The Nation November 27, 2011

Why fuel subsidy must go,

by Sanusi

EFCC: I have no regrets —Waziri Bags doctorate degree

PAGE 63

PAGE 64

Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

Vol.06, No. 1956

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

SUNDAY

NOVEMBER 27, 2011

N200.00

Emeka

Odumegwu Ojukwu 1933 - 2011 His last 24 hours with Gov Obi Jonathan, Govs, Ohaneze, ACF, others pay tribute MASSOB takes over Enugu residence The ailment that killed him FULL COVERAGE pages 2,4,5,6,7 & 8

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2011

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CHUKWUEMEKA ODUMEGWU-OJUKWU 1933 - 2011

A LIFE IN PICTURES •In Biafran Army fatigues

•Ojukwu on his triumphant return from exile in Kote d’Ivoire

•Ojukwu and Bianca

•Ojukwu and arch rival, General Yakubu Gowon

•Ikemba Nnewi, Eze Ndigbo

•Ojukwu and Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka

•At an event with MASSOB leader, Ralph Uwazurike, Onye ije noo...

•Ojukwu with Anambra Governor, Peter Obi and wife, Bianca

•At the declaration of Biafra’s secession

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2011

Column

Equatorial despotism in Nigeria

I

N contemporary Nigeria, events keep cascading at such a breakneck speed that even the columnist is sometimes left gasping for breath. Before our very eyes, Nigeria has become one huge soapbox opera.

Suspense piles upon suspense, just as suspension of disbelief takes over as the abiding rule of the game. At least if you have well-developed powers, you can voluntarily terminate a dream that has turned nasty.

But over this dream-like reality you have no power. You sit almost literally glued to the chair, compelled to watch as the idiocies of power compete with the aberrations of evil governance. There is no hiding place. And yet in moments of acute introspection and critical self-interrogation, the columnist begins to entertain doubts about his own mission in a manifestly dysfunctional society.

Perhaps you are being too critical, you counsel yourself. Perhaps you are the one overreacting. All these things are normal in the course of a nation’s development, particularly a nation cobbled from ethnic nationalities in different stages of modernity and political development. But the very moment you accept this evil contraption as inevitable reality, as the price to pay for certain ancestral lapses and the inevitable crisis of national malformation, is also the moment of capitulation, of acquiescence and fatalistic submission to injustice and irrationality.

Whatever else may be the matter, it seems that equatorial despotism is alive and well in Equatorial Nigeria.

Equatorial despotism is a form of callous and cruel authoritarian rule which is peculiar to the tropics. Here, the tropical heat unhinges virtually everybody and particularly the political leadership deforming their psyche and mentally destabilising them.

They chastise their subjects with scorpions. Even while wearing the calmest of miens, they are prone to irrational tantrums and midnight madness.

At least two former tropical African rulers, Idi Amin Dada, the Nubian cyclops; and Jean-Bedel Bokassa, the bandy-legged barbarian of UbangiShari, were known to have confessed to cannibalism. A third, the unlamented Samuel Doe, was believed to have partaken in the ritual consumption of the corpse of Thomas Quiwonkpa after the fellow fell in an abortive uprising. Calmly and with philosophical fortitude, Idi Amin once famously observed that there was no big deal to human flesh except that it was a little bit salty.

Unfortunately for Africa, this variant of post-colonial leadership is not amenable to logic or superior reason.

The only higher power they recognise is the power of superior force.

All of them had to be physically and violently separated from their captive domain. This is why equatorial despotism is the greatest danger to the democratic evolution of tropical Africa. The original prototypes of equatorial despotism, a man called Francois N’Garta Tombalbaye of Chad and Marcias Nguema of Equatorial Guinea, a.k.a the madman of Malabo, were both summarily executed in violent military uprisings.

Things have not yet degenerated to this point in Nigeria and it will be to our collective shame and tragedy if the current slide to anarchy and chaos is not immediately halted. But there are justifiable fears that all the vital arms of governance have bitten the bug of equatorial despotism. If the Senate shenanigan over the nomination and confirmation of the Lagos state representative on the National Population Commission is anything to go by, we are not far from the “Matoke” Republic of Idi Amin Dada.

It is not often that this columnist happens upon some scalding philippic that he wished to have written

S

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nooping around With

Tatalo Alamu

•Farida Waziri

himself. But sometimes one must surrender to the force of superior clarity.

Below is a scathing summary of that unworthy drama as captured by The Nation’s ace columnist, Tony Marinho: “The story of the Lagos State representative on the National Population Commission speaks volume for the levity and corruption of governance. Television proved that the serving president of Nigeria’s senate is severely handicapped being partially deaf. He needs medical examination and a hearing aid which distinguishes between “ayes” and “nays”. Why is electronic counting or even manual counting not done? Everyone I have asked agreed that “nay” was louder. Yet the rule of law and democracy Senate President said the “ayes have it”. It is not a manipulation or a joke but a crime against Nigerian democracy!” (Tony Marinho, The Nation, Wednesday November 23, p21) This coming from an accomplished medical practitioner should not be taken lightly by David Bonaventure Alechenu Mark.

Snooper watched the proceeding on television and came to the same conclusion. The only dissenting opinion of note came from our own Comrade Chu, a.k.a “Sikirumeje” or “Chukwumorije”, according to Adamu Adamu, The Vanguard’s acerbic and irreverent columnist.

A man is entitled to his transmogrification from a fire-eating radical of youth into a naira-gulping paterfamilias of reaction and ethnic sabrerattling in old age. Everybody will have to live with his conscience at the end of the day. But a Senate confirmation of this sensitive nature ought to be guided by a clear and transparent procedure. This one was as opaque and dishonourable as it can get. Often, democracy does not collapse from a single blow to the plexus but from a thousand cuts.

There is need for great caution at this moment as Nigeria lurches from one avoidable crisis to another. If the historic arraignment of a serving senator for complicity with the Boko Haram terrorism is not confounding enough, the dramatic dismissal of the former EFCC chairman, Farida Waziri, from her exalted post is spinechilling in its bloody-minded vindictiveness and arrant contempt for laid down constitutional procedure. Like the earlier circuitous dismissal of Malam Nuhu Ribadu, we are none the wiser as to why our crime-fighting Czars should meet such an awful fate in the hands of the state. It is murder in the cathedral.

To be sure, the enabling edict of the EFCC vests in the presidency the power to hire and fire its leadership as the case may be. Goodluck Jonathan was exercising his constitutional right. But in the case of firing, it is also clearly stipulated that it must be accompanied by clearly stated reasons

for such removal. Whatever might have been Madam Waziri’s transgressions, this one leaves the nasty odour of a power struggle over corruption that is itself as corrupt as it is corrupting.

When concerned Nigerians worry and fret about laid down rules and constitutional procedures, it is not because they are interested in making life difficult for the executive or in causing unnecessary tension. Democracy suffers a slow painful death when the example of state might replaces the might of presidential example. Institution-building is a slow, tortuous process in which repeated gestures, rather than arbitrary and cruel whimsicality, are burnt into the

T

O Ijebu-Igbo and the pleasant rural suburb of Agunboye for the final burial rites of Chief (Mrs) Phebean Abimbola Adekoya, the late Iyalaje of Agunboye and beloved mother-in-law of Tunde Fagbenle, publisher, ace commentator and famed columnist of The Punch. Fagbenle himself does not take social hostages and a man like snooper must not be found missing when the call of Bacchus beckons, even where the tarred road terminates just outside of Agunboye.

Snooper is becoming quite a social fixture in Ijebu-land these days and even the itinerant drummers and praise-singers are beginning to recognise the unusual cap with its peculiar slide. A few months ago, snooper had attended the ten-year remembrance of the matriarch of the highly accomplished and successful Ashiru brothers. Sometimes in October, snooper was back, this time to witness Otunba Yomi Ogunnusi, ACN chieftain and business magnate, give away his daughter.

The journey to Agunboye was as pleasant as ever with rural farmlands jostling with agrarian communities threshed by lush; verdant vegetation.

The bounties of nature were on spectacular display, This was as close to the fabled Garden of Eden as it could get. The horrors of the city and its morbid pathologies were soon forgotten. One more infraction and snooper will go completely native.

The church service seemed to have gone on for eternity. The astute men of God were leveraging on the presence of urban fat cats. You cannot blame them. When next shall this sleepy village in the middle of nowhere play host to such rosy-cheeked city dwellers and their crisp notes!

Burial rites finally concluded, it was time for merriment. A noted gourmet himself, Fagbenle laid on a movable feast. As if drawn by the wonderful aroma of good food, the big boys started materialising. Welcome Number Seven, the mathemati-

national consciousness. Shortcuts lead to sharp cuts.

If we are to factor these developments into the daylight decapitation of all known democratic procedures such as we have witnessed in Bayelsa State, then we must realise that something untoward is going on here. Not only were court orders flagrantly flouted, judicial directives were contemptuously disobeyed. All this in an attempt to arrive at an improbable and impossible verdict. Governor Timpere Sylva is not our cup of tea, and there may be no point in settling the order of precedence between a flea and a louse. But fair is fair. The right and power to remove a sitting governor who has not been found guilty of criminal misconduct ought to lie with the electorate and not a shadowy cartel fronting for their master in Abuja.

In a macabre twist to this surreal and unworthy drama of presidential misdemeanour, and while the blood was still dripping from the axes of the professional executioners of Bayelsa, Jonathan urged his hirelings not to be intimidated by anybody. It was a semantic boondoggle worthy of Orwell himself. The question is: who is intimidating who? The poor people of Bayelsa who suddenly found themselves at the receiving end of a virtual military occupation, or Governor Silva and his supporters who were overwhelmed by superior force?

Jonathan has become a past mas-

ter when it comes to magically transforming untrammelled aggression to victimhood. If this is what he means by not being a lion, we must commend him at least for a wicked sense of humour. When crocodiles cry in the creeks, their victims are being terminally dismembered.

But it is not a funny matter at all.

Democracy is gravely imperilled in Nigeria. All around us, the democratic templates are collapsing and crashing with a resounding thud.

The caterwauling is definite and definitive. All those who fought for civil rule in Nigeria in the face of dire military despotism must now gird their loins to rescue and salvage what can still be rescued from the eternal cycle of the stupidity of the dominant political elite of Nigeria.

When we ascribed Obasanjo’s despotic caprices to his military background, when we traced Umaru Yar’Adua’s aloof contempt for democratic norms to his feudal lineage, to what do we now ascribe Jonathan’s barely disguised disdain for democratic procedure? See where “turn by turn” succession politics and philosophy are leading Nigeria. Perhaps we should now begin to think the unthinkable. Democracy is incompatible with equatorial despotism. One must eventually yield to the other. Africa, and even contemporary Nigerian history, is our witness.

The bliss of Ijebu countryside cal /Odegbami and his older brother Dele Odegbami a.k.a Bad Meat. Welcome Femi Esho, gentleman cultural entrepreneur and brother-in-law of the host. Welcome Tunde Dawodu, a.k.a Omo Bob. Welcome Kunle Ajibade who continued to rib snooper about Okon even as his wife reminded snooper of ancient nocturnal patrols. Welcome Ambassador Demola Ogunnaike, but snooper demands another pair of shoes for that old infraction. Welcome Engineer Biodun Fajobi, the Okanlomo of Odeomu. Welcome my brother, Diran Aderibigbe, a.k.a Olowo Yaba.

Great to see you, the ever boyish look-

ing Depo Towobola of the Seven Day Adventist Road, Ibadan fame. And where is my buddy, Ajasco, the master tailor of Oke Bola?

Eating and drinking concluded, snooper, like a victim of Sokugo, the wandering disease, headed deeper into the mysterious Yoruba hinterland. From Ijebu-Igbo down to Mokore and on to Araromi Owu, Orile Owu, Odeyinka, Bembe, through virgin forests and alluring valleys bursting out at sun set on the Ibadan-Ife highway. What a beautiful country! And what a magical and enchanting landscape! Here is wishing Mama Adekoya eternal repose.

Jackpot hits Okon

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S soon as it was announced that the master comedian Babatunde Omidina, a.k.a Baba Suwe, had won a landmark twenty-five million settlement against the NDLEA, Okon began seriously scheming about how to cotton in on the new game in town. A few days later, a rowdy and self-important Okon barged into snooper’s room with Baba Lekki in tow.

As usual, the old crook was leglessly and shoelessly drunk and was babbling his usual anti-establishment nonsense.

But it was Okon who looked like a cartoonist’s ultimate delight. He was dressed like a comedian with outsize goggles and his belly was hideously and fearfully distended.

“Oga, I wan quickly reach dem Paris,” Okon opened.

“Like Baba Suwe, abi?” snooper asked with a scornful laugh, eyeing the mad boy with merry dismay.

“Oga make una siddon look. If dem NDLEA cooperate and Okon hit dem jackpot, I fit buy dem house, make oga dey go him Gbaga village jeje,” the mad boy snorted.

“But what are you hiding in your tummy?” snooper demanded.

“Oga dat one na Igbokoda hemp

and dem Cotonou krocane,” Okon croaked.

“Na dat one dem dey call Itutaba,” Baba Lekki sniggered and suddenly burst out singing a timeless Yoruba ditty.

A o merin j’oba, ereku ewele A o merin j’oba ereku ewele.

As soon as Okon reached the airline checking point, he began raising hell and making a thorough nuisance of himself.

“Wey dem NDLEA people now, abi dem no see Okon him belly?” the mad boy demanded and was roundly ignored. After some testy silence, Okon eyed the uniformed men with suspicion. “Why dem NDLEA no arrest Okon now? Se na becos I no be Yoruba? Abi na only Yoruba people get dis yeye kontri?” the crazy boy hollered. At this point, Okon began to make some fearful noise as he clutched at his tummy.

“I wan shit!” the crazy boy suddenly screamed and everybody took to their heels. It was at this point that Okon was pounced upon by some military personnel who dragged him out screaming and kicking. Baba Lekki took to his heels..

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NEWS THE NATION ON SUNDAY NOVEMBER 27, 2011

CHUKWUEMEKA ODUMEGWU-OJUKWU (1933 -- 2011)

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OR a 78 year old man who had been bed-ridden for 11 months by stroke, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu’s last 24 hours on earth could not have been more eventful.

As he lay in his bed at Bupa Nursing Home in Kessington, London on Friday hoping for the best, his political son and governor of Anambra state,Ojukwu’s home state, Mr.Peter Obi walked in to see how he was fearing. It was the governor’s ninth visit to the Ikemba since he was evacuated to London in December, last year for treatment.

The governor, according to his media aide, Valentine Obienyem, met Ojukwu in a ‘stable condition.’

He was on his way from Paris, France, as a member of President Goodluck Jonathan’s delegation to the Honorary Investiture Council of Nigeria’s meeting. The governor had taken the opportu-

Ojukwu: His last 24 hours nity to propose to the president the naming of the approach to the Niger Bridge in Onitsha after the Ikemba Nnewi to which the president was said to be favourably disposed although he said that could only be possible after the Federal Government would have rehabilitated the road.

The President was also said to have excused his Senior Special Assistant on Diaspora Matters, Mrs. Bianca Ojukwu from the Paris meeting to enable her attend to her husband and feed him (Jonathan) back on his condition.

Meanwhile, Obi departed for Nigeria on Friday night and arrived home at about 5.30am yesterday only to receive a text message from Ojukwu’s son, Okigbo, that

the Ikemba had passed on.

At his bed side as took his last breath were wife Bianca, daughter Ebere and Okigbo.

Obi, accompanied by Ojukwu’s son, Emeka, immediately left for London He later formally broke the news in what he called the Igbo tradition.

The statement entitled ‘Our Father has gone’ reads: Amuma na Egbeigwe edelu juuuu; Udo eji akpu Agu agbabie; Odenigbo Ngwo anabago; Ikemba Nnewi a gaba goo; Dikedioranmma nweru ka osi noru kitaa, Ezeigbo Gburugburu, enwooooo! Obu inaba ka anyi

mezie gini? Onye ga na-ekwuru anyi? Onye ga abamba ka Agu ma oburu na ana emegbu anyi?

Enwoooooooo!

Dim Chukwuemeka OdumegwuOjukwu, enwoooooo!

“In the traditional Igbo society, the death of Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu would be announced by the famous Ikoro Drum, reserved for outstanding people in the society once in a century.

“This is what I have just done in the foregoing. We hereby, in consultation with the immediate family of Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-

Ojukwu, announce his death which occurred in the early hours of today (yesterday), November 26, 2011.

“With Ojukwu’s death, the entire Igbo race, at home and in the Diaspora as well as Nigerians have lost a treasure.

“He was one of the most forthright personalities Nigeria has ever had. He believed in a Nigeria where justice and equity should reign and devoted his life to their pursuit of that ideal as if he was under a spell.

“While alive Ezeigbo Gburugburu was such a sub-

ject of history that it makes little sense to start contemplating how history will remember him.

“He is worthy of Ceaser’s own summary of his victory in Pontus (former Asia Minor), Veni, vedi, vici, (I came, I saw, I conquered). Ojukwu came, saw and conquered, leaving for us vital lessons in patriotism and nationalism.

“With his death, part of every Igbo man has also died.

We shall continue to remember him in our prayers as we work out further details in consultation with his family and other stakeholders.”

His place in history assured - Jonathan

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PECIAL Adviser on Media to President Jonathan, Dr. Reuben Abati, in one of the early tributes said: “President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has received with much sadness and a deep feeling of great national loss news of the passing away of Chief Chukwemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu in the United Kingdom.

“President Jonathan joins Chief Ojukwu’s family, the government and people of his home state, Anambra, the entire Igbo people of Nigeria and his friends, associates and followers across the country in mourning him.

“The President urges them to be comforted by the knowledge that Chief Ojukwu lived a most fulfilled life, and has in passing on, left behind a record of very notable contributions to the evolution of modern Nigeria which will assure his place in the history of the country.

“President Jonathan believes that late Chief Ojukwu’s immense love for his people, justice, equity and fairness which forced him into the leading role he played in the Nigerian civil war, as well as his commitment to reconciliation and the full reintegration of his people into a united and progressive Nigeria in the aftermath of the war, will ensure that he is remembered forever as one of the great personalities of his time who stood out easily as a brave, courageous, fearless, erudite and charismatic leader.

“The President calls on Chief Ojukwu’s family, his associates and followers to make his rites of passage a celebration of his most worthy and memorable life spent in the service of his people and the nation.

He prays that God Almighty will grant Chief Ojukwu’s soul eternal rest from his earthly labours.”

• Entrance to Ojukwu’s GRA residence in Enugu yesterday

MASSOB takes over Ojukwu’s residence ABLE bodied youths who are members of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) yesterday took over security at the residence of the late Ojukwu in Enugu as soon as his death was confirmed.

From Chris Oji, Enugu

The house named Casabianca Lodge is located at the Government Reserved Area (GRA) in the Enugu State capital.

The Ojukwu residence was threatened sometime early this year by some

people who rushed to take possession of it following a rumour that the Ikemba Nnewi was dead.

MASSOB leader Ralph Uwazuruike said yesterday his organisation is guarding not only the property of Ojukwu but also his other interests.

Nnewi, his ancestral home mourns

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NAMBRA State and indeed, the commercial city of Nnewi were thrown into deep mourning yesterday, when the death of the former Biafran warlord and Ikemba Nnewi, Dim C h u k w u e m e k a Odumegwu Ojukwu filtered in.

Initially, many people were not aware of his death but some who had heard the news were not forthcoming to confirm it.

The expansive compound of Ojukwu was like a grave yard as only the security man, Mr. Denis Okoye was around. The 68year old Okoye, who

•Ngige, Obi, Etiaba, Ekwunife, others weep From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

claimed to have worked for the Ojukwus for over 15 years told The Nation that he had no authority to talk on the issue until the family members allowed him to do so.

He reacted thus, in Igbo, “why are you people disturbing us? You carried a similar rumour last year, and you have come again this year. Nobody has told us that Dim Ojukwu is dead and until we hear from the family, I will not say anything”.

However, people in the

vicinity were busy going about their normal businesses. The Nation was told that virtually all members of the Ojukwu family live in Enugu including the eldest son of the late Sir Louis Odumegwu Ojukwu (Dr Ojukwu).

At the palace of the traditional ruler of Nnewi, Igwe Kenneth Orizu, only a few people were seen while the monarch was said to have gone to Amichi, a nearby community to attend a ceremony.

But the secretary of the

palace, Prince Joseph Ikeotuonye (known as Azubuenyi) confirmed Ojukwu’s death.

According to him, “when I called Igwe, he told me that he was overwhelmed by shock that he has no comment at least for now I called him again, and he repeated same.

“The news is shocking.

Unfortunately, the family has not informed the Igwe as tradition demands but all the same since the world has heard it through international media, we have no option than to take it like that.

“We heard the news about 11am and being an icon and a symbol of Igbo nation (Ezeigbo gburugburu), we are going to sit, deliberate on it and decide what to be done and that is all for now” he said.

Former Deputy Governor of Anambra State , Dame Virgy Etiaba who was weeping while talking to The Nation said the people of Nnewi, Anambra, Igboland and the entire Nigeria have lost a gem and a leader.

Etiaba said the news of Ojukwu’s death was received with shock •Continued on page 6

Uwazuruike who arrived Enugu yesterday in connection with the burial arrangements of the former Biafran leader, warned of dire consequence for those who may want to illegally enter into Ojukwu’s property.

“Anybody that tries to foment trouble over Dim Ojukwu’s property will have himself or herself to blame.

We will do everything humanly possible to ensure that Ojukwu’s property are intact,” he said.

Uwazuruike said Ojukwu fought for the independence of the Republic of Biafra and the best Ndigbo could do to honour him was to continue the struggle for the independence of Republic of Biafra.

According to him, MASSOB will continue the struggle from where Ojukwu left off. He said the spirit of Biafra lives on while Ojukwu’s effort will never be in vain.

Uwazuruike said the evils Ojukwu fought against in his time as the Biafran leader have multiplied.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY NOVEMBER 27, 2011

News

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CHUKWUEMEKA ODUMEGWU-OJUKWU (1933 -- 2011)

Tinubu: His death reminder of Nigeria’s federalism problem

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CTION Congress of Nigeria (ACN) national leader Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu yesterday said the death of Ojukwu marked the passage of one of the movers of Nigerian history in the 20th century.

The former governor of Lagos State described Ojukwu’s death as a reminder of “Nigeria’s unfinished federal business and the urgency to fix the problem, once and for all.”

“Ojukwu’s death once again reminds all of us of the unfinished business of Nigerian federalism. If only for his memory, and to ensure that Nigeria never has to suffer again any crisis like the Civil War, we must all rise as a people to fix Nigeria’s special challenges.

That is why,” he insisted, “Nigeria must, as a matter of urgency convoke a sovereign national conference, where all these issues would be resolved.”

He said that federal-related tensions still persisted 31 years after the Civil War (1967-1970), underlined the depth of the feeling of marginalisation and perceived unfairness by critical stakeholders in the Nigerian union.

Tinubu extended his condolences and sympathies to Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State, Mrs Bianca Ojukwu, the widow and the entire clan Ojukwu, as well as the entire Igbo race on behalf of who the Ikemba lived, fought and died,

in the context of an equitable federal Nigeria.

The former governor said though Chief OdumegwuOjukwu was a controversial figure, he made his mark during the era of the titans of Nigerian politics and governance.

“Ojukwu, the Ikemba and Eze Igbo Gburugburu, meant many things to many people. But his

greatness was that he stood his own such that, even with the constellation of stars of his age and time, he still made his mark – and profoundly so. You might love Ojukwu and you might hate him. But you could never be indifferent about him nor could you ignore him,” Tinubu said.

He said the late Biafran war leader was a revolutionary,

• Odumegwu-Ojukwu at the swearing-in of Governor Peter Obi, his political godson

Sylva, Uduaghan, Fayemi: He was a patriot, great leader

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O V E R N O R S Timipre Sylva ( B a y e l s a ) , Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta),Rauf Aregbesola (Osun),Theodore Orji (Abia), Sullivan Chime (Enugu),Jonah Jang (Plateau) Martin Elechi (Ebonyi) yesterday described the late Chief Ojukwu as a patriot and a great Nigeria.

The governors, in separate statements extolled the virtues of the late former Biafra leader.

Sylva said Nigeria has lost a great leader, one “who devoted his life to the fight against injustice and promotion of equality among Nigerians.”

He added: “Chief Odumegwu-Ojukwu was a man of principle, a great Nigerian who remained dedicated to his convictions until death. Even when he was forced by the circumstances of his day to lead his people into a war, and later went into exile, he returned to the country after a national pardon to join other Nigerians in a broad political platform for nationbuilding.

“When another political opportunity called, he formed a platform through which he intended to accomplish his long-held dream for an egalitarian

almost from the womb.

“While his father, the rich and the illustrious Sir Odumegwu Ojukwu insisted his son should go into the civil services as was fit for an Oxford graduate in history that his son was, the young man had other ideas. He opted for military service, even offering to join as a recruit, when his way was

Nigeria.

Though his presidential bid did not succeed, OdumegwuOjukwu stayed committed to his dream by helping in the emergence of governments and politicians that share his political ideals for the Igbo nation and Nigeria. He never gave up.”

Governor Uduaghan expressed shock at the “untimely death” of Ojukwu Uduaghan, in a statement lamented the death of Chief Ojukwu, as a sad loss to the country whose initial news of recovery from his hospital bed had gladdened his heart, only for the shock announcement of his demise.

Uduaghan in his condolence message to the family, the government and people of Anambra State over Ojukwu’s death, recalled that he was in his lifetime, a colossus who made significant contributions to the growth and development of the country.

Chime expressed profound shock and sorrow over Ojukwu’s death, saying his passage has robbed the country of one of her most notable historical and political figures.

Chime described Ojukwu as “a foremost nationalist and activist whose contributions to the political and constitutional development of the country are not only indelible but in some ways inimitable.”

Ojukwu,according to him ,symbolised “ the struggle against injustice, segregation and oppression against any group of people in the country adding that his epic efforts had helped to lay the foundation for national integration and the sense of equality and unity that prevails in the country today.”

Chime noted that as a politician, Ojukwu had fought fearlessly for the survival and sustenance of democracy in the country, waging a relentless war against electoral fraud and insisting on the establishment of a level playing ground for all participants in electoral processes.

Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi also commiserated with the Ojukwu family, the entire people and governments of the Southeast geo-political zone on the passing on of the late leader.

Fayemi described the late Ikemba as a leader who loved his people and

defended their interests till he breathed his last.

The Governor said Ojukwu would be remembered as a leader who never shied away from making his stand known on any issue, especially those with direct effect on the interest of his people.

Ebonyi State Governor Martin Elechi has described the death Ojukwu as a national tragedy of immense proportion.

Elechi said:”that Ojukwu is dead remains an unconfirmed rumour.

But if it is true, the death of the Ikemba is a national tragedy of immense proportion. It represents the demise of an icon while his death is the end of an era. Nigeria has lost a dynamic leader and a protagonist of positive change”.

Elechi said Ojukwu’s accomplishments transcend mortality, and urged the family to take solace in his achievements while on earth.

Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary Eni Akinsola, described the death of the former Biafran leader as a big loss to Nigeria.

He said “the vacuum, which Ojukwu’s death has created, will be difficult to fill because he was a great man, who had a dream for a great nation where there will be justice, equity and fairness.”

blocked.

That decision,” Asiwaju Tinubu added, “not only made him the first graduate to enlist in the Nigerian Army, it also changed the course of Nigerian history.”

Asiwaju Tinubu said the Biafran episode, the civil war and Ojukwu’s role in the Second Republic when, fresh from exile when he dived head-long into the ruling National Party of Nigeria (NPN) to contest a senatorial seat, which he eventually lost, was still a subject of historical analysis.

So, is his controversial stand on the June 12 question, when the late Ikemba campaigned against the mandate of Basorun MKO Abiola, when it was annulled by Gen. Ibrahim Babangida.”

But Asiwaju Tinubu insisted all these actions were, in his opinion, not driven by any personal motives, but the need to give the Igbo fair representation in the Nigerian commonwealth.

“The Civil War was unfortunate. Ojukwu was one of the young men at the helms who took one decision or the other, that led to the unfortunate war,” he said. “But whatever the circumstances were, I don’t think Ojukwu’s actions were driven by personal motives. It would appear to me they were driven by efforts to give the Ndigbo fair representation in a federal Nigeria.”

Ohanaeze, Nwodo mourn

P

RESIDENT General of apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Ralph Uwaechue, in a statement on behalf of the organisation declared: “The passing away of Dim Odumegwu Ojukwu is like the passing of an age in the chequered history of the Igbo nation.

“He is a leader that has left a most significant stamp in courageous defence of Igbo cause. He will be greatly missed by his family, the entire Igbo nation, our great country Nigeria and the peoples of Africa combined.

May God Almighty grant his soul the eternal peace he richly deserves.”

Former Minister of Information Chief Nnia John Nwodo Jnr said: “It is a sad day. Nigeria has lost one of the most courageous, outspoken, truthful patriots. Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu suffered a lot of deprivations on acts of his own conviction.

His deprivations did not deter him for the Igbo remained his commitment. Probably the only Igbo leader in post independence Nigeria.”

Ojukwu is irreplaceable, says Atiku

F

ORMER Vice President Atiku Abubakar has described the death of Dim Ojukwu, as another colossal loss to Nigeria at a time of strenuous efforts for unity and reconciliation.

In a condolence message issued in Abuja by his media office, Atiku said Ojukwu’s role as a key actor in Nigeria’s political development cannot be easily forgotten.

He said Ojukwu was a

tremendously respected and influential politician whose endorsement was frequently needed by others to build their political careers adding:”Because of his tremendous influence on the hearts and minds of the people, the late Ojukwu was an icon in every sense of the word. Even if you disagreed with the Ikemba, you cannot ignore his father-figure stature and colossal influence.”

Aregbesola: He was a fighter

O

SUN State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, has described the death of Ojukwu as a great loss to Anambra and the nation.

In a statement by his spokesman Semiu Okanlawon, Aregbesola said Ojukwu was a fighter who cannot be forgotten easily for all he had done for the advancement of his people in the Nigerian state.

Aregbesola, while extolling the virtues of the Ikemba of Nnewi, stated that Ojukwu lived his entire live fighting for the development of his people which was evident in 1944 when he was briefly incarcerated for assaulting a white British colonial teacher who humiliated a black woman at the King’s College in Lagos.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY NOVEMBER 27, 2011

News

6

CHUKWUEMEKA ODUMEGWU-OJUKWU (1933 -- 2011)

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T long last, after series of unfounded rumours and insinuations about his death, especially within the past one year, revered exwarlord, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, the Ikemba of Nnewi, finally bowed out of the earth yesterday. It was after eventful 78 years, 22 days.

It was without doubt, the end of an era in the annals of not only Nigeria in its entirety, but that of the Igbo people for whom he lived and toiled until the cold hands of death finally caught him pants down after a protracted illness.

The ex-warlord did not just rise one day to become an enigma. At a tender age of 11, he had begun to exude elements of a steely personality that later turned a template of his lifestyle. It was in 1944, when he reportedly gave one of his school masters, an English man, a dirty slap.

In 1952, his father, Sir Louis Odumegwu Ojukwu, a Hope Waddell Institute educatedparliamentarian in Nigeria’s First Republic, who obviously wanted the best for him, sent him to Oxford University to study law. Of course, he must have chuckled within him. He left. But rather than heed his father’s instruction, he opted for History!

Not a few in his ilk would jump at an offer to take over his father’s vast businesses. But no; Ojukwu embraced administration in the Civil Defence. It was at Udi in the present Enugu State where he was District Officer. From there, in 1957, he sprang another surprise as he joined the Nigerian Army and was posted to the Army Depot, Zaria. Thus, he became the first graduate soldier in the country. Then, all his father could do was to siddon look, hoping that some day, young Ojukwu would come back to his senses.

However, he had barely spent four years when he scored another first. Having been promoted a Major, he became the first Nigerian soldier to attend the Joint Service Staff College (JSSC), England. And in 1964 as a Lieutenant Colonel, again he made history as the first indigenous Quarter MasterGeneral of the Nigerian Army.

His duty was to command the fifth Battalion in Kano till 1966 when he became the military governor of the old Eastern Region.

The patriotism in him came to the fore in the fallout of the January 15, 1966 coup de tat that consumed the former Premier

Rebel, soldier, leader

By Dada Aladelokun, Assistant Editor

of the North, Sir Ahmadu Bello and Prime Minister Sir Tafawa Balewa. Then the Ibos were being ruthlessly killed in the northern part of the country.

Naturally, the spirit of Ojukwu revolted against the development. He therefore asked his embattled people to leave the North for safety back home. Consequently, he declared a state of Biafra over the Eastern Region on July 30, 1967 and became the ‘Head of State and Commander-inChief.’

The evolving scenarios made finding urgent solution to the crisis a desideratum.

Consequently, meetings were held upon meetings in and outside the country. Such efforts later led to what is now known as the Aburi Accord in Ghana. But Ojukwu, a man of principle, remained intransigent owing to a misconception by the federal government. “On Aburi we stand,” he had proclaimed.

Ensuing developments later precipitated the civil war that upset the entire nation between 1967 and 1970. At a point, Ojukwu could not stand the pressures being mounted by the federal troops who succeeded in capturing some areas in the Eastern region.

Eventually, he fled to Cote d’ Ivoire where he was in hibernation for 13 years.

His sojourn in exile came to a close on June 18, 1982 when he returned into the country amid heroic welcome. It was after earning a state pardon from the Alhaji Shehu Shagariled government.

Observers were quick to read political meanings to the pardon. Alas, they were proved right when Ojukwu joined the National Party of Nigeria (NPN). Not a few who had thought he would pitch his tent with the Nnamdi Azikiweled Nigeria Peoples Party (NPP) were shell-shocked.

Those who had expected him to join the NPP to give the East an electoral advantage went indignant, pouring all sorts of vituperations on the warrior. To them, NPP was enjoying absolute loyalty of Igbo people. However, such virulent tongue-lashing meant nothing to him. He firmly stood his ground.

It did not take eternity for him to find himself in a maze of intrigues in the party. His

•Ojukwu enigmatic influence failed to work for him as he was rigged out in an election where he lost a senate seat to a relatively obscure Dr. Edwin Onwudiwe.

Onwudiwe was then a commissioner in Governor Jim Nwobodo’s cabinet.

Even back home, troubles continued to mount for him.

For instance, he was not allowed access to his father’s house located at 25, Queens Drive, Ikoyi, Lagos. His offence: Waging a rebellion against the government.

With unflinching support

by Nigerians and the series of legal battles that followed, he got the property back. His military pension which was also among of the conditions for the state pardon he was given didn’t come until 41 years after the end of the civil war.

Ever since, on national issues, his voice had always been that of the entire Igbo people who saw in him a dependable leader.

Spurred by his readiness to contribute his quota to national development, Ojukwu threw his hat into the nation’s political ring again in 2003 with the birth of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). He became the party’s flag bearer and his bid was to become the president of the country through the presidential election held that year. He lost the bid.

He was an iconic figure - Amaechi

T

HE Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), Rotimi Amaechi, has described Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, as an iconic national figure and a man full of courage.

He said the contributions of the Ikemba Nnewi to the nation, in spite of the civil war, could not be overemphasised.

Amaechi, who is also the Governor of Rivers State, expressed sadness over the death of the Biafran warlord.

The NGF chairman, in a statement by his spokesman, David Iyofor, stated that the

Ikemba would be greatly missed. He said: “Ojukwu had strong leadership skills, a fighter with the heart of the

people and his opinions kept the nation on its feet. In politics, he was a key player and would definitely be missed by many.”

Our leader is gone, say APGA

T

HE All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), the party that Ojukwu identified with as its National Leader described his death as “the news most Igbo have been very scared to receive in the past eleven months.”

National chairman Chief Victor Umeh said: “Our Great Leader has gone back to the Lord the party lack words to describe our grief at this

moment but we give all thanks to God for this rare gift of a human being who lived an uncommon life of selfless service to humanity.”

Umeh said “Igbo will mourn Ojukwu in a very different way,’’ adding that his death has put the Igbo in a situation he likened to the Israelites when they lost Moses while they were on their way to the Promised Land.

Those that are close to the ex-Biafran leader are always quick to mention contentment as one of his cardinal virtues.

When an interviewer once addressed him as Chief, he reportedly replied, emphasising: “I am not a Chief; it rhymes with thief.”

Ojukwu’s father, Sir Ojukwu, was not only a business mogul, he was reportedly the richest man in Nigeria while he lived.

History has it that he was also pioneer president of the Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE).

Besides being the president of the African Continental Bank (ACB), Ojukwu senior was said to be on the boards of most of the big British companies in Nigeria in his time. But all that did not get into younger Ojukwu’s head because he believed in himself. as a Master‘s Degree in History.

But Ojukwu would downplay these academic acquisitions, and tell you that “Education is not elitism, education actually, to me, is more a question of sharpening one’s choices and consciousness. The value in it is the effect one has on one’s people.”

A multilingual, Ojukwu is a hugely talented being who can speak various Nigerian languages. Renowned English

author Frederick Forsyth once recollected his encounter with him on air en route Nigeria that Ojukwu freely cracked jokes and interacted with all the delegations sent to receive him in Yoruba, Hausa and Igbo languages. He also reportedly interacted fluently in French language with the Ivorian delegation sent by his host, the late President Félix Houphouët-Boigny of Ivory Coast. Perhaps not many know that Ojukwu learnt how to speak Yoruba language first before his own native Igbo.

How did little Ojukwu grow to the defender of the weak against injustice and oppression the like? Reports say it dates back to when he was only 11. He paid dearly for it as he was briefly imprisoned by the colonialists for assaulting a British colonial teacher, who had humiliated a black woman at King’s College, Lagos.

Local newspapers fed fat on the incident.

Again, at age of 13 at Epsom College in Surrey, United Kingdom, where a naughty white boy caused Ojukwu’s African accent to amuse his colleagues who burst into wild laughter.

One day, he was on his way to the chapel when he heard

one of them call him “monkey’. Another student shoved him, making his books to scatter on the floor. Little did the boy realise that he was scratching his nose with cobra’s head. Ojukwu beat him black and blue, forcing the boy into a three-day tenancy on the hospital bed.

Quite unbelievably, Ojukwu was among his colleagues who were ultimately at the boy’s bedside to wish him quick recovery.

Alas, they later became friends again!

Ojukwu, who was born on November 4, 1933 in Zungeru, thus sharing the same month and home town with the late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, first Nigerian president, tried unsuccessfully to ensure a better Nigeria, especially all in the interest of his kinsmen - the Igbo people.

His delectable wife, Bianca, a University of Nigeria Nsukka-educated lawyer and daughter of a former Anambra State governor, the late Christian C. Onoh, once attested to his love for Igbo people in an interview.

“Ojukwu does nothing other than live and breathe the Igbo cause. Sometimes he would hear of some injustice somewhere and he would stay awake all night, trying to find how it can be redressed.... Any time an Igbo man suffers any form of injustice, it makes his blood boil, even in situations when he feels helpless,” Bianca, an ex-beauty queen was quoted as saying.

Also, Anambra State Governor Peter Obi once described him as “a unique personality that will always advise on what will be for the good of the Igbos without seeking, as many other people do, his entitlements or any form of gratification.”

“The last thing he said to me was to remain an Igbo man in all its ramifications and to continue to do whatever is possible for the ultimate good of Igbo people without expectation of payment, but out of love for the Igbos.”

Before boarding the Biafran-built aircraft that took him to exile then, the American Newsweek quoted him to have sworn thus: “Whilst I live, Biafra lives.”

Now, the falcon has finally flown away, thus putting the lid on his eventful life which for long, will remain a human reference point for historians.

Ancestral home mourns

Continued from page 4

adding that since he was flown to London , Ndigbo had been praying for him.

“We are sad that he has finally left us, everywhere in Nnewi is quiet, Igboland will not be the same again without Ojukwu” Etiaba said.

Former President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Dr Dozie Ikedife though, did not confirm or deny the death of Ojukwu, adding that the family has not said anything yet but all we know is that he has been sick.

However, he described Ojukwu as an Igbo leader adding that a vacuum has been created in Igboland.

Ojukwu’s younger brother who runs an eatery

business in Nnewi, Emmanuel Somto Ojukwu, said “God giveth and God taketh” adding that it was a sad news.

Also, the member representing Anaocha, Njikoka, Dunukofia federal constituency in Anambra State , Chief Uche Ekwunife said that the people of Anambra State had lost the finest of Igbo extraction.

According to her “A rare gem, a selfless and patriotic Nigerian, a nationalist whose principles are unequalled, Dim Ojukwu would be remembered for his brevity, commitment, sincerity of purpose and most

importantly his undiluted love for his people”.

Senator Chris Ngige of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) representing Anambra Central, said he was short of words.

He described Ojukwu as the leader of all leaders whose love for Ndigbo was unquantifiable.

Ngige, who was moody over the demise of the Igbo icon, said that the people of South East have lost another person in the mould of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

The Senator said that Ojukwu would be hard to be replaced not only in Igboland but the entire Nigeria .

News

THE NATION ON SUNDAY NOVEMBER 27, 2011

7

CHUKWUEMEKA ODUMEGWU-OJUKWU 1933 - 2011

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O V E R N O R Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State has described the death of Odumegwu Ojukwu as a big loss to him personally and to Nigerians generally.

He expressed his condolences during an interview with journalists at Lagos House, Marina. He said, “Though, we knew his health had been poor, one still expected a miracle from somebody whose image was as large as who he was as the Ikemba Nnewi”.

It’s a big loss to Nigeria - Fashola He wished the family God’s guidance and protection and also sent his heartfelt sympathies to his wife and children adding: “We know it is painful at a time like this when our nation is in dire needs of leadership and it rankles very deep to see leadership icons like Chief Odumegwu Ojukwu exit the stage”.

“These are very challenging times globally and for Nigeria. It is not a good time to lead as I have always said and this is the time for this generation to

step up its game, step up its act and try to surpass the achievements of this great men who with courage and determination and a clear sense of purpose articulated

CHUKWUEMEKA ODUMEGWUOJUKWU 1933 - 2011

what they thought was a very good vision for the prosperity of this nation”.

The governor on behalf of the government and people of Lagos State

expressed his very sincere condolences to the Ojukwu family, to the people of Nnewi, the government and people of Anambra and the Igbo nation at large.

Yakowa, ACF mourn From Tony Akowe, Kaduna

G

OVERNOR Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa of Kaduna State and the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) said the death of Ojukwu was a great national loss.

Also, the former governor of the state, Abubakar Dangiwa Umar described the late Ojukwu as a great soldier and patriot who stood for fairness and justice.

In a statement signed by the Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Media and Publicity, Reuben Buhari, he expressed shock over the demise of the former Biafran warlord.

According to him, Ojukwu’s “love for equity, justice and fairness will always stand him out as one of the greatest personalities in modern Nigeria.” While commiserating with the family and all Nigerians on the loss, Yakowa called on the late Ojukwu’s family to celebrate his life in view of his numerous achievements and the fact that he lived a fulfilled life.

On its part, the northern socio-political organisation, ACF said it received the news of the death of the death with heavy heart and pray God to grant his family, his friends and people and government

of Anambra State the strength and courage to bear this heavy loss.

According to the ACF, Chief Ojukwu was a seminal figure in Nigeria. To some,he was a symbol of patriotic courage who went as far as efforts could go to fight for his people who wanted their burden lifted and barriers to realizing their rights broken.

Col Umar described him as a great man, saying “I had a lot of respect for the late Ikemba . I remember in 1986, I invited him to Kaduna as one of the important guests at the launching of Kaduna State peoples reorientation campaign. This goes a long way to show the kind of respect I have for the late Ikemba” Also, the former governor of Kaduna State, Alhaji Balarabe Musa said “Nigeria has lost somebody who could unite the country.

Ojukwu played a noble role in putting rebellion against Nigeria aside when he returned from exile. Instead of reviving the Biafra grievances, he decided to steer clear. “ Senator Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi said, “He (Ojukwu) had remained symbol of reconciliation and accommodation until his death. May his soul rest in peace”.

•L-R: Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Professor Cyril Asiabaka and Executive Director, Public Sector (South), First Bank of Nigeria Plc, Mr. U.K. Eke during the presentation of laptops donated to the institution by the bank in Owerri…recently

How Ojukwu’s health waned before his death

I

KEMBA Nnewi, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu aged with grace and dignity. As a soldier in the Nigerian Army and as a Biafran warlord, he enjoyed a stable health.

However, his health began to wane in July 2007. It was the major health scare he ever had.

It happened at the thanksgiving mass of his god-son, Governor Peter

•What experts say about stroke

By Wale Adepoju

Obi of Anambra State at the Basillica of the Holy Trinity in Onitsha. During the service he collapsed.

He was said to have slumped at about 11:30am.

It was one of the officiating ministers who delivered the homily, Justin Cardinal Regali of

In his own words

*‘‘I have no fear that if what Nigeria comes out with from the National Conference is not exactly what we Ndigbo want, we may talk about secession.

We do not want to break up Nigeria but if you treat us as a goat, we will behave like a goat, even like a he-goat.’’ *‘‘You may say from my reaction that I’m angry with Nigeria- Yes! I am. I am! I am!! I am!!! Why? I think time is slipping pass my hands. There’s so much that can be done if we get together round a table and all of us discuss. ’’ *‘‘Let’s not play with words. At the end of the war, there was no victor, no vanquished.

Our experience since then is there have been victors and there have been vanquished.’’ *‘‘By taking this action, I believe that we can all

claim to close that saddest chapter of our national history consistent with our determination to build a united, harmonious, stable and prosperous nation.’’ *‘‘The Anambra problem is straight forward, Obasanjo has made the state his theatre for war. He thinks that Ndigbo derive their leadership from Anambra people. I felt proud about that as an Anambra person but he should learn a little bit more.’’ *‘‘The only thing is that Anambra people are more outright and outspoken, When they don’t like something they say it. For that reason they say Anambra you can’t know peace.’’ *‘‘The present INEC chairman should be put in prison. He is corrupt’’ — quote on Iwu 2007

*‘‘When you have death knocking at your door, you have only two alternatives, either you allow your head to be chopped off or you fight back. I am happy, proud of the fact that we (the Igbo) chose to fight back. That is what we did for as long as we could.’’ *‘‘Let me make this point very clear: the whole notion of confederacy is defined in every dictionary or every political science book, as a system of staying together. It has never been defined as a system of breaking up.’’ *‘‘I don’t know the meaning of true federalism, I don’t know if there is one that is bad federalism. I don’t know all the various terms that have been coming up, peculiar to Nigeria because these things are not defined.’’ *‘‘There is no armed robbery worse than the

armed robbery of government. They have stolen positions and they are in a position of such great advantage.’’ *‘‘At the end of the war, there was propaganda of No Victor No vanquished but today I tell you we (Igbo) are the vanquished.’’ *‘‘I do not subscribe to self help in matter of security but since nature abhors vacuum, Nigerians should not be blamed for embracing these militants groups.’’ *‘‘I shall be 70. I don’t know whether I really have anything to celebrate. I have not made up my mind what to do, if it is necessary.

Do I celebrate servitude? Do I celebrate slavery? Do I celebrate rape of democracy? Can I celebrate the castration of the Igbo people? I am not sure of celebration.’’

Philadelphia along with the Red Cross and other medical personnel at the premises that revived him.

Rather than return home, he opted to remain in the church, insisting he had the strength tosit through the service. After the programme, he was taken to Waterside Hospital in Onitsha. Since then it as one visit or another to the hospital.

In 2010, he stayed in the hospital for about seven months receiving treatment for an undisclosed ailment.

Last December, Odumegwu-Ojukwu he was diagnosed with cerebral vascular accident which is commonly known as a stroke.

He was flown out of the country to London in an air ambulance within days for advanced treatment in a world class medical facility.

It was clear that doctors at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) Enugu, where he received treatment for four days could no longer handle his case.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu was then being attended to by experts to save his life.

A reliable source, said the doctors at the hospital where he was flown to, identified his age as a barrier to his recovery.

After his discharge from the hospital, he was taken to a rehabilitation centre where he had physiotherapy and speech therapy sessions in readiness for his return to Nigeria.

But that was not to be, as he finally bowed to death yesterday at the age of 78.

Former Chairman, Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Lagos State Branch, Dr Adedamola Dada identified hypertension, poorly controlled diabetes, obesity as predisposing factors that trigger strokes.

He said a stroke can be hemorrhagic or ischemic, with the former occuring when a weakened blood vessel ruptures while the latter occurs when a blood vessel is blocked usually by a blood clot. “The blood clot automatically stops blood from brain, and brain cells suffer from lack of nutrients and oxygen that they would normally get in ischemic stroke,” he added.

On age as a cause, he said: “Age is not part of the factors that cause stroke.”

A Senior Medical Officer and a General Practitioner (GP), Dr Tajudeen Salau said Odumegwu-Ojukwu’s age might not really be the predisposing factor.

“Why? Younger people who are not of his age may come down with stroke,” he added.

8

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2011

News

CHUKWUEMEKA ODUMEGWU-OJUKWU (1933 -- 2011)

A

LL’s well that ends well. This could sum up the life and times of Chief C h u k w u e m e k a Odumegwu-Ojukwu, the late Commander-in-Chief of the Biafran Armed Forces. He is remembered by many as the man who led the30-month Biafran secession bid. The man cannot be reduced to the attempted breakaway. He was a military man, a military governor and a leader of the people.

Towards the end of his life, Ojukwu tried to carve a niche for himself on the political field.

The political journey started in 1982. Following pardon by former President Shehu Shagari, he was received in Lagos on June 18, 1982, about 12 and a half years after he fled Nigeria just before the civil war ended.

Immediately he returned, Ojukwu plunged into the murky waters of partisan politics. He was enrolled in the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) and obtained the ticket to contest the 1983 senatorial election.

Nnewi where he hails from was part of old Anambra State, a stronghold of the Nigerian Peoples Party, (NPP). In power in the state was Chief Jim Nwobodo, while the legendary Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, from Onitsha, was not just the leader but

The man and his politics

By Bolade Omonijo, Group Political Editor

the moving spirit behind the party. Dr. Edwin Onwudiwe who was N w o b o d o ’ s Commissioner for Health, was the NPP candidate, thus the man nominated to do political battle with Ojukwu.

A lot happened in the period between Ojukwu’s return from exile and the 1983 election. Efforts were made to build up his profile by the award of traditional titles. He was installed the Ikemba Nnewi by his immediate community. He acquired another title, Dikedioramma Ndigbo.

The result of the election showed that polls are not won by the number of titles.

Onwudiwe trounced the former warlord at the poll even when the NPN overran Anambra State in the general elections. Some political historians have said that NPN deliberately sacrificed Ojukwu because they could not fathom how to handle Ojukwu if he ended in the senate of the Second Republic.

Shortly after the Third Republic journey was terminated, Ojukwu emerged one of those sent to the General Abacha C o n s t i t u t i o n a l

•Ojukwu with former APGA Chairman, Chief Chekwas Okorie at a political meeting.

Conference. There, he made his mark. He spoke for the Igbo, stood for restructuring of the federation. Alongside Dr. Alex Ekwueme, the Second Republic Vice President, Ojukwu sought a return of Nigeria to a true federation. He argued for restoration of the pride of Nigerians.

His contributions were forthright, courageous and deep.

At the inception of the Fourth Republic, the late Chief Ojukwu teamed up with like-minded men to start the All peoples Party.

He found in Dr. Olusola Saraki, Chief Tom Ikimi, the late Lamidi Adedibu, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Dr. Ezekiel Izuogu, the late Chief Sam Mbakwe political soul mates who could change Nigeria along defined lines. The experiment failed when the party was defeated at the 1999 polls.

Most of the men moved into the winning party.

But Ojukwu soldiered on. The first indication that the man who had been made the chairman of the Board of Trustees of the

APP would be fighting an unorthodox battle came when he was purportedly expelled from the party by the Senator Mahmud Waziri-led National Executive Committe shortly after the 1999 election. He, saraki and IKimi were said to be involved in anti-party activities. Ojukwu merely had a hearty laughter since Waziri, by the APP constitution, lacked the power to do so. He tagged along until 2002 when he joined others to found the All progressives Grand

The general as ladies’ man

D

ESPITE his famed reputation as a nononsense man, Dim Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu was widely acknowledged as a ladies’ man. That he had a soft spot for women is like stating the obvious. As one of Nigeria’s most famous men, women got easily attracted to Ojukwu, as bees are attracted to honey.

The late politician, in his lifetime, loved women, beautiful women. And they also loved him in return.

That many women wanted to have relationships with Ojukwu was understandable. He had many things going for him.

First, he came from a wealthy background, with a father that was adjudged as one of Nigeria’s most richest man in the 50’s and 60’s; secondly, he was a highly polished man, whose impeccable manners was quite outstanding; thirdly, Ojukwu received the best education from the prestigious Oxford University, UK, and lastly, he was an officer of the Nigerian Army, an elite profession.

First married to Njideka, a native of Nawfia, a town near Awka in Anambra State in the late 50’s, the marriage collapsed shortly after the late Biafran leader

•Ojukwu at the traditional wedding ceremony when he married Bianca in Enugu

relocated to the then Ivory Coast (now Cote de Ivoire) after the Biafran uprising was crushed by the Federal Government.

First married to a Ghanian, Dr. Brodi Mends, for whom she bore a child named Iriaku, Njideka attended St. Monika, Onitsha and later Archdeacon Crowder Memorial Girls School, Elelenwo, Port Harcourt in Rivers State, Njideka and Ojukwu met through their fathers who were friends and business partners.

After their first encounter, they met again three years later at a tube station in London. A

relationship ensued soon after wards and culminated in a marriage, which produced three children, two of whom were named Emeka (Jnr) and Okigbo.

In an extensive interview with THE NATION three years ago, Njideka had described Ojukwu thus: “He is just a very kind man, very polite, not intrusive. He cared less about what happens in the kitchen; he just settles for whatever you offered him.

He respected me and my opinion a lot. Later when the children get across to him, he would ask them what my opinion was on issues and I loved him

immensely in return.’’

Another woman in Ojukwu’s life was Victoria, whom he met during his sojourn in Cote de Ivoire.

They were married till the early 80’s when Ojukwu was granted a state pardon by the then Nigeria’s president, Alhaji Usman Aliyu Shehu Shagari.

Then came the turn of another beautiful woman, Stella Onyeador, the elder sister of society woman, Angela Onyeador, who reportedly lived with Ojukwu for about 10 years before the union collapsed irretrievably in the mid80’s.

But the most celebrated

of Ojukwu’s liaisons with women was with former beauty queen, former Bianca Onoh. The duo met in 1988 at Bianca’s father, Chief Christian Onoh’s house in Enugu. According to reports, Ojukwu had paid a visit to Onoh in his country home during which he was struck by the young woman’s impeccable beauty.

Sometimes in 1992 when a soft sell magazine had published a scoop on the romance between Ojukwu and Bianca, the two concerned parties denied the story. But after the magazine came out with incontrovertible evidence of the romance, all hell broke loose. Bianca’s father, a former governor of old Anambra State allegedly severed ties with Ojukwu and threatened to disown his daughter.

The consequences for Bianca came in torrents.

First, she was stripped of her crown as the then reigning Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN) in 1993.Worse still, she was ostracized by her immediate family. But Bianca stood her ground.

Two years later, she got formally married to the man fondly called the Eze Gburugburu of Igboland by admirers in a society wedding that was the talk of town for several months.

The marriage produced four children.

Alliance (APGA). He was rewarded with the presidential election ticket and ended up in the sixth position with a paltry 155,000 votes, trailing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) even in Igbo land.

However, in his Anambra State, his party won the governorship election. The General in Ojukwu came to the fore when he encouraged Obi to fight the injustice of being denied hard-won victory. It took three years to finally reclaim the seat, but it was sweet. The credit went to Obi, Ojukwu and APGA. The old soldier, at 74 in 2007, was not tired. He was again presented with the party’s flag to fight the presidential election. At the time, it was obvious that APGA was not really in the race. Ojukwu’s health was already failing and his political voice was no more so audible.

Predictably, he lost, thus finally sealing all hope that he could ever rule Nigeria.

He, however, continued as the National Leader and Symbol of APGA. He retained his official position as Chairman of the Board of Trustees and signified that he would back Obi to the hilt in the 2010 governorship election. APGA won.

Giving reasons for the establishment of APGA, Ojukwu told a television audience in 2007: “If you are ever going to be the president of Nigeria and are an Igbo man, your chances would be better in an Igbo party. The point is that APGA was formed to protect Igbo interest and pursue it.”

History has not been kind to people who have such narrow conception of power or the path to the great office of the Chief Executive of Nigeria. The presidency can only be attained by partnership between at least two of the major ethnic groups. Even the formidable Northern Peoples Congress (NPC) of the First Republic was unable to form government all by itself.

Before he took ill and was flown out in December last year, Ojukwu had entreated the Anambra electorate to do him the last favour of voting in Obi for a second term. He campaigned despite the debilitating factors of old age and ill health.

Yesterday, the curtains were drawn, Ojukwu’s deeds were frozen. The man, born in Zungeru, Niger State in 1933 bowed out of the earthly stage.

Long after his death, his marks on the Nigerian political wall would remain indelible.

Later, in 1996, he moved for another, Ezeigbo gburugburu. That was to stir controversy as other Igbo leaders kicked.

It has always been said that Igbo nweze (that is the Igbo have no kings). The title had no precedence. It was custom made for the enigmatic Ojukwu.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY NOVEMBER 27, 2011

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY NOVEMBER 27, 2011

COMMENT and ANALYSIS

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2011

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

Weep not for Farida It will take more than one sensational sacking to revive anti-graft war

lotufodunrin@yahoo.com 08050498530 (SMS only)

In times like these

F

ARIDA Waziri’s tenure at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was always bound to end in tears. She was handed the nearimpossible task of outdoing a man who had created the Commission in his own image – and she joyfully accepted.

As though the bar was not already high enough, it was her lot to work with two presidents whose temperament and willpower were markedly different from that of President Olusegun Obasanjo – the EFCC’s original promoter – who was only too glad to push the Commission as far as he could in pursuit of his political wars.

Those were the days when Obasanjo, infuriated by the snail pace of the judicial process, simply jumped in front of television cameras to speed things up by announcing the arrest and imminent trial of the then Senate President Adolphus Wabara, and a couple of others on corruption charges. Due process be damned!

Today, in spite of widespread charges that he engaged in selective prosecutions approved by his master, many still regard the Nuhu Ribadu period as a golden era of sorts.

What they forget is that anything Ribadu did would have rated as a success given that nothing like the EFCC ever existed before; there was nothing to compare his performance to.

Waziri’s task was further complicated by the manner in which the authorities effected the removal of his predecessor. It was clear from the word go that President Umaru Yar’Adua and his crew were not comfortable with Ribadu, and wanted him out of their hair as quickly as possible.

Even our foreign partners were mystified as to why there was such an unholy hurry to get rid of a fellow who seemed to be doing a fairly decent job of corralling thieves in high places, and hauling them off to gaol.

When the then Inspector-General of Police, Mike Okiro, was not plotting to shuffle him off to the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Jos, the new Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Michael Aondoakaa, was trying his level best to put the uppity Ribadu in his place.

Aondoakaa’s totally unnecessary attempt to pull rank on the EFCC boss, by demanding that all prosecutions be cleared from the AG’s office, further confirmed to observers within and without that Obasanjo’s successors had better things to do than fight a war against graft.

It was into this polluted pond that Madame Waziri was dumped and expected to thrive. Already battling perception problems, the only thing she could have done that would have caused people to adjudge her a success would have been to jail a thieving president.

In the end it was not surprising that her record – shorn of the statistical smoke and mirrors tricks – was so underwhelming. It is equally no surprise that despite the unfair

Lekan Otufodunrin

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•Waziri

odds she had to battle against, there are not too many people weeping at her bed side over her fall.

The reality is that anyone who takes up the EFCC job under present terms is setting himself up for an unpleasant crash to earth.

For one thing, the notion that the commission’s chairman has any real independence is pure fiction. May be where those involved are small fry they act with total freedom. But where the prosecution involves heavyweights like former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole, depend on it that Aso Rock has to be carried along.

A system rife with such executive interference allows the EFCC boss – a presidential appointee – no room to breathe.

In such circumstances it is unfair to only blame either a Ribadu or Waziri for falling short. The president should take some of the flak because the final decisions to move against the big fish would definitely be passed by him.

Before any so-called anti-graft effort can be taken serious in this country, the existing structure must be sorted out. Government spokesmen have said Waziri’s sacking is the herald of sweeping reforms. We pray so.

I dare say, however, these reforms will not achieve much if they focus mainly on mode of appointment and sacking of EFCC bosses, without dealing with the more fundamental problem of societal attitude towards corruption.

Nigerians have fought sundry wars: the bloody four-year civil war, the bloodless but short-lived War Against Indiscipline (WAI) and some others of which the less said the better. But in spite of our apparent warlike ways we just can’t seem to work up an appetite for a war against corruption.

“Nigerians have fought sundry wars: the bloody four-year civil war, the bloodless but short-lived War Against Indiscipline (WAI) and some others of which the less said the better.

But in spite of our apparent warlike ways we just can’t seem to work up an appetite for a war against corruption”

The first bill Obasanjo sent to the National Assembly when he took office in 1999 was a tough anti-corruption legislation that would have empowered the emergent agency to seize assets, bug phones of suspects in the manner of a similar body in Singapore.

On the ground that the bill encroached on civil liberties, the freshly-minted Fourth Republic National Assembly carved out all the teeth in the jaw of the bill – leaving the hollow shell that exists today.

The lack of enthusiasm for the anti-graft fight is not something limited to government circles alone. Our contemporary culture actively encourages those who go into public serve to help themselves to as much loot as they can lay hands on.

I recall a senior friend who was made a minister by one of the military regimes of the 90s, regaling us with tales of how some of his close associates pointedly warned him not to come to them for handouts after leaving office, if he failed to take care of himself now he had the opportunity!

Federal legislators are regularly excoriated for their generous pay packets, but not much is heard of the pressures that have driven them to settle themselves so creatively.

A man wins election into the Senate or House, and the next day 20 people from his constituency show up uninvited at his Abuja residence to “greet” him. They would spend the next two weeks “greeting” him. At the end of the elaborate “greeting trip” he has to finance their return to wherever they came from – all from his bottomless pocket.

Before any appointee can succeed in the EFCC chair and similar positions, there has to be a national consensus on whether we really want to fight graft. Alternatively, that agreement could be at the level of the president and the political elite that the time to act has come.

One simple action that would send out the right signals would be the amendment of existing immunity provisions in the constitution such that they are limited to providing cover for beneficiary political office holders for civil suits only. They would no longer be shielded from corruption and other criminal prosecutions.

That simple step could burst the bubble that deludes a category of citizens who just because they find themselves in office for a period, begin to think they are no longer accountable to anyone and can do just as they please.

HE last Thursday of November is marked annually as Thanksgiving Day in the United States. In Canada, it is on a Monday in October. The Day is also observed in some other countries including Liberia for various reasons which historically have to do with thanking God for one thing or the other.

Though the countries are not as religious as they used to be, the essence of the Day is still not totally lost on many of their citizens.

This is one Day I would have loved that we observe in Nigeria but we already have too many holidays in a year to advocate another. Even without a designated Day, Nigerians have many reasons for thanksgiving not only at the end of the year but also everyday.

From one crisis to the other we have managed to remain a united nation. It has taken God to keep the average Nigerian going in the face of daunting economic challenges. For the average Nigerian, surviving everyday is a miracle as the government at all levels appear helpless and sometimes clueless.

More than ever before, security has become a big issue with the endless Boko Haram attacks in the Northern part of the country. This has pushed us into the category of countries where terrorists hold sway.

Armed robbers have become very daring and now attack at will in daylight, carting away millions from bank vaults and killing innocent customers. The unemployment level in the country keeps rising and it is frightening the future consequence of having many jobless youths on the streets due to no fault of theirs but lack of foresight by successive governments.

However, as the Bible states, in all things – good times and bad times – we must learn to thank God for what he has done and what we still expect him to do. But for God, the situation in the country could have been worse and only divine intervention can rescue us from our present situation.

US President Barrack Obama quoted the right scripture for times like these during the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 bombing.

Psalm 46: 1 which he quoted says, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in time of trouble”.

As we join the Americans in marking the thanksgiving session, we need to, as President Goodluck Jonathan advised during his recent birthday, pray that God will take control of the situation in the country.

Our leaders need wisdom and understanding to solve the numerous problems confronting us. We also as citizens need to be more discerning in choosing our leaders.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY NOVEMBER 27, 2011

Comment & Analysis

12

Africa and the tidings of war The transient whims of rich nations are the permanent burdens of the poor ones

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EALTH and power are their own recompense but poverty turns a noble man against himself. For centuries, this aphorism has been the operative motif in Africa’s relationship with the West. It still is.

Apart from the theatres of war in the Near East and Central Asia, Africa is the most dangerous place in the world. Parts of North Africa, most of the Horn of Africa and a swath of East and Central Africa lay under the tent of war.

In North Africa, Libya fights itself despite as well as because of Gaddafi’s exit.

The rebels were forged together by their desire to oust Gaddafi. With his erasure, their unity has been exposed for the forgery it is; the glue that bound them has been eroded by the acridity of their latent rivalries. They will be lunging at each other for some time to come. As this column predicted months ago, the earlier revolt in Egypt was misdirected and would have to be revisited. The people wanted democratic freedom but Mubarak’s ouster was the demand of their petition. The protestors thought the two were synonymous. They were not. Just as the forced retirement of a CEO does not upend a well established firm, Mubarak’s dunking would not alter the military’s hold on power.

This is particularly true since the protestors themselves naively asked the military to retain its grip. Upon this request, the Generals smiled like hyenas after a romp. They were keen on sending Mubarak to pasture. This was akin to asking a criminal syndicate to turn pristine simply because its Don went on holiday. Now the people understand the system, not the symbolic head of it, is the great obstacle. The very army they lionized a few months ago is now recognized as the barrier. The control the army seeks over the electoral process and other aspects of the political economy demonstrates the gener-

By Brian Browne

als are not going to relinquish their high estate without resistance. The real test of wills begins. The February protests were but a mild foretaste of what is now upon Egypt. Already, the few days of protests in late November tolled more deaths and have been grimmer than their February progenitors. Gone are the songs and festive spirit of those earlier protests which were collectively a courageous but mostly errant toss in the dark. The light is now lit; protestors see where they went wrong. They are angry at having been duped while the army is adamant about retaining control of the Egyptian state under the façade of representative elections. Thereupon rests the crux of the matter. The will of one or the other side must be broken as both cannot be compensated.

Egypt writhes in protest today. Things can farther detour into a more serious, combative unrest that takes Egypt down the path Yemen and Syria travel.

Meanwhile, the Horn of Africa has become an albatross unto itself. Functionally, Djibouti is nothing more than an American airbase with indigent locals squatting around the foreign installations wondering what is going on and hoping to grab hold of a few dollars falling from the pockets of the American soldiers. This is a sophisticated form of occupation. Next door, Somalia is a den of war. The majority of Somalians have spent the majority of their lives in war. The destruction visited on this people has been Apocalyptic in proportion. Cities have been reduced to rubble and the farmland to a dusty wasteland punctuated by gusts of hot wind.

Violence is the way of life; thus life is death in Somalia.

Ethiopia’s President Meles, once seen as a progressive leader, now seems to have left progress behind. This man of great ability has allowed power to beguile his intellect.

He is the leader he once detested. Riding roughshod over his political opposition at home, he has joined league with the West in militarizing the Horn under cover of the purported war of democracy against terrorism in Somalia. That Meles is no more democratic than a Russian czar is of little consequence. Because he has pitched against terrorism, his name is writing in red, white and blue in the American good book. Meles backs the weak pro-western government against al Shabaab, the extreme Somalian jihadists with links to Al Qaeda. In exchange, the Americans have made the once progressive Meles the second largest beneficiary of US military assistance on the continent. Only Egypt receives more. Whenever they want a pliant African voice at fora like the G-20, Meles is the hired hand notwithstanding the limited scale of the Ethiopian economy.

Meles adroitly seeks to use the war against terror to camouflage his own designs. He wants to increase his influence in the region while pressuring former ally, Eritrea’s President Isaias, now the reviled archenemy. As such, Meles dreams of establishing for his land-locked nation an alternative route to the sea via Somalia. Ethiopia was dependent on Eritrea for access to the ocean. However, Ethiopia currently uses overland routes to the sea through fellow American proxy, Djibouti. Still, access to the port of Mogadishu and influence in the nation surrounding that post would suit the ambitious Meles quite fine, thus reducing his dependence on any one nation for his access to ocean-going trade. Moreover, that Somalia may be sitting on considerable oil reserves is another reason to suffer his hand in this hot pot. Thus, Meles poured troops into Somalia in 2006 and did not leave until 2009. After a two year hiatus, he seems primed to reenter the fray against al Shabaab. Meanwhile, in an ex-

ercise of power politics that would win the approbation of practitioners of cynical statecraft like Henry Kissinger, Eritrea supports al Shabaab in order to tie Ethiopia down in a costly Somalian misadventure that saps Ethiopia’s resources and its will to flex muscle further afield. Adding to the complex ensemble, the African Union, endorsed by the UN and pressured by the United States, has a multi-national contingent of peacekeepers in the nation to support the flaccid transitional government against al Shabaab. Goaded by the West, Kenya troops stepped into southern Somalia in ostensible counterattack against wildcat al Shabaab incursions in northern Kenya. Hovering over the commotion on the ground, U.S. drone planes from the base in Djibouti glide across the Somalian sky ready to unload ordnance on terrorists real and perceived.

With all the players, overt and covert, seen and unseen, Somalia is the venue of a motley, low-grade international war that promises no end or exit but only perpetual violence and the penury of war for those unfortunate enough to live there.

There is no grand strategy for victory or for peace; it is all tactical operations that results in existential fighting and stalemate. The soldiers on every side are happy because they have dominion in this situation. Thus, as they fight against each other, they also fight in aid of each other’s position within their respective camps. The camaraderie of violence has few bounds.

Although it no longer enjoys much attention, Sudan remains a sick man with two grave afflictions. In Darfur, people still starve and die. The situation is direr than last year. However, the media ignores the crisis because it is no longer in fashion.

• Continued on page 71

THE NATION ON SUNDAY NOVEMBER 27, 2011

Comment & Analysis

13

Left behind Too many applicants fail to gain admission to our universities

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HE nightmare of qualified admission seekers has not abated in the country. We are astonished to note that the ambitions of many prospective university students are being dashed due to lack of space in the nation’s over 93 public and private universities. Recently, the University of Lagos (Unilag) authorities revealed a pathetic statistic which underscored this reality. Prof. Adetokunbo Sofoluwe, vice-chancellor of the university, during the matriculation ceremony, disturbingly declared that: “Out of the over 100,000 applications received across all the faculties for the 2011/2012 academic year, the university offered admission to a total of 8,223 students.’’

The breakdown is as follows: Faculty of Arts 561 students, Faculty of Business Administration 1,010 students, Faculty of Education 1,028 students, Faculty of Engineering 649 students, Faculty of Environmental Science 451 students, Faculty of Law 236 students, Faculty of Medicine 637 students, Faculty of Pharmacy 287 students, Faculty of Sciences 1,005 students and Faculty of Social Sciences 920. The implication of this is that the university rejected the application requests of 91,777 admission seekers into the institution. To us, this is alarmingly scandalous. Although we give allowance for overlapping applications, we still wonder what the figures are for the other universities across the country.

During the 2008-09 academic year, it was reported that more than a million Nigerian youths wrote the University Matriculation Examination (UME) conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB). However, the universities were only able to admit 153,000 out of 448,000 successful candidates. The remaining 295,000 qualified would-be students were denied admission for lack of space.

From the revelations made by the Unilag authorities, it could be discerned that the situation is not in any way improving. The country is confronted with a

W

HO is deceiving who in Edo between the haemorrhaging Peoples Democratic Party, the ruling Action Congress of Nigeria, non-existent Congress for Progressive Change and the ineffective Labour Party? We hear of ‘political tsunami’, ‘mother of all rallies’, ‘operation sweep ACN out of Government House’ among other orchestrated political rallies in Edo State. The PDP, according to the Chairman in the state, Chief Dan Osi Orbih, the “is rising and rising to die or fall no more.” And, I was wondering that, if only the PDP leaders in the state

situation where, in years to come, more secondary school leavers will obtain the minimum qualification to enter universities, only to be confronted with the inability of existing ones to absorb them.

This development is a great disservice to the unflinching urge of these applicants to acquire university education. Unfortunately too, while a school like Unilag might be turning down such a huge number of qualified applicants, there are universities in other parts of the country that could not even fill their spaces.

We are aware that the current admission criteria make it mandatory for universities to admit students adopting the following formula: 45% of slots for merit: 35% for the university’s catchment areas and 20% for educationally disadvantaged states. These criteria need to be reviewed in view of the reality that all the states in the federation now have their own universities while more slots should be reserved for those that are qualified on merit.

We call on the government to direct the National Universities Commission (NUC), the Committee of Vice-Chancellors in Nigerian Universities (CVCNU) and the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to fashion out a policy position that will deemphasise the craze for university education. For us, more practical and realistic steps would have been for government to allow selected colleges and polytechnics

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

Defection hoax and harvest of deceit know the profundity of the damage Governor Adams Oshiomhole has done on their political structure and psyche through his infrastructural development projects across the 18 local government areas, they would not gather to celebrate one confused David Iyoha, a former Speaker in the state House of Assembly under the PDP who defected to the ACN for a greener pas-

ture and after being disappointed with ‘a party that does not share the money’, went back to his corrupt-ridden party.

What do you expect? He definitely cannot bear it. He is not a Comrade and he cannot pretend to be one. He is not used to struggle. He is used to sharing the money but not used to a party that would deploy the state resources into infrastructural

developments such as massive road construction, drainages, light, and water, rehabilitation of schools and construction of new ones, healthcare delivery and beautification of the environment.

Who is really harvesting what? Sincerely, this is a resounding question. Journalists at the PDP jamboree would testify that, if there were any defectors, they were not more than a hand-

Citizens’ obligations to the country

“A

SK not what your country can do for your country, but, what you can do for your country.” This statement was made former President of the United States of America, John F. Kennedy.

In Nigeria we often ask the government to do everything for us. Most often than not, we idly sit in one place, lambasting the government and wanting it to do this or that. We cry that government is not sensitive to the urgent need of the people, the grumbling is endless.

We tend to abdicate all our responsibilities to the shoul-

to be awarding degrees.

Also, the discrimination being meted out on polytechnic graduates that are middle level manpower providers for the country should be discouraged. In addition, the Higher School Certificate (HSC) that was abolished over two decades ago should be revived and made a direct entry qualification into the university.

The Open University of Nigeria should be made more attractive so as to entice more prospective undergraduates. Also, the existing universities should be strengthened through increased funding so that their capacity to admit more students will be increased.

If these could be done, drastic improvement will be noticed in the decreasing admission rate in the land.

Already, this is causing a serious loss to the Nigerian state. Many Nigerian parents are sending their wards to other African countries like Ghana and South Africa in search of the Golden Fleece. They believe that these countries’ educational system will provide value for the fees being paid unlike in the nation where standards are seriously being eroded. The government must hearken to these drastic steps in order to reverse the trend of qualified candidates being denied admission for lack of space in the universities.

Failure to address this issue compounds the larger issue of youth restlessness in the country that manifests itself not only in unemployment, but also in the social turmoil of the day: militancy, armed robbery, interethnic violence and religious bigotry.

Our budget philosophy, especially in the federal area, has failed to appreciate how central education is to this country’s future. Repeated poor performance of our universities in world rankings has not inspired any radical policy shift and enthusiasm.

Qualified Nigerians must not be denied university education for whatever reason. The Unilag authorities and other universities in the country must work in concert with government to reverse this disconcerting trend.

der of our leaders. We expect the government to provide basic amenities {which is quite their responsibilities anyway}, we expect the government to provide shelter and clothing, to live and wear respectively, we expects our society to be a better place to live in. All of these burden on our government alone, which is quite impossible for the government to bear alone.

Some group of people, have forgotten that those in government are human-beings like them and not machines. Instead of doing the work, they prefer to talk. This has led to the deterioration of

our roads. Fine, our roads may be in shambolic state, but, what have we done to save the lives of many that ply the roads. Rather, we prefer to drive recklessly and nonnonchalantly to cause plethora of accidents on our roads, thereby worsening the not too good roads.

Additionally, we seemingly forget that the government cannot be everywhere we expect them to be. Rather than propagate the habit of helping the government, to elevate the country to the zenith height, we failed to showcase the expectations demanded from us as true citi-

zens of the country.

All the people of Nigeria should be forthcoming in their attitudes to our country.

They should remember that this country is the home of everyone and not the government alone. Consequently, we should pull our resources and efforts together by eliminating all elements of selfishness, corruption, nepotism and all other names of sort. If we can achieve these feats, then the country would be a better place for everyone.

By Lukman Adeyemo Tai Solarin College of Education Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State

ful and definitely not a prominent member of the ACN, certainly not.

One thing about Oshiomhole is that he is not good at propaganda; I mean half truths. Among those who dumped the leaking umbrella of the PDP to pick up the broom of the ACN are a former chairmanship aspirant of the PDP, Chief Stephen Alao, Yerima Fugar, Daniel Ikoh, a House of Assembly aspirant, John do, Secretary of Fugar Union and a PDP woman leader from Ogbona.

One thing the leaders of the defectors said to Oshiomhole that thrilled everyone was that, “You (Oshiomhole) do not need to come to Etsako Central to campaign because you have built structures that will speak for you. We have decided to follow you to develop the state and no turning back,” what else do you need to hear?

Didn’t the Minister of Environment, Mrs. Ibrahim Mailafia, convey the Federal Government’s commendation to Oshiomhole? Didn’t she say, “I want to seize this opportunity to thank you on behalf of all citizens of Ni-

geria and in particular citizens of Edo State for the remarkable work you are doing in relation to the environment. We note with a lot of interest how clean the city is and we note your numerous contributions in terms of addressing erosion sites. We also note that this is one of the commendable states because it has a storm water master plan.”

What else do you need to hear? Or which other messiah do you expect?

Let me remind Orbih that no less than 500 former members of his party dumped their umbrella for the broom in Ake community, Owan East Local Government Area claiming the ACN is a symbol of truth, development, justice and freedom, adding that they have no regrets.

In a nutshell, it is just unfortunate that the PDP is in a game of self-deceit over who is really harvesting what and this will have a backlash on them. It would not only hurt them, the PDP would soon implode and further degenerate if the recent campaign engaged by proponents of Prof Oserheimen Osunbor, Mr. Kenneth Imansuangbon and Mr. Charles Airhiavbere is anything to go by.

Sanni Collins, Benin City, Edo State

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2011

Comment & Analysis

Constitutional transformation without the people Ropo Sekoni ropo.sekoni @thenationonlineng.net

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HATEVER critics may want to say about President Jonathan, they cannot honestly say that the man has abandoned his campaign promise of transforming Nigeria. Since his assumption of office, he has rolled out his transformation machine. The machine is moving into various sectors of the nation’s life: oil subsidy that is on record as gulping funds that should have been put into development projects and, most recently, into reviewing the constitution. In both cases, the machine seems to be oblivious of the people’s wishes.

Recently, the president inaugurated a 21-member super committee to review the constitution. The committee is charged to examine “settled areas” with respect to the constitution with a view to preparing a draft bill for the president to take to the National Assembly. The bill is expected to settle all raging controversies about the 1999 Constitution and thus bring the magic wand of transformation to the thorniest problem facing the polity, before the emergence of Boko Haram.

A president calling on all citizens to see themselves as security officers should not ignore the views of citizens in the making of constitution From the president’s call for one tenure of seven years for the president and governors and turning local governments into autonomous tier of government to the recent presidential initiative on review of constitutional issues through a committee of his appointees, no one can accuse the President of not keeping himself busy. What appears to be missing is that the president’s transformation ethic does not seem to have any place for the wishes and opinions of the people. It is as if the people should have no say directly or indirectly in matters that directly affect them. The president seems to have found a model in the methodology of military rulers, especially with respect to constitutional issues.

For example, the similarity between President Jonathan’s “settled areas” and military dictators’ “nogo areas” in discussion of the constitution is striking. Whose settled areas is the president referring to in his charge to his Constitution Review committee? At no time since the unveiling of the 1979 Constitution mediated by General Olusegun Obasanjo has there been any aspect of any of the military mediated constitutions that has been settled as far as citizens are concerned. Even some of the principal authors of the 1979 Constitution that started the trend to de-federalise the country later formed and joined organizations that called for political restructuring.

The 1999 Constitution that is expected to be subjected to review by

the Belgore Committee was essentially written in camera. The constitution came into force after the election that brought Obasanjo to power in 1999. Citizens were not involved in the writing and ratification of the constitution. It came into being after a four-year struggle for sovereign national conference to produce a people’s constitution and without any reference to the people’s wishes. The 1999 Constitution, like the General Abubakar Transition and election of 1999, became an instrument to scuttle the struggle for restoration of federalism through the process of a sovereign national conference. Nothing could thus be called a settled area of a constitution that was foisted on the nation by departing military dictators.

President Jonathan as someone that has been in politics for over twelve years must be aware of the national controversy over the 1999 Constitution. Citizens, organizations, and communities have since its unveiling been calling for its replacement with a people’s constitution. When General Obasanjo could not neutralize the stridency of the call for sovereign national conference, he too initiated a more elaborate version of Jonathan’s Belgore Committee. Obasanjo organised a Political Reforms Conference during his second term, and the rest is history.

If Jonathan’s review of settled areas of the polity is not to become a part of the nation’s marginalized political history, like Obasanjo’s Po-

litical Reforms Conference, the president needs to move away from the biases of military governments whose actions produced the 1999 Constitution and whose imagination drove formation of the PDP. Apart from the president, governors, legislators, and others who make a living from protecting the 1999 Constitution, most Nigerians do not think that the current constitution has any area that can be considered settled or non-controversial.

It is time to look at settled and unsettled areas of the polity. One area that appears to be settled is that Nigerians want to belong to Nigeria, but how to structure relationships between the parts and the whole of Nigeria is by no stretch of imagination settled.

What is needed is not a Belgore Committee. It is a constitutional conference that involves the people of Nigeria who want to stay in a modern multi-ethnic and multi-religious nation-state. If there is any area of the country’s life that requires full consultation with citizens, the major stakeholders in the Nigeria Project, it is the constitution. A president calling on all citizens to see themselves as security officers should not ignore the views of citizens in the making of constitution.

No meaningful transformation is likely to emerge from the panel beating of a constitution that has jettisoned the country’s federal character and destiny by a 21-member committee of presidential appointees.

Transformation requires chang-

ing the form and character of something with a view to making that thing better. To make the current constitution better and thus improve the chances of making Nigeria enjoy sustainable democracy and development, there is a need to refer the issue of the constitution to the people, the real stakeholders. And this can be done effectively through a constitutional conference to which citizens send representatives of their choice, not a few appointees from selected states.

The average Nigerian is not unaware of the fact that there is no settlement, consensus, or agreement about any aspect of the constitution currently in use. If anything, there appears to be more unsettled areas than settled areas with regards to the constitution. The powers and resources given to the federal government vis-à-vis the states; the dismantling of the powers and functions of the states in the constitution upon which the different parts of Nigeria went into a federation and independence in 1960; a peculiar presidential system of government that concentrates political power in the executive and casts the president and governor as general overseer are some of the unsettled areas that need to be discussed at a constitutional conference.

With the best of intentions, the Belgore Committee is not in a position to capture the nuances of citizens’ feelings about the constitution.

The country’s constitution needs transformation, not a palliative.

Using Bayelsa to periscope future elections Femi Orebe femi.orebe @thenationonlineng.net 08056504626 (sms only)

I

AM starting today’s piece with an apology to my non-Yoruba speaking readers. I shall, however, quickly make up for my gaffe by translating the song, in Yoruba, with which I commence. ‘A o lo soja o, a o lo soja o, awa to lo lopa nijosi, a o lo soja’ - we (PDP) who used police the other time, will use soldiers this time around. Knowing what I now know about former House Speaker, Dimeji Bankole, it is a pity I had to recall this incident which, of course, is now part of our political history. It was on that occasion during which late President Yar ‘Adua, as leader of their party, our current President, as the party’s chief protagonist in the scheme to hold Ekiti under the now well known military jackboots of the PDP, and Hon. Bankole, the highest political office holder of Yoruba extraction, the PDP-led federal government wanted to inundate Ekiti State with all the military arsenal at its disposal as recently demonstrated in Bayelsa, our president’s home state. Readers would, of course, remember that we fought our traducers to a standstill and that this column actually asked then President Yar’ Adua to ensure that his soldiers came armed with coffins too because, at that point in time, Ekitis saw only a recrudescence of KIRIJI war and

That is one of the sundry evil practices the party has firmly planted on the Nigerian political firmament were prepared again to fight to the last drop of their blood, whoever wanted to sentence them to a second slavery. Had we not shouted, loud and clear, daring them to go ahead with their militarization , we probably would today have in Ekiti, scars reminiscent of both Odi and Zaki Biam.

What I claim to now know about the former Speaker is not a matter for today but it is significant enough to make Professor Banji Akintoye, whose magnum opus, ‘A History of the Yoruba people’, was the only thing Hon Bankole took into custody when arrested in 2011, to write as follows: ‘ I am pleasantly surprised to read what you have written about Dimeji Bankole. You see here, Femi, what I have been saying - that a lot of bright gold takes on, in the Nigerian filth, the appearance or even the essence of cheap charcoal.

I do not waver in my conviction that most of the Yoruba boys and girls who are reported to be behaving like brigands in leadership positions in Nigeria do have in them what it takes to give a Yoruba country the most enlightened and most prestigious leadership in the world. Read again the lecture I sent to Lagos last year, and you will see it there. The more I see these things, the firmer I get in my choices. Jesus said: don’t put your pearls before swine’.

It can only be a shame that many of our people learn too late.

I digress.

Let us briefly quote from a recent advertisement by the CPC in national dailies but, before that, a brief aside. I am gratified by the

recent disclosures of the SSS concerning Boko Haram’s sponsors because it eloquently confirms my position in the aftermath of the post election crises in the North for which the PDP cleverly sought to make General Buhari the fall guy.

From what the SSS is saying, even though PDP as a party did not patronize Boko Haram, those who allegedly did aimed primarily at profiting the party by judicially gifting it Yobe State through fearmongering. That is one of the sundry evil practices the party has firmly planted on the Nigerian political firmament. Others include brazen and outlandish rigging of elections, judicial manipulation, political assassinations and outlandish bribery of electoral officers.

Said the CPC in an advertorial in the Tuesday, 22 November, 2011 of this newspaper: ‘No matter how much they try, PDP and the Presidency cannot succeed in portraying to Nigerians and the world that what is going on in Bayelsa Governorship ticket is an internal affair of the party. It is not!

It is an infringement on the fundamental right of a citizen; it is the subversion of law, guidelines and procedure; It is a disregard for the court of Law; it is an imposition of vested interest –all of which constitute an affront to our democracy as a nation and our civil liberty as a people.’

The above observation derived from the fact that in order to work to the answer in his home state, President Jonathan had no qualms, according to the advertisement, deploying a military cum security

overkill: ‘massive air and ground Armed Forces, helicopter gunships, Armoured Personal Carriers (APC), 15000 policemen which easily reminds you of Oye-Ekiti at the gubernato rial rerun, armed men of the SSS etc’.

The portents from the above are many, varied and dangerous. If the President would instruct the above deployments in his home state, at an ordinary party primary election, in a state where he has his kith and kin; if all that were done to the green tree, what then shall he not do to the dry one?

It is for that reason I would want Nigerians to watch and pray as we match on to the staggered elections in Kogi, Edo, Ondo etc. I lay emphasis on the word ‘staggered’ because, being solitary events, it would enable the powers that be to completely misuse the armed forces and the police, especially the latter which they can deploy, two to every inch of land in the state where an election is holding. Who will forget easily how much governor Adams Oshiomhole had to shout to stem the federal government’s plan to inundate Edo State with soldiers during a recent election?

Add to this the mourning that has befallen the PDP in the SouthWest since the last general elections in which the party was beaten blue and black, and Iroko’s very ambivalent position in the region and you will come to a realization that the PDP is most likely to deploy a much more intimidating arsenal to Ondo State in the coming election. Even if he would ordinarily not have been well dis-

posed to fraternizing with the PDP, the rate at which erstwhile party members and top government officials are leaving the Labour party, literally in droves, must have rendered governor Mimiko very politically exposed that, to survive, he would either compromise with or leave the PDP with no alternative to deploying a massive show of federal might believing they could gain a foothold, however tenuous, in Yoruba land again.

And with what we saw in Bayelsa, there is no gainsaying the fact that this president will readily oblige.

Unfortunately, Ondo State, almost more than its Ekiti counterpart, is not a state where you can run roughshod over the innermost wishes of the people. I should know being an active participant in the politics of the old Ondo State but this fact will definitely count for nothing with a desperate South-West PDP which former President Obasanjo is already trying, rather futilely, to rouse from the dead.

The Bayelsa baring of presidential fangs, which top PDP officials, including its chairman, have continued to arrogantly justify is most likely to be a foretaste of what Nigerians will see at elections scheduled to be conducted under the watch of President Goodluck Jonathan who , in the Ekiti gubernatorial rerun election, demonstrated what an obliging party man he is.

Except, of course, the people rise in unison to say a deafening ‘no’ to authoritarianism in a democracy.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY NOVEMBER 27, 2011

Tunji

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

M

RS Farida Waziri’s removal as Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) by President Goodluck Jonathan on November 23 ought not to have come as a surprise to many Nigerians. As a matter of fact, what should have surprised us is that she stayed that long in that capacity in spite of the attacks on her person and sundry other allegations.

But when the boot finally came on Wednesday, it met her unawares.

And as usual, many Nigerians have been commenting on the matter. Some welcomed her sack; others said it was uncalled-for. Still, others received the news with mixed feelings.

And, since the government left us guessing as to why she had to go, all kinds of speculations have been making the rounds as to the real reasons she was sacked. Some say she was not performing well and that this had caused the government’s anti-corruption drive to lose steam. Some have attributed her exit to some of the PDP governors she dragged to court over alleged corrupt practices. Others say she was removed because of persistent complaints from the United States, that the war against corruption was not being fought vigorously as it should be under her.

Even though the government has not said so directly, there have also been insinuations that part of her sins was that she is believed to

Postscript, Unlimited!

By

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

W

HEN we were young, travelling was not much of a pain for people as it is now.

The traveller simply got his effects tightly tied together to fit into his pocket and, come early morning, took his breakfast, put on a deep, thoughtful and pensive look on his face, flexed his muscles to be sure they still worked, and hit the road.

Yes, reader, anyone who needed to do business in another village had better know how to walk. I therefore grew up hearing stories of how giant aunts and uncles and villagers of great renown walked from one village to another a great distance apart – no less than twenty kilometres, just to ‘greet someone’.

On reflection, I always think that it is just as well that those folks had no idea how many kilometress they were walking. I feel sure that, were they to be told the number, they would rather faint. Such is the power of ignorance: it makes people do impossible things.

The modern traveler, thank God, knows better. S/he is equipped with a map that spells out everything s/he needs to know and prepare for. So, come the weekend, the entire country is dotted with bus-loads of people uniformly dressed in colourful dresses and

Comment & Analysis

15

Waziri: Is corruption fighting back?

Time will tell whether the EFCC boss was justifiably sacked or not be behind the release of some ‘sensitive information’ seen in official circles as unfavourable to some highly placed government officials.

For a government that abhors having its dirty linen washed in public, this could akin to committing murder. In essence therefore, her sack could have been due to any of these or even all of the above. It might take some time before we know the real reason why Mrs. Waziri was sacked, but we shall surely know.

The problem is that in Nigeria, one could also be removed for being too efficient or uncompromising, especially if in a sensitive position like the EFCC chair.

A good lesson in all these is for the new helmsman in the commission. We saw how Nuhu Ribadu, the pioneer chair of the EFCC was removed with ignominy. Ribadu was commended initially because of the tough posture he exhibited.

But he later became a willing tool in the hands of then President Olusegun Obasanjo to fight the latter’s enemies, real or perceived.

Now, Mrs Waziri. Wittingly or unwittingly, we are giving the impression that the EFCC is not a place to head and leave honourably. And really, the place could not have been one easy place to lead in our kind

of clime where corruption has eaten deep into the fabric of the entire system.

But, if the first two chairpersons of the EFCC had to leave this disgracefully, it also signposts the flaws in the selection process that gave birth to the tenure of the two executives. Ribadu was appointed by former President Obasanjo while former President Umaru Yar’Adua appointed Waziri. What is important is that the two appointments were made by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government. This is a point we must emphasise because it was only in those days that children did not have the guts to ask their fathers why they had to be born by ugly mothers. These days, the children would ask that question without blinking an eyelid; in other words, telling their fathers that they (the fathers) did not take their eyes to the market when shopping for their wives.

So, the unceremonious removal of Ribadu and Waziri can be seen as a reflection of the inadequate due diligence the PDP has been doing in making appointments into public offices. The point might not have been valid if another political party had removed either of the two

“Wittingly or unwittingly, we are giving the impression that the EFCC is not a place to head and leave honourably. And really, the place could not have been one easy place to lead in our kind of clime where corruption has eaten deep into the fabric of the entire system … To be informed of one’s sack in the media is the most discourteous way to reward public officials”

former EFCC bosses; in that situation, one could read partisan motives into it. But for the government of the same ruling party to change the head of an important agency like the EFCC in the manner they had been removed twice casts a big pall on the selection process. This is to say that we cannot even rejoice yet over the appointment of Mrs Waziri’s successor.

So far, the best the government has explained about her removal is that it is part of the Jonathan administration’s transformational agenda. Reuben Abati, the presidential spokesman has assured that Nigerians would see more of such sacks in the weeks, perhaps months ahead. I can only hope it is not an empty threat. Without doubt, the government harbours many deadwoods and this tells in the quality of life that Nigerians are living; whether Mrs Waziri was one of the deadwoods in government or not is a different matter entirely.

We would soon find out if she was sacked in the interest of the nation or that of the ruling party which has many corrupt elements in its midst, not necessarily because it is in their nature to steal, but because the party has produced more public officials in the last 12 years than any other party. Therefore, it could be expected that more of its officials would have been involved in wrongdoings, especially when we remember that the better part of the 12 years of democracy were years of the locust, in which anything went. Those who succeeded the PDP governors in the south-west are in a better position to tell the

story of treasury looting that the region witnessed in those unfortunate years that their states were under the PDP yoke.

And to imagine that Mrs Waziri was so bad that the government could not show courtesy by telling her of her impending removal before making same public? No one is saying the government should continue to keep people that are out of tune with the responsibilities of their offices; but even in doing that, courtesy demands that such must be done in a decent manner, except of course, where the public official stole and that can only be affirmed after a court has said so. To be informed of one’s sack in the media is the most discourteous way to reward public officials.

I am not trying to deny the president the right to hire and fire, especially if that is in line with constitutional provisions; after all, the buck stops at his desk. Anyway, now that he has demonstrated that he is in charge by sacking Mrs Waziri, Nigerians and indeed the world at large are looking forward to a war against corruption with renewed vigour. Now that President Jonathan has pleased himself (having tolerated Mrs Waziri for this long since the death of his former boss who appointed her) by appointing his dream anti-corruption czar, we hope that would result in the desired new impetus to prosecute the corruption scourge. On that note, join me to welcome on board the new EFCC helmsman, Ibrahim Lamorde.

My prayer is that his services would not be dispensed with the way of his predecessors.

That get-away weekend is no holiday after all head-gears, happy to have abandoned their uninteresting lives to take on magical lives of wayfarers for a few hours in which promising potentials await: victuals, couch and company. It is called the ‘getaway’ weekend.

It really matters not the reason for getting away at the weekend, as long as it is not for greeting. These days, people don’t travel anymore ‘just to greet’. Greeting is done by telephone, even by people who would never have travelled to greet one. ‘I just said I should greet you’, as if there were times the caller actually told him or herself not to greet you. So, in those days, the purpose of one’s journey could be seen in the dressing: dark colours for mourning at funerals, bright colours for weddings and neutral colours for trysts. Not so now, you just watch the head-gear of both men and women: the size, colour and gaiety in the head-gear shows that people are equally happy to rejoice with others whether they are giving out their child in marriage or burying their parent.

To show you that people are really equipped for week-end travelling, just see the way they handle inconveniences like the conveniences. In the many ‘get-aways’ I’ve been in, no one has yet complained that the toilet used by nearly a thousand people ‘is bad’. Indeed, many hardly notice its badness, no matter how full of the stuff of the weekend revellers it is. In any case, I have heard often, anyone who cannot use the toilet should go to the ‘bush’. I tell you, there is a lot to be said for under-development. That reminds me of a story.

Once, a not-very-literate taxi driver picked up a foreign fare in one of the country’s airports and started off in the general direction of the town. No sooner did he hit the road than the fare asked if he could be taken to the nearest convenience. Not quite understanding, the driver drove on in the hope that the muses would send illumination and he would make out what the oyinbo gentleman wanted. Rather pressed, the gentleman repeated that he should please be shown to the loo. This was even worse for the driver who still drove on, hoping to understand by and by. Really pressed now, the foreigner shouted, please take me to the nearest toilet! Immediately, the taxi stopped and the driver shot out to open the door for his guest. ‘You want toilet and you no say so?’

Then he made a sweeping gesture towards the bush with an open palm. ‘In Nigeria,’ he said, ‘toilet here, toilet there, toilet everywhere.’

Then, there is yet no weekend traveller who has not complained about the state of Nigerian roads, yet none has shown a willingness to return home without completing the journey. There is this sense of urgency to be at the ‘happening spot’ that makes people overlook the pains of getting there. Should they travel as a group in a bus, the seating system can only be compared to when a great deal of sardines are seating in a tin, fin to fin, shoulder to shoulder. Each is only allowed to breath, and nothing more. Should they go in their personal car, the pain is even worse as motor parts are

watched as they fall onto the road one after the other while the vehicle is in a jagged undulation as a result of the bad road. First, the radiator goes, then the fans, then the break-pads, then the steering wheel, then the car, then the driver … falling apart like sliced loaf. By the time one gets home from the journey, the only remaining sign of life is in the eyes. The rest of the body will probably catch up in two or three days, at least before the following weekend when the ne’er-say-die reveler is ready for the next jaunt.

What the road does not finish off, the get-away sleeping arrangement does. Your typical getaway should normally involve a hotel stay, which is supposed to be a home away from home. Not so.

When you are lucky to get a room at an over-priced hotel, you get to enjoy the luck of seeing the water you use to wash yourself collect around your feet, leaving whitish rings around them. You also get to sleep on sheets already decidedly used by someone else and which the indifferent hoteliers have neglected to remove because they are operating under the philosophy, ‘It’s a small world; the stranger you meet (or don’t meet) today is a friend tomorrow’, and other dubious beliefs. And, God forbid that you should be given a towel in these parts. Are there no fig leaves left in the bushes to dry oneself with? Or else, a million people (or so it appears in the morning) squeeze themselves into tiny sleeping spaces in the celebrant’s house ‘just for the night’.

Someone took a look at my couch

once and declared how comfortable it would be to sleep on at a ceremony.

Whereas all agree that food is the most important aspect of any ceremony, it is also universally acknowledged that guests should be fed no more than once. In these parts, where feeding a multitude takes more than two fishes and five loaves, people are becoming more and more reluctant to undertake this tedious task, so some people end up not eating at the ceremony they travelled kilometers for. The guest is then left to fend for him/ herself. Those who are wise, like the wise virgins, fill their flasks with food before setting out; those who are foolish, like the foolish virgins, trust in luck to find a good hotel or Samaritan and run the risk of diarrhoea. At the fifth run to the convenience, you begin to wonder what on earth took you on that trip.

That is when you realize that you did not get a holiday from the weekend, rather the weekend got away from you.

The weekend get-away is very useful, no doubt. Sometimes, it allows one to give one’s feet a break from treading the earth in search of food. More importantly, it allows us to swear our solidarity with the celebrant. That is the only reason I can think of for enduring all those pains just to attend a ceremony when one is not the priest, groom or grave-digger.

Reader, whenever you find yourself nonplussed about your life, take one of these trips. Trust me, you will return thanking God, as is said in Christian parlance, for your life and hovel to return to.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2011

16

Bayelsa State: the path to greatness B

AYELSA State, created fifteen years ago is a state to watch with delight among the comity of states in Nigeria. With a population of less than two million people, about the size of the republic of Botswana in the Central African Republic, Bayelsa has made its mark in the history of Nigeria.

Whether you accept it or not, the history of Nigeria cannot be discussed without reference to Bayelsa State, a homogenous Ijaw state, and the fourth largest ethnic group in the Nigerian geo-ethno-political configuration.

Late President Musa Yar’Adua must have his reasons when he described Bayelsa State as “historic and strategic” to the development of Nigeria, during his one – day visit to the state on July 20, 2009.

While commending Governor Timipre Sylva for the strategic steps so far taken in refocusing Bayelsa State for positive change, President Yar’Adua paid glowing tribute to Late Major Isaac Adaka Boro, who was named after an expansive recreational park built

by Governor Sylva, and commissioned by Mr. President.

Of course, Mr. President had his reasons to describe the glory of all lands in that perspective.

First, Bayelsa is endowed with natural resources, particularly oil and gas, where oil was first discovered in commercial quantities in 1956 at Oloibiri, Nigeria. Second, there is no gainsaying the fact that oil and gas, which constitutes 90 percent of the Nigeria revenue earner, in which Bayelsa alone, contributes well over 40 percent.

Ironically, the state is one of the most backward, rural, lack of basic infrastructure, and grappling with the problem of environmental degradation, as a result of the cumulative neglect, with accusing fingers being pointed directly at the successive administrations of the central government of Nigeria and multinational oil companies.

Fourth, and quite sadly, Ijaw (Izon) which means truth loving people, and a people that quest for nothing but the truth were confronted with the problem of fratricidal communal conflict, claiming many lives and property over activities of oil exploration.

Communities have been displaced from their ancestral homes. While hostagetaking which was alien to this part of the world reared its ugly head and assumed monstrous dimension, forming part of the protest against the power that be like any other parts of typical Niger Delta States.

The central theme that runs through the entire

•Jonathan

By Jonah Okah gamut of the conflicts in the area revolves around the issue of neglect, marginalization, deprivation, poverty or non empowerment and under development, and the lack of political will to address these challenges.

Little wonder, Bayelsa state represents the cynosure and epicentre of agitations for a fair deal in the lingering Niger Delta Crisis.

Interestingly, the Ijaw ethnic group was the first in the history of Nigeria to organize a separatist movement to protest against the inequities of Nigerian politics led by the legendary Late Major Isaac Adaka Boro.

The State is also blessed with men and women of integrity who have distinguished themselves in various fields of human endeavor, and have contributed immensely not only to Bayelsa State, but to the entire nation and the international scene generally.

Few examples are late Earnest Ikoli, a foremost nationlist, Journalist and first African Editor of the Daily times, professor Turner T. Isoun, a distinguished scholar and Nigeria’s Former Minister of Science and Technology, Retired General Andrew Azazi, Nigeria’s former Chief of Army Staff, later Chief of Defence Staff and currently the National Security Advisor, and Dr. Gabriel Okara, a foremost African writer, and poet of international repute – to name a few.

The movement for the creation of Bayelsa State, which was fired by the vision of Late Isaac Boro was started by illustrious sons like Hon. Francis G. Endeley, Dr. Amba Ambaowei, Senator Amatari Zuofa, Chief N.A Frank Opigo, Late Chief Melford Okilo, Professor T.T Isoun, Professor Kimse Okoko and Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha amongst others.

The present governor of

Bayelsa State, Chief Timipre Sylva was also an active member of the great movement agitating for the creation of the state when he was a member of the House of Assembly in the former Rivers State.

The vision of the movement was clear: to have an homogenous Ijaw state, which can be used as a major plank to address the long years of neglect and underdevelopment of the state.

It was not surprising therefore for Chief Timipre Sylva’s divine elevation to become the governor of the state, which many people attributes to God’s reward for the role he played over the state creation.

Against this background, his vision to build a unified, secure, and prosperous Bayelsa State was made very clear right from the very beginning when the mantle of leadership fell on him.

On assumption of duty as governor of the state on May 29, 2009, the first challenge governor Sylva faced was the issue of security.

Apart from the spate of kidnappings and hostagetaking that heralded his administration; one could recall the threat issued by some militants on the eve of his swearing-in to stop the swearing-in ceremony.

To tackle the growing state of insecurity in the state, Chief Sylva came up with a novel, and well articulated and scientific principle known as the “Triple E” approach.

The first is to Engage the militants in dialogue and reorient them. The second is to Empower the people, educate and employ them, and of course the third is to Enforce the law where necessary.

One could recall that one of the first assignments as governor of the state was securing the release of some Italians who were held hostage. He personally took the risk to go to the high sea to secure their release, a feat many Niger Delta governors could not have dared at all, basically in the interest of national security, peace and economic progress..

He also personally traversed the creeks, talking to the militants at great risk.

This culminated in the signing of a peace pact with the militants, in a ceremony with major stakeholders in attendance at the Gloryland Cultural Centre, Yenagoa.

•Continued on page 70

POLITICS

17

THE NATION ON SUNDAY NOVEMBER 27 2011

Kogi: Final battle for Lugard House

•Audu

•Wada

Less than a week to December 3, 2011 gubernatorial election in Kogi State, the political activities in the state have taken a dangerous dimension as politicians now employ desperate schemes to discredit opponents and woo the electorate to their sides. Mohammed Bashir, in Lokoja, reports that the charged political scenario at present, if not put under control, may lead to serious political crises in the state

A

CCUSATIONS and counter accusations currently peddled by politicians in Kogi State have created tension among the electorate. The Nation’s investigation shows that some voters have, as a result, already developed cold feet towards fulfilling their civic responsibility come Saturday, December 3rd.

The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of stockpiling arms and fake police and army uniforms that will be used to intimidate voters during the election. The Chief Strategist to Prince Abubakar Audu Campaign Organisation, Hon. Dino Melaiye, in a media conference, accused the PDP of grooming thugs that will be deployed against their political opponents during the coming governorship elections.

“We are very much aware that the ruling PDP has purchased arms, army and police uniforms for onward distribution to their thugs to perpetrate mayhem in the com-

ing election. Not only that; about 63 Hilux pick-up vans have been purchased for the same youths. As investigators, you can go to the government house and see things yourself,” he said.

According to Dino, relevant security agencies are already briefed over the situation. “We want to call these agencies to expedite action over the evil plan by the PDP because any attempt by the PDP to rig this election will lead to Egyptian treatment against them,” he charged.

But the PDP, through a paid advert in some national dailies, had challenged the campaign organisation to prove their allegation by coming out with substantial evidence and possibly publish them in the papers.

The Wada/Awoniyi Campaign organisation in a sharp reaction also accused the ACN for loading 18 skaters buses with cultists from an ACN controlled states to Aloma, the home town of the ACN governorship candidate, Prince

Abubakar Audu, to hold discussions on how to snatch ballot boxes.

The organisation, in a press statement signed by it media coordinator, Mr. Mike Abu, also accused the ACN of amassing weapons ahead of the December 3rd election.

“We have confidence in the ability of the police to forestall the mayhem being planned by the party.”

In this situation of cross accusations, political observers argued that the politicians may have been distracted from a more important obligation of telling the electorate what they intend to do if elected and how they intend to provide them good governance.

One other accusation heaped on PDP by the organisation was the unholy romance between the PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). It was alleged, for example, that PDP had sent names to INEC. But INEC’s Public Affairs Officer, Mr. Ahmed Bagudu, denied this allegation.

He said neither the state govern-

ment nor any local government has the right to submit names of ad-hoc officials.

The commission, he added, had already chosen those to work for it and the training of their trainers had begun. The second phase of the training has commenced, he said.

“Members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) will form the bulk of our ad-hoc staff.

“That the PDP or local governments are sending in names, we are not aware of. It is purely untrue.

“The state government doesn’t even have a right to send in names of people to work as INEC ad-hoc staff during the election, let alone the local government,” Bagudu added.

The Campaign organisation also alleged that there are plans by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to rig the December 3 governorship election by influencing INEC to make use of its members as polling officers and clerks.

Hon. Melaiye explained that each local government council has submitted two names of party men and women to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to work as ad-hoc officials.

The temporary workers, it alleged, would work primarily to ensure victory for the PDP by all means.

Melaiye urged INEC chairman, Prof Attahiru Jega, to stop the alleged plan to influence the outcome of the election.

Melaye told reporters that the ACN would ensure the peoples’ votes count.

The state police commissioner, John Amana Abakasanga, has already reiterated the police readiness to ensure the security of lives and properties of all citizens before, during and after the elections. He said the command will not hesitate to treat any one found in act of thuggery as an armed robber.

However despite the emerging melee, both the PDP and the ACN are still kicking through their campaign rallies. Virtually all the candidates for the December 3rd gubernatorial elections are from the eastern part of the state. But out of the 19 candidates from different political parties vying for the governorship position, it was learnt that the major contenders for Governor Ibrahim Idris’ seat, are the PDP and the ACN. ACN candidate, Prince Abubakar Audu, is an Igala man from Aloma in Ofu Local Government area located in the eastern part of the state. He is said to be enjoying some political favour and advantages in the Western zone of the state comprising Lokoja, Kogi (Koton Karfe), Kabba/Bunnu, Ijumu, Mopamuro, Yagba West and Yagba East.

We gathered that this zone has been clamouring for power shift and that most of the political strategists in the area currently believe it

would be more beneficial to them if they throw their support behind Prince Abubakar Audu, who has only four years to govern. Also, Prince Audu, being an easterner, is adjudged very popular among his kinsmen.

The eastern zone in the state’s political equation, which is more in population, has nine local government areas, Ankpa, Olamaboro, Ofu, Idah, Igalamela/Odolu, Dekina, Ibaji, Bassa, and Omala.

The governorship candidate of the PDP, Captain Idris Ichalla Wada, on the other hand, is said to be anchoring his hopes more on the party’s existing structures rather than his personal popularity. His party has relatively strong grip on the Central Senatorial District, which include; Okene, Ogori/ Magongo, Adavi, Okehi and Ajaokuta local government areas.

The retired private flight Captain is also an Igala man from Odu community in Dekina local government area also located in the eastern part of the state. He came from the same community with the alleged winner of the January 9th governorship primary election, Alhaji Jibrin Isah Echocho.

So, till date, Wada is still facing stiff internal opposition, arising from the September 22nd primary election of the PDP. Echocho is still in court challenging his alleged shortchange as the party flag bearer.

The Nation gathered that majority of Echocho’s supporters are still looking forward to the court judgment before taking a final stand.

However, Wada, it was gathered, is still making frantic moves to make peace with his brother (Echocho). Some political observers have however tried to explain Wada’s innocence in the cold war, pointing out that he is simply an aspirant who won the governorship primary election of his party, the PDP. As the election date draws close, citizens are expressing concern over the intrigues, accusations and near blackmail. They are calling on the candidates to ensure they tell the electorates their agenda and if they had none, to quickly think of programmes that would have direct bearing on the masses.

To save the situation and help stabilise Kogi State polity, the candidates are therefore urged to do better than sheer mudslinging.

Also, relevant security agencies in the state have been advised to keep tab on the dangerous drift of the last-minutes campaigns in Kogi State. To ascertain the root causes of the tension that has already built up ahead the Saturday elections, it seems necessary for security agencies to quickly investigate all the allegations so far, so as to stop unscrupulous elements that may have perfected plans to disrupt free elections next Saturday.

18

THE NATION ON SUNDAY NOVEMBER 27, 2011

Politics

The unceremonious removal of Mrs. Farida Waziri as Executive Chairman of EFCC has raised many fundamental issues over the commission’s relevance, effectiveness and independence.

Recalling that her predecessor in office, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, received similar treatment from the late Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, Associate Editor, Sam Egburonu, assesses the vision and style of the two former anti-corruption bosses, and wonders whether their alleged failures derived from personality traits or failure of the system.

•Waziri

•Ribadu

EFCC as mission impossible B

ESPECTACLED and tough-looking Mrs. Farida Waziri, who was removed as the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) early in the week, had the premonition that her job was on the line, but she never imagined her sack would be so impetuous.

Her hope, according to her close associates, was primarily anchored on the fact that at some point her temultous tenure, she reportedly won the confidence of President Goodluck Jonathan, who passionately believes that anti-corruption battles can be won without breaching the laws of the land.

But The Nation learnt that pressure for her removal, which began few weeks after the death of former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, gathered steam following personality clash between Mrs. Farida and the Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke. Aso Rock power brokers, according to a source, were pained after they tried without success to manage the deteriorating relationship between the anti-corrup-

tion boss and the AGF. It was gathered that the move to relieve Mrs. Waziri of her job however peaked when the international community joined other critics to demand her exit. The presidency was allegedly pressured to sack her on the grounds that she …Since then, it has been for her, a stiff battle of survival.

So, it was an uncertain Mrs. Waziri, like a prophet, who, few hours before the news of her sack was made public, warned that the effectiveness of any anti-corruption agency in Nigeria would depend, to a very large extent, on the liberty accorded it by the president.

Their Vision and Style Most reports of Waziri’s sack did not shy away from pointing out that it was amidst allegations of “unethical conduct and procedural blunders in her prosecution of the anti-corruption war.”

The question interested observers are asking therefore is, where did she get it wrong?

When she emerged the EFCC boss, Waziri, perhaps in response to expressed concern that she may not measure up with the standard set by Ribadu, said she was ready to step on toes.

According to her then, “I don’t think

this is going to be a PDP controlled EFCC. This is an organ set up by the National Assembly to fight corruption that has become a cankerworm in this country. As far as we know, nobody, no matter who, is above the law of the land. Once you breach the law, you are going to be arrested, detained and prosecuted within the rule of law accordingly. There would be no sacred cows whatsoever.”

This pledge raised hopes that she would likely retain the tradition she inherited from Ribadu-led administration.

Some Nigerians even argued that EFCC

THE NATION ON SUNDAY NOVEMBER 27, 2011 under her would do better than the EFCC under Ribadu, especially because Jonathan was believed to be more democratically inclined than former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who literarily breathed on the neck of Ribadu.

She boosted this feeling as she stepped into the office, singing praises of Ribadu. In one of the earliest interviews she granted as the boss of EFCC, she said, “Mallam Nuhu Ribadu did well. He laid a foundation, even though they might have made some mistakes here and there, we intend to build on it. I think it is a success story because in Nigeria, there are good men and women. People got desperate and sad with the level of corruption, so, when the EFCC came and started very well, people were very happy and they were encouraged. I am not going to deviate from that whatsoever.

When I was younger, I did my work and met with temptations, even threat to life, but I did my work. I don’t now that the nation will trust such a sensitive responsibility on my shoulders I will deviate and do anything else.”

But unlike Ribadu, she pledged to work within the rule of law and that pledge, more than any other thing marked the difference in their styles. “We will work within the Rule of Law and the Constitution, which is the fundamental norm where all laws derive their strength from and you will see, we will be accountable and make all our data available to you,” she said.

Ironically, criticisms against Waziri’s administration of EFCC revolve around her interpretation of anti-corruption battles within the rule of law. Dr. Ikechukwu Ohazuruike, a security expert, told The Nation that “Waziri’s inability to implement rule of law in such a way as to achieve speedy prosecution of corruption cases within the law was her major short coming.” According to him, “Nigerians expected her to be fast and at the same time be lawful.”

This, in a way, was the dilemma that needs to be resolved if running of EFCC would not be a mission impossible. This is so because, Ribadu, who tried to be as fast as Nigerians would love, ended up operating in a way described by many as “unlawful.”

Even Farida also criticised EFCC’s mode of operation under Ribadu, where accused persons were arrested and detained based on petitions without sufficient evidence to prosecute them. As she put it then, “It is never the right thing to depend on petitions only. What you need to do is to investigate thoroughly and meticulously before you go for arrest. It is ideal situation that suspects come last, not for you to arrest anyone and start to look evidence,” she said.

Assessing her performance vis-à-vis her expressed views at the onset of her tenure, Ohazuruike said, “is it not ironic that after all she said and stood for, she would be accused today of shoddy investigations, corruption and unhealthy procedural practices. Something must be wrong somewhere,” she said.

It is instructive that at the sunset of Ribadu’s tenure, he faced similar charges.

Politics

19

Forces that worked against them

T

O some extent, Mrs. Waziri’s tenure was as turbulent as that of Ribadu.

Though, it has been argued that she did not take on as many powerful suspects as Ribadu did at a go, it soon became apparent that she equally had many enemies.

As soon as she was nominated for the position, even before the Senate concluded her screening, it was alleged that she once stood as a guarantor for former governor George Akume of Benue State in a corruption case.

During the screening, chairman of the senate committee, Senator Sola Akinyede (PDP Ekiti) described as unnecessary the controversy generated over her nomination. “The observations made were not intended to create a conflict between the Legislature and the Executive but to strengthen democracy, particularly with regards to the principles of separation of powers and constitutional checks and balances, which are pivotal to the system of government we operate.”

Although she vehemently denied the allegation, that report sent a red signal and thus encouraged more opponents to further investigate her career.

Soon, it was alleged that she perfected means of using the

EFCC to enrich herself. One of the schemes she allegedly used, according to her critics, was the controversial plea bargain, a system that helped to settle some high profile corruption cases like that of Mrs. Cecilia Ibru, the former Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Oceanic Bank PLC. Another obstacle Waziri, who was appointed by the late President Musa Yar’Adua on May 18, 2008 and confirmed by the Senate on May 27, 2008, faced was intense pressure from formidable political interests mainly from the National Assembly and the Governors’ Forum.

A source claimed lawmakers’ decision to ensure her sack was also not unconnected with the way she handled the case of the ex-Speaker, Dimeji Bankole. She is also reported to be “in the bad books of most members of the National Assembly over some of her actions and utterances which were construed as a fall-out of her acclaimed closeness to President Jonathan, and the manner of Bankole’s arrest was said to have further irked the federal lawmakers.”

It would be recalled that while receiving a petition written by a group of lawmakers led by Hon. Dino Melaye, against Bankole over an alleged N10 billion loan

scam, Waziri dismissed the federal legislature as an embodiment of corruption. “For the National Assembly, the House of Representatives in particular, I have been worried, I think most Nigerians have been very concerned, because there have been scandals upon scandals in that House. And that is the bastion of democracy and the hope for the common man”, she said.

It has been proved that federal lawmakers did not forgive her for these utterances.

Other major forces that worked against her were some EFCC officers, who reports said were dissatisfied with the way she allegedly assigned juicy cases to herself through cronies.

These officials allegedly betrayed her and sent damaging reports that led to allegations of unethical conduct levelled against her.

There is also reports of a bribe of N120 million allegedly offered by a suspect to pave way for his escape from prosecution. According to the report, this ignited a row between Waziri and leader of the team of investigators.

It is also believed that Waziri had to go because of her inability to track funding for Boko Haram sect. The Presidency, it was learnt, was disappointed at this failure because it believed that

Boko Haram has foreign support and feels that EFCC should be able to track its funding.

Most important force was probably pressure from the United States of America and other interested members of the international community. It would be recalled that the American Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, openly assessed EFCC under Waziri poorly.

As a follow up, the London Metropolitan Police announced a severance of ties with the EFCC over the handling of the case involving former governor of Delta State, James Ibori.

Given that both Ribadu, whose style was evidently adored by America and other members of the international community and Farida, who was criticised by them, ended their tenures in very unceremonious way, it remained to be seen if anybody would easily make a success of EFCC in the near future.

So, for Ibrahim Larmode, who has taken up the leadership in acting capacity and whoever will mount up the sensitive position in permanent capacity, the major task is to prove that EFCC is not a task impossible.

Lamorde: Returning to familiar turf The appointment of Ibrahim Lamorde as Acting Chairman of the anti-graft agency is for the new anti-corruption czar a return to a familiar ground writes Olayinka Oyegbile, Deputy Editor

P

ERHAPS the announcement of Ibrahim Lamorde as the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) did not come to many as a surprise.

When the first chairman of the commission, Nuhu Ribadu, was unceremoniously removed by the late President Umaru Yar’Adua it was Lamorde that was called upon to head it. This was for a short period.

Now with the removal of Mrs. Farida Waziri, he has been called upon again to lead the agency. The Mubi, Adamawa State born Lamorde is not new to the agency.

He was in fact one of the foundation staff that worked with Ribadu when the agency was set up by the Olusegun Obasanjo administration. After getting a degree in Sociology from the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria in 1984, he joined the Nigeria Police as a Cadet Officer in1986 and after completing his training he became an Assistant Superintendent of Police in 1987. After a one year probation he was confirmed as a substantive Assistant Superintendent of Police. He later served as a Divisional Crime Officer and as a Police Public Relations Officer from 1989 to 1993.

When the Special Fraud Unit (SFU) of the Nigerian Police Force was created in 19o83 he was drafted as one of the pioneer officers. He was in this unit for nine years before the call of duty threw

him into the international circuit.

He was sent to serve the United Nations as the Chief Investigation Officer of Ermera District of East Timor. This was from March 2000 to March 2001. At the end of his international call to duty, in September 2002, he was transferred to Oyo State as Divisional Police Officer, until April 2003.

At the creation of the EFCC he was seconded to serve as the Director of Operations, a position he held from April 2003 to December, 2007. When Ribadu was axed from the agency he was named acting chairman and was in the post for five month (January to May, 2008).

In June he was recalled to the Nigeria Police and posted to Ningi Police Area Command as the Area Commander. He was in Ningi till November 2008 and was redeployed to the Bauchi State Police Command, Criminal Investigation Department (CID) as the Officer in Charge.

Once again, he was recalled to the EFCC in 2010 back to his former post as the Director of Operations. It was from this position that fate plucked him once again to acting for the second tie as the czar of the war against graft on November 23, 2011.

The acting chairman has had wide and varied experiences working with other government law enforcement agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Metropolitan Police, United

•Lamonde

States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), United States Secret Service, Internet Crime Complaints Centre (IC3), Dutch Police, German Police, South African Police, etc. In his role as director of operations, he has supervised the prosecution of 522 Advance Fee Fraud related cases at various High Courts between April 2003 and June 2010. Out of these, 253 of the cases were successfully prosecuted and convictions secured.

Among these was the extradition of three fugitives to the United States.

Lamorde has attended several courses, seminars and workshops on corruption, Advance Fee Fraud and other economic and financial crimes in the United Kingdom, United States of America, Germany, France, South Africa, and Singapore. His appointment, though in an acting capacity, has made a few to feel that a new verve and vigour may return to the war against corruption. But would this be the case? The answer may be provided in a not too distant future.

20

THE NATION ON SUNDAY NOVEMBER 27, 2011

Politics

ANPP’s new survival strategy A

T the return to democracy in 1999, the All Nigerian People’s Party (ANPP) emerged as the main opposition party. Then, it was the party to beat.

Even when and where it lost to Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and others in some states and constituencies, it remained the voice that must be taken seriously and the rival that must be watched very closely.

Today, the tide has glaringly turned, rather harshly, against the party. The Nation’s investigation however shows that remnants within the party are currently fighting hard to remain afloat and recreate the glorious past.

Formerly known as All People’s Party (APP), it changed its name to ANPP after what some analysts described as tactical mergers and reforms.

Insiders confirmed that ANPP’s winning strategy in the past was its foresight and ability to enter into alliances and agreements that put its rivals on the edge. For example, when it entered into a merger alliance with the Alliance for Democracy (AD), which produced Chief Olu Falae as its presidential candidate, the move electrified political atmosphere across the country and made the party a thorn in the flesh of PDP. Its influence further blossomed in 2003 when Gen. Muhammadu Buhari flew its ticket as presidential candidate against the then incumbent President, Olusegun Obasanjo, and in 2007 against late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua of PDP. The fortunes of the party was not helped by the intrigues and leadership crisis at national level, which led to Buhari’s unceremonious exit, thus warranting critics to allege that it may be difficult for the party to get another presidential candidate that would help it to capture the centre.

As political parties begin preparations for future elections, the concern being expressed over the dwindling fortunes of ANPP is that aside its inability to win the Presidency, the party has also suffered untold losses in many states and constituencies where it either ruled or was considered very influential in the past.

All Nigerian People’s Party, (ANPP), the once leading opposition political party in Nigeria, has, over the years, suffered countless setbacks. This report unveils the factors, issues and personalities behind the party’s misfortunes and the current strategies for the future.

The story is anchored by Associate Editor Sam Egburonu with reports from Adekunle Jimoh in Ilorin, Ugochukwu Eke in Umuahia, Leke Akeredolu in Akure, Isah Idris in Katsina and Austine Tsenzughul in Bauchi

•Onu

•Buhari

•Shekarau

•Ume-Ezeoke

•Olu Falae

•Ogbulafor

not unusual among politicians. It is very rare for politicians not to decamp to another party once they feel their interest is being threatened.”

The politician traced the dwindling fortunes of ANPP to bad leadership, alleging that “ANPP has bad leadership and that is responsible for its declining fortune.

“ANPP no longer has what we put together at its formation as mission to liberate Nigeria; that is the reason why I am moving to PDP,” he said.

In spite of their former governorship candidate’s decampment to PDP, leaders of the ANPP assembled at the party’s secretariat along Offa road, Ilorin, the Kwara state capital and announced to concerned observers that the party was still alive in the state.

The Vice Chairman of the party, NorthCentral, Alhaji Femi Abdulwahab Agbaje, made this clarification recently.

Surrounded by the state chairman of ANPP, Alhaji Taiwo Eleja, and other members of the party’s executive, he said: “ANPP is still intact, the defection of our gubernatorial candidate in the 2011 elections, Alhaji Bolaji Khaleel, notwithstanding.”

The ANPP national officer informed that the party has commenced in earnest, preparations for the 2015 general election, adding that, “the ANPP will be repositioned in such a way that it would emerge victorious in future elections.

He noted with satisfaction that his party left behind a legacy of brilliant performance when it produced the governor

of the state and ruled the state between 1999-2003.

The ANPP chieftain urged party supporters to be firm and steadfast, saying that only “the ANPP can bring the desired development to the state.

He assured them that the national secretariat of ANPP would continue to finance the state chapter as it had done in the past.

Sources told The Nation that the politician decamped to the ruling PDP as part of his scheme to actualise his senatorial ambition come 2015.”

A top ANPP said “nobody is saying he should not leave for the PDP, but the hurried way he has done it without consulting others is what we are against. Where are the big time politicians in the state that fused with the PDP today? They have gone into political oblivion,” he said.

The denials notwithstanding, political pundits in the state are of the view that ANPP in Kwara State is in a desperate situation as Alhaji Bolaji was believed to be the major financier of the party since the death of late Governor Mohammed Lawal.

Besides, it is observed that most of Lawal’s loyalists and supporters have since fused into the PDP.

visited, nothing seems to be happening within the party.

This situation is not altogether new for even before the last national election, the party was in total disarray and virtually written off as non existent.

A concerned member of the party told The Nation that it was not until the national chairman, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, who hails from the neighbouring Ebonyi State, visited Abia, just before the elections, that party members in the state became convinced the party was ready for the last elections.

He had led the members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of his party to see the way the Abia state chapter of the party was preparing for the elections, Noting the low morale of party members then, Onu urged them to remain hopeful, promising that the party would soon bounce back into reckoning both in the state and at the national level.

He added that his party would surprise the people of the country in the April general elections, as the party leaders had, according to him, perfected strategies that would guarantee favourable results, from the local government level up to the presidency.

Speaking with journalists in Umuahia, after meeting with leaders of the party in the state, Onu said there was nothing to be afraid of now or in the future.

Kwara

This concern is real in Kwara State.

Since September this year, when Alhaji Khaleel Bolaji and his supporters decamped from ANPP to PDP, ANPP in the state has remained a ghost of itself.

His exit was a big embarrassment for ANPP but as would be expected, top PDP leaders, including Acting National Chairman, Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje, Senator Bukola Saraki, the state chairman of the PDP, Hon Ishola Balogun-Fulani, Secretary of the party, Yemi Afolayan, and party supporters were on hand at the PDP secretariat, Nupe road GRA to receive the defecting ANPP big guns.

Bolaji was the 2011 governorship candidate of the party in the state. But, few days to the April 26th poll, the flag bearer withdrew from the race for his kinsman, Alhaji AbduFatah Ahmed, of the PDP. The problems of ANPP in the state did not begin with Bolaji’s exit. Observers have wondered why ANPP, which was at the helm of affairs in Kwara between 1999 and 2003, would be totally grounded because of the exit of an individual and his supporters.

When the news of his planned defection to the PDP first filtered out, leadership of the party in the state reacted angrily to it, describing the party’s erstwhile leaders as too ambitious.

State chairman, Alhaji Taiwo Eleja, denied the report, describing it as “misleading information.”

Reacting to the development, Alhaji Bolaji described his purported summon by the party disciplinary committee as emanating from amateurish and confused politicians.

He asked rhetorically how can “somebody say he is leaving, and you are telling him to appear before disciplinary committee? In fact, they are behaving like amateur politicians. They are confused.

“Moving from one party to the other is

Abia

In Abia State, ANPP has also been in comatose for over six years. Reports from the state said the situation has hardly improved till date. Both in Umuahia, the state capital, and most of the senatorial zones

•Continued on Page 20

THE NATION ON SUNDAY NOVEMBER 27, 2011

Politics

•Continued from Page 19 Onu, who was the first executive governor of old Abia state, said the party in the state will pick a credible candidate during their congress that would have the interest of the people at heart; a candidate that would work for them and help move the state to the next level.

These promises apart, some analysts, who monitored the outcome of that election in the state, insist that ANPP, which used to be one of the most vibrant opposition parties in the state, has really gone to sleep. The party secretariat in Umuahia could be said to have been taken over by students who attend extra-moral classes within the building.

However, the National Vice Chairman, South-East, Dr. Francis Egu, who hails from Abia State, said the party is busy doing its home work, and will not be in a hurry to reveal same to the public. “After all, no general reveals his war strategy before going to war. But be reassured that the party will wake up with a bang that will surprise everybody in the state. That, you can be sure of,” he boasted.

Commenting on the current situation, the state party chairman, Cassidy Agbai, in a telephone interview, however admitted that the party is only barely surviving, saying he is putting up a structure that will stand the test of time, adding that the party leaders are working at a pace that would not trouble them at the long run.

Admitting that the membership of the party in the state has been on the low side, Agbai noted that there is no faction in the state chapter of the party.

The allegations and claims aside, The Nation investigation shows that ANPP lost its glory in Abia State because of lack of focus of top party officials. We learnt that most of the political heavyweights, who joined the party at one time or the other and who had to leave suddenly, like the former National Chairman of PDP, Chief Vincent Ogbulafor, who was ANPP’s standard flag bearer during the 1999 governorship election and Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, who joined ANPP to contest against former governor Orji Uzor Kalu in 2003, did not see themselves as ANPP members. The party, to them, according to close associates, was merely a handy warship with which to prosecute a particular political war.

Some critics also allege that even Ikechi Emenike, who is currently fighting under the banner of ANPP to unseat Governor Theodore Orji at the courts, may be in the same category as Ogbulafor and Abaribe.

Like Ogbulafor and Abaribe, it is feared that if Emenike fails to get what he wants, he may sooner or later abandon ANPP for greener pastures.

Our survey shows that this bleak picture is largely replicated in most of the South-East geo-political zone, including Onu’s home state, Ebonyi, and in the SouthSouth.

Ondo

In the South-West, ANPP’s influence has largely crashed since the collapse of the merger with AD. In Ondo State and most of the other states in the zone for example, the party failed to win any seat during the last April general election.

In Ondo, it only managed to win councillorship seats during the 2007 general election. But, after the 2007 polls, large numbers of its followers left the party for either the ruling Labour Party (LP) or the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The party came into limelight during the 2003 governorship election when it fielded billionaire businessman, Mr. Jimoh Ibrahim, as gubernatorial candidate.

But in 2007, the party picked a university professor, Ibukun Arifalo, as its governorship candidate as it was believed Ibrahim, who was seen as a major financier of the party, worked for the emergence of the incumbent governor of the state, Olusegun Mimiko of LP. Ibrahim, the former ANPP leader, left the party with his supporters and joined the PDP in 2009.

Explaining why he left ANPP to join the PDP, Ibrahim said ANPP does not have enough political structure to win a gubernatorial election in the state.

He noted that he had benefited from PDP despite the fact that he is not a member of

ANPP’s struggle for survival

•Jimoh

the party, adding that joining the party would also help him to achieve his political ambition.

Investigation conducted in the state also confirmed that ANPP became less relevant following the defection of its national chieftain and former president, Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, to a new political party, the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC). His exit prompted some followers of the party who believe in Buhari’s ideology to also join the CPC. The party only held major political campaign once prior to the last general elections when its presidential candidate, Shekarau stormed the state to canvass for votes.

The situation is very critical. Despite the fact that other political parties, like Action Congress of Nigeria [ACN], LP and PDP, are already warming up for the 2012 gubernatorial elections in the state, ANPP may not produce any candidate for the polls as we are yet to see any politician showing interest to contest under the platform.

However, many of its members are now trooping daily into various political parties like ACN and LP as a way of achieving their political ambitions. For instance, one of the chieftains of the party, High Chief Jamiu

•Etiebet

Akungba, recently joined ACN to contest for the forthcoming governorship election in the state.

It was learnt that Ekungba, who was a close friend to the Presidential candidate of the party, the former Governor of Kano State, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, sponsored the party during the last April Presidential election when the party managed to score some votes in the state, particularly in the northern region of the state.

Ekungba , who is among ACN aspirants for 2012 governorship election, while speaking with reporters, pointed out that the ANPP was not strong enough in the state, particularly when the citizenry are anxiously looking for a political party to unseat the present LP’s administration in the state.

The ACN Chieftain, who was a former Managing Director of Trade Bank, left the party with over 5,000 supporters of ANPP to join ACN. It is also alleged that currently, ANPP has no identifiable leader, capable of reviving the party and making it more relevant as many of its chieftains had preferred to pitch their tents with other political parties, like LP, ACN and PDP. This is also the disturbing trend in most

“Beyond Katsina and the reported states, the picture is almost the same across the country.

ANPP is in need of revival.

It would be recalled that its former national chairman, Edwin Ume Ezeoke’s administration contended with devastating personality clash with its last presidential candidate and former Governor of Kano State”

21

of the other states in the South-West.

Katsina In the North, where ANPP once held its head high, the picture is not quite bright either.

The Nation investigation revealed that, in Katsina state, for example, all is no longer well with the party unlike what obtained between 1999 to 2007, when it was indeed, a force to reckon with under some state chairmen, particularly that of Dr. Yusau Armiyau.

A disappointed member told The Nation that the party, “then derived its strength from the frankness and organisational skills of the state executives led by Dr. Armiya, which made a perfect combination with Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, who inspired great number of northern politicians with his anticorruption and hard stance on flagrant indiscipline.

According to him, “Buhari’s popularity, his unblemished anti- corruption record and his unceasing advocacy for internal democracy were great sources of strength on which the party flew to its peak and assumed the main opposition to the ruling party PDP before the last general election.

“However, Gen. Buhari’s uncompromising anti-corruption stance that earned the party fame, simultaneously set him and the party on collusion course against rich politicians, power brokers and the northern oligarchy, thereby limiting its spread in the north and indeed nationwide.”

He alleged that ANPP, more than any other opposition party, suffered offensive electoral manipulations in its encounter with the ruling party.

Aside Buhari, he blamed the waning influence of the party on the prolonged crisis that engulfed the party and the unilateral electoral court battle, championed by Buhari. The source recalled that Buhari left ANPP with his followers in the 34 local government areas of the state, including the executives, up to the ward levels.

This, expectedly, triggered off unimaginable drought in the rank and file of the party as more members later moved to the new party, CPC. The ANPP which in 2007 had seven seats in the Katsina State House of Assembly, ended with only three members after Buhari’s exit from the party.

In fact, the emergence of Hon. Garba Usman Funtua, an ANPP law maker in then state Assembly as the party’s gubernatorial candidate heightened the tempo as CPC prepared for its 2011 general elections.

However, some unresolved differences between the new party chairman, Alh. Gide Sabuwar Kasa and the party candidate led to the exit of Hon. Funtua on the eve of governorship election to the Action Congress of Nigerian (ACN) as Katsina south senatorial candidate of the party, leaving the ANPP hollow in the last general election.

Our investigation revealed that, the party candidates in the last National Assembly elections, Alh. Ibrahim Saulawa for Katsina central senatorial district, katsina; Hajiya Binta Shitu Gimbia for Katsina south senatorial district, Funtua and Alh. Aminu Mamman the candidate for katsina north, Daura mainly emerged as circumstantial candidates. It’s candidates for the 15 Federal House of Representatives were not exceptions.

Hence, the leadership challenge, uncertain governorship candidate, dwindling influence and followership, coupled with the party’s precarious financial position, rendered it invisible in the last general elections in Katsina state.

Beyond Katsina and the reported states, the picture is almost the same across the country. ANPP is in need of revival in Bauchi State where Mallam Isa Yuguda once governed on the ANPP ticket.

Personality clash

It would be recalled that the party’s former national chairman, Hon. Edwin Ume Ezeoke’s administration contended with devastating personality clash with its last presidential candidate and former Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Ibrahim Shekarau. Previous National Chairmen of the party, like Chief Donald Etiebet did not find it easier.

However, the ANPP, like any other party, continues to dream large as it hopes to attract more members before future elections.

22

THE NATION ON SUNDAY NOVEMBER 27, 2011

Politics

PDP, deadly virus in Bayelsa- CPC chairman Tension created by the unnerving intrigues that characterised PDP’s recent primaries ahead next year’s governorship election in Bayelsa State has remained a source of worry to all stakeholders. In this interview, Wilfred Frank Ogbotobo, Bayelsa State Chairman, Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), told Associate Editor, Sam Egburonu, that visionless lead-ership provided by past and present PDP governments and the consequent poverty are to blame for what he described as the incessant political chaos in the state. Excerpts:

• Ogbotobo

B

AYELSA has been under PDP rule since the inception of democracy in 1999 and being an homogenous state, what is behind the perpetual instability characterising the politics of the state?

Bayelsa’s condition is pathetic. The problem confronting the state is deep and multifaceted but not intractable.

The predominant problems stemmed from the pervasive ignorance and poverty. When you place an irresponsible and visionless leadership on a society steeped in abject poverty and ignorance, the resultant union will be chaos, confusion and lamentation.

Since inception, PDP administrations have failed to develop comprehensive, practical plan of action to address these issues which form the basis of the instability that has come to be our characteristic features. There has been no philosophy, principles or values to guide the PDP administrations which also lacked cohesion, discipline and focus to rule the state.

Hence, rather than strengthening institution of governance, resources and efforts were expended on building cults around personalities to massage bloated egos. This perception subsequently permeated the entire spectrum of governance and led to the proliferation of political fiefdoms.

Governance was turned to a jamboree without accountability and transparency.

The recklessness became a culture in our politics.

The first PDP administration planted the seed that stunted development and reared corruption and irresponsibility while the one that followed nurture the habits. Gov. Sylva is the labourer on the scene at the dawn of the harvest of confusion and lamentation and being PDP you must expect the normal thing.

Are you saying when Jonathan was governor and since Sylva mounted the throne they were unable to change the alleged seed planted by Alamieseyeigha’s government?

No, no, not at all. Like I said earlier, the problems are not intractable. Jonathan as governor and Sylva could have changed courses to distinguish the core issues of ignorance, poverty and underdevelopment.

After saying that, we must also consider the cultural context. Until we instill discipline, transparency and responsibility in our political culture, we cannot progress. We cannot continue with our present habit and expect success. The people need illumination. They want to know the meaning and purpose of policies and programmes.

From Alamieyeseigha through Jonathan to Sylva there were no big decisions, big projects taken and no town hall meetings to involve the people.

What is the root and effect of the crisis in the PDP in your state and the association of the President’s name with who becomes the party’s candidate?

Well, I am not in PDP. I am the state chairman of CPC. Ordinarily, we may see what you referred to as PDP’s internal matter. But beyond that, we are greatly concerned about the involvement of the military in pure politics and in an internal party issue. Secondly, we should not sit silently and watch PDP abuse the rule of law. Rule of law must reign supreme. Court order must be obeyed to the letter. For goodness sake, this is a democracy. The PDP should at all times obey the rule of law. Disobeying court orders is satanic. PDP is also synonymous with crisis. In Bayelsa, the party is just there to grab power and share the

spoils of office. Asides that, PDP has nothing to offer the people. A party should have values, philosophy and qualities that distinguish it and which must be reflected in its conduct either in government or opposition. It is then that the party will have the strength to offer lasting fulfillment to the people.

How do you relate the performance of governor Sylva’s five year in office with the income that accrued to the state during this period?

I think Gov. Sylva is highly endowed, smart and intelligent. As governor he started off well, he completed projects started by his predecessors, initiated and completed his own projects.

As to the question on whether his performance is commensurate with the billions that accrued to the state during his period, CPC in Bayelsa will not be drawn into PDP’s antics to confuse Bayelsans into believing that PDP is a good party and the current governor is the problem.

We know that PDP is a virus destroying Bayelsa. CPC holds and, will continue to hold the PDP responsible for the cultism, militancy, the stunted development, shattered values and breakdown in our community systems in Bayelsa State. And CPC urges Bayelsans to wake up to this reality. The earlier Bayelsans take the PDP by its horn and chase it out of governance the earlier the dawn of freedom, progress and new life. There is a ring of darkness surrounding governance in Bayelsa State where the worst sycophancy, deception, betrayal and selfishness reign. It is a creation of PDP. How do you feel being an opposition leader in the President’s home state?

I am proud to be a Bayelsan interested in the wellbeing of my people, my community and the state.

Being in the opposition gives me freedom to reach out to fellow Bayelsans and, also a clearer vision to offer alternatives to the government.

Moreover, being in opposition is a training to develop strength and understanding.

David Cameron led the conservatives in opposition for about 12 years before taking over government. He was just 30 years then. We are not opposition; rather we are an alternative government or shadow government. And that is the position CPC will adopt until we are given the mandate in 2012. At every point, we shall gauge our strength and do things accordingly. We

shall endeavour to cultivate the respect and esteem of Bayelsans by the values, philosophy and principles of our engagement.

Bayelsans are one people before politics. Hence, if we have to criticize President Goodluck on issues such as deploying military to Yenagoa for PDP primaries, we will do just that. We will also be proud of him, if the time comes and, as long as he will concentrate and do the things which will improve the lives of Nigerians, within the rule of law.

Can the opposition win the governorship in Bayelsa State?

It is possible if we can present a united front. But most of the opposition parties are made up of runaway members of PDP, so even if they win, I’m afraid we might end up seeing another face of PDP and the wahala will continue. This is why my focus as chairman of the CPC is to build the party first on the basis of our founding principles, values, philosophy and discipline. We are also proud of our national leadership under Prince Tony Momoh. Presently, there are very few Bayelsans who have not been infected by the PDP virus.

When you look and listen to majority of those interested in contesting the governorship, you wonder if we know our problems. CPC is therefore calling on Bayelsans to wake up and take our leaders to task and accountability, from the level of community development, committees, town unions, student and youth organisations, women and even chieftaincy councils. By so doing, we are fighting the menace of bad leadership and corruption at source.

How strong is the CPC in Bayelsa State?

We experienced some teething challenges which we were able to arrest and put under firm control for confirmation by our national executive. A lot of hasty, wrong actions and behaviours were tolerated during the state congress just to beat the electoral timelines. Expectedly, these grew and threatened to kill the party. My priority for now is to reposition the party quickly on its core values, philosophy and principles and give it identity. It is challenging but we will overcome. The party has great promise to uplift Bayelsa and Bayelsans. At the national level, we had Gen. Buhari’s pedigree to fly on but at the state level, it was a completely shoddy outing – a mockery of the goodwill that welcomed us in Bayelsa State.

Political Politics turf

with Bolade Omonijo boladeomonijo@yahoo.com

Good Lord, deliver us

I

T is time to pray. As a result of human frailties and the peculiar situation of our country, we need to turn to the Almighty for help. These are indeed testy times.

There is bloodletting everywhere. Boko haram strikes at will in the North, especially the North East. One does not need to be a soothsayer to predict that it is a question of time before the fire spreads to the North West. For tactical and strategic reasons, Abuja has had more than a fair share of the mayhem unleashed by the men who are angry that Nigeria wants to join the comity of developed nations.

So, in that case, what can we do? How do we pacify the men that we do not know? At a time like this, I think believers should turn to the omnipotent. I therefore pray that, “At a time when the fear of Boko Haram is the beginning of wisdom, Lord deliver us.”

Nigeria is unlucky to have a clueless government; one that has no clear idea on how to tackle the most basic of problems. Has anyone seen any new thinking of tackling the men of the underworld? Even in the interior parts of the country, especially the South, armed robbers are on the prowl; they strike at will. The banking hall is not safe. At a point in Aba, banks were closed for weeks as customers and workers felt very unsafe. The more policemen attached to the banks, the worse the feeling of insecurity. In Ilesa, Ado-Ekiti, Ago-Iwoye, among other towns in the South West, the deadly men mow down men and women, the young and the old, at will.

Our government has really surrendered. Security is a federal function, even if there is no federal life. The federal government has a refrain: “We are on top of the situation.” At other times, the Inspector General of Police chooses to talk tough: “Enough is enough”, he hollers.

Yet, the men strike again and again, taking precious lives each time. So, what do I say? I turn to my Father in Heaven and enjoin others in saying: “Lord, you are omniscient.

We surrender our country to you. Father, deliver us from the wiles of the evil ones and the claws of clueless rulers.”

Recently, the men in black uniform invaded the premises of this newspaper. They are funded to defend the society. They are supposed to be friends of the people. They are supposed to be defenders of fundamental human rights and advocates of scrupulous adherence to the rule of law. But, they are dreaded. They invaded The Nation with the intent of castrating production. They carted away some senior editors and gave no reasons for such an unfriendly visit. Yet, they claim that the Police are your friends. As the late Chief Moshood Kashimowo Abiola once said, “with such friends, there would be no need for enemies.” So, I pray, “Good Lord, deliver us from enemies who pretend to be friends. The hearts of kings (including Policemen) are in your hands and you could turn them like water. Father deliver us from law enforcement agents who are quick to break the law.”

Is Nigeria really making progress? Every year, billions of Naira is budgeted to provide sorely needed infrastructure. At a point, there was an outfit to equip the Police. Billions of Nara was raised. Then, some men were arrested for allegedly misappropriating the Police Equipment Fund. But, what has happened since then? Where did our oil money go, as the late Professor Ayodele Awojobi asked in the Second Republic? Some of the men dragged before the law court for the alleged crime have since bounced back to reckoning. From such men who act like rats gobbling our common wealth, Good Lord, deliver us.

Remember that we once had an Inspector General of Police named Tafa Balogun who stopped at nothing to convert public fund meant to equip and pay Policemen to private purpose? He was dragged before the court, pleaded guilty and received a slap on the wrist with a six-month sentence. No sooner did he become an ex-convict than he was treated to civic reception in Ila-Orangun, an ancient town in Osun State. Recently, he was given a communal award by the community. Our sense of shame has bowed to the worst of ravaging capitalism. From rapacious leaders whom turn the instrument of the state against the people, Good Lord, deliver us. From communities that wittingly or unwittingly encourage devourers to nibble at seed of national development, good Lord, deliver us.

It is time for us to pray as a people. But it is also time to work. The Bible says we should work and pray. After all, faith without work, as Apostle James put it, is dead.

We must work to overthrow the yoke that our leaders have imposed on us. While we do the work, we should then pray.

Good Lord, I pray, deliver us from the shackles of those who have entrapped us. The fowlers are everywhere, good Lord, please make a way of escape for us.

SUNDAY INTERVIEW

23

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2011

‘Osun is now solvent’ The administration of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, governor of Osun State is one year old. Taiwo Ogundipe, Associate Editor, sat down with him in Osogbo to reflect on the journey so far.

W

HY are you having an elaborate first year anniversary celebration?

Last night you had the all night ‘Meet the Governor’ programme.

Is there anything elaborate about the celebration? No food was served. Nothing was served. I had the night programme because I work well at night. I’m more effective, more responsive and more productive at night. That is my nature. I just want to correct the word, elaborate because it could be misinterpreted by those who are in themselves mischievous.

Mischief- makers could misrepresent and misinterpret it. I do not see anything elaborate in it. The truth is we are marking our first one year in office since we did not indulge in periodic celebration or marking of the changes leading to this. We feel it would be nice, to in the world of learning, use the anniversary, as every anniversary is meant to be used for, to annotate where we haven’t met our objectives essentially and equally outline where we have fulfilled the landmarks or objectives set for ourselves.

The general notion is that Osun State is a poor state. Do you think so? And what steps are you taking to ensure adequate funding for the numerous projects you have outlined?

In terms of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Osun is the poorest in Southwest.

Therefore it will not be wrong to say that it is a state with very lean resources. If you equally look at the economy of Osun, it is driven by the salary paid to workers. And it is limited. What the workers earn in their various stations is about N3 billion. When you put that on the population, you will realise that it is grossly inadequate even to run the economy. And that explains why we are here. We are here to shift the fulcrum of the economy from civil service remuneration to agriculture. We want to empower the farmers, develop them and encourage their productivity such that from farming, between N9 billion and N15 billion could monthly be injected into the economy.

This was misunderstood when I said it for the first time to mean that I wanted to increase the revenue of the state. It is different. We are not talking of revenue. We are talking of the robustness of the

economy. The strength of your economy is the totality of the wages being earned by workers in government employment whether state or local. But our focus is to reverse that trend and make returns on agriculture, that is, we want to make the farmers the cornerstone of the Osun economy. And we’ll use all kinds of methods, approaches and strategies to make this happen. I’ll give you one example: We are simply angry at getting just 10 percent of three point something billion food exchange value of Lagos. And with that, every month, Osun farmers supplying foodstuffs and such commodities to Lagos, would be earning or bring to the economy N9 billion. That will totally eliminate the dependence of Osun on allocation from Abuja and civil service which have hitherto been the lot of Osun. And that has adversely affected the welfare and strength of the residents and people of the state. This is our commitment.

And with the programmes, policies and projects we are pursuing we are confident it will happen.

When will the people begin to benefit from the expected yields of the evolving agricultural programmes?

The timeline will be a difficult thing for me to really give. It will depend largely on the people. As a government we have not left anything undone. One, to make the people understand that work is the essence of living, we rebranded the state; we are promoting ethical values, moral standards and productivity as the driving motives of life and successful and comfortable as well promising existence. When we completed that scheme which we anchored on the epithet, Omoluabi , the slogan, Osun adara, the coat of arms, the anthem and the flag of the state, all of which are to motivate and inspire total commitment to ethical standard , upright living and productivity, we moved on to direct intervention in farming. Farmers are assisted to clear their farmland. Improved seedlings were supplied to them. Farming inputs like fertilizers and herbicides were given to them at subsidised rates. Extension services in terms of regular, necessary and professional pieces of advice were liberally and without cost given to the farmers.

“From insolvency, the state of Osun is not only solvent, it has a reserve of N32 billion.

This, you must not forget, has never happened in the history of this state.”

•Aregbesola

Credit facilities were equally extended to them. I do not expect anything less than bumper harvest. If the intervention this year – because we did not have sufficient time and equally adequate resources to pursue it – our returns this year might not be as heavy as we will have next year.

Having settled the burden of nagging debt inherited by us from our predecessor, I know that we are now in a better position to vigorously pursue our massive food production programme to quadruple whatever returns we have this year next year.

It appears that the agricultural projects are largely focused on subsistence farmers.

Do you have plans in place to involve large scale mechanised farmers as is the case of Kwara State and the Zimbabwean farmers?

I don’t know what you mean by that. I do not believe in that approach. One thing I want us to know is that the so-called subsistence farmers are those sustaining the economy. Yet they are not given incentives or empowered. But they bear the burden of supplying us the staples that today sustain our lives. It is at great pains to them. Nobody cares for them. They emaciate and they age quickly. And it does not bother the elite who must, however, eat yam, maize, beans and vegetables. I want to correct the impression that the only viable form of farming is the KwaraZimbabwean type. I’m not against it. But I’m just telling you that as good as that is, we equally owe commitment to our people.

So, one, we are quite clear in our approach that we will help traditional farmers to expand their capacity individually and collectively. Our approach is to promote

cooperative consciousness among them. So we are encouraging them to farm in a cooperative of ten through which they can access fund from the financial institutions and expand their scope of farming and their size of farm lands. That we have achieved. And I will give you an example: In Pataara, a group of farmers today has under cultivation 380 acres of rice farmland. They never dreamt of such thing until our administration came on board.

There are such other groups engaged in fishery, some in exotic vegetables, cabbage, and watermelon as well as tomato cultivation, among others.

Our intervention is not subsistent anymore.

Most of the farmers that were in subsistence farming before we came into the saddle are now grouped, not compulsorily, in cooperatives with huge farmlands developed and supported by us but owned by them. And while we are not going out to look for commercial farmers, we do not shun them either. Whoever is keen, whether individual or corporate, on being part of our farming programme is welcome.

We will give land liberally. The defining character of our own intervention is massive food production as against just agriculture for agriculture sake.

Have you factored in storage facilities for the massive farm produce you are expecting?

We are doing everything. We are improving on the storage facilities we have.

We are building new ones. We are not resting. We are doing all that will stimulate food production. It is along this line that •Continued on Page 24

24

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2011

Sunday Interview

•Continued from Page 23 we signed an MOU with the Nigeria Railway Corporation. In Osun, whoever from where ever, has agricultural produce particularly food or commodity meant for any market outside will enjoy free freight on rail from us.

From where ever you are from, once you get to Osogbo, we guarantee you free freight. And we are equally using this medium to let people know that finished goods too from Lagos meant for any part of Nigeria but have to pass through Osun will be transported free to Dagbolu or Osogbo Station by us. This is our own little contribution to turn our state to a hub of commodity exchange in Nigeria.

Don’t you fear a sabotage of some kind by the Federal Government controlling the Nigeria Railway Corporation because of the obvious rift between your government and the former PDP administration in the state?

All I know is that we have negotiated and reached agreeable conclusion on our relationship.

I’m totally without a fear of any sabotage because it is my own conviction that the NRC is committed to its own progress which is in tandem with our philosophy, policy and programme. I do not see how there will be a conflict. We are not asking them for free services. We are paying them for the services they render to us. Commercially, there is no concession or discount they are giving to us. We are engaging them commercially and on their own terms. And we are only using that relationship to promote agriculture particularly food production and grow our economy. It is a creative way to grow the economy and we are maximizing the opportunity of the rail passing through our state.

But beyond that, I must not fail to tell you that we are in some agreement with a Chinese corporation. As I’m talking to you, we have dedicated to us four locomotive engines, 80 wagons and coaches – 40 of them for passengers and the remaining 40 for goods. I have already applied to the President (Goodluck Jonathan) to give me and my government concession to run those already acquired locomotives, coaches and wagons on the railway lines to bring goods to and from Osogbo and Lagos and equally run passenger services between the two towns.

All these are geared toward seeing that Osogbo becomes a hub of commerce and social interaction.

There have been wide commendations for your intervention in the education sector especially the reduction of school fees. However, you reportedly adopted an unorthodox structural approach to your education programme in form of the 3-6-6-4 system which is at variance with the nationally adopted system. What informed this?

Education is key. No society can make any progress if the education of the succeeding generation is left unattended to or mismanaged. One is actually alarmed - it is more than being worried - by the level of chaos, total abandonment and destruction in the educational system, particularly at the basic level. It is so worrisome that one is even afraid of who the successor of the present generation will be. On noting that, I realise the implication of the

‘Agriculture is our main priority’ current attitude of negligence by most governments for education.

We have taken it as a very serious concern of our administration. To that extent, we convened an Education Summit early in the year in which we looked at every aspect of education. And we came to four conclusions: One, the structure of education is clearly defective. Talking about the 6-33-4, good as it is, there is nothing wrong with it, however, without adequate provision of physical infrastructure to drive the methodology, it is defective. So to give meaning, bite and relevance to the structure of learning, we have redefined the tiers of basic education. We now have elementary, middle and high schools. At the elementary level you have children between the ages of six and eight, that is, they will come to school at the age of six and leave at the age of eight.

They are those that will be in the neighbourhood elementary schools. In the urban centres we will have structures that will accommodate 900 of them. Then in the rural setting where there is a population for such huge schools, whatever is the number of pupils at that great level will be accommodated in decent buildings. We are looking toward building about 100 of those statewide between now and the end 2013. We are equally introducing the middle schools between the ages of nine and 14.

We are going to be using grade system. They will be in grades four to nine. Those schools will accommodate a thousand students each. We are looking at building about 50 of those between now and the end of 2013.

And for the high schools which will be from grades 10 to 12 for the age bracket of 15 to 17 - the SSS3 classes now - we are going to build about 20 of them starting with the various premier schools that are here but now totally run down. The maximum capacity of each will be 2, 500. In some places the capacity will be 1,500. We think with this, education will be given a facelift. It will be more attractive.

Some observers have opined that it is not necessary for you to pull down some of the projects, especially the school buildings, put up by your predecessor as you have declared to carry out. They said that since state money was spent to build them it will be a waste of resources to do that.

If they are schools, probably we will leave them. The structures that qualify for standard schools will not be touched. But structures that are hardly fit for pets, that is, domestic animals for human companionship and support, will not be left. Secondly, a visit to the schools will show you horrible things. How would you take buildings erected on playing fields of children? At what age will children be given athletic culture and training? The fields meant for such purposes are built upon. One could not even understand the motivation behind some of their actions.

Definitely, they were not motivated by service to students or society. They were motivated by the commission and the rent they will collect from those projects. So no responsible government will continue with such rapacious corruption. There must be an end to such. It is not as if we are happy to demolish or

“The people of Osun are so happy with us.

They appreciate our commitment, interest and our love for them.

They are enjoying our services. The people whom you want to refer to in your question are suckers and parasites.”

•Aregbesola

destroy facilities that can bring value and use. No. It is with pain that we have to demolish structures that will not in any way edify our society, promote learning and develop soul and spirit of our people, society and children.

What measures have you put in place apart from focus on agriculture to attract industrial investors to the state?

First of all I want the world to know that I will give more attention to agro-allied industry than any other area. I don’t want to be mistaken on that. But whoever is keen on using us as a base for investment in industrialization is welcome. We are particularly interested in tourism industry because this state has the highest number of ancient towns with attractive cultural and traditional artifacts, events and activities. We are also endowed with mineral resources of pristine value and standard, particularly gold. And our people are warm, hardworking and dependable. So Osun is an investor’s haven of a sort. It is also a peaceful state.

You have reportedly set up an office called BOSS, Bureau of Social Services, to oversee, monitor and evaluate ministries, departments, agencies and projects. Some people see it as another unnecessary layer of bureaucracy. What is your response to this?

Whatever it is, it is to do what you have defined it to be. And knowing me and my objective to ensure that service is delivered to the people, I have no doubt it will meet our expectations and goals.

You have been accused by some of your critics of importing Lagos-based technocrats and contractors and imposing them on the state. Some are even insinuating that you are more of a Lagosian than an Osun person.

How do you react to these?

I don’t know what that means.

The people of Osun are so happy with us. They appreciate our commitment, interest and our love for them. They are enjoying our services. The people whom you want to refer to in your question are suckers and parasites who do not care a hoot about services to

the people but benefits to themselves and appropriation of resources meant for the people by themselves alone. Their antics are not unknown. Our people now know that a government that cares for them, committed to their freedom, prosperity and wellbeing is in place. So we do not even give credence or consideration to any such insinuation, which by the way is even totally false that foreigners by any definition are here. Two, that anybody is more of one place than here. How do you define that? What characterizes any human being is his attachment and commitment to whatever assignment he is given. From insolvency, the state of Osun is not only solvent, it has a reserve of N32 billion. This, you must not forget, has never happened in the history of this state. And we are working hard on leveraging that to almost a N320 billion capacity to carry out our projects and grow and expand the restricted economy of the state.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission you set up was said to have submitted its report but you are yet to issue a white paper.

It is believed this would have indicted some people. What is the present situation about that?

We are working on it. We will even do more than that. We will get all those that are indicted rounded up and sanctioned.

Discoveries are made every day.

Let me give you some startling news: Every day reveals more than we ever thought we knew.

Ex-Governor Oyinlola collected N25.35 billion as excess crude oil fund between 2007 and 2010.

From available records, the totality of what was spent on any visible project within that period is over 19 billion. So where is the remaining amount? What was it spent on? At that same time, the local governments under him collected N31.12 billion. There is nothing to show for it. From our movements round the state, there is nothing to justify such a huge collection. Between December and now, the totality of what we have collected as excess crude oil fund is N6 billion. And it is with that N6 billion that we have been able

to reengineer through creative approach a reserve of N32 billion with which we are leveraging up to N320 billion for the betterment of our people and development of the state.

It is believed in some quarters that you are the prime mover behind the regional integration of South-West states governments.

Is this correct? And are all the governors flowing along in the same spirit?

Well, I will not take your gratuitous patronage of being the prime mover. I don’t know what that means. But I’m involved in the process of evolving a collective approach to regional development. And I’m proud to tell you that virtually all of us are equally committed to that.

You have always professed two major mentors: Awo and Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu. Do you think the surviving legacies of Awo are still providing legacies of inspiration and guidance to you? Does Asiwaju still play mentorship role in your activities?

Of course Asiwaju is my mentor, leader and guide. But beyond that, I must correct an impression. One, God is the greatest of all the pillars of support I have because without his endowment I might not even be in the position to appreciate Awolowo or Asiwaju talk less of following them. So, God deserves all the praise and recognition.

And following that is the fact that I being a Moslem too, I follow the leadership and model of Prophet Mohammed. Because of this opportunity I have, the influence that Comrade Ola Oni had on me in building a formidable character that could now appreciate and understand the worth of Awolowo and the worth and value of the indomitable Asiwaju. I’ve also had a history that you cannot dismiss. And that history is so rich in valour, courage, zeal and communal service, that when you put all these together, you will know why I am who I am.

Definitely, Awolowo is an inspiration. Asiwaju is a living legend, a mentor, a leader and a guide that I believe I will cherish for life.

COVER

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2011

Changing politics of Boko Haram Once regarded as a strictly Islamic militant sect, Boko Haram has become political with far-reaching consequences, report Sunday Oguntola and Joe Agbro (Jnr)

T

HE battle against Boko Haram, the radical Islamic sect, scored a big victory last week. The State Security Services (SSS) arraigned the a self-confessed spokesman of the group, Ali Sanda Umar Konduga, before Chief Magistrate Oyebola Oyewumi of an Abuja Magistrate Court on two-count charge of criminal breach of trust, criminal intimidation and anonymous calls. Konduga, popularly known as Usman Al-Zahawiri, was sentenced to a nine-year jail term after pleading guilty to the offence.

But the biggest news was the revelation of alleged sponsors of the sect, which has claimed responsibility for various explosions that led to numerous deaths in several parts of the North and Abuja, the nation’s capital.

Konduga fingered Senator Ali Ndume (Borno South) and former Ambassador to Sao Tome and Principe, the late Saidu Pindhar, as some of the sect’s sponsors. He also claimed former Borno State Governor, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, had something to do with Boko Haram’s funding and activities.

The nation’s security forces

were in jubilant mood last week over the developments. That alleged sponsors of the group are being unmasked for the first time since its deadly missions meant so much to security operatives.

Sources who spoke under strict anonymity said with what has been accomplished so far, the days of the dreaded sect are certainly numbered. President Goodluck Jonathan re-echoed the same view. Last Thursday, he assured that Boko Haram will soon frizzle out. Jonathan, who declared open the biennial Honorary International Investors Council Meeting (HIIC) open in France, said ‘’Very shortly, the tide of Boko Haram will be stemmed.”

Political dimensions of Boko Haram These assurances, it was gathered, emanated from successful infiltration of the sect by security forces. This may not be unconnected with the politicisation of Boko Haram, which started out as an Islamic sect fighting against Western education and seeking imposition of Sharia law in the country. Its founder, the late Mohammed Yusuf, established a re-

• Boko Haram's logo

ligious complex comprising a mosque and school in Maiduguri in 2002 when the group started.

The school attracted poor, seriously radicalised kids. They were schooled in religious intolerance and bigotry. Boko Haram’s radical disposition and swelling membership allegedly made it attractive to political groups. According to its convicted spokesman, ‘’We were political thugs to former Governor Sheriff until the

Dateline of Boko Haram’s deadly attacks in 2011 · Borno State governorship candidate of the All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP), Alhaji Modu Gobi, was assassinated on Friday January 28, 2011, along with his brother, four police officers and a 12-year old boy. · Suspected members attacked a police station in Bauchi on April 1, less than 24-hour to the National Assembly elections. · On April 9, a polling centre in Maiduguri was bombed. · The Maiduguri office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was bombed while several people were shot on April 15. · A Muslim cleric was killed and several police officers ambushed in Maiduguri on April 20. · On April 22, Boko Haram freed 14 prisoners during a jailbreak in Yola, Adamawa State. · Series of bombings in Northern Nigeria marred Democracy Day celebrations and left 15 dead on May 29. · The Police Force Headquarters was bombed in Abuja on June 16, 2011. Boko Haram claimed responsibility the next day. · On June 26, 25 people died at a drinking joint in Maiduguri when suspected Boko Haram members on motorcycles threw explosives into the beer garden. · Three customs officials wounded and at least two girls killed on June 27 in another bombing incident in Maiduguri.

· Another 20 persons confirmed dead on July 3 in another bombing in a beer garden in Maiduguri. · All Christian Fellowship Church bombed in Suleja, Niger State. · Prominent Muslim cleric, Liman Bana, was shot dead on August 12. He died after sustaining gunshot wounds while walking home from conducting prayers at the main mosque in Ngala. · On August 26, the UN Headquarters in Abuja was blown by a suicide car bomber. At least 21 persons died and dozens more injured. The group claimed responsibility almost immediately after the attack. · Politician, Modu Binbute, was shot and killed outside of his home in Maiduguri on October 16. · Alhaji Zakariya Isa, an NTA Journalist, was reportedly slain by Book Haram, according Abu Qaqa, for being a government informant. · 67 killed in a series of coordinated attacks in Borno and Yobe states. A new police headquarters was left in ruins and government offices burned on November 5

relationship went sour.’’ At the peak of the relationship, Buju Foi, said to be a leading member of Boko Haram was appointed by Sheriff as commissioner for religious affairs. The commissioner later resigned and went back to his old fold. When the crisis broke out again he was arrested and allegedly murdered by the police along with Yusuf. Foi was considered the major financier of the group and it was rumoured that his killing and that of Yusuf was carried out to ensure they did not spill the beans.

Umar had told the SSS that Boko Haram originated from ‘ECOMOG’, a militia group, which enjoyed patronage of top politicians in Borno. According to him, ‘’We switched over to the late Ambassador Pindhar, who promised me N10 million to work for his political party, the PDP, in Borno State during the last elections. Unfortunately, Ambassador Pindhar died on his way to make the part payment of N5million and Senator Ali Ndume took over from where the late ambassador stopped.”

Ndume was in All Nigeria Peoples’ Party (ANPP) with Sheriff. He left for the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) after falling out with the former governor. Going

by Umar’s confession, the group sided with political parties to win elections and fight opposition.

The group, he said, sent threat text messages to prominent Nigerians to influence the Election Petitions Tribunal in Borno.

The messages and phone numbers of victims, he alleged, were composed and supplied by

Ndume. Prominent Nigerians targeted include former President Olusegun Obasanjo; Justice Sabo Adamu and other judges of the Election Petitions Tribunal in Borno State; Governors Sule Lamido of Jigawa State and Babangida Aliyu of Niger State.

Others were Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Dalhatu Sarki Tafida, who was also the Director-General of President Goodluck Jonathan Presidential Campaign Organisation and Senator Sanusi Dagash, former Works and Housing Minister, among others.

Obasanjo, who once led a government negotiation team to the group, was targeted because of his alleged sympathy for Sheriff and incumbent Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State.

Daggash’s involvement had to do with his alleged attempts to sabotage the electoral victory of the PDP in Borno State despite being a member of the ruling party. The Election Petitions Tribunal had to relocate to Abuja when the threat messages became unbearably scary.

Umar revealed that the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Adoke, was also threatened to compel him to influence judgment of the tribunal against the government in Borno State. He alleged that Ndume, a member of the Presidential Committee on the Security in the North-East, promised to supply the telephone numbers of members of the security committee to the group before •Continued on Page 26

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2011

Cover

Boko Haram as political weapon •Continued from Page 25 his eventual arrest.

These confirm long-held suspicions that Boko Haram may have been hijacked for political motives.

Senator Uche Chukwumerije (Abia North) believes the group is a Northern creation meant to “hijack power” come 2015. According to him, ‘’The issue of militancy in the Niger Delta has yielded them (the South South) the Presidency. If you watch what is going on now, the politicised illegal activities of Boko Haram are a proper determination to win the second round of presidential election in 2015".

The Senator spoke at the 2011 Igbo Day lecture in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State. According to him, Boko Haram is a Northern militia group just like the Oodua Peoples’ Congress (OPC) for the south West, Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) for the South South and the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) for the south East.

This view corroborates the theory that Boko Haram was created to distract Jonathan and that it will fizzle out the moment a Northerner mounts the Presidential saddle.

Recently, the Special Adviser to the President on Ethics and Values, Mrs. Sarah Jubril, had carpeted Northern political and religious leaders for being silent on the Boko Haram menace. She said the sect’s activities have retarded developments and progress in the North. According to her, ‘’The retired Generals, public servants, civil servants, let them show the right way. If they don’t want to do that, let the youths take the responsibility for their own future and my advice for the youths is that they should take the responsibility to be the security agents for their own future. The more they do this bombing that they are doing, is to repel investors. The less investors we have, the less industries, the lesser the industries, the more unemployment, the more the unemployment, the more the frustration and the more people run away.’’

In challenging leading of the region she asked, ‘’ What happened to all our industries in the north? How many industries are flourishing? How come cotton and groundnut are not flourishing in the north? What happened between the 38 years that we had rulership? These are questions we are going to ask ourselves. How much is been raised in the northern states? How many community secondary schools do we have?’’ However, the Publicity Secretary of Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Anthony Sani, said the impression that Northern leaders are in support of terrorism is false. According to him, ‘’If one person is arrested in the South-west and in the South-east for terrorism, it does not make the entire Yoruba and Igbo people terrorists.”

The Wikileaks connection The Internet whistle-blower, Wikileaks, in a US cable had alleged that there was a pact between the SSS and Northern traditional oligarchy to protect Boko Haram members from prosecution and conviction. The cable with reference id: #08ABUJA538 was reportedly sent to the US State Department by a former US Ambassador to Nigeria, Dr. Robin

• Boko Haram attack on Police Headquarters in Abuja

•Horsfall Rene Sanders, on March 20, 2008.

It said the SSS and Northern leaders reached an agreement for the secretive release and non-trial of terrorism suspects from the region. The deal provided that terrorism suspects from the region would be released to a carefully selected group of traditional rulers and Imams shortly after their arrest.

Sanders wrote that that the deal was part of a SSS programme called ‘Perception Management’ aimed to reform terrorism suspects and promote the notion that religious extremists in the region had no foreign affiliations.

Among other conditions, terrorism suspects who benefitted from the programme agreed to submit to routine monitoring by the SSS, report regularly to the service and abandon extremism.

Under this plan, individuals are released from police or SSS

•Odekunle custody and entrusted to sureties, most of whom are imams or respected traditional leaders in the North for de-radicalisation. Security officials have expectedly denied the pact.

Split in Boko Haram?

There are insinuations that the group might have been factionalised. This came to the fore after a section opted for negotiation. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo last September met with the family of the slain founder of the sect, Mohammed Yusuf. His brother-in-law, Babakura Fugu, said, “It was an open, heart-to-heart discussion during which he inquired about what happened two years ago and how to end the violence that the 2009 killings precipitated.”

But Fugu was killed 72 hours after meeting with Obasanjo by a suspected faction uncomfortable with negotiations.

It is believed there is a segment of the sect that has political interests and is therefore open to fraternising with government officials and politicians. Another, it was gathered, is strictly militant and bent on imposition of Sharia law. This element, investigations revealed, is the one responsible for the spate of explosions in the North. Recent arrests and infiltration of the group however mean it will never operate with the shocking deadliness and evasiveness that have defined it in the last few years.

Causes and effects In the light of the above, experts at an international conference on ‘‘National security: Issues, challenges, and dichotomy between the law and present day realities’’, organised by the School of Law of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) said the nation’s security system must be overhauled

and professionalised to be meet the challenges of the security facing the country.

To foremost criminologist, Professor Femi Odekunle, the country will continue to battle with insecurity until fundamental issues are resolved. According to him, the deployment of troops to curtail violence, cannot address the malaise because those charged with the responsibility are only treating the effects and the root causes.

He predicted that except the fundamental problems are dealt with, insurgencies such as those created by MEND, MASSOB, OPC and lately Boko Haram would continue. “If this (violence unleashed by Boko Haram stops, another one would start,” Odekunle predicted.

Chief A. K. Horsfall, the former DG of the Nigerian Intelligence Agency (NIA) at the conference expressed concern at the seeming break down of security in the country in the face of threats and bomb explosions. He frowned at the militarisation of the polity. According to him, “what we need is good intelligence, good security, and not militarisation.”

He faulted the idea of plea bargaining which EFCC has adopted in resolving corruption matters, especially by politicians.

Most of the participants at the conference were of the view that the issues that spurred violence and led to security breaches across the country such as injustices, inequitable distribution of wealth should be addressed to help curb terrorism and violence.

In his keynote address at the kick off of the conference, Professor Ado Tenebe, the Vice-chancellor of NOUN, said the business of security is for all. He said the University decided to organise the conference as part of its contribution to finding a lasting peace to the threat of security in the country.

S V Man City Liverpool

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2011

Everything I do is passion-driven –Ndidi Obioha Page 29

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Glamour

THE NATION ON SUNDAY NOVEMBER 27, 2011

Kehinde Falode Tel: 08023689894 (sms) Former UK-based designer, Bola Obileye of Tote Collection is a designer delight any day. A graduate of Business and Computing from the London Guilhall University, Obileye is also a fashion stylist, photojournalist, fashion editor, accessories designer, author and career mentor. At the just concluded Nigeria Fashion Week where she exhibited her irresistible and out-of-this-world fashion accessories’ line that includes Ankara handbags, Ankara Necklaces, Clutch bags and Ankara laptop cases, she spoke to KEHINDE FALODE about her journey into the world of fashion designing.

E-mail: kehinde.falode@thenationonlineng.net

How I get inspiration for my works

Y

OU have quality made- inNigeria bags and fashion accessories here, where have you been all this while?

I started making the bags not too long ago and I am having fun with it as well and it is lovely when people say lovely words about it and it is very encouraging.

What is the concept behind your collection?

The concept of my bags is infusing our locally-made fabric Ankara with leather and creating beautiful accessories that people will love. Accessories like handbags, clutch bags, laptop cases, necklaces etc. basically something that adds a bit of character to our fashion.

In terms of inspiration, I believe the Nigerian woman generally loves to look fabulous from her head-tie down to her shoes. So, in everything I made, I try to think about who is going to wear it, who will love to wear, how will they want to look and I just play with things along that line.

What are the challenges you face while producing these deluxe fashion accessories?

First, is that even though Nigeria produces a lot of leather, they are exported and when it comes back to Nigeria, we get them in bits and pieces. They come back looking

-Bola Obileye

really nice, but they are limited in supply.

So, when I make a design, I can only make limited supply because I don’t know if I am going to get the leather again. Also the same thing with the Ankara; the turn over with the Ankara design is so huge that once you buy what you want to use and if somebody else want that same design, you probably cannot produce it, because it is not available anymore. Also the metals festooned on the handbags are not produced in Nigeria, so we have to import, because where they produce in Nigeria some are not of good quality.

So we have to be buying in. Other than that, we got the man power, the expertise in Nigeria and I am here (laughs).

What goes on in your mind when designing a bag?

When I am designing a bag, I am thinking I want whoever buys it to

•Bola Obileye

•Bola Obileye

absolutely love it. I want it to be a bag that you will be checking to make sure that nothing happens to it and you put it back in a little sack every night at the end of the day knowing your bag is there waiting to be rocked again. I am always thinking about the end user and how much pleasure they can get out of it.

How did the journey begin for you?

The journey began when I moved back to Nigeria almost a year ago. I lived in London for 17 years and I found out that most of the things I wanted to buy were not available. I will see things in the market and wish something was different about them. So, I started experimenting with things and try to create things that I really saw in my mind. The Nigeria bags and accessories industry is completely different, because in Nigeria, we are making bits and pieces, whereas in the UK, America or Paris, they are actually making in quantity with a supply chain in mind. But in Nigeria, we have to rely on just a small market place, which is why platform like this is good, because at the Nigeria Fashion Week, we have to showcase what we have to offer which is what is really lacking in Nigeria, because many time, you don’t have a platform to showcase the good works that people here are creating.

What drives you?

I am a very hardworking woman and I enjoy new challenges and I just feel that in life, you just don’t know until you start it and if things don’t work, you deal with it and you move on.

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Glamour

THE NATION ON SUNDAY NOVEMBER 27, 2011

One shoulder

s e s s e dr T HIS type of dresses never go out of vogue. Every fashion season, we see many one-arm gowns on the runway ever since Michelle Obama rocked the look some years back. But this season, the number of this dress has increased significantly. What more, than design has become airier, colourful and more flowing. And majority of this items come with prints.

•KM Cut

•Gbemi Awoniyi •One Shoulder Dress Red

•Karen Millen One shoulder butterfly dress DarkSlateBlue •Busola Duro-Emmanuel •Tosin Faniro-Dada

•Ibiere Julius Agwu

•Karen Millen

Fever Ivy one shoulder dress in cream

Glamour

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2011

Chic outfit, lovely poise, Kudos to Ayomide Ogunlade

Everything about Kehinde Akinrinmade’s looks from the hairstyle, to the outfit is the exact opposite of good style, Oops!

Tolu Aimakhu would have looked real chic if her thighs had not been too exposed, Oops!

At an awards ceremony held recently, scores of movie stars, celebrities and the wanna-be’s stormed the event, with some decked in impressive outfits, while others simply failed to impress, writes Olusegun Rapheal

With a sunny smile, Keira Heywatch seems ready to party, Kudos!

A style not well defined Oops to Ndigwe

Making it simple really suited Trucia Usang, Kudos!

A woman who looks comfortable in her outfit Kudos to Olaitan Ogungbile

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Glamour

THE NATION ON SUNDAY NOVEMBER 27, 2011

Favourite colour Waveg Nollywoo -making da Ikpe Etim ctress, Nse ,w nominate ho was d Actress a for Best w African M ard at the ov Awards in ie Academy 20 her top te 09 reveals n KEHIND things to E FALOD E

Green

Favourite wrist watch designer Piaget

Favourite handset BB

Favourite shoes designer Christian Louboutin

Favourite pants (trousers) Long Pants

Favourite bag designer Kate Spade

Favourite perfume Faubourg by Hermes for women

Favourite sunglasses designer Tom Ford

Nse’s

top

0 1

Favourite fashion designer (s) Wanger Ayu, Wana Sambo, Violet Couture and Koketso Chiepe

Favourite drink Water

THEATRE

t

BIGSCREEN

With VICTOR AKANDE

SOUND TRACK

Tel: 08077408676

plus

S

•Stella

professionally, but we've been friends like forever. We shot in Douala. Meanwhile, it was a great experience. Interesting one but you know it's never easy producing a movie away from your base. We had to fly all our equipment there…crane, lights, tracks etc. It may interest you to know that Stella and I were Executive Producers and she played the lead,” he said.

The partnership which was forged recently has seen them jointly own a production company called Index Two Studios.

Apart from being professional partners, both of them have also been nominated for Best Actress and Best Director categories in the coming AFRIFF International Film Festival.

Yemi Solade disowns nude pictures

T

ONGUES have not ceased to waggle since the nude picture of popular Nollywood actor, Yemi Solade found its way into the open.

Although his’ will not be the first nude picture to be in circulation, it may just have been the most unexpected due to the perceived maturity and seemingly disciplined nature of the thespian.

But how is the man in the picture taking it? “For all I care, it's a fluke. I haven't seen the pictures and I'm not really bothered. It could be a location picture. He could have gotten it

somehow. I don't even know this person. He claims to be a lawyer in New York. We had a chat on Facebook and I called his bluff. It was after then I started hearing that my nude pictures were all over the place. I haven't seen it and I don't want to dignify someone I don't even know. As far as I'm concerned, it doesn't affect me in anyway,” he said.

Spotted recently looking his best at the Best of Nollywood Awards, Solade is one Nollywood star who boasts a large fan-base, is also well respected by his colleagues.

Bisi Ibidapo’s double celebration

A

T the moment, Yoruba actress Bisi Ibidapo's, known as Omo Logbalogba’s hands are very busy, as she is putting things together to make her birthday and house-warming party coming up on January 27th, 2012 at Magodo GRA, a success.

These are indeed good times for the actress. Not too long ago, she joined the likes of Tonto Dikeh, Genevieve Nnaji, Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, Ini Edo, Susan Peters, Empress Njamah, Uche Jombo & Halima Abubakar, as proud owners of Hummer SUV.

•Yemi Solade

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35

e-mail: victor_akande@yahoo.com

Stella Damasus, Daniel Ademinokan partnership ULTRY actress Stella Damasus and popular director, Daniel Ademinokan, have decided to take their long-run relationship to the next level.

The two stars who have been friends for ages have just finished shooting their first coproduced movie entitled Unspoken.

“Stella and I produced it together and this was our first work together

GISTS

T

Flip side of Tonto Dikeh

ONTO Dikeh sure knows how to stay on top of her game. In spite of her seemingly derogatory disposition as Nollywood’s controversial screen diva and sex symbol, it is indeed commendable that the actress is about to fete 100 most brilliant students from both private and public schools in Lagos.

On why the actress who recently delved into music is reaching out to these students, she says, “The act of rewarding brilliant students with scholarships and through other means which used to be very prevalent in those days seems to have gone into extinction.

There are thousands of intelligent students who need to be shown lots of love, if not for anything but for their outstanding successes. The idea is to appreciate them in any little way I can and this Christmas period provides an excellent opportunity.”

For those who probably think that 'sex' is all there is to this sultry actress, Tonto has decided to chart a new course for herself after the weeks of controversies over her recentlyacquired tattoo that covers over 70 percent of her back.

Her reward project for the students is billed to hold on December 10 at the Troy Bar and Restaurants, Ogba, Lagos.

Sola Asedeko and her secret bodyguards

I

T is no news that our rising star and crossover actress known as Abeni is pregnant and looking forward to motherhood at the moment.

What is news is that snapshots has just gathered information from a reliable source that the actress, who is dating a top military brass, goes about now with escorts, who pretend to be just normal

motorists, but are actually protecting our dear actress.

What they are protecting her from is what we do not know.

Sola Asedeko became popular as the lead actress in the movie, Abeni, by Tunde Kelani's Mainframe Production, and has appeared in more than 30 home videos of Yoruba movie and English soap opera genre.

Yoruba actor, Eniola Olaniyan, relocates

Y •Bisi Ibidapo

ORUBA actor Eniola Olaniyan, who is a graduate of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, has finally left the city of excellence for Abuja for greener pastures.

Eniola, who opened up on what has kept him going on in the face of financial challenges, regretted that stardom has not been able to translate into wealth for him.

In a phone chat with Snapshots, he stated why he had to relocate to Abuja with his family: “The industry is not profitable to me. It is still fair here. Compared to Lagos and like I said before, I am working with the government, which can make me move to different states.”

In August 2009 in an interview with The Nation, the actor stated that he had nothing to show for his 29 years in the industry.

•Eniola

38

Entertainment

THE NATION ON SUNDAY NOVEMBER 27, 2011

W L O H L Y OOD

Nicki Minaj named Billboard Rising Star of 2011

Justin Bieber releases Fa La La Video

N

ICKI Minaj is having one heck of a year and with this new honour from Billboard, it's going to get even bigger for the rap/hip-hop/pop star.

She is slated to receive the honour of Rising Star of 2011 at Billboard's "Women in Music" event on December 2 in New York City. She will no doubt look ridiculous.

Minaj said she was "deeply honoured to be recognized by Billboard" and that she and her fans are "mighty long away" but are not close to where "God will take us."

With her talent and style, the rapper/singer has emerged as one of music's most popular entertainers since releasing her debut album Pink Friday late last year.

T

•Jeremy

N

OT letting anything slow him down, Justin Bieber has just released the video of his new song “Fa La La” featuring Boyz II Men on Wednesday (November 23).

The black and white clip begins with the Biebs singing alone but then the “It's So Hard to Say Goodbye” fellas join in and sing, "Baby you de-serve eve-ry-thing you want/ it's your night."

“Fa La La” is the latest single from Justin's holiday album, “Under the Mistletoe”, which has moved down to #6 on the Billboards 200 album charts list after being up since its release at the beginning of the month.

•Minaj

Jeremy London wanted by police

HE actor - best known for his former role on Party of Five and a recent patient on Celebrity Rehab - is on the run after his girlfriend called the Palm Springs Police Department Friday due to an argument over custody of their child that allegedly resulted in an assault.

"This is a false allegation and we understand that the police

have to follow protocol in issuing an arrest warrant - standard when any woman files a complaint of domestic abuse," London's rep told People. "However, no such abuse occurred and these allegations will soon be proven false.

"Jeremy's legal counsel is cooperating with authorities and a factual account of the incident is

on record. We anticipate Jeremy to be cleared of any wrongdoing as he continues to enjoy fatherhood and embrace sobriety."

London has been involved in a number of unusual incidents over the past year or so, the most bizarre being a kidnapping in the summer of 2010, during which the actor says he was held at gunpoint.

Crane over Ghollywood

Row over Ghanaian Becca’s handbag stolen at 4Syte awards actress

A

source has revealed that the shoot of a new movie titled Asylum Down did not end on a quiet note following reports that the lead cast of the movie tried re-enacting the movie's script in real life.

•Magdalene The source further squealed that Nigerian actor Scott Robert, one of the lead actors, was in a fight with a rising Ghanaian actor over lead actress Magdalene Mensah, while he was in Ghana for the shoot. Scott and the Ghanaian actor, whose name was given as David Hans, are both in love with Magdalene.

It stated that “hell broke loose” at the Afrikiko Restaurant a couple of months ago when the two men engaged in a real fight in front of their friends and patrons at the pub over the actress. They broke bottles and were about to kill each other. Producer Sorag, son of veteran producer Hammond Mensah of HM Films, and his friends managed to separate the two.

E

VEN though Becca, real name Rebecca Acheampong, was the monarch of all that she surveyed by scooping the ultimate award at the just ended 3rd Edition of the 4Syte Music Video Awards, held at the Accra International Conference Centre on Saturday, November 19, 2011, the “Daa ke daa” hit maker went home very worried.

Her anxiety was borne out of the fact that moments after receiving the award for “Best Overall Music Video” and after giving her acceptance speech, the sultry singer returned to her seat only to realize that her hand bag had been stolen.

A shell-shocked Becca confirmed this to Peacefmonline.com's Entertainment Reporter, “Someone has taken my bag. I am surprised I don't even know what to say. I have my car keys, some amount of money, some important personal documents (ID and call cards). But my biggest worry is how to get my car keys back,” she said.

Strangely, and in the twinkle of an eye, while good Samaritans went searching for the bag, onlookers were bemused to see Becca's missing bag resting on her seat once again.

•Justin

•Becca

Channel O 2011 American Music Awards shows today

S

HOWING on Channel O entertainment channel is the broadcast of the American Music Awards which started live on Monday, 21 November to Sunday, 27 November.

The awards' ceremony was hosted by fellow nominee Nicki Minaj and rapper Pitbull.

Like the Channel O Music Video Awards, the American Music Awards are fan-voted and have consistently been one of the United States most-watched television awards events over the past few years.

Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, Kelly Clarkson, Mary J. Blige, Christina Aguilera, Pitbull and Maroon 5 will be seen taking to the stage at the Nokia Theatre in LA. The leading nominee at this year's awards is Adele, who is up for Favourite rock/pop female artist, Adult Contemporary Artist, Album with her "21", and Artist of the Year.

Olubukola Josephine returns with Generation of True Worshippers

R

EMEMBER the crooner of Oyigiyigi some many years ago, Olubukola Josephine Olubona? She's back in the news.

After 12years of releasing her first album which took the industry by storm, Josephine has just dropped a new album entitled Iji-Okun.

Giving her source of inspiration as the Holy-Spirit, the gospel sensation is the convener of a music concert tagged Generation of True Worshippers which is scheduled to hold on Sunday, November 27 at the RCCG, Soul Winners Cathedral, Lagos Province 32, Amuwo-Odofin.

“By the special grace of God, I'm the convener of the great event “Generation of True Worshippers”. A vision God gave me about 10years ago and was birthed last year May, 2010.”

Olubukola started singing Gospel songs professionall y 15 years ago.

•Olubukola

Entertainment

THE NATION ON SUNDAY NOVEMBER 27, 2011

D’Banj closes MTN Funlink concert in Lagos

Kefee tours Canada

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RANAMA Queen, Irikefe Obareki, popularly known as Kefee, is set to hit Canada for another tour just few months after dazzling her US fans.

Kefee's highly successful sojourn to the US saw her perform alongside Grammy Award-winning artiste, India Arie and Tyrese Gibson at The African Festival of Arts in Chicago.

Her official tour schedule includes performances at Toronto 25th, Edmonton 3rd and Calgary10th Dec. An excited Kefee stated her expectations, "we have done it in the US and different countries, now Canada should get ready to witness Africa through my music." She said The UN peace ambassador is also working on materials for her upcoming album.

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TN Funlink Campus Concert series came to a close last weekend when Nigerian multitalented pop sensation, D'banj, reeled out his hits to students at the Blue Roof Hall of LTV grounds.

The concert, which also held in Abeokuta last Thursday before the final show in Lagos, witnessed a mass turnout of fun-seeking youths.

After the event, D banj commended the organizers of the show. “It's been a memorable experience for us since the tour commenced. It's a great opportunity for me and the entire 'Mo' Hits' crew, because we have always wanted to be on the road to meet and interact with our fans across Nigeria,” he said.

•Mo’Hit crew perfromed According to Mr Kelvin Orifa, Brand Manager, Youth and Trendy Segment, MTN Nigeria, “The Funlink Concert is one of those ways we intend to connect your passion for fun, especially through an exciting musical experience and interaction. It is a platform for youths to express themselves, their individuality, and the hidden talents in them.”

How P-Square marked 31st birthday

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HE award-winning duo, P Square, celebrated their 31st birthday amidst fun with their fans at the Amstel Malta Showtime Lagos, which was the last leg of the event that has moved across three cities, Owerri, Enugu and Abuja.

The grand finale in Lagos made the show more exciting with a notch of high list of Nigerian top music stars and aspiring talents. P Square led the array of established acts, alongside WizKid, Ice Prince, to thrill the excited audience.

But it was not all about music. The audience was sent reeling with laughter when ace comedian, Buchi, dished out hilarious jokes. While the established acts had their time

on the stage, the upcoming ones were not left behind as they slugged it out in singing, dancing and comedy competitions.

Speaking after the event, Mrs. Adedoyin Owotomo, Brand Manager, Amstel Malta, expressed satisfaction at the conclusion of Amstel Malta

Showtime. “I am satisfied at the conclusion of the event. It has been a wonderful experience for us in the three locations that we visited earlier, but I can say that the Lagos edition was the climax,” she stated.

Amstel Malta Showtime kicked off in Owerri in August this year.

Music Review

LBUM titles almost always offer a reflection or theme of the album in question. Titles present the consumer with an insight on the content therein of a book, a movie, a song or an album as the case may be.

The word 'rebirth' is defined as the regeneration of something that has died or has been destroyed and one begins to question the reason behind christening the album with that title.

The 18 track album which is being distributed and marketed by Raabi P. Entertainment features tracks such as the popular single entitled Watta Bambam, Who Born You, Eno Matter, Kpam Kpam Golo, Love Over Me,

Charly Boy excites crowd at Abuja bike race

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AST weekend at the Eagles Square, not fewer than five thousand Nigerians stormed the arena according to report to witness the well over two hundred bikers and hundred race experts that came to take part in the event packaged by Abuja Bikers Association in collaboration with Charly Boy and the Federal Road safety corporation of Nigeria.

The event which many tagged one of the most successful events

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held recently in the FCT gave the capital city a new lift in terms of tourism as different people from across the country were at the Eagles Square to have their eyes filled with amazing activities with unbelievable bike and car stunts, which left the entire crowd cheering on top of their voices as some of the race experts got their tires busted in a spin stunt.

Charly Boy and Lady D was the eye of the show, as his fans

rushed down from the different stands to sign autographs and take pictures with him.

De Rebirth?

Press, Happy Birthday, Plantain

Boy and other vintage Timaya songs doesn't in any way form of rejuvenation or regeneration.

Timaya still sounds like his old self and his tracks are riddled with self aggrandizing lyrics; plus he still admonishes his endless collection of enemies through his songs.

Perhaps one of the seeming differences noticed in Timaya's third collection of songs is the fact that he has graduated from using only K- Solo as producer of most of the songs on his album to featuring other producers such as J. Sleek, Akeem D Dream, Jiggi Jegga and Flex.

The picture on the album jacket is also different from the ones in his last two albums. In the current album jacket, Timaya is pictured emerging from a river clad in an expensive two piece suit- a sign of rebranding rather than rebirth.

—Reviewer: Ahmed Boulor

Johnnie Walker celebrates giants

“

Tonite, we're gonna taste some whiskey.” This was Thomas Jones, Global Brand Ambassador of Jonnie Walker, speaking to CEOs, media personnel and society giants at the Annual Society Event of the international liquor manufacturers held recently at Ember Creek, Ikoyi, Lagos.

The event was ostensibly to provide entertainment for the strictly by-invitation guests who were also afforded the opportunity of savouring the sensational, tingling, smooth taste and aroma of the Black Label variant of the whiskey that “keeps walking”. Jones, in heightening the expectations of guests, likened the taste of the

various labels of the brand (whether taken 'neat' or with ice) to the classical music dished out on the night by a string quartet.

Earlier, a short documentary on Johnnie Walker's history from 1890, tagged Walk with Giants,

was shown to the invitees. Many guests agreed that the time out was worth it, and believed that the brand will “keep walking” as everyone present walked away with a package from the producers of the scotch whiskey.

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Entertainment

THE NATION ON SUNDAY NOVEMBER 27, 2011

BIG

CINEMA GUIDE

PICTURE

Three evicted in Peak Talent Reality

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ension has started building in the race for the most talented artiste in the Peak talent hunt show, as three participants are already up for eviction. They are; lanky rap artiste, Chima John; sensational guitarist, Ejiro Elvis, and soft spoken singer, Victoria Bassey.

Described by the organizers as a democratic talent reality show owing to its non discrimination of talent, the show which opened last weekend with 12 contestants now has nine young men and women slugging it out for the coveted prize of ten million naira (N10, 000, 000) worth of cash and a talent development contract.

The Top 12 acts had earlier on made it out of 24 National finalists and progressed to the PEAK TALENT HOUSE in Lagos where they are being confronted by weekly eviction and elimination shows.

While in the House, the acts have been exposed to professional coaching to help them compete in the weekly elimination shows. Based on their performances, a combination of judges and viewers through SMS voting are meant to decide who stays or who goes. In all, there will be 5 elimination shows leaving three acts that will compete at the Grand Finale in December from which the star prize winner will emerge.

Judging criteria are based on stage presence, entertainment value, talent, and ultimately true potentials.

The show which will accord the eventual winner a total worth of 40 million naira in this third season, had prior to the selection of the 24 finalists, auditioned applicants in 11 cities around Nigeria namely: Abuja, Makurdi, Enugu, Owerri, Benin, Asaba, Calabar, Uyo, Akure, Ibadan and Lagos. From these 11 cities grouped into 6 zones, 120 Acts had qualified for the Zonal finals in Lagos from where Four Acts got their tickets for the National finals per zone.

Viewing audience who are expected to help keep their favourite artiste in the House through SMS votes, also stand the chance of winning exciting prizes such as Apple iPads 2 and Blackberry phones based on their SMS voting.

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Supported by: SILVERBIRD CINEMAS

Tower Heist pars two ends of crime

HE workers at a posh Central Park condominium plot to steal back their pensions from the thieving Wall Street billionaire who's about to get away with the ultimate white-collar crime in this heist comedy starring Ben Stiller and Eddie Murphy.

Financial giant Arthur Shaw (Alan Alda) has just been placed under house arrest in his luxury New York City penthouse for cleaning out his investors to the tune of two billion dollars.

Meanwhile, on the complete opposite end of the financial spectrum, Josh Kovacs (Ben Stiller) earns a modest living as the manager of The Tower, the luxurious building where Shaw resides.

Upon learning that the building staff who entrusted Shaw with their retirement funds are about to lose their life savings, and that the thief will likely get off scot-free, Josh convinces a small group of Tower employees and a downtrodden former resident that Shaw has stashed a million-dollar

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safety net somewhere in his opulent penthouse, and that it's theirs for the taking if they can just slip past security.

With dim-witted concierge Charlie (Casey Affleck), under-educated electrical engineer Enrique (Michael Pe単a), safecracking maid Odessa (Gabourey Sidibe) and downtrodden former resident Mr. Fitzhugh (Matthew Broderick) to back him, Josh recruits crafty swindler Slide (Eddie Murphy) to help get their money back.

Although the security in Arthur's condo is unusually tight, between Josh's knowledge of the building and Slide's sleight of hand, this ragtag gang of thieves just might have what it takes to get the job done.

Jason Buchanan, Rovi Tower Heist brings together an unorthodox cast of performers, but the biggest focus is undoubtedly on Eddie Murphy, who it seems is making a return to more adult comedy, rather than the familyfriendly fare he's been pushing out for the last decade.

Moneyball: Staging a majestic comeback

TARRING superstar Brad Pitt, Moneyball is based on a true story and book, about a general manager for the Oakland A's baseball team, who changed the way the sport evaluates players. After making it to the playoffs, but losing, Oakland's three star players have decided to leave the team for teams that will pay them much more money, like Boston or the Yankees.

Billy Beane (Brad Pitt), a onetime phenomenon flames out in the big leagues and now works as the GM for the Oakland Athletics, the franchise that's about to lose their three best players to free agency.

Because the team isn't in a financial position to spend as much as perennial favorites like the Yankees and the Red Sox, Beane realizes he needs to radically change how he evaluates what players can bring to the squad.

During a trip to the Cleveland Indians to trade for players during the offseason, Billy meets a young statistical wizard

employed by the Indians, Peter Brand. Peter nixes two trades Billy proposes with the Indians, so Billy talks privately with Peter to find out why.

With a degree in economics, Peter tells Billy that for the hitters and pitchers, he calculates how many times they get on base and how many times the pitchers stop hitters from getting on base, instead of counting home runs or runs scored and judging the athlete's physical appearance or personality.

However, as the duo begin to acquire players that seem too old, injured, or inept to play major-league baseball, they face stiff resistance from both the A's longtime scouts and the team's manager Art Howe (Philip Seymour Hoffman), who outright refuses to allow Beane's more-nontraditional acquisitions to play.

Brilliantly acted, funny, and heartwarming, Moneyball is a flick with thoughtful messages about sports, business success and family, but it does have a significant amount of foul language, so extreme caution is advised.

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 27, 2011

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Glamour

HAT propelled you to go into this line of business? Everything I decide to do when it comes to business is passion-driven. I've always loved to organize events and parties. This passion started way back in my university days.

When I was in the university, I organized the biggest ever concert. It was my idea; my concept. I just got three other guys to join me and we put it together. It was a concert that involved people from the different schools in the South West. It was held at the Conference Centre at the Obafemi Awolowo University and the place was filled to capacity. Being involved in this business has always been in me. But then, I used to do it for the fun of it, but now, I'm making a living out of it. What we do here is what I call the style solution.

Has your busy career not taken you away from your family life?

The truth of the matter is that when one is still young, you have to work very hard. I probably will not be jumping up and down doing all these by the time I'm 60. But I create time for my family in whatever I do. The weekends that I'm not working, I'm with my family. And there is a period every year when we travel. During this time, I try to switch off and just focus on my family. I have a close-knit family.

For my kids, my husband and I are their best friends.

They tell us everything and anything. God never gives you a burden that you cannot carry. With my crazy schedule and all of that, He still helps me to take care of my home front. My kids are involved in everything I do. They understand my job and this factor has helped me a great deal.

Have you felt like quitting at some point when confronted with challenges?

Fair enough, never!

Are you sure?

Never! You know why? I'm passion-driven. When passion drives you, you easily overcome challenges that come your way, because you enjoy what you do.

So, when these challenges come, you quickly look for solutions. What I've always said to myself is that.

'God, why didn't you let me start this business way back.?' I'm six, seven years in the business now, but the other years I spent in the banking industry and telecoms sector, I wish I'd known. But I believe God made me pass through different stages before I finally got to where He wants me to be.

Can you trade your marriage for career?

Trade my marriage for my career? Never! I would never do that.

I notice a lot of bling in your designs. What is the idea all about?

For me, bling creates joy; it puts that smile on the face. It's like a star shinning on you. I've realized that bling makes a girl happy. Like they say, diamond is the girl's best friend. What is about the diamond apart from the bling, the sparkle? For me, I've always been a bling person. I love it.

What could make you cry or get really emotional?

I cry every time we finish setting up an event and I look around, I'm like 'oh my God! And again when I see my bride and groom coming there is always that feeling, especially when I did weddings where the bride or the groom lost his or her dad and they were showing the documentary, I got emotional.

Watching movies also make me cry. I can be watching a movie where they are crying and I would cry and cry and cry.

Are you a label freak?

I'm not a label freak. I see what I like and I buy. I don't care who made it as long as it looks good on me.

Once it is comfortable, I'm good to go.

Who is your favourite shoe designer?

As I said, I'm not a label freak. For people like us who have what we call the big feet, we don't always

THE NATION ON SUNDAY NOVEMBER 27, 2011

Ndidi Obioha started out as a banker and also had a stint in the telecoms industry after she graduated in Economics from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife. A goaldriven young woman, she later switched to event management, a move that has paid off bountifully.

In this interview with Kehinde Falode, she talks about her style and much more

‘I’ll never trade my marriage for career’ find our sizes. So once I see a pair of shoes I like, I combine it in different colours, because at that point, it fits me. As long as a shoe is comfortable on me, I go for it.

What dictates what you wear?

It's the occasion and the time. And for work, I'm not a moody person, so I won't say my mood determines what I wear. When you are a free-spirited person, you are almost, always happy, so, it's not about my mood. I believe you are addressed the way you are dressed and the kind of job I do, I meet a lot of people and all that. So, when you see me on a Friday, I

could be in jeans with a bit of traditional touch like an Ankara jacket. But Mondays to Thursday, I dress subtly.

What is your definition of style?

Style defines you; it's who you are. You don't need your style to swallow you; style has to be about your personality, not the other way round. I don't do trends, as in because it's in, I have to wear it. No! There are certain outfits you'll never see me putting on, even though it's trendy at that time. So, I always tell people, 'dress to fit and for comfort'. The truth is, comfort brings confidence.

Glamour

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2011

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Social KAYODE ALFRED

(E-mail: kayflex2@yahoo.com, Tel: 08035733605, 08099400057)

Is Benny Obaze scared of marriage?

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HAT Lagos big boy, Benny Obaze, who owns Bevista, Rivista and Jevista fashion outfits in Lagos, is still single is stating the obvious. His first marriage to a Tanzanian woman, which produced four children, crashed because of distance.

Benny's wife and children live in the United States, and she had never been enthusiastic about living with her husband who has a thriving fashion business in Nigeria. A close friend of many celebrities in the Lagos social establishment, Benny tried all he could to make the marriage work, but his efforts proved futile.

In fact, reports once had it that the duo Obaze had since finalised their divorce proceedings in the US. This is just an aside.

The hottest gist in town at the moment is about how smooth-talking Benny Obaze had promised many young women marriage only to dump them like a bad habit after having his fill. Recall that a few months back, there were rumours that the Bevista boss was getting married to a popular banker, Rita Amene. This later turned out to be a hoax.

Chrome night club shut down

Take Ibori resurfaces

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FTER a long hiatus from the social radar, Take, the-fun-loving daughter of former Delta State governor, Chief James Onanefe Ibori, finally resurfaced at the wedding of Orode, daughter of Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, penultimate weekend. Looking resplendent and happy, Take's outlook belied all that had been said about her since her unexpected disappearance from the scene. She was not only full of cheer, she was also generous with courtesies and dished out pleasantries freely. Prior to her appearance at the party, her whereabouts had been a subject of speculations in town following the collapse of her marriage plans to Abisoye Sueniu.

More on Tola Solomon’s crashed marriage

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HANCES are you must have heard about the crashed marriage of Erelu Tola Solomon, a popular socialite in Abuja, with her husband of over 20 years, Otunba Alfred Solomon. But it is most unlikely that you have heard or read about the messy details of the story. The latest gist is that a Lagos businessman, is allegedly accused by Otunba Alfred Solomon as the culprit behind the collapse of his marriage. Sources alleged that Erelu Tola Solomon is involved in a very close relationship with the businessman. And to show that they no longer intend to keep their relationship a secret, on October 2, 2011, they had walked hand in hand like a couple into the Time Square Event Centre in Ikeja, Lagos to attend a friend’s, Yinka Oropo party. Those at the event were shocked to their marrow when they sighted the duo. The latest story now is that Tola has told her estranged husband never to step into their Gwarimpa house again, claiming that she built the house with her money. Meanwhile, Alfred is also telling anyone who cares to listen that he sold three of his houses in London and a piece of land in Lekki, Lagos and gave all the money to his wife to complete the Abuja mansion.

We gathered that a petition bordering on an alleged murder attempt has been filed by Erelu Tola Solomon, with the police already on the lookout for Alfred.

Solomon

Abayomi Jolaosho still under the weather

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HROME night club located on Adetokubo Ademola, Victoria Island, Lagos has been shut down. The crisis in the club has become really messy, with unconfirmed reports claiming that the promoter of the club, popular Lagos auto dealer, Charles Ahize kicked out his partner, Ladi Akindele, over his alleged failure to remit N15 million proceeds and non-payment of staff salary for six months. Insiders informed SC that Charles Ahize closed down Chrome on Friday, Akindele November 18, 2011. Sources claimed that Ladi Akindele was kicked out over several alleged defaults in making payments of a monthly N3 million, as agreed, to Ahize, the principal partner of the business. It was also gathered that when the accumulated debt hit N15 million and Ahize saw no future in the partnership, he asked his partner to take a walk. However, Akindele has debunked the story, insisting that he did not owe Ahize any money and that Chrome is just under renovation.

It would be recalled that a few months ago, Ladi, son of wealthy Ibadan High Chief, Chief Bode Akindele, and his step brother, Lanre Nzeribe, once had a similar crisis. Ladi and Lanre floated Devices night club, which became an instant hit and enjoyed massive patronage from fun lovers. But before anyone knew it, the two guys had a misunderstanding, which resulted in Ladi pulling out of Devices to team up with Ahize.

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Ahize

ACK in the days when men were boys, Abayomi Jolaosho reigned supreme with his clique of friends like Segun Awolowo, Lanre Tejuoso, Rotimi George Taylor, Kweku Tandor, to mention but a few. Add that to the fact that his company, Safequip, a security outfit was doing wonderfully well and you'll realize how big Jolaoso really was. But all that seems to be history now. For those who have expressed concern about the whereabouts of this businessman, SC can reveal that the Safequip boss was knocked down by a massive stroke a few years ago and hopes that he would get over the ailment have remained a mirage.

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Glamour

& L-R: Mr. Albert Okumagba and Minister for Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke.

L-R: Commissioner for Commerce and Industries, Ogun State, Otunba Bimbo Ashiru and Ogun State, Commissioner for Education, Science and Tecnology, Mr Segun Odubela,

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2011

OLUSEGUN RAPHEAL (08033572821) raphseg2003@yahoo.com

L-R: Managing Director, Daily Times, Mr Felix Anosike, new Miss Nigeria, Feyijimi Sodipo and her mother, Mrs Mary Sodipo

L-R Dr. Olaokun Soyinka and Hafsat Abiola-Costello

A-list celebrities storm Miss Nigeria beauty pageant

By Olusegun Raphael

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Nike Oshinowo-Sholeye

T t took several months of preparation. For former beauty queen, Mrs. Nike OsinowoSoleye, CEO, Miss Nigeria beauty pageant, nothing short of a classy show was good enough.

And did she pull it off? Almost a perfect show, taking into consideration the fun, glitz and razzmatazz that was the signature of the event from the moment it kicked off till all the guests departed in the late hours of November 18, 2011.

With 20 beautiful contestants vying for the Miss Nigeria crown, it was difficult predicting who, would emerge victorious. But at the end of it all, Miss Feyijinmi Sodipo was crowned the new Miss Nigeria, succeeding Damilola Agbajor, an undergraduate of the University of Lagos.

The event, which took place at the Convention Centre, Eko Hotel & Suites, Lagos, was attended by notable celebrities, including the First Lady of Lagos State, Mrs. Abimbola Fashola, the Minister of Tourism and Culture, Chief Edem Duke, to mention but a few.

Didi Ocheja

Dame Abimbola Fashola

Anita Iseghoni

Ann Okoronkwo

Grace Egbagbe

Mrs Derin Osoba

Sen. Florence Ita-Giwa

FROM THE CAMPUS PAGE 46

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HO would have thought for a moment that Arsenal, you know the team that lost 8-2 to Manchester United and had to qualify to get in the Champions League by beating a top three Udinese team in Serie A away from home, would be standing in this position as the only English team to win their group outright with one game to spare. Good news Gunners’ fans, you won’t be playing Barcelona in the round of 16. City are pretty much out, Chelsea need at least a draw, which they should get at home, but they do look fragile. Manchester United have a tough one against Basel, who have nothing to lose at home.

The thought of Europa beckons for United, Chelsea and City, though United look the team to easily qualify ahead of the others.

United fans seem more worried about their team not finishing top of their group, which means facing the likes of Arsenal, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich.

How the mighty have fallen this season. The English teams have been a dominant force in Europe in the last three to five seasons, with the highlight of that period being an all English final in 2008 where Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United beat Avram Grant’s Chelsea to win the prestigious trophy.

Unfortunately, it has been a bumpy ride to the knock out stage this season. As it stands, United, Chelsea and current league leaders Manchester City are under tremendous pressure going into the final round of group matches on December 6 and 7.

I can’t even begin to imagine any of these teams playing “Thursday night football”.

The only advantage, in my opinion is that it helps improve your knowledge of the geography of Europe. Like someone I know joked: “some people go soon know capital of Macedonia and Liechtenstein.”

Honestly, trips to Latvia to play teams like Skonto Riga will be too much to bear.

Any big team that dares drop into Europa will have a tough time. Thursday trips around Europe with a game at the weekend will surely take its toll.

Manchester City’s loss to Napoli on Tuesday night ensures that the Italian team will own the tiebreaker against City should the two wind-up level on points after their final matches. The final day fixtures will see City host group winners, Bayern Munich while Napoli will travel to Villarreal. The Spanish side are still looking for their first point, and are probably going to have to keep looking.

City will need to beat Bayern and hope for a Napoli draw or loss and according to ESPN's Soccer Power Index (SPI) Napoli is a 73 percent favorite to advance to

With Prof. Emmanuel Ojeme

THE NATION SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2011

UCL MATCH DAY 5:

Anonymous Colleges of Physical Education (1)

Decline in S English football?

•Robin van Persie

By Bumi Ashebu

the group stage ahead of City. Talks about ‘money doesn’t always buy happiness,’ Bayern Munich chairman, Rummenigge has said Mancini’s side should not be expecting any favor when both sides. "We are still going to try and win in Manchester," he had said.

Explaining why his team won’t be letting down their guard in the last game Rummenigge said: "First of all, there are points for the five-year ranking at stake, and then there are 800,000 euros to the winner.

"We are not going to give anything away.

"After winning all matches in such a tough group, all you can do is pay a compliment to the team and the coach."

Chelsea took the lead against Bayern Leverkusen on Wednesday night but unfortunately, Petr Cech and his team conceded two goals with the winner coming in injury time to dent their hopes of continuing in the

Champion’s League. They have now lost four of their last five games in all competitions. Chelsea must now beat Valencia on December 6 or hold the Spanish club to a goaless draw.

"We will need Stamford Bridge completely behind us to get the intensity and emotions right for the game.

It's in our hands to qualify,” said the team’s manager, Andres Villas Boas as he prepares to lead his side out for their final battle for a place in the next round.

Chelsea are in a fair bit of trouble. Their defense has fallen apart as age have seems to have started telling on the duo of John Terry and Ashley Cole and attack minded defender, David Luiz seems to be bearing the bulk of the blame right now.

In other groups, Day 5’s star match for me was between AC Milan and Barcelona.

There was a lot of media hype prior to the match following the release of Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s book, stressing his love-hate

relationship with former coach, Pep Guardiola.

Barcelona defeated AC Milan 2-3 to clinch group H top post though it wasn't a typical win for Barca as they completed "only" 464 passes.

This is 152 fewer than they had in any Champions League match over the last two seasons. Milan are also through as the group’s runner-up.

Elsewhere, Real Madrid secured the top spot in their group. Madrid and Bayern Munich completed 734 and 717 passes respectively.

Barcelona have the top three Champions League passing outputs of the season and the top seven dating back to the 2010-11 season.

Inter Milan have also qualified in group B, with the runners up unknown yet.

Early days yet but if you ask me who will win the Champions league? I will go with Real Madrid and Bayern Munich in that order but our dear Daniel “the bull” Amokachi believes Arsenal will win it. Sounds like a big joke but anything can happen.

PECIALISED schools are established to tackle specific developmental problems in order to advance the achievement of societal goals. So, there are quite a handful of such schools or colleges in different fields. There are Colleges of Agriculture, Education as well as Physical Education. A College of Physical Education must be seen to be visibly relevant in making contributions to solving sports development problems in Nigeria . It could be in manpower development, research and of course in the development of athletes.

Achievements by any College of Physical Education in these areas must speak for itself in the public domain.

The first College of Physical Education was established in Zaria in 1957 as part of the Nigerian College of Arts and Science. This College produced the first generation of experts that laid the foundation of sports development in Nigeria . The likes of Awoture Eleyae, M.O. Ajisafe, J.C. Omoruan, Anthony Omo-Osagie and a host of others were products of this school. The history of sports development in Nigeria is never complete until their role is narrated.

Newer generations of Colleges of Physical Education include the College of Physical Education , Afuze, which was established in 1972, the College of Physical Education , Mosogar, and the National Sports Institute, Lagos .

At its inception the College of Physical Education , Afuze, was a household name as a sports sanctuary. After providing the launching pad for the dominance of the National Sports Festival Competitions by the defunct MidWest and Bendel, it got its legendary name, Afuze Miracle.

As a result, this college attracted the attention of the Federal Government, who later showed interest in developing the Sports facilities of the College for national sports programmes. The credit for the establishment of this College goes to the pragmatic sports philosopher and administrator, Dr. Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudia. In his days as Governor of the Mid-West Region and later Bendel State , nobody could rival his achievements in sports development. This College at Afuze was an integral part of this strategy.

Since he left office, the College of Physical Education has gone down and flat. It has become an abandoned ‘Savanna Land’ , inspite of it being named after the legendary labour leader, late Pa Michael Imoudu. It was hugely expected that with the enthronement of another Labour leader in Edo State , Comrade Adams Oshiomole, this Afuze College would smile. This has not been the case. Do you know that the Provost of this College is an expert in Home Economics? Sir, kindly add the redevelopment of this College to your long list of achievements and ensure that a knowledgeable and competent Physical Education expert is appointed at the helm. The College of Physical Education, Afuze must be back firmly on its feet and reclaim its glory as a sanctuary for incubation and development of sports talents.

Where are the other Colleges of Physical Education?

Are they not anonymous? You can answer it for yourself.

Our rampaging Delta State on Nigerian Sports landscape, which it bestrides like a colossus in performance, established a College of Physical Education in Mosogar.

This is very thoughtful of Delta sports leadership. But is this College on Nigerian sports map, yet?! I doubt it very much. Rather than operate on a sound sports education and development philosophy, this College has gone into the comfort zone of becoming a regular College of Education . Has the College of Physical Education, Mosogar lost its way? Has it deviated so soon from the vision of its initiator, Chief Solomon Ogba? Well, it will be more productive for this College to return to its original vision and we await its achievement in sports.

(To be continued next week) •Last National Sport Festival in Rivers State

THE NATION ON SUNDAY NOVEMBER 27, 2011

Reviews

Rabid bursts of sanity B M

OST of the time when crafts of student-writers are launched into the literary space, they are usually pushed aside as mere juvenilia. This might be the case if the first impression taken of this anthology under review is the authors’ educational status or age. However, the startling and mind-grasping title of the book has redeemed the fate of its awesome contents before they are read. Our Legacy of Madness is a collection of barking poetry that tells a tale, first from its title. Edited by Chinaza Okoli and Tolulope Akinwole and published by ICS Services Limited, the contributing poets own the encapsulating title to muster their manner of punctuated psychic expressive attitudes – like that of unleashed wounded dogs – whose quality of cry awakens passers-by’s nous to the knowledge that something had gone wrong.

The poets are promising young word weavers who claim to have a legacy behind the lectern of literary commentary on the state of affairs in their Nigerian society. They have taken the latitude of artistic privilege, uncensored.

With this, they broadcast the news of their environmental reality which they seem to have had a difficulty to expunge from their metaphysical and literary consciousness; and with these poets, there is no lamentation by consumers of literature about the dearth of a new generation of African literary icons to replace the old.

By Daniel Etim Inyang

The anthology contains a total of one hundred and four poems by eighteen poets who have contributed individual titles to the galactic whole.

The bark of experiential sensibilities and emotions in the poems are far audible in many premises and premise of conceptual preoccupation.

These themes intersperse the question of national hypocrisy, the complication of being a youth, the perishing of moral essence and the general ‘mask’ that pervades living reality in our ‘black’ society.

In Akinwole’s ‘Going…Going…’, you would agree with him on the revving of the engine of untamed civilization. In Inyang’s ‘IDPs’, you trace a pattern where the artist’s freedom of poetic wings and his untethered emotions are mutually reinforcing. You would witness in Ayodele’s ‘Our United-Dividedness’, the broken China of

hope in the debate about Nigeria’s federal umbrella. The quest for an immediate escape to the celestial hereafter in Oke’s stanzas; the skepticism of a writer’s ink in Dairo’s ‘What Is There to Write’; all are the thoughts that are recollected, as William Wordsworth would say, in tranquillity.

Nevertheless, the variegated temperaments in the anthology are littered in the atmosphere of each poet’s planet. So, there are almost a plethora of themes featured randomly – any subject matter for any poem. This assessment, of course, is not a disregard of the grouping of the poems according to authorship.

The poets have done well to add a splendid spine to the shelf of Nigerian literature and African literature alike. Using poetry as the mode of communication, the writers articulate what is a testament of the divergent skills that our youths possess. The anthology is thus a significant publication because it has shown Nigerian youths as not only capable of the sung or the acted art, in the twenty-first century, but also capable of the exhibition of a fine array of the written art. One has no doubt that the University of Lagos where these poets are schooled is basking in the credit of a coming pedigree as the alma mater of this crop of writers. For lovers of literature and teachers of the same, this is a delightful book of poetry to be munched like cookies – these verbal cookies of our legacy of madness.

Understanding governance and politics

I

T is hard to imagine where one starts when thinking about writing a book such as 21st Century Government. Such information is in abundance and to produce the final outcome would have involved many hours at the library, endless sleepless nights, and many grey hairs from the anxiety involved in its production.

That is what Amanim Iwok has done in his book published by Kingsview Publisher, Calabar, Cross River State.

Putting such information together in a succinct, simple and comprehensible fashion is an art. And the author has mastered that art, for to start with a blank canvass with the subject of government and to end with a masterpiece is highly commendable. This book is indeed a masterpiece for it is cleverly pieced together in a way that enables the reader to grasp complex concepts. The author provides the reader with definitions that are easy to understand making them memorable and making the task of regurgitating them less painful than most heavy academic texts.

If the aim of the book is to provide clarification on the plethora of ideas, theories and concepts pertaining to government then the author has been successful. This is most evident when the author attempts to disentangle the web of theories surrounding the idea of sovereignty, which you will find in Chapter One. Having stud-

By Madeleine Bridgett

ied law I know the arduous task of presenting such information in a way that keeps the attention of the reader.

The author’s use of metaphor is also worth noting when discussing the style and language of the book.

The author provides a definition of government and its basic concepts, and to get the wheel in motion the author describes government as a machine, and continues to use this metaphor throughout the book. The author has brought the machine to life with such eloquent and vibrant language. Metaphors are a helpful way of remembering facts, and for students using this book the idea of government as a machine is indeed a metaphor which will aid their ability to understand the contents of this book. I also enjoyed how the author likened public opin-

ion to a public mirror on page 77 as yet another metaphor. I could see someone looking into a mirror and talking to it. It was a comical yet empowering image.

Now when I think of public opinion all I have to do is remember the mirror image and I know what the term means. Students will love the use of metaphors as a study tool in this book.

I was pleased to see in the first chapter the idea of service provision as one of the functions of government.

The author tells us that after the external and internal security of the people is guaranteed the government must ensure to provide services for its peoples. I would like to see service provision become the focus for Nigerian politics because I feel it is lacking terribly. The work of the government is left to poorly resourced NGO’s simply because they fail in taking up their responsibilities. Thus I was extremely pleased to see the author encapsulate this very important function of government.

In the next edition of this book, which I encourage the author to produce, I would like to see service provision as one of the first functions of government rather than last as it stands now.

The other element of the book which struck me, was how the author writes about topics with such depth. The author maintains a degree of objectivity and neutrality in his writing whilst staying truthful to the subject matter.

AD company indeed corrupts good manners.

10-year-old Aaron Achebe learns and perfects the art of stealing from Abu, a schoolmate.

Abu has been stealing stuffs and passing them on to Aaron, who is excited his mentor goes undetected.

After many months of ‘apprenticeship’, he decides to take a plunge. At a mall with his visiting uncle from the United Kingdom, he secretly picks an IPOD and conceals it under his shirt. But his watchful mother spots the shirt and demands for what he is concealing.

Caught pants down, Aaron confesses to shoplifting much to the consternation of his mother and uncle. The adults decide the stolen item must be returned immediately. Together, they approach the manager and make Aaron apologise.

47

A vote against stealing BOOKS

By Sunday Oguntola

But confronting Abu, the mastermind, becomes a challenge. After much strategising, the adults get him to confess. He has been stealing from his

teacher and classmates without detection.

This book is strong on morals and exposes the vice. It is particularly germane that Aaron’s uncle, a trained child psychologist, takes him through the rudiments of fighting stealing. The author includes helpful illustrations that make reading interesting for kids. There is also a question section to gauge comprehension.

The author’s sensitivity to her audience is well spread through the book.

She writes simple and straight sentences, connecting with kids. The cover is also colourful to attract children. This book is highly recommended to kids, their parents and teachers. In it, they will find useful hints on how to counter stealing among kids and promote honesty.

Connecting through prayers

F

OR those interested in knowing more on the power of prayers, the book, Open Windows in Babylon written by Kemela Okara would be worth their time. According to the author, his inspiration for writing the book was due to the fact that many do not have a balance understanding of prayer and thereby living life be-

low their potentials because they do not know how to connect to God. The foreword of the thirteen chapter book which centred on numerous challenges in different aspect of life and how to connect to God was written by pastor Sunday Adelaja.

Okara is a politician who trained as an English barrister and practices law in Nigeria.

Grier, publisher of lesbian books, dies at 78

B

ARBARA Grier, a founder of one of the most successful publishing houses for books by and about lesbians, including a nonfiction chronicle about lesbian nuns that became a phenomenon after it drew complaints from Roman Catholic officials, died penultimateThursday in Tallahassee, Florida. She was 78.

The cause was lung cancer, said her partner, Donna McBride.

Ms. Grier became a revered figure to several generations of lesbian writers and readers after founding Naiad Press in 1973 with three other women, including Ms. McBride. Armed with just $3,000, they set out to publish books, as Ms. Grier later described them, “about lesbians who love lesbians, where the girl is not just going through a phase.”

That comment referred to the lesbian-themed romance novels she had read as a girl, growing up in the 1940s, in which the heroine dallied with a female lover but ended up with a man, reflecting what publishers considered the only acceptable happily-ever-after outcome.

Naiad Press published over 500 books with unconditionally lesbian themes during the next 30 years — romance novels, histories, erotica, volumes of poetry, science fiction and self-help guides.

Ms. Grier’s most controversial and successful book,

Barbara Grier, left, and Donna McBride, founders of Naiad Press, in 1993

“Lesbian Nuns: Breaking Silence,” was a 1985 nonfiction work by two former nuns, based on interviews with 50 former and active nuns who were lesbians like them. Nancy Manahan, one of the authors, wrote in the foreword to the book that its intent was to break the silence about “erotic love between women in religious life.”

Barbara Grier was born on Nov. 4, 1933, in Cincinnati, the oldest of three daughters of Phillip and Dorothy Grier.

When Ms. Grier was 12, she told her mother that she was “a homosexual,” Ms. Grier said in the “Before Stonewall” profile. “Mother said since I was a woman, I wasn’t a homosexual, I was a lesbian. She also said that since I was 12, I was a little young to make this decision and we should wait six months to tell the newspapers.”

A few years later, when her sexual identity seemed fully mature, Ms. Grier received two of her first lesbian-themed books from her mother. Both were classics of the genre: “The Well of Loneliness,” a novel by the British writer Radclyffe Hall, which caused a scandal when it was published in 1928; and “Of Lena Geyer,” a 1936 novel by Marcia Davenport, a regular contributor to The New Yorker.

Ms. Grier never attended college. She went to work after graduating high school to help support the family, Ms. McBride said, adding: “Books were her education.

She read everything, all kinds of books.”

But for her, books that made lesbians feel secure in their sexual identities were the best. “Her goal in publishing,” Ms. McBride added, “was to make lesbians happy about themselves.”

48

With Patience Saduwa

THE NATION ON SUNDAY NOVEMBER 27, 2011

'Women earn more respect when they achieve their positions through hard work’ Stella Odunwa is Lagos State Coordinator of National Directorate of Employment (NDE). The graduate of English from University of Benin also has a Masters in Humanitarian and Refugees Studies from the University of Lagos. She has worked in various management positions in the agency which she joined in 1987. The mother of three shared tips on how women can rise to the top and manage people effectively in the workplace with Sunday Oguntola.

W

HAT has it cost you to come this far?

I have to thank God for where I am today. My upbringings and educational backgrounds have helped in no small way. I have also enjoyed much training courtesy of NDE. There is, of course, my personal drive to succeed and improve myself. I have always prepared for opportunities around me. All of these have bought me this far.

How challenging is it managing people as a woman?

Let me say that I don't believe in gender limiting one. Gender has its own advantages and disadvantages. So, I don't see myself as a female manager. I see myself first as a person wonderfully made and created.

So, I do what I have to do regardless of anything.

Thankfully, the NDE is neither gender-sensitive nor genderbiased. There are women everywhere who are in top management positions in the agency. There is more emphasis on your capacity than your gender and that is my attitude too.

Personally, I don't believe I should be given special preference and attention because I am a woman. I believe in earning whatever position I occupy.

So, I look out for productivity and performance regardless of gender. I believe in people distinguishing themselves.

Thankfully, most of my colleagues at the management level are women. I believe in carrying everyone along. I allow them make inputs and suggestions and step in when I

have to as a manager. I try to give people their due respect and recognition as human beings, while motivating them to work optimally. But I frown at gossips and idle talks. If you have issues come and let's discuss. You don't have to create a scene or backbite to get issues across.

You don't have to lament or be aggrieved. Come over and let's discuss issues. That is more constructive and productive. I hate it when you knock down somebody you have a challenge with. That is essentially my style.

People say it's tough to work under a female boss. How is it with you?

I think our staff are in the best position to answer that but let me say that I try to be humane. For example, whenever I know I have done something wrong, I find it easy to apologise even publicly.

So many women complain of discrimination and marginalisation, do you share their sentiment?

First of all, you have to earn whatever you want in life. I hate nepotism and favouritism. So many things in this country are based on gender, political, religious or tribal affiliations.

Where has it bought us? So, I hate to hear women say they are marginalised and discriminated against. However, I do recognise that some women are oppressed either because they allowed or caused it. So, women have to realise they must deserve whatever they get. That way, you

last longer and earn the respect of all. They must fight their way to the top.

What advice do you have for women in top management positions?

I will like to tell them to look at people, not from the angle of gender. Whether you are dealing with a man or woman, see your subordinates as human beings first of all. Don't be intimidated by anything. Work on yourself, study hard, attend trainings, seminars and meetings. Develop your skills and leadership abilities. Learn about public speech-making and your personality. Learn to work with people and motivate your subordinates. I also like to tell them not to allow their positions detach them from humanity.

Remember you are a human being first. Don't trample on people on your way up because you might meet them again on your way down. Treat everybody you meet with dignity and respect. That does not stop you from being firm and standing your ground. Be passionate even when you are reprimanding people because nobody likes to be disgraced. Then remember you are there because God allowed it.

Serve and develop people.

How do you juggle career with family life?

I believe in work-life balance. I apportion time to everything I do.

My kids are grown and I am always in touch with them on phone. I always find time for my family and even friends. I relax a lot and give myself treats when I need to. My family is important otherwise they might not be there when you need them most.

Tips for proper freezing of foods Freeze foods in portion sizes you'll need for future meals. For example, dish soups in small containers that will be enough for one meal for the family.

It is ok to refrigerate foods while they're still warm.

Loosely cover food upon refrigeration.

This allows heat to escape and protects the food from accidental contamination from other foods during cooling.

Use plastic containers or freezer bags, for storing food in the freezer. These will keep the food fresh longer.

To avoid mystery meats and other foods of unknown age and possibly origin, label foods using freezer tape, gummed freezer labels or permanent marking pens or crayons. This should include name of food and packaging date. Foods can be safely thawed in the refrigerator, in cold water or in the microwave oven.

•Time saver: Cooking and freezing meals saves time spent in the kitchen

New WOMAN

THE NATION ON SUNDAY NOVEMBER 27, 2011

49

Real life love stories Continued from last week

T

HE front door of Eric's apartment was open and there was no one in the living room when I got in. I went to Eric's bedroom and lying naked on his bed as if she owned the place, was Timi.

Just then, Eric came in from the bathroom, a small towel tied round his waist. I remember screaming, 'No!' and ran out of the house as fast as I could.

To say I was devastated was putting it mildly. It took me a while to recover from the shock of catching my best friend and my boyfriend together. Eric later came to plead with me. He said it was temptation, that it was Timi that kept throwing herself at him and begging him to go out with her. I wasn't interested in his excuses. I had had enough of his philandering and called it quits.

As for Timi, it was over with our friendship. She moved out of our room and we barely spoke to each other for the rest of our campus days. After Eric, I refused to date anyone throughout the rest of my stay in school. I found it difficult to trust any guy again, seeing most of them as cheats and heartbreakers.

That was until I met Ben, my fiancé. We've been together for about three years now and throughout that time, he has never given me cause to doubt his love for me.

Return of an old flame

•Together again?: “I feel complete when I'm with Eric. So, what am I supposed to do about Ben?”

Everything was going well including our wedding plans scheduled to take place midDecember, before Eric came

back into my life. Meeting him again has brought back memories of our days together back in school before things

Kids and discipline (1)

H

OW can you provide discipline to your child so that he or she can function well at home and in public?

Every parent wants their children to be happy, respectful, respected by others, and able to find their place in the world as wellbehaved adults. Nobody wants to be accused of raising a spoiled brat.

But sometimes it seems that these goals are miles away from your child's current behavior. Read on for barriers to good b e h a v i o r, e ff e c t i v e discipline techniques, and

Parenting when to get help for dangerous behavior patterns.

What is discipline?

Discipline is the process of teaching your child what type of behavior is acceptable and what type is not acceptable. In other words, discipline teaches a child to follow rules.

Discipline may involve both punishment, such as a time out, and, more importantly, rewards. It sounds so straightforward, yet every parent becomes

frustrated at one time or another with issues surrounding children and discipline.

Barriers to good behaviour Parents run up against several barriers when trying to teach good behavior to their children.

How many of these have you experienced?

Children who are disrespectful and don't listen: "I must have told you a thousand times!"

Children who do listen, but defy or deliberately disobey your request for good behavior.

•Good behaviour: Providing discipline to your child will enable him grow up a well-behaved adult

went wrong for us. He assured me he has changed, that it was youthful exuberance that made him act the way he did back in school. He says we were destined to be together, that it was fate that re-united us again.

It's easy for him to say. But

what do I tell Ben or my mess. Please help! parents that I was calling off Concluded. the wedding? And for a guy who broke my heart years Send advice to Ng by sms ago? They would think I was to 08023201831 or email: crazy. They would be right psaduwa@yahoo.com. because no matter what Eric “It is remarkable how did to me in the past, I can't get similar the pattern of him out of my mind no matter love is to the pattern of how hard I try. He's like a virus insanity.” in my blood. I'm really confused and I need advice urgently to get me out of this - The Matrix-Revolutions

Relationships Deola Ojo

08027454533 (text) Pastordeegfc@yahoo.com

Loving you when it seems nobody does (3) Continued from last week

J

OYFUL people attract others. Most people are looking for someone to cheer them up and not someone to depress them. If you look joyful, you will find out that people of the opposite sex will become attracted to you. Joy is like a magnet that draws people.

The interesting thing about joy is that it will attract young, old, single as well as married people to you. A person who frowns around all day should not wonder why people just seem to be turned off him or her. Some people have a sharp tongue which they do not hesitate to use on people.

Such people have no regard for elders or superiors, they feel that they have the right to abuse people whenever they get upset. Most people are not looking for sharp shooters, they are looking for painkillers. If you seem to be

a kind and loving person, it is only a matter of time before someone responsible shows interest in you. If your tongue seems to be a sharp shooter, then you have to work on making your tongue sweet.

Keep healthy habits. It is easy to eat a lot of junk food just because you take your meals alone. But have a balanced diet as much as possible. Remember that your health status is important before you become engaged and after you get married.

Live a balanced life. Your life is not made up of leisure alone. Neither is it made up of work. There are many factors that must come together for you to live a meaningful life.

Exercise and get in shape. Go to the gym. Decide to pick up swimming or lawn tennis. You may even decide to start a football club if you are a man.

There is time for everything. A portion of your week should be carved out for working, playing, eating, sleeping and

learning.

Meaningful conversation is critical for relationships to take off. Communication is an art which we all must learn and master. It is easy to assume that a quiet person is a snub. For instance, if someone says to you “How are you doing today, Hope you have had a good day so far?” This person wants an answer that goes beyond “ O . K . ” o r “ f i n e . ” Yo u probably should respond by saying “Thanks, I have had a rather interesting day. Hope your day has been really nice.” This gives the person opportunity to continue the conversation. It is also possible for this person to start looking forward to conversing with you every day. Relationships start with conversation. Give people a chance to meet you and like you and then they may start thinking about being in a relationship with you.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY NOVEMBER 27, 2011

50

SUNNY SIDE

Cartoons

By Olubanwo Fagbemi deewalebf@yahoo.com 08060343214 (SMS only)

POLITICKLE

Contemporary wit The writer intends, in the third of a series of pointed narratives adapted from the internet, to further spark intellectual witticism and stimulate grasp of morals.

CHEEK BY JOWL

OH, LIFE!

THE GReggs

Fish tale A little girl was watching her mother prepare a fish for dinner. Her mother cut the head and tail off the fish, and then placed it into the oven.

The little girl asked her mother why she cut the head and tail off the fish. Her mother thought for a while and then said, “I’ve always done it that way – that’s how Grandma did it.”

Not satisfied with the answer, the little girl went to visit her grandma to find out why she cut the head and tail off the fish before roasting it.

Grandma thought for a while and replied, “I don’t know. My mother always did it that way.”

So the little girl and the grandma went to visit Great Grandma to ask if she knew the answer.

Great Grandma thought for a while and said, “Because my oven pan was too small to fit in the whole fish.”

The 25 year-old One old man was sitting with his 25 year-old son in the train. The train soon left the station with all passengers settled down in their seats.

Sitting on the window side, the young man was filled with joy and curiosity. He stuck out one hand to feel the passing air. “Papa,” he shouted, “see all trees are going behind.”

Old man smiled and admired his son’s feelings.

Beside the young man one couple sat listening to all the conversation between father and son. They felt a little awkward with a 25 year-old man behaving like a child.

Suddenly the young man shouted, “Papa, see the pond and animals.

Clouds are moving with train.”

The couple watched the young man with a great deal of surprise. It started raining and some water drops touched the young man’s hand.

Filled with joy, he closed his eyes and shouted again,” Papa, it’s raining.

Water is touching me, see papa.”

The couple couldn’t help themselves and asked the old man. “Why don’t you visit a doctor and get treatment for your son?”

“Actually,” said the old man, “we are coming from the hospital as my son only had his eyesight restored since birth!”

Illegal and Illogical After failing an exam in his Logistics and Organization course, a student goes and confronts his lecturer about it.

Student: “Sir, do you really understand anything about the subject?”

Professor: “Surely I must. Otherwise I would not be a professor!”

Student: “Great, well then I would like to ask you a question. If you can give me the correct answer, I will accept my mark as it is and go. If you, however, do not know the answer, I want you give me an “A” for the exam.”

Professor: “Okay, it’s a deal. So what is the question?”

Student: “What is legal, but not logical; logical, but not legal; and neither logical, nor legal?”

Even after some long and hard consideration, the professor could not give the student an answer, and therefore changes his mark into an “A”, as agreed.

Afterwards, the professor calls on his best student and asks him the same question. He immediately answers: “Sir, you are 63 years old and married to a 35 year-old woman, which is legal, but not logical.

“Your wife has a 25 year-old lover, which is logical, but not legal.

The fact that you have given your wife’s lover an “A”, although he really should have failed, is neither legal, nor logical.”

QUOTE Every evil is some good spelt backwards, and in it the wise know how to read Wisdom.

—Coventry Patmore

Jokes Humour Wild Birthday Party A woman was throwing a party for her granddaughter, and had gone all out to hire a caterer, band and a clown. Just before the party started, two loafers showed up looking for a handout. Feeling sorry for the two, the woman told them that she would give them a meal if they would help chop some wood for her at the back. Gratefully, they headed to the rear of the house.

The guests arrived, and all was going well with the children having a wonderful time. But the clown hadn’t shown up. After an hour and a half, the clown called to report that he was stuck in traffic, and would probably not make the party at all.

The woman was very disappointed and unsuccessfully tried to entertain the children herself. She happened to look out the window and saw one of the loafers somersaulting on the grass. She watched in awe as he swung from tree branches, did mid-air flips, and leaped high in the air.

She spoke to the other loafer and said, “What your friend is doing is absolutely marvelous. I have never seen such a thing.

Do you think your friend would consider repeating this performance for the children at the party? I would pay him N500!”

The other loafer said, “Well, I don’t know.

Let me ask him.”

He turned and yelled across, “Hey, Willie! For N500, would you take another knock on your toe?””

•Culled from the Internet

Skill Workshop 11 Composition Principles by William Strunk Jr. and E. B. White •Choose a suitable design and stick to it.

•Make the paragraph the unit of composition.

•Use the active voice.

•Put statements in positive form.

•Use definite, specific, concrete language.

•Omit needless words.

•Avoid a succession of loose sentences.

•Express coordinate ideas in similar form.

•Keep related words together.

•In summaries, keep to one tense.

•Place the emphatic words of a sentence at the end.

SUDOKU ST

1

STEP IN SOLVING PUZZLE: (356) Look at the 3 middle vertical (def) 3x3 boxes. The top box has 8 in cell Cf, while the bottom box has its 8 in cell Hd. The middle box must, therefore, have its own 8 in column e, where there are 2 vacant

PUZZLE 356

A B C D E F G H I

9

5 8 1 7 4 9

7 8 4 5 8 7

2

3

1 6 9 5 3

4 6 8

2

1 a

b

c

d

e

f

g

h

i

27/11/2011

spaces —cells De and Fe. But, since row D already has an 8 — in cell Dg, the only space available to accommodate 8 in the middle box is cell Fe. Solution on Saturday. Happy Puzzling!

SOLUTION TO PUZZLE 355

9 5 3 2 7 6 8 1 4

8 1 2 5 9 4 7 3 6

4 6 7 8 3 1 5 2 9

6 9 5 3 1 7 2 4 8

2 4 1 9 8 5 6 7 3

7 3 8 6 4 2 1 9 5

1 2 9 4 5 8 3 6 7

3 8 6 7 2 9 4 5 1

5 7 4 1 6 3 9 8 2

THE NATION ON SUNDAY NOVEMBER 27, 2011

51

With Joe Agbro Jr. 08056745268

Hello children, The yuletide is in the air and hope all of you are being good boys and girls

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 36, including one nineletter word.

Can you do better?

Riddles with Bisoye Ajayi 1. What two things can you not have for breakfast? •Students from different primary and secondary schools in Lagos at Freedom Park, Lagos, attending a session at the 13th edition of the Lagos Book and Art Festival (LABAF) organised by the Committee for Relevant Arts (CORA) penultimate Friday

2. What building has the most stories?

Miss Ajayi is a JSS 1 student of Queens College, Yaba, Lagos.

PUZZLE

Word wheel NINE LETTER WORDS: Debriefed, Bed, bedder, bid, bidder, bide, bided, bird, bred, breed, bride, briefed, debrief, deed, deer, defer, defied, deride, did, die, died, dire, dried, eider, fed, feed, feeder, fibred, fired, freed, fried, red, reed, reefed, rid, ride

WORD SEARCH Former states of the USSR The Soviet Union, officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, U.S.S.R.was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991.

The Soviet Union was a single party state ruled by the Communist Party from its foundation until 1990. Even though the USSR was technically a union of 15 independent Soviet republics, its government and economy was highly centralized.

The dissolution of the Soviet Union took place as a result and against the backdrop of general economic stagnation, even regression.

ARMENIA AZERBAIJAN BELARUS ESTONIA GEORGIA KAZAKHSTAN KYRGYZSTAN LATVIA LITHUANIA MOLDOVA RUSSIA TAJIKISTAN TURKMENISTAN UKRAINE UZBESKISTAN

After the recent BrainBashers snail racing contest, the four contestants were congratulating each other. Only one snail wore the same number as the position it finished in. Alfred's snail wasn't painted yellow nor blue, and the snail who wore 3, which was painted red, beat the snail who came in third. Arthur's snail beat Anne's snail, whereas Alice's snail beat the snail who wore 1. The snail painted green, Alice's, came second and the snail painted blue wore number 4. Anne's snail wore number 1. Can you work out who's snail finished where, its number and the colour it was painted?

Word search created by Jennifer Mordi

Send in your stories, poems, articles, games, puzzles, riddles and jokes to sundaynation@yahoo.com

1. Lunch and dinner 2. Library Answer to Riddle:

52

DIS GENERATION

HAVE YOUR SAY THE NATION ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2011

M

ANY Nigerians have advocated a review of the National Honours Award, which unlike the Nigerian National Merit Award, the National Productivity Merit Award, and the National Creativity Award, has been heavily dismissed as lacking credibility owing to the fact that many of the people so honoured with it are nondescripts and their achievements are either microscopic or imaginary.

While they praised Chinua Achebe and others for rejecting it, they advise government to publish the names of nominees for scrutiny by members of the public, and also reduce the number of nominees considered yearly and the amount budgeted for the occasion. They advise government not to hang fire in withdrawing the title from any beneficiary found guilty of any misconduct.

When pen robbers, conscienceless kidnappers of our nation’s wealth are now rewarded by the government, watch out, doom is lurking around.

Mrs Uche Onyeizu, Gbagada, Lagos State.

It is absurd that national honours are doled out to recipients as a reward for holding a particular office and not as result of exemplary conduct while in that office. It is indeed more absurd for public office holders to judge themselves as having excelled while still in service. Such judgement ought to be left for posterity. Therefore, the National Honours Award in the last few years is not just sham but national embarrassment.

John Otaru, Lokoja, Kogi State.

The Federal Government should make the awards more credible, by giving national awards to patriotic individuals that merit it, be it those who sacrificed them themselves internally or internationally for the good image of this country. The selections are politicised. Bad selection increases criminality to the highest magnitude. Before somebody is given an award, s/he must be free from corruption and well scrutinised by corruption agencies. The FG should look into the complete profile of individuals that worked for their achievements in order to avoid recognising kidnappers, armed robbers, etc., who are the pure enemies of the country.

Muoneke J.C Nanka, Anambra State.

How can you and I expect something credible from vampire government? You can certainly not expect something good from PDP. Next year you will see more 4i9, tyrants, blood suckers, corrupt people that have milked Nigeria dry begin to line up for the highest honour in the land.

Hamis F.A Balogun, Akure, Ondo State.

The only way to make the award credible is for the government to make itself credible. Government can only make itself credible if it eliminates the societal ills studiously enumerated

by Prof. Chinua Achebe. Prof, this is indeed kudos to you. Since you left our shores, it’s been a case of Things Fall Apart as we are No Longer at Ease.

The problems that have befallen our dear country is much worse than the problem between Chike and the River.

You have by your courage shown that you are indeed A Man of the People. We only pray that The Arrow of God will pierce the hearts of our leaders to wrought a Nigeria of your dream. If not, by the time you return home, your beloved country would have become just an Anthill of the Savannah.

Barr. S. E. Irabor, Makurdi, Benue State.

No doubt, the awardees are an admixture of the good, the bad and the ugly! This notion has further devalued the awards. Going forward, I will suggest a committee of credible and dispassionately uptight and up-

Given the criticism of this year’s National Honour Awards, how can the Federal Government make the awards more credible? unquestionable integrity are considered.

Adeyemi Azeez, Dugbe, Ibadan, Oyo State.

right men be constituted to look into the character and credentials of future awardees, particularly what s/he has done to uplift and project Nigeria and Nigerians. The awards should not be seen as a reward for public servants who are using our common wealth to do what they are sworn to do and some other questionable characters who will later be arraigned by EFCC. Kayode A, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

They should make sure that people who receive such a great honour from a great black nation like Nigeria are persons who deserve it. 360 is too much a figure for such a great award.

Too much circulation makes the prize go down. Or was it zoned 10 from each State?

Jah-Meka Gift Ikegwuru, PHC, Rivers State.

For the National Honours Awards to be more credible, the Federal Government must go back to the drawing board and look inwardly and the factors responsible for it outright criticisms and condemnation. To me, some of the honorees are either exconvicts or people with questionable character who do not deserve to be so honoured. I salute our literature giant, Professor Chinua Achebe, for rejecting this award for the second time running because it does not truly reflect the purpose it is meant for.

Samuel Ishaya Shammang, Mangun Town, Plateau State.

We know those who are credible and they too know those who are credible. Then, why the hoopla? Let’s know the honest contributions outside politics of the people to be honoured. Someone who has never done anything before rushing into politics should never be considered no matter what their “achievement” in it.

Too many frauds. Too many awardees.

Akinduro, H.O., Okitipupa, Ondo State.

Awards naturally should be given for service rendered and not in anticipation of services to be rendered.

To this end, serving public officers and political appointees should not be given the national awards until the expiration of their tenure when it can be objectively ascertained that they served meritoriously and were above board in their conduct while serving their fatherland. It should be noted that several individuals have been convicted for various criminal offences after national awards, meaning we now have national awardees who are ex-convicts. Furthermore, each category should be handled by people in that field. In addition, the names should be made public ahead of time while people should be encouraged to give verifiable information about why an individual should not be so honoured.

Dr. Peter Olapegba, University of Ibadan, Oyo State.

The list of the recipient has always been progressively disappointing over time. When I saw the list I thought it was EFCC list because some of the recipients still have corruption charges against them, except for a few individuals among them. I think the award should be reorganised and the committee be reconstituted. People should be awarded not because of the posts they hold but for commendable contribution to the well-being of the nation.

Hon. Ogundare Abiodun, Iwo, Osun State.

The awards should be limited to 50 a year. A committee set up with

Things are changing for the worst everyday. I do not think there are credible men and women that deserve national honours in this country anymore. The last batch we have had all died while the other remaining ones are tainted with corruption.

Check them out. There’s nothing the FG can do more than this.

Alfred Egbegi, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

•Jonathan members from university communities appointed to screen those deemed fit for the prize six months before announcement. The 50 people’s name should be published two months before honouring them in order to allow for petitions and delisting.

Cardinal Wole OC, Abuja.

Most of the people on list did not merit it, especially the political office holders. A genuine commendable contribution should be used as a yardstick in awarding National Honours. Likewise, politicians should be excluded.

Bakare Adebayo, Ilorin, Kwara State.

It will be better if the list of wouldbe awardees is subjected to the final approval of the general public through voting via telecommunication networks as it is done with other awards.

Barr. O.O. Olaniran, Osogbo, Osun State.

Let the Government publish the list of the nominees for awards as soon as they are received from nominating agencies. This would afford Nigerians, on whose behalf the awards are being made, opportunities to contribute their inputs. It will also give opportunities to anyone who wants to reject the awards to do so before the final list is published.

‘Dapo Adeyemi, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

When Prof. Chinua Achebe rejected the national award, I thought he was not fair to the country. But a close look at the list shows that more than 90% of the people on the list are not in Achebe’s class. In business, the list contains mainly of those who have sucked the masses to the marrow through the back-breaking pricing policies of their products. In the legal profession it consists, mostly, of individuals whose legal fees and administrative charges are far beyond the reach of the common man.

In government it includes people whose activities are absolutely inimical to the success of the war against corruption. If the awards are to be meaningful, the list should be displayed and circulated nationwide for people to raise objections within a stipulated time.

Olaniran Afolabi A., Benin City, Edo State.

National awards in Nigeria have been severely condemned. Government should make the selection more rational and credible.

Muniru Gambia, Iwo, Osun State.

Government should prune down the list and ensure that those with

The award can be more credible only if it will not be given either on political patronage, regional recognition, or religious sentiment. Every awardee should be ready to give account of his stewardship to the country. Dangote’s award was a well deserved one.

Podar Johnson, Plateau State.

The National Honours Awards is conferred on achievers from various fields of endeavours, exhibitors of high sense of patriotism. It is given once in three years. Majority of recipients are some treasury looters, economic saboteurs. In 1984 Indian Government honored a student for saving the life of another boy nearly at the cost of his life. Some years back, a taxi driver returned millions of Naira not minding his state of poverty. Such a fellow deserves National Honour.

Padan Agwu, Abia State.

The only way the federal government can make the awards more credible is to tackle the problems facing the nation. The economy is in shambles, Boko Haram menace unchecked and erratic supply of electricity yet unresolved, and many others. It is then we can give award to deserving people.

Isiaka Ibrahim, Iree, Osun State.

It is only credible government that can make credible awards. As long as worst people are ruling the best among us, credible awards cannot be made.

Adejumo A.L., Osogbo, Osun State.

If the award is for Nigerians and by the president, then it is the finest of our time. We should improve our quality rather than condemn the best of our bad.

Dr Tim Umahi, Enugu, Enugu State.

National awards can’t be credible. We should stop it. Awards, what for? Boko Haram, robbery, insecurity, unemployment, hunger, poverty, unstable power supply, etc, have taken over everywhere in Nigeria.

Prof. Achebe who deserves this honour even rejected it because of his people’s suffering.

Abiola Muftau, Apomu, Osun State.

Only God is the perfect judge who does not misjudge. As for man, he only see’s the face of co-human being, not the mind. Yet, known oppressors, criminals and those sucking and milking the nation economy should not be considered for the national award.

Alagbawi, Oyo State.

Continued on The Nation website: www.thenationlineng.net, click on Sunday Magazine, then Have Your Say

By Jennifer Ehidiamen 08054503875 (Sms only)

This story is very inspiring! As the writer said, “read it with the end in mind.” I really want to appreciate Ayo for having the courage to share such a powerful story, one that will inspire our generation and generations to come. In life, we all have the power to change whatever situation we find ourselves, for the better. Read how Ayo found the courage to change his. I hope you are inspired as much as I was inspired! Read on, Read it with your heart :-)

Run with your heart Guest writer: Ayo Owodunni

I

HAVE been blessed by God to be very talented in running. By the time I graduated from high school, I was ranked 10th in the country in the 600 meters, 5th in the state of New Jersey in the 800 meters and top ten in the state in the 400 meter hurdles. I was an allconference champion 3 years in a row and I was named one of the top returning track runners in south Jersey twice…

Reading about all these great accomplishments, one might think, “this kid must have been born with this amazing talent.” I will say it is an honour for anyone to think so well of me but my story does not flow that way.

The truth is, I was never a good athlete growing up. As a matter of fact I was very horrible. I was clumsy, slow and lazy. I was labelled a wimp and mama’s boy.

I remember being made fun of as a young boy at Ona Ara Prismoni Children’s school. I was never one with the crowd, more like ostracized.

When I was age 12, I had the opportunity to move to the United States. I remember one quiet boring day in the valley of the Springs in Sicklerville, NJ. While having a conversation with my cousin, I was advised to join the track team.

“After all,” said my cousin “you are tall and you’re African. You should be good.”

As it turned out, a random suggestion made a lasting impact.

Trying out

While in 8 th grade at Ann Mullen Middle School, I joined the track team. I tried out for everything. I ran long distance, short distance, and mid distance.

I jumped, threw the shot put and did everything else imaginable in the sport. To cut the long story short, I was too slow to run the short distance and too lazy to run the longer ones. I was too clumsy to make those timed and welldefined jumps yet also too skinny to get better at the shot put.

After going through a long list of the things I could not do, I was happy to find out that middistance could be very fitting for me. I decided to join the middistance group.

My first year of track was NOT a joke. (To be continued new week) About Guest Writer: Ayo Owodunni is currently an On-Air personality and Programmes Director at Rainbow 94.1 FM in Lagos Nigeria. He Studied Psychology at Rider University. He is a speaker, MC and writer. He blogs at: http:// ayotheboss.blogspot.com/ Follow him on Twitter: @ayotheboss

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2011

53

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

OLUWADAMISI

FARINDE

OYEWOLE

ADEBIYI

OGUNDAPO

SOSANYA

I formerly known and addressed as Mr. Ogundapo Abayomi Ogunsola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mr. Ayodapo Abayomi Olusola. All former documents remain valid. Federal Medical Centre, Ido-Ekiti, Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria and general public should take note.

I,formerly known and addressed as Miss Oluwadamisi Gloria Olubisi, now wish to be known and be addressed henceforth as Mrs Adewole Gloria Olubisi. All my former documents remains valid . General public should take note.

OKE

I,formerly known and addressed as Dr. Oluwayomi Adebola Oke, now wish to be known and addressed as Dr.(Mrs) Oluwayomi Adebola Edwin. All former documents remain valid . UCH, Ibadan; MDCN and the general public should please take note.

AJEIGBE I formerly known and addressed as Miss Ajeigbe Racheal Olayoonu,now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Akinola Racheal Olayoonu. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

AGBOOLA

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Farinde Adejoke Folaranmi Ruth, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Olamijulo Adejoke Folaranmi Ruth. All former documents remain valid.

Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, NYSC and general public should take note.

OYELAKIN

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Eunice Oluwadamilola Oyelakin, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Eunice Oluwadamilola Babatimehin. All former documents remain valid.

Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, Boripe Local government, Iragbiji, Osun State and general public should take note.

ISIJOLA I formerly known and addressed as Miss Isijola Ruth Abiodun, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adegbenjo Ruth Abiodun. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

ENOIMA

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Agboola Florence Funke, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Kolawole Florence Funke. All former documents remain valid. N Y S C and General public should take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Darlene Joesam Enoima, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Darlene Christopher Uche. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

OLUSOLA

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Ayanwusi Adesola Mary, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Fanimokun Adesola Mary. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Olusola Foluke Oluwatoyin, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Akintade Foluke Oluwatoyin. All former documents remain valid.

Osun State Service Commission, Osogbo, Osun State, Ife Central Local govt. Secretariat, Ile-Ife, Osun State and General public should take note.

MBAH I formerly known and addressed as Miss Mbah Vivian Uchenna, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Nwosu Vivian Uchenna.All former documents remain valid. N Y S C and General public should take note.

SHOPEYIN I formerly known and addressed as Miss Azeezat Olawunmi Shopeyin, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Azeezat Olawunmi Shopeyin Dosunmu.

All former documents remain valid. N Y S C and General public should take note.

NWEKE

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Nweke Nkechi Judith, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Mgbike Nkechi Judith. All former documents remain valid. N Y S C and general public should take note.

AGBOOLA

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Ugheghele Jennifer Hamaowo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Agboola, Jennifer Hamaowo. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

OHIOMOBA I formerly known and addressed as Miss Paulina Airohumen Ohiomoba, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Paulina Airohumen Kuku. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

AYANWUSI

ADEOLA

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Adeneye Rashidat Adeola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Akintewe Rashidat Adeneye. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public should take note.

OSHO

I formerly known and addressed as Mary Olaoluwa Osho, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Mary Olaoluwa Abah. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

ELEOJO

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Eleojo John, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Eleojo Onojah. All former documents remain valid. Nigeria Police Force and general public should take note.

OLATERU-OLAGBEGI I formerly known and addressed as Oluwakemi Deborah Olateru – Olagbegi, now which to be known and addressed Oluwakemi Deborah Olowa. General public take note.

ADEBAYO

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Adekemi Adeyinka Adebayo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ejije Adekemi Adeyinka. All former documents remain valid. NeuroPsychiatric Hosptal, Aro and general public should take note.

OSUNDAIRO I formerly known and addressed as Samuel Adeleke Osundairo, now wish to be known and addressed as Samuel Adeleke Oluwadairo.

All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

OGUNWALE FAGBOHUN

I formerly known and addressed as Modupe Yewande Fagbohun, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Modupe Olayemi Nnebedum. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

ESEMEKAI I formerly known and addressed as Esemekai Victor, now wish to be known and addressed as Victor Eyetan. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

FATAI

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Fatai Gbemisola Nimota, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Alabi Gbemisola Sarah. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

IGWE I formerly known and addressed as Miss Nwanganga Olufunke Igwe, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Nwanganga Olufunke Adeyinka. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

OMIDIJI

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Omidiji Folashade Juliana, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ajayi Folashade Juliana. All former documents remain valid. Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, NYSC and general public should take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Ogunwale Isaac Olusanya, now wish to be known and addressed as Oluwale Isaac Olusanya. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

HAMZAT

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Hamzat Bilikis Moradeyo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Abdul Azeez Bilikis Moradeyo. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

OBIJURU

I, formerly known and addressed as Oyewole Oluwatoyin Oluwabukunyi, now wish to be known and addressed as Ajibade Oluwatoyin Oluwabukunyi. All former documents remain valid.

Lagos State Ministry of Education and general public should take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME This is to notify the general public that my names were wrongly spelt in my Secondary School Certificate, dated 2001 as Emmanual Naomi Ogheneovo and my Primary School Certificate bear Mary Emmanuel.

My correct names are Emmanuel Naomi-Wealth Ogheneovo. All documents bearing the above names remain valid. WAEC, UNN should take note.

THOMAS

I formerly known and addressed as Mr. Thomas Bode Gabriel, now wish to be known and addressed as Mr. Adebiyi Olabode Gabriel. All former documents remain valid. Oceanic Bank Plc. and general public should take note.

BABALOLA

I formerly known and addressed as Mrs. Olajumoke Olukemi Babalola, now wish to be known and addressed as Miss Olajumoke Olukemi Ogunjinmi. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

PASTOR/PROPHET ABEREOLA Formerly Pastor/Prophet Abereola Emmanuel Makanjuola Idowu, now wish addressed as Pastor/Prophet Needlewealth Emmanuel Makanjuola Idowu Abiodun. All former documents remain valid.

Christ Apostolic Church, World wide, Ise/Orun Local govt. and general public should take note.

AMOS I formerly known and addressed as Miss Amos, Folashade Omowunmi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Amos Folashade Omowunmi. All former documents remain valid.

NYSC and general public should take note.

ABBAS I formerly known and addressed as Miss Abbas Damilola Fatimah, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Abbas Damilola Fatimah. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public should take note.

BAMTEFA I formerly known and addressed as Miss Bamtefa Theresa Abimbola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ibironke Theresa Abimbola. All former documents remain valid. Ministry of Transportation and general public should take note.

JUDE

I formerly known and addressed as Mr. Jude Chukwuma Jude, now wish to be known and addressed as Mr. Chukwuma Jude Ossai. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

ADEKOYA I formerly known and addressed as Miss Adekoya Kafayat Olasunbo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ademiluyi Kafayat Olasunbo. All former documents remain valid.General public should take note.

OLATUNDE I formerly known and addressed as Miss Olatunde Sadiat Adebimpe Eniola A., now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Oloyede Sadiat Adebimpe Eniola A. All former documents remain valid.General public should take note.

SANGOLADE

I formerly known and addressed as Mr. Sangolade Abiola Gideon, now wish to be known and addressed as Mr. Samuel Abiola Gideon. All former documents remain valid. University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (UNAD), NYSC, Airtel Nigeria and general public should take note.

IGWE

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Adebiyi Alimot Aderonke, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Niniola Alimot Aderonke. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Sosanya Kikelomo Adeola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Fagbamila Kikelomo Adeola. All former documents remain valid. Ogubn State Teaching Service Commission and general public should take note.

ADEBAJO I formerly known and addressed as Miss Adebajo Oludayo Funmilayo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. David Oludayo Funmilayo. All former documents remain valid. Federal Road Safety Corps and general public should take note.

FAKUNLE

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Fakunle Ifeoluwa Folashade, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Kanimodo Ifeoluwa Folashade. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

ADEDEJI

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Adedeji Adenike Olubukola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ogunade Adenike Olubukola. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public should take note.

SOWUNMI

I formerly known and addressed as Mr. Sowunmi Azeez Olalekan, now wish to be known and addressed as Mr. Sowunmi Olalekan Simeon. All former documents remain valid.

TASUED, Ijagun, Ijebu-Ode and general public should take note.

ADEBAYO

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Adebayo Oluwaseyi Aina, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Akanbi Oluwaseyi Aina. All former documents remain valid. Ogun State Teaching Service Commission and general public should take note.

ASORO

I formerly known and addressed as Asoro, Oluwafemi Michael, now wish to be known and addressed as Adesola, Oluwafemi Michael. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

NYONG

I formerly known and addressed as Effiong Okon Nyong, now wish to be known and addressed as Effiom Beto Amanam. All former documents remain valid. Nigeria Union of Teacher and general public should take note.

AGBOOLA I formerly known and addressed as Miss Agboola Kafilat Yetunde, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Adekilekun Kafilat Yetunde. All former documents remain valid. NYSC, Federal Polytechnic, Ede and general public should take note.

MOSHOOD

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Moshood Mulikat Abosede, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ngene Chinyere Abosede. All former documents remain valid. NYSC, Federal Polytechnic, Ede, NECO, WAEC and general public should take note.

ANIFOWOSHE

NKANTA I formerly known and addressed as Miss Brenda Edo Nkanta, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Brenda Nubari Badom.

All former documents remain valid. Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike and general public take note.

AYO I formerly known and addressed as Miss Mariam Abeng Ayo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Mariam Ovat. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public take note.

CHUKWUJAMA

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Chukwujama Nnedi Chinenye, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Okongwu Nnedi Chinenye. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

DOUGLAS

I formerly known and addressed as Mrs Gloria Fubara Douglas, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Gloria Thompson Douglas. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHINEMELU

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Chinemelu Vivian Nonye, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Okonkwo Vivian Nonye. All former documents remain valid. UNN, NYSC and general public take note.

EBERE I formerly known and addressed as Miss Ebere Wilson, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Dollar Ebere. All former documents remain valid. Nigerian Agip Oil. Ltd and general public take note. IFEANYI I formerly known and addressed as Miss Ifeanyi Kalu Mong, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ifeanyi Dabotubo Briggs.

All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public take note.

IBENEME

I formerly known and addressed as Adetoro Waliat Temidayo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ashefon Waliat Temidayo. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

IKOTUN

OGUNLEYE

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Idorenyin Linus Umoh, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Hope Innocent Bassey. All former documents remain valid.

Rivers State University of Education and general public take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Ikotun Mariam Oluwabunmi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ajimo Maraiam Oluwabunmi. All former documents remain valid.

Osun State Teaching Service Commission, Osogbo and general public should take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, Ajayi Oluwadamilare Timothy is the same and one person as Ajayi Dare Timothy. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

OLUFAYO

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Olufayo Felicia Bosede, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adegbangbe Felicia Bosede. All former documents remain valid. High Court of Justice, Osun State and general public should take note.

LAWANI I formerly known and addressed as Emmanuel Lawani, now wish to be known and addressed as Mr. Isa Emmanuel Abu. All former documents remain valid. Nigeria Immigration, Nigeria Embassy in Ireland and general public should take note.

ILOMANYA

I formerly known and addressed as Mr. Christian Ilomanya, now wish to be known and addressed as Mr. Christian Nmuoto. All former documents remain valid.General public should take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Ezekwelu, Christiana Nwabonachi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Nweze, Christiana Nwabonachi.

All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Olanrewaju Esther Temitope, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Edet Esther Temitope. All former documents remain valid. Dental Therapists Registration Board of Nigeria and general public should take note.

KENEKAYORO

AKANWO

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Kasali Comfort Oluwatoyin, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Oladepo Comfort Oluwatoyin Abike. All former documents remain valid. Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria and general public should take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Akanwo Oluwaseyi Eniola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adeyem, Oluwaseyi Eniola. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public should take note.

ASHIRU

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Ashiru Omowumi Taiwo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Akolade Omowumi Taiwo. All former documents remain valid. Nigeria Union of Teacher and general public should take note.

OREWERE

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Orewere Sarah Ekhowobe, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Egobi Sarah Ekhowobe. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Ibeneme Uchechi Grace, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Onyemere Uchechi Grace. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Nkemdiri Sabina Igwe, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Nkemdiri Sabina Anya. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Kenekayoro Ebitare-Ere Antonia, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Peterside Ebitare-Ere Antonia. All former documents remain valid. RSUST, NYSC and general public should take note.

AMINU

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Aminu Odunola Nafisat, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ige Odunola Nafisat. All former documents remain valid. Federal Polytechnic, Offa and general public should take note.

OKIKE I formerly known and addressed as Miss Okike Adannaya, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Amos Janet Adannaya. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Anifowoshe-Adebayo Adesola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Oluwole Adesola Mary. All former documents remain valid. Nigeria Immigration and general public should take note.

ADETORO

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Obijuru Miracle Chidinma, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ohiri Miracle Chidinma. All former documents remain valid.Micheal Steven Outsourching Services, First Bank of Nigeria and general public should take note.

EZEKWELU

OGUNDAPO

I formerly known and addressed as Mrs. Ogundapo Esther Opeyemi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ayodapo Esther Opeyemi. All former documents remain valid. Federal Medical Centre, Ido-Ekiti, Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria and general public should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

ADEDEJI

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Aderinola Adedeji, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Aderinola Adediran. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

OLANREWAJU

KASALI

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Ogunleye Adenike Omobola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Odusi Adenike Omobola. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

OWOSANYA

I formerly known and addressed as Mrs Aishat Owosanya, now wish to be known and addressed as Ms Anthonia Duru. All former documents remain valid. Nrc. and general public should take note.

ADENIJI

UMOH

OKAH I formerly known and addressed as Miss Okah Faithful Erowoghene, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Iwuanyanwu Faithful Erowoghene.

All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Adeniji Modinat Adeyinka, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Animashaun Modinat Adeyinka.

All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Ugo Glory Aki, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ugo Glory Nwosuoegbe. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Igboayaka Favour Chisom, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Chidiebere Favour Chisom. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public should take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Chinyere Gertrude Anetoh, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Chinyere Gertrude Ekennia. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

IGBOAYAKA

OFAHA

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Onyinyechit Olivia Ofoha, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Onyinyechi Olivia Okosha. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public should take note.

AMADIEGWU

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Onyinyechi Joy Amadiegwu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Onyinyechi Joy Nnamdi Onwubiko. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

PEEKATE

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Queen Lenieh Peekate, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Queen Lenieh Archibong. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

AKI

ANETOH

DURU

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Ngozi Caroline Duru, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ogbonna caroline. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ADVERT: Simply produce your marriage certificate or sworn affidavit for a change of name publication, with just (N3,500.)

The payment can be made through FIRST BANK of Nigeria Plc. Account number 1892030011219 Account Name - VINTAGE PRESS LIMITED Scan the details of your advert and teller to gbengaodejide@yahoo.com or thenation_advert@yahoo.com For enquiry please contact: Gbenga on 08052720421, 08161675390, Emailgbengaodejide @yahoo.com or our offices nationwide.

Note this! Change of name is now published every Sundays, all materials should reach us two days before publication.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY NOVEMBER 27, 2011

54

EBERE WABARA

PICTURE THIS !

WORDSWORTH 08055001948

ewabara@yahoo.com

Error of proximity D

AILY TRUST of November 15 committed just two juvenile offences: “Plane with 500 pilgrims crash lands in Kano” Which is the verb here? This kind of lexical and structural nonchalance speaks volumes of the profile of any publication. Get it right: crash-lands. And its noun form: crash landing.

That is language classicality for you!

“The problem occurs when any of these activities are (is) disturbed.”

This kind of language weakness is known as error of proximity in linguistics.

“Are we loosing the battle against Boko H a r a m ? ” (BUSINESSDAY EDITORIAL Headline, 15 November) I hope we are not losing the battle against verbal inaccuracies! If not, how do we rationalize this kind of lapse coming from the only surviving (daily) business medium in the country?

“Nigeria needs N10.32tn infrastructure investments in four years—Okonjo-Iweala” (THE PUNCH Headline, November 15) Vide notes on this misapprehension in the second paragraph after this.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY of November 13 empowered four foibles not out of laziness or ignorance, but sheer carelessness: “Abubakar urged the beneficiaries to seize (take/use/employ, et al) the opportunity to beat the poverty lane….”

Americanism accepts the faulty word as contextualized in the excerpt! See last week’s edition for elucidation.

“Fashola calls for education reforms” News: educational (adjective) reforms, as opposed to its noun variant (education) in the extract. A noun cannot be used to qualify another noun—that is the work of an adjective.

“I am deliberately leaving out the out-rightly (sic) lewd comments on the Tribune article.” My own comment on the faux pas: outright lewd comments.

Lastly from my platform: “…from all nooks and corners (crannies) in Nigeria.” (This Back Page howler was contributed by Julius Obende/ 08023060031).

Next on focus is DAILY TRUST of Novem-

ber 11 which offered two headline errors: “Road repairers arrested over (for) assault on NSCDC officer” “Vigilante (Vigilance) group arrests suspected burglars at Dagiri” A vigilante is a member of a vigilance group.

From the November 11 edition of the daily title on this stable comes the next set of goofs:”…to gird their loins and acquiesce to (in) in the devastating effects of the government’s planned removal of fuel subsidy come (in) 2012.”

“President Jonathan, during his visit to Port Harcourt, observed different construction project (projects) going on in the state….”

“In this task, we are ready to gather all progressives willing to engage all shades of opinion….” POLITICS: shades of opinions (plural) “But none has raised more eye-brows than the vulgar display of wealth at (on) the occasion organized by friends of….”

“NUPENG, NLC blame government over (for) lingering fuel subsidy crisis” “…he could be misunderstood to mean that the Nigeria Police has (have) been busy condoning illegality for a long time now.”

And this: an illegality (or illegalities, depending on context).

“The mob was apparently protesting the death of a youth, allegedly a victim of the town’s vigilante group.” New on the newsstands: vigilance group.

“Alison-Madueke’s position tallies with the OPEC view that any excess supply of oil to the international market would result into (in) a lowering of oil prices which would.…” Misuse of language, just like poverty, is very unpleasant.

“At the struggle for independence, the part played by the leaders of yesteryears set each apart to take over the reins of nation building.” Stock expression: yesteryear.

“Sex has become a past time, an avenue for recreation....” Get it right: pastime.

“Society has been so lenient with the male specie (species) that every woman.…”

“Recently, the police again raised its (their) periodic alarms over the apparent siege on (to) by armed bandits.” Do we have unarmed bandits?

“The laxity can extend to parking in (on) bank premises.”

“Are you not worried that things like this is happening knowing the volatile nature of Kaduna? This way: Are you not worried that things like these are…or a thing like this is….

“A case of throwing away the bad (the bath) water and the baby in it (sic).” Idiomatic correctness: throw the baby out with the bath water.

“Parents can pay more attention to their underaged (sic) children and wards and prevent them from getting behind wheels.” Celebration of health: underage children.

“No sooner had this happened than an argument ensured (ensued).”

“Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, is now a beehive of activities following the arrival….” Justice in service of community: a beehive of activity.

“The contestants beamed happily (or with cheers) at the fanfare accorded them on arrival.”

They couldn’t have beamed sadly (or with sorrows)!

“In Bayelsa State, the campaign team of Governor Sylva has adopted a hit and run tactics” This way: a hit-and-run tactic or hit-and-run tactics.

“The failure of the Nigeria Police to play its (their) traditional role of maintaining peace and order in the country remains glaring.”

“It is not enough to point accusing fingers at one’s opponents.” This way: point the finger at one’s opponents.

“Politics should not be a do or die affair” Fixed form: a do-or-die affair (take note of the hyphenation).

“Eroding confidence on (in) accountancy worries don” “As they say (a comma, please) whatever is good (sauce) for the goose is equally appropriate (sauce) for the gander.”

“Eroding confidence on (in) accountancy worries don” A poser: how can we eliminate recurring omissions, slip-ups and misunderstanding? Are they a function of oversight, wrong and wrong-doing?

Do we need linguistic surgeons and professional fault-finders in media outfits for self-criticism?

•Dignity of labour.

PHOTO: BADE DARAMOLA

Safety and Security Alert!

Investigation: A vital tool in Intelligence Gathering and Analysis

T

HE recent inability of our security operatives at both national and state levels in prevention of insurgencies and their inability to use the wreckages after every attack to provide defensive and offensive measure future attempts, call for serious expose on the study of investigation with special emphasis on the study of forensics.

What is Investigation?

Investigation is derived from a Latin word “vestigare” meaning to ‘trace a derivation and search to determine facts related to specific cases. The Occupational Health and safety regulations require Health and Safety officers to collaborate with employer to examine (investigate) the causes (remote and immediate) of accidents/incidents in workplace and to investigate complaints by an employee(s) relating to his/her health or safety at work’.

Investigation should be carried out on speculations, after vulnerability/threat assessments as well as after a reported incident or accident.

Objectives of investigation The objectives of investigation are to: •Ascertain the facts of the matter of what could likely happen and what has really happened, •Obtain the truth evidence(s) and •Collate these evidence(s) in line with the standards.

The difference between fact, inference and opinion are: Fact –is something affirmed to be true Inference –is the judgement based on reasoning(s) Opinion –is a personal belief.

In the course of investi-

gation, the following issues are to be established and clarified: · What, how, when, why, where and what actions should be taken? This may include: 1.

Preventive actions 2.

Defensives considerations 3.

Prosecution 4.

Disciplinary measures 5.

Amending policies 6.

Civil recovery (ies).

What is the purpose of investigations?

The purpose of investigation is to serve as deterrent to crime and as a response to crime committed.

Investigation techniques are: •Interview •Evidence collation, collation and processing.

•Physical and technical surveillance skills •Computer forensics •Database searches and •Crime analysis algorithms Investigation sub-specialties: 1. Conduct background checks, to determine the level of trust either for appointment, employment or conferment.

2. Ascertain due diligence, this takes place in company’s merger or acquisition upon business agreements.

3. Commercial sector, to determine facts in theft, employee’s misconduct, computer system abuse, sabotage, threats, workplace violence.

Similarly, in ferret frauds, waste, various types of abuse, financial mismanagement,, corporate ethics violation, etc.

Pre-requisites for success in investigation The success of every investigation depends largely on the: •Approach of the investigation team •Experience of and skills acquired by the team members.

These skills include: 1. Being observant and inquisitive 2. Preservation of crime scene and evidences 3. Avoid jumping to conclusion 4. Patience

5. Common sense 6. A good judge of character 7. Accepting nothing at face-value 8. Being unbiased 9. Integrity and 10. Honest.

Characteristics of good team members •Intellectual –in tracing, objectivity, logics, analytical and common sense.

•Psychological –being emotionally balanced, detached, inquisitive, suspecting, discerning, humble, selfdisciplined and perseverance.

•Physical –must be healthy, fit, good vision and hearing.

Tools for effective investigation 1.

Surveillance -this is the act of placing a target (person, object or activity) under physical, electronic or technical observation for the purpose of obtaining intelligence information.

2.

Polygraph -this is otherwise known as ‘Lie Detector’. This often helps in CQT, which helps to select suspects to be tried or not to be tried. It also helps in DLT, where suspects are told to lie deliberately and physiological responses are recorded and compared with the control data. As well as in GKT, where answers to multiple questions are used. In this case, only the suspect and investigator know the answers which contain specific information about the crime being investigated.

3.

Document handwriting examination helps in forgeries, etc.

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 27, 2011

What really causes cancer?

might raise levels of oestrogen in humans.

Raised levels of the hormone are associated with breast cancer.

This is the concluding part of the article by Anna Hodgekiss that started last week

EXPERT COMMENT: 'It's a frequent scare story, but you'd have to eat an awful lot of chicken about two birds a day to increase your risk,' says Professor Sikora.

'The oestrogen pellets used in battery farming to increase weight would only slightly increase levels in the meat, and not enough to increase human levels.'

GENES THE THEORY: It's often thought that cancer is 'genetic' so you can't really do much about it. In fact, experts think around 5 to 10 per cent of cancers may be linked to inherited genes.

They have identified genes that increase risk for some of the more common cancers, such as cancers of the breast, bowel, ovary, womb and prostate.

For instance, women who have inherited the faulty BRCA-1 or BRCA-2 genes have an increased lifetime risk of breast cancer.

EXPERT COMMENT: 'It is true that around 10 per cent of cancers may be due to your genetic background,' says Professor Sikora. 'This is the one risk factor you can't do anything about, but a healthy lifestyle and not smoking, in particular, also play an important role.'

ILLNESS/VIRUSES THE THEORY: The thinking is that having an illness or developing a condition in a certain part of the body makes it more likely cancer will develop there later in life.

Another theory is that viruses can trigger genetic changes in cells that make them more likely to become cancerous.

EXPERT COMMENT: When it comes to bowel cancer, the charity Beating Bowel Cancer warns that people with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis might have a higher risk. 'Women with endometriosis have a slightly higher risk of ovarian cancer, as do women who are treated for ovarian cysts under the age of 29,' adds Dr Sarah Blacklidge, of Ovarian Cancer Action.

And when it comes to viruses there may be a link with some cancers. Cervical and oral cancers, for example, have been linked with the human papilloma virus (HPV).

'HPV is the most prominent virus at the moment when it comes to cancer,' says Professor Sikora.

CONSTIPATION THE THEORY: Some people believe that constipation where stools sit in the bowel for a long time raises the risk of bowel cancer as the waste products in them may cause a change in the lining of the bowel.

EXPERT COMMENT: 'We know that the incidence of colon cancer is lower in areas such as the Far East, where the transit time of food through the body is much quicker because they eat more fibre and vegetables,' says Professor Sikora.

'A high-fibre diet helps cancer-causing compounds pass through quicker, reducing your risk of developing colon cancer.'

PLASTICS THE THEORY: A chemical widely used in food packaging may be a contributing factor to women developing breast cancer, scientists at Tufts University School of Medicine in the U.S. suggested a few years ago.

A study of mice found that a compound called bisphenol-A (or BPA), used in plastic food containers, affected how they responded to oestrogen, which fuels most breast cancer in humans.

EXPERT COMMENT: 'A lot of people have very strong ideas about this theory, but the evidence is very poor,' says Professor Sikora. 'This was a mouse study and as a result, it is pretty meaningless.

'Mice only live for two years, so their

'There are almost certainly other viruses that may trigger cancers such as lymphomas, but we do not yet understand the relationship. It's thought they might be triggered by an abnormal immune reaction to a virus.'

A patient preparing for a mammogram

lifespan is in no way comparable to ours.

They would also have been given large doses (for them) over a short period.

'I would not worry about using plastic bottles or storage containers for food. There are also often concerns about heating food in plastic containers in the microwave; while there are carcinogens in plastic there is no evidence that heating the plastic will release them into the food.

'Again, it doesn't mean there couldn't be a relationship, but if there is, it's very small. It's also important to bear in mind that eating a lot of processed, microwaveable food may be indicative of an unhealthy lifestyle a n d m a y accompany other risk factors, such as a lack of exercise.'

MICROWAVES THE THEORY:

Microwaves work by using electromagnetic radiation to raise the temperature of food. There have been concerns that this radiation exposure could cause cancer in humans.

E X P E R T COMMENT: 'The main thing to say here is that microwaves don't use the same type of radiation that is known to cause cancer ionising radiation, which is the type produced by nuclear reactions,' says Yinka Ebo. 'Microwaves heat food, but do not make any changes to it that aren't made in any other cooking method. So they do not make food any more likely to cause cancer.'

CHICKEN THE THEORY: It has been suggested that the hormones widely used to rear poultry in battery farms

HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY (HRT) THE THEORY: There has been f o c us in recent years on the link between hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and an increased risk of breast, ovarian and womb cancers. The theory is that the hormones encourage the growth of breast cancers.

E X P E R T COMMENT: 'HRT is still an effective short-term treatment for menopausal symptoms,' says Yinka Ebo. 'Using HRT for a few years doesn't greatly increase your risk, but the longer you stay on it, the higher your risk becomes.

'Five years after stopping, your risk will return to that of a woman who has never used HRT.' Research indicates that women who use oestrogen-only HRT have a slightly increased risk of developing ovarian cancer, adds Dr Blacklidge.

Your Health

56 THE NATION ON SUNDAY NOVEMBER 27, 2011

WELLBEING

M

OST people think of hobbies as a diversion to help while away the time. However, hobbies also play an important role in the health and wellbeing of an individual. Hobbies can be an effective tool in reducing stress and lowering blood pressure. And hobbies that engage the brain, for example, puzzles, have been found to be effective in delaying the onset of Alzheimers. In elderly people, a

Get a hobby‌ for your health hobby can help reduce the risk of depression and dementia. Their mental benefits include taking our minds off of our troubles, reducing stress and are a form of relaxation.

So finding an enjoyable hobby is a good way of keeping the mind, body and soul in sync and good working order. Some of the physical benefits of hobbies include manual dexterity, focus and concentration, creativity and improved health and wellbeing.

Finding a hobby is relatively easy. First choose a hobby that has appeal, fits in with your interest and matches the necessary physical capabilities. Whether your hobby is an active or stationary one, learning a new skill or completing a project or a goal will help improve self worth and give a sense of accomplishment. Anything that helps relieve stress is worth doing.

The hobby that's right for you is

Get fit with walking

W

E all live in a society which basically has eradicated any form of natural exercise which could be beneficial to us, especially walking. Think about it: We basically live in our cars! We run our errands in cars or buses. Our whole infrastructure is designed based upon the automobile and we are programmed to use it whenever possible. This is unlike the days of our forefathers who walked virtually everywhere- to the farm, markets, other villages etc. Any wonder they were fitter and healthier than today's generation who live a more sedentary lifestyle?

Walking is an exercise most anyone can do.

It does not cost anything and does not require special equipment (apart from your feet). It is by far the easiest aerobic exercise and can be incorporated into any daily routine for instance, school, work, shopping among others. You will realize the health benefits walking 30 minutes a

one that captures your interest. It might be related to your occupation or a complete opposite and have no relation to it whatsoever. Your hobby should make you happy and if you find it challenging you, use it as motivation to push your abilities.

Hobbies can be physical for instance sports such as football, basketball, biking, swimming, rock climbing, wood carving, golfing and jogging. It could also be sedentary like needlework, reading, photography, writing, drawing and painting, craft making, sewing, cloth weaving among others. The beauty of some hobbies is that they can be turned into a business that will generate extra income in the long run.

Whatever hobby you choose, your rewards in improving body, mind and soul will be worth the effort.

FITNESS day, five times a week.

You can start out slowly, adding a few more minutes to your walking routine every day.

Here are some more easy suggestions on how to exercise at work: Start walking the stairs at work instead of taking the lift. Take a walk during your lunch hour to relax. Park at the far end of the store parking lot and walk a little farther.

Besides other benefits, w a l k i n g i s particularly good for your heart. A recent Harvard study shows that walking at a moderate pace (3 mph) for up to 3 hours a weekor 30 minutes a day--can cut the risk of heart disease in women by as much as 40%.

This is the same benefit you would get from aerobics, jogging, or other vigorous exercise. The benefits to men are comparable.

Along with its benefits to the heart, walking improves circulation, lowers blood pressure as well as cholesterol, helps breathing, combats depression, bolsters the immune system, helps prevent osteoporosis, helps prevent and control diabetes and helps control weight.

To get these benefits, dump the car keys the next time you need to go to the neighbourhood store and take a walk.

“I've been through every diet under the sun, and I can tell you that getting up, getting out, and walking is always the first goal.�

- Oprah Winfrey

Travel

Leisure

Cuisine

Spicy coconut rice with snail and prawns -served with watermelon drink

Ingredients: Coconut, raw rice, dry fish, diced meat, grounded crayfish, grounded fresh pepper, onion, seasoning, vegetable oil, salt, water, snail, prawns Method of preparation: Break and grate the coconut. Wash with warm water to remove juice, enough water to cook the rice and set aside.

Wash the dry fish and diced meat thoroughly with warm water, put in a clean pot, add seasoning, pepper, salt, onion, and water to cook for 15mins to achieve tenderness. Parboil the rice for 20mins, wash with warm water and set aside.

Place the extracted juice from the coconut in a clean pot and place on fire, add the par boiled rice, grounded crayfish, onion, grounded fresh pepper, dry fish, diced meat, seasoning, salt to taste and a bit of vegetable oil . Allow to cook for 30mins.

Meanwhile, shell the snail and prawns, wash to remove dirt. Wash the snail very well with alkaline or dry garri to remove the liquid found in it.

Place both snail and prawn in a pot to cook for 10mins and remove from fire.

Add vegetable oil in a dry pan, add some fresh pepper salt seasoning onion, and allow simmering for 3mins, then adding the cooked snail and prawns into the sauce on fire and stirring. Allow to cook for 5min to allow the sauce penetrate into the meat being cooked.

After five minutes, remove from fire.

Check if the rice is tender enough, if not, add some quantity of water to cook and attain the maximum tenderness require.

When the rice is cooked and tender enough, remove from fire and allow to cool.

Serve the rice and garnish with the sauced snail and prawn.

Ingredients for the drink: A bulb of watermelon, some ginger, apples, oranges and ice cubes Method of preparation: Wash the watermelon, apples, oranges, and ginger and peel off the back. Use the juice extractor to remove the juice f r o m t h e watermelon, apples and oranges, then set aside. Use the crusher to crush the ginger, place in a bowl and add a bit of warm water to the crushed ginger, then drain. Add the liquid from the ginger to the extracted juice and stir to get a well mixture of all the fruits. Keep refrigerated.

Serve with ice cubes in a glass cup.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2011

57

Evening of glamour at Miss Nigeria finale —PAGE 59

Seven years after, amputee seeks justice from UCH I

T was May 3, 2004, a day that Alfa Ahmed Babalola would record as one of the happiest in his life. That was the day he christened his two bundles of joy – Taiye and Kehinde.

It’s not every day a man is blessed with a set of twins! A week earlier, his wife, Hajia Muyimat Babalola had given birth to the two perfectly formed girls and he was particularly happy that virtually everyone who saw the tiny tots remarked that they were his split image. The reality that he was now a father was overpowering, and as he celebrated with family and friends, he was looking forward to fatherhood with great expectations.

But life has its twists and turns and, sometimes, it’s doesn’t go the way we want. Just as Babalola was settling down to his new role as a father, like a pack of dominos, his world came crashing down in the twinkle of an eye. Barely three weeks after the naming ceremony, on May 22, one of the girls, Baby Taiye, died after a brief illness. As if that wasn’t enough, just four days later, on May 26, one-month old Baby Kehinde also became ill. She was immediately rushed to the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, with the hope that being the foremost medical facility in town, she would get the best of treatment and attention.

Baby Kehinde was admitted in the 2nd paediatric ward CI on account of diarrhoea-related symptoms that same day. The mother was, naturally, hysterical – crying and pleading with medical personnel to help save the life of her only remaining daughter.

If only she knew that the tragedy in her household was about to take a

Seven years after their one-month old baby, Kehinde Babalola, had her arm amputated following bungled treatment, an Ibadan-based family tackles the venerable University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan in the courts in their quest for justice.

Steve Aborisade reports more sinister turn.

She recalls, “We got to UCH around 4pm that day, and by the time my baby’s admission was perfected, it was already night. They placed her on drip. I was told I couldn’t stay with her; that I should go home. I thought it was because I was already distraught.” So she went home.

Alas, in the course of treatment, a tourniquet that was tied on Kehinde’s arm to facilitate the fixing of an infusion was forgotten on the arm overnight! The mother laments, “If I had known what would happen to my baby, I would have insisted on staying with her.

“I was the one that discovered the tourniquet on my baby’s arm the next day. I noticed she was in great pain, and showed discomfort when I got close to her right arm. I was alarmed when I saw her hand reddened and swollen, and the tourniquet still firmly clasped in place!

“I screamed, and that attracted their attention. When the doctor that rushed to examine my baby saw her arm, he was just shaking his head. It was then I knew something bad had happened.” The heartbroken mother continued, “I wept, and became inconsolable.”

Hajia Babalola claims that by the

third day the condition of Baby Kehinde’s right arm had started deteriorating with massive gangrene infection; and without adequate explanations as regards what went wrong and with no form of counselling offered to the distraught parents.

“UCH authorities merely informed the parents that their baby’s arm would have to be amputated,” said Obatunde Oladapo, Executive Director at Positive Life Association of Nigeria (PLAN), a nongovernmental organisation.

Understandably, the Babalolas were horrified at the very idea of some doctor sawing off their baby’s arm just like that, and so they vehemently resisted initially. It was Oladapo’s PLAN that eventually convinced them of the urgent need to save the child’s life first before engaging the hospital on remedying the wrong it had done. The UCH subsequently amputated the infected arm on or about June 18, 2004, according to reports.

A case of negligence or discrimination?

Why would an institution as reputable as UCH find itself embroiled in this kind of muddle?

Lawyer, human rights activist, and

HIV/AIDS counsellor, Jumai Danuk, offers a simple explanation: The Babalolas were most probably victims of acts of discrimination by hospital officials on duty that night.

The family and other human activists who have been involved in this matter one way or the other echo the same view.

Discrimination? How? According to reports, the couple are known patients of the HIV/AIDS Clinic of UCH and Oladapo contends that, on sighting them that night, “the general assumption was that their baby too must be HIV-positive; even though they failed to first scientifically determined her true status.”

Danuk opines that it was this faulty assumption that made the teaching hospital to erroneously place Baby Kehinde on anti-retroviral therapy (ARV) in May 2004. Indeed Hajia Babalola confirmed that the infant was on this therapy for the first 18 months of her life, adding that the ARV was abruptly discontinued in August 2005 without adequate explanations. She said: “They just told us she would no longer be taking the drugs, and when we sought to find out what informed that decision, they said her case was now good.”

Danuk is of the view that what transpired in this case is typical of the prevailing attitude towards HIV/ AIDS and people living with the virus/disease. She insists that questions remain unanswered about the implications of placing someone who is not HIV-positive on ARV. There are also ethical considerations that surround that decision.

Toyin Gbadegesin, of Social and Economic Rights Action Centre (SERAC), a legal aid human rights organisation, is also of the view that a letter dated July 13, 2006, from UCH to the Babalolas further reinforced the institution’s apathy as a result of the baby’s perceived HIV status. The letter titled ‘Case of Alleged Gangrene of the Arm of Baby Kehinde Hassanat Babalola’, according to Gbadegesin, bears testimony to the institution’s unfounded belief that Baby Kehinde was HIV-positive and is responsible for the manner in which she was treated.

In that letter obtained by the Nation on Sunday, Gbadegesin drew attention to a section which read, “The patient as you will recall was HIV-Positive but this notwithstanding, the hospital performed its obligation by giving prompt medical attention to her.”

According to Gbadegesin, two things can be deduced from the above paragraph. “One is that the statement gave the impression that the UCH was doing Baby Kehinde a favour by attending to her ‘despite her HIV status’, and secondly, their conclusion about her status was never on the basis of sound medical science but on a bizarre and speculative inference that because the parents were HIVpositive, then the child must also be HIV-positive.”

What is the truth about Kehinde Babalola’s HIV status?

It is obvious that Oladapo is not ready to give a straight or categorical answer. “The case is pending in court.” And as he adds, “the true •Continued on page 58

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2011

Life

Amputee seeks justice from UCH

•Alfa Babalola with wife and children •Continued from page 57

•Bromide of the result of HIV test on Kehinde Babalola

status of Kehinde is at the centre of this case, and I will leave it to the courts to determine when we get there.”

However, he is of the opinion that that question is better put to UCH authorities to answer. “UCH must definitely have a reason for discontinuing the ARV it placed Kehinde on. On our part, we have conducted several tests at different reputable testing facilities, and we know the results. Kehinde is seven years old now, healthy, and of a sound mind. The only problem she has is the challenge of coming to terms with the fact that she is different from her peers.”

A panel of enquiry

In a letter addressed to the Babalolas and signed by the Professor, A. O. Ilesanmi, UCH Chief Medical Director (CMD), dated July 13, 2006, which was in response to growing agitations of the Babalola camp over the issue, UCH indicated that a panel of inquiry had been established regarding the gangrene infection and amputation of Kehinde’s arm. Till date, however, the Babalolas claim they had neither received any official response regarding the purported panel’s findings nor were they furnished with the panel’s report.

According to Alfa Babalola, The family, PLAN and a representative of the Centre for the Right to Health (CRH) participated in the enquiry meeting that was held at UCH’s Committee Meeting Room. He says: “At the meeting, UCH authorities admitted the culpability of their staff on duty when the incident occurred and further indicated their readiness to compensate the family while putting in place measures that would assist the baby to cope with her permanent disability - especially through quality health care and education.

More importantly, the UCH authorities then pledged to ensure that the findings and recommendations of the panel would be made public.”

UCH’s idea of settlement Four months later, still in line with fulfilling their pledge to compensate the Babalolas, UCH dispatched another letter dated, November 8, 2006, and signed

by I.G. Owosekun, Director of Administration and Secretary to the UCH Board. Four key recommendations came out of the Board’s meeting, namely:

•University College Hospital, Ibadan where the amputation took place

1.

That UCH is prepared to relocate the family to a more conducive environment, by constructing a three bedroom bungalow in a modest area of Ibadan for them.

2.

That the institution will provide scholarship to Kehinde from nursery to University Bachelors Degree level.

3.

That the University College Hospital will provide prosthesis for the child.

4.

UCH will give free treatment for any ailment for the child.

However, the hospital’s offer came with a proviso: that implementation of the above recommendations would be the full and final settlement and that the Babalolas acceptance of the offer should come in writing. This was promptly rejected by the family.

According to Babalola: “It was wrong. They want to be the judge in their own case, not minding the implication of their actions.”

This opinion was also shared by PLAN which by this time had invited SERAC for legal guidance. The family was eager that a meeting point would arise, and had actually begun to access UCH educational support for Kehinde.

“UCH had contributed approximately N243,000.00 (Two hundred and forty three thousand naira only), to paying her school fees before we realised that their commitment on the other promises might not hold. And they were not ready to even review their terms of settlement.”

Hajia Babalola added, “UCH promised that they would give free treatment to my baby, but when I went back to treat Kehinde, they said I should pay first; that subsequently treatment for her would be free. I drew their attention to the fact that they had offered her free treatment, but they would not budge. I had to pay.”

In Danuk’s view, settlements in circumstances like this need to be properly and clearly defined, specified and legally binding on both parties. “In this instance, this was not the case. UCH drew out terms of settlement that suited them, and they expected compliance of the family, just because they are poor and HIV- positive?”

According to Dr. Doyin Odebowale, a university lecturer and legal practitioner, “What the parties should have done was engage the services of an insurance company which will project the cost of education from primary to university level, and again

engage a Health Maintenance Organization to project the cost of a life health insurance cover for Kehinde.

“These apart,” he continued, “consideration must be given for the emotional pain and suffering that UCH actions have inflicted on the family. It is obvious that the hospital acted negligently and recklessly towards Baby Kehinde and caused irreparable bodily damage to her. This much they have accepted. Furthermore, UCH had subjected Kehinde to unlawful discrimination and untold indignities during and since the incident. It has equally treated her family with utter disrespect and contempt in the quest to understand and ramify what happened to their baby.”

Instituting a lawsuit Buoyed on by the reality that justice might not come their way, on May 7, 2007, SERAC filed a suit at the Federal High Court, Ibadan, Oyo State, on behalf of the Babalolas to hold UCH accountable for its actions and conduct. According to Gbadegesin, “After the case was filed, the court encouraged that we both settle the matter amicably between ourselves. In fact, it was UCH that initiated settlement out of court. Justice Sharkarho ordered that we should report the settlement to the court periodically.”

In court papers obtained by The Nation, a breakdown in negotiations arose from sharp disagreements by both parties on the extent of liabilities on the part of the hospital.

UCH then informed the court that settlement had broken down and that they would prefer the case to go on to trial. The Head of UCH legal unit, Mr. Niyi Ajayi, admits that the out of court settlement negotiations broke down because “the complainants were not satisfied with what we were offering.”

However, he insisted that since the case is in court, he would not comment further.

“No problem,” Alfa Babalola says. “I want justice for my daughter. I also need to know the circumstances that led to the gangrene infection of the arm of my baby who was barely a month old at the time of the incident. UCH should equally provide my family with an explanation for placing my baby on ARV for over one year without determining if she was HIV-positive or not.”

The court directed on the November 22, 2010, that the parties proceed to trial.

However, ever since then, it has been one adjournment or another. Trial is yet to commence, although the next appearance is slated for December 13, 2011.

The battle in court is like two sides of a coin. For the Babalolas it is a cry for justice and, for UCH, it is the battle to salvage its reputation. Will Kehinde and her family get justice? Will the truth of what happened that night be finally revealed? Or will UCH come out of this with its reputation intact or in tatters? Time will tell.

•Copy of the letter from the UCH to the Babalola’s

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2011

Life

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•A winner’s smile: The new queen ambassador Miss Feyijimi Sodipo with the other contestants at the finale PHOTOS: OLUSEGUN RAPHEAL

An evening of glamour at Miss Nigeria finale

By Patience Saduwa

A

FTER months of intense preparations, this year’s edition of the Miss Nigeria beauty pageant climaxed with the crowning of a new queen ambassador to represent the country. The colourful and well-packaged show held penultimate week at the Expo Centre, Eko Hotel and Suites, saw Miss Feyijimi Sodipo, 21, trouncing other hopefuls to win the highly coveted crown. For the new queen, a polyglot who speaks about five languages, it was a well won victory considering the many hurdles she and the other contestants passed through before reaching the finals.

The well attended show broadcast live on African Independent Television (AIT) was a mix of glamour, panache and a few hitches here and there. It kicked off with the 20 finalists making their first appearance in a choreographed dance routine stylishly dressed uniformly in white shirts, leggings and black hats with walking sticks to match. Their 2nd coming was in ethnic attires which were mostly based on the states they represent.

Unlike most beauty pageants, Miss Nigeria has no swimwear section, a deliberate action by the organizers to, ‘preserve the dignity of womanhood.’ The top ten were finally picked after the appearance of the contestants in colourfully designed outfits by Vlisco.

•The top five finalists

A lot of tension preceded the announcement of the top five-Miss Rivers, Miss Anambra, Miss Benue, Miss Edo and Miss Ogun.

Thrilling the guests, which included the Lagos State First Lady Mrs Abimbola Fashola, with his soulful tunes was the African Queen crooner, 2face Idibia who performed at the ceremony. The show climaxed with the picking of the queen ambassador, Miss Ogun who looked surprised when she was called. Criteria used in picking the queen according to Wunikan Mukan, Project Manager, the Miss Nigeria Organisation who also doubled as the evening’s host were general ‘appearance, personality, poise and intelligence.’

end of the show, 17 contestants were eliminated through votes by the audience as well as judges.

Other guests at the classy do include the Minister of Tourism, Chief Edem Duke, Chief (Mrs) Florence Ita-Giwa, Mr Odein Ajumogobia, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hafsat Abiola, Grace Egbagbe, Mrs Derin Osoba (a judge), Prof Ebun Clark (a judge), Mrs Catherine Ifejika and Wunmi Ogunbiyi (former Miss Nigeria who was also a judge) among others.

Begun in 1957, the Miss Nigeria beauty pageant is the most prestigious in the country, producing many queens who have gone on to excel in different areas of endeavour. After a six year break, it was resuscitated, repackaged and held in 2010 with Damilola Agbajor emerging that year’s queen ambassador.

Not just a pretty face

While some in the audience expressed reservations at the choice of Miss Sodipo as the queen, the organizers however seemed satisfied with the judges’ choice. Speaking on the issue Nike Oshinowo-Soleye, Chief Executive of the Miss Nigeria Organisation stated: “I’m impressed by the choice; she’s the perfect queen ambassador. The queen has to have the qualities to be able to promote our country; and she has it.”

The new queen seemed to fit this criteria well. The 21year-old student of German Studies also speaks four other languages. On winning the crown, the highly elated queen gushed: “I’m very excited! I still can’t believe I won. It was a lot of work. People look at pageants and see only the glamour but it’s a lot of hardwork. I’m queen ambassador now so definitely things will change.”

With the kind of prizes she carted away that night, her life will definitely not be the same. Besides the grand prize of a full scholarship to any institution of higher learning anywhere in the world, she also took home a luxury car, one year’s salary, an exquisite wardrobe for a year and many other gifts from different sponsors.

This year’s competition saw the organizers traversin g different cities in the country and abroad to hold casting sessions. Castings were done in Abuja, Port-Harcourt, Lagos, Benin-City, London and New York. 37 contestants were picked who were housed in an undisclosed location in Akwa Ibom State for a two TV reality show aired on AIT and DSTV. At the

•Popular choice: The judges were won over by the new queen's intelligence and beauty

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY NOVEMBER 27, 2011

Life Extra

T is amazing how Brazil rose from the ashes of economic backwardness in the last 10 years to be one of the topmost economies in the world today. As soon as you arrived the country, no one would tell you that these people are happy, and civilized and that the issues of tourism and sports are so dear to them. The people work with dignity and attend to visitors with excellent and utmost respect and civility.

Right from the airport, you’d notice how civil the people are, even when the problem of language and communication is a serious set-back. An average Brazilian prefers to stick to his/her official language of Portuguese but only expects you to pick a word or two to assist you mingle well while in the country. Nonetheless they cheer you up with plenty of smiles, gestures and body language.

Part of the import of the body language is suggestive, encouraging you to change your money into Raeis, their national currency and spend it on shopping and tourism. Today, it is 100 US dollars to 150 Brazilian Raeis. The economy is so strong that Brazilians do not even want you to dazzle them with dollars. The general feeling among them is thus: “Change your money to Raeis and spend it all here.”

With that attitude in place tourists come in their droves from different parts of the world to see a country that prides itself as the largest sports export in South America. In terms of economic revenue, football is the foremost, accounting for 40 percent of their revenue.

This is followed by tourism, which constitutes 40 percent, while oil gives them just 20 percent. With football pitches built in strategic places in all the nooks and crannies of the cities, youths and some elders who are still strong and capable find it easy to rummage in sports from time to time. Salvador, the capital city of the state of Bahia, being a coastal town, boasts an array of beach football pitches. Footballers are seen most evenings practicing on their own, perfecting the art of beach football. Today, Brazil is one of the best in that brand of soccer worldwide.

There in Salvador, blacks constitute the larger chunk of the population. This is so, because the slave routes that passed from West Africa to Salvador were shorter. A Brazilian would say to you ‘hei, this ocean goes straight to Lagos’ (pronounced Lagus) and that majority of the blacks there came from Nigeria, Dahomey and Burkina Faso. They cherish the flavour that the name Lagos emits. Lagos, to them, is simply home to ex-slaves and their masters: “Oh, Lagos, lovely Lagos,” Hilda, a black lady enthused, pointing towards the Atlantic Ocean as tourists cruised to and fro in their canoes and speed boats.

At this juncture, she paused, reminiscing. You could feel her heart pulsating, her mind travelling back into time to key into the stories of slavery told her by her forebears. Then she recovered spontaneously, sighing. ‘Ah, Brazil good now. Africa good too.’

With that, she beckoned on you to leave the vicinity. The truth is that a great chunk of slavery activities took place in Salvador from the year 1414 when John Hawkins took the first 12 blacks as slaves till when the heinous trade was finally abolished in 1888.

So, Salvador relishes in that euphoria, boasting of old colonial

Brazil: Land of hope and renaissance Edozie Udeze just back from Salvador, Brazil, writes on the sporting and tourism potentials and activities that make the country so attractive and alluring to the rest of the world

•Brazilian traditional dancers

•’Tinubu Square,’ Salvador - Bahia, Brazil

settlements from where the trade was administered by the Portuguese. In those days Salvador was the political capital of Brazil, a position it occupied for more than 500 years. And so the city was developed to a modern standard, albeit with the sweat and dexterity of the blacks who constituted the population. In 1835, a little before the trade was abolished, blacks in the state rebelled to establish their own rights and voices. That action, indeed, helped the black population to grow in leaps and bounds that today they make up 45 percent of the 180 million population in the country.

Shopping in Brazil is a delight, a delight because Salvador alone has over 10 world class shopping complexes. The largest is Salvador Shopping which the authorities said is the biggest in the whole of South America. The place attracts an average of 5,000 shoppers everyday and this number increases during festive periods like Christmas and Easter.

Equally large and attractive is Iguatemi Shopping. This is where tourists from third world countries on tour of the city visit mostly.

•’Iguatemi Shopping Plaza in Salvador, the second largest plaza in South America

There, things are a bit cheaper, that you’d see plenty visitors almost trampling on one another in the haste to buy things.

And so on a daily basis, Iguatemi provides shoppers the opportunity to savour the hospitality of a city that is one of the most beautiful and organied in the country. The premises has a parking lot that can take as many as 10 thousand cars. As you approached the place, you’d immediately think it is a car factory, but then you’d be consoled by the fact that visitors parked with utmost care and geniality. There is an opening through the car lot, from where car owners get into the mall. This way, the crowd at the main entrance is considerably reduced and controlled.

In front of the mall is a foot bridge which is often crowded because it is located near a market.

Everybody makes use of the bridge, even when there are no vehicles on the road. Even at the height of traffic when the road is a bit safe for pedestrians, you cannot see a Brazilian crossing the road. This is so because this is a country built on discipline and

orderliness. You do not need anyone to prompt you into obeying the law or doing the simplest thing to encourage the society thrive and grow.

The footbridges are well-built to absorb the crowd. There are security lights and cameras located here and there and the people are conscious of the fact that it is for their own good.

Essentially, the society is a serene one. People converse in low tones, almost in whispers so as not to disturb the next person or cause him discomfort or infringe on his right to enjoy some peace and quiet. This way, you do not see anybody quarrel or exchange hot words of abuse or debasement. Indeed peace and decorum rule them and make them tick with happiness and love for one another.

One of the recreational parks named Lago Terreiro Jesus built in the colonial area of the city, was where most returnees to Lagos took off from. The old park which is still new and fresh 600 years after, is a replica of Tinubu Square in Lagos. In fact, it is believed that most of the designs in old areas of Lagos were copied by these

returnees. The only different is that the one in Salvador still glitters and shines, with the lights illuminating the place. At night the beauty beckons and assuages your nerves.

Although it is guarded round the clock by the police, people go there to relax and refresh themselves as they do so. Here the Blacks live in their communal enclaves, doing petty trading and cherishing the cordiality of Africanness. ‘It is old Lagos all over again,” one of the staff of the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation (CBAAC), organizers of the conference in Brazil, said. “One feels so nostalgic here,” he added.

Overlooking the park is a church built in 1610 by slaves. It is called Cathedral Catholica and it is one of those institutions used to brainwash Blacks. Equally significant are the names answered by Brazilians in this part of the city.

These include Da-Costa, Da-Silva, Pedro, Domingo and lots more.

Many of them here can trace their ancestral to Nigeria or even locate one or two as their relatives in Lagos.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY NOVEMBER 27, 2011

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY NOVEMBER 27, 2011

THE NATION ON SUNDAY NOVEMBER 27, 2011

Alaafin seeks legal backing for VGN From Bode Durojaye, Oyo

T

HE Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, has called on the Oyo State Government, to give recognition to the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN).

In his goodwill messages to the VGN’s monthly meeting held at Igbo-Ora, in the Ibarapa Central local government area, the royal father appealed for recognition, through appropriate legislation and funding from both the Federal, State and Local Governments, in order to be properly organised and maintained, to help in community policing.

VGN, which has 30,000 members in Oyo State and 4.5million across the country, was established as a nationwide security outfit, by the late president, Alhaji Umaru Yar’Adua, to curb crime and other social vices in the country.

Oba Adeyemi stated that in recent times, the state of insecurity in the country has reached an alarming proportion.

Oba Adeyemi who is one of the national patrons of VGN, and Chairman, State Council of Obas and chiefs however noted that since the emergence of VGN in Oyo State, “they have done excellently well.’’

According to him,” The people are overwhelmed with the activities of VGN because they have been contributing towards the creation or reinforcement of trust in communities, strengthening the security of persons and property and the feeling of security of persons.’’

Alabi is new Alawe of Ilawe-Ekiti From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

E

KITI State Government has approved the appointment of Prince Adebanji Alabi as the new Alawe of Ilawe-Ekiti in Ekiti South West Local Government Council.

Alabi hailed from Iro Quarters, Ilawe – Ekiti.

He takes over from Oba Joseph Ademileka, who died on June 7.

Alabi attended St. Mary’s Primary School, Ilawe-Ekiti, between 1967 and 1972 and Ode-Ekiti High School, OdeEkiti between 1973-1977.

He studied History at the University of Ife (Now Obafemi Awolowo University), Ile-Ife from 1981-1985.

He has worked with The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja since 1986 until his emergence as an Oba. Alabi had been Nigeria’s Vice-Consul, ConsulateGeneral to Buea and Douala, Cameroun; Minister, Nigeria’s High Commission, Kingston, Jamaica with concurrent accreditation to Belize, Haiti and Dominican Republic, among several other foreign postings.

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News

Waziri breaks silence, says ‘I have taken my sack in good faith’ •I’ve no regrets being EFCC chairman T

HE former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mrs. Farida Waziri, yesterday said she has taken her removal by President Goodluck Jonathan in good faith.

She also described her sack on Wednesday as an act of God. Mrs. Waziri, who spoke for the first time on her sack in an address at the 11th and 12th combined convocations of Benue State University, Makurdi, said she left office with her honour intact and has no regrets for all her actions in office She said: “Our resolve does not end here. As Chairman of the EFCC, my

From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

colleagues and I worked tirelessly over the last few years to ensure stability in governance and polity of the country.

“Our attempts to sanitise the polity by fighting corruption were aimed at providing our country a corrupt-free society that will engender foreign direct investments that will in turn provide wider job opportunities for our teeming graduates.

“The rest is now history. I have done my best and I want to sincerely

thank President Goodluck Jonathan for the opportunity to serve his administration till few days ago. My removal from office I have taken in good faith because I believe that’s the way God has purposed “This is why I am greatly relieved that I have made history as EFCC Chairman and I do not have any regret for serving my fatherland because I am leaving with all sense of honour and humility.”

While pledging to cooperate with her successor, Mrs. Waziri said no one can fight corruption

without corruption hitting back at him or her.

Mrs. Waziri added: “I have said before now that fighting corruption in our country is like holding the tiger by the tail, if care is not taken, the tiger will devour you. But I am grateful to God and all Nigerians who supported us and showed understanding of the difficult terrain we have had to confront the dangerous menace of economic crime.

“This is why all Nigerians must support President Jonathan and my successor to successfully fight the scourge. It is only

with your cooperation and support, that absolute peace and security will be sustained for the development of our country as we strive towards a corrupt-free society.”

The ex-EFCC chairman thanked the university for the honour bestowed on her.

She said: “When I first learnt of the resolve of the Benue State University to honour me at this grand occasion, I embarked on soul-searching. Could it be because of my indigene ship of Benue State or my position as the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)?

Maybe the University will give me an answer!

However, I was deeply humbled at the gesture of the University to recognize me and bestow this important award on me.

“When eventually the University presented me with the list of the other honourees, I was convinced more than ever before that the institution has broken borders by not only selecting people of very distinguished character and accomplishment from diverse fields but also from other parts of Nigeria.

PPP necessary to bridge infrastructure deficit - Fayemi From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

•Former Secretary to the Federal Government(SGF), Alhaji Yahaya Ahmed, condoling Mr. Toke Ibru, eldest son of late Publisher PHOTO: BADE DARAMOLA of Guardian Newspapers, Alex Ibru, at the family residence in Ikoyi yesterday

Kogi governorship polls: INEC rules out Kogi civil servants

T

O ensure level playing grounds for all aspirants for the December 3rd, 2011 Governorship election in Kogi State, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared that no Kogi State

•INEC to use Corpers for Kogi election From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

civil servant would be engaged for the election.

The INEC Director of Public Affairs, Mr. Emmanuel Umenger disclosed this in a

chat yesterday.

According to him, the commission will substantially use members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) serving in the state for the election.

Amnesty programme: Kuku terminates contract tin S/Africa over poor performance

T

HE Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta and the Chairman of the Amnesty Programme, Hon. Kingsley Kuku, has terminated a contract with Westgate Unique Alliance Limited, one of the training providers for the Amnesty Programme’s beneficiaries, in South Africa.

Kuku said termination of the contract is in pursuant of President Goodluck Jonathan’s insistence that contracted trainers and institutions offering first class vocational training to Niger Delta ex-agitators

By Kelvin Osa-Okunbor

enrolled in the Presidential Amnesty Programme.

Kuku, who was appalled over the failure of the trainer to offer qualitative training to prospective ex-militants, has threatened to terminate other contracts across the globe that fall below expectations.

Kuku spoke through the head of Media and Communication, Amnesty Office, Mr. Henry Ugbolue.

He explained that Westgate Unique Alliance Limited was contracted by the Amnesty Office to facilitate the professional

training of 87 Amnesty Programme’s beneficiaries in crane operation and pipeline welding in South Africa.

He attributed the termination of the contract to a progressive decline in the quality of services offered by the trainer.

“However, repeated findings by the Monitoring and Evaluation Unit of the Amnesty Office glaringly indicated a progressive decline in the quality of services provided the trainees by Westgate Unique Alliance Limited,” he stressed.

He explained that if there is any shortage of corps members for the election, the commission will engage students of tertiary institutions in Kogi State to fill the gap.

He said: “We are not going to recruit any staff or civil servants of Kogi state for some reasons. We are going to get our Ad-hoc electoral official essentially from the NYSC members serving in Kogi State.”

“When we have gaps, we will fall back on students of tertiary institutions in that state. You know we have Federal Polytechnic, Bida and we have Federal College of Education in Okene.”

“We can also make do with senior staff of federal establishments in Kogi state,” he added.

On training, he said: “We lay emphasis on training and re-training of officials and we started that on the 15th of November. The intention is to train our supervision and train collection officers.

T

HE intervention of Public Private Partnership (PPP) is necessary to overcome nagging infrastructure deficit in the country, Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Kayode Fayemi, has declared. He spoke yesterday at the inauguration of an advisory board of Ekiti State Public Private Partnership Office in Ado-Ekiti, capital of Ekiti State.

Fayemi said his administration have adopted many measures to attract investors to the State.

He stated, “It is gratifying to note that the new Ekiti State PPP Office is now being supported by the DFID under the Nigeria Infrastructure Advisory Faciliry (NIA 1), with further commitments expected in 2012 under NIAF 2 “When availed, this resource will be deployed to fund some critical and urgent infrastructure studies in transport, water and energy sectors.’’

He assured that the State will not only ‘’honour obligations arising from various PPP contracts but also ensure relevant laws are put in place to guarantee sustainability of all our PPP initiatives.”

THE NATION ON SUNDAY NOVEMBER 27, 2011

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C

ENTRAL Bank Governor, Mallam Lamido Sanusi, has warned of grave economic consequences if the subsidy on oil is retained.

He described the proposed removal of oil subsidy as a necessary decision to secure the future of the country.

Sanusi spoke yesterday at the 37 th convocation ceremony of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) where he was conferred with a honourary Doctorate Degree of Sciences.

The CBN governor, who disclosed that over $8bn were sold to oil marketers in the name of importing refined products, said “We need to stop paying these subsidies and invest in our refineries and create jobs for our people.”

He argued that the

Why oil subsidy must go, by Sanusi From Osagie Otabor, Benin

proposed oil subsidy removal is not lack of sensitivity to the pain it will cause but recognition of the consequences of not taking the decision.

If retained, he warned that subsidy on oil will lead to Greek- type economic situation in a few years time.

Sanusi said, “Economic decision has taken on the basis on what is of best long term interest to the economy.

To continuing borrowing trillions of naira and subsidising current consumption is to ask our children to pay for our comfort today.

“Stable economies in the world are sick. There are

dark clouds on the global horizon. It is important to take difficult decision today that may be politically unpalatable to secure our future.

‘’We have to face the fact that we simply cannot continue to live above our means. If we do not take that decision our children are going to have difficult

situation that the future of our country will be mortgaged.

He went on, “We are in a better situation than many countries. Two years ago we

We did not kill students-STF

T

•Two students shot but survived-Rector

HE Special Task Force (STF) on Jos crisis code named ‘’Operation Safe Haven’’ has denied media reports that soldiers on the convoy of the Chief of Defense Staff (CDS) shot and killed two students of Plateau State Polytechnics, Barkin Ladi during a riot.

Its Spokesman, Captain Charles Ekeocha, said, “It was not true that

From Yusufu Aminu Idegu, Jos

soldiers of the convoy of CDS killed any students. ‘’I was there on the convoy; we only shot into the air to scare the students and clear the way for the CDS. We never shot at any student and to the best of my knowledge no student died from that incidence”.

Rector of Plateau State

Polytechnic, Mr. Dauda Geimang, however said two students were shot.

He explained, “Though two of my student received gun shots but none of them die. ‘’One has been treated and discharged from hospital but the second one is still receiving treatment at the Plateau specialist hospital”.

took decisions that Europe should have taken. Nigeria banks are the most capitalised banks today. ‘’The banks can cope with any shocks and we have taken the decisions that Europe is grappling with and is still unable to take. ‘’We have to move beyond financial issue to fiscal issues. It is not enough to fix financial markets we must look at all areas of risk to the economy.’’

Sanusi challenged professors to debate on oil subsidy.

He tasked them to have strong voices that will convince politicians that questions of difficult decision are questions of the future of the Nigeria economy.

According to him, “University community has a role to play in turning this debate from emotions and sentiment into a debate based on hard economic reality. ‘’We have to face the fact that we simply cannot to live above our means. Academic economists can come out and let us engage in robust debate. I do not think there is anyone who is ideologically opposed to subsidies.

“Academic economists should come out and let us do an analysis of the benefit and cost. Let us look at how we can minimise the cost and move forward with that necessary decision otherwise we risk blaming ourselves in the next three or four years for not taking that decision.”

Govt stops Aregbesola from featuring on FRCN live programme

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HE Federal Government, at the weekend, stopped Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State from featuring on a live programme of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) in what smacks of intolerance of opposing views.

Aregbesola had been billed to feature on the twohour Radiolink as part of the programmes marking his one year in office and the technical team of the station was already in Osogbo, the state capital working with officials of the local station, Gold FM when a directive came from Abuja that the programme be called off.

The Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, allegedly directed the FRCN management to inform the nt of Osun State government that the programme would not go ahead as scheduled.

The Director, Bureau of Communications in the Office of the Governor, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon confirmed the development yesterday, saying it was true that officials of the Federal Government owned broadcast station were in Osogbo to inform the government that they could no longer continue arrangement for the live programme owning to “certain reasons” despite running promos of the programme for almost one week.

News

THE NATION ON SUNDAY NOVEMBER 27, 2011

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HE Nigerian Army yesterday said it has not abandoned the ongoing reconstruction of the 44 Military Hospitals in Kaduna.

It also said that the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Onyeabor Azubuike Ihejirika has no hidden agenda against the North over the project.

The Army, which spoke through the Consultant in charge of the project, Alhaji Yahaya Mohammed of Buoshishi Group, said the project is 90 per cent completed.

It explained that although about N3.9billion had already been spent on the reconstruction of the hospitals for upgrad-

N4b Military Hospital not abandoned- Army consultant …Says Chief of Army Staff has no hidden agenda against the North From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

ing to UN Level 4 status, about N3-4billion will still be required to complete the project.

The Army said if funds are made available the project can be completed in the next four months.

It said: “The recon-

struction of the project has not been abandoned. The truth is that work has been going on progressively but internally because we are at the point of finishing now which does not need rushing.

“The Chief of Army Staff does not nurse any ethnic sentiments about the project. Since Lt. Gen. Ihejirika came to office, he

has placed premium on the project and paid familiarisation / inspection visit to the project.

“He does not have any ethnic agenda against the North. Most of us working there are Northerners but he relates with us as Nigerians.

“Even about two months ago, the COAS released about N168million

Jonathan warns VCs

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RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has warned management and staff of universities against shirking their responsibilities.

He urged them to embrace the progressive programme of his administration as partners and stakeholders.

The President spoke yesterday at the 37th Convocation of the University of Benin(UNIBEN).

He said, “Let me warn mischief makers within and outside our institutions that

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

while government will not be stampeded into taking hasty decisions, it will also not fold its arm and allow a system that has taken many years to build to crumble over night.”

Represented by the Minister of Education, Prof Ruqayyatu Rufai, Jonathan said his administration is determined to provide more financial support to all institutions of learning.

He urged them to also attract support from other

stakeholders in the sector.

Chancellor of the university, Alhaji Muhammadu Barkindo Aliyu, Lamido Adamawa, called for collaboration between the government and the private sector in funding and providing an enabling environment to encourage the education industry to flourish.

He kicked against disruption of academic calendar over strike threats by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

Aliyu appealed to the

leadership of ASUU and the Federal Government to take the path of sincere dialogue and openness to resolve disputes threatening the stability of the universities.

Vice Chancellor of the Institution, Prof. Osayuki Oshodin, said a total of 7,782 graduands were awarded various Diplomas and Degrees.

Oshodin said 50 academic staff were elevated as full professors while 56 others were made associate professors in the past one year.

Two feared dead, others injured in Ogun robbery incident

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WO persons were feared dead and others injured yesterday when a 15-man robbery gang seized Oke – Ejigbo community in Abeokuta.

The attack took place two days after a 25- man armed bandit attacked three banks in Sagamu and carted away millions after killing three people.

The Oke-Ejigbo incident, according to residents, started at midnight on Fri-

day and lasted till 3am yesterday.

The robbers were said to have raided at least 15 houses, including a hostel, unchallenged.

Residents said they lost personal effects and valuables to the heavily-armed hoodlums.

Two persons, including a night guard identified as Fasasi, were reportedly killed during the operation.

Another man said to have been hit by bullets was rushed to the State Hospital, Ijaye, for treatment.

On Friday, banks in Agbara and parts of the industrial town of Ota hurriedly closed doors following rumours that armed bandits were planning a raid reminiscent of the Sagamu, Ago-Iwoye and Ilaro robberies.

Customers had a hectic time accessing the few banks

that opened for operations.

They were frisked thoroughly by security guards before gaining access to the bank premises.

Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, (PPRO), Mr. Muyiwa Adejobi, said he was yet to be informed of the robbery incident at OkeEjigbo.

He also denied rumour that bandits were planning to attack commercial banks in the State.

for power connection to the hospital by the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN). By next week, we expect power supply at the hospital.

“As I am talking to you, the project is already 90 per cent completed; it is not yet up to 95 per cent.

We have completed all the structural works including up to the roof level, ceiling, painting, service facilities and others.

“In fact the furniture was handled by Julius Berger like the workstations for nurses and kitchen equipment.

The radiology equipment has been delivered by General Electric from the United States.

“To save the Radiology Equipment delivered

by GE for Radiology Department, the Chief of Army Staff in his patriotic nature categorically instructed that the Department should be made ready for the GE to come and commence the installation of the equipment.

“In that direction, the painting of the Radiology Department will begin next week. And the GE will commence the installation of MRI, endoscopic, Mammography, X-ray, and nuclear energy equipment.”

Responding to a question, Mohammed said: “By the initial timeline, the project ought to be completed by the end of last year but the security challenges the Army Chief has been facing affected the pace of the project. But he has been making sure that these challenges are overcome.

“The delay certainly is not about the lack of commitment to the project by the Chief of Army Staff.”

On when the project will be completed, Mohammed said: “All things being equal, if we have enough money, this hospital will be fully functional in four months’ time.”

PUBLIC NOTICE CHANGE OF NAME OSUEKE I formerly known and addressed as Miss Ogechi Isabel Osueke, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ogechi Isabel Onyemem. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

IFOKWE I formerly known and addressed as Miss Uloma Nkechinyere Ifokwe, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Uloma Nkechinyere Nnochiri. All former documents remain valid. Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria and general public should take note.

OKOLI

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Okoli Chinyere Nneka, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Abang Chinyere Nneka. All former documents remain valid. Nnamdi Azikwe University, Awka and general public should take note.

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Sergeant nabbed for alleged rape From Ogbonnaya Obinna, Abakaliki

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POLICEMAN attached to the Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB) in Ebonyi State, Ifeanyi Mbazor, has been arrested for allegedly raping a 20-year-old lady.

The State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Adeola Adeniji, confirmed the arrest to reporters yesterday.

Adeniji said the alleged incident took place at the Command Headquarters in Abakaliki.

The Police chief said the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) is investigating the incident.

According to him, the accused and victim have been subjected to medical examinations to aid investigation.

The accused, he added, will be dismissed after arraignment, if found guilty.

Adeniji said the command will no longer tolerate any act of indiscipline among officers.

He also confirmed the arrest of another rape victim.

50-year-old Ogbaga Echem, Adeniji said, is in custody for alleged brutal defilement of an 8-year-old girl.

He said the accused attempted suicide to escape arraignment over the alleged crime.

Ekiti to clamp down on illegal timber lumbering

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KITI State Government is poised for a showdown with timber lumberpersons engaging in illegal deforestation of its forest reserves.

Governor Kayode Fayemi dropped the hint during a town hall meeting at Ise-Orun local government area.

He said his administration is committed to protecting forests and the environment from climate and ecological effects which might arise from the heinous acts of the lumberpersons.

Fayemi said, “Aforestation is a critical issue for us in this government, not just because we want a sustainable environment that is protected from the effects of climate change and if we have all our timbers in our forest pulled down by unscrupulous elements, then the tiny cover that the forest provides will not be there”.

He said a special committee has been set up to ensure adequate protection of forest reserves, warning that the government will not fold its arms to allow them waste away.

The Governor has also flagged off the construction of Ise-Ijan road.

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY NOVEMBER 27, 2011

News

HE Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Kogi State yesterday accused the state government and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of illegal withdrawal of N420million from the local governments for campaign next week’s governorship election.

ACN said Gov Ibrahim Idris met with the 21 Directors of Local Governments (DLGs) at the Government House, Lokoja, last Friday where he mandated them to contribute N20million each to the electioneering campaign of PDP’s governorship candidate, Captain Idris Wada.

The party, in a statement signed by the Media Officer to ACN’s candidate, Prince Abubakar Audu, Mr. Sanni Onogu, said it viewed what it called flagrant violation of the Electoral Act and the Nigerian Constitution as an affront on the people of Kogi State.

It said the councils were forced to cough out such sums at a time local government workers are on indefi-

ACN alleges use of N420m LG funds for Kogi PDP campaign From From Joseph Jibueze, Lokoja

nite strike over non-payment of their “meagre” salaries.

“Asking the councils to cough out N420million at a time they are in dire need of funds which the state government had earlier plundered is nothing but looting in the highest order.

“We wish to state that this has been the modus operandi of the Ibrahim Idris-led government in the state for the past nine years.

“It is mind boggling that at a time when the children of civil servants are dropping out of school due to their inability to pay school fees, the insensitive govern-

• Govt: It’s a lie ment could dip its hands in the local governments’ till to prosecute elections because the account is under its direct supervision.

“We call on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to intervene and sanction the perpetrators of this political fraud.

“We also urge the antigraft agencies and relevant security bodies to investigate and stop the state government from further bleeding the people of the Kogi.

“We use this medium to warn all DLGs in Kogi State that the ACN has put adequate machinery in place to detect any withdrawal of

funds for PDP’s campaign purposes at this time.

“The ACN is determined to ensure that any DLG that illegally withdraws money from the local government coffers for PDP’s electioneering activities is prosecuted to the letter.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the ACN governorship candidate, Prince Abubakar Audu is out to redeem the state and bring back its lost glory.

“One thing is clear: this kleptomaniac inclination of the PDP-led administration in Kogi State can only stop when Kogites rise up and use their votes wisely

to reject them at the polls on December 3.”

But the government denied the allegation. Director-General, Media and Strategy Bureau, Government House, Lokoja, Mr. Faruk Adejoh-Audu, said it was not true.

According to him, “It is completely false. There was no such meeting; there was no such request. The DLGs are in charge of Local Governments right now.

“Now, there is nothing wrong with the DLGs meeting with the governor. That they were asked to contrib-

Yakasai, others hail INEC on Bayelsa primary

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•L-R:Oniru of Iru, Oba Idowu Oniru with Lagos State Governor, Mr. Raji Fashola during the Eyo festival at Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos yesterday.

PHOTO: SOLOMON ADEOLA

ute money for election funds, how are they going to account for the money?

Mind you these are civil servants.

“What is happening in ACN is that they have already seen defeat. They can already calculate that they are going to lose, and they are looking for excuses for their defeat. They are preempting their defeat.

“Why would anybody ask Local Governments to contribute money for campaigns? That is complete rubbish and we totally deny it.”

ROMINENT Northern leaders have hailed the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to void the controversial November 19, 2011 governorship primary conducted by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State.

Hon. Seriake Dickson emerged as the party’s gubernatorial flag bearer.

A top INEC official distanced the commission from the governorship primary allegedly conducted in breach of a court order restraining the party from holding the primaries.

Second Republic Presidential Adviser, Alhaji Tanko Yakasai; former Deputy Senate President, Abubakar Dan-Musa and one- time Secretary of the defunct Northern Elements Progressive Union (NEPU), Alhaji Lili Gabari, applauded INEC’s decision not to endorse primaries.

They described it as a

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

step in a right direction, saying it will restore the dignity of the judiciary.

Yakasai said “It means that the exercise was not conducted in accordance with the electoral act”.

Dan-Musa praised INEC’s chair, Prof. Attahiru Jega for the stance.

According to him, “someone should be bold enough to tell President Goodluck Jonathan the truth that disrespect for rule of law would lead this country to anarchy and that leaders should learn from the experience of the political situation in some Arab countries, particularly in the North African sub-region.”

Former Secretary of NEPU and councilor Kano Council in 1956, Lili Gabari believed “INEC has done the right thing, arguing that a party cannot display such impunity, simply because it is in control.’’

LASUTH denies alleged death by Fumman

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•Some Eyo masquerades at the celebration yesterday.

PHOTO: OLUSEGUN RAPHEAL

HE management of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) has described as false alleged claims that five people died in the hospital last Monday after they took fruit drinks produced by Fumman Juice.

The hospital management said there was no iota of truth in the allegations, stressing that the message was being peddled by unscrupulous elements in the society with ulterior motives.

The hospital’s Director, Clinical Services and Training, Dr. Olabode Ogunbanjo, said: “The process is simple. I called on each head of the emergency department of this hospital to find out if they recorded

any cases of death arising from food poisoning following consumption of a fruit juice and all the reports I got were negative.

“The message further said biopsy was conducted on the victims, but I want to state that you don’t do biopsy when it is a case of food poisoning. Autopsy is a different thing from biopsy. So I am sure these are uneducated minds that sent such a message.”

Echoing similar views, the head of Medical Emergency Department of the hospital, Dr. Taiwo Adekunle, said the hospital keeps records and that he did a thorough investigation into the issue and that there is no record of such incident in the hospital.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY NOVEMBER 27, 2011

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WORSHIP THE NATION ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2011

INTERVIEW

Living ‘Why Nigeria cannot break’ Faith W

By David Oyedepo

Wonders in God’s word! (4)

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AST week, I brought you a teaching on how you can en joy total health through the Word of God. I know that teaching was very useful to you! May the Lord give you understanding!

This week, as I want to conclude this series, I will be showing you the healing virtues in the Word of God. The Word of God is full of healing virtues. Most of the sicknesses and diseases people suffer, today, have spiritual root.

The Bible makes us to understand that Jesus cast out the evil spirits tormenting the people, and He healed them all. Talking about Jesus, the Bible says: And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils (Mark 1:34).

I want you to know that spiritual problems require spiritual solution. For instance, if your attack has spiritual root, it will be foolishness seeking medical solution. The Bible makes it clear that the problem of the woman with the issue of blood had a spiritual root. Luke 8:43 says: And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any. That was why after she had spent all she had on medical solution, she wasn’t healed.

The Word of God says: The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed (Matthew 8:8). Jesus cast out the evil spirit by His Word.

However, most people are struggling under hereditary challenges, without knowing that they have a spiritual root. From the above diagnosis, it becomes clear that your health challenges are spiritual. They have spiritual root.

At this juncture, let us consider some of the virtues in the Word of God: 1. The Word of God is curative: The Word of God is medicinal. Proverbs 4:20-22 says: My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.

The Word of God is full of health capsules. When you take them in, they heal you, and set you free from sicknesses and diseases. God’s Word brings to you health and cure (Jeremiah 33:6). God’s Word is medicinal (Jeremiah 8:19-20). It is a spiritual pharmacy, from where you collect the virtues needed for your total health.

2. God’s Word is surgical: The Bible says: For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart (Hebrews 4:12). The Word of God is surgical. It is able to repair any damaged part of your body.

3. God’s Word is creative: In case your case is not repairable, it is replaceable. God’s Word says: And God said, Let there be light: and there was light (Genesis 1:3). The Word of God carries creative capabilities.

For instance, what Jesus did with blind Bartimaeus was to give him a set of brand new eyes (Mark 11:51-52). God has not changed. If Jesus did it for Bartimaeus, He will also do it for you.

4. God’s Word is prophetic: The prophetic Word is a quickening Word. It has a quickening force in it (Ezekiel 37: 1-10). An encounter with the prophetic Word quickens your system, thereby bringing life out of you, thus ensuring your total health.

Friend, the grace for tapping into the virtues in the Word of God is the exclusive preserve of those who are saved. The questions now are: Are you saved? Are you redeemed? Are you born again? Are you a real child of God? Do you want to have the new birth experience? You are saved by confessing your sins and accepting Jesus as the Lord and Saviour of your life and your family.

You can be saved right now, if you haven’t, as you say 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 Livng 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, an annual prophetic gathering of the Winners’ family worldwide. At this event named, Waves Of Glory!, God will surely visit you and deliver you from 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 has life taught you at 50?

Life has taught me to invest more in the service of humanity and show more compassion. There are so many people around us and I have grown up to learn to give back to the society.

Can you recall some of your growing up years?

Well, I am a farm boy born into a poor family, royal though. I came to know the Lord early in life and came to Lagos as a Pastor. I served under Bishop Oyedepo and started the Winners Chapel in Lagos. From there, I received the call to start this work and God has been faithful.

What were you doing before you came into the ministry?

I was in business after I went to school. I have worked here and there also.

But my call into the ministry was prophetic. My mother had five miscarriages before she eventually had me. This led her to late Prophet Ayo Babalola who prophesied

General Overseer of Mercy Tabernacle, Ogba Lagos, Apostle Bank Jefferson, spoke with Sunday Oguntola on his 50th birthday anniversary and state of the nation. Excerpts: posed removal of subsidy?

Removal of subsidy will be good. You can see what deregulation of the telecommunication sector has bought. I believe if we give this proposal a chance, it will happen in petroleum sector. It will give power back to the people and there will be no scarcity. There will be immediate pressure and I am sure the federal government will give palliatives to cushion the effect. But we will survive it. People should just get over the fear of what will happen.

Boko Haram, explosions, insecurity, economic pressure.

What is God saying about Nigeria?

God is saying Ni-

•Jefferson

she would have a child that will be a prophet round the world. That child happens to be me. He even gave me the name I bear. I grew up knowing I had the call of God upon me. I pray for people and things happen.

What is your take on the pro-

geria will be indivisible.

Nigeria cannot break I have always said that. But the government has to be more proactive on security matters. Forget the unguarded prediction by the US that Nigeria will disintegrate. Gadaffi said the same but he is dead now.

Anybody that wishes Nigeria divide will die. God made us one and is committed to keeping us as one.

He will stop at nothing to see to that.

What will be climax of your 50th celebration?

There will be the formal inauguration of the Bank Jefferson Foundation (BJF).

For several years now, we have been feeding the poor and ministering to thousands of people. We have had community development efforts and scholarships. The launch will enable us do more in Africa, beyond Nigeria.

NEWS

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EMBERS and wellwishers of Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) last Sunday were in hilarious mood during the glory concert/annual convention of the church in Lagos.

The concert, which attracted thousands and choristers, was the climax of the weeklong convention of the church with the theme ‘’We are God’s workmanship.’’

Various musical groups took turnS to entertain the congregation with soultouching songs.

They include ECWA

Hilarious praise at ECWA’s concert Music All-Star Ministry, the mass choir and invited gospel artistes.

The musical renditions literally brought down God’s presence, sending worshippers into energetic dancing and rejoicing.

There were also choreographic displays by the children department while 7-year-old sax sensation, Tosin Sax, drew applause and standing ovation from the congregants.

The guest minister, Rev. James Folaranmi, empha-

By Sunday Oguntola

sised the importance of developing a grateful attitude.

He said only grateful Christians will attain greatness.

Folaranmi said, ‘’we bring God into the picture

when we worship Him. He becomes enthroned in our affairs and no devil can stop us again.’’

When the curtains were drawn on the concert, worshippers stood still, asking for more transition to the throne of heaven.

Cleric to Jonathan: lean on God

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RAND Patron of Faith Ministerial Partner International, Pastor Shyngue Wigwe, has charged President Goodluck Jonathan to believe God for the peace and

•L-R: President, Dominion Church. USA, Dr Jerry Wolcson; Presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM), Bishop Mike Okonkow and his wife, Bishop Peace at the opening ceremony of the Kingdom Life World Conference last Sunday in Lagos.

PHOTO: ABIODUN WILLIAMS

By Adeola Ogunlade

stability of the nation.

He spoke at the 20th anniversary/ thanksgiving, book launch and consecration of Rev Abraham Obahon-Ogendengbe as Bishop of Godsway Discipleship Mission International, Lagos.

Wigwe said Jonathan must not give up as God is still interested in the affairs of Nigeria.

He assured that no individual or group, how matter powerful, can pull the country down.

Wigwe called for calmness and attitudinal change among religious groups in most parts of the north where there have been continuous bloodshed.

Ogedengbe said that he will continue in his efforts towards evangelism and discipleship.

According to him, “I have resolved to continue in the task of evangelising the world for Christ and establishing their faith into strong discipleship and followership of Christ which is very eminent.”

Worship

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2011

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HE proposed removal of subsidy on fuel is undemocratic and antipeople, Senator Olorunnibe Mamora has declared.

He spoke penultimate Saturday at the 4th anniversary lecture of Providence Baptist Church, Lagos.

The proposal, he revealed, was being promoted by some governors who he berated for hinging payment of N18, 000 minimum wage on removal of subsidy of fuel.

Such stance, he said, was fraudulent.

He pointed out that the decision to increase workers’ salary was taken at the state council meeting without objection from governors.

The former legislator

Mamora, cleric caution against subsidy removal

By Sunday Oguntola

said, ‘’It is a fraud for some state governments to announce that they cannot pay the N18, 000 minimum wage.

When the decision to increase workers salary was taken both the state council which involved all states government and the federal executive council, formed a consensus.’’

Mamora, who spoke on ‘’The Church, law enactment and the society’’, accused gover-

Muoka seeks prayers for Nigeria

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ENERAL Overseer of the Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Church, Rev Lazarus Muoka, has advocated for sustained prayers to save Nigeria.

He said the spate of bombings and general insecurity in the country requires divine intervention.

He spoke with reporters last Sunday after a 3day crusade with the theme “Divine visitation for the needy.”

Muoka said, “God who has given us abundant natural and human resources will also give us the knowledge on how well to manage it. ‘’As we collectively and individually raise our voice in prayer to Him, things will gradually take

By Sunday Oguntola

a new shape; with God all things are possible.”

He said God is all Nigeria needs now more than anything else.

“When everything else fails, it is God that must be turned to for succour and God has never failed’’.

On the same sex debate at the National Assembly, Muoka said, “Same sex is an abomination, our culture forbids it and God forbids it too. Sodom and Gomorrah earned the wrath of God because of same sex; they were mercilessly destroyed by God. ‘’This kind of thought shouldn’t have come up in the first place; those clamouring for it are inviting the anger of God on this nation.”

nors of reneging on their promise to implement the increment.

Pastor-in-charge of the Church, Rev Julius Oduola, also cautioned against implementation of the proposal.

He said it would lead to inflation and higher costs of

living.

The cleric advised the federal government to fix ailing refineries for optimal production.

This, he said, will eliminate importation of refined petroleum products at exorbitant prices.

Resist bad advice, cleric tells Jonathan

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OUNDER/Spiritual head of Inri Evangelical Spiritual Church Lagos, Primate Babatunde Ayodele, has called on President Goodluck Jonathan not to allow bad advisers destroy his administration.

Jonathan, he said, is surrounded by too many self-seeking advisers bent on bringing his government down.

Ayodele said many policies by the current administration are anti-people.

According to him, ‘’how can a government be thinking of removal of fuel subsidy with the economic woes of Nigerians? This is an ill-advised policy that will bring the government down’.’

He also noted that the planned reintroduction of tolling is another wrong move that will pitch

By Dorcas Adewolu

Jonathan against Nigerians.

He said, ‘’what are we making from the collections? Will it improve our roads and infrastructures?

These advisers are just putting the president in trouble. ‘’The President needs to assess his economic team. They are not giving him good advice at all. He needs to re-jig the team for greater effectiveness.”

He predicted that the Boko Haram menace will fizzle out with time.

Many governors, Ayodele said, will be sacked by tribunals.

On the forthcoming national convention of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), he called for adequate security to prevent explosions.

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Making “S

Sense of Life

with adeWale Adefuye

Is Aso Rock under the spell of a lying spirit? (2) “Especially in the palace, the only place they suppose is safe from the bombardment of the North East Anarchists.”

“Thus challenged, Micaiah could no longer continue the high prank.

“All right,” he said. “Since you insist, I’ll tell you what I saw: all of Israel scattered over the hills, like sheep without a shepherd. Then God spoke: ‘These poor people have no one to tell them what to do. Let them go home and do the best they can for themselves.’”

“A vision of judgement?”

“The second vision explained how this would be accomplished: a lying spirit would give Ahab false confidence so he would enter the battle.”

“That’s puzzling! I mean, should the God of truth allow a lying spirit to accomplish His work?”

“But it’s no different from God permitting Satan to attack Job or to motivate Judas to betray Jesus. God deals with people on the basis of their character. “With the pure You will show Yourself pure; and with the devious [crooked] You will show Yourself shrewd” (Ps. 18:26). Ahab was fighting against God and, like any good boxer or wrestler, the Lord anticipated his every move and countered with the right response. Ahab was a consummate liar; the Lord dealt with Ahab according to his character.”

“Is a lying spirit at work in Aso Rock, spinning a yarn for the masses of trillions of Naira being spent on oil subsidy?”

“According to that second vision, a debate arose in the Spiritual Realm as to who would seduce Ahab to go to war from which he would return in a body bag.”

“The Presidency has been seduced to wage a war that would consume the nation. Fuel is NOT subsidised. The Nigerian ‘fuel subsidy’ is one of the biggest scams in the universe, a euphemism for thievery in the billions and even trillions.”

“According to critical analysis, Nigeria should come to pieces by 2014 and this administration seems bent on making that happen. But back to Ahab: he simply dismissed Micaiah and his visions. He thought himself clever by getting Jehoshaphat to go into battle in his royal apparel, while he disguised himself!

At the end of the day, it was a randomly shot arrow that left Ahab mortally wounded.”

“Thus fulfilling Micaiah’s prophecy? Was that the will of God?” “Quite the contrary, through the lips of Micaiah, God gave Ahab fair warning of what lay ahead. The fact that God warned Ahab before the battle clears the Lord of the charge of being guilty of his death.”

“To which I can only say: ‘He that has ears to hear...’” adeWale Adefuye, info@walefuye.com, +44762 481 3 184 (SMS ONLY)

70 CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

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Essay

Bayelsa State: the path to greatness •Continued from Page 16 That was the real beginning of the process of disarmament and rehabilitation.

Some of the militants readily accepted and took advantage of the state government’s policy of wealth creation and empowerment.

Today, some of the former militants are participating in the state government sponsored ICT training programmes in India and Norway.

While these frameworks were being put in place to provide peace and security, with the ultimate desire to usher in a new dawn of sustainable development, some professional arm chair and twisting critics came up with a cheap propaganda, blackmail and unfounded insinuations against the governor of cuddling militants. Sylva did not bother about the allegation, he rather took the allegation with philosophical calmness and remained focus in prosecuting his agenda for sustainable peace and security.

The good news today is that, he has been vindicated as the Federal Government has borrowed the “Tripple E” principle which has formed the basis of the amnesty deal, an olive-branch offered by the federal government of Nigeria.

On promoting political harmony in the state, one of the bold steps he took was to bring together all stakeholders and honored illustrious sons and daughters at a colorful ceremony on Saturday August 25, 2007.

According to Sylva, “we consider it as a step in the right direction to achieving our corporate dreams of a peaceful, united and progressive Bayelsa State to recognize our talents and celebrate those sons and daughters of the soil that have excelled in their different callings and thereby making us proud as a people.”

To achieve this intention of government of unity, out of the 19 members of his first cabinet he had only five, the others were given to different political groups. This is a rare benevolence, which cannot come by in Nigerian politics characterized by greed and thirst for power.

To crown it all he did not mince words when he spoke in different fora on the need for leaders of Niger Delta to be honest and transparent in their service to the people.

According to him, this will not only provide the panacea for peace but would also bring about the much needed sustainable development in the region.

First, the state government keyed into the 7-point development agenda of the Federal government and went a step further to come up with its own 10-point development plan revolving around; fiscal discipline, infrastructural development, human capacity building and putting in place a framework for trans-

•Jonathan

parency and good governance.

To achieve this policy essence, he set up the Due Process Office, the Bayelsa Expenditure and Income Transparency initiative (BEITI), the Multistakeholders Co-ordinating Committee, Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and the bottom –totop approach to governance, which are key indicators of transparency and good governance.

On infrastructural development, Sylva has proved himself as a good student of development studies. He identified lack of policy continuity as one of the bane of development in Africa and other developing countries in the world.

He therefore preoccupied himself with the need to complete all abandoned projects, inherited from his predecessors, which are critical to the needs and development of the people.

Among the projects he inherited which have been completed include: the new government house lodge known as the glory land castle, the State Secretariat Annex, Revenue House, the new Bayelsa State House of Assembly complex, the civil servants clinic at the new secretariat complex and the expansion and completion of a recreational park known as the Boro park.

In addition to that, Sylva embarked on personal projects like the massive construction of about fifty internal roads to open up the rural nature of Yenagoa and its environs.

Other key projects are the Opolo cottage hospital, rehabilitation of schools, upgrading of facilities at the state owned Niger Delta University, which has led to the accreditation of some faculties in the university, the procurement of a Gas turbine to boost electricity supply in the state, just to mention but a few. According to former President of Tanzania, Julius Nyerere who aptly said, “While the great pow-

ers are getting to the moon, we in Africa are trying to get to the villages.”

Sylva believes that we must first open up our rural areas with infrastructure and social amenities like roads, light and water before any meaningful investors can come in to do business.

No doubt, Yenagoa the state capital is wearing an unprecedented new look.

However, the question on the lips of those watching events in Bayelsa State is, what then is slowing down the pace of development in Bayelsa state, in spite of the enormous natural resources the state is endowed with? What is the problem of the state with people and characters that have demonstrated world class excellence in their various fields of human endeavor? It is a general consensus that the problem is nothing but the pull-down syndrome, which has become a common feature among the political class. In other words the political class take delight in running down its own leaders.

The case of former governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha’s impeachment with the grand conspiracy of his own people is still very fresh in the memories of Bayelsans. One is not here redeeming Alamieyeseigha or sweeping his imperfections under the carpet. However, the manner in which his own people betrayed him with the Biblical thirty pieces of silver remains a sad reminder and black spot on the quest for a united Bayelsa State.

One could also recall that when Dr. Goodluck Jonathan was announced as Vice President Nominee, a group of persons under the aegis of concerned Bayelsans immediately went to the press. They took a full page paid advertorial in Thisday newspaper rejecting Dr. Jonathan’s nomination, stating and threatening that if the nomination was not reversed, militancy in the Niger Delta will assume

an unimaginable ascendancy.

Like Hosanna in the highest as a political culture, the same characters who did not want Dr. Jonathan to be Vice President are flocking around him, and creating imaginary problems between the President and Governor Sylva. The same characters and methods have been employed to pulldown Governor Sylva.

One is not saying Governor Timipre Sylva is an angel and perfect. What one is saying is that, to take the state to greater heights they must look beyond selfish and primordial interest and stop pulling down their leaders. They should rather see themselves as a people bound by a common history of deprivation and work together to attain the vision of their founding fathers.

This is the time they must be reminded that there is unity in strength. What should concern Bayelsans is to rally round President Goodluck Jonathan and Governor Timipre Sylva to build a greater Bayelsa State and anything short of this will render the state big losers. Remind those who belong to various political groups the political experience of Anambra State in the Second Republic.

In that era, Anambra was fortunate to have Dr. Alex Ekwueme as Vice President and Chief Jim Nwobodo as governor of the state. Many development projects eluded Anambra as a result of the political difference between Dr. Ekwueme and Chief Nwobodo orchestrated by the booth leaking politicians that were lurking around the two political gladiators.

Many Anambrarians regretted that episode. The reason is simple: rather than attracting development projects to the state by virtue of the vantage position of Vice President Ekwueme, the political class were busy dissipating their energies on who get what and who belongs where. No doubt, Anambra State missed that golden opportunity of attracting development, particularly to tackle the frightening erosion and dilapidated federal roads.

Bayelsa political leaders should learn a lesson from that event, such a lesson will definitely help the state to reposition itself in the scheme of things.

The current war drum over the PDP guber primary is quite unfortunate and shameful President Goodluck Jonathan is a fine gentle man with beautiful spirit, who mean well for Nigeria. This is the time Bayelsans have to redirect their God given energies and talents to ensure that Dr. Goodluck Jonathan succeeds in building a more united and prosperous Nigeria. The glory will not only go to Dr. Jonathan but to all the people of Bayelsa State.

Jonah Okah is a lawyer and Journalist based in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

Comment

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2011

71

Africa and the tidings of war • Continued from page 12

Hollywood celebrities that brought global attention to Darfur have shifted their transient goodwill to other causes. Sadly, people of Darfur can’t execute such a nimble shift. They are stuck in the hand of hell. That they are no longer broadcast news, does not mean they are no longer the victims of war, famine, and death. On a good note, the long civil war between northern Sudan and southern Sudan that claimed millions of lives ended when the South gained independence this year. Unfortunately, the end of the civil war was simply the birth of an international war of identical dimension between the old and new nations. Trouble over the status of Abyei and over scarce resources along the border has resulted in military strikes that imperil a tenuous peace. Military escalation is the trend as the efforts toward mediation are less frequent than those toward war.

This quick survey reveals the entire northeastern quadrant of Africa is mostly at war.

East and Central Africa are not much better. Uganda has invited 100 American Special Forces soldiers to help waylay the Lord’s Resistance

Army. Emboldened by the American cooperation, President Museveni clapped down on domestic political opponents although they have no relations with the LRA. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, elections approach. This is not a cause for joy but foreboding. Competing militia groups in the east are gearing up to sway the elections and to fight each other for greater control of the illicit trade in precious metals that fuel the world’s computer and communications industries.

At the beginning of each of the past three and this current decade, international organizations have all stood in line to proclaim “this will be the decade of Africa’s economic deliverance.” As soon it is spoken, this falsely liberal, secular liturgy is forgotten. By offering this hollow gift, the rest of the world absolves its conscience, allowing it to proceed with the tawdry business of exploiting Africa for another decade without guilt. The true moral of this morose ritual is that most nations rather be affluent and guilty than poor and beguiled. Africa has yet to learn this about others.

Although they sound nice, these empty motivational speeches do Africa no good except provide fleeting

moments of psychological comfort. A few minutes of relief followed by years of economic struggle is no bargain.

The truth is that too much of Africa is at war for the continent to leave its low orbit. A corollary is that many nations do not want Africa to ascend. Rich nations profit from war at a distance. The closer war comes to the front gate, the more a nation’s fortunes become imperiled.

This is a major reason why America is the world’s preeminent economy.

Among the great nations, it is the only one that has not suffered the ravages of modern warfare on its own soil. If this rule dictates the fortunes of affluent nations, how much more does it apply to the less moneyed? Africa can least afford war yet it is a place overripe with it. Additionally, those foreign states willing to finance war on the continent do Africa a disservice hard to repair.

It is sad enough to dash into war because of your own reasons. It is deeply tragic to go to war for reasons that belong to another.

America is the architect that sketches many of these recent designs of war in Africa.

America’s military is the largest most far flung the world has known. The nation’s military expenditures

exceed the GDP of dozens of countries. Possessed of a military of such titanic size, America has become too prone to us it. The American military machine now seeks a new, more ambitious chapter in Africa for two reasons. One is to fight terrorism and the specter of terrorism. The other is to sequester through force those strategic areas the Chinese are trying to buy with their foreign reserves.

The foremost designs are on Libya. The post-Gaddafi turmoil is seen as a boon for the American military.

Whatever leadership faction emerges in Tripoli, it will owe its ascendance to Western backing. Beholden to the West, these figureheads will bend to their suzerain’s will much like a tardy borrower at the mercy of a lender in usury. Within months, a western military base will be reestablished in Libya after a forty year hiatus. Drone planes will be stationed there and will fly over North Africa and the Sahel always on the ready in the war against terrorism.

Perhaps the most curious of the American missions is the deployment of 100 Special Forces members to fight the LRA in Uganda.

Curious but not uncommon.

America has Special Forces

or other military deployments in more nations than not. Here the number is what piques interest. The LRA is numbered at 400 rag-tag irregulars.

Against such a small force, deployment of 100 special fighters to “advise” the Ugandan military seems heavily excessive. A handful of advisors teamed with a battalion or two of Ugandan effectives would seem more than capable of cornering the LRA. That such a large number of advisors are being deployed indicates the LRA is a pretext for something wider and more serious. More likely, the majority will focus on Somalia and on informally helping pro-western South Sudan against the pariah government in Khartoum. (That oil reserves have been discovered in Uganda and South Sudan is not lost on military strategists.)

Africa must carefully monitor this foreign military buildup. It is against Africa’s interests and also against America’s better interests to see a large American military accretion on the continent.

However, the institutional imperative of a military organization as large and as equipped as America’s is to expand and eventually put to use its vast inventory. The

American military will offer African government’s military hardware that will make the nations feel more powerful. This sense of power will encourage some nations to embark on military adventures they otherwise would eschew due to incapacity. In the process, several nations will shift focus from national development to security competition with rival neighbors. None of this will help Africa. It will destabilize nations and the sub-regions that contain them.

Africa needs to establish a doctrine that no non-African military should have a permanent base on the continent. Again, this not only will help Africa but will assist those Americans interested in establishing a more enlightened foreign policy where emphasis is shifted from resolving a growing number of problems with a stroke from the military’s big stick to one where America better exercises its political and economic capital to help African nations out of the mire of conflict. This is a task of enormous difficult and uncertain conclusion but try Africa must. Whether Africa or outside powers write the story of 21st century Africa will largely depend on African assuming this task for the sake of its own destiny.

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QUOTABLE “Ojukwu was a symbol of Igboland and a symbol of struggle against marginalisation”.

--Former Inspector-General of Police, Mike Okiro, paying tribute

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2011 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM VOL. 6, NO. 1956 to Dim Odumegwu -Ojukwu, who died last week.

T

WO instincts are always at war in President Goodluck Jonathan’s mind.

One side of him yearns to be an effective and transformational leader. This is the side he sells to us, the side we are still gingerly examining. The other side of him ensconces itself in the geniality and simplicity of his youth, an uncomplicated earthiness he grew up knowing and loving, one he is sometimes loth to disown especially when he is confronted by the complexities of ruling modern Nigeria. Judging from his sojourn in power so far, and the oscillations between firmness one day and galling hesitations another, he seems quite unenthusiastic about resolving the dilemma his personality and presidency confront daily. If my reading of him is realistic, it is unlikely the dilemma would be resolved soon or even before the expiration of his tenure.

More perplexing, in my opinion, is his refusal to determine, by books, what his understanding of leadership should be or the kind of leadership he should give his country, or even the sort of leadership his country requires at this time. Jonathan was given some moments to declaim on a topic of his interest during the 51st Independence Anniversary service in Abuja last Sunday. There he shocked us with an improper grasp of the topic of leadership, though he still managed to say what kind of leadership we should not expect from him, the kind he thought, by the examples he assembled from the Bible, was unacceptable to him and probably to any nation. At least now we are no longer in the dark as to what sort of leadership he detests. But, as we found out from Jonathan’s homily last Sunday, he finds it much more difficult to say what kind of leader he aspires to be.

This is not surprising. Most people face identity crisis at one point or another, and sometimes for an entire lifespan. Those who define who they are early in life may have been lucky to face what historians call defining moments, in which circumstances compel them to stand courageously for truth or principles, or to yield supinely to or accommodate the forces of the moment. Jonathan has faced political trials that offered him great moments to define himself and his presidency, a few of them during the interregnum, and others after he won the presidency.

When it came to politics, he has found it quite distressing to summon the great character with which notable world leaders tackled the exigencies of the day, or to summon the great principles that ennobled the policy options of great leaders in defiance of the flatteries of their loyalists and supporters.

Jonathan has been heavily disparaged for asserting he would not gratify the wishes of Nigerian critics who he claimed wanted him to rule like a medieval king – like Egypt’s Pharaohs, like an army general, like Nebuchadnezzar, or like a lion. Perhaps because the time he was given was short, he did not tell us whether he thought all the Pharaohs who ever ruled Egypt were bad, or what part of Nebuchadnezzar’s reign he ob-

Style and the man: Jonathan’s speech and homily

• Jonathan

•Obasanjo

jected to. And if he were to rule like a lion, he did not also say what reservations he had about being likened to the king of the jungle.

Two days after, however, he gave us an insight into what he really meant. At a lecture to mark the 51st Independence Anniversary, Jonathan gave a definitive prescription for Nigeria’s greatness. Rather than leadership style or the strong personality of the leader, what a nation aspiring to greatness needed, the president said, were strong institutions.

So, if any of us expected Jonathan to offer strong Pharaoh-like leadership, we would instead, as he put it inelegantly, receive nothing from him but strong institutions, which he was erecting through the process of transformational leadership. I have written on the subject of leadership on more than four or five occasions in this place. I am tired of repeating myself to people who hardly take the pain to peruse critical views about themselves. Let Jonathan and his aides, if they are so minded, call for those articles in order to inform the president on the subject. I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that he needs both style and substance as a leader. His presidency is as much about his personality and style as it is about strong institutions, whether the institutions are created through transformational programmes or improved upon.

Strong institutions can always be weakened and subverted by weak or strong leaders; but strong leaders always tend to create or improve strong institutions. Our colonial and

post-colonial history proves this.

I fear that Jonathan’s ambition does not exceed leaving the country much the same way he met it – a united and fairly stable country. His talk of transformation looks undoubtedly at variance with what his ambition seems to evoke. I have an enjoyable habit of annoying some of my readers by my sometimes trenchant dismissal of their pretensions and sham intellectualism. They can rail at me all they wish; I am not deterred by their menaces, uncouthness, uncultured, not to say uninformed and unprincipled, vituperations. However, I must assert with all the energies in me that Jonathan’s disavowal of style and personality is nothing but escapism. All he is doing is attempting to hide his inability to boldly confront the major problems of the day behind the advocacy of strong institutions.

Many commentators have advised Jonathan to just give effective leadership instead of generating polemics on leadership style. The issue, I believe, goes beyond that.

Jonathan, thankfully, does not appear to have uncultured and abusive aides, partly, I think, because he understands that whatever they say naturally and unavoidably reflect on his presidency. Let him keep that fine attitude.

But except he confronts the issues of style and personality, his presidency will disappear unremarkably at the end of his tenure as a mere footnote in the annals of our nation. The problems we face today are the

Boko Haram takes Nigeria on emotional rollercoaster

W

HEN the Presidential Panel on Boko Haram headed by Ambassador Usman Galtimari turned in its report on Monday September 27, and some of the recommendations were unveiled, it seemed sure that the Federal Government would finally get its wish to enter into dialogue with the violent Islamic sect, Boko Haram. The government was, however, pipped to the post once more, as it was wont to every time it hesitated in the face of national emergency.

A spokesman of the sect barely allowed the ink to dry on newspapers that reported the panel’s recommendation before he announced defiantly that they were not ready for peace, nor favoured the Sultan of Sokoto or anyone for that matter negotiating on their behalf.

There were times when peace looked

tantalisingly close on the terrorism matter, and there were times when the heart sank just considering the sheer apocalyptic scale of the violence unleashed by the sect. Since the recrudescence of Boko Haram in 2009, the government has been unsure what to do. From being typically overbearing, the government could quickly metamorphose into a lethargic and ponderous apparatus of law enforcement. Until it comes out clearly to tell us what it hopes to do, we may never know how the government will react to the panel’s report. The panel insists, and so too do many northern groups, that dialogue is welcome. The government would have used the pretext of the panel’s report to enter into dialogue. But with Boko Haram’s public denunciation of negotiation, the government is likely to be either

somnolent with its peace moves or giddy with its sometimes irrational law enforcement.

The government needs to demonstrate its seriousness by speedily prosecuting those responsible for the extrajudicial killing of the sect’s leader, Mohammed Yusuf, and scores of his followers, by offering to rebuild the sect members’ houses unlawfully demolished, and by compensating families of executed sect members.

It should not take terror attacks to convince the government to do what is right.

However, not only should the government refuse to negotiate with Boko Haram, it should also bring those who planned and executed terror attacks to justice. If law enforcement agents who broke the law in 2009 deserve punishment, so do terrorists, no matter how just their cause is.

worst since independence, far in excess of the disagreements that led to the civil war.

The Nigerian structure is not working; Nigerians have lost faith in their country; there is a chasm between our peoples, a chasm that cannot be bridged by fair words and homilies; and we have no sense of nationhood.

Against these problems, strong institutions, as desirable as they are in a polity that works, are mere palliatives.

If it is not too late, I would like to remind Jonathan once again to seek refuge in books written by great leaders, some of whom he carelessly and almost recklessly dismissed.; for surely, among the welter of egotistic drivel of the Pharaohs, he will find pearls and nuggets worth both the sleuthing and his presidency. Let him burn the midnight oil on other great biographies, against which if he measured his presidency he would discover his inadequacies. As he is configured, and with his one-dimensional appreciation of leadership, if Jonathan were in Lincoln’s shoes before the American Civil War, he would endure slavery, reconcile with the South in mistaken abhorrence of fratricidal conflict, and take a dim view of history.

Given his present attitude to the current Nigerian constitution, if Jonathan were de Gaulle, confronted in 1958 by the problematic constitution of the Fourth Republic, he would make his peace with the constitution by amending it rather than replacing it. Richard Nixon, a former United States president ascribed the stability of the French Fifth Republic to the replacement of the Fourth Republic constitution by de Gaulle, even as he put the post-war instability of Italy down to the lack of similar leadership vision and strong personality as France mustered.

If Jonathan were Churchill before World War II, he would have made peace with Hitler in order to avoid war and escape the inconveniences of sacrificing millions of lives and possibly a political career in the defence of noble and lofty principles. After all, was Jonathan not disposed to negotiating with Boko Haram until the sect proved annoyingly intransigent? Are strong institutions enough to curb the crises engendered by unstable and weak political structures? Did strong institutions produce Nebuchadnezzar, Cyrus the Great, Genghis Khan, etc or the other way round? They were strong leaders for their eras. We are at new and historic junctures in human history; and our era, and Nigeria in particular, still needs strong leaders.

Strong leadership is, of course, not the same as dictatorship.

Jonathan needs to do more than attack terrorism with platitudes, as he did bemusedly in his Independence Day speech. We have reconciled ourselves to the sombre reality of his uninspiring speeches. But he exceeds even his own monotony when he called on politicians to eschew partisanship while he himself yields to his ruling party. It is surprising he has not placed his finger on the real factors that discourage business in Nigeria and make insecurity to flourish. However, his speech this time gave editors catchy headlines, but there was nothing said about the issues he raised that support those brave headlines.

If Jonathan is to reposition his presidency, he will need the firmness of Obasanjo without the latter’s bucolic rage, sanctimoniousness and obscurantism. He will need Gowon’s fairness and humanism pepped up by a fiery crusade against national and intellectual slothfulness. He will need Murtala Mohammed’s impatient activism circumscribed by a deeply intellectual and reflective understanding of both narrow and national issues. But at the core of the recommended eclecticism must be a powerful self-conviction that only great books can unearth, a self-discovery that will quieten his warring instincts and smother the tendency for escapism that has dodged his every step since he was unleashed upon the nation by the scheming Obasanjo.

• This was first published on October 2, 2011

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