how can we tackle the challenge?

School proprietors, government leaders, Alumni network and other stakeholders should put resources together to introduce “High school Seed Grant” for fresh High School Graduates to build their business acumen before they venture into universities.

University-age youth should pursue their passion. Challenge yourself to learn more than you would a normal day at school-day. Who knows, your passion eventually might be what you can earn your livelihood and help others secure theirs through employment opportunities you create.

I think it is weird for Employers to always complain there are no employable skills for their organizations.

That is a cheap excuse. What is their Human Resource there for if not to train new job entrants? They should start seeing that as part of their Corporate Social Responsibilities, if it will make them feel better about investing in youth.

There is the challenge of age and experience discrimination for new job entrants. From the part of the world where I come from, employers sometimes ask for three to five years experience for any job opening. Now, if you are a new graduate, this might sound unfair. But here is a realistic way to overcome that- Youth Volunteer!

Imagine if you start volunteering in professional organizations from your first year in college, by the time you are graduating in 4-5years, you will have the required job experience employers often ask for. But beware of volunteer fatigue and situations where potential employers will want you to keep volunteering or keep you at internship level after you graduate just because they want cheap labor!

The jobless statistics are not going away. To reverse the current trend, we need a dramatic overhaul of the current approach.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY NOVEMBER 20, 2011

53

THE NATION ON SUNDAY NOVEMBER 20, 2011

54

PICTURE THIS !

Breathing fresh air into road sector

T

HE subject of road development appeals to all Nigerians just the same way good governance touches on their sensibilities. It is not strange that road development catches the attention of most Nigerians more than anything considering their enthusiasm to make contributions whenever the topic was made subject of discussion in any television or radio programmes.

It is again not out of place to conclude that the passion of previous administrations for roads and general infrastructural development have always form the underlying principles of government objectives like vision 20:20:20, the seven-point agenda and now the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan.

Nigerians are yearning and longing to witness the real transformation of the nation’s road sector just like every other key infrastructure because over 95% of them travel and move their goods by road. Because the people are tired of promises and the sloganeering of the past, President Jonathan has taken passionate, pragmatic and proactive steps to deliver Nigeria from the ruins of its institutions and infrastructure.

One of such steps was the selection of his cabinet which has been commended in very high quarters.

Mike Onolememen is the man at the helms of affairs at the Ministry of Works. With his background as an Architect and trained Construction Manager, hopes are high that President Jonathan is indeed on the right track to deliver the nation’s road sector.

The new Minister has invested so much mental energy to explain how the country can get out of the doldrums in the road sector through the establishment of the Nigeria Road Fund and the Road Fund Management Agency. Coming with such novel idea, less than one month after being sworn in, indicates that the he already has a vision for Nigerian roads.

According to him, the Road Fund will integrate the various monies and resources which ordinarily should be re-invested into the maintenance of the nation’s roads network but most of which have been finding their way into individual pockets or at best a paltry percentage of these sums of money go into government treasury for outright sharing among the tiers of government.

He has explained that all economic roads should be in the hands of the private sector because roads were big businesses all over the world, including in some African nations. The economically viable roads can be made to become self-sustaining, as resources generated from them are ploughed back into maintaining them, he noted.

If Nigerian roads must be enhanced like in developed and developing countries, the Public Private Partnership initiative must be encouraged. Through this novel idea the private sector will build roads and toll them.

While the revenue from these Toll-Gates, adverts on the roads, traffic offenders’ levies,

•Minister of Onolememen

Works,

registration of vehicles fees, weigh-bridge fees, contributions of stakeholders, etc go into the Road Fund, the Road Fund Management Agency will determine how the roads are maintained with the funds. The Agency will be private sector driven, unlike FERMA which is totally dependent on government allocations that are barely available or inadequate.

The beauty of the Road Fund Management Agency is the composition which will include stakeholders like the FRSC, Police, NURTW, Organized Private Sector, Federal Ministry of Works, etc and they will manage the roads like private businesses.

Policy directions are veritable compasses to assessing the direction of governance. The Minister of Works is not failing in this direction to deliver the administration’s transformational promises. At least Nigerians have seen the Ministry’s swift intervention on Oshodi-Apapa expressway, Shagamu-ore-Benin road, Lagos-Ibadan road, Abuja-Abaji road, Sokoto-Illelah road linking Niger Republic, Onitsha (Bridge Head) – Upper Iweka (Part of Onitsha-Enugu road), just to mention a few. The Rainbow section of OshodiApapa expressway had caved in mid-July. Shortly after the reports, Nigerians woke up one Monday morning to see the failed section totally rehabilitated. The Ministry had directed the contractors to make the repairs strictly on weekend, working day and night, to save Nigerians the horror of spending several man hours on chaotic traffic confusion.

There was also the Special Intervention on the gully erosion problems of the LagosAbeokuta expressway and the contentious Lagos-Ibadan highway which was concessioned since 2009. For the first time, the concessionaire; Bi Courtney Highway Services Limited, has began repairs of the road ahead in tune with their agreement with government.

On August 1, 2011, the Minister of Works was on a working visit to the AbujaAbaji-Lokoja expressway which has been on-going since 2006. He was able to return three out of the four contractors to sites. The four contractors handling the four sections of this important but neglected road project had abandoned the sites because of monies owed them by government. Through the intervention of the minister

of works some of the contractors have pledged to complete work on critical sections of the project including the new Gwalgwalada bridge, so that commuters will be able to drive from the Giri junction to Gwagwalada on the new carriageway, a move that will reduce the traffic problems encountered on that road during festival periods when a lot of Nigerians embark on homeward journeys.

The Benin-Ore-Shagamu road was particularly exciting.

The two kilometre stretch at Ore, which have repeatedly swallowed tax payers’ monies over the years and making Nigerians to suffer untold hardship, is also receiving the attention of the minister professionally. Following the recent subsoil investigation of the area, Architect Onolememen directed the contractors to build a deep Stone Base and Macadam layer to prevent water from sipping up into the road before the laying of asphalt. Experts have welcomed the idea as the best solution as the road seems to be on its way back to glory.

The Sokoto-Illelah road that connects the country to her northern neighbour in Niger Republic which was recently wrecked by flood has also been awarded at a sum of N2.2 billion. The repairs will include the Usman Dan Fodio University road. Apart from the second Niger Bridge in Onitsha which President Jonathan has approved for construction and now in the Design stage, government has also awarded the rehabilitation of the existing Onitsha-Enugu expressway, from the head bridge up to second Iweka at the cost of about N2 Billion. These were some of President Jonathan’s campaign promises few months ago, and he is already in the process of fulfilling them. The Gombe washout in Gombe state and the Auchi Washout in Edo State are both receiving the attention of the works minister preparatory to swift intervention by the ministry of works.

As part of what is considered as institutional changes to make the Ministry of Works more responsive to the increasing demands for effective supervision and monitoring of road contracts across the country, the Minister of Works recently announced the establishment of six (6) Zonal Directorates in the ministry to be headed by Directors with full powers of the “Engineer” to pave way for more intensive and better supervision of road projects in the six geo-political zones of the nation, instead of one Director of Highway, who is domiciled in Abuja and far removed from the various theatres of road rehabilitation and reconstruction across the country. This singular action of the new minister was received with wild jubilation by professional staffs in the ministry who have become demotivated and had consequently resigned to fate.

The morale in the ministry have never been this high, and not a few are hopeful that things will surely take a turn for the better in the ministry.

•Godfrey Osonye wrote from Abuja.

•The Lagos-Ibadan Expressway littered with broken bottles following a crash involving a delivery truck.

PHOTO: BADE DARAMOLA

Safety and Security Alert!

The place of private detectives in curbing insurgency

W

ITH the incessant insurgencies across the nation, the place of private detectives cannot be over emphasized.

And considering the fact that insurgent groups have penetrated into some of the nation’s security formations, it pertinent for the Commander-in Chief to engage professional private detectives for effective intelligence gathering.

Who is a Private Detective?

A Private detective who is also called ‘Private Investigator’ could be a man or woman who makes various investigations into several fields such as research, consultancy and tailing for company, government and private individuals. He discreetly collects intelligent information and communicates it to his clients.

Official authorities such as Police force, immigration, SSS, etc. are often overflowed and can only ensure protection of persons and properties without being able to take care of peculiar cases divorces, run-away of children, kidnapping, etc. the only ‘saving grace’ then is to find a good private investigator.

Job Analysis Private detectives and investigators offer many services which include: 1. Executive and corporate protection 2. Pre-employment verifications 3. Individual/ corporate background profiles 4. Intelligence gathering and analysis 5. Forensic investigation, accounting and psychology 6. They investigate computer crimes such as identity theft, harassing e-mails and illegal downloading of copyrighted materials.

7. They provide assistance in: •Civil liability •Personal accident cases •Insurance claims •Frauds •Child custody and protection cases •Missing persons and •Pre-marital screening.

•Infidelity.

Tasks of Private Investigators 1. Physical surveillance. They are trained to observe a site, targets from inconspicuous location or a vehicle. They often use video cameras, binoculars until the desired evidence is obtained which might continue for a period of time.

2. Computer Hacking. They perform computer database searches. This enables quick acquisition of massive information prior arrests, convictions and civil legal judgements. Telephone numbers, motor vehicle registration, association and club membership and other matters.

3. Fraudulent workers. The investigator may perform longterm covert observation of subjects involving fraudulent workers.

Areas of specialization 1. Legal investigators: specialize in cases involving the courts.

They: •Prepare criminal defenses •Locate witnesses •Serve legal documents •Interview police and prospective witnesses •Gather and review evidences, etc.

2. Corporate investigators: conduct internal and external investigation for corporations.

In internal investigation, they handle workplace drug abuse; ensure expense accounts are not overstated, etc. While external investigations are to uncover criminal schemes from outside the corporation.

3. Financial investigators: are hired to develop confidential financial profiles of individuals or companies that are prospective parties to large financial transactions. They are often certified public accountants or certified fraud

examiners. They also search for assets in order to recover damages awarded by courts in case of fraud or theft.

4. Hotel detectives: work for retail outlets and hotels are responsible for controlling or reduction of losses and protection of assets. They protect guests from theft of their belongings and preserve order in hotels, restaurants and bars. They may keep undesirable persons away.

5. Stores investigators: are also known as loss prevention agents. They safeguard the assets by apprehending anyone attempting to steal goods or destroy store properties, they prevent theft by: •Shoplifters, •Vendor representatives •Delivery personnel and •Store employees.

Such detectives also: •Conduct periodic inspection of stock areas, dressing rooms and rest-rooms.

•Sometimes assist in opening and closing the store.

They have to prepare loss prevention and security plans and reports for management and testify in courts.

6. Insurgent detectives: they are professional counterterrorists, anti-terrorists and insurgencies’ intelligence officers, trained and experienced in under studying various insurgencies, penetrate and diffuse insurgent networks and void their operational strategies.

These set of operatives are required to be engaged by the Federal Government of Nigeria to ameliorate insurgent unrests.

Please, send comments, responses and contact the undersigned for security and safety challenges by sms or e-mail.

By: Mr. Timilehin Ajayi (Safety and Security Consultant) E-mail: timilehinajayi@yahoo.com 08095683454, 08075518732

Your HEALTH

55

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2011

What really causes cancer?

From hot drinks to using mobile phones, everyone has a theory about what can cause cancer. But what do the experts think? Anna Hodgekiss reports.

C

ANCER incidents are on the rise across the globe. In a country like Britain, nearly 40 per cent of its citizens will develop the disease at some point in their lives, according to Macmillan Cancer Support.

Just ten years ago this figure was one in three. So what is triggering this increase?

Experts point to an ageing population (older people are more at risk as their cells age) and lifestyle factors, such as poor diet, smoking and a lack of exercise.

Many people have their own ideas about what's behind the rise in cancer - from hormones in chicken to microwave ovens and barbecued meat Alcohol is another factor: earlier this month a study found that women who drink as little as two-and-a-half units of wine a day equivalent to a 175 ml glass of wine increase their risk of breast cancer by 15 per cent.

The Harvard University researchers believe alcohol might increase levels of the female hormone oestrogen, which can fuel breast cancer growth.

But while the evidence linking these factors to various cancers is strong, scientists are exploring other links, too. Is there any truth in these theories? We asked the experts...

HOT DRINKS Hot tea was linked with an increased risk of oesophageal cancer in an Iranian study published in the British Medical Journal THE THEORY: Drinking steaming hot drinks is thought to damage the gullet. Hot tea was linked with an increased risk of oesophageal cancer in an Iranian study published in the British Medical Journal.

Compared with warm or lukewarm tea (65c or cooler), hot tea (65-69c) was associated with twice the risk of oesophageal cancer, and very hot tea (70c or hotter) with an eight-fold increased risk.

Drinking a cup of tea in less than two m i n u t e s straight after it was poured w a s associated with a fivefold higher risk of oesophageal c a n c e r compared with drinking tea four or more minutes after being poured.

EXPERT COMMENT: 'In countries such as Iran and Brazil, the culture is to consume absolutely boiling hot drinks,' explains Professor Martin Wiseman, medical and scientific adviser at the World Cancer Research Fund.

'They also often drink it using a metal straw which takes the liquid right to the

•Patient about to undergo breast cancer check

back of the throat. This seems to cause inflammation of the oesophagus, and inflammation is associated with cancer as it can increase the risk of abnormal cells developing. 'However, in the UK we tend to drink our tea several degrees colder and also add milk, which has a cooling effect and essentially eliminates this risk.'

BARBECUED MEAT A Norwegian study has suggested that high doses of a chemical substance called HCA, found in burnt meat, were associated with a higher risk of colon cancer T H E THEORY: Some people believe the way meat is cooked particularly charring it, as with a barbecue is a risk factor for cancer.

While the study involved genetically-modified mice which are not normally exposed to cooked meat, previous experiments have also suggested that burnt meat might have carcinogenic properties.

EXPERT COMMENT: 'When it comes to how you cook your meat, the evidence is inconsistent,' says Yinka Ebo, senior health information officer at Cancer Research UK. 'But some studies have shown that cooking meat at high temperatures until it chars can produce cancer-causing chemicals. So it's a good idea to use lowtemperature methods such as braising.'

PHYSICAL TRAUMA

THE THEORY: It's the sort of thing your mother says to you: 'Be careful not to knock your breast as it could give you cancer. But can it?

A study by scientists at the University of Lancaster found that physical trauma (a blow to the breast area) could trigger the disease.

However, other experts argue that such a tra uma will result in the breast itself being examined more closely than usual, which is why breast cancer is detected, rather than being due t o t h e a c t u a l injury.

'Some people believe physical injuries can lead to cancer, but there's no good evidence for this,' says Yinka Ebo. 'Cancers are fundamentally caused by faulty or damaged genes and take a very long time to develop, and it's much more likely injuries draw attention to tumours that are already there.'

MOBILE PHONES Mobiles are ranked the same as car fumes but lower than asbestos THE THEORY: Earlier this year, the World Health Organisation (WHO) admitted that mobile phones may cause cancer.

A review of evidence suggested an increased risk of a malignant type of brain

cancer could not be ruled out and it advised 'pragmatic' measures to reduce exposure, such as using hands-free kits and texting instead of calling.

After assessing the research available, the WHO's International Agency for Research on Cancer concluded that mobile phone use is 'possibly carcinogenic', a term which places the phones in the middle of five tiers of possible carcinogens.

Yet a study published last month on the British Medical Journal website, disputes these findings. Led by the Institute of Cancer Epidemiology in Denmark, it looked at more than 350,000 people with mobile phones over an 18-year period.

Researchers concluded users were at no greater risk than anyone else of developing cancer of the brain or nervous system.

EXPERT COMMENT: 'There have been endless publications on the possible link between mobile phones and cancer,' says Professor Karol Sikora, medical director of Cancer Partners UK. 'Due to the lack of long-term studies no one really knows if there is a risk, but if there is one it's likely to be very small. That's because otherwise we would have seen a very clear relationship beginning to emerge by now.

'Mobile phone use surged in the Nineties and we would have seen more brain, head and neck tumours by now.

'A problem with long-term research with phones is that the technology and therefore the type of radiation is constantly changing.

'However, it is worth remembering that, anecdotally, women chat on the phone a lot more than men, and they do not have a higher incidence of brain tumours.'

To be continued next Sunday

Your Health

56 THE NATION ON SUNDAY NOVEMBER 20, 2011

WELLBEING

I

T’S important for the diabetic person to eat healthy foods like fibre rich foods. Fibres have been shown to produce beneficial effects on the human body. They are the indigestible portion of fruits, vegetables, and grains.

There are two main types of dietary fiber: soluble fiber and insoluble fiber. Both are believed to be important for maintaining good health.

Diabetes and dietary fibre

They are also helpful in preventing certain cancers.

The diabetic person should be aware of the types of fibres that are of benefit to decrease the him. The soluble fibres are rate of absorption of found in legumes, oat bran and sugar from blood and therefore in certain fruits and vegetable.

These fibres help in lowering keeps the blood sugar level cholesterol levels. They also normal.

Travel

Leisure

The insoluble fibres are those which are found in many fruit, vegetables, whole wheat cereals and they act like brooms in the colon. The diabetic patient should incorporate soluble fibres

into their diet. It decrease the need for administration of insulin and also prevents various complications arising in diabetics. Diabetes researchers believe that consuming large amounts of soluble fiber (over 50 grams a day) may help control blood glucose levels after meals by slowing the rate of carbohydrate absorption in the intestine. Soluble fiber has also been shown to lower blood cholesterol levels by binding to cholesterol and helping to pass it out of the body.

decreases and may even disappear in people who eat a traditional whole grain diet. High fibre diet provides a physical barrier and thus saves carbohydrates from the digestive effect of enzymes. Hence, lesser calories are ingested. Dietary fibres also absorbs harmful fatty acids. Fat are easily swept away due to locomotive effect of fibre.

Nutrition experts recommend that adults consume 20 to 35 grams of fiber daily. For children, the recommended amount is the child's age plus five, so, for example, a five-year-old needs about 10 grams of fiber a day.

Health experts recommend a Drinking plenty of water and high fibre diet for diabetics. It other fluidsat least 8 cups a dayis has been noted that diabetes necessary for fiber to do its job.

Cuisine

A day at Ibeshe beach

L

AGOS is one of the few states in the country blessed with hundreds of miles of beautiful beaches.

Unfortunately, many are left untapped, with their immense tourism potentials unutilized.

One of these is the Ibeshe beach. Situated at Ibeshe, a riverine fishing community in Oriade Local Government Council of the state, it's not as frequented by visitors as Bar Beach or Lekki (probably because it can only be reached by water). And there lies its main attraction especially to those who desire a neat, serene and exclusive spot for relaxation on a weekend, public holiday or just to get away to unwind in a peaceful place, far from the crowds.

Haven by the sea: The community founded in 1894 by Ghanaian fishermen (most of the inhabitants are of Ghanaian ancestry), is a small haven of peace a short distance away from the chaotic situation in the city.

An endless row of coconut trees frame the large beach covered with soft, pale sand that sink beneath one's feet when stepped on. The jewel-green waters of the sea glisten in the noon-day sun, stretching as far as the eye can see into the horizon.

Having been born and raised in Nigeria, many of the residents of this haven by the sea now identify more with their host country than with Ghana. “I was born and bred here. Most of us have almost forgotten about Ghana though we travel there from time to time. We are so used to Nigeria now; we prefer to be identified with Nigeria,” George Agilah, 64, a resident and former headmaster of the village primary school told The Nation on a recent visit.

sFunseekers at Ibeshe beach

Must-see sights: The fishermen bringing in their catch from the sea. The nets they use are really huge, stretching several miles into the sea and can often require over a 100 men to bring the catch in. The sight of the men struggling to bring in the fish can be a thrilling one.

sA relaxation spot on the beach

based businessman fell in love with the community, built a holiday home there which he used as a weekend retreat. At his death, he instructed his family in England that he wished to be buried in Nigeria.

How to get there: Ibeshe can be reached by speedboat from Ijegun jetty, Satellite Town, Lagos. It's a 10 minutes ride.

. It is possible to hire a beach shelter made of palm fronds and set up a picnic or barbecue with friends or family. Or simply relax on the sand and watch a Another attraction is the former home You can also watch the many ships white-garment pastor 'casting out and tombstone of British-born engineer queuing up to enter the port on the near demons' from a troubled soul in search of deliverance.

Thomas Arthur Hammond. The Lagos- horizon.

Flat abs with crunches

T

HE basic crunch is a vital part of any crunches workout. If done correctly, this exercise will help flatten and tone both your lower and upper abdominal muscles. The key to getting the flat abs you want is to do the crunch correctly, making sure that you are really working those abdominals.Things you will need: Exercise mat w Get into basic crunch position.

Bring your knees up so your feet are flat on the floor, shoulder-width apart. Your pelvis should be slightly tilted upwards. Rest your hands behind your head so your fingertips are just touching or cross them in

quite) to an upright position, for a few seconds before gently lowering yourself back down. Do not lower yourself all the way down flat on the mat. Keep your shoulder blades off the mat so you do not enter a resting position.

w Exhale as you lift your body up and keep your neck in line with your spine front of your chest. Inhale before to prevent neck strain. It may be helpful to imagine you begin your first crunch. that you have an orange w Use your abdominal muscles to placed underneath your lift your shoulder blades off the chin during the exercise. mat. You should feel your belly w Hold at the top of the crunch, which is b u t t o n wC o n t i n u e y o u r almost (but not pressing crunches workout down flat by completing 15 into your to 20 additional stomach. crunches. You may also perform another set of the crunches, sShaping up: Crunches will help flatten a protruding belly if you like.

FITNESS

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2011

57

Nigeria’s dollar enclaves —PAGE 59

•Intense prayer session at a crusade

Y

OMI Aboderin, a travel and tours agent who resides in Ilasa area of Lagos lives beside a vibrant worship centre. Anytime members of the church congregate for what they call ‘unified prayer session’ at least once a week, peaceful sleep eludes Aboderin and other neighbours. Narrating the ordeal he goes through every week, he says: “The church on my street has night vigil every Friday. They call it ‘pass over night’. The choir starts warming up from 7pm with ‘music ministration’ till around 10pm when the prayer will be in full motion. By the time it is midnight, you will just be hearing them screaming ‘I say die now!!!!’. ‘Die now’ is what you will hear till day break and then next week the demon that they killed the previous week will resurrect again and they will ‘die’ the demon again.

All this while, the volume of their loudspeakers is at the highest so that the devil that is worrying them can hear them very well and die. What they fail to realise is that there are humans who are simply just trying to catch some sleep and are not planning to die anytime soon (he laughs). I would be glad if they either turn off the noise or carry their vigil somewhere else.”

LIVING WITH THE NOISE Aboderin is not alone, Grace Mba, an elderly woman who runs a victuals shop near the Egbeda Central Mosque is exasperated at the way religious groups conduct their affairs. According to her, “When I initially acquired this shop, this building beside me was not being used as a mosque. However, about a year and half later, the house next

Living next to ‘God’ Rita Ohai writes on the pains experienced by neighbours when the religious gather. door was converted into a mosque and after a while they moved their giant speakers outside. That was the begining of the trouble. Now, from morning till night, all you hear is ‘Allahu Akbar’. In the past they would just use the microphone to announce their prayer time and then they would go silent but now, they will announce the prayer, recite all their prayers and even preach. The place is now busy all the time. I wonder whether they ever put into consideration the fact that other people who are not Moslems also stay here.”

When asked if she had taken the step to lodge a complaint to the mosque authorities, she replied, “Who will listen to you if you complain? At the early stage, we used to gently tell the Alfa who in person can be a nice man when he wants to be, to try and reduce the volume of the speakers since we knew asking them to turn it off was not an option. This man will make all kinds of promises and jokes about it but the very next day, it is the same throughout. They are claiming freedom of expression but let them ask themselves if what they are doing is fair.”

Patience Ejei who recently gave

birth to her second child has had to struggle with getting her child to adjust to the noise created by the 52 Road area Mosque in Gowon Estate.

She posits: “I am a nursing mother with a three month old baby who has a habit of keeping me awake at night so the only time we both have to rest is in the day but that is when these our Moslem brothers want to say their prayers. At times, I would have put her to sleep after a lot of effort, only for these prayer people to start singing their song and she would wake up and start crying all over again.”

Many residents of Lagos have complained about the nuisance of some worship centres who have made life difficult for their neighbours . This might have spurred by the Lagos State Government to shutdown some branches of The Redeemed Christian Church of God and Mountain of Fire Ministries located in Ojo. Although the churches have been re-opened after the intervention of some religious leaders, the level of noise produced by many religious houses seems to be on the increase.

Reacting to these allegations of noise pollution, Pastor of Victorious House Assembly in Agege, Pastor

Joshua Adebayo says, “The method of putting loud speakers outside the church is for ministration purposes.

In the days of old, it was the towncrier’s job to walk around hitting a gong with a stick. This was their mode of passing the King’s message across to the villagers. In like manner, the modern day church uses the speaker to spread the Good News of Jehovah so that they can come to Church and renew their spiritual lives.”

When reporter asked him if he was not concerned about the level of disturbance his external loudspeaker were causing, he said, “I do not think it is a disturbance because nobody has come to complain to us yet. I am sure that if they feel the sound is too high, they would have let us know but they haven’t. Besides we try not to turn the volume of the speakers too high so that everybody can hear it at a comfortable volume.”

THE TRAFFIC MELEE

In recent years, it has become common place for regular users of major intra and inter-state roads to spend hours languishing in traffic snarls caused during events held by religious organisations. Emeka Ejezue, a business man who has

fallen victim a couple of times says, “It is selfish for a man to constantly force his fellow man to adjust his plan to suit his own. That is what we experience every first weekend of the month on Lagos-Ibadan express way where motorists sit in traffic for more than three to four hours on a journey that should take about fifteen minutes. That is where cars will start to over-heat or develop one fault or the other and drivers will be sweating and suffering because a bunch of people want to go for camp. It is a reflection of the wicked nature of human beings, it is pure man’s inhumanity to man.”

In a voice couched in pain, he asked, “How can you expect your prayers to be answered when you are not even putting the life of your neighbour into consideration? If they know they want to go to the ‘mountain’ to pray every month, couldn’t they have built their camp far from this road that they know is a major one which a lot of people use, in order to reduce the kind of traffic? Yet, when they come to preach to you they will be commanding you to love your neighbour and be practising the gifts of the Holy Spirit whereas they do the very opposite.”

Citing the inadequate availability of land space and the need to propagate the Gospel as a reason many religious establishments are found without proper parking spaces, Deacon Ajayi of Triumphant Church, Ikeja states, “I do not think any serious person would intentionally set out •Continued on page 60

58

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2011

Life

One of Nigeria’s most cerebral and celebrated journalists and administrators, Alade Odunewu is 84 today. Lanre Idowu in this piece pays tribute to his accomplishments

I

T was my annual Sallah visit to Hadj Alade Odunewu, one of our living media heroes. There, seated in his living room upstairs, volumes of files, newspapers and books competing with numerous award plaques, were the two of us, following the day’s news on a giant television screen.

As I sipped the drink, which he had offered me, I went back memory lane; to four years ago, when he turned 80, and his nuclear and professional family loudly celebrated him. I asked him how he would be marking his 84th birthday, which comes up today.

It was an opening line, which as usual, was to lead to wider discussions on affairs of the state, on the media to which we both have an abiding interest, and that subject which many dread to address, death.

Peering at me through his spectacles, he says what could pass for his celebration would be a meeting of the Crescent Bearers, which he would be hosting later today at his Surulere residence. This 70-year old association of Moslem gentlemen resident in Lagos is dedicated to promoting education through the awards of scholarships to deserving students.

For one who has his own share of life’s challenges and whiplashes, it is a date he has looked forward to with fear and trepidation, which centres on developments at his luncheon table at the Yoruba Tennis Club. In my twenty years’ close association with Chief Odunewu, I have not known him to miss the weekly Thursday fish luncheon at Bar Two of this club anytime he is in Lagos. Indeed, I have been his guest on four occasions. There, members of various tables take turns to entertain themselves and their guests with fish dishes, in an atmosphere of chivalry and exuberance.

It is that fun that death, the arrogant intruder that rides on every passing breeze, has interrupted three times this year. As Odunewu explains, “There are four long tables on the floor of the bar designated with a good sense of humour as follows: the Expatriate Table where a Macgregor or Jenkins is most likely to belong, the Royal Table, which is self explanatory, the Centre Table, mainly occupied by hardliners and the Table of Honour and Nobility where retired or retiring heavyweights from different professions belong”.

Odunewu belongs to the last table. And it is from that table alone that death has snatched the three members. For anyone in his age bracket, that should be sobering; more so the manner of the last death. First Republic Minister, Olu Awotesu, had joined his friends at the table last month “bubbling with joy and high expectation” to inform them of plans to celebrate his 80th birthday in Iperu on November 26. Two weeks later, his obituary notice was at the club.

The subject of death also brought up the loss of his son in law, Bayo Awosika, three years ago at the hands of a heartless policeman at a traffic checkpoint at Lekki.

Since the killer was declared wanted on a coroner’s directive the police are yet to fish out their colleague.

•Allah De

Celebrating Allah-De at 84 For a man who served as a public intellectual for five decades as a reporter, editor, administrator and columnist, and was three times a commissioner, Chief Odunewu knows Nigeria. So I asked him, what are his thoughts on today’s Nigeria.

He sighed, before offering: “Our world is still full of clay-footed mortals who act and speak like God’s deputy. The burden of Citizen John is still heavy with zero corresponding service”.

Prodded for direct comments on governance and leadership in Nigeria, he then referred me to his comments in July at the three books presentation marking the 20 th anniversary of my organisation,

“A newspaper exists only because it is the purveyor of news. Some of our papers tend to put their faith too much in special writers and too little in hard news, suffering excessively from a defect which amounts to contempt for the hard fact that a good newspaper is made of good reporters and good subeditors”

Diamond Publications, where one of the titles, Nigerian Columnists and their Art, was dedicated to him.

“Nigeria is sick. I remember when General Murtala Muhammed addressed the inaugural session of the 1979 Constitution Drafting Committee; he carefully dropped the hint that in the prevailing circumstances, as a form of government, the country might turn to an alternative parliamentary democracy with its winner takes all label.

We now know that politicians completely misunderstood this to mean abandonment of parliamentary governance for the (American) presidential system, which has been turned into a huge bazaar of the buccaneers where transparency and accountability are thrown overboard for high profile thievery. Newspaper election campaign reporters of my generation grew up with what I can call politics of the manifesto. The market woman at Dugbe (Ibadan) would recite to you in her own peculiar way the four cardinal points of the Action Group Party. Political campaigns of the Awolowos, the Azikiwes, the Sardaunas, the Aminu Kanos was politics of ideas. That politics of ding-dong battle of wits has been replaced today with politics of the gun and machete, politics of ruthless pursuit of office”.

For two individuals behind two competing media awards programmes, our relationship is not characterised by any ruthless tussle for advantage. We discussed the timing of our two awards: the Diamond Awards for Media Excellence (DAME) and the Nigerian Media Merit Awards (NMMA) both billed for this December. While the 19th presentation of his, the NMMA, is headed for Ondo, December 10, ours, the DAME, will hold its 20 th edition in Lagos on December 11.

He also spoke on the media. “A newspaper exists only because it is the purveyor of news. Some of our papers tend to put their faith too much in special writers and too little in hard news, suffering excessively from a defect which amounts to contempt for the hard fact that a good newspaper is made of good reporters and good subeditors”. In simpler terms: there is too much emphasis on opinion writing and less on deep, probing reporting.

As Chief Odunewu turns 84 today, my wish for him remains that he will spend the rest of his life in “good health, good company and good spirit”. *Idowu is CEO, Diamond Publications and Trustee of the Diamond Awards for Media Excellence.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2011

•One of Lagos’ many luxury apartments

Life

59

PHOTO: Olusegun Raphael

Nigeria’s dollar enclaves In the last decade, securing luxury accommodation in highbrow areas in Nigeria has become dollardenominated. REMI ADELOWO writes on why this trend can’t change anytime soon

P

RIMROSE Towers on Louis Solomon Crescent on Victoria Island, Lagos stands tall in all its majestic splendour. A 12-storey structure, the white edifice consists of 24 luxury flats complete with all the luxuries of life that make life worth living and pleasurable.

Strategically located adjacent the Atlantic Ocean, the structure, owned by the founder of First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Otunba Subomi Balogun, was built in a record time of two-and-a-half years.

For the first set of tenants, who moved into Primrose Tower in 2006, getting a flat did not come cheap.

Unconfirmed reports had it then that each of the tenants shelled out about $50,000 to rent a flat.

Move over to Rebecca’s Court in the highbrow Parkview Estate and Banana Island areas of Ikoyi, Lagos.

Owned by First Marina Properties, a company founded by the late Managing Director of GTBank, Mr Tayo Aderinokun, each flat at the beautiful edifices reportedly cost a staggering $75,000 per annum. This is not inclusive of other service charges.

The story is the same at the Zenon Towers, Ikoyi, owned

by Mr Femi Otedola, where the annual rent for a flat is about $60,000.

Primrose Towers, Rebecca’s Courts and Zenon Towers are just three of the several multi-million naira houses/luxury flats that dot the landscape of elitist areas in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt in Rivers State.

Why Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt?

Speaking with The Nation, an Abuja-based property lawyer, Mr Fola Suleiman, opines that these three cities present peculiar challenges and opportunities in the real estate sector, particularly in its highbrow areas.

He explains, “The reason why some landlords in areas like Ikoyi, Victoria Island and Lekki charge in dollars is due to several factors. First, is the fact that buying a landed property in these places are expensive, and so they want to recoup their investment as quickly as

possible. For example, a virgin land on Banana Island, Ikoyi costs between N300million and N500 million. Add that to the cost of construction and you’ll understand why they (landlords) charge in dollars. The third reason, I think, is because many rich Nigerians prefer to transact their businesses in dollars, perhaps due to the unstable value of the naira.”

Speaking further, Suleiman said the status of Abuja as the seat of government and foreign embassies explains why rent for houses in areas like Asokoro and Maitama are charged in dollars.

As the base of many multinational oil companies operating in Nigeria, Port Harcourt is also a honey pot for landlords, who own houses in areas like the old and new Government Reservation Area in the Garden City.

A staff of Exxon Mobil in Port Harcourt, Mr Fred Ogbonna, said, “Accommodation in this city is too expensive. But for the oil companies, who pay for their staff’s accommodation, the fees charged for rents are peanuts.”

Why rents are paid in dollars “It’s all about a class thing; a status symbol of sort.”

These were the views of Mr Tunji Oladele, a Principal Partner in the law firm of Arthur Worrey & Oladele, Lagos.

Oladele, who has brokered several property deals, disclosed that GRA in Apapa, Ikeja, Ikoyi, Lekki, Victoria Island and Ikoyi boast the largest property portfolio where rents are paid in dollars.

He added, “Charging and paying dollars for properties is all about separating the boys from the men.

But besides this, some of these luxury flats in these areas are furnished and equipped with the best conveniences money can buy. These include furniture, electronics and so on. So, once you pay as a prospective tenant, all you need do is move in with your briefcase, because almost everything you need in a house has been provided.”

Also speaking with The Nation, a senior official at Participant Properties, owned by Ms Fatima Wali, who preferred to remain anonymous, revealed that the company, which manages many of the properties owned by business mogul Alhaji Aliko Dangote and other prominent Nigerians in Lagos and Abuja, charge in dollars strictly on the instruction of its clients.

He said, “It is not our making that we ask prospective tenants to pay in dollars; we simply follow the instructions handed to us by our clients.’’

An Estate Valuer, Mr Kola Fadayomi of Fadayomi, Adegbamigbe & Co, disagreed that it is a crime for

landlords to charge in foreign currencies for their properties.

“How is that a crime?” he asked rhetorically, adding, ‘’no one should begrudge anybody for renting their properties in dollars. The target market for these luxury properties are primarily the multinational companies in the oil sector, who provide accommodation for their expatriate staff and also high net- worth Nigerians, who don’t have the time to supervise the construction of a house from the scratch.”

•Niger Towers

PHOTO: Olusegun Raphael

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Life

•Continued from page 57

to inconvenience his or her colleague or neighbour, talk less of a church. It is pretty obvious that when you look around Lagos, you will hardly find land at an affordable price, so what most churches do is get a space according to their budget and have members park their cars by the side of the street with the help of ushers who direct traffic.”

He is of the opinion that people should focus less on where churches are sited but direct attention to the teachings they give their members adding, “There are churches around with very big compounds and hi-tech gadgets but they do not have anything to show for it in terms of producing believers who are strong in their faith,” he continued.

Churches are not the only culprits as each time the Nasrul Fathi Society of Nigeria (NASFAT), an islamic society, holds its programmes along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, the same level of traffic chaos is experienced. There have been reports of people held in traffic on the road for hours.

DEALING WITH THE PROBLEM In spite of the previous efforts made to curtail this growing menace, it is apparent that taking decisive steps to ensure this trend is curtailed is of essence. Adebola Shabi, General Manager of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency, (LASEPA) states that his agency has begun to checkmate this problem: “Every area has its acceptable sound levels, for example in the day residential areas are not to exceed 55 decibels and 45 decibels at night. We have been educating and sensitizing these religious houses on how they

Living next to ‘God’ should manage their noise. We ask them to enclose their spaces and pull down those speakers and many of them have been complying because some of them have been signing Memorandums of Understandings (MOU’s) with us.

As for the traffic matter, the ideal is that before any prayer house is built they should have a Physical Planning Approval so that things like parking spaces can be put into consideration but the truth of the matter is that over ninety percent of these religious houses whether they are mosques, churches or shrines do not have this and we are coming after them.”

Although officials of LASEPA claim to have the noise and traffic situation under control, Rueben Arugba, a lecturer insists, “Our state government is partly to blame for this problem because if they put their feet down and start to punish all these organisations which have turned themselves into nuisance with their activities, most of all these things will be history.

They should place a heavy fine on these organisations every time they obstruct traffic. Urban planning is also important. I do not understand why there should be a church on every street when most of these churches are usually half-empty on Sundays. All these mushroom establishments should be demolished and re-located to the outskirts of the community so that when people want to pray they will do so without offending anybody and when others want to rest in their houses, they can do so in peace.”

The question many are asking is how does the government hope to tackle this menace in a country where religion has turned to a divisive force among a disunited, angry and frustrated populace?

•Islam faithful answering their call to prayer

•Christians interceeding against all odds.

In search of succour for boy with hole in heart T

HE birth of a new born usually brings joy to the parents. Likewise was the case with Samuel Zira who was born on February 10. But, after the first three months, that joy started turning sour for the Zira family. On a visit to The Nation head office recently, the baby in the company of his mother, Martha and aunt had come to solicit for funds to treat Samuel’s ailment – a condition generally known as a hole in the heart.

Samuel’s case was diagnosed in April when he was three months. Her mother had noticed his breathing was fast and he passed stool incessantly. His mother also found out that he was restless and cried very frequently. This made them take him to 58 Military Hospital in Yaba, Lagos.

There, baby Samuel stayed two weeks. After initial treatment, they were given a referral to the University of Lagos Teaching Hospital (LUTH). At LUTH, Samuel

By Joe Agbro Jr.

was admitted for a week firstly. After that, Samuel and his mother were discharged from LUTH but were advised to report for constant checking.

At that point, Samuel’s aunt said Samuel started becoming pale. “The doctors discovered he was short of blood,” she said.

She narrates what Samuel went through. “They couldn’t find a vein to give him blood.

He was finally giving blood through the head,” she said.

They stayed another two weeks on admission. All these time the cost of hospitalisation was bogging down the family.

The final report from LUTH which concluded that the baby had a hole-in-the-heart was released to the family in September.

The family was advised to source a treatment overseas. A scour on the internet led them to a hospital in India. The option confronting baby Samuel is an operation but standing against that now is

funds.

The cost of treatment at the hospital is estimated at N1.5m but that sum is beyond what the family can afford.

According to the aunt, “the facility needed for the operation is not available in the country.”

At the moment, Samuel reports to LUTH weekly for check-up.

“This is pending when we get the money,” Samuel’s aunt said.

However, determined to find a cure for their baby, Samuel’s mother decided to bring her case to the knowledge of wellmeaning Nigerians.

Samuel is the second child of Martha and Daniel, a private in the Nigeria Army. The first child does not suffer any congenital effect.

Interested in making a donation. Bank: First Bank Plc. Account name: Zira Daniel Account number: 4852010004442

•Samuel being carried by his mother

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OPEN LETTER TO MR PRESIDENT The President Federal Republic of Nigeria Aso Rock Abuja November 19, 2011 Your Excellency,

MY HEART BLEEDS THAT YOU CANNOT PUT OUT THIS RAGING FURNACE IN YOUR HOME STATE I had thought that my epistles was going to end with the one I published in the media yesterday. But developments today have made me to return to this painful path. To say that I am a very unhappy man is an understatement. I do not want to say that I am disappointed in your inability or refusal to bark and bite in times like this when your hard earned integrity is being challenged as a result of the desperation of a few persons to take over power in Bayelsa State. But I think anarchy is gradually setting in and painfully though, it is happening in your time as president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

In the last three days, I have had to engage you in the media over the goings on in our state. Although you have demonstrated a high sense of personal respect for the rule of law by refusing to appear in Yenagoa for the governorship primary of our party, in apparent recognition of the court order, it is rather mindless that you could not also act out your expected role as the national party leader in directing the PDP to suspend the conduct of the primary until the court order has been set aside.

What is even more disturbing is the uneasy calm that now pervades our state capital. This morning, the entrance to the Government House, Yenagoa was blocked by soldiers and mobile policemen who were deployed in the state some weeks ago. Roads leading to the Onopa axis of the state capital where the Government House sits were blocked. There was no thorough fare. Incidentally, the Peace Park which the Chief Timipre Sylva government constructed id opposite the seat of government was the venue for accreditation for the primary election. That was the same way the policemen blocked the entrance to the Government House on the day the PDP was supposed to conducting a ward congress that did not hold eventually.

Ironically, the same venue has hosted various events in the past and the citizens were still able to move about freely. You will recall that in January when the PDP conducted the governorship primary that produced Sylva as the party’s candidate under your watchful eyes-and you were there to cast your vote-the roads were not blocked. I am beginning to wonder whether what is going on in Bayelsa State is not a subtle way of trying to dethrone the governor. Even the deputy governor was held captive inside Government House because he could not drive out. Apart from the police and soldiers, naval officers also took over the airspace, just to ensure that your friends actualize their dream of unseating Sylva. And come to think of it, the person who is leading the PDP squad is the minister of police affairs, Caleb Olubolade, a serving minister under you, who was here as military administrator in the early life of this state. This is another signal that you may have been aware of what is going on in the state.

Is it instructive that no member of the National Assembly from the state, or any member of the state house of assembly, a greater percentage of who are members of the PDP, or the governor and his deputy or your humble self, attended the primary in their capacity as automatic delegates. What a shame.

The world is watching us. Your Excellency, my heart bleeds now as you read this. The emerging state of anarchy is enough to discredit you. It is enough to rubbish your much talked about belief in the rule of law. I dare say that I am truly ashamed.

My respect for you remains intact though. But I do not know whether you still earn the same respect you used to have in the eyes of Nigerians who voted for you in the hope that you will keep to the oath you swore to uphold the rule of law. I do not know whether the international community will still hold you in high esteem for failing to act when it mattered most.

I still believe that you are capable of handling the situation. However, the concern of many people is that all the atrocities would not have been committed by people that are known to be your friends and followers, if they were not getting your support.

You need to convince the world that they are not acting your script.

Bayelsa belongs to us all. As the number one citizen of this state, we expect so much from you. One of the things you can give your people is peace. Let this silence end. Give peace a chance in your state.

Thank You.

Signed Chief Perekeme Richard Kpodoh

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67

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

ADEHANLOYE

FAYEMI

ALUTUNDU

EZE

FADIPE

I,formerly known and addressed as Miss Adehanloye Shade Victoria, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Adeyemi Shade Victoria. All former documents remain valid. Odo Otin Local govt., Osun State and general public should take note.

ALLI

I,formerly known and addressed as Miss Alli Olayemi Sakirat, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Salau Olayemi Sakirat. All former documents remain valid.

NYSC and general public should take note.

SOWEMIMO

I,formerly known and addressed as Miss Sowemimo Oluwafeyikemi Adenike, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Olude Oluwafeyikemi Adenike. All former documents remain valid.

INELG, Atan and general public should take note.

ADEBAMBO I,formerly known and addressed as Miss Adebambo Olayinka Ronke, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Adewuyi Olayinka Ronke. All former documents remain valid. Teaching Service Commission, Abeokuta and general public should take note.

ADEYEMI

I,formerly known and addressed as Miss Adeyemi Sakirat Adebukola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Alimi Sakirat Adebukola. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public should take note.

ADENAIKE I,formerly known and addressed as Miss Adenaike Bosede Modupetemi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ayodele Bosede Modupetemi. All former documents remain valid.

NYSC, OOU Ago-Iwoye and general public should take note.

ADETOLA

I,formerly known and addressed as Miss Adetola Adesola Olofin, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Adetola Adesola Francis. All former documents remain valid.

NYSC, University of Ado-Ekiti and general public should take note.

ISHOLA

I,formerly known and addressed as Miss Ishola Motunrayo Adejoke, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ogunbanjo Motunrayo Adejoke. All former documents remain valid. NYSC, TASUED Ijagun and general public should take note.

CHEBO

I,formerly known and addressed as Mr. Chebo John, now wish to be known and addressed as Mr. Annikwe Chebo John. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

AMORIGHOYE I,formerly known and addressed as Miss Amorighoye Favour Abigail Modokpeaye, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Flowers Favour Modokpeaye. All former documents remain valid.

DELSU and general public should take note.

BESIGIWA

I,formerly known and addressed as Miss Besigiwa Sandra Atiene, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Treasure Besigiwa Tobore-Young. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

OBOH-AMIEGBE

I,formerly known and addressed as Miss Jacqueline A.N. ObohAmiegbe, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Jacqueline Thecla Adilih. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

SOLADOYE

I,formerly known and addressed as Miss Soladoye Olanike Funmilola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ojo Olanike Funmilola. All former documents remain valid. University of Ibadan, Osun State College of Education, Ilesa, NYSC and general public should take note.

OGWUCHE I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ogwuche Anaga Pauline, now wish to known and be addressed as Mrs Onazi Anaga Pauline. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

OMIDIJI

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I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Temitope Olufunmilayo Fayemi, now wish to known and be addressed as Mrs Temitope Olufunmilayo Godwin. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public take note.

AKINPELU

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Abosede Opeyemi Akinpelu, now wish to known and be addressed as Mrs Abosede Opeyemi Salami. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

MALIK

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Malik Munirat, now wish to known and be addressed as Mrs Bakare Munirat. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public take note.

DAWODU

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Dawodu Olawunmi , now wish to known and be addressed as Mrs Meroyi Mosunmola Olawunmi. All former documents remain valid.

NYSC and general public take note.

DADA

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Florence Oluwaseun Dada, now wish to known and be addressed as Mrs Florence Oluwaseun Taiwo Omotoso. All former documents remain valid. Ekiti State Teaching Service Commission and general public take note.

ADENIPE

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Adenipe Aderonke Esther, now wish to known and be addressed as Mrs Tijani Aderonke Esther. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

GABRIEL

I, formerly known and addressed as Mr. Bode Gabriel, now wish to known and be addressed as Mr. Adebiyi Olabode Gabriel. All former documents remain valid.

Oceanic Bank Plc. and general public take note.

AKERELE

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Akerele, Bolatito Omowunmi, now wish to known and be addressed as Mrs Folarin Bolatito Omowunmi. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

FAGITE

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Fagite, Rachael Afolakemi, now wish to known and be addressed as Mrs Oladele, Rachael Afolakemi. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ELIJAH I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Fanny Randolph Elijah, now wish to known and be addressed as Mrs Fanny Ataije Thomas. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

FALERU

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Faleru, Elizabeth Mojisola, now wish to known and be addressed as Mrs Adamolekun, Elizabeth Mojisola. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

AKANNI

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Akanni, Kabirat Anike, now wish to known and be addressed as Mrs Odumosu Akanni Deborah. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

ALUTUNDU

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Alutundu, Oluwabunmi Iyabo, now wish to known and be addressed as Mrs Falayi Oluwabunmi Iyabo. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ALALI

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Alali Iloye, now wish to known and be addressed as Mrs Blark Iloye. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

IFEANYI

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Blessing Justina Ifeanyi, now wish to known and be addressed as Mrs Blessing Justina Chimezie. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

JOEL I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Beauty Opeyemi Joel, now wish to known and be addressed as Mrs Beauty Ohimade. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

AKPAN I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Veronica Akpan, now wish to known and be addressed as Mrs Veronica Aniekan Marculy. All former documents remain valid.

OKMAS Nigeria Limited and general public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Alutundu, Eunice Temitope, now wish to known and be addressed as Mrs Adefila Eunice Temitope. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Eze Susan Onyinye now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Godfrey Susan Onyinye. All former documents remain valid.

IMT, NYSC and general public take note.

CHIDORON

ODO

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Chidoron Ann Iheanacho, now wish to known and be addressed as Mrs Akor Chidoron Ann. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OYEMIKE I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ethel Ngozi Oyemike, now wish to known and be addressed as Mrs Ethel Ukavbe. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ALIMI I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Alimi Silifat Adenbe, now wish to known and be addressed as Mrs Lawason Silifat Adenbe. All former documents remain valid.

Obokun Local govt. and general public take note.

CHIKAODIRI

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Chikaodiri Augustina Rose, now wish to known and be addressed as Mrs Omoke Augustina Rose. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ADEBOWALE

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Adebowale Adedoyin Odunayo, now wish to known and be addressed as Mrs Adeyemo Adedoyin Odunayo. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OGUNFOWOKAN I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ogunfowokan Ruth Oluwaseyi, now wish to known and be addressed as Mrs Sonaike Ruth Oluwaseyi. All former documents remain valid. University of Ibadan, GTBank Plc. and general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, Fubara Ajubo and Ifubaraboye Ajubo are one and the same person, now wish to be known and addressed as Fubara Ajubo. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ADENIYI I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Adeniyi Olusola Elizabeth, now wish to known and be addressed as Mrs Adetowubo Olusola Elizabeth. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

KOFOWOROLA I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Kofoworola Florence Ademowo, now wish to known and be addressed as Mrs Kofoworola Florence Owolabi. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

MBALASO

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Lilian Chika Mbalaso, now wish to known and be addressed as Mrs Llian Chika Chidube. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OVUFERERE I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ovuferere Mary Eniola, now wish to known and be addressed as Mrs Awoniyi Mary Eniola. All former documents remain valid.

Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti, NYSC and general public take note.

ACHIONYEMERE I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Achionyemere Anuri, now wish to known and be addressed as Mrs Egerigwe Anuri. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public take note.

BARNABAS

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Barnabas Mercy Oluchi, now wish to known and be addressed as Mrs Ibezim Mercy Oluchi. All former documents remain valid.

NYSC and general public take note.

ADESHINA

I, formerly known and addressed as Mrs. Olufunke Mobolaji Adeshina, now wish to known and be addressed as Miss Olufunke Mobolaji Adegbola. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OKORIE

l, formerly known and addressed as Miss Okorie Ulunma Happiness, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Anyanwu Ulunma Happiness. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public should take note.

UWAKWE I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Uwakwe Juliana Ugochi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Endy-Egeonu Juliana Ugochi. All former documents remain valid Anambra State University Ibgariam campus and general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Odo Celestina Ngozi now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Madu Celestina Ngozi. All former documents remain valid.

ESUT, NYSC and general public take note.

ADEOTI

I, former Dr.(Miss) Olabisi Ifedayo Adeoti, now wish to be called and known as Dr.(Mrs) Olabisi Ifedayo Akintoye. All my former documents remain valid. The Nigerian Medical Association and general public should please take note.

ADEGBITE

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Adegbite Victoria Abeke now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ajetomobi Victoria Abeke. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

NWOKEDI I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Judith Amechi Nwokedi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Chukwuma Judith Amechi. All former documents remain valid. Federal High Court and General public should please take note.

OGUNDELE

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Fadipe Lucia Idowu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Jayeoba Lucia Idowu. All former documents remain valid.

Ekiti State Local Government Service Commission,Emure Local Government and general public take note.

ADENIRAN

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Adeniran Adenike Caroline, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. James Adenike Caroline. All former documents remain valid NYSC and general public take note.

KAYODE

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Kayode Rachael Bosede, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Bolarinwa Rachael Bosede.

All former documents remain valid. Ekiti State Teaching Service Commission and general public take note.

JIMOH

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Jimoh Sherifat Abidemi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ogundele Sherifat Abidemi.

All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public take note.

TAYO I formerly known and addressed as Miss Tayo Adebanke Grace, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adetona Adebanke Saheedat.

All former documents remain valid,general public take note.

OMOTAYO

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ogundele Aminat Olayinka now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Adewale Aminat Olayinka. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and General public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Omotayo Omolola Oluremi , now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ojo Omolola Oluremi. All former documents remain valid. Ise/Orun Local Government and general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, hereby confirm that I,Grace Ihunna and Grace Iheyinwa Ihunna is one and the same person.

I now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Grace Iheyinwa Eze. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Onyinyechi Joy Amadiegwu , now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Onyinyechi Joy Nnamdi. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OSADEME

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Elizabeth Osademenow wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Elizabeth Akpabio. All former documents remain valid. Caranda Management Services and the general public should please take note.

ADEGUNWA

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Adegunwa Adeola Victoria, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Awoyelu Adeola Victoria. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

ANIAGOLU

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Aniagolu, Adaku Aghulikananwa, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ohuruogu, Adaku Aghulikananwa.

All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

JINADU

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Jinadu Mariam Oyefunke, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Sulaimon Mariam Oyefunke. All former documents remain valid.

Polytechnic Ibadan, NYSC and general public should please take note.

OKE

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Oke Olawumi Mary, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adamolekun Olawumi Mary.

All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

BOLARINWA I formerly known and addressed as Miss Bolarinde Esther Dami, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Afolayan Esther Dami. All former documents remain valid.

NYSC and general public take note.

OGUNLEKE

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Ogunleke Yemisi Rachael, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Akinyemi Rachael Yemisi. All former documents remain valid. Ife Oluwa Nursery and Primary School Iyin Ekiti and general public take note.

OGUNDIPE I formerly known and addressed as Miss Ogundipe Hellen Fakoyemi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Anifowose Hellen Fakoyemi. All former documents remain valid.

Broadcasting Service of Ekiti State and general public take note.

AMADIEGWU

IJAH

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Tryphosa Alderton Ijah , now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Tryphosa God’spower Ordu.

All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ALLEN I formerly known and addressed as Miss Esther Telema Allen , now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Esther Victor Bassey. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

MESERE I formerly known and addressed as Miss Stella Mesere, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Stella Abe. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OBI

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Obi BlessingObianuju, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Okwara Blessing Obianuju.

All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME

I, Mr. Etu Peter Odior, my name was errorneously spelt as Ojoh by NECO June/July, 2007 Not OJOH, is Odior. Centre No. 025350 Reg No. 70894549AI. Osun and general public take note.

NWAPI

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Oluchi Calista Nwapi, now wish to known and be addressed as Mrs. Oluchi Calista OluwafemiAbe. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

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Thugs attacks Lagos council boss’ residence

By Sunday Oguntola

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HAIRMAN of Somolu local government in Lagos State, Hon. Gbolahan Bago-Stowe, escaped death by the whiskers during the last Sallah celebration.

Armed thugs protesting his alleged refusal to give them cow and undisclosed cash for the celebration attacked his residence.

They fired shots at his residence, causing neighbours to scamper for safety.

Bago-Stowe said the attack was aimed at stopping developmental strides in the council.

He denied having anything to do with the attackers, describing them as thugs and hoodlums.

He said they were not youths from the council but hoodlums.

According to him, ‘’Those people were not youths but thugs. Our youths are wellknown and peaceful. Those ones that came were agents of death and haters of good governance. ‘’They claimed I promised to give them rams and gifts for Sallah and unleashed violence in the community. They were led by one Tiger who went to Kolex Hotel and took rams, claiming they belonged to them. ‘’When they left the hotel, they came to my house and started shooting. Only thugs and criminals could have done what they did’’.

Managing Director of Kolex Hotels, Mr. Akeem Shonibare, confirmed the hoodlums took three rams and one goat in the hotel.

He said, ‘’I was not around when they came. My manager and security officers were there.

They said they boys came in a commercial bus and forced their way in. ‘’They untied my three rams and goats, claiming they belonged to the council. They even beat my manager silly and shot into the air. They however returned the rams and goat when prevailed upon’’.

Shonibare said the hoodlums were led by a certain Tiger believed to be in charge of a motor park in the community.

When contacted, Gbenga Afolabi, otherwise known as Tiger, admitted leading some boys to the hotel and the council’s residence.

He said they were there to collect a cow and undisclosed cash the chairman promised them for the celebration.

Afolabi however denied the group shot at the BagoStowe’s residence, saying the issue was a little misunderstanding that got out of hands.

According to him, ‘’He promised us cow and money for sallah but when we did not see anything, we went to Kolex thinking he was there. We took rams that we saw there but returned them when we learnt they did not belong to him. ‘’When we got to his house, we only shouted. But some little boys in the area threw knock-outs that sounded like guns. It was just a little misunderstanding that the devil wanted to take advantage of’’.

Residents who spoke with our correspondent however confirmed the group actually fired shots at the chairman’s residence.

The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Somolu, Mr. Johnson Wke, said he had to send some men to protect the chairman and prevent breakdown of law and order.

He said the case is under investigation.

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WORSHIP THE NATION ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2011

Living Faith W

By David Oyedepo

Wonders in God’s word! (3)

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ELCOME to your regular column. Last week, I showed you the wonder genes in the Word of God. Some of the genes in God’s Word that I showed you are: the Spirit of life, the power genes, the creative genes, breakthrough genes, divine light genes, victory genes, prophetic genes, spiritual wine and healing genes.

This week, I want to show you how you can enjoy total health via the Word of God. God’s Word is the carrier of God’s power.

It’s through the Word that we take delivery of our inheritance (Romans 1:16; 2 Peter 1:3).

The Bible is a Book of covenants. All those things stated in Deuteronomy 28:1-13 are based on man cutting a covenant with God. When your part of the covenant is fulfilled, the blessing thereof is sealed and delivered. Every time the condition for a promise is met, it graduates spiritually to a covenant. You need a covenant mentality to command dominion in the affairs of life.

The word ‘testament’ simply means ‘covenant.’

What is a covenant?: A covenant is a deal between two parties, to which they subscribe in totality to the terms thereof. God, the Covenantor, is constant; the only variable is the covenantee. When your part if fulfilled, no devil in hell can stop the delivery of your blessings. The revelation of the covenant on any issue puts you supernaturally in command in that area (John 8:32).

How to cut a covenant of total health with God: 1. Living on the Word: Living on the Word is the principal key to cutting a covenant of total health with God (Psalms 89:34).

2. The love of God: Love is presented in 1 John 3:14 -15 as a vital source of life. So, when you begin to operate on the frequency of perfect love, you operate where there is no room for sickness (1 John 4:16-18). The Holy Ghost is the One that fires the love of God into our hearts, which empowers us to live a super healthy life.

3. Supernatural utterance: The Word of God says: Death and life are in the power of the tongue…(Proverbs 18:21). Your wellbeing is a function of the things that come out of your mouth (Mark 11:23).

When the Holy Ghost gives you utterance, heaven will respect it.

God’s principal power channel: God’s principal power channel is the Holy Ghost. According to Jesus’ diagnosis, every sickness is an oppression of the devil (Acts 10:38). Oppression only bows to power (Psalms 66:3).

When Jesus saw Peter’s sick mother in-law, He stood over her, rebuked the foul spirit of fever, and He set her free. Jesus could see an oppression behind fever. It takes power for the oppressor to bow. So, the Holy Ghost is God’s principal power channel (Acts 1:8). That is your principal access to the power of God. Where is the power of God?: God’s Word is the custodian of God’s power. The Holy Ghost is the channel to it, while God’s Word is the source. You will access power after the Holy Ghost comes upon you (Acts 1:8). The Holy Ghost is the Messenger and Interpreter of the Word of God (Malachi 3:1-5). God’s Word is where our total health is domiciled (Psalms 107:20; Proverbs 4:2022).

What is in the Word that heals and keeps healthy?: 1. Divine life: Life is in the Word, and life is the cure for death.

There is the Spirit of life in the Word that keeps you actively alive (John 6:63). So, the more insight we gain from the Word of God, the more lively we become.

2. Divine light: The Word of God says: And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not (John 1: 5). So, the oppressor that operates in the realm of darkness cannot survive this light.

Friend, the power for enjoying total health via God’s Word, is the preserve of those born again. Are you born again? You get born again by confessing your sins, and accepting Jesus as the Lord of your life and your family. You can be born again now, if you haven’t, by saying this prayer: Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I am a sinner. I cannot help myself. Forgive me my sins. Cleanse me with Your precious Blood. Deliver me from sin and satan to serve the Living God. From today, I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Now I know I am a child of God. Friend, come for a life-changing encounter at Faith Tabernacle in Canaan Land, Ota, from December 6-10, at Shiloh 2011.

Shiloh 2011, tagged, Waves Of Glory!, is an annual prophetic gathering of the Winners’ family worldwide. At this event, God will surely visit you and deliver you from stagnation, frustrations, failure and destitution. Don’t miss this great opportunity!

Every exploit in life is a product of knowledge. For further reading, please get my books — The Force Of Freedom, Walking In Dominion and Exploring The Riches Of Redemption.

I know this teaching has blessed you. Write and share your testimony with me through: BISHOP DAVID OYEDEPO, Faith Tabernacle, Canaan Land, Ota, P.M.B. 21688, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria; Or call 7747546-8; Or E-mail: bishop@davidoyedepoministries.org

HAT have you learnt doing ministry all these years?

I have learnt life. I have learnt human beings. If I were to write on what I have learnt relating, it will take volumes of books. I have seen the best and worst and the very worst of human beings.

Can you recall one or two unpalatable experiences you have had with people?

To say I have had one or two is an understatement. I wrote a book two or three years ago titled, ‘’having done all, fear man’’. You can handle the devil better than human beings. You can cast out the devil but you cannot cast out human beings. They are always there, smiling with you and killing you. I told my wife that I have learnt that I love somebody does not mean the person loves me. I love you and you are plotting my fall. I am having sleepless nights over how you will succeed while you are busy badmouthing me. You flout divine counsel I gave you because you felt I wanted to gain something in return. You are now asking for my help after you have fallen into a ditch but I warned you.

But you have not given up on people, have you?

No, I can’t. Maybe some of us have a weakness of loving. Once I love you, I love you. I go all hog to help you. I love to a fault. That one disappointed me today does not mean I will not love another again. If one fails me in the morning, I find someone else to love in the afternoon. I can’t change because Christ himself is love. So, the more they keep breaking one’s heart, the more you are loving people except you are not a Christian.

Boy, I have been failed many times. The people I put my head on their shoulders have slapped me back. Those I took as fathers and mothers have stabbed me. They failed me big time. Instead of telling you about your mistakes, they went to the radio, to the field to announce it. They never corrected you though you are sincere in your mistakes. They did not tell you and you are sitting eating with them and sleeping in their residences.

This has happened to me again and again. I once sent somebody to school up to university level. Upon graduation, I planned to send him

INTERVIEW

‘I almost planned coup to sanitise Nigeria’ General Overseer of Victory Life Bible Church, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Apostle Lawrence Achudume, spoke with Sunday Oguntola on his ministerial exploits and challenges

•Achudume

abroad. He was turned down at the embassy many times and I did not know it was God. It was later I found out he was plotting against me.

Don’t let me tell you how much people have failed me.

Many church leaders say it is their greatest challenge in the ministry. Do you agree with them?

Completely. It is the worst challenge of our job. It is terrible. I have spent millions on people and they threw it at my face.

Did you know you would come this far when you started out in Abeokuta?

Not at all. My initial dream was to be President of Nigeria whether through politics or planning a coup.

So, I was working towards that. I joined politics as soon as I left school. I wanted to go to NDA, Kaduna for military training. If I had joined, I would have been a coup plotter. I had this ambition to enthrone justice and righteousness in governance. I wanted to get evil men out of the way.

Nigeria is a great country but

we have terrible leaders who don’t know where to take up too. So, it cost me a lot to come to ministry and it cost God much more.

So, how did you find yourself in the ministry?

I was in Kaduna and taken

by God to come back to Abeokuta. I refused and was struck with an ailment. Brethren prayed for him but I knew I was the cause. I had an idea of what pastoring entails. I was a fresh graduate. I had some business ideas and had registered my company. I felt people will say I was a pastor because I could not get a job. I could not get a job so I left Abeokuta. The moment I stepped my feet on this town, God healed me. He healed my finance then who I eventually married. I had no money on me but God sent me to a man who did not have complete leg. I approached him and he gave me money to go back to Lagos.

Do you regret not joining politics or military?

I do not have regrets. I am even more fulfilled now. I have covered more grounds as a

minister. I have a bigger platform now. I have access to the government at state and federal level. I am more fulfilled but it is more demanding. In the past three weeks, I have not been at home.

When will you ever stop travelling?

I was asking myself the same question just this morning. I am hardly around and when I am, I am hardly at home. If I show you my itinerary, you will pity me. But I can’t complain because in 1998 when I thought I was too busy, God told me to come over to rest.

I just said God I was joking.

My diary gets busier everyday and I only ask God for grace and good health to carry on.

Your not being around must be having a toll on the church I have a different thinking. One, I have told members I am not God and that I don’t have to be around for things to work. God is my employer and He can transfer me anywhere anytime. I believe it is God that is building the church. With or without me, He can do what He wants to do. Again people say the church can be taken over when you are not always around and I tell them ‘go around and take the church if you want’. I am not tied to the church.

How do you make up for this at the home front?

The truth is my wife travels a lot too. Many times, we have met at the airport and travelled to different countries. We only bid ourselves farewell and move on. It is so funny and painful. Our children are used to it too. Many times, they call and ask, ‘’Daddy, what part of the world are you?’’ It is painful but you have a calling. I try to make up. It is not easy but I try to stay in touch on phone.

WHAT AND WHERE?

Kingdom Life World Conference takes off

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HIS year’s edition of the Kingdom Life World Conference (KLWC) of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM) holds from 20th-27th November.

The theme is Grace Grace.

It holds at the church international headquarters

in Gbagada Expressway, Lagos.

Speakers expected at the conference include Dr. Morris Cerullo from USA; National President of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor; Bishop Tudor Bismark Jabula OF New

Life Ministries International Zimbabwe; Dr. Mensa Otabil from Ghana; Dr Felix Omobude New Covenant Church, Benin City; Bishop Simeon Okah of Flock of Christ, Warri; Dr. Jerry Wolcson, U.S.A; Minister Genet Chenir from USA; Bishop Peace Okonkwo, La-

gos and other anointed Men of God. A statement by Chairman Planning Committee, Rev. Sunkanmi Obisesan, said the conference ends on Sunday November 27th with the host, Bishop Mike Okonkwo, ministering.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY NOVEMBER 20, 2011

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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2011 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM VOL. 6, NO. 1949

QUOTABLE

“I would rather we install in an important office a decent and able man from another region than a cruel and incapable man from from my own family. I say this without hesitation because I speak from the heart and an unshakable commitment to democrati tenets”.

--National leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu on why Nigeria should do away with rotational leadership at all levels of government.

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HE federal government seems to think it can wish away another Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) strike probably at the end of this month or sometime early next month. University teachers are less sanguine. After September’s warning strike, which the government meticulously ignored, there was faint hope that stakeholders in the education sector would take firm steps to prevent another looming and probably indefinite strike from paralysing the universities. No concrete step has been taken so far, and it does not even look like the government is enthusiastic about stirring itself, let alone taking an informed and progressive step. Between September when ASUU went on warning strike and now, the academics have kept up the pressure; but the government is in a quandary, torn between its stricken conscience for repudiating an agreement it entered into and its disinterestedness in acceding to the requests of the teachers.

However, it is only in biology that evolution instigates order out of disorder, and simple organisms become, over eons, complex organisms. In politics, things never resolve themselves or get wished away, not to talk of becoming better, until a greater, thinking force acts on them. If the government does not grapple with the unresolved issues raised by ASUU as a result of the 2009 stillborn agreement between the two, the universities will be subjected to another round of debilitating strikes. If that happens, the blame should rest squarely on the government. The reasons are two. One, both parties reached and signed an agreement in 2009 after months of strike action. A general timeline was agreed for the implementation of the pact, and ASUU called off its industrial action. So, we know where the fault lies. Two, the government selected a few items out of the agreement and implemented them, while simply ignoring the rest.

For the past two years, the government has lived in denial, hoping the day would not come when another strike would be called to force it to honour its word.

Well, after many months of unease in government and disquiet in academia, including a disruptive warning strike, the day has come when the government will be forced to choose between honour and dishonour. Of all the outstanding issues, probably the most difficult for the government to implement is improved and substantial

Don’t allow another ASUU strike

•Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufa'i

•Prof Ukachukwu Awuzie

budgetary allocation to the universities. The others are essentially administrative matters requiring enabling laws to put them into effect. The allocation problem is, however, much simpler than it looks. There is a general agreement that universities, not to talk of education sector as a whole, are grossly underfunded. The government agrees with this observation. The solution, then, is to either decide to increase the allocation by a decent margin or have a workable plan to source for the funds. But rather than pursue any of the two approaches, the government has stood still, perhaps also deaf, mute and blind. And when it decided to rouse itself from slumber recently, it evaded the real issues by curiously and shockingly establishing more universities.

Will founding more universities solve the

funding gap? The government is not so stupid as to offer more universities as a panacea to funding. What it has done is to simply avoid the unpleasant and intractable part of the university education conundrum.

It is the Abuja culture. When Chief Olusegun Obasanjo was confronted with the Zamfara State Sharia provocation, he avoided grappling with it, arguing that it was political Sharia which would fade with time. It has not. Instead, the Boko Haram extremist and terrorist sect has called for the full implementation of Sharia in all northern states.

To this new provocation, President Goodluck Jonathan has offered the bright idea that it would fade with time. It is probably a theological issue with Abuja that anytime it faces difficult issues, it hopes for evolutionary processes to take care of the

Jonathan’s subsidy battles

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HE battle to persuade the National Assembly, and by implication the rest of the country, to allow the removal of what is described as subsidy on petroleum products must rank among the most stressful President Goodluck Jonathan has had to contend with since he assumed office in May. On Boko Haram, all he needs to do is persuade himself to fight, determine how to fight, and if he fights well and intelligently, could even win handsomely, notwithstanding the apocalyptic predictions of analysts. But on subsidy, it goes beyond persuading himself.

From all indications, he has allowed himself to be persuaded; and now he needs to transfer that persuasion to the country and its lawmakers. For now, judging from the mounting opposition, he appears to be making a dreadful job of it.

I know that some drastic measures are needed to rein in deficit spending at federal and state levels. So, no one is blaming Jonathan for attempting to control government spending, or even for looking in the direction of subsidy. But he has a responsibility to make a thorough assessment of all the options before him, look at the social, political and economic implications of the options, and determine how best to proceed in view of the instability, violence and revolts afflicting many countries. Quite inexplicably, Jonathan has looked only at what he believes to be the economic benefits of subsidy removal to design his responses to Nigeria’s economic trou-

bles.

Last week, he met with the National Assembly and, according to reports, was not as coherent and persuasive as the lawmakers would have hoped. They waited for him to offer very brilliant arguments about the existence of subsidy, why it must be withdrawn even in phases, and what safety nets he hoped to put in place to obviate the mass revolt anticipated as a result of the measures. According to sources at the meeting, the leadership of the National Assembly had to wade in at a stage to save the president’s face. Notwithstanding his poor case, which has still not been firmed up, the president has stepped up lobbying the lawmakers.

The legislators have, however, set at least four very sensible conditions for the president to fulfil in order to secure the legislature’s approval. If he cannot satisfy these four conditions, they suggest, it is useless giving him approval, for he will not know what to do with his plan. The first condition is for the presidency to publish the list of the fat cats the federal government claimed were enjoying the benefits of subsidy to the detriment of the rest of the country. I doubt whether he has the courage to do this. Second, he is to come up with workable palliative measures to serve as a safety net for the poor majority. I doubt whether he has any. It is not in the character of Nigerian governments to design any; nor, as it is evident, can they even work out any in the short to medium run.

Third, the president is to publish the econometrics of subsidy to prove its existence and its scope. I submit there is no economist here who can prove this; only a magician.

Fourth, and last, the president is to submit a concrete action plan on how and when the refineries would be made functional again. It would be easier for the Biblical Jacob to work a century, instead of seven years, for his in-laws to secure his choice bride than Jonathan to make the refineries work. Since the late Sani Abacha government, no Nigerian ruler, not even the aggressive but misdirected Olusegun Obasanjo, has had the enthusiasm to make the refineries work. The ordeal will not start with the usually lethargic Jonathan.

What if Jonathan does not get the National Assembly’s approval? It is not a question of if; the fact is that he cannot get it. But he will get some form of contrived go-ahead to enact a watered-down measure, a gargoyle that will probably worsen the plight of the economy and satisfy no one. Jonathan is desirous of leaving a huge and lasting legacy, but in the end, I think he will be satisfied to just muddle through his presidency. The perceptive among us know that legacies are not created by unimaginative policies or conservative measures. Legacies come from bold, revolutionary and exceedingly brilliant and prescient measures. There is no one in government now, nor even before Jonathan, with the ability to give the country what it desperately needs to survive and thrive.

problems.

The problem, it seems to me, is that we have neither thinkers in government nor bold and imaginative leaders. After being subjected to horrendous abuse by near illiterate rulers, many Nigerians began to imagine that once we had graduates in government, our afflictions would be cured. Obasanjo himself lent credence to this abominable hypothesis by imposing on us what he felt was an impregnable and infallible dual mandate of two university graduates. Under the first graduate of his creation, Umaru Yar’Adua, the universities went on strike for about five months while the late president affected to pursue the affairs of state with the calmest indifference. The second graduate, Jonathan, is obsessed with the scaffolding rather than the building. He does not pretend to have a solution to the decline in education quality, particularly varsity education, nor is he prepared to be bothered by details. He has distributed new universities to parts of the country that didn’t have one, and prefers to leave the nuisance of funding, qualified teaching staff and other sundry issues to the next president.

The only idea about quality of university education to come from the president was voiced by his education minister at the 63rd convocation of the University of Ibadan last week. According to the president, strikes, not poor funding, undermine learning in the universities. The authorities of the University of Ilorin hold the same abysmal view, though they always appropriated the fruits of the strikes before anyone else. The University of Ibadan convocation ought to have provided the president the opportunity to say something profound on education, particularly the impending strike by ASUU. Instead, Jonathan tied quality of education to unbroken academic calendar, without a shred of evidence to back his claim.

It is possible the government may reluctantly meet ASUU half way, though it is not certain whether this will be before or after another strike. If government takes the right step, it will, however, not be out of conviction, for, since independence, there has been no original or productive idea on education to come out of the State House. They tinker with education models, and they build schools now and again; but that is as far as they always go. When they encounter the challenging issues of funding, quality, research, and the philosophical direction education should go they always shrink like worm on a hot stove. They aspire to have world-class universities, and to produce inventors and Nobel laureates, but their ambitions are never matched by their niggardliness in the sector. Indeed, I fear that ASUU may be engaged in a hopeless struggle. They put in so much effort and strikes over the years to convince the government to do something little about education, but the government is either unyielding and even abusive or it takes just a few hesitant steps. The ASUU can’t get the government to appreciate the centrality of education to national growth and self-esteem; and the government can’t seem to persuade ASUU to enjoy the indifference that has lured this and previous governments into complacency and illusion. Stalemate.

I cannot recall how many urgent national problems the Jonathan government met and resolved. And I am not sure whether the education imbroglio will be any different.

The economy is in dire straits, Boko Haram has gone nuclear, so to say, crime and insecurity have never been worse, and even the confusion in sports mirror the sad decline in all parts of our national life. Add the restiveness in the education sector to these other problems, and you get the nervous feeling that youths are finally being provoked out of their complacency. There is deep frustration and alienation in the land, and a thousand and one reasons for everyone to lose faith in the future. Jonathan must not add another ASUU strike to the maelstrom. After all, the issues in dispute are not unassailable or beyond resolution.

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