October 10, 2014 by The Nation

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Troops batter Boko Haram

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•AN EVENING WITH ST ARS: President Goodluck Jonathan; Senate President David Mark; Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano; Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan; Minister of Sports Tamuno STARS: PHOTO: AKIN OLADOKUN Danagogo and victorious athletes and officials at international competitions in 2014 during a presidential reception in Abuja…on Wednesday night.

‘U.S. not undermining Nigeria’s battle against Boko Haram’

Fintiri seeks Ngilari’s sack •Adamawa governor: let’s reconcile From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja and Barnabas Manyam, Yola

DAMAWA State Governor Bala James Ngilari moved fast yesterday to tighten his grip on power after Wednesday’s sacking of Acting Governor Umaru Ahmadu Fintiri by the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja. Ngilari, spending his first full day in office after being declared governor by Justice Adeniyi Ademola’s judgment, pledged to reconcile with anybody who feels aggrieved by his emergence. He dissolved the state executive council. But a major drama has been playing out at the House of Assembly. Fintiri said he had returned to the House to Continued on page 2

•Ngilari

HE United States has denied undermining Nigeria’s battle against Boko Haram. Many government officials have given indications, though mainly unofficial, that the United States no longer sell arms to Nigeria and that she has influenced her allies against arms sale to Nigeria. They argue that Nigeria has resorted to buying arms in the black market through interme-

diaries. But U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria James Entwistle said yesterday that it was not true. He spoke to reporters in Yola, the Adamawa State capital, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). Entwistle said: “I disagree completely with these headlines; they are quite inadequate. Our two countries have strong military relationship. “Over the years, we share a

lot of equipment; some of the newest vessels of your navy come from United States, so the idea that U.S. doesn’t support Nigeria is not true,” the envoy said. He said the support to Nigeria was in many forms, including training of soldiers and information sharing. On his perception of Boko Haram, the ambassador said he was not sure of the Continued on page 2

Fayose: Presidency puts Ekiti courts under siege

WHEN WILL THE CHIBOK GIRLS KIDNAPPED ON APRIL 15 BE FREED?

Soldiers stop CJ NJC to meet Monday NBA, APC kick

OURTS remained closed yesterday in Ekiti, despite the directive of the National Judicial Council (NJC) that they should be opened. Soldiers and policemen cordoned off the premises, turning back judges, lawyers and litigants. “In fact, the Chief Judge, Justice Ayodeji Daramola, was turned back at about noon,” a source said, adding that he (the CJ) was told that a bomb had been found on the premises. A crisis broke out last week when

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

Governor-elect Ayodele Fayose led a band of thugs who beat up a judge, tore his suit and destroyed court property. The NJC met and directed the police to go after those who attacked the courts and ensure that courts reopen. Nobody has been arrested and the courts “have been under police and military siege.” The Presidency was said to have directed the military and the police to ensure that the courts remain

sealed until after Fayose’s inauguration on October 16. There was, however, no confirmation of the directive, as at press time last night. The “siege” on the Judiciary moved yesterday from courts in the state capital to all others within the state. Besides, the Chief judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta, who is to open an arm of the court in Ado-Ekiti today, called off his trip yesterday, according to a source. “Even the Court of Appeal can’t function because all the courts are in

the same premises,” a source said, adding that “the siege on the Judiciary is total”. Fayose is facing a test of his integrity. The E-11, a group of Ekiti stakeholders, mainly professionals, is contesting that Fayose is unfit to be governor because, according to the group, he lied in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) form he filled before the election. The NJC is said to be surprised that Continued on page 2

•SPORTS P16 •POLITICS P23 •BRAND P26 •AGRIC P38 •SOCIETY P41 •FOREIGN P59

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2014

•Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (second right), his Deputy, Mrs Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire (right), Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Kayode Opeifa (2nd left) and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation, Mr. Oluseyi Coker, during the maiden Lagos Drivers’ Appreciation Day 2014 and Lagos Horn-Free Day at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos...yesterday. PHOTO: OMOSEHIN MOSES

Boko Haram: We are fighting guerilla war, says CDS

OLITICIANS got yesterday a plea – for understanding – from the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, who spoke on the war against Boko Haram. He said although the military was not begging the media to understand it, the media should see their understanding as a patriotic duty. Former Managing Director/ Editor-In-Chief of the defunct New Nigerian Mallam Mohammed Haruna, warned the military against extra-judicial actions against the media. Air Chief Marshal Badeh, who presided over the second session of a three-day retreat on Security/ Media Relations organised by the Office of the National Security Adviser(ONSA) and Trim Communications Nigeria Limited in Abuja, said it was impossible to give accurate casualty figures in a guerrilla war like the Boko Haram insurgency. He said the military was prepared to throw its doors open to those willing to go to the North-

Troops batter Boko Haram in Borno

HE military recorded yet another victory over Boko Haram in Bulabulin Ngaura village of Damboa Local Government Area in Borno State. According to a report, many insurgents were killed in the battle with soldiers which took place between 5pm and 10pm on Monday. A source said: “I cannot tell you precisely how many were killed but they suffered heavy casualty. We killed many of them and others escaped with injuries. “We have secured both Damboa and BulabuFrom Yusuf Alli, Abuja

east to cover the counter- insurgency operations. He said: “Seriously, we are not fighting a conventional war where we say the enemy is across there and then we are here . We are fighting guerrilla war. “Sometimes you say we are not giving you accurate figures the thing is, when we are fighting war, many things are not too clear, but we give you estimates of what we think has hap-

Continued from page 1

lin but they came back yesterday to attack us. I am pleased to inform you that the fighting was fierce but they were repelled. They suffered heavy losses.” He added that following increased pressure around the Damboa-Bama-Gwoza axis, the insurgents were making frantic efforts to create escape routes around Gulani and Gujba axis in Yobe State through Damboa and Bulabulin in Borno State. Bulabulin is a deserted village located 58 kilometers from Maiduguri along Damboa road.

pened.” The CDS urged reporters, political parties and all Nigerians to support the military in its fight against terrorism. He said: “I want to hit the nail right on the head. Anything you know has ethics and values and I think you people, as Nigerian journalists, will abide by those ethics where you must put the national interest first in whatever you are doing. “So, we should all admit that this is the only country we have,

whether you are from APC, PDP, APGA, whatever platform you belong to, whatever part of the country you come from; we have only one country and it is this one. “I don’t think there is any of us that can go to America and live. If I go to America, it is only what I have in my pocket that I will spend. First of all, they can’t pay my salary. Secondly, even if they can pay, I cannot do the Continued on page 58

Rain of blows at Rivers PDP parley in Abuja

T was meant to lead the way to peace in its Rivers State chapter, but yesterday’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) meeting in Abuja was nothing but a war. Cudgels landed on heads and blows hit many on their faces. A man was soaked in his blood after he was hit on the face by the boot of a policeman’s gun. Another got thrown out of the venue to nurse his wounds. It all happened at Legacy

•Wike punched me, says ex-commissioner•Minister: it’s a lie From Gbade Ogunwale and Faith Yahaya, Abuja

House, the Abuja presidential campaign office of the PDP. In the fray was Minister of State for Education Mr. Nyesom Wike, who reportedly rained punches on a political opponent, Mr. Lolo Ibienye, a former Commissioner for Water Resources in Rivers State. Ibienye was trying to defend a petition he submitted to

the PDP Integration Panel hearing complaints from aggrieved party members from the Southsouth zone. Ibienye coordinated the Yar’Adua/Jonathan campaign organisation in Rivers State during the 2007 election. Wike however, denied any link with the rampaging thugs. In a telephone conversation with one of our correspondents hours

‘U.S. not undermining Nigeria’s battle against Boko Haram’

after the incident, the Minister denied beating anybody at the venue. He said: “Nobody attacked anybody. The meeting was peaceful. Anybody who had something to present was allowed to make their presentation. How could I have prevented them from presenting their Continued on page 58

group’s objectives. “There are still some open questions on who they are,

what they want. “A year ago, I would have said they were religiously motivated. But as they killed more and more Muslims, it’s hard for me to believe that they were motivated by religion.

“Who are these guys and what do they want? I don’t think we really understand them, “Entwistle said. He observed that Boko Haram had gone beyond being a small insurgent group, with a couple of guns, to very effective collection of conventional force. “An open question we have to look at carefully is where is the Continued on page 58

NBA demands Ekiti court’s reopening

HE Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) yesterday said it was alarmed by the continued closure of the Ekiti State High Court and other courts in Ado-Ekiti. It said there was no basis for the court’s blockade, which has prevented hearings in the suit cases filed by the E-11 and the

By Joseph Jibueze and Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

Citizens Peoples Party (CPP) against the governor-elect Mr Ayo Fayose, among others. NBA, in a statement by its President, Augustine Alegeh (SAN), called for the courts’ reContinued on page 58

Fintiri seeks Ngilari’s sack Continued from page 1

reclaim his position as Speaker while still pursuing his appeal against the judg-

ment, which ousted him. But it was gathered that some of the members may not be disposed to him because he is from the same Magadali Local Government as Ngilari. Fintiri filed a suit yesterday at the Court of Appeal in Abuja, asking it to sack Ngilari and install him. He argued that Justice Ademola erred in law when he held that the former Deputy Governor (now Governor),

James Bala Ngilari did not resign in accordance with constitutional provision. Fintiri’s contention is contained in a notice of appeal filed by his lawyer, Duro Adeyele (SAN), and in which he raised eight grounds of appeal. He urges the Court of Appeal to set aside Mr. Justice Ademola dismiss Ngilari’s suit on the grounds that it was defective or refer the case for hearing before another Federal High Court by way of writ of summons. Named as respondents in the Continued on page 58

Ekiti: Stop this assault on Judiciary, APC tells Jonathan

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) has urged President Goodluck Jonathan to stop what it calls his administration’s brazen assault on the judiciary by ordering the immediate withdrawal of the security agents deployed to block the resumption of the courts in Ekiti, as ordered by the National Judicial Council (NJC). In a statement in Abuja by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said deploying security agents to prevent the courts from re-opening as directed by the NJC amounts to undermining the Judiciary and the Constitution. ‘’The Chief Justice of Nigeria, who is the head of the Judiciary, ordered that courts in Ekiti must re-open and that security personnel should do their jobs by providing security. Instead, the security agents were willfully deployed to prevent the courts from opening. This violation flies in the face of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This undemocratic encroachment and erosion portend great danger for our nation and constitute a threat to our democracy. ‘’The Presidency is not consti-

Fayose: Presidency puts Ekiti courts under siege Continued from page 1

the courts remain shut. The gates were manned yesterday personally by the Riot Police Chief Gabriel Selentari, Superindendent of Police. It is believed to have called a meeting for Monday in Abuja. It was gathered yesterday that members were disturbed that the police had not complied with its directive to provide security for all courts in Ekiti State to reopen and hear all matters. A source said: “We have received notice of NJC meeting on Monday. Unlike the last session, this is a statutory NJC meeting; it tutionally in any role able to second guess, override or reverse the Judiciary. Our constitutional democracy recognises separation of powers, and the constitution clearly identifies the scope of each organ’s powers and the head of each branch. This administration’s conduct in frustrating an order of the Chief Justice of Nigeria and the NJC is a new low in lawlessness and illegality. The Presidency is implicitly conveying the message that it is unnecessary to obey the Judiciary. The only result of such conduct is anarchy and chaos. ‘’Essentially, the PDP-led Ad-

is not an emergency type. “We are going to attend to pending judicial matters, but we will certainly discuss the crisis in Ekiti, especially nonreopening of courts as directed by the NJC. “We are unhappy that the police have refused to comply with the directive of the NJC to provide adequate security and protection for all courts to sit. “It is unfortunate that the Judiciary is not being accorded its due respect as an arm of the government.” Another source said: “Though the judicial crisis in Ekiti is not on our main agenda, it is a matter we have all agreed to

ministration of President Jonathan is holding litigants to ransom, preventing and perverting the course of justice, and restricting access to the common man’s last hope. This action is tantamount to arresting a judgment, something the bar and bench consider with the utmost vile,’’ it warned. APC said the truth of the matter is that it is the Presidency that is encouraging both the Ekiti State Commissioner of Police and the Brigade Commander to thwart the directives of the NJC by deploying security agents to seal the court, under the pretext of some phan-

discuss. “It is an affront on the law for the police to ignore the directive of the Judiciary. It means anarchy is setting in.” Asked what the NJC will do, the source said: “We will bring the police defiance to the judicious notice of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan. “We suspect a mindset somewhere prevailing on the police to ignore the directive of the NJC, but it will not help those behind it eventually. No one can run away from justice, no matter how highlyplaced.”

tom security report. The party said the entire plot is simply aimed at ensuring that the courts will not be opened until Governor-elect Ayodele Fayose is sworn in. ‘’The NJC has directed that the case against Fayose, being a pre-election matter, should be completed before he is sworn in on October.16th. The NJC further directed that the same judge that started the matter should complete it, and then asked the Inspector-General of Police to provide adequate security to enable the judge hear and conclude the matter. ‘’The Presidency is now hid-

ing under a cunningly manufactured security report not to reopen the court until Fayose is sworn in. This is an invitation to chaos. Never in the convoluted political history of Nigeria has a President openly humiliated the Judiciary as President Jonathan is doing presently. Having destroyed every national institution, the President has now moved to destroy the Judiciary which is the last hope of the common man. ‘’But we want to sound a note of caution: Once the Judiciary of a nation is destroyed, then there is nothing left. This is the Continued on page 58

•Mohammed

CORRECTION Justice I. O. Ogunyemi is hearing the case instituted against Ekiti State Governor-elect Ayo Fayose by the E-11 and not Justice John Adeyeye as erroneously indicated in our Wednesday lead story.

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THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2014

NEWS Nda-Isaiah declares interest in president

PRESIDENTIAL aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Sam Nda-Isaiah, the founder of the Leadership newspapers, will formally declare his intention to contest for the party’s ticket on October 28. According to a statement by his campaign group, Sam4Nigeria, the declaration will take place at the Idris Legbo Kutigi Conference Centre, Minna, Niger State, at 11am. The Executive Director, Public Affairs of Sam4Nigeria, Ibrahim Tukur, said after over one year of consultations with family and friends, stakeholders, groups, communities and leaders, it is time for NdaIsaiah to step out. He said: “Our country has never been in greater need for a change. What came out loud and clear during our consultative tours were people telling us that they were tired of change as a slogan – they needed change as an action word. “For the first time in the history of Nigeria, our great party, the APC, offers change as an action word, a real possibility. The overwhelming feedback is that we also have an aspirant, Sam, who embodies the hopes and aspirations of the party and country.” Tukur added: “Nda-Isaiah stands for big ideas about the country’s future. At a time when the nation is divided, he offers a strong unifying message and generational connectedness. He is in touch.” The statement said the public declaration would offer delegates, members and the public the opportunity to deepen the conversation about the country’s future with NdaIsaiah and be a part of the train for change. “It’s time for those who are fed up with 15 wasted years of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to stand up with Sam and be counted,” Tukur said.

Anxiety over ‘refusal’ to renew visas From: Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

HERE was anxiety yesterday over the alleged refusal of the Federal Government to renew the visas of some foreign journalists due to biased and unfavourable reporting of the Boko Haram insurgency. It was also learnt that foreign journalists entering the country would have to define their mission under strict guidance before securing visas. But the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Marshal Alex Badeh, said the military had nothing to do with the issuance of visas. He asked those concerned to contact the relevant ministries or agencies connected with the issuance of visas. Two journalists, the West Africa reporter of Sky Television, Ms Afua Hirsch and the Bureau Chief of Tim Cock raised concerns about non-renewal of visas of foreign journalists at the second day of a three-day retreat on Security/ Media Relations in Crisis Management by the Office of the National Security Adviser(ONSA) in Abuja.

Nigeria Prize for Literature winner emerges

$9.3m: Asari-Dokubo’s denial carries no weight till …, says APC I

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) has said Mujaheed AsariDokubo’s denial carries no weight until the Federal Government comes clean on the identity of the Nigerians aboard the plane, which carried the $9.3 million impounded by the South African government. In a statement in Abuja yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said its reaction followed a story published by www.africaneagle.com and www.nairaland.com, saying Asari-Dokubo was one of the

Nigerians aboard the jet, which carried the money to South Africa. “To the best of our knowledge, that report has not been denied over 24 hours later. We, therefore, contend that Asari-Dokubo’s denial of his involvement carries no weight until the government, which has claimed ownership of the money, tells Nigerians who the two Nigerians - who were in the plane with an Israeli are.”We have no business with Asari-Dokubo. We have no reason to disbelieve a widely-circulated published report that named him as one

of those on the plane. If he now says he was not on the plane, let the government come out and tell Nigerians those on the plane,” it said. APC wondered why the government has refused, for over three weeks, to identify the Nigerians who flew on the plane that ferried the money to South Africa, especially after the Israeli, who was also on the plane, has been named. “Identifying the Nigerians will help to unravel the circumstances surrounding the scandal. It will be interesting to know if the Nigerians are security officials,

officials from the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), who issued the end-user certificate for the transaction or ordinary Nigerians. It will be interesting to know their relationship with the government that qualified them to fly such a huge amount of money to another country without declaring it. It will be interesting to know if they are arms contractors. “We hope the Jonathan administration will end its deafening silence on the issue and come clean on the scandal,” the party said.

Ebola: Rivers expresses concern about closure of treatment centres R

IVERS State Commissioner for Health Dr. Tamunoiyoriari Parker has expressed concern about the closure of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) treatment centres. He said it is not yet time for celebration, rather the country needs to strengthen its preparedness to tackle another outbreak. Parker said as long as sister countries are still being ravaged by the scourge, Nigeria cannot celebrate the containment of the virus. He urged adequate budgeting for EVD by the government The commissioner hailed health workers, who have volunteered to go to the affected neighbouring countries to assist in curbing the spread of the virus. He stressed that the best way to deal with the disease is to go to those countries and assist in curbing its spread, rather than staying in Nigeria and allowing it to be brought to the country again.

‘Nigeria to try three drugs’

IGERIA has narrowed its research for the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) treatment to three trial drugs. At a meeting, it was agreed that the Treatment Research Group (TRG) on Ebola would review the Chinese vaccine, drugs, the Canadian and Recombinant Vesicular stomatitis. TRG, according to the Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, received 32 treatment claims. The minister spoke at the opening of the high level experts meeting on treatment and research for Ebola virus disease and other emerging infections. He said TRG has been working to fast-track From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

Parker said: “Some persons are talking about developing research and treatment. While it is all right for that to go on, we need to strengthen our preparedness for another outbreak. “What has happened so far, to me, is just a warning. We must not forget that we have Nigerians living in the affected

From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

research work on finding possible drugs and vaccines for EVD. Chukwu said the focus is on treatment, hence the meeting. The World Health Organisation (WHO) Country Representative, Dr. Ruiz Vaz, said Nigeria still has to wait for the completion of the 42 days follow-up period, which will elapse on October 20, to be declared Ebola free. This, he said, is on the condition that no new case is recorded.

countries. The festive period is approaching. Many Nigerians will return home for the Yuletide. “I am sad that these treatment centres are not growing, that is the word to use. They should be growing. Some of them are being closed down, probably to be reopened when there is another emergency. We need to be on the alert. We

need to increase our alertness. While we are educating the people to be hygienic, we need to be ready for an emergency.” He said epidemic management is on the exclusive list of the Federal Government. “So, the Federal Ministry of Health must come in, not only to maintain these treatment centres, but also to develop other ones.”

Insecurity discouraging girl-child education, says Ezekwesili F there had been adequate security for rural schools, the 219 schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Haram last April will still be with their parents, Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili, a senior economic adviser, Africa Economic Development Policy Initiative to Open Society Foundations (OSF), has said. The former minister of Education said the abduction was the height of violence against the girl-child education, urging the society to lend its voice to the campaign for the release of the girls. Ezekwesili spoke yesterday at an event marking the International Day for the GirlChild, held at the United States Embassy in Lagos. She said the reason for women exclusion from the activities of a society was because of the valuable resources they could contribute to the development of the society, adding that any country that kept its girls out of school would lose its essence in all fronts. Speaking on the challenges facing the girl-child education in the country, Dr. Ezekwesili said the girl-child’s morale would be boosted if government could secure their schools from invasion by criminals, who wanted to keep them out

By Wale Ajetunmobi

of school by all means. She said members of Boko Haram sect would not have succeeded in abducting the Chibok girls if government had provided adequate security for schools in rural communities, where many girls are deprived of education. She said there was no debate whether girls wanted education or not, stressing that the onus was on the government to provide incentives that would make education attractive to every child. Said she: “As a country, we should not be a society that will extend untenable options to a girl-child on whether she wants education or she wants to be saved. If hundreds of schoolgirls in Chibok village could answer a clarion call to get education despite their deprived backgrounds, we should not pretend not to understand what the girl-child wants. “Sadly, in the course of acquiring education, these girls were abducted by people, who want to keep them out of the school, on April 15. Initially, we pretended as if nothing tragic had happened and the whole country moved on. If it is not that many women rose against the most heinous crime

against the girls, we would have pretended as if nothing had happened. “Because the terrorists went away with murder in Buni Yadi, where they slaughtered students in their sleep, they had the effrontery to move their evil campaign to Chibok and abducted 276 schoolgirls, who were writing examinations. This is the most heinous crime against the girl-child.” While government said it was working round the clock to bring back the girls, Ezekwesili said it did not matter how the girls are rescued, but they must be brought back alive. She added: “On June 24, the spokesman for the Armed Forces told the world that the girls had been found. I was one of those, who clapped for our military officers for rescuing the girls from the criminals. Later, we were told the story was untrue and since then, we have been clamouring for the release of the girls. “We don’t care how the girls are rescued by the government. Either militarily or through dialogue, we cannot afford to be in a state of inaction. Empathy is the virtue that will make a man go into a public office and ensure that the society is run perfectly. If the

•Ezekwesili

Chibok girls had been the children of the elite and the political class, I wouldn’t have been spending my time to campaign about it in Abuja. But these are the children of the deprived people, who want to be educated despite their background. This is why we must all stand up to ensure the girls are brought back and alive.” The Executive Director, Women Consortium of Nigeria (WOCON), Mrs. Bisi Olateru-Olagbegi, said early marriage of the girl-child is a bad tradition that must be frowned at. She said economic incentives should be given to parents to enable them cater for their children in schools. Other speakers at the event included Senator Florence ItaGiwa and a healthcare entrepreneur, Adebayo Alonge, among others.

REDI War, by Sam Ukala, has been adjudged winner of the prestigious Nigeria Prize for Literature, 2014 edition. It was chosen by a panel of judges, led by Prof. Charity Angya. Iredi War was selected from the 124 plays submitted for the competition, which focused on drama this year. The panel short listed 49, 25, 11 and then three from which the winner emerged. The other two books in the final shortlist were: Alekwu Night Dance by Friday John Abba and Oduduwa, king of the Edos by Jude Idada. In arriving at Iredi War, the judges hailed “the masterly handling of vast historical material through the narrative and action method.” Angya said: “The language captures indigenous sensibilities, preserves the profundity of the original and yet entertains.” For the first time since it was introduced in 2012, a winner, Isidore Diala, also emerged for the Literary Criticism Award. The award, introduced to reward the critics of Nigerian literature from all over the world, attracts N1,000, 000. Diala’s article: “Colonial Mimicry and Postcolonial Remembering in Isidore Okpewho’s Call Me by My Rightful Name”, was adjudged winner from seven entries. The Nigeria Prize for Literature and the Nigeria Prize for Science are two of Nigeria LNG Ltd’s numerous projects aimed at helping to build a better Nigeria.

2015: PDP voids endorsements By Our Reporters

HE leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has voided the endorsement of governorship, senatorial and other candidates by its governors and state chapters. A statement yesterday by the party’s National Secretary, Prof. Wale Oladipo, warned the governors and chairmen to cancel such endorsements. He also warned that governors or chairmen, who breached the directive, would be sanctioned.

Ministry generates N8.1b By Muyiwa Lucas, Abuja

HE Federal Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development (FMLHUD) has generated N8, 110,389, 817.79 as InternallyGenerated Revenue (IGR) in the last four years. The IGR, which shows a tremendous improvement across the years, were generated through tender fee, ground rent, premium on land, title registration fee, consent fee, Certificate of Occupancy processing fee and survey fee. Also, between July 2010 and last month, the ministry built 43,126 housing units nationwide. The Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Mrs. Akon Eyakenyi, spoke yesterday in Abuja at the 2014 Ministerial Platform.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2014

NEWS

Fayemi’s projects ’ll endure, say Fashola, Kwankwaso ANO and Lagos states’ governors, Rabiu Kwankwaso and Babatunde Raji Fashola, have praised their Ekiti State counterpart, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, for instituting projects, which they said would endure. But Kwankwaso, who spoke in Ado-Ekiti yesterday after inaugurating the Ire Burnt Brick Industry revamped by Fayemi, cautioned the Peoples Democratic Party (APC)-led Federal Government to follow due process in arms’ procurement to fight the insurgency in Northeast. He decried the seizure of over $15 million by South Africa’s security operatives from some Nigerians under the pretext of procuring arms for the military. The governor added that such trends could be counter-

•Governor warns Fed Govt on arms’ procurement From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

productive, except the country take actions. He said: “As a former Minister of Defence, I am quite aware that there are rules of engagements in the procurement of arms. We have to follow due process so that the process will not be abused and so that the country will not be ridiculed. “Procurement of arms goes beyond buying of pepper and tomato. It looks unbelievable that money of that magnitude could be put in aircraft and ferried to another country without looking at the consequences of such action. “That is why the Federal Government must take up the responsibility to ensure that

all the necessary guidelines are followed. As much as all right-thinking Nigerians must join the fight against terror, the government should do whatever it can, in terms of procurement of equipment and in the area of operation to ensure the rules are not broken. “The abduction of over 200 Chibok Girls and the taking over of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states are unacceptable to Nigerians. If not for this abduction, Nigerians could not have been witnessing bring our girls protests all over the country.” Kwankwaso also urged well-meaning Nigerians to rise up to protect the judiciary for the sustenance of the country’s democracy, saying the reported invasion of courts by hoodlums few weeks ago was

the height of impunity. Fashola, who also spoke in Ado-Ekiti at the public presentation of a set of the state’s laws, described law and constitutionality, as fundamental needs in any society. He noted that Fayemi had put in place so many enduring edifices, stressing that the most lasting bequest that would be handed by the governor was the set of new laws. The governor, who spoke on the ‘Place of Law in Governance and Development,” explained: “No society can be governed without laws. In the absence of laws, unlawful acts prevail. Everything we do is regulated by law, including birth, death, education, marriage, inheritance, healthcare, business, schooling, and

many more”. “Law has particularly helped Lagos State in two ways. It was the presence of Public Health Law, which helped Lagos State in controlling the spread of the Ebola menace as it allowed the state to detain people and to confine them when they are seen to threaten public health. The second is the law of cremation, which empowers Lagos to burn dead bodies. Any society that departs from law has signed itself to destruction”. Fashola, who praised Fayemi on his achievements in infrastructural development, said the governor’s love for Ekiti must not be measured in terms of what he has built in four years, but the future he foresees for the state, like the packaging of the new set of laws.

Woman commits suicide in Ondo

‘Pastor’ arrested with human skull in Osun From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

THIRTY-five-year-old self-acclaimed pastor, Clement Oyetunde, has been arrested by the police in Osun State for allegedly being in possession of a human skull and charms. When he was paraded before reporters yesterday, Clement said “some unseen spirits” were chasing him at night. This, he added, forced him to reveal how the human skull was buried in the house, which he was using as a church. “That was why I ran out from the house and called for help so that the spirits would not kill me inside the house. It was then that the people in my area gathered and they eventually called the police.” Commissioner of Police Abubakar Marafa, who was represented by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Folashade Odoro, said the suspect was arrested following a tip-off from residents. The police chief confirmed that the suspect in connivance with one Wasiu now at large, buried the human skull inside his house located at Adeowo area of Modakeke.

HE reception in honour of former Ogun State Governor Otunba Gbenga Daniel and his supporters, scheduled for Sunday, has been shifted till Sunday, October 19. A statement by the Publicity Secretary of the Ogun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Waliu Oladipupo, said the postponement was due to the Southwest zonal congress of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) scheduled to hold in Ibadan on Saturday, October 11, 2014. The party regretted any inconveniences that the shift might have caused. It added that the State Executive Committee would soon constitute a committee to “properly plan and organise the ceremony in due course.”

Police warn hoodlums in Ekiti

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

SIXTY-year-old woman, Deborah Lawani, has committed suicide by hanging in Akure, the Ondo State capital. Sources said the incident occurred at No 56, Araromi Street in the state capital, at midnight on Wednesday. The deceased reportedly left her husband in bed to hang herself with a rope tied to the staircase of their onestorey building. She was said to have divorced her husband, Olabangbe Lawani, 20 years ago, when she was 40. It was learnt that the woman returned to him about two weeks ago after a reconciliation initiated by one of their children. No reason was given why the late Mrs. Lawani took her own life. The deceased’s body had been taken to her hometown, Ikere Ekiti, for burial after some traditional rituals were performed.

PDP shifts reception for Daniel

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

•Kwankwaso (middle) inaugurating the Ire Burnt Bricks Industry, in Ire-Ekiti...yesterday. With him at the event, from left, are: Managing Director, Fountain Holdings, Mr. Muyiwa Ogunmilade; Dr Kayode Fayemi; Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly, Dr. Adewale Omirin; and Chairman, Oye Local Government, Tope Longe.

Cancer kills 26 Nigerian women daily, says Ajimobi

YO State Governor’s wife Mrs. Florence Ajimobi has claimed that 26 women die daily from cancer, expressing concern over the figure. She spoke yesterday at the flag-off ceremony for the statewide Human Papiloma Virus (HPV) screening programme undertaken by the Access to Basic Medical Care (ABC) Foundation at the Aged and Widow Clinic,

From Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

Oluyole Estate, Ibadan. Mrs. Ajimobi stressed the urgent need for screening to aid early detection of cancerrelated diseases. She also called for concerted efforts to check the disease, which is projected to double by 2020. The governor’s wife noted that “the rise in non-commu-

nicable diseases such as cancer over the last decade in Nigeria and Africa has created a need for responsive government to focus attention on this.” She said cervical cancer was rated the second most common cancers affecting women in their productive years in Nigeria. The country, Mrs. Ajimobi added, is “one of the top five countries worldwide with

highest disease burden, having 26 women dying daily from the disease with some types of HPV linked with about 90 per cent of cervical cancer cases”. The governor’s wife noted that her foundation is equipped with Roche Cobas 4800 HPV screening and genotyping machine, which are approved for primary screening of cancer.

Alake, others back Amosun for second term

HE Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, the Ndigbo, the Hausa communities and Monsur Hassan-Satoke have rated the performance of Governor Ibikunle Amosun high, saying he has earned their support for his re- election. Oba Gbadebo and others said the governor had done well and deserved a second term for the continuity, consolidation and sustenance of the progress Ogun State has witnessed in the last three and half years. They spoke separately yesterday at Panseke, Abeokuta at the site of the proposed light rail project of Amosun’s administration. It was during the governor’s tour of the Abeokuta South Local Government Council. Oba Gbadebo praised Amosun for what he described his transformation of the state through infrastructural development and urban renewal. He urged him to strive towards completing all the on-

‘Governor’s councils’ tour ‘ll enhance performance’ From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

going projects as well as improve more on the state’s water situation. Hassan - Satoke, a House Representatives aspirant for Abeokuta South Federal Constituency on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), said he was encouraged to aspire for an elective office in 2015, following Amosun’s good work. Also, in his address, the Eze Ndigbo of Ogun State, Eze Willy Ejimnkonye, said: “The tremendous infrastructural development, employment generation, healthcare delivery and making Ogun State the choice destination for foreign direct investments is a testament of the governor’s quality leadership and good governance.” Chairman of Ijebu North East Local Government Area Chief Femi Odufowokan has

said the ongoing councils’ assessment tour embarked upon by Amosun will bring out positive performance in the councils. The APC chieftain, who spoke yesterday on the governor’s visit to the council area today, said: “As a responsible government, when you are administering an organisation or territory, it is normal for you to assess what you are doing so that you can continue in the direction you are pursuing or make some amends. “Besides, don’t forget we are in a federal system. To that extent, local governments are part and parcel of the state government and are under the direct control of states. So, the governor as the head of that government should and must monitor the activities of the local governments. “This, I believe will bring out positive performance

from the local governments. “We all know that our governor is not an “arm chair governor”; he always go out to inspect projects being done by him. He never assumes or takes things for granted.” Odufowokan noted that all is set for the governor’s visit to his council today. He added that the tour was not for project inauguration, but for assessment.

KITI State Police Command has warned hoodlums to stay away. A statement by its spokesperson, Mr. Victor Babayemi, said it had been informed that some hoodlums were planning to invade the state. The statement read: “It (the information) also revealed that these hooligans are working in concert with some disgruntled elements within the state to carry out their evil plan. “The Commissioner wishes to reiterate that the police will use all necessary lawful mechanism at its disposal, to confront and deal with any person or group of persons planning to foment trouble. “In view of this, any person or group of persons that have no lawful business in the state are strongly advised, in their own interest, to steer clear. The good people of the state are encouraged by the Commissioner of Police to be very vigilant, mindful of unfamiliar faces and make prompt report of strange movements or suspicious activities to the police for prompt action.” PUBLIC NOTICE I, Mr. Femi & Mrs. Adenike Aloba of 7B, Unity Crescent, Oke-Afa, Isolo, Lagos notify the General public that I have applied to the LSDPC for its consent to change ownership of 7B Unity Crescent, Oke-Afa, Isolo, Lagos, which was originally allocated to Alhaji Oladimeji Yussuff. I have made series of efforts to contact Alh. Olatunbosun Yussuff the assignor from whom I bought the property, but all efforts have proved abortive. I hereby indemnify the corporation against any future claims that may arise if my application is granted and undertake to pay cost of any dispute that may arise on same. LSDPC, Ilupeju and General Public, Please take note. SIGNED: MR. FEMI & MRS. ADENIKE ALOBA

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2014

NEWS

Beyond A

•Director-General, Philip Asiodu Economic Initiative, Mr. John C. Nwabueze (left) greeting ex-Head of Service Mr. Steve Oronsaye at a cocktail celebrating the conferment of the Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) on Chief Philip Asiodu (middle).

BARELY three months after the sack of Governor Murtala Nyako, the macabre dance in Adamawa State is still continuing. In this piece, Managing Editor Northern Operation YUSUF ALLI looks beyond the events which led to the dramatic emergence of Bala James Ngilari as governor

• From left: International Monetary Fund (IMF) Deputy Director, African Department, Mr David Robinson, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele, Director, Monitoring Policy, Mr. Moses Tule, Senior Resident Representative in Nigeria, African Department, Mr. Gene Leon, Alternative Executive Director ,Africa Group 1 Constituency, Mr. Okwu Joseph Nnanna and Director, Budget Office, Dr. Bright Okogu during a meeting at the 2014 Annual WorldBank/IMF Meetings in Washington DC. ..on Wednesday.

•From left: Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN) Vice-President Kayode Oluwasona, President, Mr Kelechi Nwosu, Managing Director, Angels Limited Longly Evru and Mr Segun Adeneye during the AAAN valedictory session for the departed members of the association.

•Legal Adviser, Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ademola Sadiq (second left), representing LAgos State APC Chairman, Chief Henry Ajomale cutting the tape to inaugurate Block B of the Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu Primary Health Care Centre, Abule Ado, Lagos. With him are: Chairman, Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area, Comrade Ayodele Adewale (middle); Vice Chairman, Alhaja Qudrat Dada (right); Lagos State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs Ademorin Kuye (second right); Onilado of Ilado and Inagbe Kingdom, Oba Mobadenle Oyekan (third right) and Alado of Ado Kingdom, Oba Olayinka Ado.

HE unending drama in Adamawa State continued on Wednesday with the sack of the state’s former Acting Governor, Umaru Fintiri. After being an Acting Governor thrice, Fintiri’s larger-thanlife image suffered a jolt with the order of a Judge of the Federal High Court, Abuja, Justice A. F. A. Ademola asking him to vacate office for exDeputy Governor Bala James Ngilari who has assumed office as the substantive governor of the state. The setback may be the beginning of a journey into political oblivion for Fintiri unless he secures a reprieve from the Court of Appeal. The judge granted the prayers of Ngilari’s lawyer Festus Keyamo. Unknown to many, Fintiri had battled spiritedly to retain his job on Wednesday by pulling all the strings in the Presidency but doors were shut against the hitherto anointed boy of the Villa. The judgment by Justice A.F. A. Ademola reads in part: “A declaration is made by the combined provisions of Section 306(1), (2) and (5) of 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), the Plaintiff, Barrister Bala James Ngilari as Deputy Governor of Adamawa State did not resign his office by addressing a letter of resignation dated 15th July 2014 to the 1st Defendant (Speaker, Adamawa State House of Assembly). “A declaration is made that by the combined provisions of Section 306(1), (2) and (5) of 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), the purported resignation of the Plaintiff, Barrister Bala James Ngilari as Deputy Governor of Adamawa State did not take effect when the purported letter of resignation was received by the 1st Defendant ((Speaker, Adamawa State House of Assembly) on the 15th of July 2014. “A declaration is made that by the combined provisions of Section 306(1), (2) and (5) of 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), the declaration of the Office of the Deputy Governor of Adamawa State (then occupied by the Plaintiff) vacant on the 15th of July 2014 vide the votes and proceedings of the 2nd Defendant of same day is unconstitutional, illegal, null and void. “A declaration is made that by the sequence of the legislative business of the 2nd Defendant as contained in the transcript of the Votes and Proceedings of the Adamawa State House of Assembly (2nd Defendant) of Tuesday July 15, 2014, the 5th Defendant (Murtala Nyako) was still the Governor of Adamawa State at the time the 1st and 2nd Defendants received, accepted and acted upon the purported letter of resignation of the Plaintiff (Barrister Bala James Ngilari) to declare his seat vacant.”

How Nyako’s affidavits facilitated Ngilari’s victory Unknown to many, five affidavits sworn to by ex-Governor Murtala

•Ngilari

Nyako through his Director of Press, Ahmad I. Sajoh formed the thrust of the judgment of Justice Ademola. Nyako made it known to the court that he was out of Yola as at the time the purported letter of resignation was written by Ngilari and he could not have been in receipt of the vital communication. Attempts by Fintiri to prove otherwise were rejected by the court which said “the plaintiff having discharged the burden of proof that he did not resign according to law, the onus shifted to the defendants who failed in every material particular to prove to the court the existence of a legitimate resignation letter by the plaintiff.” It was easier for Nyako’s camp to pay back Fintiri in his own coin because the exgovernor was said to have “politically brought up the sacked Acting Governor, who was in business; offered him House of Assembly’s ticket and the eventual Speakership which he used against his mentor.” Nyako could not believe that Fintiri can backstab him and dismantled his political structure. Reacting to the verdict of Justice Ademola, Nyako said: “This is a further testimony to the fact that the entire process associated with the purported impeachment saga had been just series of acts characterized by extreme illegality and political brigandage. Buoyed by a system that promotes impunity and abuse of all legal and constitutional procedures, the law makers in Adamawa State took it upon themselves to abuse all known legal norms to enthrone a regime anchored on illegalities. “We wish to observe that this is the first step in the judicial process of correcting the wrongs of the Adamawa State House of Assembly. We are confident that the Nigerian judiciary will further confirm the injustices associ-

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2014

NEWS

Adamawa’s macabre dance to recover from post-primaries wrangling. According to a reliable source, who spoke in confidence, the PDP thrice conducted discreet surveys which confirmed that the All Progressives Congress(APC) will win the governorship bye-election. The source said: “Each of the surveys showed that APC might secure 72 per cent of the poll because Fintiri’s nomination has polarised the poll because the primaries were marred with irregularities including over-voting, double voting, and manipulation. The attitude of Fintiri after the primaries, especially his declaration that he might still contest for the governorship election in 2015, and the holier-than-thou posture or I can go it alone ego had weakened the PDP for the suspended October 11 poll.”

Second chance for Modibbo, Marwa, Ribadu, others? •Nyako

•Fintiri

ated with the purported removal of Governor Murtala Nyako which was done in a manner akin to a civilian coup d’état. The process of the reversal of all the series of illegalities connected with the supposed impeachment saga has only just commenced and will continue until it culminates with the return of Governor Nyako to Government House, Yola. He should be mindful of the nature of Adamawa State as a diverse and plural society and therefore rule the people with justice, fairness and the fear of God. The new Governor is further advised to heal the deep wounds of mistrust and mutual suspicion inflicted on the people of the state by the illegal government of the Acting Governor. “Finally we call on the people of Adamawa State to remain calm, lawabiding and to extend all necessary support to the new leadership and to wish Barr Bala Ngillari success and God’s guidance in his new assignment. “We also call on the people to pray for the new Governor and the State so that peace will be restored and the State returned to the path of progress, harmony and peaceful co-existence. “We equally wish to assure the good people of Adamawa State that God willing, and in no too distant future, the Courts will return Admiral Murtala Nyako as the Governor of Adamawa State.”

Untold story of Ngilari-Fintiri clash For a long time, there had been bitter rivalry between Ngilari and Fintiri in Madagali Constituency. Ngilari comes from Mildu Ward; Fintiri is a product of Kirchinga Ward with the two leaders competing for the control of the constituency. Although Fintiri commands large following, there had been a cat and mouse game between them. In 2011, Ngilari opposed the nomination of Fintiri as PDP candidate

The sudden change of guard has left the governorship race open because the unwritten agreement between Fintiri and former PDP governorship aspirants may no longer subsist. Those who hitherto stepped down for Fintiri will rekindle their ambition. The aspirants, whose number may increase, are exUBEC Executive Secretary, Dr. Ahmed Mohammed Modibbo; ex-EFCC Chairman, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; Markus Gundiri; Auwal Tukur; ex-Minister Aliyu Idi Hong; Sen. Abubakar H. Girei; Jerry Kumdisi; Andrawus Sawa; James Barka; retired Gen. Aliyu Kama; exMilitary Administrator of Lagos State, Gen. Buba Marwa; Ahmed Gulak and a former presidential aide, Dr. Umar Ardo; Jerry Kumdisi; and James Barka. It was, however, gathered that they have a match in Ngilari who might also seek re-election as a governor.

•Keyamo

Adamawa PDP’s loss, APC’s gain?

•Muazu

for Madagali Constituency in the House of Assembly because he was not given a waiver by the party having defected from the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) to the PDP. But Nyako overruled Ngilari and conceded the ticket to Fintiri. The ex-governor is today regretting not listening to his former deputy. Also in 2011, Ngilari fought back in the same year by installing his own candidate, Mr. Chubado Tijjani as the Chairman of Madagali Local Government Area against Fintiri’s candidate. Barely an hour after he was inaugurated on Wednesday, Ngilari appointed the same Tijjani as his Chief of Staff. But in 2013, Fintiri fought back when he regained the control of Madagali LGA by installing his own candidate as the council chairman. It was learnt that the court verdict on Wednesday was the icing of the cake for Ngilari. The exActing Governor Fintiri, who had upstaged Ngilari politically many times, never wanted Ngilari to be Deputy Governor, acting or substantive governor because Ngilari will overshadow his rising political profile. This was why Fintiri plotted how the House of Assembly decided to impeach Nyako and forced Ngilari to resign. Still undone, Ngilari was dragged before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and grilled for alleged mismanagement of funds during the administration of sacked Governor Murtala Nyako. It was said to be part of the plot of the then Acting Governor to seal the fate of Ngilari. A top source said: “The entire Adamawa State is being dragged into a local rivalry. The two leaders do not see eye-to-eye at all. As a matter of fact, Fintiri thought Ngilari was politically dead with the impeachment of Nyako. “But like a cat with nine lives, Ngilari has bounced back to claim a sweet triumph.”

Why PDP was quick to accept the verdict After reading the lips of President Goodluck Jonathan, members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), most of whom had robust relationship with Fintiri, accepted the inevitable exit of the former Acting Governor of Adamawa State. The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, said: “The party has looked at the judgment on Adamawa and we resolved as follows: The PDP is a law-abiding party and we have therefore advised our members to obey accordingly. As is being done in every legal matter, there is a right of appeal. But in the meantime, the PDP has enjoined our party members to obey the decision of the court. “Secondly, the paramount thing for us is peace in Adamawa. And we enjoin the Executive Governor of Adamawa State that was sworn in today to pursue peace and progress of Adamawa State. The state has had its own fair share of political turmoil; the state has had its own fair share of challenges. We believe that the citizens of the state deserve peace and unity. We urge our state chairman to ensure that PDP remains united as one body in Adamawa. And as a PDP member we can only say to the former Deputy Governor to continue to pursue the party’s programmes for the benefit of the people.” Investigation however revealed that right from the onset, Fintiri was not the favoured candidate of the party but he had the incumbency factor and the war chest (state resources) at his disposal. Having been financially sapped, everyone fell for Fintiri’s bait as a matter of survival. But the judgment was actually a life-line for PDP which could have lost the postponed October 11 poll because the ruling party was yet

Yet it is not yet Uhuru for the PDP in Adamawa State. While the National Secretariat is playing safe, most PDP leaders in Adamawa State boycotted the swearing in of Ngilari when it was apparent that they were in Yola. Though Ngilari refused to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) with Nyako, he did not enjoy the backing of the party leadership in the state. The removal of Fintiri will polarise the party because all leaders and members who are loyal to the former Acting Governor may embark on protest votes against PDP in the 2015 poll if Ngilari emerges PDP’s governorship candidate. The Muslims and the Fulani, who form the core power brokers in the state, have been uncomfortable with Ngilari based purely on religious sentiments. They would rather tolerate Ngilari by banking on the hope that the court will restore Nyako’s mandate. But the party’s policy of automatic ticket for the incumbent might leave the Fulani oligarchy with no choice than to back a Christian candidate in Ngilari if the court rejects Nyako’s application. The development in PDP may however have a backlash on APC whose members might call for fresh governorship primaries. In the earlier primaries, Senator Jibrilla Bindo had clinched the governorship ticket by defeating the ‘anointed’ candidate of ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who had no choice than to accept the party’s choice. Atiku will also use the “reprieve period” to re-strategise and take away back the mandate of Bindo if the party supports fresh primaries. So far, Atiku had expressed cautious optimism that APC will still win the governorship poll in the state. In his reaction to Wednesday’s judgment, the ex-VP said: “The judicial verdict that may have tacitly cancelled the governorship by-election in Adamawa State for now was a painful development for the membership of

the APC in Adamawa State. “As leaders of the party, we shall respect the verdict of the court, but we must be quick to say that the verdict has merely delayed the overwhelming desire of the people of Adamawa State to vote for change and thumbs down the PDP imposition on a people. Clearly, we in the APC had the momentum and therefore an advantage going into Saturday’s election,” Atiku said.

Nyako/ Fintiri/ House of Assembly’s factors The inauguration of Ngilari is a sign of a long drawn legal battle ahead and it is too early to conclude that the new governor might be in charge till May 29, 2015. The sacked Governor Nyako is still before a Federal High Court in Lagos and if he is reinstated, Ngilari will have to vacate his office for his boss. Also, Fintiri, through his counsel, Chief Bayo Ojo(SAN) has headed for the Court of Appeal against Wednesday’s judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja. If the appellate court restores Fintiri as the Acting Governor into office, the political dingdong in Adamawa will continue. A PDP stalwart in Adamawa said: “The suits are distractions to Ngilari who may spend more time in and out of the court than settling down to work. We may eventually not witness real development in the state in the next seven months. “It is becoming clearer to all that those who removed Nyako have not done the state any good.” As at press time, it was gathered that if the Court of Appeal does not hear Fintiri’s petition on time, the former Acting Governor and State Assembly members may pay a spoiler’s game at the Federal High Court in Lagos by admitting that Nyako was illegally impeached on July 15. “This is Option B in FintiriAssembly’s camp to stop Ngilari from being the governor of the state,” another source added with much confidence. Unless wise counsel prevails, Ngilari may also want to probe the short tenure of his arch-rival, Fintiri who spent state resources to buy Prado Sports Utility Vehicles(SUVs) for local government chairmen. Probing Fintiri may plunge the state into chaos because the former Acting Governor devoted much time to stomach infrastructure. A major problem Ngilari might face is the State House of Assembly which is under the firm control of Fintiri. Only a member of the Assembly attended the inauguration of Ngilari suggesting that the Legislature is poised for another battle. The members of the Assembly are already in a fix on whether to reinstate Fintiri as their Speaker or confront Ngilari up front. “Do not rule out impeachment proceedings against Ngilari, because we have a report on him,” a member of the Assembly told our correspondent. Even if Ngilari is not impeached, he might not enjoy the confidence of the legislators in the state who were “spoilt” silly by Fintiri.” But some forces have also risen against the return of Fintiri as the Speaker of the House of Assembly because, according to a highly-placed source, the same Madagali Local Government cannot produce the governor and the Speaker. “It would amount to abuse of the party’s zoning formula. No one can also gamble to allow Fintiri to be Speaker again. The worst is for him to be an ordinary member of the House.”

What becomes of Adamawa? With Nyako’s suit before a court, the nation may still be treated to more drama in Adamawa State. All the stakeholders are back to the trenches while Ngilari is tottering.

THE NATION FRIDAY OCTOBER 10, 2014

NEWS Emerhor: APC’ll chase PDP out of Delta

Police arrest Edo Speaker, Majority Leader

MAJOR financier of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State, Olorogun O’tega Emerhor, has declared his governorship ambition. He said the party has an edge over the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) because the PDP has failed the people. Declaring his intention before party leaders who gathered at the party secretariat in Asaba yesterday, Emerhor announced a N5million monthly funding for the party aside allowances for the state executives and separate financial support for other party structures. Emerhor, who lamented poor physical development in the state, said the people are ready for a change. He assured the party leadership that he was not spending money on the party because he wants to hijack it, but because the party needs to be prepared to face challenges. “The PDP for 16 years formed a caucus, which shared state resources among the members. Even at the centre, the majority have realised we need change and so we came together as different parties to form an alternate party. “In the beginning, I was spending money and I was accused of hijacking the party. I am not here to hijack the party. Our opposition is formidable. PDP has more money, we have more people. Now, APC has a unique

•Emerhor From Bolaji Ogundele, Warri

opportunity to take over Delta. “The battle ahead is very strong. I wanted to be sure that when I stand I can tell you to follow. You don’t want to lead people half way and run away. I have waited too long, now all the rumours have been dispelled. Now that you are aware, nobody will tell me how to fund the party.” APC Chairman Prophet Jones Erueh said: ”The event further attests to the reality that Delta APC is one party, one leadership, one goal. The goal is victory. The only way to take charge is for the party to run and work in unity. Power is an expensive pleasure. “We need money to fund APC in Delta, and we thank Olorogun Emerhor for responding to this reality. We will not let anybody divide us. We have only one enemy, it is PDP. In unity we will prevail.”

IVE persons, including the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Uyi Igbe and Majority Leader Philip Shaibu, have been arrested by the police for the attack on a lawmaker, Abdulrazaq Momoh. Momoh was attacked on Tuesday, shortly after he scaled the fence into the legislative quarters, Government Reservation Area, Benin City, when guards refused to open the gate at 11pm. It could not be confirmed if it was thugs or the security men who battered him. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has invited Igbe and Shaibu to appear in Abuja on Monday over a yet-to-be ascertained petition. The Majority leader, who confirmed the EFCC invitation, said they went to the police headquarters on their volition but were detained for over three hours. He said: “The EFCC has also invited us to Abuja on Monday. You could see the intimidation. When the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmakers, including Momoh, forcefully broke into the Assembly complex, the police did not invite them, let alone arresting them.” “None of the court orders issued against them was obeyed; the police never did anything to enforce court orders. But you can see we have been detained here since for an issue we know nothing

•EFCC invites lawmakers •Youths protest •‘I’m not involved in attack’ From Osagie Otabor and Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia, Benin

about. “Secondly, the EFCC has invited us to Abuja. Nigeria is being embarrassed in South Africa for money laundering perpetrated by the Federal Government, and the EFCC has not done anything. “Former Aviation Minister Ms Stella Oduah is moving freely round the country. This is an attempt to intimidate and eliminate all Governor Adams Oshiomhole’s loyalists before the elections. “But the Federal Government must be careful. The EFCC has not arrested those people who stole our money but they are inviting us when we don’t award contracts. It is a plan to use federal might. “The President should talk to his people because we cannot be intimidated. “They are using government agencies wrongly because they have a PDP god father. The ex-minister was not arrested, they cannot cover up that mess and start inviting innocent lawmakers to Abuja. “This is the 18th time I have been going to EFCC. We are still here for what we don’t know anything about. The court warned Momoh not to go near the quarters, he went there and the police did not do anything about that. “These are plans to eliminate us but it will not work. The Presidency must be careful, everybody must obey the laws of the land, else Nigeria will become a banana republic,” he asserted. Shaibu denied reports linking him to the attack. The Majority leader said he does not have hitmen. “I’m prompted to debunk the claim because I don’t know anything about the incident. I only received information that an intruder, who scaled the fence of the legislative quarters, was dealt with. “At the time of the incident, I was in my official residence and I do not leave my house at night, unless there are serious official engagements. So there was no way I could have been there during the attack.” The All Progressives Congress (APC) has raised the alarm over an alleged plot by the Federal Government to incarcerate Oshiomhole’s loyalists.

‘

We wish to state that the governor cannot be intimidated by the deliberate and wellcalculated attempts by the PDP and its godfathers to visit terror on its member and blame a third party

‘

The party, in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Godwin Erhahon, said: “We are aware of the plots by the PDP to arrest, maim, and eliminate those perceived to be loyalists of Governor Oshiomhole. “Momoh went there with thugs and it has nothing to do with our lawmakers. Why were they arrested by the police? “But we want to warn that any attempt to intimidate our people in Edo State will be resisted. The PDP cannot use federal might to hunt our people. We are still battling Boko Haram; let us not face another war in Edo, it might be too much for the President to handle.” Some youths in Auchi, Estako West Local Government Area, yesterday protested the attack on Momoh. The protesting youths destroyed Shaibu’s campaign billboards and posters. The government has warned detractors not to involve the governor in the matter. A statement by Oshiomhole's Special Adviser, Media and Public Affairs Kassim Afegbua said rather than accuse the governor, the PDP should look inwards, especially as Momoh has a ‘history of violence’, which dates back to his days as a lecturer. He said: "We wonder what Rasaq Momoh was doing at the Legislators' Quarters at 11pm when he has been ejected from the place. “It is curious that a supposed "honourable" member had to scale the fence to enter the quarters, in company of some of his thugs, because the gates had been locked. That act in itself portrays a sinister motive. "We recall that as a member of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Momoh was arrested by a team of Operation Thunder-

storm in April last year for unlawful possession of firearms during the local government elections. "Even as a member of the ruling party, the governor insisted that he must be charged to court, a case which is still pending. "If anything, Momoh's grouse was about the governor's refusal to shield him from prosecution which precipitated his eventual defection to the PDP in search for cover. "We can say without equivocation that Oshiomhole does not have a history of violence in all his struggles in Nigeria both as a labour activist and as a governor. "However, the PDP, to which Momoh belongs, has a long history of violence in the state and beyond. We recall how three members of the then ACN: Philip Shaibu, Johnson Oghuma and Kabiru Adjotor were macheted and axed by "honourable" PDP members in the House of Assembly four years ago. "We wish to state that the governor cannot be intimidated by the deliberate and well-calculated attempts by the PDP and its godfathers to visit terror on its member and blame a third party. "Only two weeks ago, we all watched with amazement the visit of terror on the judiciary in Ekiti by PDP thugs who are no doubt sympathetic to the governorelect. Till date, no one has been brought to book for the desecration of the sacred altar of justice. "We have, over the years, become very familiar with PDP's crude plots and shenanigans aimed at distracting Oshiomhole but as a government that enjoys the mandate of the people, we will remain undaunted in our resolve to take Edo to the next level."

Physically-challenged protest in Rivers

EOPLE with disability marched on the headquarters of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) yesterday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, to protest alleged disregard by the commission. The protesters, under the aegis of the Niger Delta Coalition of Persons with Disabilities, said they had been sidelined. They caused a gridlock on Aba Road as they blocked both sides of the road.

From Clarice Azuatalam, Port Harcourt

The protesters requested to see NDDC’s Managing Director Bassey Dan- Abia. They rejected N200,000 offered to them as fare by an official of NDDC and insisted on seeing Dan-Abia. The coalition’s President, David Thank-God Enogho, lamented that over the years no disabled person had benefited from NDDC. “Most of us are graduates.

In the past, we have sought audience with the NDDC, but have always been turned down. “We are picketing and we don’t mind staying here for one week, until our demands are met.” Their persistence paid off, as Dan-Abia came to address them. He promised to meet with them in two weeks and offered them N1 million for refreshment and fare.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2014

THE NATION FRIDAY OCTOBER 10, 2014

NEWS Orji, Okorocha embrace at daughter’s wedding From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

MO State Governor Rochas Okorocha and his Abia State counterpart, Theodore Orji, put aside their political rivalry yesterday and embraced at the traditional wedding of Okorocha’s daughter. Orji arrived Okorocha’s country home in Okpoko, Ideato South Local Government Area, about 5pm with a large entourage. He was received by Okorocha amid loud cheers of “Ochendo global”, one of Orji’s appellations. The two governors had traded words over the sack of Imo State indigenes in Abia State civil service. Orji, who also chairs Southeast Governors’ Forum, went straight to his reserved seat near Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi. To some political observers, Orji’s visit had a political significance, folowing the plan by Southeast governors to persuade Okorocha to drop his presidential ambition and endorse President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election. But a source close to the Imo State governor, who spoke in confidence, dismissed any political undertone to Orji’s visit. The source said: “Orji came in his capacity as the chairman of the Southeast Governor’s Forum and it was not political. You cannot also rule out the fact that Abia and Imo are neighbouring states and Orji cannot possibly stay away from Okorocha’s daughter’s wedding.”

Iheanacho is Imo APGA’s candidate From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

FORMER Minister of Interior, Captain Emmanuel Iheanacho, yesterday emerged the consensus candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) for next year’s governorship election in Imo State. He was endorsed by the party’s caucus. A communique by the party’s State Working Committee members and APGA lawmakers in the House Assembly said Iheanacho was endorsed following the outcome of a “painstaking assessment and evaluation” by the party’s caucus. The communiqué said the decision of the caucus was based on the assessment of the aspirants’ individual capacities and their ratings by the electorate and the public. It added that the views, observations and commentaries, which emanated from the APGA rally provided insight into the character of the individual who could lead APGA to victory in the 2015 governorship elections. The communiqué said several other factors were considered to choose the best candidate. It reads: “We, the Imo State Apex Leadership Caucus of APGA, have carefully assessed the progress and challenges facing our great party in the past years, with particular emphasis on the challenges for our quest to win back the governorship of Imo State next February...”

Funeral for architect

CHRISTIAN wake will hold today for an architect, Sola Olugbesan, at St Anne’s Church, Molete, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, at 10am. Olugbesan died on September 21. He was 62. Venue is St Anne’s Church hall, Molete Ibadan in Oyo State. The interment will hold at Anglican Church Cemetery in Ijokodo, Ibadan. A statement by the deceased’s brother-in-law, Tunde Sobamowo, said a reception would follow at Akinfenwa Multi-purpose Hall in Molete, Ibadan.

•Anambra State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) , Emeka Ibe, with the Secretary, Chuma Agufugo (left), Chairman of Anambra East Local Government Area, Obiora Nnaemeka and other members of the State Executive, at the inauguration of a multi-million naira Anambra East secretariat of the party...yesterday.

Empowerment: Widows to protest naked

HE furore over last weekend’s failed empowerment programme organised by frontline businessman Chief Arthur Eze and First Lady Dame Patience Jonathan has not abated. Over 10,000 Southeast widows, who attended the event at the Dr. Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka, the Anambra State capital, have threatened to march naked on the streets to protest the “fraud”. They alleged that the botched programme was a deceit by which the organisers used them for their political gains. A pro-Goodluck Jonathan group, For Jonathan (4J), organised the empowerment programme to garner

•Women outraged by First Lady’s, Arthur Eze’s failed promise From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

support for the President. But the items were not distributed to them. Rather, they were allegedly given to the wives of politicians. The disappointed women returned to their homes without any of the items they saw from their seats at the event. Most of the widows left their homes as early as 7am and did not return until 10.30pm. The items displayed to the women included soap, sewing machines, grinders, bags of rice and beans.

Some of the women alleged that they spent their hard earned money on fare to the event, adding that they did not know it was a deceit. Some of the widows, who spoke with our reporter yesterday in Awka, said they would march naked on the major streets in the state capital to show that the programme was a fraud. Although they spoke in confidence for security reasons, the widows said they would wear black in mock mourning of the organisers. One of them said: “When we were told, we thought it was real. What

they did was to use us (widows) to canvass for votes for President Jonathan in 2015. “Our God is not sleeping. The God of widows will fight this battle for us. Even when we got to the Women Development Centre, where they said we should go yesterday, nothing happened. That was when it dawned on us that it was fake. “We are not blaming the governor’s wife, Mrs. Ebelechukwu Obiano. But we are blaming those who organised the event, code-named empowerment for Southeast widows. Which widows?”

Obi’s defection won’t affect APGA, says lawmaker Okorocha hails Obi for dumping APGA

I •Obi

HE defection of former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will not affect the fortunes of his former party in next year’s election, it has been learnt. The House of Representatives member for Ogbaru and APGA chieftain, Afam Ogene, spoke yesterday on Obi’s defection to the PDP. The lawmaker noted that the former governor did not have the clout that could make his defection an issue for worry to his former party. Ogene is also seeking a re-election under the APGA.

MO State Governor Rochas Okorocha yesterday hailed former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi for dumping the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). The governor noted that the party had kept Ndigbo on the edge of Nigerian politics and leadership struggle. But he faulted the former governor’s decision to join the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which he said does not have any good plan for the Igbo. In a statement yesterday in Owerri, the state capital, by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo, the governor said Obi’s decision to become a competitor in national affairs instead of playing the spectator, distinguished him as an illustrious son of the Igbo nation. The statement added: “Obi’s latest action has only shown From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

In a statement yesterday in Awka, the state capital, the lawmaker said APGA remained as strong in the state as it was before Obi’s exit. Obi’s defection on Tuesday in Onitsha elicited mixed reactions from APGA, PDP and All Progressives Congress (APC) members. Ogene said: “According to the famed writer, William Shakespeare, the world is a stage and we all are mere

From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

that he has seen what Okorocha saw few years back, which warranted his departure from APGA to be one of the key progressive actors who came together to midwife the merger that ultimately led to the formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC). To the glory of God, a good Igbo man, like Obi, has finally come to reason with him. “The only exception is Obi’s choice of the PDP, which does not seem to have any plan for the Igbo nation, either in the short and in the long run. One had expected Obi to join APC, which has a very bright future for Ndigbo to become President, either now or in the nearest future...”

players. Former Governor Obi has played his part - admirably so - on the APGA stage and has decided to move on. But that does not mean the show is over.” The lawmaker, who is also the Deputy Chairman of the House Committee Media and Public Affairs, noted that since nature abhors a vacuum, the natural action for Governor Willie Obiano to take was to work with the party’s National Chairman, Chief Victor Umeh, to steer APGA’s ship to

greater glory. He said: “Our party, APGA, has undergone several shock moments in its history. Remember, its founding Chairman, Chief Chekwas Okorie, left amid a strenuous legal tango which lasted about eight years, but the party survived. Then our leader and personal symbol of our struggle as Ndigbo, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, transited. Our people and party survived the tempest that followed. We shall yet survive the current storm.”

Navy, sand dredgers bicker over dredging ‘fee’ in Onitsha

HE naval outpost and sand dredgers at the bank of the River Niger in Onitsha, Anambra State, are quarrelling following the seizure of some boats from the dredgers. The dredgers, under the aegis of Dredger Owners Association of Anambra State (DOAAS), have given the naval officer a 24-hour ultimatum to release their boats and other dredging equipment. But the Commander of the outpost, Navy Captain Mike Oamen, told reporters yesterday that the Navy impounded the equipment because the association’s members were dredging without licence.

From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

He likened the action to oil bunkering. In a statement yesterday in Onitsha, DOAAS Chairman Gilbert Udemadu said the naval men, last Monday - being a public holiday – rounded up their members at their dredging site and took away their equipment. This, they said, was because they stopped paying a one-man co-operative society, which had allegedly been extorting them as an official of the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development. The group also alleged that registered and non-registered members

dredging sand at the bank of the River Niger had been paying N200 per trip to a man they identified as Chief Augustine Nwachukwu, the suspected owner of the “one-man” cooperative society, called the River Niger Sand Dealers Multipurpose Cooperative Society Limited, Asaba. They said trouble started a few months ago when Nwachukwu summoned them to a meeting and asked them to pay N200,000 each for registration. The group said it was at the meeting they realised that Nwachukwu was neither an official of the Federal Ministry of Mines nor its representative.

This is why they refused to pay the N200,000 levy the “illegal” toll collector imposed on them, they said. They also decided to stop paying the N200 levy per trip of tipper sand to him. The group said it was glaring that the money was not going into government’s treasury but into Nwachukwu’s pocket. But Nwachukwu told reporters on phone that he did not use thugs to harass the association’s members, as they alleged. He said he had sued the association. Nwachukwu accused the DOAAS members of dredging at the River Niger bank without a licence.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2014

CITYBEATS Lawmaker to sponsor baby for surgery abroad

HE Minority leader in the House of Representatives, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila has said he will sponsor a baby with a hole-inthe-heart for surgery abroad. He said this during his visit to the Heart of Gold Hospice, Surulere, Lagos. Gbajabiamila, who represents Surulere Federal Constituency was accompanied by Mr. Agbo Dabiri on the visit. They were received by the hospice’s Proprietor, Mrs Laja Adedoyin. The lawmaker presented the hospice with food and medical items. He was asked to name a five-month-old baby with a hole-in-the-heart. The baby was abandoned and brought to the hospice. He named the baby Emmanuel and it was the same baby that he offered to pay $7,000 for his surgery abroad. Dabiri, who is the founder of Ikotun Nursery and Primary School, Surulere, granted full scholarship to one of the children in the hospice. Mrs Adedoyin expressed gratitude to Gbajabiamila, adding that the hospice would continue to thrive on the support of well-meaning Nigerians.

CITYBEATS LINE: 08023247888

NAPTIP arraigns hotelier, others for ‘forcing’ teenager into prostitution

HE National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic In Persons (NAPTIP) has arraigned a hotelier, Chief Ibidun Joshua, at the Federal High Court in Lagos for allegedly forcing a 14-year-old girl and others into prostitution. He and four others – Osasuwa Ruth, Mabel Tasowia, Segun Ajose and Taiye Adesanya – were alleged to have committed the crime at his Daka Hotel

OR hours yesterday, commuters and airport workers were stranded on the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Road, as limousine and cab operators protested their removal from the park allotted to them at the international wing. Over 350 cab and limousine operators said they would not operate until officials of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) addressed the issues bordering on their operations at the international terminal. They said FAAN security personnel were trying to get them out of business in preference to car hire operators. The Chairman of Murtala Muhammed Airport

By Joseph Jibueze

at Seme border, Badagry. NAPTIP said they lured two teenagers, aged 14 and 17, from Benin City, Edo State, into prostitution. The alleged offence, NAPTIP said, is contrary to Section 15(a) of the Trafficking In Person (Prohibition) Law Enforcement and Admnistration Act, 2003. The agency said Ruth lured the 14-year-old on January 10, 2010 to Badagry

for the purpose of forcing her into prostitution, while Tasowia was alleged to have deceived the 17-yearold on February 7, 2010. Joshua was accused of running a hotel where teenagers were forced into prostitution and for benefiting from the proceeds of such illicit business. Ajose, the hotel manager, was charged with encouraging underaged persons into prostitution. Adesanya was accused of

organising the illicit business and remitting the proceeds to the hotel owner through its manager. Yesterday, a NAPTIP investigator, Mrs. Agboko Comfort, said Ajose and Adesanya were arrested on March, 5, 2010, adding that Joshua was arrested when he appeared at the agency’s office upon being summoned. The case has been adjourned till October 13 for trial.

Limousine, cab operators protest at Lagos Airport By Kelvin Osa Okunbor

Limousine Shuttle Association of Nigeria (AlLSAN), Mr Gabriel Agboma said FAAN’s decision was insensitive. He explained that over 600 cabs operate at the airport and each of them pay an operational fee of N81, 000 annually, adding that the amount is enough for FAAN to develop a befitting park for them. Agboma said FAAN officials tricked them into relocating to the new place, only for them to try to force them out, saying cab operators were moved

from the old car park to make way for expansion of the airport. He said efforts by cab and limousine operators to encourage FAAN to get them a new base have failed. The cab operators have vowed to stop operations until FAAN resolved all issues bordering on terms of engagement at the airport. He said:”’What FAAN is doing to us is bad. They want to deprive us of the use of the place and give it to car hire operators. Until we remove the barricade no cab will operate

around the airport. We know that passengers and commuters will be stranded. But we have to do this to protest our maltreatment by FAAN. We know why FAAN is doing this, they want to push us out and give way for car hire. We will resist them.” The protest forced many commuters and airport workers to trek from the toll gate axis to the international terminal. Many passengers connecting flights from the international to the domestic wing also joined the walk to catch up with their flights.

Community gets cassava processing facility

AGOS State government has provided a cassava processing facility to help empower residents in Igbodu rural community and reduce post-harvest losses. Commissioner for Rural Development Mr. Cornelius Ojelabi, while handing over the facility, said the government provided it to boost their economic capacity. He explained that farmers can now operate to their full capacity because they are sure of a facility to process their yields if they don’t want to sell their cassava raw. He hailed the community for its warm reception and support for the Centre for Rural Development (CERUD), a government research institute sited in their community. Ojelabi urged them to protect the facility, noting that it is how well they maintained it that would encourage the government to bring more developmental project to the area. He said the ministry has established a cassava multiplication field close to the community to supply enriched vitamin A cassava cuttings to the farmers to improve their nutritional value. Also, Director Rural

By Miriam Ekene-Okoro

Agriculture, Mr. Habeeb Giwa said the facility can process seven tonnes of cassava tubers per day to cope with the rapidly increasing demand of farmers in the community. Chairman of All Farmers Association of Nigeria, Lagos State chapter Otunba Femi Oke appreciated government for the gesture, assuring that the people would make adequate use of the facility. He noted that the facility has commenced production and is providing employment. He solicited the assistance of the government in the provision of tricycles to convey the cassava from various farms to the processing facility. Ojelabi said the government also provided six communal solar powered toilets to Oluwo fish market in Epe Local Government, as part of measures in containing the spread of the spread of Ebola, adding that the toilets were provided for the traders to curb open defecation and to safeguard the health of the people. He urged them to always wash their hands after using the toilets and before touching foods.

Court dissolves 12-year-old marriage By Basirat Braimah

T was a touching scene before the Alakuko Customary Court in Lagos, yesterday, as the marriage between Lekan and Iyabode Fadipe was dissolved. The petitioner, 65-year-old Fadipe, on the first hearing, had alleged that his wife was disrespectful and cantankerous. “From the outset, I warned her that I detest extramarital affairs and anything fetish. My wife knows I married her solely because my other wives and children disregarded me. I once saw a white cloth wrapped with Tira in her wardrobe, which she claimed to have collected from her Alfa when she was having nightmares. “I have given her enough time to turn a new leaf, but her attitude has never improved. So, I really want this divorce. I am ready to pay her N20, 000 monthly for our children’s upkeep. If she enrols them in a public school, I will increase it to N25, 000. “This is the last chance. Her attitude has become a stigma of sorts. At my age, all I want is peace of mind,” he said. In tears, 40-year-old Iyabode, pleaded: “I have turned a new leaf. I don’t want this marriage dissolved. He has been a good husband and father. I have learnt my mistakes. Please, help me.” However, the court’s President, Chief Awos Awosola, said: “Mr. Fadipe has made his judgment even before the court did.” He further said the couple should cease to be husband and wife. Awosola ordered Mrs. Fadipe to vacate her husband’s house and refund N800, 000, which is for his insurance policy, within four months. He ruled that the children, Adeboye (10) and Oluwafemi (8), should be with their mother, but are free to visit their father whenever they desire. The marriage was contracted under Native and Customary Law. They were, therefore, advised to go their separate ways without hindrance.

‘Reject corrupt leaders’ By Musa Odoshimokhe

OUTHS at a rally in Lagos have called on Nigerians to reject corrupt leaders next year The National President, Advocates of Collective Transformation (ACT), Comrade Tayo Fashogbon said youths have been traumatised by corruption and mismanagement of the country’s wealth, adding that the masses were tired of corrupt leaders and the only way out was to reject them. He said: “We want to sensitise the people and the youths to choose the right leaders into the rightful position. Our future lies in voting the right candidates to position of authorities. “Nigeria lacks its good leadership; we are not going to import leaders from abroad. We need good leaders within, we want to make use of our 70 million votes in choosing leaders into elective office, this we will ensure in 2015”.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2014

COMMENTARY LETTER

EDITORIAL

Mental illness as time bomb

Mbu again! •A police officer who says he is a ‘lion’ gets angry for being referred to as ‘controversial’

HAT a wonderful world! So, Mr. Mbu Joseph Mbu does not want to be remembered or referred to as a ‘controversial’ cop, yet he went the extra mile to acquire that ‘title’ during his tenure as commissioner of police in Rivers State? It took a reporter-cum presenter of the African Independent Television (AIT) to refer to the former police commissioner (now an assistant inspectorgeneral of police), to see his red eyes. The journalist, Amaechi Anakwe, must have thought his reference to Mr Mbu as ‘controversial’ on the television programme, “Matters Arising”, was fair comment, which it really was; but Mr Mbu thought otherwise and ordered that Anakwe be detained. In their haste to teach an ‘errant’ journalist a lesson, and perhaps to show their lack of knowledge of the law, the Zone 7 Police Command which Mr Mbu heads could not even address the invitation to Anakwe properly, as they initially sent it to him in his private capacity. It was after the AIT management pointed this technical deficiency out that they dispatched another letter of invitation to the media house, following which the organisation released Anakwe and the company’s chief security officer to honour the police invitation. The good thing though is that the matter has now become history as a senior magistrate’s court in Wuse Zone 2, Abuja last week Friday, discharged the reporter who was sued by the police for alleged defamation of character, after the prosecutor asked that the matter be discontinued. The police apparently saw, even if belatedly, the hopelessness in pursuing

the matter. But that such an incident happened at all is deplorable. It is a reflection of the culture of impunity that has gained ascendancy in the Jonathan administration, as well as the abuse of office which Mr Mbu has become incessantly notorious for. As an AIG, Mr Mbu should have known what constitutes defamation of character; he ought to have known that referring to someone as ‘controversial’ does not necessarily fall under this heading. It would interest Mr Mbu to know that if ever any Nigerian police officer qualifies to be called ‘controversial’, he is; and that is defensible. The way and manner he carried out his assignments in Oyo and Rivers states, as well as the Federal Capital Territory, leaves no one in doubt that he deserves the appellation. Indeed, only a few weeks back, he announced with glee that he is a “lion” who tamed the “leopard” in Port Harcourt, referring to Governor Rotimi Amaechi, with whom he had running battles throughout his tenure as the state police commissioner, and even after. Many observers of Mbu’s career in the state concluded that he was more of a politician ready to make President Goodluck Jonathan’s wife’s wish his command. He wantonly disrupted legislative operations in the state even as he dislodged peaceful protesters perceived to belong to the opposition. When he was eventually transferred from Rivers State to the FCT, he still could not hide his bias for the government with his attack on unarmed campaigners of #BringBackOurGirls. Evidently, Mr. Mbu has come decades

late as it is impossible for him to enjoy the kind of impunity he cherishes as a police officer. He must be ruing why he is a police boss at this age when emphasis is on the rule of law and due process. If a police officer with his kind of record does not want to be called controversial, then no one else would qualify for that appellation. We wonder why a self-acclaimed “lion” would pick offence at someone merely referring to him as ‘controversial’. How many of Mr Mbu’s contemporaries are in focus for the wrong reasons as he is, due to the unprofessional manner he has been discharging his assignments in the locations he served before his promotion? If Mr Mbu does not want to be called ‘Mr Controversial’, then he should mend his ways. As the saying goes, ‘he who does not want to get wet should not go near the brook’.

‘It would interest Mr Mbu to know that if ever any Nigerian police officer qualifies to be called ‘controversial’, he is; and that is defensible. The way and manner he carried out his assignments in Oyo and Rivers states, as well as the Federal Capital Territory, leaves no one in doubt that he deserves the appellation’

Felicia Oluwaremilekun Oyo (1952-2014)

• An Amazon of Nigerian journalism departs

HE noble chambers of Nigerian journalism were markedly affected by the death, last week, of Dame Remi Oyo, one of its most distinguished yet profoundly unassuming practitioners. Even in a profession which had more than its fair share of outstanding individuals, she stood out for her pioneering spirit, her dedication to duty, and her unwavering commitment to the professional and moral development of others. Dame Remi’s journalistic career was built on the twin pillars of electronic broadcasting and news agency reporting. She joined the then Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) in 1973, leaving in 1981 for the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) to become Desk Editor. Four years later, she left the agency as Principal Editor, the first woman ever to attain the position. She then went on to Inter Press

‘Her appointment as Senior Special Assistant (SSA, Media and Publicity) to President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2003 was an opportunity to bring her many talents to bear upon a position that was something of a poisoned chalice. Nost of the previous occupants of the position had been dismissed as charlatans in the popular eye, no thanks to their tendency to see it as a licence to pour invective upon anyone perceived as opposed to their principal.’

News Agency as its Nigerian Bureau Chief, eventually becoming its West African Bureau Chief. Working in an era which predated the age of information technology, Dame Remi demonstrated the speed, accuracy and comprehensiveness that were essential to the news agency reporting of the time. While she was making her mark in the field of news agency journalism, Dame Remi was also carving out a previouslyuntrodden path for women in the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), Nigeria’s preeminent professional association for editors. She was the guild’s first female secretary and its first female president. These magnificent achievements, coming as they did in an industry overwhelmingly dominated by men, is ample testimony to the excellence she brought to the performance of her duties. During her tenure as NGE President, she established a befitting secretariat for the guild, and helped to initiate capacity-building programmes which saw the blossoming of individuals who have gone on to become stars of the journalism profession. In the heady days of the return to civilian rule, it was Dame Remi’s levelheadedness and good sense which ensured that the journalists were able to take full advantages of the freedoms that were newly available to them in the wake of democracy’s return. Her appointment as Senior Special Assistant (SSA, Media and Publicity) to President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2003 was an opportunity to bring her many talents to bear upon a position that was something of a poisoned chalice. Most of the previous occupants of the position had been dismissed as charlatans in the popular eye,

no thanks to their tendency to see it as a licence to pour invective upon anyone perceived as opposed to their principal. Again the first lady to occupy the position, Dame Remi gave the SSA’s office the dignity and respect that it deserved. She ensured that the views and activities of government were publicised clearly, comprehensively and professionally. Local and foreign journalists came to rely upon her perpetual readiness to assist when they required information or access. Press conferences organised by her office were exemplary for their promptness and efficiency. Good news was announced without crowing; bad news was delivered with appropriate decorum. Such was her success that Dame Remi’s reputation was further enhanced by her tenure as SSA, in spite of the oftenunsavory standing of the Obasanjo regime. In 2007, Dame Remi’s career moved full circle when she returned to NAN as its Managing Director. The agency had been badly-hit by the rise of the internet age; it faced a shrinking clientele and a growing perception that it was no longer relevant in the scheme of things. Her response was to re-position the agency to be better able to take advantage of new developments in information technology and provide new services in order to ensure its continued relevance. The success of this strategy has been seen in NAN’s increased customer base and heightened profile. Dame Remi Oyo was a rare breed of journalist: a committed professional who was also a genuinely warm person. May her soul rest in peace.

IR: Today, October 10, is World Mental Health Day, a day set aside by the World Health Organisation (WHO), to raise awareness of mental health issues and mobilize efforts in its support. The day is meant to create an avenue for all stakeholders on mental health issues to freely discuss and share experiences about their job. This is quite important in view of a recent research which reveals that about 240 million people across the world experience depression and other symptoms of mental illness during their lifetime. Thus, if not properly addressed, mental illness could as well turn out to be a time bomb waiting to explode in an already troubled world. Just as diabetes is a disorder of the pancreas, mental illnesses are medical conditions that often result in a diminished capacity for coping with the ordinary demands of life. Serious mental illnesses include major depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and borderline personality disorder. Mental illnesses can affect persons of any age, race, religion, or income. Mental illnesses are not the result of personal weakness, lack of character or poor upbringing. The causes of mental illness are complex and vary depending on the particular disorder and individuals. Genetics, early development, drugs, a loss of family member, disease or injury, neurocognitive and psychological mechanisms, and life experiences, society and culture, can all contribute to the development or progression of different mental disorders in people. The most common view, however, is that mental disorder tend to result from genetic vulnerabilities and environmental stressors combining to cause patterns of dysfunction or trigger disorder. No matter how seemingly the effects of mental health issues are, whether it is depression, epilepsy, dementia alcohol dependence or death, they can be managed effectively with the affected individual living a reasonably normal life. In Lagos, an average of 14.1 percent of the total population suffers from one mental case or the other. It was this realisation that, perhaps, made the state government to adopt a policy that aims to respect the rights of residents with mental disorder. The objective is to guarantee social justice and equity for victims of mental illness as well as ensuring that the rights of people suffering from mental disorders are respected. This new approach by the state government includes sufficient and detailed strategies aimed at reducing the impact of mental health in the state. The basic components of the state’s mental health policy include promotion aimed at conducting awareness programmes and educating the people on the effects of substance and alcohol abuse, primary care and access to services, treatment guidelines at health care level, services for people with severe mental illness, reduction of workplace stress and the risk of suicides and human resources for mental health. We have for long allowed stigma and a now unwarranted sense of hopelessness to erect attitudinal, structural and financial barriers to effective treatment and recovery of victims of mental illness. It is hoped that the occasion of this year’s World Mental Health Day would help, in small way, to break down these barriers. • Tayo Ogunbiyi Ministry of Information & Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja.

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THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2014

CARTOON & LETTERS

IR: With the endorsement of President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the next year’s presidential election, Nigerians are awaiting with bated breath the opposition All Progressive Congress (APC) to choose its presidential standard bearer. If there is any auspicious time for the opposition to wrestle power, the time is now. However, APC has a great task at hand if she is to accomplish this task. Already the number of candidates of the opposition [APC] indicating interest for the number one post is increasing by the day and this is giving political watchers like myself and so many others cause for concern about how the party will come out of the coming congress intact. There is need for sacrifice here. Having come this far and knowing that there is always a tomorrow, selflessness is the key here. Please don’t get me wrong; I don’t care who emerges as the presidential candidate in APC, but I do care enough to advice that such a candidate should have enough clout to give President Jonathan a run for his money. I don’t care about the religious persuasion of whoever emerges, hence I equally don’t care about the combination of the ticket; whether it is a Christian/ Muslim, Muslim/Christian, Christian/Christian or Muslim/Muslim. My choice, and I am sure it is same for other true patriotic Nigerians, is a ticket that can deliver to a greater number of the populace the dividends of good governance. The factors to look for in these Nigerians include selflessness, pan-Nigerianism, track record in terms of service couched in ability to manage resources for the larger society etc. We do not suffer dearth of these qualities in some of these leaders

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On possible Buhari/Fashola ticket in the opposition APC that include the likes of Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano, Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers, Rochas Okorocha of Imo, Adams Oshiomhole of Edo, Babatunde Fashola of Lagos etc. But in making a choice here, one should be guided by one major factor which is population in terms of voter strength. And Lagos State with Governor Fashola to me stands out

of the pack. The winning team here therefore should be Buhari and Fashola. My reasons for arriving at this position are simple. Buhari apart from being a household name, has his followership cutting across geopolitical zones. Secondly, he is a tested hand with his qualities as a disciplined, upright, incorruptible individual with tenacity of purpose

as added advantage. All these qualities may not be sellable in a few areas because of what may generally be regarded as Buhari’s proclivity to extremism in terms of religion, but even at that, you cannot beat a Buhari/Fashola ticket easily. Thirdly the fact that at the last count he [Buhari] had about 12 million votes against 22 million in the last presidential election shows

that with support from the leadership of the party now cutting across thickly populated states with eligible voters, he is the candidate to beat. With Lagos State as mini-Nigeria having a population of 22 million followed closely by Kano and Sokoto states in that order, surely we are heading for a contest that is going to be as interesting as it is expectant. But we cannot take it away from President Goodluck Jonathan; in addition to all others, he has widened the democratic space for a healthy electoral contest by being tolerant and accommodating of the opposition. . • Inalegwu Echo Ameh Snr, Imiringi Town, Bayelsa State.

Oyo PDP gladiators must compromise

IR: Oyo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship primary is slated for November 29. Party bigwigs will need to put on their thinking caps and ensure that the party learns from its past experience in the Southwest not only on how it lost Oyo State in 2011 when Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala was expected to easily get a second term, but how just a few months ago, it won in Ekiti State and shortly after lost in Osun State. It all came down to picking the right candidate. Ayo Fayose, for all his faults, won in Ekiti because of his grassroots appeal. He appeared to strike the right cord with the people. The reverse was the case in Osun where the PDP anointed the wrong candidate and suffered the consequence. Rauf Aregbesola, with whom Iyiola Omisore had to contend with, like Fayose, is a man of the people. He talked like them, dressed like them and is at home in

their midst. In Oyo State, where distrust of past and current governors run deep, PDP’s quest to win the governorship election will be best served by presenting a candidate who has empathy for Oyo’s poor majority and who does not have to answer to some past misdeeds. Neither Alao-Akala nor two term senator Teslim Folarin is likely to give PDP the victory it craves in Oyo State. They are sworn enemies who are bound to cancel each other out and who with their divisive tendencies have polarised Oyo PDP. To make it worse, their achievements or lack of it while in public office, resonate negatively with the Oyo electorate. The memory of the wanton profligacy of the Akala years still lingers. The poor quality roads he built have all gone bad. He was said to be generous, always ready to dole out government money. But how many people benefitted from

that? Only his friends, relatives and cronies had a good time at the people’s expense. And that is the experience his supporters proclaim to high heaven. Since he left office, there is no evidence of his philanthropy even in his native Ogbomoso. Now he wants to stage a comeback. If Akala as a sitting governor failed in his bid for a second term in 2011 with the machinery of the state at his disposal, what are his chances now when his candidacy is likely to be sabotaged once again by his sworn enemies within the PDP? In Folarin’s case, he spent eight years in the senate and even became majority leader but till this day, he struggles to point at a single federal project he attracted to the state. What Oyo PDP therefore needs to bounce back is to embrace the doctrine of compromise in picking a flag bearer and that is to reach an agreement by concession. The party’s best opportunity of winning the 2015

Oyo governorship election is to seek a dynamic, humble, self made aspirant, a bridge builder, a compromise candidate who can serve as a rallying point for the disparate factions in the party and whose appeal cut across all divides. The Oyo electorate, tired of the spent forces that have held the state down, yearns for a new capable kid on the block. Someone with fresh ideas, who understand what the issues are and who has empathy for the long-suffering people of Oyo State. Neither Akala nor Folarin fits this mould. As the Spanish-born American philosopher George Santayana once said, “those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it,” It’s about time PDP learnt a lesson from its 2011 loss in Oyo State, otherwise the party may be doomed to repeat it. • Kassim Ogundeji Saki, Oyo State.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2014 16

COMMENTS

Freedom song Email: tunji_ololade@yahoo.co.uk 08038551123, 08111845040

HE sun is still rising and dying over the blindsides of our portal of ruined stones – our portal, our ruins. Over the rubbles we make, visages of the world we dream diminish and fade but we continue to shout above the corpses we make. We bellow just to hear our voices return from the hills. We scream just to watch our fears cascade fresh ravines in order to meet us where everything turns to nothing. What is it that we seek? To shriek our fears hoarse or wish that they stay buried away, far beneath the doldrums of our best kept tragedies? Perhaps we simply need the landscape to repeat us and replenish every rind of logic that absolves our cowardly lot of blame. But who are we to blame? Who do we hold responsible as our fortune hangs askew, as it did back in the days when we learnt to spit words and eat them? Sadly now, we continue to do the same things in the same ways everyday; although doing the same things the same way

hardly ever worked, and will still never work. Nonetheless, we attack the ocean surge with catapults; shall pebble shots repel the storm that ravages and destroys? Shall we watch helplessly as predators we ennoble with power prey upon us, like the sea brute flaunting its death roll on the tadpole? Cowardice changes everything. It unmade us. It unmakes us, still. The Nigerian crisis is a human crisis. Therefore, even when we manage to moot and evolve the most practicable solutions, governmental policies and developmental efforts, we fail woefully. The foundation for progress is basically nonexistent in the country and that is because the human elements that are meant to foster and perpetuate such everlasting monument are inherently corrupt. Consequently, we have a ruling class that is basically degenerate and predatory in nature and citizenry that excitedly accepts and

We are done aspiring; let us now perspire for the epoch in which electricity would work and associated sectors. Let our glands secrete in the heat of aspirations conceived for the love of the common good. It’s time we become the generation that turned inherited waste to grace. It’s time we become the vaulted voice that enlivens redundant joy, and hope. Distance is nothing; there is no mileage to the future of our dreams.

ROPAGANDA not propriety, sentiments not sequence have so far defined the search for Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan’s successor. At the last check, over 30 governorship aspirants are jostling with all manners of plots and power play. The domino effect is that shallow stereotypes and warped perspectives are thrown up daily in the public domain by a desperate crowd of power mongers and sympathizers A dangerous game in power politics is raging in Delta State. A lethal game plan called AGENDA. Today politicians seeking fortune at all costs have inundated our psyche with Anioma Agenda, Urhobo agenda, Ijaw agenda e t c. Majority of the contenders in the 2015 gubernatorial battle seem to have been entrapped in a particular obsession - desire for party ticket with ethnic card. When politicians hold tribalism as the only ladder to power, democracy is in trouble ! One aspirant who has clearly shunned the temptation is Obaisi (Barr) Ovie Omo-Agege. A detached study of his manifesto, speeches, consultations and body language easily unveils a man with a carriage that looms larger than the toga of ethnic garb. Truly Omo-Agege does not see Delta from the blinkers of ethnicity, unlike most of his peers in the governorship race. Whether in words or deeds, enlightened public opinion can uphold that he

‘He has in his populist agenda, envisioned and articulated a brilliant road map for the development of Delta North and indeed Central and South senatorial districts. He has made a solemn pledge to fix the bane of Agbor - erosion, acute water problem in Asaba- Ogwashi Uku Issele uku axis and improve the road networks in Delta north. He is poised to provide people-centered security as well as basic social infrastructure and pursue a coordinated agrarian and industrialization programmes across the three senatorial districts for the good of all’

religiously fulfill their roles as unforgivably docile and self-flagellating lower brutes. The dangerously clear imprudence of the Nigerian working class asserts itself in the upward mobility of certain crucial members of the class across our class divide. Increasing wealth, higher status and social affiliations alienates this band of self-styled and circumstantial leaders from those same self-confessed values and politics that stood them out as vanguards of rights of the under-privileged. Likewise, it reestablishes them as simply another muscle group primed to intimidate, stifle and manipulate their less privileged peers overcrowding the lower rung of the social ladder. Such pitiful waste of potential leaders and emancipators of the breadlines can hardly be overlooked in the working class’ desperate quest to achieve their fabled share of the Nigerian dream – or national cake if you like. How many Nigerians manage to succeed in real life? To this end, how many definitions of “success” aren’t informed by and deducible by the yardstick of an obscene lust for wealth and the pursuit of money at all cost? For all our acclaimed vision and depth of perception, the 21st century Nigerian presents a shame and impediment to the Nigerian enterprise. Every Nigerian is degenerate and fraudulent – which explains why there is an oft ridiculous and affordable price tag attached to the average Nigerian, irrespective of class, religion, socio-politics and gender. In the face of too many social maladies, nothing works. No solution has worked because we persistently apply our practicable and often far-fetched solutions to abstract systems and deteriorating structures even as we consciously avoid addressing the needs of the most eligible recipients of the cura-

tive efforts: you and me. Let us begin to excite and further a winning fight for actual solutions and freedom. Let us not be daunted by the prevalence of socio-political unrest and ineptitude in governance. And let our passion not be overcome by the death of criticism and dearth of broadly cultured men. It is about time we began to concentrate on our need for true ideals and broad culture as the preservation of our spirit from petty passions and sordid objectives. Let us begin to build that proverbial bulwark of citizenship whose ideal of patriotism is held untainted by wantonness, ill-bliss and the temptations of power. Let us begin from the grassroots. Let us begin to de-sensitise ourselves of every prejudice and conceit. Let us being to court and patronise the usual objects of our apathy and disdain – like the “inconsequential” park urchin, “hooligan” and directionless muscles for hire on our breadlines, within our campuses of learning and law enforcement agencies. “Desperate times call for desperate measures,” it is said; yes, these are desperate times, but it is never a desperate measure to reach out to the park urchin, neighbourhood hooligan and muscles for hire in our campuses and boondocks. This is because there are inestimable benefits accruable from uniting with these oft despised social elements in electoral will and numbers. It is hardly some desperate measure to pay heed to the riotous yearnings of such human reserve and elements within our battered State; if we seize the initiative now and unite with them in politics and dogma, our alliance will inure us time and over again, against interminable temptations of leadership we loathe and grieve over. Our hearts are weary; better tomorrow has passed, today is

stricken and yesterday has withered with her ridged fundaments at last. Now that fractured hope, on which we sail, has floated down shifting waters to the darkest deep, shall we strap torn will to broken resolve and begin to wade before we sink? It’s about time we determined what is real. It is only a matter of language that traps us. Let us begin to seek our niche where achievement overlaps with words. Let us begin to brave the horror of truth unbridled by fickle gospels and platitudes. Let us create a movement for the youth, by the youth, in the interest of our fatherland. It’s time we throw our might behind the candidate under whose guidance we could learn to walk through this wilderness to the bliss and quiet of our heartfelt dreams. Everyday still brings with it, a different pain, and a different folly. Still, we brave through the dark to hear the usual platitudes that promise prosperity in the vacuum of the restless dream flailing behind the curtain beneath which dawn seeps, and on cancerous asphalts where our brightest hopes fall by our swords, at the instance of leadership we ought to have done with. Let us begin to set the stones for the future in which our refineries would overflow, with oil. We are done aspiring; let us now perspire for the epoch in which electricity would work and associated sectors. Let our glands secrete in the heat of aspirations conceived for the love of the common good. It’s time we become the generation that turned inherited waste to grace. It’s time we become the vaulted voice that enlivens redundant joy, and hope. Distance is nothing; there is no mileage to the future of our dreams. We have soared in a lot of things, we have failed in a great deal more; but let’s give no one the right to say we didn’t have guts.

Omo-Agege: Delta beyond ethnicity By Jonathan Nwokolo has a pan -Delta agenda in his quest to govern. This perception is unassailable for good reasons. Though Urhobo by origin, Omo-Agege does not have the all too familiar tribal marks of nepotism, sectionalism and self centered clannishness, common with the typical Nigerian politician . He is averse to egocentric mindset. He is not persuaded by a narrow world view. His contacts and company transcends tribal, religious and political boundaries. He is overly cosmopolitan. Omo-Agege symbolizes the soul of Delta, its destiny and essence. He embodies the cultured pacifist spirit of the Anioma, dignified comportment of the Itsekiri, vivacious robust tendency of the Urhobo, spartan courageous latitude of the Ijaw and easy going accommodating posture of the Isoko. This admirable personae is rooted in his pedigree. After graduating with excellent grades in law at Nigeria’s most sought after university, UNIBEN in 1985, he went higher in 2002 to obtain an LLM (masters of law) degree in Tulane university, United States of America, rated among the top 20 universities in the world. A distinguished academic orientation that prepared him for a dignified future. It is no surprise that he took a phenomenal flight from this tutelage into the political hierarchy of Delta state, serving as Executive Assistant and then civil commissioner under the Ibori Administration in 2005. He would fulfill a waiting destiny about a year later when he rose to become secretary to the state government, the youngest ever, setting a trail blazing direction, through service of purpose and vision. In terms of experience in governance, Omo-Agege easily takes the piece of cake. He has the matchless competence, commitment and character to lead the people of Delta. In Delta North senatorial district where the much advertised issue of zoning or power rotation has continued to resonate, an Omo-Agege governorship will settle all prejudices and worries. He maintains strong age old links with the Anioma people, as his native Orogun and Aboh kingdom share historical bonds of genealogy, friendship and brotherhood. He went to Obinomba

Grammar School, Ukwuani local government area in the heart of Delta north where he enjoyed a large community of life-long childhood friends. By cultural and sociological heritage, no one can be more Anioma than Omo-Agege. Those who lay claim to zoning within Delta North can only exclude him by spurious geography not sound logic. He has in his populist agenda, envisioned and articulated a brilliant road map for the development of Delta North and indeed Central and South senatorial districts. He has made a solemn pledge to fix the bane of Agbor - erosion, acute water problem in Asaba- Ogwashi Uku - Issele uku axis and improve the road networks in Delta north. He is poised to provide people-centered security as well as basic social infrastructure and pursue a coordinated agrarian and industrialization programmes across the three senatorial districts for the good of all. Again the behavior of Omo-Agege as a politician deserves celebration. He was the first and only governorship candidate to concede victory to Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, after his April 26, 2011 election for a second tenure. He went ahead to attend Uduaghan’s inauguration at the Cenotaph Asaba and openly congratulated him to the bewilderment of all, especially the political class who see election as war. Omo-Agege’s mellow and restrained personality owe much to his good breeding, education and self discipline. This polished, highly educated son of a legendary Justice will make a good Governor. With his political maturity, civility and excellent manners, Delta has everything to gain. • Jonathan Okolo is a public affairs analyst based in Asaba

‘Omo-Agege does not see Delta from the blinkers of ethnicity, unlike most of his peers in the governorship race. Whether in words or deeds, enlightened public opinion can uphold that he has a pan -Delta agenda in his quest to govern’

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2014

COMMENTS

HERE are still doubts in several important quarters of the Nigerian polity about the capability of the Acting Inspector-General of Police, Suleiman Abba, to put a handle on Nigeria’s policing challenges. This is in spite of the fact that he made it clear in his median speech to the media that his “vision is to make the Nigeria police force a leading national, professional and efficient law enforcement organization. A police force that is dynamic, robust,… that never rests or abdicates its professional duty; that studies and analyses what works and what doesn’t, acknowledges and learns from its mistakes, and celebrates its victories”. In an editorial entitled, “A bad start”, of August 7, The Nation for instance, wondered what Abba meant when he said “he will place premium on ‘attitudinal change’ in the force”, and concluded that it would be “difficult to empirically appraise his (Abba’s) performance” as the helmsman of the security outfit. The newspaper also suggested in the said editorial that Abba’s claim that it is only the police reforms under the Yar’Adua/ Goodluck administration that have made positive impact in policing meant he does not appreciate “the enormity of the challenge before him”. How The Nation came to this unflattering conclusion is difficult to decipher. As a matter of fact, the unkindest cut of all against the acting IGP was where the newspaper chastised him for choosing “to take it on himself to absolve the Federal Government of complicity in the recent assassination attempt on General Muhammadu Buhari in Kaduna” and, therefore, insinuated that the statement was a devious attempt at influencing President Jonathan to confirm him as the substantive

IG Abba and policing challenges By Nkem Ibekwe Inspector-General of the Nigeria Police Force. In the other words, The Nation wants the world to believe that Abba is not the best material at this time to preside over the security affairs of the nation as the IGP, and may not have what it takes to safeguard the 2015 general elections. Now, in all seriousness, do these attacks on the acting IGP hold water? First of all, given that Abba’s position is that he wants “every police officer to know the values in policing and then work in conformity with the provisions of the Code of Ethics”, why would a newspaper editorial wonder how it would be possible “to empirically appraise his performance during his tenure”? If officers of the police, in strict obedience to the Code of Ethics as being promoted by the acting IGP, become men and women of good character, as well as perform their duties within the provisions of the law, would the public not begin to accept police operatives as true friends whom they should partner and work with to fight crimes? This is the import of the ‘attitudinal change’ the acting IGP is talking about in policing matters; and the performance of any institution or organization can be conveniently and empirically evaluated within this context and parameter. When Abba, therefore, maintains that previous police reforms failed because they

‘The suggestion that the acting IGP embarked on an unsolicited endeavour of absolving the Federal Government of any complicity in the alleged assassination attempt on the life of Gen. Buhari because he wants to woo President Jonathan to confirm him as the Inspector-General of police defies logic and commonsense’

ECENTLY, news filtered that one of the missing Chibok girls who escaped from captivity was seen with about four months pregnancy. She was reported to be in unstable mental condition. This did not come as a surprise because no sane person would have come out of the den of those depraved lunatics and remain the same. For inexplicable reasons government officials allegedly took custody of the expectant mother, hushed, and suppressed any further details neither confirming nor denying the report. To have expected anything different from the Boko Haram insurgents would have been a delusion because in every sense of the word, the group is an embodiment of a beast bereft of any scintilla of humanness. We still have hope that by design, many of the girls would return but some would never come back again while some others amongst them may have died or killed by the sect In all good conscience, the nation did not do enough for those innocent girls who are now at the mercy of the elements, exposed to the vicissitude of Sambisa and Danboa forests. They have been reduced to sub-human apes, harvesting and eating roots and grasses just to survive. Worst still, we allow them to be violated, and ravished and ravaged by maniacs who have turned them to sex bags. These are bloodthirsty vermin and monsters strewn with lice and ticks that are not fit to be amongst civilized people. We have taken our time as a nation while our leaders play politics with the liberty of the girls who are now domiciled in the forest not out of their choice but because the country has failed them, and allowed them to be kept in captivity against their will. The trauma these poor girls would have gone through would have made them lose their sanity for life for those that would come back alive. Whatever we may do today, the lives of those poor girls would never be the same again. They are at the mercy of the elements, beaten by the rain and dried by the sun. Mosquitoes, tsetse flies and other crawlers feast on them while will sleep and wake up in the comfort of our homes. All we care for is to scheme for electoral victory come 2015. For over six months, all that our government and security forces tell us is that they know where the insurgents kept the girls and that they are planning their rescue. My heart

did not focus on ‘attitudinal change’, he was simply saying that his regime will change the character traits and ideological orientation of the rank and file to a disciplined effort towards securing lives and property in Nigeria, as opposed to the situation at hand where even The Nation’s editorial admitted that “Mr. Abubakar has left the NPF as morally and professionally bankrupt as he met it”. In any case, in what sense can anyone objectively charge the acting IGP of the nonappreciation of the policing challenges before him when he pointedly declared that his “focus will be on violent crimes which include violence against the weak and the vulnerable” in the society? Can anyone legitimately charge him of the non-appreciation of the policing challenges of 2014 when he has vowed that “violent crimes like armed robbery, like kidnapping and terrorism will be tackled with renewed vigour”? Given the import of what has been essayed so far, can The Nation, by its editorial of August 2, escape the charge of embarking on a mischievous mission to paint Abba in very bad light just to denigrate him in the eyes of President Jonathan and the Nigerian people? Editorial writing must be above board and must never be used to advance selfish interests against that of any individual or institution. As a notable columnist and security expert, Ben Okezie, pointed out recently, one of the policing reforms introduced under the Yar’Adua/Goodluck administration that has positively impacted society, as suggested by the acting IGP, is MD Abubakar’s recreation of the Intelligence arm of the police under the astute management of AIG Solomon Arase. According to Okezie, “Arase has profoundly transformed the Intelligence department of the Police to an enviable height worthy of the commendation of all security observers”. In this wise, is it possible to insist, as The Nation

Chibok girls: Fate of a nation By Mike Kebonkwu goes to those noble Nigerians who in spite of name calling and stigmatization remain resolute, demanding that the government should, “Bring Back Our Girls” It is the fundamental duty and responsibility of the state to provide security and safety for the citizens. Therefore, this strident call from the Bring Our Girls campaigners is the voice of God; it will only be satanic to ignore it. Rather than take practical steps, every government official and minister speak on procurement of arms and ammunition on every available opportunity and platform, subject matters that otherwise are classified. What on earth would make the Minister of Finance and self-styled coordinating Minister of the Economy be the one telling Nigerians about procuring of arms, munitions and materiel for the military in the fight against insurgency? What are the Minister of Defence, Chief of Defence Staff and indeed any of the Service Chiefs doing? Every strategic and tactical movement of troops in the theatre of operation geared towards combating the insurgents are on the pages of newspapers and television stations by every other government official. Every imaginable procurement real and surreal are topics for political party rallies organized by Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN). It is sad that some privileged Nigerians are feeding fat on the insecurity and misfortune of the entire nation. A few weeks back, a private jet that was intercepted by the South African government carrying about US$9 million said to be going to procure arms for fighting insurgency. There is another US$5 million which said to have been wired to a South African Company that went sour. There is certainly something uncanny and sinister about these nebulous transactions and of course, we may never know the truth. Some people who rationalize that arms could be procured through a corridor and windows of the black market for a country like Nigeria in the 21st Century need have their heads truly examined. I refuse to align

myself with that school of thought because it makes our nation to reek in the putrid odium of incurable corruption. Indeed I distant myself from it as I think every patriotic Nigerian should. Obviously, in the fight against insecurity and banditry across the country, there is lack of rhythm and harmony on the part of the government. That the case of the Chibok Girls is a national tragedy of monumental proportion more than anything else the nation is going through is stating the obvious. We have seen how nations faced with similar circumstances have reacted in the face of national challenge now facing us today. They come together as one and bury partisanship and other sectarian considerations, religion, ethnicity and ideological differences. During the 9/11 tragedy in America, there was unanimity of purpose by the Democrats and the Republicans alike. Indeed, every American rallied behind their government in that moment of national grief. I do not care what political divide anybody belongs but I do care that our country should be governed and run well in the best tradition so that our people would not be alienated when the knell summons. No sacrifice is too much for the soul of our nation, including laying down our lives where necessary. Those poor Chibok girls today are the souls of our nation. Their bondage and captivity are the shackle and fetters on our arms and legs as a nation today. It is therefore, infantile and puerile that we should play politics with the liberty and freedom of these poor girls who have the misfortune of being born in a country that does not place premium on human lives. If the Chibok girls were to be released tomorrow, nobody would give us a pat on the back that we have done well as a people and a nation. As a nation, we have exposed and shown the world the poor leadership that we can muster in the face of adversary. No excuse for the delay and failure to secure the release of these girls after six months would be acceptable. Whatever the military and the security forces are able to do or fail to do in combating insurgency in Nigeria in the past five

did, that Abba’s actions since becoming acting IGP suggests he does not appreciate the policing challenges before him? Can the charge of the non-appreciation of policing duties hold water even when he has pointedly told Nigerians that his regime will ensure that “policing becomes truly intelligence-driven, while enforcement and crime-prevention initiatives are integrated and supportive of each other”? Who does not know that the bane of security since 1976 in Nigeria has been the decayed or non-existent Intelligence unit in the Nigeria Police Force? Even then, the suggestion that the acting IGP embarked on an unsolicited endeavour of absolving the Federal Government of any complicity in the alleged assassination attempt on the life of Gen. Buhari because he wants to woo President Jonathan to confirm him as the Inspector-General of police defies logic and commonsense. In the first place, Abba was the AIG in charge of zone 7, which oversees police activities in the FCT, Niger and Kaduna States. Given that the assassination attempt took place in Kaduna, is it not normal that Abba’s men would conduct police investigations on the matter? So, in what sense can it be objectively held that merely announcing the outcome of investigations conducted by his own men as AIG zone 7 is tantamount to groveling before President Jonathan so that he will not lose his job? Incidentally, there is nothing untoward in appointing Abba in acting capacity before confirming him as a substantive IGP. Several past IGP’s went through the same acting route before they were confirmed. Even the immediate past IGP, MD Abubakar, was acting IGP for several months before he was confirmed as substantive IGP. So, the ludicrous anxiety exhibited by The Nation’s editorial as to why a qualified Abba was not confirmed immediately as the substantive IGP is neither here nor there. Similarly, the suggestion that Abba’s actions so far as acting IGP may have been informed by the desire to be confirmed by the Jonathan Presidency is not only preposterous but remains a highly misplaced conjecture. • Ibekwe, writes from Abuja years and particularly in freeing the Chibok Girls, we are all carrying the dent and stain of that failure. The tide may be changing and we may yet win the war against the Boko Haram insurgents but there is a deep wound and a festering sore that will take time to heal. It does not matter the number of insurgents killed or whether Shekau has been killed three times over, the lacuna in the strength, capability and capacity of our security forces to secure our nation and protect our citizens have been exposed. Everything the government has done about the insurgency has been haphazard and suspicious because they appear completely lacking in the idea and will. A few weeks back, the government denied the Australian negotiator, Davis Stephen who was allegedly engaged to negotiate with the insurgents for the release of the girls. There are some things that did not add up in the government claim. How did the man get into the country? How did he get approval to visit the theatre of operation to discuss with the Boko Haram sect if the government did not approve of it or involved in the entire drama. How did he get access to the people he interviewed if government officials in the know were not involved? Why the choice of a foreigner who from his identity could hardly command the acceptability of the sect? Why do we like to make ourselves a laughing stock before the global community and still expect respect from our neighbours and citizens? In our spiritual inebriation, we should fervently importune God the divine, to exorcize our political class and leaders of the spirit of incubus to make us face reality of our situation and lead our country aright. •Kebonkwu Esq writes from Abuja

‘Everything the government has done about the insurgency has been haphazard and suspicious because they appear completely lacking in the idea and will’

FRIDAY OCTOBER 10, 2014

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

TARABA POLITICS The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is warming up for governorship primaries in Taraba State. Acting Governor Garba Umar is eyeing the ticket. But, other contenders have vowed to stop him. Senior Correspondent FANEN IHYONGO writes on the politics of succession in the Northeast state.

Battle for Taraba Govt. House

HEAD of the governorship primaries in Taraba State, the ruling Peoples Demo cratic Party (PDP) is polarised by the struggle for the ticket by the contenders. It is a season of intrigues, scheming, and back stabbing. The Acting Governor, Garba Umar, is at the centre of the controversy. Following his failed bid to become the substantive governor, he is now working assiduously to succeed his ailing boss, Governor Dambaba Suntai, in next year’s election. But, stakeholders in the Southern Taraba District are kicking against his ambition. The district has adopted the Minister of State for Niger Delta, Darius Ishaku, as its consensus candidate. The minister has also been presented to the leader of the area, the former Minister of Defense, General Theophilus Danjuma, as the collective choice. Following the adoption, some aspirants from the zone, including Senator Joel Ikenya, Senator Emmanuel Bwacha and Agbu Kefas, have stepped down from the race. Party sources said that the contenders have also agreed to support the minister morally and financially at the primaries. The lone exception is David Sabo Kente, also from Southern Taraba. He has vowed to contest at the primaries. Kente is popular among the masses. He has fanatical supporters who are urging him to forge ahead. Although he does not see other contenders from the zone as a foe, he is of the strong opinion that the acting governor should not become the flag bearer. To observers, the succession battle has taken a new dimension because the governor is not in charge. His involvement in the plane crash on October 25, 2012 had changed the political calculation. Suntai hails from the Central Senatorial Zone. Before the accident, he had proposed to relinquish power to the Szouth. He took over in 2007 from Jolly Nyame, who hails from the North and ruled for 10 years. The ailing governor has argued that the fairest thing to do is to zone the slot to the South. Suntai said the move would foster a sense of belonging and harmony. However, critics of zoning have pointed out that Taraba has never practiced rotational politics. Thus, Suntai’s deputy, Umar, who is from the North,is kicking against power shift. Justifying his entry into the race, he said that he has the unalienable right to run for the exalted office. His posters and billboards are already out. Many stakeholders have warned Umar of the consequences of his ambition. They alleged that the deputy governor had agreed not to aspire for any office beforehe was appointed by the governor. Analysts have described the acting governor as a “candidate of circumstance.” He came on board by sheer providence when the former deputy governor, Sani Abubakar Danladi, his kinsman from Karim-Lamido Local Government Area, was impeached by the House of Assembly. A few days after he became the deputy governor, the governor was involved in a plane crash in Yola, the capital of Adamawa

•Suntai

• Umar

state. In the saddle, Umar has consolidated his hold on power. For two years, he has been dictating the tune. He has been in charge of the state resources and apparatuses of government. But, he is perceived as an aspirant without a formidable political structure on ground. Today, the deputy governor cannot see his ailing boss, despite footing his medical bills. But, he has succeeded in sacking some commissioners and special advisers appointed by Suntai. He has also made futile attempts to remove the PDP Chairman, Victor Bala, and other party executives, whole accused of plotting his downfall. Bala, a trusted loyalist of Suntai, has expressed dissatisfaction with the acting governor’s moves. He has also refused to back his governorship bid, insisting that the ticket should go to Taraba south. “For now, I hold the ticket,” said the chairman. Umar, popularly known as UTC, was a private businessman before his appointment as the deputy governor. Many see him as a political neophyte and a reclusive leader. At a time, he had plotted against his boss by instigating

• Bwacha

• Kente

the setting up of a medical panel to investigate his medical condition. The court has however, restrained him. As the acting governor, he is floating. Many PDP chieftains and community leaders have accused him of “utter disloyalty.” The also said that he is desperate. But, in the view of some stakeholders, Ishaku is an “imposed candidate.” He emerged as the consensus candidate, based on the support of the former defense minister. Some party leaders are kicking against his candidature. In fact, some stakeholders have challenged Danjuma on the criteria and process that threw the minister up. The fact that Ishaku is Danjuma’s kinsman from Takum local government has also enraged some people, who have accused him of ethnicity and favouritism. This puts Ishaku in a disadvantaged position because delegates that will finally decide his fate cut across the three senatorial zones. Ishaku has other hurdles to cross. He is perceived as a weak aspirant. Those opposing him at home say he is an Abuja politician, who has not been in touch with the grassroots. Others

‘There are other issues that will shape the contest. The former deputy governor, Danladi, is praying the Supreme Court to reverse his impeachment. He was impeached on October 4, 2012. His argument is that the House of Assembly did not follow the due process in removing him. If the verdict of the apex court favours Danladi, Umar would ceased to be the acting governor and deputy governor’

•Nyame

believe that he lacks the acumen, fortitude and tact to checkmate the acting governor. The minister may have also failed the “litmus test” when his candidate in the House of Assembly byeelection in his constituency lost to the candidate of the acting governor. As Danjuma’s candidate, the minister will now rely on the relics of the political structure established by the ailing governor. The Suntai structure has been partly demolished by the acting governor because he has a deep purse and controls power. Danjuma is the minister’s financier. The acclaimed political godfather, Jolly Nyame, is leading a think-tank for Ishaku. The former governor has rejected Umar’s ambition. He has held meetings with former commissioners and other functionaries, who served under him, urging them to endorse Ishaku. But, his efforts were fruitless. Kente appears to be the people’s candidate. He is the talk of the town. He is popular. Many see him as a man of honour and integrity. His philanthropy may pay off during the primaries. It may be a pay back time for him. Kente has been nursing the ambition to become the governor for almost a decade. He has consulted widely. He believes in the masses. He is opposed to monarchical democracy, godfatherism and imposition of candidates. He has a vision to fix Taraba, which has remained largely a semi-rural state, 23years after its creation. Kente is an advocate of ‘one man, one vote’ and he is confident of clinching the ticket. he has said that he will not back out of the race “Our people at home endorsed me as their choice, while Darius Ishaku was endorsed in Abuja by our elder statesman. To me, that is the interplay of politics and we will go to the poll to face the electorate and test our popularity,” he said. . But, can he survive without the backing of key leaders, who have adopted Ishaku? Ishaku has strengths and weaknesses. Tarabans say he does not know them and they also do not know him well. “When he comes home, he is not accessible. The man does not have any political structure on ground etcetera,” said an indigene, who added: “Ishaku’s biggest flop is the fact that he has been picked by a godfather, who is not based in the state and imposed on the people.” But, there are other issues that will shape the contest. The former deputy governor, Danladi, is praying the Supreme Court to reverse his impeachment. He was impeached on October 4, 2012. His argument is that the House of Assembly did not follow the due process in removing him. If the verdict of the apex court favours Danladi, Umar would ceased to be the acting governor and deputy governor. If Danladi takes over, the governorship battle will assume a new dimension. If he works with Suntai’s loyalists, Ishaku’s chances may be brightened. The development may neutralise other influences against power shift to the South. The state awaits the Supreme Court verdict.

THE NATION FRIDAY OCTOBER 10, 2014

POLITICS 2015: Akpabio, Emmanuel endorsed

EOPLES Democratic Party (PDP stakeholders in Etim Ekpo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State have endorsed Governor Godswill Akpabio’s ambition for the Senate. The people also endorsed the Secretary to Government, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, for the governorship election. Speaking at the Youth Support Scheme Programme in Etim Ekpo, the Commissioner for Special Duties, Mr. Emmanuel Enoidem, said: “ The endorsement is based on their performance and track record in office. Let us all rally round them so that the uncommon transformation being enjoyed can continue.” He added: The people of the council will gain a lot by supporting the candidature of the two leaders. It is therefore, in our interest that we rally round and give them the needed support.” Enoidem urged the people to gird their loins, saying that they have a role to play in the succession batle. He said:”The gathering is intended to sensitise the people to what they should expect, ahead of the polls. Information is power. The people need to know that Governor Akpabio is our adopted senatorial candidate and Udom Emmanuel is our adopted governorship candidate in the PDP.

Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun addressing supporters at Panseke, Abeokuta, during his assessment visit to Abeokuta South Local Government Area... yesterday.

Chief Ishola Filani is the Southwest Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)Caretaker Committee Chairman. In this interview with Assistant Editor GBADE OGUNWALE, the lawyer and politician bares his mind on the crisis in Ekiti State and the party’s plan for next year’s elections in the zone.

Filani: Attack on Ekiti judge unfortunate W

HAT is your reaction to the crisis in Ekiti State, especially the disruption of court processes and attack on judges? There are so many versions that we hear, But, I want to say that, from all the investigations carried out, the governor-elect, Ayo Fayose, did not assault or abuse any judge. Neither did he at any time instigate anybody to assault any judge. You see, it is very unfortunate that this kind of situation is happening in Ekiti now that we want to swear in the governor-elect. One thing we have to understand is that many of us, who are PDP officials and leaders, are also lawyers. As far as we are concerned, we would not allow our profession to be put in disrepute. I know people like myself, people like Toyin Olofintunyi, people like Anisulowo and the former AttorneyGeneral, all of us are members of the PDP and we are lawyers. We have the highest regard for the judiciary. Apart from that, most of the leaders of the PDP in EKiti State are responsible human beings, who will not allow that kind of thing to happen. It is wrong for anybody to have a feeling that the alleged assault on the judge in Ekiti State was instigated by Fayose or any of the party leaders. It was not the PDP or Fayose who organised any assault or any problem in the premises of the High Court. Justice Adaramola said he told Fayose to talk to his rowdy supporters, who were disturbing the proceedings ... I am not looking at this thing from the point of view of how the thing happened and who the thing happened in his presence. You were not there. I was not there. So, whatever we are saying about this matter is pure hearsay. Does that mean we cannot rely on the judge’s accounts? I am not saying that the judge is lying. What I am saying is that it was not the intention of any leader of the PDP, whether Fayose or any of us. It was an incident and there were thugs. Anytime anybody is going to any tribunal, whether the APC or the PDP, thugs will follow their leaders and in

the process, the minutest provocation can lead to anything. So, we are talking of a mob action here. I want to disabuse your mind and the minds of the public that what happened was a mob action. Fayose did not instigate anybody, Fayose did not slap anybody, Fayose did not direct anybody to be assaulted from all the investigations that we have had in this matter. And that is why I said many leaders who are lawyers were at the court to represent the PDP, lawyers were there to represent the APC and therefore, it is a very unfortunate incident. But, for anybody to ascribe it to the governor-elect or any of the PDP leaders being responsible, I want to say categorically that no PDP leader, not to talk of our newly elected governor, directed or in any way had anything to do with the mob action of that day. Thugs follow political leaders all over the place. Are you being fair to the judge that was attacked? There are two issues: the attack on the judge and who attacked the judge. There are two different things. What sanction would you prescribe for those who would be found culpable of the attack after the investigation? Whosoever is found culpable of attacking the judge, whether in the APC or in the PDP, must be sanctioned. Don’t let us talk about the PDP alone because it was not only the PDP that was there. The case was between the PDP and the APC. It was not as if the PDP went to the court premises alone. The fact that the governor elect was there does not mean that the governor elect or any PDP member is responsible for the assault. The assault is regrettable. I am a senior lawyer, some forty years old at the bar and I would not sit down to see any member of the bar or bench assaulted. What we are saying is that here is a situation where there is a case between two parties and representatives of both parties at the court premises. Where it is proved that ABCD are the perpetrators, they should be sanctioned. But it is very unfortunate and I am saying it with every sense of

• Filani

responsibility that all of us, both the PDP and the APC were present at the court that day. It was not only the PDP that was present at the court that day. The leadership of the APC has condemned the attack. Why is the PDP not condemning it? Do you think any reasonable person will say assaulting a judge is reasonable? Our party has condemned the hooliganism. Is Olisa Metuh’s statement tantamount to saying that we did not say anything. You people are just looking for every opportunity to hang this on PDP. It is impos-

sible to say it is the PDP that is responsible because it was not only PDP that was present at the court. Lagos lawyer Femi Falana has expressed the fear that a section of the elite in EKiti might go on exile, if Fayose is sworn in, for fear of being attacked... Because there is an a incident in the court, the elite in Ekiti want to leave Ekiti? Let me tell you one thing, somebody who you don’t like, there is nothing he will say that will be good to your hearing. How do you relate that to when Fayose becomes governor? I am trying to be objective as far as this matter is concerned, at forty years old at the bar, the bar is my primary home, law is my profession but that will not close my eyes to objectivity. On October 16, Fayose will be sworn in as the governor. What advice would you give to him as an elder in the party? Whatever advice I have, I am not going to start advising him on the pages of newspapers. I have access to him and as a party leader among party leaders, we all have access to him. Whatever advice we want to give him, will not start from now, we have been advising him and he has been adhering to the advice. What is the situation with the PDP in the Southwest? Everything is normal and we are preparing for our congress which we have not been able to hold for some time now. The congress is coming up this

Saturday in Ibadan. The Ekiti PDP has said its members would not be part of the congress... They never said so. The congress is coming up in Ibadan and there is no protest against that by anybody. All is well in the southwest PDP. How far do you think the PDP can go in the Southwest in next year’s elections? Of course, we are going to go far in 2015. The caretaker committee, which I am heading, all we have been able to do in the past one year is to bring all our people together. Even those who had cause to leave the party, we have brought them back. Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State was a member of the party and he has come back. Gbenga Daniel is also back. We have brought back all the people that left and that is because we are preparing hard to ensure that come 2015, President Goodluck Jonathan is reelected for the second term. We are doing this because our President has done a lot of turn over for good in this country. Look at the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, it is under repairs, look at the Oyo-Ibadan road, look at the ports, look at the airports, look at he appointment of our people into various positions in government, look at what has been done for women, for education; about 22 universities were created, one is in the Southwest with two campuses in Oye and Ikole Ekiti.

Monarchs endorse aspirant

RADITIONAL rulers and com munity leaders in Andoni, Riv ers State, have endorsed Major Lancelot Anyanya (rtd)for the next governorship election in Rivers State. Urging him to forge ahead in his bid, they also advised him reach out to stakeholders across the ethnic groups. Anyanya unfolded his plans, saying that the development of Rivers State is his main priority. He said: “Rivers State is destined

to be the leader.The reality is that we have not achieved greatness. In the new Rivers State of our dream, the only limitation to greatness is the individual.” The royal fathers explained that they supported the retired soldier because he has the experience and the ability to rule the state. The aspirant promised to serve diligently and restore the glory of the state. He said the declaration of ambition is the product of painstaking soul serching and sober reflection for two years. Anyanya said: “When I started this

journey, many voices rose up to ask why it should not be done, why it cannot be done and why I should not do it. But, every great thing that God does starts small. Having prayed through, having thought about Rivers State and understanding that God doesn’t give a talent without a purpose, I came to the conclusion that I should serve the people with my education, exposure and experience. I know God loves Rivers State and that is why at this point in time God has put it in our hearts to embark on this journey.”

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2014

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net Stories by Taofik Salako

NLNG is one of the biggest success stories in our country. From what I am told, the company has invested $13 billion so far since inception, and has become a pacesetter in terms of revenue generation for the government. -Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr Olusegun Aganga

Wiko takes partners to Dubai ahead of launch

China, EU close to ending telecoms row

HEAD of its formal launch, Wiko Mobile has taken 12 channel partners on an excursion to Dubai to interact with other partners across the globe as it rolls out across the world. The channel partners met with their counterparts from Kenya, Vietnam and Saudi Arabia. Its Country Sales Manager Nigeria, Mr. John Peters, said the Dubai excursion enabled channel partners from the country to interact with other Wiko associates around the world so as to understand the Wiko brand culture, brand vision and brand attributes. The channel partners were drawn from key markets across the country, underlining the vision of the brand to take a significant share of the phone market from onset. Peters said:“Wiko took 12 channel partners from Nigeria to a prelaunch function in Dubai along with their counterparts from across the globe. This was to explain to them Wiko’s value proposition, product proposition and also show them the road map. “This is to enable them grasp the concept of how Wiko intends to operate in all the countries they will be launching their product. Countries such as Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, Kenya and Nigeria have been pencilled down by the firm for launch. So all representatives from these countries were brought to Dubai so they could get full details of what Wiko is all about.” He said it was important that Nigerian channel partners, “understand the Wiko story and know what specifically Wiko intends to do in each market. So market-wise, coverage-wise and channel-wise all these were explained to them at that meet in Dubai.” Wiko Mobile will launch later this month at the Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos with the introduction of 10 products from the over 20 products in its stable. Wiko offers a value proposition of stylish yet affordable products across the spectrum from low-end to high-end.

DATA STREAM COMMODITY PRICES Oil -$117.4/barrel Cocoa -$2,686.35/metric ton Coffee - ¢132.70/pound Cotton - ¢95.17pound Gold -$1,396.9/troy Sugar -$163/lb MARKET CAPITALISATIONS NSE -N11.4 trillion JSE -Z5.112trillion NYSE -$10.84 trillion LSE -£61.67 trillion RATES Inflation -8% Treasury Bills -10.58%(91d) Maximum lending -30% Prime lending -15.87% Savings rate -1% 91-day NTB -15% Time Deposit -5.49% MPR -12% Foreign Reserve $45b FOREX CFA -0.2958 EUR -206.9 £ -242.1 $ -156 ¥ -1.9179 SDR -238 RIYAL 40.472

• From left: Chief Executive, Eclat Nigeria, Miss Naomi Lucas; Head, Brand Management, Sterling Bank Plc, Mr. Abiola Aloba, and a prominent online media practitioner, Mr. Omojuwa Japhet, during a press conference to announce the flag-off this year’s Social Media Award, Africa in Lagos.

Shell stalls gas agreement for Afam power plant T

HE Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) has been accused of delaying the privatisation of Afam Power Plant by the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) for undisclosed reasons. This is because the oil major has continued to delay the signing of the Gas Purchase Agreement (GPA) for the power plant. Being a condition precedent for the sale of the plant to its preferred bidder, Televeras Group, which was expected to pay its 75 per cent balance three days ago, the Federal Government could not conclude the privatisation of the plant without the agreement. BPE Director-General, Mr. Benjamin Dikki disclosed this to The Nation in Abuja via a short message service (SMS). Asked what has been delaying the signing of the GPA for the plant, he replied: “There are issues with the gas suppliersShell.” When our reporter called SPDC’s spokesman, Mr. Pre-

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

cious Okolobo on phone to respond to the story, he said since it was a public holiday, he should be given time to find out. “Today is a public holiday; I will find out and get back to you,” he said. But as at the time of going to the press yesterday, Okolobo refused to pick the call of our correspondent neither did the text message sent to his mobile phone elicited any response. It would be recalled that the the Federal Government had granted the request by Televeras Group and Northwest Power Plc- the preferred bidders for Afam Power Plc and Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company respectively for the extension of date of payment of the balance of 75 per cent of purchase price by additional 60 days, from August 6 to October 6. Televeras Group had on May 19 requested from the Federal Government an extension of time to pay the balance of the 75 per cent bid price for the power

company because gas agreement that is germane to the completion under the Share Purchase Agreement (SPA) it signed with the government had not been executed. Televeras lamented that the bankability of the transaction was predicated on the execution of the gas agreement and that the non-execution of the agreement has made it difficult to satisfy the due diligence enquiry required for raising the funds for financing of its pre and post acquisition plans. For Northwest Power Limited, the preferred bidder for the Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company, it had on July 25 requested an extension of transaction timeline by 60 days due to the recent security challenges experienced within the Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company which made its offshore financiers to postpone disbursement of bank facilities already obtained. The company explained

that though it had secured financing for the transaction from a foreign bank, the bank had requested for additional time to review the transaction in the aftermath of the security challenges in Kaduna to ensure the safety of its funds. Televeras had paid the initial deposit of 25 percent of the bid price of $65,012,500 for the Afam Power Plant and Northwest Power Plc $40,750,000 for the Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company following which the SPA were executed by the two parties. They were required to pay the outstanding balance of 75 per cent of the bid price within six months of the execution of the SPA on August 6 this year. But there were indications last week that the BPE might extend the October 6 deadline for the payment because of SPDC’s ddelay of the GPA. Dikki told reporters in Abuja that following the three public holidays in the same month, government would look into the deadline for the payment of the 75 per cent balance.

AfDB approves 10m Euro investment in private equity fund

HE Board of Directors of the African Development Bank has approved a 10 million Euro equity investment in the African compartment of the Moringa Private Equity Fund. Moringa will invest in scalable, replicable agro forestry projects in sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America. The fund will invest in projects that combine plantation forestry (producing biomass, fuel wood or timber) with agricultural elements (producing staple food crops for local markets and/or niche export crops) to capture most of the value chain. It will also be associated with a grantbased Technical Assistance Facility. Sponsored by La Compagnie

By Collins Nweze

Benjamin de Rothschild (CBR) and ONF International (ONFI), the international subsidiary of the French Office National des Forêts, the Fund will benefit from CBR back-office and investment platform, while ONFI contributes agro forestry technical expertise and regional presence in the Fund’s targeted geographies. The Moringa investment strategy is well aligned with the AfDB’s 10-Year Strategy (2013 to 2022), focusing on inclusive green growth as the pathway to sustainable development and creating broad-based prosperity, as well as the Bank’s Climate Change Action Plan, which aims to make investments to reduce the continent’s vulner-

ability to climate change. This strategic feat should allow the bank to provide a significant boost to Moringa’s operations via its high public profile, sector expertise and network across the African continent. Agro forestry generates a strong and diversified platform for the development of forestry sector businesses, whilst also paying attention to the need for agricultural production. Smallholders benefit from an income diversification supported by an investor with a long time horizon. The Fund will drive better land management, higher and more sustainable income for local populations, and a positive environmental impact on

carbon storage, soil/water management and biodiversity. By investing in sustainable agro forestry solutions, the Fund will assist Governments in meeting their adaptation and mitigation targets. The AfDBwill provide an equity investment of up to 10 million Euro to an African-based vehicle, which has been established for investments located in sub-Saharan Africa. The bank’s investment brings total commitments to Moringa to almost 70 million Euro and, as the first investor from the African continent in the fund, provides further validation of the fund’s African strategy and prospects as the fund enters the final fundraising phase.

HINA and the European Union (EU) are closing in on a deal to resolve a long-running telecoms dispute by the end of the month, people close to the matter have said. They say this will potentially put an end to one of the most divisive issues between the two big trade partners. The EU’s trade chief is ready to drop an investigation into what Brussels says are illegal subsidies to Chinese makers of equipment for mobile telecom networks if China makes concessions. Imports of such equipment into the EU are worth an annual 1 billion euros (81 million pounds) and bring Chinese companies into competition with European firms including Ericsson, the world’s biggest mobile telecom equipment maker, Nokia Siemens Networks and Alcatel-Lucent. Beijing is considering a deal in which China promises to limit its export credits to China’s No. 2 telecoms equipment maker Huawei and the smaller ZTE, people close to the talks told Reuters. Both sides would also agree to monitor the market share of Chinese telecoms companies in Europe and European companies in China. They would also cooperate on industrial research and standardisation in the telecoms sector. Resolving the telecoms issue could dramatically change the tone of the bilateral relationship. Europe is China’s most important trading partner and for the EU, China is second only to the United States (U.S.). A successful telecoms agreement could pave the way for a wider free-trade accord in the future. “The two parties have reached a common understanding on all the four issues and they are looking to cut a final deal,” said one person close to the talks who declined to be named because of the sensitivity of the issue. Another person said EU Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht wants to reach a deal before he leaves office on Oct. 31. “This investigation was De Gucht’s issue. He doesn’t want to leave this with his successor,” the person said, saying that De Gucht had held phone conversations with China’s Minister of Commerce Gao Hucheng. According to an EU document seen by Reuters, the Commission says Huawei’s swift rise in the European telecoms equipment market-from a 2.5 per cent market share in 2006 to a 25 per cent share todaycould only have been achieved with state aid that global trade rules say are illegal. The document said Huawei and ZTE have prices that are 18 per cent below those of EU producers, hurting the profitability of European manufacturers. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang will meet senior EU officials at a summit in Milan between Oct. 16 and 17 and is expected to discuss the issue. The European Commission declined official comment. Failure to reach a deal could potentially see the EU executive launching an anti-subsidy procedure imposing punitive levies on Chinese telecoms equipment exports.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2014

THE NATION

BUSINESS BRANDS & MARKETING

e-mail: adedejiademigbuji@yahoo.com /mobile line: 08131075667

Are customers really kings/queens? Many business outfits pay lip service to the refrain: ‘The customer is king’. But the way they treat their customers shows that they are only interested in what they get from them. For the banking industry, this is more pronounced as the lenders are interested in the customers’ deposits and interest on loans, among others. But when the customers need the banks, they are hardly there. A new marketing campaign by FirstBank of Nigeria, You First, is determined to change this trend, ADEDEJI ADEMIGBUJI writes.

REATING customers as king is a new marketing concept. It is a management orientation which maintains that firms establish relationships with selected target customers for whom superior values are designed, offered, redefined and realised in close cooperation with other partners in the marketing system to realise long-term profits through customer satisfaction. According to experts, the new thinking in marketing is making firms to embark on broader reinterpretation of their marketing approach, hence, placing the customer in a pivotal role. In the Nigerian banking sector, customers hardly enjoy any good service or benefit and they have continued to suffer great abuse. Some years ago, reports indicated that customer confidence in Nigerian banks was low as most of them reportedly lacked respect for their customers. However, considering the harsh environment under which the banks operate, experts believe the path to achieving customer centricity can be long and difficult, especially for well-established companies. “The challenge is creating business models that deliver what customers want, and developing the critical new capabilities to enable transformation,” Forbes magazine stated. But in a new campaign, You First, unveiled by FirstBank of Nigeria, the oldest bank is raising a hope for customers. The 120-year-old bank has signaled its new marketing concept when it rebranded its logo and redesigned its brand story early in the year. With the slogan, You First, campaign critics have argued that FirstBank has seen that today’s customers are more discerning and they don’t want to be caught in the web of their fury. While some old banks are failing because they could not connect with the new upwardly mobile customers, FirstBank’s You First, it’s believed, would change customers’ psyche through new brand architecture, such as new logo, colour, redesigned elephants, coupled with improved services which are enhanced by technology. The GMD/CEO of FirstBank, Bisi Onasanya, said the lender was committed to putting the customer first and would continuously generate initiatives that resonate with customer needs and aspirations while delivering the ultimate gold standard of service always. He said: “At FirstBank, we recognise the immutable merits of maintaining a You first mindset and culture, as a critical component of our business strategy. Our brand has evolved over the years, with strengthened brand muscles to match the constantly evolving expectations of today’s increasingly discerning stakeholders.” Its Head, Marketing & Corporate Communications, Folake AniMumuney, said the bank would continue to deliver memorable

customer experience that is consistent, deliberate and differentiated; one that delights and surprises to fulfill the campaign promise, You First. She said: “We must remain dynamic by continuously innovating in line with the consumers’ changing preferences while re-aligning our operations in response to market trends. As a major player in the Nigerian economy, it is only logical that we must be the change leader and adapt to meet the needs of our consumers. “For those desirous of taking advantage of the growth opportunities in Nigeria, there can be no substitute for our on-the-ground presence in Africa’s biggest economy. “FirstBank has been investing continuously in Nigerian for the better part of 120 years. This experience has yielded many lessons that have continued to help us in developing and implementing strategies and initiatives for sustainable growth.”

Ani-Mumuney, who gave an insight into the logo, said the body of the elephant has evolved as the bank’s name signifing that customers of the bank drive the brand. The new trend has positioned the bank as a consumercentric bank with service excellence built on a new direction. Analysing the new brand icon of the bank, Ani-Mumuney said, the elephant’s raised head, forward raised-leg and eyes raised signify a focused and forward-looking bank. She, however, said the refreshed identity reiterates the bank’s new commitment to serving customers better, and also to expanding its service to other countries as a global brand that has operated in the sector for 120 years. She said: “We have re-ignited this iconic symbol with a number of enhancements that communicates a robust evolution relevant to today’s banking business. The raised head of the elephant in our re-

freshed identity is our promise to all customers that with the bank by them every financial challenge they face, they can face with their head held high. The deep blue colour according her represents momentum, innovation and evolution. The raised foot of the elephant according to her is a promise that the bank will always put its foot forward for each and every one of its customers.” Meanwhile, analyst at Forbes Magazine listed three essential steps to customer centricity. The global business magazine urged firms to create customer-centric operating models. “An organisation focused on the consumer builds an operating model around a deep understanding of what they value and the contribution each makes to the profitability of the company,” the magazine stated. It also urged firms to use data analytics as a tool for designing effective customer experience. “Data analytics has become criti-

‘At FirstBank, we recognise the immutable merits of maintaining a You first mindset and culture, as a critical component of our business strategy. Our brand has evolved over the years, with strengthened brand muscles to match the constantly evolving expectations of today’s increasingly discerning stakeholders’

cal to designing an effective customer experience. Companies need to understand the true drivers of customer satisfaction — for every segment. What aspects of their experience (price, personal attention, response time, service, etc.) will have the most positive impact? “Equally, companies must identify what is not driving value, as this presents an opportunity to reduce costs,” analyst said. Companies are also urged to get social through effective integration of digital channels across sales and service activities in order to deliver a positive, brand-reinforcing customer experience at every touchpoint in the customer relationship life cycle. “It enables you to harness real-time feedback at a lower cost than traditional customer service channels,” said analyst. However, a recent survey showed that Nigerian bank customers have the highest level of trust for their preferred financial services providers (PFSP). The Ernst & Young (EY) 2014 global consumer banking survey released April 28th in Lagos, showed that 69 per cent of Nigerian banking customers had confidence in their banks, the highest in Africa and second highest globally, behind India. The You First campaign it’s believed must have reckoned with this trend to communicate clearly to the customers that, despite that the bank is the oldest, it is still in touch with the desires of the new generation of bank customers.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2014

Brandnews

Rising profile of consumer activation E

XPERIENTIAL marketing connects consumers with brands via face-to-face engagement and leaves personal memories that enhance high level of brand recall. Though with consumers still inundated with traditional advertising platforms, such as Tv, radio, billboards, newspapers and magazines, among other abovethe-lines, last year proved to be an embryonic year for experiential marketing as it laid the foundation for the future of the emerging

Stories by Adedeji Ademigbuji

aspect of marketing communication and bonding with consumers. In what appeared as a boom last year, the use of consumer activation or what might be termed as brand activations in experiential marketing is already showing a good yield for the emerging marketing communication aspect in 2014. It is estimated that so far over 20,000 experiential marketing activities were implemented in Nigeria. After overcoming a piece meal attention from brands handlers, it is

swiftly becoming a key tactic in campaigns. From reports, its budget increased by 7.6 per cent in 2013, against economic growth of 1.6 per cent, and it is predicted to skyrocket even further this year. The Chief Executive Officer, Oracle Agency, Felix Eiremiokhae, reflects of the rising profile on experiential marketing. “Experiential marketing is the real conversations and meaningful impressions you can count. On the surface, it looks like experiential produces smaller numbers, but experiential is about quality over quan-

tity, and they’re authentic numbers. This is the difference between big data and real data,” he said. Also, an experiential marketing expert, Ororo Azemhobor said the emerging marketing tactics could deliver more audience than traditional advertising, “Half a million people could read a newspaper, but does that mean half a million people read the advert inside? No. Traditional has a larger potential reach but experiential gives a realistic impression count based on direct engagements.” When building brand activation, experts said experiential marketers must understand that storytelling is key to delivering return on investment for brand owners. “You must have a good story; when you have a good story, you now talk of production,” Azemhobor said. For instance, the past three editions of Amstel Malta ShowTime hardly made any impact with storytelling. Consumers’ opinion on the activation generally was poor as many of them wanted the show yanked off even before it began. But after understanding the importance of storytelling in experiential marketing, the 2014 edition of the

ShowTime appealed to the right audience. “This year’s Amstel Malta ShowTime featured entertainers like Sound Sultan, Phyno, Gordons, and others who took Lagos by storm with superb performances at the finale in the indoor sports hall of the University of Lagos. The entertainers featured in the Lagos edition of the concert drama directed by Ice Nweke, tagged “The Rush” – which fused artistry by ballerinas, singers, actors, fire eaters, jugglers, dancers, rappers, instrumentalists, comedians, et al – told the story of a young man’s journey to success in brilliant theatre,” said a brand analyst. With the good story-telling for the activation, a musical star, Sound Sultan, who also served as a judge and mentor on ShowTime this season, said “the experience has been worth every single hype.” Amstel Malta Brand Manager, Hannatu Ageni-Yusuf, expressed pleasure at the success of the 2014 edition of ShowTime expressed his delight, “this edition has been the most explosive we’ve ever had and we are very glad as a brand that we decided to do this. We thought of a way to give young talents a better opportunity to showcase them, rather than just compete and walk home with cash prizes”.

SO&U chief gets national honour

T • The President, White House Hotel, Mr Austin Eruotor, sharing rice to pupils of Makoko Community in Lagos during the 10th year celebration of the hotel in Lagos.

StarTimes’ Hausa channel comes on stream

ESPITE the insurgency rocking the northeastern part of the country, driving away many brands, some by nature of the service they offer have continued to include the market in their offerings. The residents of the regional market were surprised recently when StarTimes, a digital terrestrial television (DTT) pay TV operator, announced that it was offering a channel named Dadin Kowa to cater for its audience who speak Hausa. The channel is aimed at showcasing the rich cultural attributes of the Hausas, whose language is one of the major languages in the country and spoken by the majority in the northern fringe of Nigeria. The Content Manager of the NTAStar TV Network Ayokunle Idowu, , said that Dadin Kowa has a rich outlook into the Hausa lifestyle. “The channel, which is currently targeted at the whole family, is aimed at showcasing the rich cul-

tural attributes of the Hausa people. The content of new channel will include some Hausa-dubbed Chinese drama series. These drama series were translated from Chinese into Hausa by Nigerians, who acted as voice-overs in the Chinese drama series; as such, our customers would be watching Chinese actors speak in Hausa.” He reiterated that StarTimes would not relent in its efforts to ensure that its customers get quality content. “We recently unveiled our new sports channel, Star Sport 2, to meet up with the demands of our clients for more sports content particularly exclusive content. While the channel would be offering a wide range of sports including soccer, rugby, tennis, car race and extreme sports, StarTimes has the exclusive rights to air some soccer competitions of the on-going European Qualifiers for UEFA EURO Cup, which is currently being aired on the channel.”

Idowu added that StarTimes is committed to ensuring that its customers enjoy the best of digital television at an affordable price. “We would not relent in ensuring that we meet the demands of our customers for quality content as we have done with the launch of Dadin Kowa. Besides we, as a platform for digital migration, are ever committed to helping Nigerians actualise the 2015 deadline by ensuring that Nigerians get the best of digital television at an affordable price. “Nigerians can confidently migrate into digital space with StarTimes as we provide the latest technology in DTT operations – DVB-T2 technology – which will give over 80 channels and quality digital entertainment. Our DVB-T2 decoder gathers over 80 channels of great sports, music, movies, news, kids and teens’ entertainment, documentary, religion and lots more,” he said.

‘Why Spar is major tenant in Abia Mall’

HE choice of Spar as the maintenant in the new Abia Mall in Umuahia has been attributed to global rating which placed the retail chain as the world best the retail business. This assertion was made by the Abia Commissioner for Information, Hon. Chikamayo Eze during a meeting with key stakeholders and retailers in Lagos. He said having a great retail chain, such as Spar, in the mall, will reposition the state capital as a commercial hub. The mall, which is the newest addition to the growing retail space in Nigeria, is set to open for business in April 2015. The fully-digital mall, with 24-hour power supply and free parking space, considered a one-stop destination for dining, shopping, entertainment, banking and telecommunications, would boost the economy of Abia

State in the region of 10 per cent to 15 per cent, said Eze. According to the property developer, Pro-M Limited, the convenience of a fully air-conditioned mall housed within an area of 11,557 square metres will soon be within the reach of everyone in Abia. The mall is set to contribute to the continuous economic growth in the East such as provision of jobs to its immediate environs. Recently, there has been renaissance of mall culture around the country. Started with Palm Shopping Mall in 2004, which was commissioned by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, the major state capitals and cities have experienced the establishment of mega shopping acres. According to Eze, the government has no reason in the management of businesses but would create an enabling environment for busi-

nesses to thrive in the state. Government has no business in running this, the beauty of government today is to provide enabling environment for private people to operate and to provide amenity to the community, because the essence of governance is welfare of the people, is not management of business.” Explaining the economic viability of the project in the state, Director, Abia Retail Company, Chuka Okoye said that the mall alone would generate over 1600 direct and indirect jobs in the state capital. He, however, assured tenants that the mall management has put in place arrangement to promote good business relationship hence to encourage growing businesses. “We have over 60 per cent of the mall occupied already, we have dragged global brands like SPAR and others to Abia State,” Okoye said.

HE Group Managing Director of, SO&U Group, Mr. Uffot Udeme, is the first advertising practitioner to receive the National Honour, The Nation has learnt. Udeme was recently conferred with a national honour of Member of the order of the Federal Republic (MFR) by President Goodluck Jonathan government. “This is the first time anyone from the advertising industry will be so honoured. Udeme Ufot is in full advertising practice as at date, and the very first in his generation of practitioners. His recent is a testament to his hardwork and contribution to the marketing communications industry,” an industry player said. Within the advertising industry, he co-founded one of Nigeria’s most successful and respected marketing communications group which has endured and continues as a key player for nearly 25 years. He started agency from a humble start of two bricks and a plank but today SO&U group has metamor-

phosed into a strong brand with the following subsidiaries: SO&U Advertising, Publicis Consultants/ Soulcomm, Maximedia and Lucid Audio visuals thereby making it a fully fledged marketing communications group. The agency has been associated with some of the most outstanding brand building campaigns in Nigeria, thus contributing significantly to the growth of the Nigerian economy. Quite a number of the new emerging industry leaders cut their teeth at SO&U. He has been a director of the Nigeria Economic Summit Group, Nigeria’s leading public/private sector partnership economic think tank for over seven years. He was joint chairman of the organising committee of Summit 12 in 2006, having worked as a key member of, and later subcommittee chair, in the planning committees of Summits 8, 9, 10 and 11. Board members of NESG sacrifice both time and financial resources in the service of the nation in tandem with the slogan “we pay to serve”.

X3M Ideas bags ‘Telecom Marketing Company’ award

AGOS marketing communications agency, X3M Ideas has won the coveted award of the “Telecom Marketing Company of the Year” at the 10th edition of the Nigerian Telecom Awards which held last Saturday in Lagos. Top contenders for the popular award and their relevant portfolios include 141-Worldwide (for Etisalat Portfolio); DDB Lagos (for MTN Portfolio) and X3M Ideas (Etisalat Portfolio). All three agencies were shortlisted on the nomination list for the ‘Telecoms Marketing Company of the Year” award under the telecom & Allied products segment. At the end of the judging session, X3M Ideas defiled book makers’ predictions to beat the more experienced agencies to cart home the landmark 10th edition award in “Telecoms Marketing Company of the Year” category. According to the organisers, the rationale for the nomination and judgment parameters are very clear and independently carried out by an autonomous panel of Assessors & Judges. These include analysing available statistics, creative portfolio submitted and

the rationale behind them, researches are conducted while we also interviewed relevant contacts. Speaking on the awards, Secretary General, Nigerian Telecoms Awards, Otunba Biodun Ajiboye said the awards organised by TelecomNews has passed the litmus test having been on for 10 years and known for its credible evaluation process. “If we have got to this stage, it means that the award has sailed through the tides of time and has come to stay as an elixir for the telecoms industry and allied service providers.” Steve Babaeko, Creative Director/ CEO, X3M Ideas, speaking on the Telecom Marketing company of the year award won by his agency, said: “we are grateful to God and our clients for giving us the opportunity”. He, however, noted that as an agency, the intention is to create ads that work for our clients by moving their stocks. If awards are won along the way, “we are happy but will never get carried away by the euphoria. We will always have our eyes on the ball – our client’s marketing objectives and our reason for being their agency”

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2014

THE NATION

BUSINESS SHOPPING

E-mail: toniaitose@gmail.com

Sms : 07035302326 Website:- http://www.thenationonlineng.net

Though the state government has been trying to stop hawking of wares in traffic for very obvious reasons, buying and selling in Lagos traffic have come to stay. To some people, it is a delightful experience; to others, it is repulsive. They see the practice as a sort of social menace, TONIA ‘DIYAN reports.

•The old Oshodi in Lagos

Shopping in Lagos traffic stream T

HOUGH traffic snarls abound in many other urban centres across the country, that of Lagos appears intractable. In spite of concerted efforts by the Federal and state governments to address the daily agonies of both motorists and commuters, there appears to be no respite in sight. This is understandable. Lagos is a city most sought after for the listless opportunities that abound in it for skilled and unskilled, literate and illiterate labourers. It is estimated that about 20 million people from different walks of life live and work in Lagos. The International Labour Organisation (ILO) and other global bodies have decried rising youth unemployment rate in the country. This unemployment crisis and the punitive cost of renting a shop in the city may have forced many youths to take advantage of the daily traffic gridlock across the city to eke a living. Traffic gridlock is a daily occurrence in Lagos. On the mainland, from the long stretch of Ikorodu road down to the Third Mainland Bridge and on the notorious Agege Motor Road stretching from Mushin to Oshodi then to the Lagos/Abeokuta Road, the story is the same. From Oshodi Mile-2/Apapa/Orile/Maza-Maza down to LASU Iyana Oba Road it is traffic snarls all the way.The same goes for Oshodi to Obalende ,Lekki,Ajah and Epe. It has more often than not, made life miserable for both motorists and commuters. Akin Adelaja leaves home every morning through the horrendous traffic, faces same rigour when returning home from his work place, yet he is comfortable buying

•Idumota Lagos

in such a harsh environment. Akin’s wife, Feyisara, finds it more convenient to buy food items by the road side. Feyisara, who was sighted buying a big sized croaker fish and other soup ingredients along Ikorodu Road (Ketu area on the outskirts of the city) told The Nation Shopping that though the unusual market compounds the traffic situation, it is a trend that Lagosians have become used to. She said: “When I am trapped in traffic longer than usual, I become exhausted and lack the strength and time to visit the regular market. Again, things are cheaper here than in the conventional markets. If I can get everything I need to prepare a meal on the road, why stress myself even on weekends to go shopping in a conventional market?” However, traders who sell in traffic are smart; they readily move their wares from the markets to the roadside, especially during the evenings when workers are expected to have closed from their various work places. They hawk and shove their wares in the faces of people as they are held up in traffic persuading them to patronise them, shouting the common refrain: ‘Buy, Buy, Na small money’.. They even hang on vehicles, sometimes tapping on car windows and asking people to roll down to check their displayed wares. A road side trader at Onipanu, Mr Ugo Amechi said: “We want to cater for people’s needs and also make more money. This is what we traders call night market; it is an opportunity for us to make sales if we didn’t make much during the day inside our shops. It is also an opportunity for people patronising us to save time and avoid stress of visiting the market aside the stress faced

in the traffic.” It is difficult to find a society that does not have its own peculiar problems. No matter where a person lives, social problems are inevitable. One of the social problems that is peculiar to Lagos is traffic. It didn’t just begin; it has become a regular feature of Lagos from time immemorial. Yes, we all buy one thing or the other in traffic. Items such as newspapers, magazines, bottled drinks, water, rechargeable lamps, top-up cards for mobile phones, loaves of bread, fruits, plantain chips and the popular gala that many can’t do without when caught in traffic. Even petrol is sold in gallons for motorists who burn fuel during traffic, especially during fuel scarcity. Most often, traders who are involved in this act use it as a means of survival to provide the basic necessities of life for their family. They could also have resorted to it as a last resort because many of them feel neglected and often accuse the government of failing to provide them with any form of amenities. The high cost of rent charged on shops is another reason why some of these traders find themselves on the highway. Traders have claimed that officials of the government allocate shops to civil servants who are not traders who in turn sublet these shops at very high prices. High unemployment rate is also a contributing factor. However, experts have described the act as a phenomenon causing obstruction to public access to footprints, reducing the beauty and orderliness in the states, causing more congestion on roads also limiting sustainable economic tourist development. They say most times, it generates solid waste which when not properly managed

•Traders beckon on customers

results in hygiene problems, especially for traders dealing with food items. A law which makes it illegal to purchase or sell on the street was recently enacted and illegal shops pulled down warning that anyone caught in such act would face the wrath of the law. In reaction to the law, traders involved through their trade unions organised protest marches and demonstration several times. Those who see the measure of the government to curb the menace as unfair have also argued that it does not only have its negative side but also its positive side. Its positive side includes serving as a means of employment to those that are unemployed as it engages people in doing something useful. Goods can be purchased anytime because the traders do not have a definite closing hour, cheap services are made available to members of the public making sure their location is accessible and goods are provided at cheap prices since they do not have the expense of overhead cost such as rent unlike other retail stores. Findings have shown that traders found on the highway during traffic are not displaced traders who have no shops to stay and sell but rather, they are traders that prefer to come out of their hiding places as they often would call their rented shops inside the markets. “It pays us more to be here, especially at this time”, said Mr Uchena Kalu, who owns a bakery at Oshodi but goes to various bus stops around to supply bread sellers on the highway fresh and hot. Buying and selling in the middle of the ocean of Lagos traffic is different strokes to different folks!

Newspaper of the Year

AN EIGHT-PAGE PULLOUT ON THE SOUTHSOUTH STATES

•Omene

GEN. AZIZA

CHARITY

As the Urhobo nation buries its departed national leader, Gen. Patrick Aziza, the solidarity and brotherhood it shares with other ethnic nations in Delta State, such as Itsekiri and Isoko, becomes an issue for discussion.

RELIGIOUS leaders and over 200 beneficiaries of his philanthropy prayed for High Chief O.B. Lulu-Briggs, his wife, Sienye and his family at an event to mark Mrs Lulu-Briggs’ 56th birthday.

•PAGE 33

•Mrs Lulu-Briggs

•PAGE 31 •Imoke

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2014

PAGE 29

CALAB AR CALABAR

Calabar, the Cross River State capital, boasts of being a wellplanned city. The government is doing its all to ensure this is not distorted by insisting land owners must not turn the city into a forest of concrete •PAGE 34

Small arms, lethal effects •Proliferation of illegal arms in the Niger Delta calls for concern

• See story on page 30

• YOU HAVE STORIES FOR US? PLEASE CONTACT US ON 07066954441 OR 08123521990

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2014

NIGER DELTA REPORT COVER

NIGER DELTA REPORT FEATURE

Corps member facilitates scholarship for seven orphans

Small arms, lethal effects

HOUGH he is a National Youth Service Corps member, he has facilitated scholarships for seven orphans from nursery school to Primary 6. Samson Oluwagbemiga Bisiriyu from Lagos State serving with the Ikom local government area in Cross River State said the gesture was in fulfilment of the motto of the corps which is service and humanity. It was learnt scholarship was going to cost N13, 000 per session for each of the children per session till they are through. The corps member also printed and distributed 1, 500 exercise books to pupils in different schools as well as constructed a monument for the council. Bisiriyu, who studied Public Administration, Local Government Studies at the Polytechnic, Ibadan, is a batch C 2013 corps member. Our reporter who met with the corps member who said, “I have embarked on this because our motto is service and humanity and in this spirit I visited an orphanage and when I asked about their educational challenges they told me seven children could not go to school. I was touched. I took the seven names and approached the church, the Methodist Church, in Ikom. The Bishop chaplain accepted to assist

At the height of the militancy in the Niger Delta, youths had ammunition of various grades and sizes. The Presidential Amnesty Programme saw militants giving up these arms. But, there are still small arms in wrong hands in states, such as Akwa Ibom, Rivers and others, which security operatives are intensifying efforts to mop up, writes PRECIOUS DIKEWOHA

HERE are guns, guns everywhere. Things used to be worse. But thanks to the Presidential Amnesty Programme, the guns have reduced. There are, however, still enough small arms in wrong hands to wreak havoc of unimaginable proportion in Niger Delta states. Some are in the hands of armed robbers; kidnappers also use many to terrorise their hostages enough for their families to pay the ransom. Political thugs equally have their fair share of the small arms with which they terrorise their masters’ opponents. Various methods are used to conceal these small arms. A commissioner of police once narrated how his men discovered guns in a vehicle disguised as carrying a just-wedded couple. He also narrated how guns were found in sacks of garri. At the weekend, the Akwa Ibom State Department of State Services (DSS) said its operatives on undercover operations have been mopping-up small arms and light weapons from criminal elements. Speaking at the weekend in Uyo, the state capital, the director of DSS in the state, Mr. Toma Minti, said the morale of his men was high with full determination to take on some criminal elements in the society. He warned that those that foment trouble would be made to face the full wrath of the law. Minti, who was represented by his deputy, Mr. Fubara Duke, said operatives of the service on undercover operations have been mopping-up small arms and light weapons from criminal elements. Working with other security agencies in and outside Akwa Ibom State, Minti said the Department has been busting several criminal operations, adding that such intense fights by operatives of the service have made the state one of the safest in Nigeria. “As we arrest them, we retrieve arms from them,” he said, adding that policing the state effectively requires collaborative efforts by the security operatives and the civil society and urged the public to always volunteer information on crimes in their neighbourhood to the DSS, even as he assured of identity protection of the informants. While warning the youths against being used by the politicians to orchestrate violence during the polls, the DSS chief was also quick to impress it on the politicians to play by the rules to avoid being confronted by the law. The National Task Force on Control of Small Arms, Ammunition and Light Weapons (NATFORCE) recently raised the alarm over the increase in small arms in the hands of youths in Rivers State. NATFORCE, state director, Mr Ndubuisi Emenike, who raised the alarm in Port Harcourt, warned that the development might cause problem during the elections. He, therefore, called on security agencies in the state not to relent, but put in more effort in the fight against illegal arms and ammunition to enhance a violent-free election.

Emenike said the call was necessary because “we can only have a violentfree election when all arms in the hands of the youths were adequately mopped up before the next general election. “I know that the security agencies, including NATFORCE, have been doing very well in that regard, but I think that we can do better, because there are so much illegal arms in the society now and except we get rid of that, then our elections may witness some kind of problems.” The NATFORCE boss also urged politicians to desist from arming the youths for political aggrandizement, noting that instead of buying arms for the youths for their electoral success, they should be empowered. “They (politicians) should empower them with small-scale businesses or send them to school so that they become something good for themselves and the society tomorrow,” he said. Noting that the task force had shut down several illegal fuel dumps in the state, Emenike insisted that another source of arms was illegal bunkering which provide the youths funds for the purchase of arms. He, therefore, challenged the State Security Service (SS)S, police, army, customs, navy and other agencies to work in synergy in cleaning, not just Rivers State of small arms and ending bunkering, but the entire Niger Delta region. Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan last month urged the international community to create a platform where stolen crude oil can be tracked and disbursement of proceeds adequately monitored, as such funds usually fuel the acquisition of small arms. A research paper published early this year in the Journal of Sociology by three scholars, Usang Eteng Eloma of the Faculty of Education, Cross River University of Technology, Calabar, Ikpeme Nya John of the Center for General Studies, Cross River University of Technology and Ugwumba Ngozi Fred noted that: “There have been isolated cases in Cross River State particularly in the study area. Few years ago in the Otugwang, Kutia and Okworogwong Communities of Obudu L G A , Cross River State , the use of small arms and light weapons sustained the conflict in both communities resulting to death of over ten (10) persons and injury on thousands of people. People traveling along the Ogoja, Obudu Federal Highway were also thoroughly molested thereby creating a bypass through Vandeikeya in neighboring Benue State of Nigeria. “At the Ebom-Ebigakora conflict of Abi LGA, of Cross River State, Nigeria, small arms and light weapons were reportedly used to during the crises which resulted to the extinction of Ebigakora community out of existence and the destructi on of properties worth millions of naira and a death toll of hundred (100) people. Survivors are now scattered to different neighboring communities as internally displaced persons (IDP).” Some of the small arms in circula-

•Some militants in their heydays

tion in the region include: revolvers and self-loading pistols; rifles and carbines; submachine guns; assault rifles; light machine guns. Light weapons are also in wrong hands. They include: heavy machine guns; handheld underbarrel and mounted grenade launchers; portable antiaircraft guns; portable antitank guns, recoilless rifles; portable launchers of antitank missile and rocket systems; portable launchers of antiaircraft missile systems; mortars of calibers up to less than 100-mm inclusive. Ammunition and explosives in wrong hands also are: Cartridges (rounds) for small arms; shells and missiles for light weapons; mobile containers with missiles or shells for single-action antiaircraft and antitank systems; antipersonnel and antitank hand grenades; and explosives. The Presidential Amnesty Programme started by the late President Umaru Yar’Adua saw many of these dangerous weapons being submitted by repentant militants who are now beneficiaries of various empowerment programmes. The Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs, Kingsley Kuku, said the Federal Government has enlisted no fewer than 30,000 former militants in the amnesty programme,. Kuku, who is also the Chairman of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, gave the figure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). He said when the Federal Government proclaimed unconditional amnesty for the ex-militants on June 25, 2009, a total of 20,192 former agitators gave up their arms and ammunition and enrolled for the first phase of programme. Kuku said the terms of the amnesty included the willingness and readiness of the agitators to surrender their arms on or before October 4, 2009, unconditionally renouncing militancy and signing of an undertaking to that effect. He said: “In return, the government pledged its commitment to institute programmes to assist the disarmament, demobilisation, rehabilitation and reintegration of the former agitators. “At the expiration of the 60-day grace period on October 4, 2009, a to-

tal of 20,192 Niger Delta ex-agitators had surrendered large number of arms and ammunition to the Federal Government and accepted the offer of amnesty. “And pursuant to the letter and spirit of the Amnesty Proclamation, the Federal Government instituted a Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration, DDR, package for those who accepted the offer of amnesty on or before the expiration date.” Kuku said another 6, 166 persons were added in November 2012, constituting a second phase of the programme and bringing the number of the persons enlisted in the Presidential Amnesty Programme to 26,358. The presidential aide said the Federal Government approved inclusion of another 3,642 former militants, totaling 30,000 in October, 2012. He said the Presidential Amnesty Office is committed to funding the disarmament process of 3,642 former militants, newly enrolled for the third phase of the amnesty programme. Kuku also said the purpose of the process is to reconcile the disarmament record of the former agitators in the third phase of the amnesty programme. “This is because they have surrendered their arms to military formations and security agencies. The process is being budgeted for by President Goodluck Jonathan and the Presidential Amnesty Programme is mandated to carry out the disarmament exercise,’’ Mr. Kuku said. He said of the 30,000 former agitators, more than 11,525 had been placed in skills acquisition/training centres, as well as in formal education within the country and offshore. “Of this number, 4,929 are being trained offshore, while the balance of 6,382 have either been returned to formal education or have been placed in skill acquisition centres within the country. “Similarly, 6,067 transformed exagitators are currently being processed for deployment to reintegration centres (both within the country and offshore) in the fiscal year 2012,’’ Kuku said. The presidential aide said that 113 former militants had been assisted in securing employment in maritime,

welding and fabrication companies at home and abroad. He said Proclad Group of Companies in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, UAE, offered employment to 30 of the 150 ex-militants, who were trained by the Proclad Academy because of their exceptional conduct and performance. “The Presidential Amnesty Office, in collaboration with the International Centre for Non-violence and Peace Development (ICNPD) secured the employment through a partnership with Proclad Academy,’” Kuku said. He said he also facilitated the immediate employment of 40 maritime trainees by the Century Energy Group in Nigeria,’’ the statement said. “Four welding and fabrication trainees have been employed in Nigeria by Plants and Processing Service Company, while five were offered jobs in South Africa by Ashland Investment Services. Ten were offered employment by Learning Resources in Ghana,’’ Kuku said. He said that the office was working with relevant partners and stakeholders in the Niger Delta and abroad to employ some of the ex-militants who had successfully completed their training. Kuku said the responsibility of the office “is to disarm, rehabilitate and reintegrate the former agitators who accepted the amnesty offer’’. He urged companies in the Niger Delta to comply with the Local Content Law by employing graduating students under the programme to enable them contribute their quota to the development of the country. But there are fears that the small and light arms problem in the region may worsen when the Amnesty Pro-

•Bisiriyu and the orphans From Nicholas Kalu, Calabar

me. So instead of putting them in public schools the church adopted them and put them in their own school and gave them free scholarship from nursery to primary school, for seven years for the seven children. “Also my primary assignment is at Ikom local government council, I

observed there was nothing to show that it is a council. So as a public administrator I felt there was need for a sign so I constructed a statue with the mace of the legislature and cocoa which is the economic mainstay of the Ikom people. It’s the first of its kind and also to beautify the environment. “Also having seen the children going back to school without

exercise books and due to poverty in this area, I discovered so many parents had challenges of buying exercise books so I decided to come in that area especially now that schools are reopening. So I decided to print 1500 exercise books for the children to help the parents. So when the children resume, they resume with books.” According to the corps member he had spent over N400, 000 on the projects, besides the scholarship. He said for the scholarship was handled by the church. On how he managed financially with his economic status as a youth corps member, he said, “There is nothing we cannot do with God. He has been helpful. He gave me the inspiration and gave provision for this.” Bisiriyu, who is also the Vice President of the MDGs CDS group in Ikom, he also got assistance from the chairman of council and other principal officers. Chairman of Ikom, Pastor Ojong Ayiba thanked the corps member for his kindness and service to the council. Also Mr Richard Ayaka, who is in charge of corps members in the council, urged others to emulate the gesture and always give their best wherever they are sent for their primary assignment.

How Delta hospital’s error bungled 90-year-old's funeral

•Kuku

gramme is stopped. Already, Coordinator of the ex-militants under the third phase amnesty (Ebipa-Opre Exmilitants Forum), Mr. Ramsey Oyakemeagbegha, in a statement in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, said that the conditions which triggered militancy in the region had not been addressed, adding that stopping the programme next year would trigger crisis. He said: “We are of the view and in support of our leader, Asari Dokubo’s suggestion that the amnesty should continue and not stop, as being rumoured, in 2015. Our people are still without potable water, no good education and functional health facilities. “Pollution occasioned by the oil industry still continues and there is a multitude of unemployed youth in the land. “Making 2015 the end of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, as being rumoured, could spell more trouble for our region and the country. An idle mind is the devil’s workshop. A stitch in time, they say, saves nine.” For now, security agencies are dealing with the small arms challenge. Their efficiency will go a long way in saving lives and property.

T was a mix-up that left the Ojojo and Atase families in Ifowodo area of Oleh, Delta State filled with rage. It also put on the edge another family with a dead relative in the morgue of the Central Hospital, Oleh, Delta State on the edges. When a corpse was handed over to the singing and dancing families at the morgue of Delta State government owned hospital on Friday, September 26, they thought they had the remains of a 90-year-old great great-grandmother, popularly called Malekete. They took the remains to the family's home, carried out all the rites for the burial of a woman who lived well and so long. Traditional Isoko music blared; gaily dressed family members, especially women danced to the rhythm. Their friends and well-wishers fanned them with ajuju (hand-fans) and they were 'sprayed' crisped naira notes. It was a celebration of the life and times of the nonagenarian. Guests who came from all over the country were thoroughly entertained. They ate, they sang and they danced. Afterwards, the 'remains' of the 90-year-old woman - who lived long enough to see her grandchildren become grandparents - were interred amidst more singing and dancing; pomp and pageantry. The next day, a Saturday, an outing service was held at the Pentecostal Church of God, Oleh. Thereafter, those who came from far and wide started leaving the peaceful Isoko town. But three days after the burial, a revelation that shook the family and Oleh was made. The body that the members of the Ojojo and Atase families buried was not that of 'Malekete'

From Shola O’Neil, Southsouth Regional Editor

but that of another female. "It rattled everybody and threw the families into a great confusion. The community and even the hospital management were aghast," a source in the town revealed. It was gathered that the path to the fatal mistake was laid when the morgue attendant mixed up the name tag of the nonagenarian with that of another female corpse brought about the same time to the mortuary. A source at the mortuary said, "The attendant was a new person that was brought in just weeks earlier. He wasn't familiar with the town and maybe the process at the morgue." Further checks revealed that one error pave the way for another when the family representative who was sent to prepare the corpse of the aged Oleh woman for burial merely handed over the cloths for the dressing to the attendant and asked a person who did not know the dead woman to perform the task. The trend of mistakes was taken a notch higher when the family arrived the hospital late and in a desperate bid to meet up with time grabbed the coffin and dashed back to the venue of the ceremony without a peek inside the coffin. "The problem really started with the family, so many divergent views on how to handle the burial and there were some persons who thought that knew better than others, including the elders of the family," our source in the family added. The tragedy continued when the family chose to skip an important rite in the burial process - opening of the casket to the public for loved ones and well-wishers to bid the late

great-grandmother their final goodbyes. "If they had allowed us to do that, someone would have noticed the mistake and we would have rectified it before it got to this embarrassing stage. But nobody saw the corpse. We buried someone we thought was our sister, sand and danced and then returned home" another community member added. The blunder was discovered on Monday - three days after the corpse had been entombed and most of the deceased's family members who went for the burial had returned home. "It started as a bad dream for the morgue attendant; one family came to prepare their corpse prior to the burial that was scheduled for a few days later. When they were showed their supposed corpse, they knew there had been a mix-up." After rummaging through the bodies in the morgue and not finding the corpse, it was concluded that another family must had taken the wrong body for burial. A quick check revealed the names and numbers of the two corpses that were switched. Malekete's family members, who were invited, came to the hospital hoping to against hope that it wasn't true. But a look at the stone-cold remains of the old woman confirmed the error. In a desperate bid to hide the blunder from the public and other members of the community, it was learnt that the two families and the hospital management decided that it was best that the two corpses be should be switched in the dead of the night. "It was at midnight that they now went to the grave to dig up the wrong corpse and switched it with that of the old woman, who we hope would now truly be allowed to rest in

peace. It was past 01:00am before they finished the exchange," revealed a member of the community who was aware of the sordid spectacle. It was however learnt that the incident had thrown the hospital management and the affected family into confusion. Although the Commissioner for Health in the state, Dr Joseph Otumara could not be reached for comment, a source in the hospital said at least one of the negligent staff members had been issued a queried by the management." Similarly, it was gathered that elders of the family which initially buried the wrong corpse are divided over whether to perform a second burial rite having discovered their mistake, since according to one of them, "The burial we did before was for another person. "In a proper situation, we would need elders to consult the oracle and explain the implication of what has happened and what steps we need to take to appease the gods becausee this is an abomination," a source in the town added. Meanwhile, some residents of Oleh and environs who spoke with our reporter on the incident laid the blame on the doorstep of the family. Others said it was a pointer to how corpses are treated in public hospital like the Oleh Central Hospital. "It is very important that people don't leave the care of their deceased loved ones in the hands of people who don't care about them. That is why most of our people,particularly the elderly ones, are averse to the idea of being kept in the mortuary when they die. For me, I have told my children that I must bury immediately, they should not keep me in the 'fridge'," a middle-aged woman said.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2014

NIGER DELTA REPORT FEATURE

Eulogies as Lulu-Briggs clocks 56

ELIGIOUS leaders and over 200 beneficiaries of his philanthropy, especially indigent members of the society recently offered prayers offered to God for High Chief O.B. Lulu-Briggs, his wife, Sienye and his family at an event to mark Mrs Lulu-Briggs’ 56th birthday celebration in Port Harcourt the Rivers state capital. Pastor Dagogo Ejie, in his prayer said, “May God lift up His countenance upon Him (his family), make His face shine upon him, prepare a place for him in His presence, in the Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.” For her part, a blind old woman, Mama Evelyn Goodhead said, “I pray the Almighty God who has given them the responsibility to take care of the very less privileged of the society like me, to keep them, give them long life, grant them more blessings enlarge their coasts, give them more wisdom and understanding. “Whosoever that will raise any eyebrow on them in anyway or say they shall not prosper, do well or stay alive to enjoy the fruits of their labour, or even to continue to help the poor of the society, may the Lord forgive such a person and grant him/her change of heart in the name of Jesus Christ,” Goodhead said. The beneficiaries of the couple’s gesture are mostly septuagenarian and octogenarian; frail men and women citizens of Nigeria, who have lost their means of livelihood to age, frailty and other age-related chronic health condition (blindness, high blood pressure) among others and have no close dependable relative to shoulder their daily need burdens. They are carried along in all that the Lulu-Briggs family does, just like their own children and family members. They are given holistic care including clothing, feeding, medical and monthly allowances. In some cases, they are provided with comfortable houses. Speaking on the celebrant, Mama

•Mrs. Lulu-Briggs (1st right)cutting her birthday cake with family members and Pastor Zilly agree and wife(last left). From Rosemary Nwisi, Port Harcourt

Goodhead explained, “Mrs. Sienye O. B. lulu-Briggs, is so nice to me, the aged in the society and the whole world, the widows, the less privileged of the society. This can be attested by the crowd that has come to grace this event. “She is a mother indeed and her husband also is a father to reckon with any day and time. They take care of us - the helpless ones of the society so much. From the time I was enrolled into the “Care For Life” November last year, no month has passed without me receiving food, ingredients for soup (assorted fish, including stock fish), toiletries, provision among others as well as allowance for my upkeep. “I mysteriously became blind five years ago. I used to deal in fabrics, raw

gold, coral beads and big George wrappers after the death of my husband years ago. I was doing very well in the business before the sudden eye problem that defiled all forms of medication. “I have nobody to assist me anywhere, aside this family. My only daughter that that was carrying the burden is no more, I have male children though but they are not well to do. Until Mrs. Sienye and husband adopted me, life was though for me. “Anybody of goodwill and appreciations knows that High Chief O. B. Lulu-Briggs and family are really doing the work of God, because the bible says that he that gives to the poor lends to God, and that is exactly what they are doing and little to know why God has continued to bless them.” She stated.

Her assessment was not different from those of other beneficiaries spoke to our reporter. They maintained that their adoption by the family was one of the best things that has ever happened to them and thanked God on behalf of others in their communities. Apart from the elders, members of staff of the Foundation also spoke of their Boss. The Foundation’s Director of programmes, Miebaka Niemebu, a lawyer lauded the celebrant and what the Foundation has been doing in its 13 years of service. He said, “Over 30,000 persons have benefited from our free medical outreaches in rural communities. Our “Care For Life” (CFL), programme where we take care of the elderly ones of Rivers and Bayelsa states is doing very well. We intend to also bring in those of Akwa-Ibom state.

“Our “Assess to Clean water” programme which involves water purification in communities that have difficulties assessing clean water for consumption is also doing well. We are also strategizing to expand our programmes. We are looking at bringing in cases like HIV/AIDS, maternal care as well as entrepreneurship among others. He provided further insight on the Foundation’s focus when he said, “We have directed health care programmes such as the free medical outreach where we organize resources and capacities and take them to core rural areas where health care delivery is either nil or very poor. We don’t organize such programmes in the urban communities; we are not also a Foundation that takes care of those in the streets. “We have programmes for the elderly poor persons, rural communities where there are little or no health facilities, where it is difficult to access tablets as simple as analgesics. Those are the communities we take our free medical programmes to bring them succour and hope to live on. “We also have our scholarship, women empowerment and entrepreneurship programmes; we don’t do programmes for youths at the moment. We are constructing sets of modern toilet system and quarters for inmates of Port Harcourt prison. The project is up to 99 per cent completion and would be soon be commissioned for use.” At the church service earlier, the officiating Pastor Amaechi Dumen in his sermon entitled “God helps those who help the helpless”, outlined the benefits to include, replacement (reward), perfection, deliverance, assurance of eternal life, God’s Mercy among others and encouraged the family to continue in the good work and members of the public to learn to affect lives positively in other for them to harvest its abundance benefits.

Pharmacists urge action against quacks, fake drugs

HE ‘Pharmacy Week’ organised by the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Rivers State branch ended its Pharmacy week with a call to place the issue of pharmaceutical care of Nigerians in the front burner of national policy in order for patients to get the best. The programme which has as its theme“Better Health Care Outcome through Pharmaceutical Care” gave pharmacists and other health workers the opportunity to know how to achieve better health outcomes. The weeklong event started with a thanksgiving service at St. Paul African Church, Port Harcourt. There was also a walk against Ebola from Rumuokuta to Ada-George, during which hand sanitisers were freely distributed to people. The pharmacists also visited Aboloma axis of Port Harcourt to give free drugs to the residence after screening them for HIV/AIDS, diabetes, high blood pressure and other ailments. At the opening ceremony, which took place at Hotel Presidential, the chairman of the occasion, His Royal Majesty, King Alfred Diette Spiff, the former governor of old Rivers State, thanked the society for its contribution to humanity and urged them to continue to play an

From Precious Dikewoha, Port Harcourt

important role in the administration and development of the health sector. The chairman of Rivers chapter of PSN, Chukunda Godson, said the greatest challenge confronting genuine pharmacy practice is the menace of quack pharmacists. He said the organisation cannot fight the issue of quacks alone but pharmacists have to be particularly knowledgeable enough to be able to identify and isolate nonprofessionals in their midst. “These people are agent of destruction, they are evil and they want to take over the society that is the more reason why everybody must be involve in the fight against quacks. “The major stakeholder in the health sector, pharmacists in community practice, hospitals, academia, industry, administration and other areas of the Nigerian economy, are continuously involved in the delivery of quality service in line with the ethics of the profession. “Our professional and social responsibilities remain sacrosanct in the numerous activities we engage in including safe drug use campaigns, education and enlightenment programmes on the prevention and management of diseases (HIV/

•Pharmacists during Ebola walk

AIDS and Ebola inclusive) and free health outreach missions to rural communities. While commending Governor Rotimi Amaechi for donating a bus to PSN, a gesture, which, he said, ameliorated their transport challenges, he noted the state remains the only state in the federation whose task force on fake and counterfeit products and illegal premises still operated with hired buses, adding: “This situation does not speak well for us. Our people are at risk of these fake and counterfeit products if the task force is not sufficiently mobilised for effectiveness and efficiency.” He also highlighted the hindrances preventing the organisation

•Pharmacist during church service

from reaching out to more communities during Pharmacy Week, saying: “The human and material demands of these programmes are usu-

ally enormous. The major constraints in our desire to reach out to more communities and towns in the state have been finance and logistics.”

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2014

NIGER DELTA REPORT FEATURE

Isoko, Itsekiri, Urhobo unite for Aziza

As the Urhobo nation buries its departed national leader, Gen. Patrick Aziza, the solidarity and brotherhood it shares with other ethnic nations in Delta becomes issues for discussion, writes BOLAJI OGUNDELE

HE death of the President-General of the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU), Gen Patrick Aziza, seems to have shown that the ethnic groups in Delta State are closer than previously thought. Ethnic nations in the Delta Central and South senatorial districts have paid condolence visits to both the UPU and the family of the deceased. Although Isoko and Ijaw nations had earlier visited and expressed their sadness at the loss of Gen. Aziza, it was the separate visits of Itsekiri nation and that of a union formed by three ethnic nations of the two districts; Ijaw, Isoko and Itsekiri Leaders’ Forum (3IS) that revealed the alignments going on in the state. During last week’s condolence call on the late Gen. Aziza’s family, the first revelation was made when the Itsekiri Leaders of Thought called. The group, led by its Secretary, Chief Edward Ekpoko, had expressed personal grief at the loss of the man it described as a bridge-builder, who had invested so much personally to cement the decades of relationship that had existed between the Itsekiri and Urhobo nations. After describing the sterling qualities of Aziza, pointing how he had commenced the process of building a bloc out of the tribes in the two senatorial districts, especially with the Itsekiri, which who Urhobo share one of the closest and strongest traditional bonds. Ekpoko emphasized the high esteem his organisation holds UPU, for two basic reasons; one being the fact that it is second oldest ethno-cultural organisation in Africa, following after the African National Congress (ANC) in South Africa and the second being that fact that it is the organisation that had consistently been involved in the struggle to give the Urhobo nation it’s pride of place among all other ethnic nations in the world. He went further to emphasise the long standing relationship between his nation and that of Aziza, noting particularly the spirit of camaraderie, which had demanded over the years that the two nations

always share in each other’s joy and pain, hence the request that the UPU carries the Itsekiri nation along in the burial plans as they Itsekiri would wish for nothing more than taking part in the burial responsibilities, as a family member would. “The death of Gen. Aziza is a loss, not just to the Urhobo, but also to us the Itsekiri, just as you have lost him, we have lost him too. As we mourn him, we mourn him as a great bridge-builder because he had managed to initiate a process of strengthening the bond between our nations when he was untimely taken. We will only request that you make an accommodation for the Itsekiri nation in preparing his final burial rites, we desire to also play a role as part of his family because as he was leader to the Urhobo, the Itsekiri also saw a leader in him. We also wish to ask for the Urhobo nation to honour this great man’s memory by sustaining his bridge-building legacies and not allowing the efforts he invested in building a strong union and a common bloc with other ethnic nations in this part slip into waste,” he said. Almost at the heel of the Itsekiri Leaders of Thought arrived the Ijaw, Isoko and Itsekiri Leaders’ Forum (3IS), an organisation which is also led by Ekpoko. Leaders from the other two ethnic nations, whose organisations had made individual showings prior to last week, joined their Itsekiri co-compatriots in the expansive compound of General Aziza in Adagbrasa, Okpe council area of Delta State. The message, which was delivered by the 1st Vice Chairman of 3IS, Chief Dennis Etaluku, was not far from what the Itsekiri leaders had already relayed. “Just as we were putting our heads together to forge a united front, we lost the captain and we believe it is native for us to come and commiserate. We have come to mourn with you and to let you know that we are with you. We want to tell you that another Aziza will come”, he assured.

‘

The death of Gen. Aziza is a loss, not just to the Urhobo, but also to us the Itsekiri, just as you have lost him, we have lost him too. As we mourn him, we mourn him as a great bridgebuilder because he had managed to initiate a process of strengthening the bond between our nations when he was untimely taken

‘

Members of Itsekiri Leaders of Thoughts on arrival at the country home of the late Gen.Aziza.

A cross section of members oif Ijaw, Isoko and Itsekiri Leaders Forum (1st, 2nd and 4th from right) are Chief Dennis.A.Etaluku, Edward Ekpoko and Gen. Clestu Emein (Rtd.)

Acting President-General and National Secretary of UPU, Chief Joe Omene(right) and Chief Albert Akpomudje (SAN)

Mr.Amorighoye.S.Mene signing the condolence register on behalf of the Itsekiri Leaders of Thoughts

The 3IS also donated N50,000 to support the efforts of the family and the UPU in hosting those who would be visiting to commiserate with

them. Etaluku, however, told the family that his organization had decided to be part of the burial ceremonies of the departed Urhobo leader,

urging both the UPU and the Aziza family to inform them when the time has come. Responding to the two groups, Act-

ing President-General of the UPU, Chief Joe Omene, thank the Delta South leaders for the show of condolence, saying it was long expected.

He said: “People have come from far and near much earlier to do what you have come to do today, but it has always been our feeling that the exter-

Firm crashes kerosene price to N50 per litre in Delta communities •It’s the first time in history, say beneficiaries

EOPLE in Ugborodo and Tebi-Ijoh, both in Warri South-West council area of Delta state are now beneficiaries of special kerosene subsidy called ‘KERO-Direct’, which sees the price of the product crashed from N165 to N50 per litre. The company social responsibility project, undertaken by an indigenous oil and gas company, A&E Petrol, sold one million litres of kerosene, at the crashed price, to the people of Ajudaibo Ogidigben, Tebi-Ijoh and other riverine oil and gas bearing communities in the council area. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of A&E Petrol, Chief Ayirimi Emami, in an interview while supervising the sale of the people disclosed that the subsidy, which cost his company over N70 million, was the beginning of a long term plan to make kerosene and other petroleum products easily accessible to people of the riverine communities in Delta state at affordable prices. Emami further noted that the project was another strategy for reducing

From Bolaji Ogundele, Warri

the problem of oil theft, which had become a national economic burden to the nation, even as he quickly pointed out that his company’s gesture had no political target, but targeted at reducing the crushing hardship daily faced by the people in the riverrine rural areas of Delta state. “This is a genuine effort by our company, having nothing to do with politics, but basically aimed at making life more bearable to our people in the rural areas, especially those living in the communities across waters. Besides, we believe when this is done and sustained, the problem of oil bunkering with greatly be reduced; all what the people want is an affordable life and that is what A&E Petrol is giving them through this subsidy programme”, Emami said. According to him, the move by his company sequel to a meeting with the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Alison Dezani Madueke and the Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, wherein a decision was

reached that in each kerosene allocation his company gets, sales of kerosene to people of the riverine communities should be subsidized. A Cleric, Rev. G.O.T. Aforijuku, Ogidigben Community Youth Chairman, Mr. David Mamah, Chairman of Ajudaibo Community, Japhet Emami, Madam Caroline Majebi, Clifford Ekwale, Sonny Utoro, Funmi Enegho and Madam Eworitsemogha Edun all of whom spoke to newsmen on behalf of other beneficiaries, commended A&E Petrol for the gesture, stressing that it is the first time in the history of Ugborodo communities that they are experiencing the kero direct sale despite being host to key multinational oil companies. Investigations revealed that the sale of kerosene in Ugborodo and its neigbouring riverine communities had been between N250 and N500 per litre due to the cost of transporting it from Warri. The beneficiaries appealed to the Federal Government through the NNPC to ensure that A&E Petrol get consistent allocation of kerosene and fuel to enable the company continue with the new initiative.

nal condolences would not have been complete if our immediate brothers from Delta South had not paid their own visit. We have a long

•Uduaghan

bond of brotherhood with the Itsekiri, although to the outside world we tend to paint ourselves as being far from each other. We can

assure you that we will sustain the bridge building efforts of our late leader towards a more unified enduring Delta State.”

Delta impounds over 200 Okada in Sapele

HE Delta State Ministry of Transport, has impounded more than 200 commercial motorcycles, also known as Okada, in Sapele. The exercise followed the state government’s decision to phase the use of Okada for commercial purposes in Ika North, South and Sapele council areas of the state. Commissioner of Transport Ben Igbakpa, who led the team that carried out the exercise to Ughelli, expressed displeasure at the refusal of Okada operators in the area to respect government’s order, despite positive gesture from government, which had shifted earlier deadlines to accommodate the views of Okada operators. Igbakpa, who said government decided to impound motorcycles to demonstrate its level of seriousness about ending the operation of commercial motorcycles in the designated places, also denied knowledge of the destruction of some motorcycles in Mosogar recently. Igbakpa urged the motorcycle operators to use

From Bolaji Ogundele, Warri

tricycles popularly referred to as Keke at a reduced rate from the State Transport secretariat, Asaba if they must remain in business. Meanwhile, controversy is trailing the burning of some confiscated motorcycles at the Mosogar end of the Gammon Bridge by yet-to-be-identified persons. Though an eyewitness disclosed that the burning of the motorcycles numbering over 100 was ordered by Igbapka, the transport commissioner denied knowledge of the incident. “I am not aware of the burning of any Okada, the fact remains that, any confiscated Okada is not going back to the owner. How such Okadas are being disposed is not the issue, what matter is that all Okadas in these areas must be off the road,” he said.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2014

NIGER DELTA REPORT FEATURE

Cross River’s quest for land security

ESIDES bearing the status of the cleanest in the country, Calabar, the Cross River State capital also boasts of being a wellplanned city. Governor Liyel Imoke recently emphasised this when during a function on land management that owners of land should not turn the city into a forest of concrete but to ensure whatever structures they put up is in line with the aesthetic slant of the government. Efforts to ensure this is maintained have been sustained through the Systematic Land Tilting and Registration exercise which is ongoing in Calabar. But more importantly is the exercise aims at providing land security for owners especially as the demand for land continues to grow in state which is fast becoming a hub. “SLTR is fast, efficient and innovative method for having the government formally recognise landowners rights to the land they are occupying, by issuing a CofO to every landowner in a specific area. This affords the owners more security for their rights and allows the land to be used as collateral for financing,” Dr Clement Oshaka, Director General of the Cross River Geographic Information Agency explained. Coordinator of the SLTR project in the state, Mr Augustine Ojeka, said the project entails capturing every inch of land in the state through field work to form part of an overall cadastral system that would have all the land parcels in the state represented properly. “It is going to help in town planning, urban renewal, projections, and even help on issues of taxation and any other revenue issues relating to properties in the state.” The project aims to registering every property in the state, he said. Thereafter they will proceed to making it possible for all who have been registered to get valid certificates of occupancy. He said the project has been kicked off in a particular area in Calabar, which they tagged “Proof of Concept” area. The area which includes Atimbo, Akim, Edim Otop communities in Calabar, he said was to check the viability of the project. According to him, the process was already being well received by the people and would expand eventually. He said the project which is a collaboration between the CRGIA and the Growth and Employment in States 3(GEMS3) was an intervention programme. “Being an intervention programme it is designed to be pro-poor to make sure that the poor man who has land to be able to have access to secure his land and have a C of O at very little cost. “When we came here initially, the governor was very appreciative of the concept. Getting to know what it is about, he granted approval and released some funding for it to kickstart. “GEMS3 is a project funded by the United Kingdom Department for International Development so they give some fund support for the project.” On expectations from members of the public towards the exercise, he said, “The members of the public in terms of requirement to get your property registered is nothing different from the usual practise where you are expected to come up with

From Nicholas Kalu, Calabar

evidence of claim for a particular property you occupy. And every document relating to that property. In this case of SLTR, we ask you for such documents. If you have them, you present them. If you don’t have them, we try to go beyond that to see how we can establish the authenticity of your claim on that property. We capture every relevant detail including your image and identification. “It is designed to augment actually the normal system that is running in the CRGIA such that if there are subsequent transactions on that property, you can be sure that all documents generated relating to that transaction would always be tied to the ones that have already been captured right here in the system in the data base. So at any point references are necessary to draw on the database relating to any parcel of land, it would not be an issue of searching. You just go straight and get whatever history you need on that property and then it would now help in planning, decision making and any other administrative decisions that are necessary for management of such parcels of land.” “It is not just for property that has been developed. Every piece of land in the state is supposed to be registered even if it is half an inch, so long as somebody is claiming that land. Whether it is an individual, group of individuals, communities, even government property, we also capture them. They should be part of the database for reference purposes.” “The Proof of Concept currently ongoing is going well. We have done a lot and it is already working out. We are making projections based on what we have done. Next year hopefully we would see a larger scale implementation of this project. It is a concept that has to be proved that it is implementable.” Adviser to the project, an American, Mr Stephen Calder describing how they work to get the area covered said:“Basically, we work in teams and they go round every street from door to door and ask house owners to show their properties and they draw on them map and the fill our forms and verify facts of ownership. “We take pictures of all documents and survey plans. We take all that information and then we come in here from hand drawn to computer drawn. All the details are captured. When we are complete with this there is one more important step to embark on which is the public display. Larger maps are put along with the list of the names and for thirty days we put them in public places and ask people to go check the names to ensure we got it right. If you have any thing to correct or dispute let us know. After that period if no one objects, it is considered to be valid and then the property goes to CRGIA after which it is reistered. After which if the people ome and pay a fee, the get a Certificate of Occupancy. They don’t pay for any of the work we do. They

•Imoke

only pay for the C-of-O. “The difference in what we are doing is that before now it was up to the people to come and register their property and we call that sporadic registering, because it happens person by person and it is sporadic. But with this we register virtually everything. So it is a very valid exercise. “We seek to registering virtually every property within a certain area. In this instance, the proof of concept area which you see here. “There are two main benefits. First you are securing your land. Once the government approves of it and has it stored, it is difficult for someone to dispossess you of that land. You are secure in your land title. The other benefit is that with the C-of-O you can use your land as collateral to obtain investment capital. “We are starting with Atimbo, Akim, Edim Otop. The field work will run till the end of November. We commenced in July. “We have the plans to expand it throughout the state. But it is subject to approval. We are talking with the CRGIA and the commissioner of special projects and we hope to get funding and approval to continue this until the entire state is complete. “The people are receiving it well. In fact when they hear about it they come to us and say please to do theirs. They is always a few people that have distrust but by and large the response is very good especially as people get more aware.”

Akpabio’s wife to parents: your children are your future

wife of Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mrs Ekaette Unoma Akpabio, has advised parents to protect their children's future. She reminded parents that their wellbeing at old age would depend on their children. She spoke on Sunday in two different churches, The Brotherhood of the Cross and Star, Pentecostal Centre, Oron and Qua Iboe Church, Ewet Offot, Uyo, the state capital. Mrs Akpabio warned mothers of the dangers involved in trading-off their children's future, especially that of the girls because of poverty. She told parents not to yield to the temptation that their girls would be given the good life by other people, adding that most of the girls when taken away on the pretext of giving them a better life end up either as forced prostitutes

From Uyoatta Eshiet, Uyo

or in baby factories. Mrs Akpabio challenged women organisations in churches to come together and float a fund for indigent but brilliant children in their midst. In this era of kidnapping, especially of helpless children, Mrs Ekaette Akpabio advised parents not to allow their children leave the house to school or church unaccompanied, to avoid being abducted by evil people on the prowl. At the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star, where she witnessed a wedding between Comfort Etim Ante, a Deaconess and Etim Effiong Ante, a Bishop- elect, she donated N500,000 to the church for its work; N200,000 to the choir and an undisclosed amount to the newly wedded. She gave 20 set of

wrappers to 20 widows and an undisclosed amount of money. She was also at the Qua Oboe Church, Ewet Offot, Uyo during a service held to thank God for the105 years of the church’s establishment. She donated a 32seater bus for evangelism. The Secretary to the

•Mrs Akpabio

State government, Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, a deacon of the church, donated N1 million while Mrs Akpabio gave N1 million for fueling and maintenance of the bus. She also gave 20 set of wrappers and N10, 000 each to 20 widows in the church. The church also honoured Information and Communications Commissioner Mr Aniekan John Umanah, Otuekong Emmanuel Ibok, Special Adviser to Governor Akpabio on political Affairs; Mr Onofiok Luke, chairman, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Committee on Agriculture among others.

Foreign aid for Tompolo Hospital From Bolaji Ogundele, Warri

HEALTHCARE delivery to the people of Okerenkoko, Warri South-West Council Area of Delta State, is about to receive a boost as a Netherland-based civil organisation, Hope for Niger Delta Campaign (HNDC), promised to attract foreign aids for its running. Founder of the HNDC, Comrade Sunny Ofehe, who disclosed this during a tour of the Okerenkoko Cottage Hospital, run by the Tompolo Foundation to give free medical services to the people of Gbaramatu Kindom, expressed satisfaction at the operations of the healthcare facility. Ofehe, whose recent tour of some communities in Bayelsa earlier in the year was marred by the kidnap of himself and other Dutch nationals who accompanied him on the tour, said he defied all security warnings against his visit to Okerenkoko because he believed sincere and people-oriented efforts, like the cottage hospital, should be encouraged. He, however, lamented that the sort of experience he and his company in the last trip went through make it difficult to attract much needed international assistance for laudable projects like the Okerenkoko Cottage Hospital. “I defied all the security warnings and all people saying that it is not safe for me to come in. If an NGO has done well like setting up a cottage hospital, you need to showcase the work they have done knowing that running such hospital daily cost money and needs equipments. “We want to show what we have seen and what we have recorded to the international community and use it as an opportunity to open doors for people to see how they can collaborate with this NGO so that the standard can continue to grow and give the ordinary people the opportunity to have access to good health. “I came with some white people the other time, this was same type of project we came for and somewhere along the line we were kidnapped, now I am coming alone, ordinarily if that situation had not happened I would have been here with some white people. I believe that if you bring the white people to come and see for themselves they will help you, they will become ambassadors for the course; they will help to explain it from their cultural perspective, so we are hopeful that something will come out of it”, he said. Giving a highlight of the operations of the hospital, Executive Secretary of Tompolo Foundation, Comrade Paul Bebenimibo, said the hospital runs a free service, attending to the ordinary people of the community, adding that the hospital had done more than 600 surgeries in the last two years, even as it attends to an average of 900 patients monthly. “Tompolo Foundation took over the running of this hospital after its abandonment by the government following the attack on Gbaramatu, werun free health care for all people, we have handled over 6oo surgeries in the past two years, we have monthly average of 900 patients. “We will be glad if we can be assisted with boat ambulance, state of the art equipment, water, generating set, drugs and other assistance”, he said.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2014

NIGER DELTA REPORT

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA MAECHI versus Mbu: As I write

this, my hands are shaking. Out of fear. If not for extra courage, I must be peeing in my panties by now. Why? I am afraid ex-Rivers State police chief, now an Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), Joseph Mbu, will invite me for a meeting and subsequently order my arrest and the next morning, after staying in mosquitoes-infested cell, will be taken to a Magistrates’ Court and be charged for literary assault on a police officer. I hereby plead guilty to the offence of having severally assaulted ‘the best police chief Rivers ever had’ on this space. I confess that on many an occasion, I wrote that ‘the lion’ was law when he was in Rivers. I equally admit that I am guilty of accusing him of reducing Governor Rotimi Amaechi to a second class citizen in his own state. And to cap it all, I committed the literary harakiri of asking that Mbu be taken to Maiduguri where he would be able to help us get over the Boko Haram menace. I also put it to myself, apologies to my Learned Friends, that I am guilty of saying Mbu was acting a script written from above. That is not all. I also confess that I have used this space to write that he was the most controversial police boss Rivers ever had. I contended that Amaechi had worked with at least three police chiefs before him and they never quarreled. My sins against this ‘lion’ who tamed the ‘leopard’ are certainly more than those of African Independent Television’s Amaechi Anakwe, who Mbu invited for describing him as ‘controversial’ on a TV programme, ordered his arrest and dragged to a Magistrates’ Court, where he was subsequently freed after prosecution orally withdrew the case on Mbu’s instruction. I think the AIT man’s sin may not be unconnected with his name. You may ask: what is in a name? So much. How on earth does he answer the same name as the Rivers governor? Mbu has used every available opportunity, even after leaving Rivers, to show that there can never be a love lost between him and the man who described him as a ‘woman wrapper’. I suggest that Anakwe should drop the Amaechi in his name. I will fund the change of name in this newspaper. That way, the risk of falling prey to the great ‘lion’ Mbu is reduced. He should also avoid the use of the word ‘controversial’ so that he will not have a controversial end. As for me, I remain loyal to His Imperial Majesty AIG Joseph Mbu, Southsouth’s most popular boy in the Nigerian Police, a great son of Cross River, a man of monumental achievements who is imbued with the profundity of insights and, above all, the apple of the First Dame’s eyes. Lastly, please forgive me my sins because I do not know what I was doing. I committed these sins at moments of shingle short.

Akwa Ibom elders are ‘preposterous

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

‘

We are not taking a new N40 billion bond from the Capital Market as being misconstrued by a section of Cross Riverians and the general public. The government is only approaching the Capital Market for the restructuring and refinancing of a part of an existing commercial banks' loan with bonds

‘

Cross River Information Commissioner Akin Ricketts __

The governor has refused to comment openly about whether he has given his heart to Udom or not, but he has left no one in doubt that he is in charge. Apart from the elders, the situation in Akwa Ibom has seen godsons of Akpabio turning against him. Men with whom he wined and dined cannot even share ordinary water with him anymore. Daily they plot against one another. The other day the governor was angry enough to declare that like the Biblical Absalom, any of his sons who wanted to take power through the backdoor will die. The governor’s supporters •A weekly intervention on Southsouth people and matters insist he was referring to political death. His enemies within say he never used the word ‘politiolukoredeyishau@gmail.com cal’ when he pronounced death on his estranged sons. The season has just begun. Interesting times sure lie ahead. Stay tuned. Waiting for Julius Agwu: October is here. The rush has started. But, where on earth is Julius ‘de genius’ Agwu in the mad rush to 2015? A fortnight ago, he was in Arogbo, an Ijaw community in Ondo State as a guest of the Chairman of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Kingsley Kuku, for the Arogbo-Ibe Day. He was his jovial self. No one noticed the sartorial elI think the AIT man’s sin may egance of a governor-in-waiting in him. But not be unconnected with his Agwu says he wants to be governor; or better name. You may ask: what is in a still, he said he wanted to be governor of Rivers State, which, in the long run, may be a race bename? How on earth does he tween President Goodluck Jonathan and Goveranswer the same name as the nor Rotimi Amaechi. Forget that both men will be candidates, but each of them will want to Rivers governor? Mbu has used not prove a point. every available opportunity, The last time Agwu spoke about his ambition was in August. He was everywhere. From the even after leaving Rivers, to social media to the print media. He granted a show that there can never be a number of interviews and tried to disabuse the minds of those who think he was out for another love lost between him and the comic relief. He said he was the change Rivers man who described him as a needs. Despite his assurances, not many took serious ‘woman wrapper’ this A-rated comedian. They doubted if he was •Mbu serious to quit the world of comedy for the world and spurious’: In Yoruba land, there is a say- need the elders for training, advice, direction, of politics. Now, it is clear he was joking. I am pained he has wasted my pieces of ading which when translated means: “Elders can- blessing and preparation to take over tomorrow.” not be in the market and things will not work He added: ‘’Just because we, the elders, have vice to him. I had advised him in August thus: well.” This makes me ask: What happens when counselled him against arbitrary and non-budg- “This is my advice to Agwu. First, he needs to rebrand by presenting himself simply as the third elders decide to fight their son? I leave you to etary spending, should he insult us?” figure that out. Preposterous, spurious and attempts to act out force and severing every ethnic tie. He should Elders of Akwa Ibom, led by the owner of the a script by the opposition were Commissioner sell himself as the Rivers candidate. His manipopular Etiebet’s Place, Chief Don Etiebet, are for Information Aniekan Umanah’s description festo should also show the power of comedy in displaying their pugilists’ skills in their fight of the elders’ claims, adding: “I wonder how a disarming the Federal Government to give the against Governor Godswill Akpabio. The latest message by the governor admonishing the youth state its dues. Federal roads in the state need atfight is not unconnected to a statement the elders to take their destiny in their hands could be tention. Agwu’s manifesto should promise that he has got the skills to get the Presidency to fix credited to the governor during the state’s 27th twisted by Etiebet and his co-travellers.” anniversary celebration. We sure will see more of these altercations in these roads and other infrastructure pronto. The He was quoted as saying: “To the youth, you the days to come. At the heart of this fight is who manifesto should also show that never again will have a responsibility, the future belongs to you. flies the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) flag for Rivers be cheated of its rights. In fact, he can My challenge to you is not to look at the elders.” the next governorship election. The governor is promise to get back the oil wells taken from the Etiebet said this amounts to inciting the youths. believed to have made up his mind to install his state through his comic skills.” Next time, I will not invest in him again. “We use this opportunity to call on our youths Secretary to the State Government, Emmanuel Chikena! to know that the future belongs to you but you Udom. The elders do not angry with this.

OLUKOREDE YISHAU

ABOVE WHISPERS

Of lion, elders etc ‘

‘

LAST WORD

BY OSAGIE OTABOR

The bickering Edo Speaker and Rep E

DO State House of Assembly Speaker Uyi Igbe has had enough of playing at the home front. After eight years at the State Assembly, Uyi wants to move up. His target next year is to become a member of the National Assembly. He is aiming for a seat at the House of Representatives. His obstacle against realizing this dream is the lawmaker representing Oredo Federal Constituency, Razaq Bello-Osagie. They are both seeking the All Progressive Congress (APC) ticket for the same office. This has spoilt the relationship between the two men. As a matter of fact, they have started calling each other names. Both men now seldom greet each other at public functions. Igbe stirred the hornet nest last weekend during his formal declaration to contest for the seat, which Bello-Osagie is seeking a second ticket. Igbe had made a veiled reference to projects facilitated by Bello-Osagie as projects executed by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). Igbe said those who have represented the constituency at the lower chamber of the National Assembly failed to attract federal projects and were laying claim to projects executed by the NDDC. According to him, “I have noticed with dismay that nothing really has happened in Oredo Federal Constituency and we want to attempt to change that. I think is time for us to do some-

thing about it to engage the federal government.’’ Bello-Osagie fired back, saying the only project he facilitated from the NDDC was the construction of a four blocks of 16 classrooms at Eyeanugie Primary School because of the poor state of the school. He cautioned Edo speaker against engaging in campaign of calumny and said it was regrettable that the Speaker does not understand the workings of government. His words: “It is how much you are able to do, the skill you are able to put in the process to attract more, that makes you a better representative. People cannot use their own yardstick as a basis for measuring the performance of other people. If Hon. Uyi Igbe believes his own score card would be used in assessing me, I think that would be a misnomer. I have delivered on my promise, I do not know about him. “The people gave me this mandate. I appreciate this mandate and the least I can do is to see how much I can attract from Abuja to my constituency because politics is about the up lifting of our people and the development of our environment.” He took reporters on tour of some other projects facilitated by him and they included and ICT centre at Imaguero College, a 1.15 MVA Electricity Injection Sub-station and a health centre at Umegbe village, solar powered street lights and boreholes across the 12 wards of Oredo.

Umegbe is among the over 42 villages in metropolitan Oredo Local Government that lacked access to basic social amenities such as school, health centre, electricity and good road. BelloOsagie said he was moved to build the health centre after the head of Umegbe community died while being taken to Benin Central hospital for minor ailment. He said: “The community has a plethora of problems, water, road and electricity. I was told of how a community head died while being taken to the hospital. I had to build a health centre for them. Following to the needs assessment, we discovered that electricity is a big problem here. We have been working with it for the past two years with the relevant MDA which is the Federal Ministry of Power and I am happy to report that the contract has since been awarded. Work started a couple of weeks ago. “The intention of the project is to improve the distribution and of course to enhance power in this area. What we are doing is to find out what they are doing. I go to visit projects I facilitated. I go at night to see if the solar power street lights are working.” For the speaker, he can tell all that to the marines. It sure is getting interesting and the last word has certainly not been heard about this matter. These men’s fight may not stop even after a winner has emerged. For now, our last word is: let the best man get the job. And please, no violence.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2014

Ikeja City Mall celebrates Nigeria at 54 T In celebration of Nigeria’s 54years of Independence , Ikeja City Mall in collaboration with City FM and the mall tenant stores treated Lagosians to a funfair. People were given opportunity to send well wishes on City FM live and sign their goodwill messages to Nigeria on a supersized flag strategically positioned inside the mall. The Marketing Manager of the mall, Eniola Ositelu, said the aim for this year’s independence show just like every other year, was to change the negative perception people have of the country. “This event is mainly to promote the interest of Nigeria positively in the hearts of our customers and

By Tonia ‘Diyan

Lagosians as a whole. It is to reaffirm the ‘belieF in Nigeria’ and ‘belief in ICM’ theme.” He added that people’s turn-out on a special day as Independence, sends the right signal about the subject. Eniola appreciated the support of the tenant stores and Lagosians who came out en masse to make the event a great success saying, there are fantastic prizes to be given out in a draw when people make single receipt purchase(s) of over N25, 000 in any store within the mall. They stand chances of winning cash prizes ranging from

N50, 000, to N150, 000. Other side attractions include; dance competitions, fashion parades, spot the flag (a game), snap shots with the Independence cake and the highlight of the day, cutting the beautifully decorated Nigerian green and white cake. Ikeja City Mall comprises of a perfect mix of retailers trading quality products and services of renowned local and international brands. The mall recently listed as one of the top 25 Facebook checkin locations around the world, has become choice location for people to shop, converge to unwind, network and socialise with friends physically and via social media platforms.

Get the best bargains by window-shopping

ANY people just walk into a shop and buy items without first surveying the market. They then get disappointed when they find the same items being sold at a cheaper price in other shops. You can avoid this by windowshopping. What is window-shopping? It is checking out goods or services, with the intent to purchase at a later time. When should one do windowshopping? It is advisable to do it a week or a few days before you purchase the item. This will help you get better bargains for items. A good time for windowshopping is during working days or early morning hours because the shopping malls/centres are less crowded, compared to the weekends. The shop attendants tend to be more helpful since they are not very busy. You can ask as many questions as you can about the items you intend to buy. Why go window-shopping?

It helps you know what is trendy or new in the market. Window-shopping will also help you know where to find particular produce you intend to buy. This will help you save time. Doing window shopping enables you to later buy items for what they are really worth. This is not possible with impulse buying. While doing window-shopping the quality of the product is another aspect to consider. Do not be lured into buying an item because of the good bargains. Pay attention to the finishing, the material from which the product is made and the trademark labels to rule out the idea of duplication. Some people do windowshopping as a leisure activity. The women will tend to look at clothes, shoes or handbags, while the men prefer to look at electric gadgets and automobiles. Desist from carrying money with you, lest you end up buying an item you had not even planned to. Do not deposit money on an item before you make a final decision on whether you want to buy it.

Lagos mall on a public holiday

•Shoppers at the Independence show

A surge in disposable income and growth in Africa’s middle classes has led to an upswing in the number of shopping centres across the continent, a report by google has said.

As Africa’s middle classes grow, shopping ITH shoppers searching moving into “consumercentres boom now for new ways to spend related sectors as Africa’s middle

their money, and investors keen to help them to do it, some 14 new shopping centres opened their doors between 2012 and 2013, according to research by Sagaci, a market intelligence organisation. Excluding South Africa, there were 242 shopping centres in the continent last year, the report said. “The middle class is developing. And the people in it want to spend their money,” Julien Garcier, a partner at Sagaci, told AFP. More than 180 other retail developments are in the pipeline, according to the researchers, funded “largely by local investors”. Just one shopping centre closed last year, the Westgate mall in Nairobi, Kenya, which was shut after an attack by the Somali Islamist group Shebab in which at least 67 people were killed. According to the International Monetary Fund, about 150 million people can be considered firmly in the continent’s middle class, with the same number again part of the more vulnerable “floating” middle class. Sub-Saharan African economies are currently some of the fastest growing in the world, and expected to expand by more than five percent this year. While much of the continent’s growth has come from oil, gas and other natural resources, the emergence of a middle class has

also boosted consumer growth. According to a study by the African Development Bank published in 2011, nearly 34 per cent of Africa’s population are middle class, with the group almost tripling in size from 1980. In May, the accountancy firm Ernst & Young published a report that said that many investors are

class expands”. Garcier says his research suggests that some 30 per cent of households living in the biggest African cities earn more than $500 (370 euros) a month. “In all the countries of subSaharan Africa, the size (of the middle class) is underestimated,” he said.

HOPPERS in the Lagos metropolis spent their public holidays visiting various malls within the city. Many who were seen at the Adeniran Ogunsanya mall and its neighbouring mall Leisure mall were there mainly for sightseeing and window shopping. Full of smiles, families took group photographs as they wine and dine together in the comfort of eateries situated within the mall. Children who were engrossed in train ride or car racing games were chanting and cheering. As expected, the mall was filled as many shoppers brought their children to shop and at the same time have fun. Children were more, most visited with their parents to catch the fun in the air of the ongoing Muslim celebration. Parents did the shopping while they left their children to take the train ride and play around and car race. The Nation Shopping decided to find out why busy workers would rather visit the mall on a public holiday when they should be in the comfort of their houses resting. A man simply called, Mr. Gabriel was at the

By Kolawole Gloria

mall with his three kids, he said: ‘’ I am supposed to rest today being a public holiday but this is the only time I have for my kids to enjoy this Muslim season’’. He further explained that he likes patronising the malls on such holidays because the mall comes with full package of fun, entertainment and luxury. For Mrs. Enitan, holidays are not necessarily meant for resting. ‘’ Holiday is a time when you can do things that are not very urgent or necessary’’. She added that apart from holidays, she also visits the mall during the weekends because during weekdays she is always busy at her workplace. Mrs. Michelle visits Lagos malls regularly, but she said public holidays are unique because she has the opportunity of going to the mall with her kids when they return home from their hostel. For Mrs. Amaka, the road is usually free on public holidays, so it’s her best time to visit the malls. ‘’I don’t go out on public holidays but today, I am here because my son is resuming school and I have to shop for his resumption items’’ she said

•A South African shopping centre

• A shopper signing her goodwill message on a supersized flag on Independence day at the Ikeja City Mall in Lagos.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2014

THE NATION

BUSINESS

AGRICBUSINESS

e-mail: agrobusiness@thenationonlineng.net

Precision farming: New opportunities for agriculture?

MALL scale growers in Northern Nigeria are dynamic farmers. They dream of better ways of growing their millet, maize and soya beans. Because of this, they are continually searching for new farm management techniques and are prepared to try out any innovation that seems viable. Yet, because prices locally are low, their incomes continue to fall and no one seems able to help them secure niche markets with high returns. This is because commodities are harvested from fields with different exposures. The other issue is that farming has been rainfall-dependent. However, in most parts of the North, droughts and other climate change issues have deteriorated the environment over the last two decades. As a result, it is becoming quite difficult to predict the rainfall pattern. This is affecting farming because not many farmers have the capacity to irrigate their land and produce on large scale. Therefore, they are victims to the unpredictable rain for their crops. To tackle these problems, experts are pushing for precision agriculture, a high technology that would enable extension officers and farmers address problems, using appropriate crop management system that would not only lead to better yields but higher profits. Through precision farming, farmers stand to benefit from more efficient farm management, fewer inputs, reduced leaching and, therefore, less damage to the environment. To achieve this, a national workshop was organised in Kaduna to train farmers to the use of precision farming techniques. Addressing the workshop n Kaduna, the National Project Coordinator, West Africa Agricultural Productivity Programme (WAAPP)Nigeria, Prof Damian Chikwendu said there is need to address the challenges of farmers planting on fields that are not homogeneous. One way to achieve this, Chikwendu noted, is through precision agriculture, a farming method capable of addressing the challenge of unpredictable yields and poor resource management. Precision agriculture, he said is an integrated crop management system that attempts to determine the kind and amount of inputs which the actual crop needs for small areas within a farm. He said it is often referred to as either Global Position System (GPS) – based agriculture, variablerate farming, precision farming or site-specific farming. Precision agriculture, he explained, is a farming management concept based on observing and responding to intrafield variations. Besides, it relies on new technologies such as satellite imagery, information technology, and geospatial tools. The workshop, he said, was aimed at acquainting participants with precision farming techniques using technologies such as GPS, geographic information system (GIS), remote sensing, and yield monitors guidance systems for various rate application. The overall results of precision farming, according to him, are more efficient farm management, fewer inputs, reduced leaching and, therefore, less damage to the environment. Chikwendu said precision farming is,” doing the right thing, at the right place and at the right time”. Doing the right thing he

The search for new methods of boosting agricultural production to enable the country meet her aspiration of achieving food security has led to precision farming, a high tech approach to managing soils and crops and ensuring the most efficient use of resources. Some experts have however expressed doubts about the applicability of this farming method to small-scale agriculture in the country, DANIEL ESSIET reports.

•A group of farmers practicalising GPS use

said however, starts with good managers and good operators doing a good job of using common goods such as planters, harvesters, fertiliser applicators and whatever else that might be needed. According to him, precision agriculture technologies provide the information and systems that allow a farmer to optimise and customise the timing, amount, and placement of inputs (seed, fertiliser, pesticides, irrigation and others) for any given section of a field. This allows the farmer to produce the maximum yield from the entire field at the lowest possible cost. According to him, the uses of very accurate GPS-based equipment could eliminate overruns and reduce wasted seed and fertiliser. This growing awareness, coupled with the demographic shift to younger, technologically-savvy farmers, has many pundits predicting a dramatic increase in the rate of growth of precision agriculture. There are a growing number of companies offering precision agriculture products and services. One of them is Clemence and Geoconsult. Its Lead Consultant, Dr Aminu Usman said his organisation is ready to help farmers use precision farming to improve profitability. In a bid to fast track its usage nationwide, his organisation and WAAPP commenced a one week

•Chikwendu

training workshop last month on GPS to enhance precision farming. The first leg of the workshop took place in Kaduna, with 55 participants made up of WAAPP Coordinators and Assistant Coordinating Officers from several universities, research institutes and Agricultural Development Projects (ADP)in attendance. Usman lauded WAAPP for initiating the training programme. The global positioning system, he noted, will expose participants to

unending possibilities and applications to everyday field operations. He urged participants to use the opportunities of the workshop organised by WAAPP to improve their knowledge to enable them join hands in the current drive to take the country to a level of sustainable agricultural development and food security. Experts have however said the implementation and use of precision agriculture will not succeed without addressing challenges of small farm holdings. In this case, the way forward will be to take the technology to small farmers through government sponsored initiatives and continuous research. The message has to be taken to farmers that they need to get more involved in using emerging technologies while also providing training in the use of GPS equipment and GIS software for local technicians. But there are obstacles to small farmers adopting precision farming techniques. These include the low levels of literacy among farmers and the lack of equipment. In addition, land tenure systems are mostly based on smallholdings and this affects the extent to which precision farming technology could be applied. If the government is to introduce certain precision farming applications in

‘Experts have however said the implementation and use of precision agriculture will not succeed without addressing challenges of small farm holdings. In this case, the way forward will be to take the technology to small farmers through government sponsored initiatives and continuous research’

small farms, it would be almost impossible to train the large numbers of barely literate farmers that would be involved. For this reason, fisheries expert, Prof Martins Antekhai wants the government to be realistic about the type of farms that could be targeted. He suggested it should involve large farms especially large ones that cover at least 100 hectares because of the cost of acquiring technologies. The whole industry, he explained would benefit in the long run from increased efficiency in management systems where funds to buy large amounts of external inputs are often in short supply. This is because the approach carries many clear messages, such as ‘do not waste fertilisers on soils that are constrained by other factors.’ For experts, however, precision farming doesn’t need to be hightech. For example, farmers who have to decide where, when and how to apply the limited amount of manure they have on their farms are aware of the variability of the soil in their fields and, in most cases, will not spread the manure equally throughout the farm. Antekhai who is of the Faculty of Science, Lagos State University (LASU), said it is unlikely that the rate of agro-technical innovation will slow down. He was of the opinion, however that as the technologies developed, they become less expensive and more widely available, as bright agricultural minds will observe research and adapt them. Eventually, the small farmers will be able to acquire it to improve farm efficiency. Precision farming, for instance, he added has become possible due to the convergence of three groups of modern technologies: information and (wireless) communication technologies, monitoring and measuring technologies (including remote sensing and GIS, yield monitoring and GPS), and automated process control technology. Once adapted to farm conditions, these technologies, according to him, will provide a completely new level of accuracy in measuring plant growth, in monitoring on farm growing conditions and in operating farm equipment. Many agricultural experts have argued that the use and maintenance of these technologies are beyond the capacity of small scale farmers. It is suggested that they do not have the right educational backgrounds to understand and operate the equipment, and that farms are too small and cropping practices too heterogeneous for them to be used effectively. Nevertheless, there have been reports of many exciting examples of small-scale farmers, nomadic herders and fishermen who have experimented with new technologies, sometimes in projects supported by outside funding and expertise, but oft en on their own account. Farmers have adopted en masse the mobile phone, which has proven invaluable in enabling them to access market information and deal with everyday problems that threaten their crops and livestock. At the same time, agricultural scientists are increasingly becoming interested in working with farmers and rural communities to explore the potential of technologies such as remote sensing, GIS and GPS for monitoring crop yields and quality, and automated process control technology.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2014

AGRICBUSINESS

‘Cocoa farmers getting fairer share of international market’

HAT is the implication of Nigeria exporting about 70-80 per cent of cocoa produced in the country? All the factories in Nigeria are not processing more than 20 per cent maximum and about 80 per cent is been exported as raw beans. It is only in this country that people who export raw beans are the same foreigners who have setup factories in Cote Dovire, Cameroun, Ghana and Indonesia. This is the area we are not clever as a country. Sad enough, government is again in its wisdom, paying grant to somebody taking raw materials out. Now in the countries where they are taking these raw materials to, they don’t charge them import duties but the little 20,000 to 25,000 tonnes that we are exporting as semi finished products to those countries, they are taxing it. Can you now see our dilemma as a processor? We are not competitive, we come back home; there is energy, road and multiple taxation problem, there is government in ability to control lending rate for industry, so factories are borrowing money the same way traders are borrowing money. The traders does not create jobs, it is the farmers and factories that create jobs. Traders is going to do his own business alone, but in fac-

Mr Dimeji Owofemi is the Executive Vice Chairman, Multi Trex Integrated Foods Plc. In this interview with SINA FADARE, he says the cocoa industry is the only panacea to employment generation in the country. Excerpts. tory like this you have at least 50 people for the smallest size, at a point we have about 116. Now if you have 10 factories,each with 300 people it means you have employed 3,000 people, those are the people that are directly involved. Aside this you still have those that are not involved in production such casual workers and people who trades semi finish product that we do. So there is multiplier effect when you take things from farm land to factories, rather than from farm land to the port in the raw form. Therefore those are the people to pay attention to, farmers and factories. If you take care of those two, all will be well. But if we neglect those two sectors, we are shooting ourselves on the foot as a country. Aside this, what other areas did you think cocoa can be best utilised? Farming is a creator of employment. Yoruba have a say that Igbe lowo wa, meaning there is money in the bush, it is better the government adopt a policy that will re di-

HarvestPlus honours biofortified cassava expert

ARVESTPLUS, the organisation leading global effort to end hidden hunger, has presented an award to Dr Alfred Dixon, known by his peers as “Dr. Cassava,” in recognition of his outstanding performance towards the rapid development of provitamin A cassava varieties in Nigeria. Dixon is currently the Project Leader for the Cassava Weed Management Project/Head, Project Coordination Office at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, Oyo State. The award was given to Dixon during the HarvestPlus- organised annual crop meeting held in Abuja. The organisation also honored its Deputy Director (Operations), Dr Wolfgang Pfeiffer; IITA Cassava Breeder, Dr Peter Kulakow; and the Executive Director, National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI) Umudike, Dr. Josiah Okonkwo, were also given awards. In his career with IITA, Dixon led the development of over 300

improved cassava varieties most of which were introduced to over 30 countries in Africa and helped the continent to increase production. He also pioneered the development of provitamin A cassava varieties. In reference to the contribution of Dr Dixon, Dr Pfeiffer referred to him as “being instrumental to the development of yellow cassava varieties that are agrononomically superior.” In 2008, Dixon left IITA to serve as the pioneer Director General of the Sierra Leone Agricultural Research Institute (SLARI), Freetown, Sierra Leone. Dr Dixon is a team player and has trained, inspired, and mentored more than 300 national scientists and technicians to add value to the food security drive of governments to ensure food security. Most of his trainees are today in leadership positions. He is often referred to as the “Father of Cassava in Africa.” In recognition of his contribution to the development of the cassava sector in the country, he was awarded a traditional chieftaincy title in Nigeria.

rect and re focus our youths towards agriculture because that is the only sector that can accommodate all the army of youths we are producing in the university in droves without anywhere to secure or guarantee their future. There was a time you canvassed the return of cocoa board. Can it better the fortune of the industry? I said government should create institution that would structure the value change and that is what Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development is doing now. I don’t want us to go back to that era, but to create an institution that will regulate the operation of the industry so that it will not be an all comers affair. And is usually government operated. You can see what is happening in Ghana now. They are facing similar challenges as well. If I have my way, I will pray and fast for six months if God will answer my prayer to dry off our oil, so that we can face reality. This issue of going to Abuja every month to collect oil money has blindfolded us away from agro allied sector that can drive our economy. Do you think Nigeria can produce 500,000 tonnes of cocoa by next year with what is on ground? No, that 500,000 tonnes cannot manifest in one year with what is

• From left: The Technical Adviser (Cassava Value Chain) to the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Adetunji; Programme Manager, Lagos State Agricultural Development Authority, Mr Kayode Ashafa and the Zonal Officer, Southwest, Nigeria Quarantine Service, Mrs Victoria Atunbi,during the event.

Govt urged to reposition agro export to boost foreign earnings

•Dr Pfeiffer (left) presenting the award to Dr Dixon in Abuja.

on the ground. Despite the distribution of new improved cocoa varieties to farmers a year ago, it is difficult to meet such a target. These crops will take about 18months to mature at the point of putting it in the soil. Meanwhile, it is a process. You get the seedlings within nurseries, put them there, nurture them, before you transplant them. I will say three years down the lines. Akwa Ibom and Rivers states are already producing massively. Some of the problems we have is a good data base that can guide our operational system. As of now there is no reliable statistics and most of the farmers cannot be identified talk less of monitoring their production for record purpose In the past, a tonne of cocoa was about N4,000, today it has raised to about N400,000, would you say cocoa farmers are enjoying? When I entered into this industry in 1987 it was not N4,000, it was N1,800, and so it jumped to N4,000 per tonne. Today it is about N 540,000, so you cannot say the farmers are not fully compensated. Against this backdrop will you say Nigerian cocoa farmers are adequately compensated? Nigerians cocoa farmers are getting the highest share of the inter-

national market. Between 65 and 75 per cent of the international value, much more than what the farmers in Ghana are getting and more than what Ivory coast farmers are getting, but they don’t get that, they are involved with the provision of all the things that farmers need. Whereas, we can’t pursue that in Nigeria here it is impracticable, it is too late. From your experience, will you say, agro allied industry can give us the lead way in employment generation? You don’t have any other industry that can give you that; oil industry can’t. The best way is to support Nigerians involve in agriculture so they can create more employment. This can be done by government in different ways. You can help to get loans that attract little interest and propagate policies that are industries friendly. For instance, those who need energy could be assisted. For instance; the pipe gas is right in front of our factory. We signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Nigeria Company. It is nearly 40 months, they haven’t turn up to do the project for us, which has potential to reduce the cost of energy consumption to a minimum of 60 per cent of what we are spending today. We are using 66,000 litres of diesel every week, if we can solve the energy crisis; we could have increased our capacity base by employing more workers. Most of the industries along this Lagos- Ibadan express way are facing similar problems.

TAKEHOLDERS in the agricultural sector have urged the government to reposition agro export sector to promote economic growth and drive employment generation. In a communiqué issued at the end of a one-day workshop on Agricultural Produce Export organised the Lagos State Agric Development Authority(LSADA), in Lagos, the stakeholders noted that there are increasing opportunities within agribusiness and that diversifying of agro commodities would generate export revenues. The stakeholders consist of representatives of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, LSADA,Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS), Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC), National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control(NAFDAC),

Bank of Industry(BoI), Bank of Agriculture(BoA),Accion Micro Finance Bank, Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Company(NAIC),exporters and farmers. The workshop noted that investment is vital for the development of agro-industry since such activities require high levels of technical capacity, links to markets and knowledge of market requirements. According to the workshop, increased investment in transportation and other infrastructure could help the sector diversify and to integrate their production vertically to encourage agro-industry. Any expansion in processing may have the effect of increasing the well-being of the people employed in the sector, providing higher wage jobs, and producing a higher-value product for exports. The workshop noted that market integration is necessary as there op-

portunities for further development of agro exports and introduction of higher-value products. The workshop reiterated the natural export advantages that Lagos has and exporters and farmers can utilise them to generate foreign exchange for the country. The stakeholders also appreciated the determination of the Lagos State government to increase the production of higher value-added agricultural produce while continuing to produce popular commodities, fresh vegetables and fruits. The workshop recognised the efforts of the government through the Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) to bring back agriculture to its rightful position and the collaboration of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Nigerian Export Promotion Council to facilitate agric export development.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2014

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

Drought to cut Brazil’s sugar exports to six-year low

RAZIL’S sugar exports will fall further than had been thought, to a six-year low, thanks to a drought-hit cane harvest, with the disappointing volumes only partially offset by better hopes for Australia and Thailand. Brazil, the top sugar producer and exporter, will ship 24.0m tonnes of the sweetener in 2014-15 (May to April), the US Department of Agriculture bureau in Brasilia said. That represents an even deeper drop than had been expected from last season’s 26.2 million tonne result – the USDA has officially forecast exports falling to 25.3 million tonnes in 2014-15 – and would represent the lowest volumes for six years. It would also represent a second successive annual decline in shipments for the first time on records going back to the 1980s. ‘Irregular weather’ The USDA bureau said that its downgraded estimate was “due to lower expected sugar production, therefore lower expected exportable supply”. Indeed, Brazil’s sugar output was pegged

at 35.8 million tonnes, 1.0 million tonnes below the official USDA forecast, with the shortfall due to downgrade to 32.6 million tonnes in the estimate for production from the important Centre South region. Nonetheless, the estimate is above those of many other commentators, such as Brazilian consultancies Datagro and Job Economia, and Australia-based Green Pool. The USDA bureau, whole noting “lower agricultural [cane] yields… as a result of irregular weather conditions”, pegged the Centre South cane harvest at 565 million tonnes, a figure also above that of many other commentators. Brazil’s cane crop, like its coffee plantations, has been tested by unusually dry conditions in many central regions of the coun-

try. However, USDA staff were more upbeat over sugar shipments from other major exporting countries, noting, with the Bangkok bureau foreseeing Thai volumes hitting 8.5 million tonnes in 2014-15. That would be a rise of 1.0 million tonnes year on year, and is 200,000 tonnes more generous than the USDA’s official forecast. While dryness has curtailed Thai cane output – with rains “far below normal averages, particularly in major cane growing areas in the northern, western and central plain regions” – export volumes will be enabled by ample carry-in inventories. Shipments to other Asian countries will be supported by a drop to 0-10 per cent, from 5-40 per cent, in duties on imports to nations which were members of the Asean trading

bloc. The USDA bureau in Canberra pegged Australia’s sugar exports in 2014-15 (July to June) at 3.3million tonnes, up 200,000 tonnes on last season, and on the department’s official forecast. The bureau said that its upbeat estimate reflected a more generous production forecast, of 4.6m tonnes, again 200,000 tonnes higher than last season’s and the official prediction. The bureau cited a “less-severe-than-expected impact on the [cane] harvest from flooding, cyclones and canopy syndrome disease”, a little-understood condition which it had been feared posed a serious crop threat. Australia is the world’s third-ranked sugar exporter, and Thailand is the second biggest.

‘One million passengers used airport in eight months’

TOTAL of 1, 007, 823 passengers passed through Domestic Terminal 1 of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, between January and August 2014. The terminal has become passenger’s choice after its remodelling, the general manager , corporate communications, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria ( FAAN), Mr Yakubu Dati, disclosed. This figure , Dati said, is expected to rise in the last quarter of 2014 as three new domestic airlines have concluded plans to commence operations at the terminal in October 2014. Air Peace Airlines and Azman Airline will soon begin scheduled operations at the terminal . Discovery Airline has already began operations at the terminal. He said :” A breakdown of the figure shows that a total number of 507,542 passengers arrived at the terminal while 500,281 departed from the terminal during the period under review. ‘’During the first quarter of 2014, a total of 265,142 passengers at the Domestic terminal while 258,845 passengers departed from it. The second quarter of 2014 witnessed a total number of 241,436 departing passengers and 242,400 arriving passengers. “The attraction of airlines to the terminal cannot be over emphasised as a total number of 12,564 aircraft movements were recorded at the terminal between January and August 2014. ‘’A breakdown of the figure shows that a total of 6,198 aircraft arrived at the terminal while 6,366 departed from it. ‘’During the first quarter, the terminal recorded a total number of 6,508 aircraft movements. ‘’During the second quarter of the period under review, the terminal recorded a total of 6,056 aircraft movements. ‘’The quantum of economic activities generated has translated into more jobs and wealth creation not only at the Lagos airport but also at other remodelled airports under the President Goodluck Aviation Transformation programme.”

From left: Managing Partner, Uburu Consulting, Tony Usidamen; General Manager, British American Tobacco Nigeria (BATN) Foundation, Abimbola Okoya; Director, MTN Foundation (MTNF), Mr Dennis Okoro; Executive Secretary, MTNF, Nonny Ugboma and Sustainability Manager, BATN, Seyi Ashade, at a workshop in Lagos.

IATA trains Bi-Courtney workers

OISED to reposition the working environment and make it more conducive for travellers and other a irport users, the management of BiCourtney Aviation Services Limited, operator of the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two (MMA2), in conjunction with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has started a training workshop for workers of the company. The workshop, among other things, was designed to promote quality, effective and efficient services by airport professionals in the areas of management, marketing, operations and security. While declaring the workshop open, BiCourtney’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Christophe Penninck, said the company being a major player in the aviation industry, cannot operate in isolation, hence the need for constant collaboration with industry regulators, airline operators and other airport users all in a bid to ensure a more secure environment. “In order to do the job the way it is being

By Kelvin Osa Okunbor

done the world over, we need a more secure environment. As long as we relate with customers, we must be professional in our day-to-day conduct. This is not the first of its kind, and it will not be the last. The partnership with IATA is a good initiative in this stead, and could not have come at a better time than now,” the CEO said, adding that the workshop ultimately was not about obtaining paper or international certificate, but rather to do everything possible to satisfy the customers, ensure safety, security and other things that make travelling via the airport terminal a worthwhile experience. On his part, the Area Manager, South-West Africa, IATA, Mr. Samson Fatokun, noted that the organisation over the years, has been known for capacity building among professionals in the industry worldwide. He maintained that the training will go a long way to boost the morale of members of staff of BASL, hinting further that IATA

trains about 200 candidates yearLY. Also, IATA’s External Instructor, Mr. Hatem Ibrahim, stated that the organisation was more than ready to partner with organisations in the area of capacity building. His words: “We are more than ready to partner with organisations in perfecting skills with those who have passed through trainings; we are here to support Bi-Courtney and it is for the benefit of all and sundry. It is not an exam class. It is rather for customers service boost. We enjoin participants to utilise it for something productive.” The Chief Financial Officer of BASL, Mr. Olushola Olayinka, while lauding the initiative, charged the participants to put in their best with a view to getting something valuable from it, adding that the company has plans to send its officials for further training overseas. The training , which continues till next week, is being attended in batches by members of staff of BASL.

Air Peace to partner banks, others as retreat begins S part of strategies to promote safety culture among its 200 personnel new entrant Air Peace has announced plans to partner commercial banks , hotels, retail outlets , travel agencies and other businesses as it begins a three-day retreat to prepare for its inaugural flight this month. The partnership with many financial institutions and other players is to drive home the vision of the carrier for enhanced collaboration, its chairman, Mr Allen Onyema said . The retreat, according to Onyema will provide a platform for the workers to plan ahead on how to run an airline that is expected to change the face of air travel, even as it wil have zero tolerance for accident and cutting of corners. Onyema said the retreat beginning today

•Onyema

at the Eko Tourist Resort will provide opportunity to inculcate in the airline personnel the need to pursue safety both on ground and in the sky. He said the event will also provide a platform for both technical and non technical workers of the airline to plan how to use technology and other offline platform to leverage the carrier, which is expected to run like South West Airline of the United States of America (U.S.A.). Onyema said with five aircraft already on ground, Air Peace is expected to take delivery of the sixth aircraft preparatory to inaugural flight. He said the retreat will also provide an opportunity to educate the personnel of the airline on the need to imbibe zero tolerance for accident . He said:”Air Peace will begin its three-day

retreat for staff ahead of planned operations which would be announced this month. “The retreat is for our over 200 personnel including technical and non technical staff. “It is important for us to drive home the point that the staff must understand the vision of this airline. “Though this would be at huge costs, it will help to start on a good note with everybody understanding the vision of the airline . “It is to herald the start of operations very soon. Our strategy is on time departure . “We can assure that everything is on ground for our inaugural flight . “We will educate our staff on how to make the difference as an airline by pursuing customer service . “We will ensure we educate our staff on the need not to cut corners and have respect for all passengers’’.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2014

PEOPLE THE NATION

A SEVEN-PAGE SECTION ON SOCIETY

The remains of the late Civil War hero, Brigadier General Benjamin Adesanya Maja Adekunle, a.k.a ‘Black Scorpion’, were interred last Friday after a funeral service at the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) in Onikan, Lagos. NNEKA NWANERI was there.

•Officers of the Nigerian Armed Forces bearing the remains of the late Adekunle

PHOTOS: BIODUN ADEYEWA

The ‘Black Scorpion’ goes home H

E was a fearless soldier, bold and tough; a veteran wartime hero and a national icon who fought during the Nigerian Civil War (1967 to1970). He was the General Officer Commanding 3 Marine Commando. General Benjamin Adekunle was all that and more to many. He died on September 13. He was 78. Last Friday, many gathered to pay their last respects to him and bid him farewell. The previous day, there was a wake and his remains were laid-in-state at the Ordinance Corps Hall of Abalti Barracks, Surulere. The ceremony, which was held at the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) in Onikan, Lagos, was more or less a state burial. All roads leading to the venue were clear. Fully kitted men of the Nigerian Army were there to ensure there was no hitchesl. Dogs were deployed to sniff cars and guests as they made their way into the large arena. The event was open to all, after serious screening at the gates. Two large tents were erected and decorated in green, white and green national colours. The first tent was for the Major Generals, serving and retired military officers. Christian and Islamic clerics as well as traditional rulers were there in numbers. The other was for the family members and

•The late Gen Adekunle

•Governor Fashola consoling the first wife of the deceased Mrs Comfort Adekunle

well wishers of the deceased. At exactly 11:11am, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Kenneth Minimah, arrived with Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola. With their arrival, the ceremony began with the rendition of the National Anthem by the Army Band. Minimah almost went unnoticed. He wore a black Niger-Delta attire and cap to match. He led other sympathisers to the canopy where the casket bearing the remains of the late General was. Catholic clerics followed them. They were robbed in white and purple

cassocks. Pall bearers, who were all Brigadier Generals, in a slow parade processional match, moved the casket to another canopy. As they moved, the hymn “Onward Christian Soldiers Marching as to War” was sung by all. While filing back to their seats, they took turns to salute the casket. The casket was covered with a Nigerian flag. On it were the cap, boots and sword of the late General. Officiating ministers were the Director of Chaplain Services (Protestant), Col. Rev

Dawuk Danfulani, and Director of the Roman Catholic Services Col Fr Charles Iroegbu. A reading from John 14:1-6 was taken by Miss Jumoke Adekunle, the late General’s grand-daughter. As the ceremony went on, there was a heavy downpour. Col Danfulani read a portion of the Bible Luke 2:4-7 - before his sermon. He drew a comparison between 78 years ago when the late General was born, an event that attracted many, and his burial which drew dignitaries to bid him farewell. The cleric admonished the family to celebrate the life of their late father, because they did not lose him to the war and, therefore, •Continued on page 42

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2014

SOCIETY

The ‘Black Scorpion’ goes home •Continued from page 41

had the opportunity to interact and gain from his wealth of experiece, more than 40 years after his retirement. The cleric said:“We are all born for a purpose.The late General Adekunle came, impacted and had done well.” He urged all to play their roles well, fear God and keep His commandments. Former Head of State General Yakubu Gowon sent a tribute through Gen. Emmanuel Abisoye (rtd). He said, the late Gen Adekunle was dedicated to duty as an exemplary, fearless and loyal officer. All rose to applaud. Gowon described the late Gen Adekunle as a gallant soldier who ensured his fatherland remained strong and united. “He was one of my commanders, a thorough bred soldier, my ‘brother in arms’ and we should thank him for fighting for a just cause,” Gen Gowon said. The first daughter of the deceased, Mrs. Bisola Olagunju, said her father had a lot of potential and dreams for the country. His regret was that ‘’we did not live up to our potential in his life time, the reason for the Civil War,” she said. After the service, only the immediate family members and senior officers were allowed at the Ikoyi Vaults and Gardens where his remains were interred. At the burial site, Mrs. Olagunju was presented with the items on the casket. It was then she broke down and wept. There was a gun salute as the remains were lowered into the grave. In attendance were Gen Alani Akinrinade (rtd); former Chief of Defence Staff Alex Ogomudia (rtd), among others. The Alake of Egbaland and Oba of Lagos sent representatives with their staff of office.

•Some members of the late Adekunle’s nuclear family

•Gen Minimah (left) and Air Mashal Adesola Amosun

•General Officer Commanding 81 Division, Major General Tamunomiebi Dibi (left) and Real Admiral Samuel Alade

•From left: Prof Ambrose Alikidon Voh, Impa Bachama; widow of the deceased Folake Adekunle and Chief Vincent Ahijoh, Majino Bachama

•Gen Ogomudia (left) and former General Officer Commanding 81 Division, Tanko Abdul

•Gen Muhammed Chris Alli

•From left: Mr Segun Adekunle; his wife, Simi and Mrs Sumbo Adekunle •Mrs Bola Elegbede

•Gen Akinrinade (left) and Mr Kenny Martins

PHOTOS: BIODUN ADEYEWA

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2014

SOCIETY A reception was held last Wednesday at the Sheraton Hotels, Ikeja, for Obiora Edwin Madu, a.k.a Mr Export, for his Order of Merit Award for National Productivity. NNEKA NWANERI was there.

•Mr Madu and his wife, Ifeoma

•From left: Solomon Aigbavboa; Hon Remi Bello and Irofuala Vincent

•Sir Iloegbunam Amalu; his wife, Uzoamaka; Sir Frank Okafor and his wife, Mary •From left: Patrick Utomi; Terry Maxwell and Adedibu Adetokunbo

OR OBIORA Madu, the Chief Facilitator of Multimix Academy, it was another beautiful feather to his cap as he was honoured with the National Prductivity Order of Merit Award by President Gooduck Jonathan on August, 21 in Abuja. It was in recognition of his contributions to the development of the country. Last Wednesday, friends hosted him to a banquet to celebrate the achievement of the man they popularly call Mr Export. They comprised those in the private and public sectors who have interacted with him over the years. Some were from the Lagos State Chamber of Commerce and Industry, UAC Foods, Nigerian Breweries, Dangote Group, Consolidated Breweries, Heritage Bank and many others. Also present were members and priests of St Mary’s Catholic Church, Isolo, where Madu serves in many committees. To entertain guests were students of the Bethesa Home for the Blind, Surulere, who

PHOTOS: SOLOMON ADEOLA

Celebrating ‘Mr Export’ not only provided a comic relief and jokes to the guests, but also rendered special songs for the man of the day, who has been their benefactor for many years. They wore uniformed attires in national colours — green-whitegreen. After their performance, Madu solicited for help on their behalf. He said: “They are my special friends; so, please, let us find a way to assist them.” It was the Independence Day, so guests were in no hurry to go. There was music; there was food and there were drinks. Everyone was casually dressed; they were relaxed. The man of the day moved with graceful steps as he was called to cut the cake for his wedding’s silver jubilee anniversary, which

was also marked on that day. His wife was in a happy mood. She wore a long purple dinner gown. Pictures of the Madu family were on display through a projector. His friends on the same table teased him: saying there has been a lot of changes in him compared to how he looked in his wedding pictures. This attracted laughter. Encomiums poured for Madu. First was from his daughter, Oluchi. She sent a note which was read by another member of the family, Oluchi Madu. She mentioned many interesting things about her father . She also said she and her siblings were never told the right from wrong, but were shown from his daily exemplary life.

Madu’s Head of Business Carol Onuoha described him as a passionate coach and a disciplinarian who believes in human capital development and ensures that people add value to their lives. President of the Lagos State Chamber of Commerce and Industry Alhaji Remi Bello said the honour came rather late for Madu, having impacted on the lives of many. Responding, Madu said he has been associating with Bethesa since three years, and was excited with their performance. He said he only wanted the best for them. On the award, he said:“I feel on top of the world and it’s wonderful to be celebrated in my lifetime. As I have now been put on the spotlight, I will try to be more proactive and contribute meaningfully to national development.” Glasses were clicked as Mr Boniface Kalu gave a toast, describing Madu as a noble gentleman. after this, the merrymaking continued.

OJUDE-OBA FESTIVAL

WEDDING

•From right: Alhaja Oyin Oshati; Assistant Secretary, Egbe Bobakeye Akile Ijebu, Alhaja Bola Olufowobi; Treasurer cum Peakins Chief Executive Officer Alhaja Peju Akinsanya; Secial Secretary, cum Matron, Abbey Clinic, Alhaja Toyin Otusanya and Third Iyalode, Alhaja Wunmi Akinsanya at the Ojude-Oba Festival in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State

•The couple, former Miss Elizabeth Toyin Origade and Mr John Adeniran Onilude with Mrs Ajibola Oyesanya and Mr Adepoju Onilude after their wedding in Ibadan, Oyo State capital

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2014

SOCIETY A management consultant, Dr Oyeyemi Adegbite turned 70 last Friday. To mark the day, a special thanksgiving service was held at the Cathedral Church of Christ Marina, Lagos. Guests were hosted at the Golden Gate Restaurant, Ikoyi, reports NNEKA NWANERI.

‘I didn’t know I‘ll turn 70’ "L

OSING my father at four years, I didn't know I will live to be 70." Those were the words of a management consultant, Dr Oyeyemi Ezekiel Adegbite, as he gave a vote of thanks at his 70th birthday party last Friday. He also thanked his mother who single handedly took care of him from 1948 till her demise in 2007. With smiles, Adegbite with a heart full of praise to the Almighty, went to the altar of the Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina, Lagos in thanksgiving. His family members, friends and parishioners accompanied him. Forty-two years ago, his marriage to Titilayo was solemnised in the same church. Last Friday, he returned to the church to offer thanks and praises to God for leading him into the septuagenarian club. Adegbite looked quite young for his age. It was his day of joy and he bubbled like a young boy. His eyes kept moving to and fro over the gathering, ensuring that he acknowledged all those who came to share in the joy of the day with him. His children, all successful in their endeavours, left no stone unturned in ensuring their father had a wonderful outing. The church session was anchored by Rev George Abara who gave a homily on the virtues that made the celebrator an outstanding member of the parish. He urged Adegbite's children to live up to the character their father has and ensure that they emulate his good ways. Before the end of the service, the cleric enjoined all to stretch their hands to where he was seated with his family and sing the 'happy birthday song'. After the service, guests moved to the Golden Gate Restaurant in Ikoyi for the reception. They were not deterred by the downpour and turned out in large number. Though it was a busy day, his friends, among who were members of Ikoyi Club, came to celebrate with their own. The decor of the venue was simple in blue and white. There was music and entertainment to sooth guests. The songs were not contemporary, but high-life and gospel songs. The birthday 'boy' cut his three layered blue and white cake together with his wife, children and other guests followed suit.

•The celebrator, assisted by his wife, Titilayo and children to cut the cake

There were tributes. The first to take the microphone was elder brother of the celebrator, Mr Deji Adegbite. He told all how lucky he is to have him as a brother. The stories he told of their travails during their youthful days shows that indeed, blood is thicker than water. He also told of how close they have been, after they lost their father when he was 8 and his brother the celebrator four. "Nobody knew we would be what we are today because we were fatherless very early in our life. Our love was so strong that I used to take him to school, and I was glad he entered Christ's School five years after I did. We were on scholarship and I am happy am his role model," he said. The senior Adegbite went on and on talking of how close their both wives are and how happy he is to know his brother is always smiling, noting: "I have never seen him angry and we never quarrel." Mr Taiwo Obileye spoke on behalf of the members of Ikoyi Club and sister of the celebrator, Mrs Kehinde Ologunja also talked about how he has been a blessing to her family financially, educationally and materially. Whenever something was said of him, there will be chants of 'Oye' from a guest. She just sat in his chair smiling shyly on the taunts. Dr Adegbite's children filed out and stood before the gathering. The eldest son, Gboyega spoke on behalf of his siblings. "We can't have asked for a better father who always taught us that a good name is better than gold and silver. From the eldest to the youngest, we thank you for bringing us this far."

•Dr Deji Adegbite (right) and Chief Babatunde Sadara

•Vintage Press Limited Executive Director, Finance and Admin, Mr Ade Odunewu (left) and Chairman of Ikoyi Club Chief Olawale Doherty

•Mrs Omotola Oshungbohun (left) and Chairman, Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON), Mr Lolu Akinwunmi PHOTOS: NIYI ADENIRAN

They sang for their father, thanking him for raising them high enough to stand on mountains. Proposing the toast was the

ANNIVERSARY

•From left: Ms Omolara Ademokun; Baba Alatunse Solomon Akinjeji and Mr Emmanuel Inibong at the anniversary of the Melototah Church of Zion, Papa Ajao, Mushin

COMMUNICATE YOUR IDEAS Do you hear... or listen?

celebrator’s best-man when he got married in 1972, Mr Babatunde Shadare. For Adegbite, smiling ha s become a part of him.

O You Hear…or Listen? It was their 2nd wedding anniversary and Ade wanted to give Tina a treat. Knowing her love for classical music, he bought a ticket for them to attend the Grand Orchestra's special concert. At the concert, Tina was full of AMODU LANRE OLAOLU smiles and Ade was full of joy. He was not particularly a clas(Ph.D) sospeak2lanre@yahoo.com. sical music fan, but he would 07034737394 do anything for his beloved. @lanreamodu The music sounded good, though "sleepy". After a while, Tina leaned over and whispered, "I love the sound of that clarinet" Ade was dumbfounded! "You mean you can hear the sound of a single instrument over all that noise…sorry, I mean music?" He asked. "Of course" she replied, "just listen". Ade tried to listen and said, "Yea, yea, now I hear it. It has such a sweet sound". He paused again to listen and said, "And don't you love the sound of that conga drum?" Tina couldn't help but laugh aloud, "Honey" she said, "this is classical music; there is no conga drum". They both laughed. Hearing is a process through which our ears perceive sounds and send them to the brain for interpretation. If there is no hearing impairment, our ears will pick up sounds around us whether we like it or not. Our environments are never void of sounds; in fact, if you attempt to listen, you will be surprised how many those individual sounds are. Therefore, hearing is an effortless activity while listening is an activity that requires deliberate effort. According to Calvin Coolidge, the 30th President of the United States, "It takes a great man to be a good listener". Listening is so engaging that Morgan Scot Peck, an American Psychiatrist and best-selling author, said "You cannot truly listen to anyone and do anything else at the same time". Unfortunately, only few people listen as observed by Stephen R. Covey, author of The 7Habits of Highly Effective People, that "Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply", which in itself has defeated the aim of listening. As a good public speaker, it is very important for you to know the difference between hearing and listening. Of course there are several differences but here are a few notable ones: •Hearing is external while listening is internal: with all due respect to professionals in the health sector, hearing is a physiological process while listening is a cognitive process. The part of us that responds to hearing is external while the one that makes listening possible is internal. This is why one can appear to be listening to a conversation while the mind is millions of miles away. •Hearing is a sense while listening is a skill: we know that we have five senses in the human body and one of them is the sense of hearing. Anything that is subjected to the senses produces reflex actions, that is, automatic instinctive unlearned reaction to stimuli. Without any impairment, everyone can hear any sound; of course the interpretation will be a different matter. On the other hand, to listen effective, one must develop the skill. It doesn't come natural to listen; actually, in my own opinion, it is more natural for the mind to wonder while one is appearing to be listening. •The more you hear, the less you listen: we agreed earlier that we are surrounded by host of sounds. Not all of those sounds are relevant to the information we need per time. Hence, sorting becomes necessary. Imagine trying to make a phone call next to a generator or a radio at its highest volume. Though you can hear all the sounds, you need to try and block some out so that you can pay attention to the important one. Communication specialists mostly agree that noise is always present in the communication process and may interfere, if allowed. Have you ever tried to have a serious conversation with someone who seems to be distracted by everyone, every sound and everything around? That person is hearing more and listening less. If Morgan Peck is right that we cannot truly balance listening with doing other things, then we must make every effort to determine what we listen to. •Hearing involves less commitment than listening: a lot of people only pay vague attention when they are being spoken to. Sometimes when people don't want to commit themselves to a task, they merely hear the instructions without listening, because they have already decided not to comply. When you find a teenager being reprimanded by an adult and he/she looks away or gives this look that says, "Will you please hurry up and let's get this over with", he/she is merely hearing without listening. Some people are afraid to listen to someone who needs help because they believe they would have already committed themselves, merely by listening. There is no way you can listen without being involved. An unknown author said, "My wife says I never listen to her. At least I think that's what she said". I want you to candidly answer these questions: do you hear or do you listen? How much attention do you pay to conversations? How much of a conversation do you remember immediately you walk away? The answers to these questions will tell you whether or not you have been listening. You can never be a good public speaker if you are not first a good listener. If you don't know how to listen, how will you know how to make others listen to you? Do have a blessed weekend. Dr. Amodu teaches at the Department of Mass Communication, Covenant University, Ogun State.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2014

SOCIETY The fifth Gani Fawehinmi Memorial Colloquium has been held at the main auditorium of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) last Thursday; it featured presentation of awards to some personalities, reports OLATUNDE ODEBIYI.

HE event kicked off after the entry of the Lagos State Governor, Batunde Raji Fashola. He entered in company of his crew amid shouts and claps by the gathering. Fashola looked charming on black suit and pair of glasses; he was all smiles and headed straight to his reserved seat. Guests including, politicians, captains of industries, legal practitioners, lecturers and students, filled the main auditorium of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) last Thursday. They came in choice outfit as there was no uniform attire for the occasion. The stage, high table and pulpit were decorated with yellow and blue fabric. A bevy of beautiful women dressed in black with blue rose on their chest led guests to seats; some sat in the gallery. It was the fifth Gani Fawehinmi Memorial Colloquium 2014, organized by Gani Fawehinmi Students’ Chambers (GFSC) of the Faculty of Law, University of Lagos (UNILAG). The topic was “consolidating democratic norms through credible electoral process”. The late Chief Abdul-Ganiyu Oyesola Fawehinmi was an activist who struggled for emancipation of the masses. He bagged the Senior Advocate of the Masses (SAM), Senior Advocate of Labour (SAL) and finally Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN). He died in Lagos on September 5, 2009 after a protracted battle with the cancer of the lung at 71 and was buried in his Ondo hometown on September 15, 2009. The duo of Oliver Omoredia and Omolade Afonja anchored the event. It started with the national anthem and guests were introduced. In his welcome address, the host, Dean, Faculty of Law, UNILAG, Prof Akin Ibidapo-Obe thanked Fashola for his immense contribution to the development of the school and for his presence at the colloquium. He said the late Gani stood for the masses. The Head of Gani Fawehinmi Students’ Chambers, Mr Henry Ikwunemere, described Gani as a man who fought relentlessly for the enthronement of democracy and rule of law.

•From left: Mr Fashola; Mr Ikwunemere; Rear Admiral Kanu; Prof Sagay and Mrs Fawehinmi-Biobaku at the event

Remembering an icon “He was a dogged fighter, social crusader of extra-ordinary moral fiber and an unequalled public interest litigator who consistently confronted the menace of institutionalised injustice, wanton official corruption and excruciating poverty unleashed on hapless Nigerians by tiny rapacious ruling elites,” he said. He described the late Gani as a man that did a yeoman’s job in emancipating Nigerians from the jackboots of the military. “In fighting those wars, he was traumatised, beaten, incarcerated and brutalised severally but, he stood out as a selfless, altruistic, benevolent, public-spirited and humanitarian citizen,” he said. He said the topic of the colloquium was not only in view of the fast approaching 2015 general elections but also captures the ideals and struggle of Gani.

After the address, Yetunde Afonja took to the stage to read Gani’s citation. The chairman on the occasion, first Governor of Imo State and former governor of Lagos State, Rear Admiral Ndubusi Kanu (rtd) said there is need to structure government on the right foundation. He told the guests to rise up and recite some words after him, in honour of the late Gani. Governor Fashola citation followed. It was read by Oluwadara Oluwafemi. Fashola who was the guest speaker, urged Nigerians to guard the nation’s democracy jealously by shunning acts that could weaken or truncate it. He noted that the late Gani was a brand that was built on the best values that the society should aspire for. Fashola said: “His brand was built on hard work, justice and fair play, rule of law and equality before the law,

anti corruption, public accountability, freedom of expression and speaking the truth to the power. “Gani’s values had nothing to do with race, religion or tribe; they had everything to do with common good.” A session of photographs followed with the governor and some of the guests. Chief Fawehinmi’s first daughter, Mrs Basi Fawehinmi-Biobaku who represented the Gani Fawehinmi family thanked the gathering for the gesture. She identified justice and uprightness as two major attributes that people should emulate from her late father. “We should be accountable for what we do to have a better society, this was what daddy was always after,” she said. The presentation of awards and certificate followed.

PHOTO: OMOSEHIN MOSES

Governor Fashola and his Osun State counterpart Rauf Aregbesola were given the award of ‘Icon of democracy and good governance’. Governor Aregbesola was represented by his commissioner for special duties, Mr Ajibola Bashiru. Other awardees included, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, she was represented by Mr Akineye Oluwafemi; Prof Itse Sagay SAN; Prof IbidapoObe and the Chief Executive Officer, Mai Group, Mr Micheal Enyinnanya, who was represented by his wife, Ifeoma. They were awarded for their support to the development of the GFSC. The past and present executives of the GFSC were given certificate of excellence in recognition of their outstanding performance and invaluable contributions to the GFSC in the year 20143/2014 academic session. In his closing remarks, Rear Admiral Kanu thanked the gathering for their support and time spent. He prayed that the person to take over from Fashola would be as good as or better than him.

The 60th birthday of Apostle Anthony Oluseyi Fasipe and the inauguration of a church, Pavilion of Faith Global Church Incorporated, has taken place in Lagos, writes AMIDU ARIJE.

T was a twin programme: the inauguration of the Pavilion of Faith Global Church Inc and the 60th birthday thanksgiving of Apostle Anthony Oluseyi Fasipe. Apostle Fasipe established the church to start pastoral work. The giant size tent mounted for the occasion was well decorated with lightings and gold and orange satin materials. Guests, who were early birds to the occasion, had a good time; they exchanged pleasantries, while some made new contacts. The ushers ensured everyone on the occasion had a good time; they were served sumptuous meals and drinks to make them feel at home. It was, indeed, a nice outing for the guests. The celebrator, in white regalia, was all smiles. His wife, Zainab, was beside him. They looked resplendent in their dresses. The opening hymn “Great is thy faithfulness” was taken to kickstart the event. Praise and worship songs were led by the choir. The inauguration of the church, anchored by Rev Francis Aderibigbe, followed. Rev Aderibigbe prayed for Apostle Fasipe’s success in his ministry. He also prayed for his long life and prosperity. The Bible reading, Matthew 20:1-

•The celebrator Apostle Fasipe (middle), his wife Zainab and Rev Aderibigbe

•Pastor Daramola (left) and Rev Oshatuyi

A pleasant way to retire 19, was taken by one of the celebrator’s children, Kanni Levi. The City Harvest Church choir enlivened the occasion with melodious songs. The second Bible reading from Psalm 90:1-17, was taken by another child of the celebrator, Nima. In his sermon titled: Wisdom to apply, Pastor Mike Tomomewo said God created everyone with a purpose. He urged the gathering to find the purpose of creation which is to serve God. He decried the high rate of corruption among politicians who attend churches every Sunday and do not

make impact in their lives. “We are made by God for God. Majority of politicians go to church yet it does not reflect in our lives; corruption still persists, because the Pastors speak to the heart,” he said. He said everyone including the clerics in the country is corrupt. He, therefore, reminded the gathering that death is certain hence they should endeavour to do good before death approaches. “Learn to do what will count in time and eternity,” he said. The thanksgiving followed immediately after the sermon. All gave their widow’s mite.

The celebrator and his family led the guests to the altar for the thanksgiving. Giving account of how he was called, Apostle Fasipe said God spoke to him in his dream to separate a place out of his apartment for the worship centre. He said he is not like other Pastors who seek fame and wealth but he is out there to preach the gospel. “Today is a wonderful day; but it is not much of celebrating the birthday. It is more of the inaugurating the ministry. Like I said, people said they were called, but, in my case, I am not called but drawn by God,”

he said. His wife, Zainab, described him as the best man she ever met in her life and wished him long life and prosperity. “He is my joy, happiness and strength, and I am blessed to have him as a husband,” she said. Prayers were said for Lagos, Ogun, Ondo states and the nation at large. Guests on the occasion included Ambassador Toye Okanlawon; Special Adviser to Ogun State Governor on Political Matters, Prince Adeniyi Adesanya; All Progressives Congress chieftain, Pastor Festus Daramola; Pastor Abraham Akinola and his wife Mary; Rev Yinka Oshatuyi; Dr Leye Agunbiade; Rev Rapheal Oladejo among others.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2014

SOCIETY A show of religious tolerance it was on Sallah day: Christians joined their Muslim counterparts at the palace of Alara of Aramoko- Ekiti, Oba Adegoke Olu-Adeyemi, for the Eid-il-Adha festival, writes TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO

OR the residents of Aramoko Ekiti, the memory of this year’s Eid-il-Adha festival would remain for a long time. Though it was not the first time Muslim faithful from the community would observe the religious obligation, this year’s edition was celebrated with a difference. The town’s monarch, Oba Adegoke OluAdeyemi and the Chief Imam, Alhaji AbdulGaniy Shittu, saw the occasion as a platform to preach and demonstrate peace and tolerance. On hand to celebrate with Muslims were Christian leaders who met at the palace as early as 9am, awaiting the arrival of the Muslims from the praying ground. There were also a sizable number of Muslims from the Hausa community, who were at the palace to celebrate the peace that has reigned in the community for decades. Earlier in his sermon, the Chief Imam, Alhaji Shittu, said man must pause and ponder on life and its complexities. He called on Muslims to live in peace with people of other religions, adding that if God had wanted human race to be in one religious fold, he would have created them so. He emphasised the need for prayers as the 2015 elections approach. The Imam said: “Allah is not pleased with his creature, who doesn’t think and ponder over what happens around him. We see friends and family members around us dying daily. We see people who were well yesterday falling sick today, yet we are not moved. We should retrace our steps and turn back to Allah in totality; for He is the only one who can deliver us. We should also live in peace, if God wants us to be in one religion, he would have created us so. He is the All-knowing. Even among Muslims and Christians, there are still differences, so what are we saying? “The best way to enjoy one another is to understand our differences and involve in subtle evangelism. For instance, the way one lives his or her life can be attractive to people of other faith. And when we preach, we should do it according to the teaching of the prophet, who urges Muslim to call people to the religion of Allah with wisdom,” he added. Oba Adeyemi, who was obviously impressed by the presence of leaders of Anglican, Catholics and other Christian denominations, expressed how he wished the whole world could see the demonstration of peaceful co-existence among his subjects.

A show of religious tolerance • From left: Seriki Hausawa, Alhaji Ibraheem Muhammed; Alhaji Shittu; Oba Olu-Adeyemi; and Olori Adenike Adeyemi

Quoting copiously from both the Bible and the Quoran, Oba Adeyemi said all religions preach peace and that the best legacy any individual can leave behind is a life worthy of emulation. “Since I was born, Aramoko people have always lived in peace, despite our differences. How I wish Nigerians from other places can come here and learn some lessons. We will continue to exhibit that peaceful co-existence, after-all, there is no family that is not related to one or two people from different religious backgrounds,” Oba Adeyemi later called on his subjects, especially parents to train their children in the way of God as well as giving them adequate education to be able to represent the community well in both public and private sectors. He lamented the dearth of quality people in the political space, adding that the development is denying Aramoko its rightful place in the society. “Parents should train their children in line with the teaching of the Prophet Muhammed,

who admonished his followers to seek knowledge from cradle to the grave and search for knowledge even if it is in China. At this stage of Aramoko development, we need quality people in politics, we need first class brains in civil service and we need technocrats to play active roles in the private sector. In a situation whereby our people are half baked, we will not be given what we deserve but crumbs. Therefore, I want parents to go home and educate their children. I also do not like the way our students play active role in politics, to me it’s distractive,” A former Caretaker chairman in Ekiti West Local Government, Tajudeen Akingbolu described the celebration as a unique one. Akingbolu hailed the purposeful leadership of both the king and various religious leaders, including a former House of Assembly member, in the Second Republic, High Chief Ayedun, the Baba Egbe of Catholic Church, Chief Michael Adeojo, a former principal and a leader in the Anglican communion, Prince

Soji Arowosebe, among others. He described the Chief Imam, as a leader worthy of emulation. Akingbolu said: “I’m happy to come from this community, what I see today is a lesson for Nigeria at large. I have seen well over 50 Christians rejoicing with Muslims and I think is a good development. I congratulate the king and especially Imam Shittu, who has continued to use his knowledge and resources to support the Muslim community. Aramoko community has been benefiting from him since when he was in the university to when he was the Secretary of the defunct National Republican Convention (NRC) at the local government and now as the chief Imam. Another indigene of the town, the Chief Executive Officer of Abubakar Technical Limited, based in Kano, Alhaji Abubakar Ismail Fatayo, called on the residents to continue praying for the progress of the town. He described what happened at this year’s Eid Kabir as a sign of good things to come.

The Rotary Club of Ogba has installed Rotarian Emmanuel Obinna Eze as the 32nd President and member of executive at the Rotary Centre, Bank PHB Hall, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos. AMIDU ARIJE reports.

• Rot Eze(left); his wife Helen and Omodara

HE Rotary International Club District 9110 has a culture. It changes its leadership every June for a new set of leaders to take care of affairs for one year. The executive of Ogba Rotary Club was recently elected. The event took place at the Rotary Centre, Bank PHB Hall, Ikeja, Lagos. All was set for the occasion. Guests waited patiently to witness the installation of the new president and executive members. The hall was beautifully adorned in blue and yellow satin. Different inscriptions of the programme sponsors were placed at strategic places leading to the hall and inside, this added glamour to the event. The ceremony was presided over by the Chief Executive Officer, Current Foam Industries and Chemicals

•Chief Omolale and his wife, Chief Clara

Change of baton at Rotary Nigeria limited, Chief Godwin Umeugoji as chairman Vitafoam Plc, Dr Dele Makanjuola was guest speaker. It started on a prayerful note. The reading of the Rotary grace followed. The Rotary song which the former Oyo State Commissioner for Information, Otunba Bosun Oladele led enlivened the programme as all Rotarians present sang in unison with the team leader. Chief Umeugoji congratulated the club, enjoining members to support the incoming president. In his farewell speech, the outgone president, Samson Omodara,

thanked God and Rotarians for the success achieved in office. He said he would have not achieved much but for the support of the members. Omodara promised to keep the flag flying even while out of office. He urged members to support the incoming president Emmanuel Obinna Eze. Speaking on the activities of the previous year, he said: “The year began smoothly and ended on a remarkable note, we were able to do a lot of things to improve humanity.” Awards were presented to members of the club and non members

for their support. Among the awardees were a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon Gbolahan Yishawu; Chairman, Badagry West Local Government, Hon Bamgbose Joseph among others. The handing over was supervised by Rotarian Umeugoji. Omodara handed over the collaret to Eze amidst clicking of cameras. In his acceptance speech, Eze said he would work in accordance with Rotary rules and principles. He promised to take the Ogba Rotary Club to another level.

“We have a lot of projects to accomplish: the first is to provide the braid soft computer to the School of the Blind; build 14 toilets for the clinic at Ogba and renovate it. We are also going to continue our programme on awareness for sickle cell patients among other things,” he said. Guests had good time as choice foods and drinks were served. They exchanged pleasantries and new acquaintances were made as the programme wind down. They later joined the celebrator and his wife, Helen on the dance floor.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2014

SOCIETY

10 years after… A 10-year remembrance has been held for Mrs Feyisara Falilat Ogunyinka of the Lagos Island Maternity at the medical centre on Lagos Island, writes BASIRAT BRAIMAH

HEN she was born in 1963 at the Lagos Island Maternity, there was palpable joy in the hearts of her parents and relations. As fate would have it, she grew up and later joined the services of Lagos Island Maternity as a nurse. At work, Mrs Feyisara Falilat Ogunyinka was an epitome of dedication, diligence and hard work. She was so loved by all, including her colleagues and patients who came in contact with her. Surprisingly, fate, again, proved its confounding mightiness when the hardworking and beloved Ogunyinka, famously called Onise, died in the same hospital in line of duty at 41 in 2004. What a fate! Her death, naturally, threw her family, friends and colleagues into prolonged mourning. But when the 10th memorial anniversary was held last Friday, the overriding mood seemed to point to one fact: time heals all wounds. As early as 10am, the beautifully festooned Conference Hall of the hospital had begun to come alive, as guests trickled in. Several medical professionals and paramedics from across the public sector and private sector walked in, in twos and threes, chatting excitedly. Family members and friends, who were clad in native dresses cut in avant-garde designs, were not left out. There was also a large number of clerics whose presence added some spiritual dimension to the event. Also in

•The widower Mr Ogunyinka with members of the family (from left) Ifeoluwa; Olushola and Ayomikun

•Dr Bashorun

attendance were her husband’s colleagues at the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives. The memorial, which kicked-off with the opening prayer led by the Superior Evangelist Timothy Oduntan of Covenant Cathedral Church, Amuwo-Odofin, Lagos, was chaired by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Dr Yakub Olajide Bashorun. Bashorun set the tone of the day when he gave some testimonials laced with prayers about the late Onise. He described her as “a prayer warrior who lived in the service of humanity and spread knowledge as humanly possible.” He also urged everyone to uphold the legacy left behind by the deceased. It was, no doubt, a touching moment when the widower, Mr Kehinde Ogunyinka, who was dressed in native attire, spoke on the theme:” Why we are gathered”. Ogunyinka, who expressed gratitude to everyone who graced the event and prayed for God’s blessings on them, said living without his wife in the last 10 years wouldn’t have been so easy, if not for God’s love and cordial relationship with her relations. “She was given birth to in this hospital; she worked in this hospital and died in the same hospital! She was very committed to her job. Her priority was the wellbeing of her patients always. She was a blessing to her profession,” he said. With a heavy heart, the first son of the deceased, Ayomikun Ogunyinka,

greatly! I would like to also encourage young pupils, aspiring nurses and others to emulate her character.” Mr. Yunusa Babatunde, the book reviewer, said the book is an insight into the life of the deceased. “It is about a woman of courage who came from a humble background and who lived a life of love and sacrifice. This is a book that will soon be introduced to schools,” he said. His voice quivered as he read a part of the book to the visibly mesmerised audience: “Help me! Help me! That was the piercing scream from inside the theatre.” According to him, those were the last words tumbling from Onise’s lips, while she writhed in pain, as captured in the book. The Chief launcher, Dr Bashorun, pledged to donate 500 copies of the book to different schools. Almost everyone went home with a copy of the book sold for N1000. Mr. Alfred Ogunyinka, on behalf of the family, also presented some gifts to members of staff of the hospital for what he described as their selfless services. The deceased’s brother, Mr Lanre Smith, who gave the vote of thanks on behalf of the Ogunyinka family, urged everyone to take proper safety precautions at work. The memorable occasion, however, literally screeched to a halt when Alhaja Funmi Ibrahim, Director, Cooperatives, Ministry of Agriculture, said the closing prayer.

said: “I was barely 12 years old when she died. I don’t really know much about her, unlike my sister, Ibukunoluwa. But all I would say is that it was God’s choice.” Mrs Damilola Ogunyanwo, a senior nurse, delivered the memorial lecture titled:” Safety Procedures in Home and Hospital Environments.” With copious references to the Wikipedia, she said safety is the condition of being protected against physical, social, spiritual, financial, emotional and other types of failure. “According to Home Safety Council, almost 21million medical visits and 20,000 deaths each year are as a result of home accidents. Fortunately, home injuries are largely avoidable through education and preventions. To parents who love to beautify their balconies, vertical railings, rather than the horizontals, are preferable for those who have infants,” she said. She also charged health care workers to always protect themselves against injuries in their work places, instead of reporting accidents, no matter how minor, to the heads of departments. Almost immediately after her lecture, encomiums began to pour on the late Onise. Everyone who mattered or whose path had crossed hers had some nice words to say about her. In particular, Dr Fatai Abiola, who witnessed the last moment of the deceased, could not hold back tears when he recalled the unfortunate circumstance surrounding her death. “She was a lovely, nice and

hardworking woman. She was always ready to save a life. We had just finished a surgery when another patient came for a surgery. She was always fit. She stood behind to prepare the theatre and that was the last we heard of her. If only the autoclave machine was on a stable table and if only we heard her cry for help, she might have survived it. We did all we could, but only God knows best,” he said. The Apex Matron, Mrs Sekinat Animashaun, who urged people to be conscious of safety measures, described her death as a pain in the heart. “What happened wouldn’t have occurred, but let’s leave everything to God,” she said. The highlight of the occasion was the launch of a book entitled Sunset at Noon: Feyi, The Nurse by Mr Orebo Oluwayinka, as part of his own humble contribution to keep her legacy. The author, whose effort was commended by all, said: “The book was written 10 years ago, though it is just being launched today. It is more of fiction. It talks about the late Mrs Ogunyinka’s life and times. I needed to do something to keep her memory intact. “She was a sister-in-law. She was selfless and dedicated to the profession. She was committed to her entire family; she helped the needy and respected the sanctity of friendship. I miss her skill, humility, entrepreneurial disposition and charity

A member of the Nigeria Police, Mr Ezekiel Onyeke’s daughter, Mercy Ayorinde was joined in holy wedlock with Tunde, son of Chief Samuel Osage. The event took place at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) in Agbado, Ogun State. OMOLARA OGUNWALE reports. with lightings.

UESTS were clad in beautiful dresses. They were all in a happy mood. The weather was clement and this made guests to come in droves. It was the wedding of Mercy Ayorinde Onyeke and Tunde Amos Osage at The Redeemed Christian church of God (RCCG), Bethel Sanctuary Halleluyah, Area 7 and 8, Agbado in Ogun State. The church was decorated with peach and brown fabrics. Many guests wore the brown and peach coloured Ankara or lace chosen for the occasion. The women came in various styles. Family members, friends and relatives beamed with smiles. The solemnisation began with the hymn “To God be the glory”. It was led by the choristers and the congregation sang along. The groom, Tunde, looked handsome in a black suit, peach shirt and brown bow tie with black shoes. He stood on the altar. The bride was gorgeous and unique in her gold hair do. She wore a white dress, silver earrings, and necklace with a matching pair of shoes. She entered the hall hand-in-hand with her father; they headed straight

‘She is my missing rib’ for the altar. The bridal train on peach and brown outfits followed them. The bride’s mother and the groom’s parents’ representative accompanied them. The bride’s father handed the bride over to the officiating minister and the groom. In a sermon, Pastor Folorunsho Ajayi of the RCCG, King of Kings Zone, Lagos Province 10, urged the couple to put their marriage on a solid rock. “Allow God to lead your marriage; let your marriage be built on Him and ensure you do His will at all times. This is the only way you can avoid crisis in your marriage. “Allow the light of God to shine in your marriage, let His light lead all your decisions, treat yourselves well, be open to each other and love one another,” he said. The couple was joined after making their marital vows. They exchanged rings. They signed the marriage registrar with their parents and some officiating ministers while the choristers rendered some praise songs.

The announcement and closing prayer was taken. The service ended with the recessional hymn “I’m pressing on” during which the couple and other guests moved out. Photographs were taken at the Roas Event Hall, Agbado in Ogun State, where the reception took place. The ground floor of the event hall was tastefully decorated with peach, white, brown and green fabrics with lightings to brighten it up. Guests were ushered in with music by the Police Band. It kicked off with an opening prayer by Pastor ... Oyeniyi. The bride’s parents were introduced. They wore green lace and orange head gear with Ipele and accessories. They sat on the left hand side of the stage. The groom’s parents’ representatives came in the same manner. They wore the same outfit as the bride’s parents. They danced to their seats next to the bride’s parents. The couple danced into the hall with music from the band. They were happy and glad. They took their seats on the stage designed

The chairman on the occasion, Dr Folarin Williams, welcomed the couple into the marriage club, saying he had experience of 30 years in marriage. He advised them to respect and understand each other. “Respect and understand each other as friends; create a solid relationship. Tunde whatever offence your wife makes, forgive her and take her as your friend, sister and mother,” he said. The reception featured cutting of the cake, feeding and throwing of the bouquet. Everyone made a toast and watched the couples on the dance floor. The bride, a

•The couple, Tunde and Mercy

nurse at the Primary Health Care Centre, Ode-Remo, Ogun State, described her beau as caring and loving.

The groom who hails from Ekiti State and a printer described his wife as his missing rib. “I am so excited and today is a special day in my life; she’s my missing rib and I believe God has given her to me; she’s truthful and marvellous,” he said.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2014

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10 2014

COMMENTARY

REAMBLE Let me start today with a Qur’anic admonition which I have frequently quoted in this column but which has consistently meant nothing to the rulers of Nigeria. It goes thus: “...Beware of a calamity that may descend not only on the perpetrators of injustice amongst you; and be warned that Allah’s retribution can be very severe on the unjust...” Q. 8:25. History is an invisible teacher. It teaches the experience of the past to the inexperienced people of the present with a view to guarding them towards a safe future. Some people perceive history as the best teacher because it warns against the vanity of human wishes as much as it encourages the emulation of impeccable exemplariness of the past. Others call it a bad teacher because it does not practically prevent people from falling into the quagmire of life. From whatever angle it is observed, however, history remains the undisputable teacher of all teachers which can be described in any way by anybody depending on the side of the divide to which each observer belongs. Thus, for as long as human beings remain in existence, passing through the coast of history will never cease to serve a meal of lesson. In the past couple of years, Libya stood out as a bastion from where the smoke of history was oozing out into the firmament of Africa and the Middle East for some misguided African rulers to inhale some scents of experience from. Of all the Middle East countries so engulfed in political turmoil, perhaps the least expected to join the fray was Libya. And that assertion would have become an axiom if (Gaddafi) the then 69 year old despot of that country had heeded the warning of history by reacting sensibly to the premonition coming from the neighbouring Tunisia.

Misconception There had been a general but erroneous belief about the trend of the foraging revolts in the Middle East which started in 1979 with the fall of the imperial monarch of Iran, Muhammad Pahlavi, who styled himself the Shah-n-Shah (King of King). But the truth is that the revolts actually began two years earlier (1977) in Egypt. It was called ‘Egyptian Bread Riots’. The two-day riots of January 18 and 19, 1977 were a spontaneous reaction by hundreds of thousands of peasants to the World Bank and IMF mandated removal of state subsidies on foodstuffs. The then President, Anwar Sadat, had, in response to IMF’s recommendation, increased the price of a loaf of bread by just one Piaster (an equivalence of one Nigerian Kobo). The policy was the height of insensitivity, on the part the government, to the murderous plight of the masses at that time. By the time the dust settled, about 79 people had been shrouded for burial while over 800 others became patients in the casualty sections of many hospitals in the country. The riots ended only after the reversal of that obnoxious policy and the restoration of the removed subsidies. That singular incident, added to the general discontent in the land hitherto caused by the evident class dichotomy, eventually led to the assassination of President Sadat three years later (1980). From thence, Egyptians became conscious that the only language understandable to their government was violent revolt. Thus, in 1986, barely six years after the death of Sadat and the assumption of office as President by Hosni Mubarak, another major riot broke out in Egypt. On February 25, 1986, about 17,000 Egyptian conscripts of the Central Security Forces (CSF), otherwise known as Egyptian Para-military Force staged a violent protest in and around Cairo city destroying two major hotels and targeting the properties of the upper and the middle classes. The riots caused by a rumour that the government had decided to increase the then two-year compulsory national service to three years without any commensurate remuneration lasted three days with official casualty figure put at 107 while over 2,000 people were said to be terribly injured. Unlike Sadat who quickly reversed his foodstuff subsidy policy, the only lesson that Hosni Mubarak could learn from that

FEMI ABBAS ON femabbas756@gmail.com 08115708536

Lesson from history played by government officials.

Gaddafi’s reaction

•Senate President David Mark

experience was the use of force against the protesters. Ever since, Egypt had become a delicate gun powder waiting to explode anytime. If there was any surprise about the recent Egyptian revolution that ended Mubarak’s 32-year regime ignominiously therefore, it was the delay of the time of that explosion. With the Iranian and the Egyptian experience, one would have expected other rulers in the region to learn a lesson but as a Yoruba adage goes,” a dog that would die in perdition will never respond to the whistle of the hunter”.

Tunisian experience In Tunisia, the protests leading to the flight of the tyrannical President Zine ElAbidine Ben Ali to Saudi Arabia were instigated by the gruesomely symbolic suicide of one Mohammed Bouazizi on December 17, 2011. The 25-year-old College graduate had used his University certificate as a collateral to obtain a bank loan to venture into retailing some farm products having realised the futility of looking for job in a country where about 14 per cent of the populace was unemployed. But when his consignment of farm products were confiscated by government officials for not obtaining permit to sell farm products, the young man concluded that his country didn’t need him anymore and decided to commit suicide by setting himself ablaze. He died in a hospital a few days thereafter. The public reaction to his death was unimaginably spontaneous. Violence erupted across cities and towns as already aggrieved youths trooped to the streets burning whatever could be burnt and maiming whoever could be captured among government agents. The demand was no longer for reforms but for the removal of the President. By that time, the President tried to address some of the issues against which complaints were made. But then, it had become too late for such efforts to yield any sensible result. When the coming signals were no longer positive he knew that the die had been cast and decided to flee the country thereby ending his 24-year-old regime with historic ignominy. The case of Bouazizi who set himself ablaze and was nationally pronounced a martyr as well as the father of the revolution was just an atom in the complex story of longstanding discontent in Tunisia. There were many other cases of the like but three main factors can be said to be the immediate precipitates of the Tunisian revolution. These were corruption, unemployment and insensitive affluence publicly dis-

While those revolts were going on in Tunisia and Egypt, Colonel Muammar Gaddafi’s impression was that the Presidents of both countries were mere jellies who could hardly manage their matrimonial homes. It was far from his imaginary dream that the surging political tsunami in the Arab world could come near Libya let alone consuming him. After 42 years of unbridled despotism, Gaddafi reopened the film of Pharaoh’s history for the world to behold. Like Saddam before him, he lost all that he lived for, including most of his children. The story of the Tunisian, the Egyptian and the Libyan revolutions, cannot be relayed in isolation. There seems to be more of the like to tell in the very near future. That story is not in any way dissimilar from that of Syria or Yemen. And if the hanged President Saddam Hussein of Iraq had not met his doom in the hands of his imperial friends turned enemies, he would have probably met a Waterloo in the hands of his own people. In virtually all the Arab countries, education is free from the primary school to the university. There is no problem of electricity, water, roads, rail system, food and housing. The only two areas in which the people of those countries have problem with their governments are unemployment and lack of freedom to partake in governance. And for those two reasons, a political tsunami swept the length and breadth of what is called the Middle East like a hurricane.

Morocco and Algeria The Moroccan monarch and Algerian President were only lucky to have heeded the warning tune of that tsunami in time thereby escaping its consequences. The lesson they learned from the experiences of their colleagues quickly served them in good stead. Otherwise, they would have ended up like Gaddafi or Mubarak. Here in Nigeria, where none of the above mentioned infrastructures is available despite the enormous material resources with which the country is naturally endowed the rulers’ stock in trade is to ferry the scarce resources of the country illegally to some other African countries under the guise of arms purchase. Rather than utilising those resources to boost the general standard of living and thereby uplift the status of the country, the priority of our government is to squeeze the citizenry dry through the removal of a non-existing subsidy on oil and callous imposition of frivolous increase on the tariff of electricity in even when it is evident that Nigeria has no stable electricity despite the so-called privatisation of the public power sector. While the Tunisians became restive over 14 per cent unemployment figure, Nigeria is proudly grappling with about 72per cent of unemployment rate even as the government keeps drumming the tune of becoming one of the 20 most economically viable countries in the world. What a grand selfdeception? The warning here is for the doubting ‘Thomases’ who are still in the dream land in Nigeria and the rest of Africa to open their eyes and clearly see the vanity of human wishes in the cited Arab nations. Such tendentious talks as: “IT CAN’T HAPPEN HERE IN NIGERIA” only belongs to parochial people who still live in the primordial time. To avoid becoming like flies dying in the bottle of wine, men of reason

had better learn from the experiences of others before some others begin to learn from their own experiences.

The role of justice Justice is fundamentally sacrosanct in the reckoning of Allah. It is the scale with which good governance and pious leaders are measured. An unjust nation ruled by an unjust leader is Hell in which just peasants are roasted. But where you have people who are educated enough to know their right; where you have people who are conscious of their common affinity; where you have people who believe in God and His capability to bring justice to an unjust nation, let no one think that such people can be exploited indefinitely. Those in power in Nigeria today who think they can live perpetually on injustice should remember that the likes of Saddam Hussein, Muammar Gaddafi and Hosni Mubarak never thought that nemesis could afflict them one day. Their episodes are now part of history. Prophet Nuhu (Noah) never prayed for the destruction of his nation and people even after many centuries of preaching to the deaf. His prayer only came when, one day, a small child carried on the shoulder of his father asked for a stone to be thrown at him (Nuhu) just as most people in the nation had been doing to him for several centuries. He then concluded that with the example of that little child it became evident that even the great grand children of that generation would continue atrocities in the land and remain hostile to God just like their parents. Thus, when he prayed to God for the change of the generation, it was divinely accepted with ‘automatic alacrity’. The rest is history. In history, we also learn how the people of Prophet Lut (Lot) were destroyed by divine order for indulging in homosexuality and the people of Prophet Shu’ayb were subjected to ruins for commercial cheating. We are also told in the Qur’an about the plight of the people of ‘Ad and Thamud who transgressed in the land. Each of these people was punished for a particular crime following their refusal to repent and show remorse. Thus, they came to serve as a lesson for others after them. Unfortunately, all the crimes that led them into ruins are committed in Nigeria today and the socalled leaders are the champions of those crimes.

Nigeria for instance The current situation in Nigeria is by far worse. Here is a country where corruption has graduated from a crime to a pride, and both conscience and shame have taken a permanent flight thereby decimating the future for the generations yet unborn. Here is a country where vices are tied to the aprons and ethnicity and religion while ministers and some criminal merchants (masquerading in the cloak of religion) are audaciously stealing public funds and ferrying them to other countries for keep with no regards for any consequences. Here is a country where well known unremorseful criminals are granted state pardon and rewarded with national honours at the expense of conscience and shame. Here is a country where the so-called privatisation policy is being formulated not for the growth of national economy but for the benefit of the formulators who see themselves as the inheritors of the nation’s wealth. Here is a country where pseudoclerics serve as suppliers of arms and ammunition of crooks even brigands enjoy patronage of the government in the perpetration of atrocities. Here is a country where official insurgency against the citizenry is a political instrument for silencing the voices of dissent and for selfperpetration in public office. When such vices as mentioned above are perpetrated in a society, religion is often seen as the last bastion to which the populace look for solution. But when religion itself becomes the haven of crimes as in the case of Boko Haram and various forms of fraud in religious sanctuaries in the country what else remains as hope for the innocent few in that society? To think that such crime can be committed without nemesis is to live in a fool’s paradise. Therefore, let those in Nigeria who refuse to learn from ancient history try to learn from the recent one. To be forewarned is to be forearmed. A word is enough for the wise.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2014

BUSINESS EXTRA

IMF reviews guidelines for sovereign bonds’ issuance

HE International Mon etary Fund (IMF) yes terday said it would continue to review guidelines for the issuance of Sovereign Bonds by its member countries. This, it said, would ensure that proceeds of the project are effectively deployed on projects that would benefit the citizens of the countries issuing such instruments. The IMF Managing Director, Christine Lagarde, who spoke at the opening session of the ongoing annual conference of the IMF and the World Bank Group in Washington DC, United States (U.S.), said the reviews are aimed at ensuring that the benefits of sovereign bond are enjoyed by the economically disadvantaged population in any given country. She regretted that the impact of growth in most developing nations has so far eluded most of the people they were originally intended for hence, the need for a comprehensive review of the conditions to boost investment in activities that could generate growth.

From Simeon Ebulu Washinton DC

She said the fund would want investment in infrastructure under the right conditions to boost economic growth and job creation. She admitted that recent bond issues by several African countries were successful, but added that future bond issues must be done in ways that are right so that it will benefit the larger part of the citizenry. The IMF boss said the body was already working on how civil authorities in each country can effectively use public funds to serve greater interest of the people particularly, through the provision of infrastructure that affect their lives. It would be recalled that Nigeria last year issued $1billion Euro Bond that was fully subscribed to by the global investment community. Lagarde said the fund has done the same this year concerning sovereign debt restructuring having studied and made proposals, revisions of certain clauses of sovereign bond issuance terms

stressing it would continue to work on those issues. She said the IMF was also helping the Financial Stability Board (FSB) by following up, working, monitoring, and helping with profound changes and modified regulations applicable to the financial sector. According to her, the fund has made proposals concerning removing subsidies in a socially responsible manner including proposals concerning price setting and including externalities in the price of fossil energies. She said: “It is also responsible in my view to assess the sustainability of growth in the light of strongly increasing inequalities becoming excessive and therefore likely to hamper growth. It is not irrelevant, either, for the IMF to look into growth and jobs and the inclusion of women in the job market. Those are areas that some might argue are not absolutely core business, and yet we contend that it is part and parcel of the mission of the IMF to look at issues that are macro critical, but touch on topics that we are facing and that in many ways can be new, or more acute.

Housing ministry rakes in N8.1b

HE Federal Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development (FMLHUD) said it has generated N8, 110,389, 817.79 over the last four years. It said the Internally Generated Revenue(IGR),whichshowedatremendous improvement across the years, were generated through tender fee, ground rent, premium on land, title registration fee, consent fee, Certificate of Occupancy (CoO) processing fee and survey fee respectively. Also, between July 2010 and September this year, the ministry also built a total of 43,126 hous-

By Muyiwa Lucas, Abuja

ing units nationwide. Speaking yesterday in Abuja, at the 2014 Ministerial Platform., the Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Mrs. Akon Eyakenyi, said the housing units were added to the national housing stock through the Ministry and its two parastatals- the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) and the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) various interventions projects. The minister gave a breakdown of the feat achieved to include 710

housing units under the Prototype Housing Scheme; 7,869 housing units under the Public Private Partnership (PPP); 3,302 units through the FHA; 5,007 units from the FMBN; 17, 240 through estate development loans provided by FMBN, and 8,998 units through contractor finance initiatives. Eyakenyi said the ministry has also developed a framework for conducting a National Housing Survey with the aim of ascertaining the authenticity of the 17 million housing deficit figure being bandied in the country instead of relying on forecasts.

Power demand hits 12,800Mw

ORECAST of energy de mand as at October 7 was 12,800megawatts (Mw) of electricity, the Federal Ministry of Power has said. According to the power statistics placed on its website, the sector also recorded a peak generation 3,3952.70Mw on the same day. It also showed that the electricity generation companies (GENCos) maintained a power generation of 3,773.09Mw, adding that of the total power produced, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) was able to wheel 3,697.81Mw to the consumers, with a record of 75.28Mw stranded power. Although the firm claimed a

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

guarantee capacity of 6,000Mw, it maintained only 3,697.81Mw capacity on Tuesday. TCN had on October maintained a wheeling capacity 3,484.69Mw. By September 28, it was able to send out 3,378.19Mw. According to the ministry, the highest peak generated power from the sector was that of December 23, two years ago when the sector hit 4,517.6 Mw. Asked to explain why there was a gap between generation and transmission, Chairman, Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Dr. Sam Amadi said: “There has been generation and gas constraints for a

long time. There has been stranded power. Sometime, some amount of power has problem. Like now, we have to repair damage. It will affect the industry.” The Federal Government is now 1,302Mw away from the 5,000Mw it announced on August 2, when it announced a new gas price of $2.50 per standard cubic feet (SCUF) and $ 0.80 per SCUF for transportation. It also decided that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) should pay the outstanding N25billion that was owed gas suppliers. The gas debt profile is however expected to hit N36billion this month.

NCC blames Ebola for delay in licences issuance

XECUTIVE Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Commu nications Commission (NCC), Dr Eugene Juwah yesterday blamed the inability of the regulator to complete the process that would have produced the first two licecees of infrastructure providers (Infarcos) on the fear of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) that is ravaging parts of the West African subregion. Juwah, who spoke as chief panelist at this year’s edition of the annual Telecoms Executives & Regulator Forum at Eko Hotel & Suite, Victoria Island, Lagos, lamented that the Commission was already behind schedule on its plans to accelerate the processes that would eventually dovetail to cheap, fast, reli-

By Lucas Ajanaku

able and ubiquitous broadband to every nooks and crannies of the country pursuant to the realisation of the ambitious goals of the National Broadband Plan (NBP). Under its Open Access Model, the regulator intends to licence seven Infracos, one each for the six geo-political zones of the country while the seventh would serve Lagos. He said meeting the five-fold target of broadband penetration in the country from the current less than seven per cent by 2018 remains a daunting challenge. He lamented that the process that would have added fillip to the achievement of the target has been stalled because the for-

eign consultants hired by the Commission to handle the bid evaluation would not come to the country because of the fear of Ebola which was imported into the country by the index, American/Liberian Patrick Sawyer. The Federal Ministry of Health has said there is no basis for anybody to fear Ebola, saying emphatically that there is no any Ebola case in the country. He said:”We are already behind schedule (on licensing of the Infracos) because we are using foreign consultants who refused to come to Nigeria because of Ebola. I will go and meet them tomorrow (today) in Dubai to evaluate the bids so that we can move forward.”

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2014

MONEYLINK

Skye Bank pays 20% deposit for Mainstreet

KYE Bank Plc has paid the initial 20 per cent of the bid price for the purchase of 100 per cent shares of Mainstreet Bank from the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON). The bid price, The Nation learnt, is estimated at N120 billion ($741 million), 20 per cent of which would amount to about N24 billion. The payment, the bank said in a statement, followed the successful signing of Share Purchase Agreement (SPA) with AMCON at the Lagos office of the corporation two days ago. Skye Bank’s executive management team led by its Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Timothy Oguntayo, signed on behalf of the lender while AMCON was represented by its Head, Communications Strategy, Kayode Lambo. Skye Bank said the payment, made well ahead of the deadline,

Stories by Collins Nweze

confirmed its commitment and ability to complete the transaction. The Tier 2 bank also confirmed its ability to meet the remaining financial commitment on the acquisition, within the specified time frame. Skye Bank reported June 2014 total Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) of 18.5 per cent, against the 15 per cent minimum requirement (which rises to 16 per cent by March 1, next year for systemically important banks),showed that the lender had a buffer estimate of N25 billion, representing 21 per cent of the deal price. AMCON had announced Skye Bank as the preferred bidder for the acquisition of all its interest in Mainstreet Bank. It emerged the preferred bidder after a rigorous bidding exercise that spanned five months which saw 25 bidders jos-

tling for the soul of the bridged lender. Skye Bank said the acquisition is part of its strategic plan for growth, adding that it had emerged from the very successful merger and integration of five banks in 2006, following the first phase of the banking industry consolidation. The bank said it intends to leverage its wealth of experience from the successful integration of five banks to drive efficiency, increase market share and ultimately ramp up stakeholder value from the acquisition of the bank. “The acquisition will avail the bank many benefits, including cost leadership, business optimisation, and greater ability to offer business convenience to its teeming retail and commercial customers, with a combined branch network of over 450 across all the states of the federation,” the

FirstBank expands footprint to Ghana

OLLOWING the agreement reached by First Bank of Nigeria Limited and International Commercial Bank Financial Group Holdings Ag (ICBFGH) for the acquisition of a 100 per cent equity interest in ICB Ghana, FirstBank yesterday announced the launch of FBN Bank Ghana. As a result of this acquisition FirstBank has consolidated its position as the largest corporate and retail banking financial institution in sub-Saharan Africa, excluding South Africa. The transaction is in accord with FirstBank’s stated ambition to win significant market share, expand its

pan-African footprint and diversify earnings while delivering value to shareholders. Speaking at the launch in Ghana, Managing Director of FirstBank, Bisi Onasanya, said: “The acquisition of ICBGFH assets in Ghana fulfills the first stage of our ambitions to steadily build a broader and more diverse footprint across Africa. We are committed to developing a multi-local business model that broadens our geographic revenue base while providing enhanced service delivery to our new customers and equity participation to local investors.” CEO, FBNBank Ghana Seyi

Name

Offer Price

AFRINVEST W. A. EQUITY FUND ARM AGGRESSIVE GROWTH BGL NUBIAN FUND BGL SAPPHIRE FUND CANARY GROWTH FUND CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST CORAL INCOME FUND FBN FIXED INCOME FUND FBN HERITAGE FUND FBN MONEY MARKET FUND

168.45 9.17 1.12 1.19 0.69 1.39 1,676.09 1,118.84 121.30 121.16 1,117.51 1.2381 1.2875 0.8705 1.0829

• UBA BALANCED FUND • UBA BOND FUND • UBA EQUITY FUND • UBA MONEY MARKET FUND

O/PRICE

C/PRICE

Transaction Dates 29/09/2014 24/09/2014 22/09/2014 ECONOMIC INDICATORS

8.5%

Monetary Policy Rate

12.0%

CHANGE

Foreign Reserves Oil Price (Bonny Light/b)

13.60

14.99

1.39

IKEJAHOTEL

2.20

2.42

0.22

CUTIX

1.80

1.89

0.09

49.36

51.82

2.46

Credit to private Sector (CPS)

MAYBAKER

1.66

1.74

0.08

Primary Lending Rate (PLR)

LIVESTOCK

2.95

3.08

0.13

LEARNAFRCA

1.38

1.44

0.06

NPFMCRFBK

0.97

1.00

0.03

ETERNA

3.70

3.81

0.11

INTBREW

30.90

31.47

0.57

SYMBOL

O/PRICE

C/PRICE

CHANGE

SKYEBANK

3.00

2.85

-0.15

INTENEGINS

0.61

0.58

-0.03

FCMB

4.55

4.33

-0.22

MANSARD

2.90

2.76

-0.14

CCNN

T the end of the two weeks deadline for its debtors to pay up, Unity Bank has threatened to submit the names of defaulting debtors to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to have them blacklisted. The bank has also vowed to publish the names of such debtors to name and shame them thereby ensuring that they no longer would be able to access future loans from other banks in the country. Its Managing Director, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr Henry James Semenitari who spoke during the bank’s celebration of customer service week in Abuja, said the debt owed the lender was huge. Semenitari said the value of the debts owed the bank was “in excess of N40 billion about N40 billion to N50 billion, with the in-

Money Supply (M2)

Amount Sold in ($) 499.95m 349.96m 349.96m

Buying (N)

Selling (N)

$39.4b

US Dollar

154.70

155.71

$97.9

Pounds Sterling

250.7724

252.3929

Euro

200.3394

201.634

Swiss Franc

165.7385

166.8095

Yen

1.445

1.4544

CFA

0.286

0.306

231.3531

232.8481

25.1773

25.3409

N16.42 trillion. N17.2 trillion 16.5%

NIGERIAN INTER-BANK OFFERED RATES (NIBOR)

Tenor

Amount Offered in ($) 500m 350m 350m

Currency

08-10-14 Rate (%) Rate (%) 09-10-14

WAUA Yuan/Renminbi

Overnight (O/N)

11.00

10.917

Riyal

41.259

41.5256

12.464

12.393

SDR

232.156

233.6562

13.281

13.201

14.205

14.110

FOREX RATES

15.75

15.02

-0.73

1.38

1.32

-0.06

R-DAS ($/N)

157.29

FIDSON

3.48

3.33

-0.15

Interbank ($/N)

162.75

COSTAIN

0.94

0.90

-0.04

15.85

15.20

-0.65

Parallel ($/N)

167.50

0.99

0.95

-0.04

WEMABANK

terests unserviced over the years.” He said: “So what we have said is that the official guideline is simple. But some (debtors) are willing to pay as well. You know how Nigerians relax until you put a threat then they will take it serious.” He said everything will be done within the law, but that “luckily, 90per cent of our customers are Nigerians; they are here; they are in this country and we know them, we know where they are. “While we were not going after them, everybody became complacent, I can tell you. But some are doing businesses in other banks. “And the good news for the industry today is that the current management of CBN is very serious.”

CBN EXCHANGE RATES October 9, 2014

ACADEMY

UAC-PROP

Nduka Chiejina (Assistant Editor)

RETAIL DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM (RDAS)

Inflation: August

LOSERS AS AT 09-10-14

regulatory approval from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

DATA BANK

CHAMPION

CONOIL

• Oguntayo

N40b debt: Unity Bank to submit defaulters’names to CBN

Bid Price 167.01 9.08 1.12 1.19 0.69 1.33 1,676.09 1,118.03 120.45 120.30 1,116.70 1,2298 1,2875 0.8539 1.0829

GAINERS AS AT 09-10-14

SYMBOL

Oyefeso said having built value for Nigeria over the last 120 years, FBNBank is poised to do even more in the Ghanaian financial markets. FBNBank provides customers with a collection of banking solutions that make their financial lives less cumbersome and stressful. Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications, Folake AniMumuney said the bank’s brand is at the heart of the holistic experience it seeks to deliver to its stakeholders, an essential part of retaining patronage and the competitive edge that keeps the lender at the coveted position of market leader.

bank’s statement said. Cedar One Investment Partners Limited emerged as the first reserve bidder while Fidelity Bank Plc was named the second reserve bidder. The competitive bidding process was coordinated for AMCON by Barclays Africa Group Limited and Afrinvest West Africa Limited (Financial Advisers) and Banwo & Ighodalo (Legal Advisers). The completion of the transaction is, however, subject to the fulfillment of the conditions precedent as stated in the SPA to be executed with Skye Bank Plc, as well as the receipt of all required

GOVT. SECURITIES YIELD – SECONDARY MARKET

Tenor

Oct. 9, 2014

Rates

T-bills - 91

10.10

T-bills - 182

10.22

T-bills - 364

10.30

Bond - 3yrs

11.52

Bond - 5yrs

11.55

Bond - 7yrs

12.13

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2014

NEWS

ACF seeks justice for El-Zakzaky

HE Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has promised to get justice for the 35 Shi’ite members killed by “soldiers” in Zaria, Kaduna State. Those killed include three sons of the leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), Sheik Ibrahim ElZazakky. An ACF delegation, led by Adamu Muhammad, spoke with reporters after paying a

From Abdulgafar Alabelewe, Kaduna

condolence visit to the cleric in his Zaria home. Muhammad said the ACF would not rest until justice is done, adding: “ACF will not fold its arms and see innocent lives being lost for no just cause, for selfish interest and political calculations.” Presenting a letter of condolence to the cleric, ACF Secretary-General Col. Jerry Uba

(rtd) said: “ACF sympathises with a deep sense of grief the tragic attack on your followers, which resulted in the death of three of your sons and many of your devoted followers. Their death has, no doubt, deprived you and the rest of the family of very dear and promising offspring, as well as the company of trusted confidants.” Sheik El-Zakzaky said the soldiers who shot his followers disguised in his IMN’s uni-

From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

A •Sheik El-Zazakky

form to “blackmail law-abiding members of the movement”. He said the movement had never possessed a firearm in its about 40 years of existence.

TETFUND trains 10,363 tertiary workers

EN thousand, three hundred and sixty-three academic and non-academic workers in tertiary institutions were trained within and outside Nigeria by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) between 2010 and 2014. TETFUND Executive Secretary Prof. Suleiman Bogoro spoke yesterday at the 27th Annual General Meeting and International Conference of the Nigeria Institution of Mechanical Engineers at Zaranda Hotel in Bauchi. He said TETFUND’s intervention in staff training was unrivalled in Africa and among the best in the world. Bogoro, who was conferred with an award, was a guest speaker.

From Austine Tsenzughul, Bauchi

Presenting a paper on “Capacity Building and Infrastructural Development in Nigeria: The TETFUND Intervention in Nigerian Public Tertiary Educational Institutions, he said 3, 270 university workers, 3050 in polytechnics and 4, 043 in colleges of education were trained in the period under review. Bogoro said 1,633 doctorate degree holders were trained abroad and 3,041 in the country; 1,375 Master holders were trained abroad and 4,084 in the country. He said: “Today, the number of journals published in tertiary institutions has increased tremendously as a result of TETFUND’s intervention in academic staff train-

ing and development. “We have identified a number of theses and developed them into books to encourage book publication, not just carrying titles of P.hD and Master. We will continue to encourage book publication. Our mandate is to fill the gap of what is lacking in institutions.” Bogoro said TETFUND has sponsored over 17,933 academic and non-academic workers on conferences within and outside the country under its Conference Attendance Programme. “The objective is to provide opportunities for our lecturers to interact with their colleagues world-wide to the advantage of Nigeria’s education system,” he

Saraki disagrees with Uba on polling units

HE Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ecology and Environment, Senator Bukola Saraki, yesterday kicked against Senator Andy Uba’s call that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) suspends the creation of additional 30,000 polling units. Uba wrote INEC advising it to suspend the exercise or be barred by the Senate. In a statement by his media aide, Bamikole Omishore, Saraki said the position of Uba, who chairs the Committee on INEC, should not be construed as

From Sanni Onogu, Abuja

that of the Senate. He said INEC should be allowed to decide whether or not to go ahead with the exercise as an independent organisation, urging politicians to stop interfering in the commission’s activities. Saraki urged INEC to maintain its credibility by being independent of any political party or group.

Suswam: Benue shares in Dangote Cement intact

ENUE State’s shares in Dangote Cement are intact, Governor Gabriel Suswam said yesterday. Speaking with reporters in Makurdi, the state capital, Suswam said they were never sold.

From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

He debunked claims that the shares were valued at N20 billion in the stock market, noting that the state owned only 43 million shares. Suswam said the shares were warehoused with the

Benue Investment Property Company and blamed his detractors for peddling falsehood about the shares. He blamed BIPC for not trading with the shares to add value to them, saying the company was yet to fully achieve the purpose for its establishment.

Kogi CJ inaugurates impeachment panel

OGI State Chief Judge Nasir Ajanah yesterday inaugurated a seven-man panel to probe allegations of gross misconduct against the suspended Chairman of Dekina Local Government, Mohammed Ali. At the ceremony held at the High Court complex in Lokoja, the state capital, Justice Ajanah said the panel was constituted in consonance with Section 16(6) of

From James Azania, Lokoja

the Kogi State Local Government Law (2008). He said the panel members were selected after dispassionate consideration of their pedigree as “sober, forthright and incorruptible personalities”. “I am certain that you will bring these qualities to bear in the discharge of this onerous responsibility”, the Chief Justice added.

The panel is chaired by Mr. Ibrahim Omuya. The secretary is Alhaji Ali Okeme. Members are Alhaji Jibrin Anaja, Mr. Joseph Ajisola, Alhaji Zubayr Saliu, Alhaji Mohammed Bello, Rev. Friday Oloku and Mallam Idris Jibril. The panel has three months to submit its report. Ali was suspended on July 10 by the Dekina Local Government Legislative Council for alleged misappropriation of public funds.

Save Sardauna’s legacy, NNN workers urge NSGF

‘Eggon behind Maku’s aspiration’

HE Joint Consultative Committee of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and National Union of Printing, Publishing and Paper Products Workers (NUPPPPROW) of the ailing New Nigerian (NNN) have urged the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) to protect the legacy of the late Sardauna of Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Bello, and ameliorate the suffering of unpaid workers and retirees. Speaking on the company’s premises after a congress of workers, Chair-

From Abdulgafar Alabelewe, Kaduna

man of the NNN-NUJ Chapel Amos Matthew decried the deplorable state of the company, describing it as an aberration of the founding father’s legacy. Matthew urged northern governors to “urgently” salvage the company from collapse. The workers said the NSGF directed the company’s management to compute a list of workers entitlements six months ago, but “we are

still expecting its response”. They urged the Federal Government to prevail on northern governors to brace themselves to their responsibilities, saying they could no longer tolerate the inhuman treatment at the company, which led to the death of Ibrahim Adamu, Gana Ibrahim, Istifanus Yanki, Wakili Maitunbi, Comfort Samuel, Iliya Yusuf, Mr. Ezekiel, Nuhu Dauda, Samuel Ayeni, Malam Zubairu and Jibrin Gulani, among others.

added. Nigerian Institution of Mechanical Engineers National Chairman Prof. Adisa Bello said the theme of the conference was apt because many developing countries, such as Nigeria, were looking for solutions to their problems.

FORMER Chairman of Eggon Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, Musa Ayas, has said contrary to the news making the rounds, Information Minister Labaran Maku has the backing of the Eggon to contest next year’s governorship election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Ayas, who said Maku was the most popular choice of the people, was reacting to a statement attributed to Mr Dogara Angbo. Angbo said Maku lacked Eggon’s support to contest the poll. Ayas said the people were rooting for Maku because of his “consistency and visionary leadership”. He said: “Maku has come a long way and risen through patience and performance at the local, state and national levels to be the most widely acceptable Eggon son in the governorship race. “No amount of hired attacks on him by miscreants like Dogara Angbo and one or two persons who have lost relevance in our community can turn the tide of support Maku enjoys. “Everyone has his season; this season is for Maku, the most accepted aspirant for the 2015 governorship race. The best Senator Ewuga and his group, who returned from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the PDP a few months ago, can do is to support Maku. “Out of frustration and desperation, Angbo and his sponsors deliberately ignored the fact that Eggon political leaders from the three senatorial zones recently announced Maku as their candidate. “In a widely publicised communique, Eggon elders said their endorsement of Maku came after extensive consultations across Nasarawa State, where he was found to be the preferred and most qualified candidate.”

‘No automatic ticket for Kaduna ALGON boss’

OME Kaduna State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members have petitioned the party’s leadership over alleged plans to make the state Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Danjuma Akuso, the sole candidate from Kagarko Local Government for the PDP’s House of Representatives primary election. The tenure of Akuso, who chairs Kagarko Council, and his 22 other colleagues expires in December. In a letter to the state PDP Chairman, Chief Abubakar Haruna, the petitioners - Mr Zaphaniah Yohanna and Mr. Monday Adukwa, said: “On October 1, Akuso invited 25 select stakeholders from 10 wards in Kagarko Local Government to a meeting in the chamber of the local government. At the meeting, the Commissioner for Poverty

From Abdulgafar Alabelewe, Kaduna

Alleviation, Abdurahman Jere, told the audience that the meeting was to relay the outcome of an earlier meeting held by ‘special stakeholders’ of the local government. According to him the ‘special stakeholders’ have resolved to endorse Akuso as the sole candidate for the House of Representatives in 2015.” The petitioners said the commissioner claimed that the endorsement had the governor’s blessings. They said: “In order to diffuse the tension generated and assure members of our party that their inalienable right to free, fair and credible primaries will not be trampled upon, we call on the chairman to: ensure that the PDP’s guidelines issued by the national headquarters of our party regarding elections are strictly complied with and followed to the letter; and a level-playing field is provided for all aspirants.”

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2014

NEWS We are fighting guerilla war, says CDS Continued from page 2

type of work they will want me to do. “So if you think you can destroy Nigeria because you have another country somewhere, you will be a slave there. And after five years you will come back. “Maybe when we die and we go and meet Emperor Bokassa, you can ask him. When there was problem in Central African Republic, he ran to Paris because he had a pension, and they were giving him the pension of a Sergeant because that is what he was. He went back to Central African Republic, he felt that it was better for him to be in prison in Central African Republic

than for him to be a free man in Paris.” “So if you want to be embedded with the military, please just come and meet Gen. Chris Olukolade. We shall arrange for you to come to Maiduguri and go and stay at the checkpoint in Maiduguri.” Haruna, a columnist for The Nation said the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is not in conflict with the security of the nation. He said: “Of course, the media, as society’s mirror and the channel of public communication, can be sensational, biased and may even fabricate facts. These unethical and unprofessional behavoiurs are even worse in the New Media where

news and opinion are often not checked for their accuracy before publication “These infractions are, however, not enough to see FOIA as being in conflict with the security of a nation. “First, even though journalists are its greatest beneficiaries, the Act is not meant for only the media; individual citizens too stand to benefit. “Indeed, in some countries, there are more private citizen applicants than journalists. In the UK, for example, records show that of around 120,00 requests made each year, private citizens account for 60 per cent while businesses and journalists account for 20 per cent and 10 per cent respectively.

‘U.S. not undermining Nigeria’s battle against Boko Haram’ Continued from page 2

•Air Chief Marshal Badeh

“Second, when journalists break laws, there are legal remedies. Unfortunately, the authorities often ignore such remedies and resort to extra-judicial and, at times, even downright illegal ones like seizing newspapers or closing down broadcast stations.”

Rain of blows at Rivers PDP parley in Abuja Continued from page 2

memorsanda. They said I beat somebody? How can I do that?” Speaking with reporters shortly after his ordeal, Ibienyen said: “The Minister of State, Education, Nyesom Wike, brought people to stop petitioners from going to defend their petitions. “Only a few people were allowed into the hall. Twenty-two petitions were received from Rivers State and only four out of the 22 persons who petitioned were allowed to defend their petitions. “Professor Israel Owate presented his own. Chief Paworiso Samuel Horsefall presented his own report. Barrister Alalivo Frederick and Elechukwu Ogbowu presented their own. “In an attempt to stop the molestation and harassment of party stakeholders from entering the hall to defend their petitions, Wike physically shoved me and rained punches on me. “The molestation of stake-

holders and reporters should not have happened; it is not necessary at all. If it happened in Abuja with just a few of us in attendance, what would have happened if the meeting had taken place in Rivers State? “The national leadership of the party must know that all is not well with Rivers PDP. It is a clear indication that PDP in the state is sitting on a keg of gun powder, waiting to explode.” Many others who attempted to enter the hall where the Prof. Iya Abubakar-led panel was sitting were beaten with cudgels, sticks and bottles. One of them, a lawyer who gave his name as Tamuno Dick, got a deep cut on his face from the boot of a policeman’s gun. Dick, who claimed to be the legal adviser of the Network for the Defence of Democracy and Good Governance, a rival group to Wike’s GDI, was soaked in blood, as the white handkerchief he used as compress could not

stop the bleeding. Another chieftain of the party, Chief Anamsara Igbe, was also manhandled. He told reporters that he was robbed of N50, 000 cash and that the documents he brought to back his petition were taken away from him by thugs. Igbe said: “I was robbed. They collected my documents from me in the hall. They took the party constitution, the memorandum I submitted and the money from me. “They robbed me and took all the money. If that is what is called reconciliation, I don’t see how that can be reconciliation. Rivers State is a delicate state. The same Wike himself is tearing PDP apart. “And if that continues, PDP will fail. Mr President should listen to us or he will fail in Rivers State. Politics is a game of interest. Our interest is that governorship must rotate in Rivers State”. Another party chieftain, Dr.

Innocent Ekwu, who also had a brush with the thugs, gave an account of the encounter: “I arrived with my delegates only to meet thugs at the entrance of the hall, beating up other governorship aspirants, beating up other leaders of the party who are not members of Grassroots Democratic Initiative (GDI). “In my presence, Professor Owate was beaten and thrown out of the entrance. Lolo Ibieyen was also beaten up by the Honourable Minister of Education. “I saw it with my two eyes. I was shocked to witness this type of tyranny, misconduct in the open glare before a multitude. And the worst is that the security men who were there stood aloof and could not call them to order.

Ngilari waves olive branch

DAMAWA State Governor Bala Ngilari yesterday met with the state’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stakeholders in a bid to reconcile the aggrieved members. Ngilari, who was at the state party secretariat for his first assignment outside the Government House, said the visit was to meet with the state party executives and other stakeholders. He said his emergence as governor was the will of God “who gives leadership to whoever he wants at a time He wants”. “My emergence as a governor today is a will of Almighty God, because He is the only one that gives power to whoever at a time he wants “So glory is to God,” Ngilari said. He said all the party’s members were equal and important to him and what remained for them as members was to unite for the success of the party in the 2015 general election. “Personally, I don’t have any grudges with anybody in my mind and for the sake of unity and peace of the state and the ruling party, I forgive anybody that directly or indirectly offended me, “ the governor said. Party Chairman Chief Joel Madaki said as far as he was concerned, whatever happened was a victory for the party. Fintiri was absent at the meeting. But Acting Speaker Kwamoti Laori, Senator Bello Tukur and members of the House of Assembly and other party chieftains attended. Fintiri was also absent at the House of Assembly’s special sitting earlier in the day. Acting Speaker Laori presided at the session, attended by 21 of the 25 members. The House adjourned its sitting to October 13. Fintiri thanked the people for the “tremendous support” they gave him during his two months and three weeks’ tenure, saying he had returned to the House as Speaker.

military expertise (for Boko Haram) coming from. How in the last one year they became more effective?” The envoy, who was in Adamawa to monitor the governorship by-election not put off, held talks with Adamawa Interfaith Committee, an NGO. He also visited the American University of Nigeria (AUN), Yola, where he delivered a lecture to staff and students. He said the U.S. is committed to supporting the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC’s) efforts to ensure that Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) vote in the 2015 general elections. “Creative people of good intention should find a way out about that so that Nigerians displaced can vote as much as possible,” Entwistle said.

The ambassador said that to be disenfranchised alongside being displaced would be extremely unfortunate, adding that Nigeria could use what Americans called “absentee balloting”. The ambassador said the U.S. had been providing support to INEC and civil society organisations, to build the indigenous electoral observation capacity. He cautioned the electorate against selling their votes, saying the right to vote was something crucial that should not be wasted. Entwistle said the media needed to make politicians commit themselves to non-violence politics. “No place for violence in democratic election; each time I come across politicians, I encourage them to commit themselves to not fomenting, supporting or condoning violence before, during or after election,” he said.

NBA demands Ekiti court’s reopening Continued from page 2

opening to enable the judiciary carry out its adjudicatory functions. “NBA is alarmed at the barricading of the High Court of Justice Complex, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State by security agencies on the basis of an alleged bomb threat to the complex. Judicial officers, staff and litigants were not allowed access. “NBA believes that any alleged bomb threat must have been effectively neutralised by

the security agencies utilising their bomb disposal units. “NBA demands that the High Court of Justice complex hould be opened immediately to allow for resumption of work by the courts. “The security agencies should provide a safe and conducive environment for the effective administration of justice and should not create a situation that makes it totally impossible for courts in Ado-Ekiti to carry out their constitutional roles of providing justice for all,” NBA said.

‘Stop this assault on Judiciary’ Continued from page 2

highest form of impunity. It is a gross violation of the constitution and an attack on the principle of separation of powers when the executive arm is preventing the Judicial arm from operating. ‘’For how long will the courts remain closed. What is the responsibility of the police, the army and the SSS if they cannot protect lives and property. It is wrong for one man to hold the whole state to ransom, simply because he boasts of the capacity to set the state on fire,’’ it said. APC said President Jonathan is simply destroying the judiciary by protecting a man who leads thugs to beat up a judge, adding: ‘’When a President encourages the desecration of the Judiciary, that

President is destroying the very foundation and pillar of not just democracy but of the entire society.’’ The party called on the international community to prevail on President Jonathan to stop this assault on democracy, peace, stability, law and order. ‘’Mr. President, you cannot in one breath claim that you believe in the rule of law and at the same time be humiliating Judges not only by protecting those who are beating them up but even more destructively preventing them from discharging their constitutional duties. Mr President, no one will invest in a country where there is no strong, independent judiciary, not to talk of one in which the President encourages his party men to beat up Judges,’’ it said.

Fintiri seeks Ngilari’s sack Continued from page 2

appeal are Ngilari, Speaker, Admawa State House of Assembly, House of Assembly, impeached Governor Murtala Nyako and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Fintiri argued that the trial judge failed to convert the suit to commence by way of writ of summons having regard to the hostile and contentious nature of the facts on the crucial issues that emanated from the conflicting affidavit evidence. He stated that there was a conflict between the parties as to whether the plaintiff (Ngilari) wrote exhibit AU1 (Ngilari’s letter of resignation). The appellant added that there was conflict as to whether then Governor Murtala Nyako wrote exhibit AU2 (his letter to the then Speaker, nomination a member of the House of Assembly, Adamu Kamale as replacement for Ngilari, who had purportedly resigned as Deputy Govenor. He stated that the trial judge erred when he held that the case could only be heard and determined on the basis of the votes and proceedings of the

House of Assembly. Fintiri argued that the Speaker and the House have no role to play in the deputy governor’s resignation, once his letter of resignation is received by the governor, it takes immediate effect. He also faulted the trial judge for holding that there was no evidence that the resignation letter was received by the then governor. Fintiri noted that the letter, marked exhibit AU2, was written by then Governor Nyako, nominating a replacement for Ngilari, on being satisfied that he (Ngilari) had resigned. “There is no provision under Section 306 of the Constitution requiring the governor, in his letter for nomination of a replacement, to inform the speaker that the deputy governor has resigned,” he said. The appellant further argued that the trial judge erred when he held that the letter of nomination by the governor was not authored by him even when it was written on the state government’s letter head sheet. As at yesterday, Fintiri was yet to apply for a stay of execution of the judgment pending appeal.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2014

FOREIGN NEWS UK screens for Ebola at major airports

HE British government has said it will provide enhanced screening for passengers coming from countries affected by the Ebola outbreak especially at its major airports. A statement yesterday by the Prime Minister David Cameron said the airports where enhanced screening will be provided include Heathrow, Gatwick and Eurostar. The statement on the introduction of screening at UK travel destinations was issued following advice from the country’s Chief Medical Officer. According to the statement, Britain is continuing to monitor the outbreak of Ebola closely, including the protection of the its “people travelling here (UK) who may be infected.” It added that airport screening at airports in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea had been in place for some weeks to ensure all passengers leaving affected countries were checked. The statement stated further that screening had been kept under review throughout the EVD outbreak and advice from the “Chief Medical Officer today (Thursday) is that enhanced screening arrangements at the UK’s main ports of entry for people travelling from the affected regions – Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea – will offer an additional level of protection to the UK.” It stated, “Enhanced screening will initially be implemented at London’s Heathrow and Gatwick airports and Eurostar terminals and will involve assessing passengers’ recent travel history, who they have been in contact with and onward travel arrangements as well as a possible medical assessment, conducted by trained medical personnel rather than Border Force staff. Passengers will also be given advice on what to do should they develop symptoms later. “As the Chief Medical Officer’s advice makes clear, these measures will help to improve our ability to detect and isolate Ebola cases. However, it is important to stress that given the nature of this disease; no system could offer 100 per cent protection from non-symptomatic cases.” The British government however played down the risk of EVD spreading to the UK. “It is important to remember that the overall risk to the public in the UK continues to be very low, and the UK has some of the best public health protection systems in the world with well-developed and well-tested systems for managing infectious diseases when they arise. Contingency planning is also underway including a national exercise and wider resilience training to ensure the UK is fully prepared,” the government said in the statement.

•President Kenyatta has a large support base and those gathered chanted his name to welcome him home.

Frenchman Modiano wins Nobel for literature

ATRICK Modiano of France, who has made a lifelong study of the Nazi occupation and its effects on his country, won the 2014 Nobel Prize in literature Thursday for what one academic called “crystal clear and resonant” prose. Modiano, a 69-year-old resident of Paris, is an acclaimed writer in France but not well known in the English-speaking world. The Swedish Academy said it gave him the 8 million-kronor ($1.1 million) prize for evoking “the most ungraspable human destinies” and uncovering the humanity of life under Nazi occupation.

Jewishness, the Nazi occupation and loss of identity are recurrent themes in his novels, which include 1968’s “La Place de l’Etoile” - later hailed in Germany as a key post-Holocaust work.Modiano’s novel “Missing Person” won the prestigious Prix Goncourt in 1978 and is among the more than 40 of his works published in French. Some have been translated into English, including “Ring of Roads: A Novel,” `’Villa Triste,” “A Trace of Malice,” and “Honeymoon.”Dervila Cooke of Dublin City University, author of a book about Modiano, said his works deal with the traumas of France’s

past but have a “darkly humorous touch.””His prose is crystal clear and resonant,” she said. “A common description of his work is of its `petite musique’ - its haunting little music.”Modiano was born in a west Paris suburb in July 1945, two months after World War II ended in Europe, to a father with Jewish-Italian origins and a Belgian actress mother who met during the 1940-44 occupation of Paris. He has also written children’s books and film scripts, including co-writing the 1974 movie “Lacombe, Lucien” with director Louis

Malle and the 2003 movie “Bon Voyage” with director Jean-Paul Rappeneau. He was a member of the jury at the Cannes Film Festival in 2000 and won the Austrian State Prize for European Literature in 2012.Peter Englund, the permanent secretary of the Swedish Academy, said Modiano’s works often explore the themes of time, memory and identity.” He is returning to the same topics again and again simply because these topics, you can’t exhaust them,” Englund told journalists in Stockholm.

NEWS

Fashola urges change in noise culture

AGOS State Governor Babatunde Fashola has called on all Lagosians to do everything possible to change the state’s current noise culture ahead of the ‘no horn day,’ which kicks off next Wednesday. Fashola, who noted the adverse effect of noise on citizens’ wellbeing, said the horn-free day is a challenge Lagosians must rally round to adopt as a way of promoting social wellness. He spoke at the Lagos Drivers’ Appreciation Day, a programme organised by the

•October 15 is No Horn Day By Adeyinka Aderibigbe and Miriam Ekene-Okoro

Ministry of Transport to sensitise drivers on the hornfree day. “We are meeting here to again show to the world that beginning from October 15, Lagosians would decide to reduce the noise level around them, starting from the motorised horns. You and I, from that day, would voluntarily choose to live differently by refusing to contribute more to the noise

level around us by no longer using our horns when we are on the road. “What we do and when we are willing to reduce the noise level around us beginning from October 15 is a decision that lies with you and I. If you travel outside the country, you see that people do not use the horn the way we do here. If you heard a siren blowing, it must mean those concerned whether the police or any other under emergency and you will see

other road users yielding the way. “Why can’t it be the same here? Why are we so noisome? Let us show other parts of the country that we can live differently,” he said. He praised the state’s Ministry of Transportation for taking up the challenge and promoting a culture that would take the country close to what obtains elsewhere in the world. The highpoint of the event was the recognition of no fewer than 25 professional drivers who were adjudged as worthy of emulation.

EXPRESSO

Dasuki, Hassan Lawal and Peter Obi – a pot-pourri •Continued from Back Page

As Dr. Lawal coolly walks away from a N6b fraud charge: A time would come very soon when the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) would completely lose the moral authority to prosecute anyone. Why for instance should I submit myself for prosecution over say a measly N10 million matter while government officials who have purloined billions of naira are daily allowed to march gleefully into the sunshine with their loot intact under their belt? Consider this sordid Nigerian story. Late in September, EFCC counsel Wahab Shittu must have felt like a circus clown at the Federal High Court, Abuja, as he told the court to throw out the 47-count charge suit of N6.4 billion against former Minister of Works Dr. Hassan Lawal. Lawal and his co-conspirators practically walked away with this sum meant for building a bridge across River Benue, linking Nasarawa and Kogi states. This matter had been in court for about four years; over 130 exhibits had been tendered, enough to nail the rogues and put them away for a very long time. But Lawal was dragged to court in the first instance because he must have brought trouble upon himself by repudiating the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. The Federal Government does not have that rather tacky habit of prosecuting its thieving members; where are you gonna start from if almost everyone is in on it?

But my sympathy goes out to my brother, Shittu, who was yeomanly in carrying out the dirty job. Hear him: “Without prejudice to the merit or otherwise of the matter, I have firm instruction that the case against the accused persons, all of them, be discontinued. “To assure you that I did not make the application out of my own volition, I asked them to put it in writing and they did. So, as an obedient servant, I have no other choice than to carry out the instruction. I hereby apply that the charges be discontinued and the accused persons discharged.” It is obvious that Lawal must have made up with PDP. There is no doubt that this order must have come from our formless Minister of (no) Justice, Mohammed Adoke. His has been a glittering legacy of saving corrupt officials from going to jail. Apart from Lawal, there is a long list of highly corrupt officials he has sprung from going to prison. Adoke has a large FMCG (Fast Moving Corrupted Goods) factory and its hot product is called ‘pleabargain country cakes’. They will plea-bargain the country at the least opportunity the rate they are going at it. Have you ever wondered why Nigeria is currently afflicted with so much carcinogenic corruption yet no public official ever gets convicted? Since Adoke captured the EFCC a few years ago and put it under his armpit, the commission has suffered fatal asphyxiation. Those damaging the soul of this great nation will surely face the harsh judgment of history.

‘APC focusing on better life for Nigerians’

HAIRMAN of Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area of Lagos State Comrade Ayodele Adewale has said the All Progressives Congress (APC) always strives to make life better for all with the provision of man’s basic needs. The council chief spoke at the sixth year anniversary and empowerment programme of the party at the local government headquarters in Festival Town (FESTAC). He said: “It is interesting to note that our great party, the APC, is focusing on meeting the basic requirements for the permanent reduction of poverty in our country through the provision of basic needs, health care service, education, water supply, food and housing, among others. Adewale hoped the party will win next year’s presidential election so that Nigerians, irrespective of their region or religion, will benefit from the progressives administration. The chairman said the local government had impacted positively on the lives of the residents, despite several challenges it faced in the last six years of his administration. He said: “In all our dealings, we have been guided by a pro-people agenda to maximise our resources and opportunities and do the greatest good to the greatest number of our people.” Adewale thanked Asiwaju Tinubu and the state chair-

By Olamilekan Andu

man of the party, Chief Henry Ajomale, for providing virile leadership for APC and believing in him to make the local government one of the best in the land. The council chairman inaugurated the Block B of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu Primary Health Care Centre at Abule Ado; a block of classrooms with facilities at the UPE Primary School at Third Avenue, Festac; issued certificates to local government-sponsored 200 youths who graduated from NIIT training in information and communication technology (ICT) and distribution of several empowerment items to members of the local government. Items distributed at the programme include 7,000 bags for primary school pupils, generators, fridges, sewing machines, spraying machines, pop corn-making machines and food items. Adewale said the training of 200 graduates in ICT cost over N22 million, adding that his administration beat it down to N13.215 million. He said the programme was aimed at reducing cyber crimes, which had become prevalent among youths in the area, and empowering the youths to become employers of labour. The Head, NIIT West Africa, Mr. Pankaj Maheshwari, hailed the council chief for initiating the training, which would enable the beneficiaries to work with the globally-accepted certificate of the company.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2014

TODAY IN THE NATION

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2014 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

VOL.9 NO.2,997

‘We are done aspiring; let us now perspire for the epoch in which electricity would work and associated sectors. Let our glands secrete in the heat of aspirations conceived for the love of the common good.’ OLA TUNJI OL OLADE OLATUNJI OLOLADE

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

HIS is a tale of two recent events. The All Progressives Congress (APC) Governor of Adamawa State, Murtala Nyako, was impeached by the House of Assembly. His deputy, Bala Ngilari, purportedly resigned. Therefore the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Speaker of the Adamawa House of Assembly, Umaru Fintiri, was sworn in as Acting Governor. The deputy governor, who purportedly resigned, went to court and recanted his resignation on the ground that he did not legally resign because his letter of resignation was wrongly addressed to the speaker instead of the governor, a violation of the constitution. Early this week, the Federal High Court agreed with Bala Ngilari and he was sworn in on Wednesday as Governor for the remainder of the term of his joint ticket with the impeached governor. The speaker, who had become Acting Governor, was let go. He has also appealed. These all happened in Nigeria’s Adamawa State. The political process as enshrined in the constitution played out in the impeachment of the governor. The rule of law prevailed in the appeal of the new governor. All the players and contestants on the opposing sides of this conflict are PDP. There was even a directive from the PDP hierarchy for its members to maintain the peace. After all, Adamawa is still in the grip of the party. Here is the second event that is still playing out. Ekiti State had an election and a winner emerged. The loser, the incumbent APC Governor Kayode Fayemi, conceded as the final results were announced. He even pledged to set up a transition committee for a smooth transition. The winner, Ayodele Fayose, is a member of the PDP. APC, the defeated governor’s party, decided, independently of its candidate, to challenge the result. This is only following the provisions of the electoral law. E-11, a social-cultural organisation of Ekiti indigenes had its own beef against the elected candidate. The organisation had approached the court to challenge his eligibility in view of his alleged perjury. The candidate and his party, PDP, won’t have any of these. The court cannot be allowed to adjudicate in the matters. With a retinue of followers, the governor-elect also approached the court, not to respond by way of a counter suit. Rather his was a Mano a Mano challenge to their Lordships. His die-hard followers descended on the Justices like hungry lions face to face

SEGUN GBADEGESIN gbadegesin@thenationonlineng.net

Between Adamawa and Ekiti

•Ngilari

with raw flesh. They had their feed while the governor-elect and the police watched with glee. What stands out between the two contexts of political action and inaction? What is the difference between Adamawa and Ekiti? Where the PDP is in charge and its interests aren’t radically impacted, justice may take its course. But where it feels threatened by the law, and its interests may be adversely affected, the Temple of Justice is desecrated. Why is it able to do this with impunity? It controls the fetters of federal power with the monopoly of force. To be sure, this is a new development. In 2007, both Governors Aregbesola and Fayemi challenged the victory of their PDP opponents in the courts and won. There was no sponsored violence. Governor Oshiomhole also challenged the victory of his PDP opponent in Edo State and won. Again, there was no violent eruption thereafter. What is different this time? Does it have to do with the high stakes of the 2015 general and presidential elections? Since the 2007 elections and the court

HAT a week that was, a week that has presented us with a salad of very important personalities at the dinner table of history; sublime history stealing through the life of a nation like a thief. The dramatis personae are the National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd.), former Works Minister Dr. Hassan Lawal and former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi.

Dasuki’s umbrage and Nigeria as ‘money miss road’: The ignorant

world out there not conversant with the shenanigans of international politics and power play would see Nigeria today as a cash-crazed country of people bereft of sense or even sensibility. Why else would a country this size haul cash all over the place shopping for arms and ammunition in dark alleys in this digital age? And why has the NSA, Col. Sambo been bungling serially, basic arms acquisition routine since his appointment? The first time, he was reported to have disbursed $3 million to some shadowy Pentagon go-betweens early in the year to procure arms for prosecuting the terrorism war. That deal hit a dead end. Three weeks ago, Nigeria’s ‘raw cash’ of $9.3 million was intercepted by the South African authorities as some official ‘touts’ of the federal government tried to offload it at an obscure airport ostensibly for some black market arms deal. The dust from that odious scandal was yet to settle when the South Africans landed Nigeria another killer blow with the interception of another sum of $5.7 million in very strange and unsavoury

victories that saw PDP lose the two state houses in Osogbo and Ado-Ekiti to rival ACN, PDP has vowed to win back those states and in its calculation, it needed to field notoriously “popular” candidates, no matter what baggage they bring to the ticket. So it was that Iyiola Omisore and Ayodele Fayose, despite their despicable antecedents and controversial backgrounds, received the enviable gubernatorial tickets of their party. Of the two, however, Fayose has a legal albatross dangling over his neck. He had occupied the seat once and was legally impeached. Or was he not? He had to answer this question truthfully in the governorship election form for INEC. And he allegedly lied, committing what amounts to, if true, a grievous perjury. How is the truth or validity of the allegation to be determined? This is what the courts of law are designed for. And this was where E-11 headed in May, 2014, before the June, 2014, election.Unfortunately, due to a variety of unforeseen events, including the strike of judicial workers, the court could not go on with the case before the election. Fayose won the new election. But that fact does not negate the preexisting fact of the case pending against him. That you win an election does not mean that you are eligible to contest and you cannot become governor by default. But Governorelect Fayose cannot trust the courts and he must turn to self-help. There was the second matter of the election tribunal. After the 2007 gubernatorial election in Ekiti, Kayode Fayemi challenged the victory of PDP candidate Segun Oni. The PDP and Segun Oni fought the battle in court from 2007 to 2009 and eventually lost. It now appears that the party’s takeaway (apology to Governor Fashola) from that experience was not to trust the courts and to frustrate the right of the aggrieved party to seek relief in the court. Even when the defeated candidate doesn’t appear to be a party to the suit, the

STEVE OSUJI

EXPRESSO

steve.osuji@yahoo.com

Dasuki, Hassan Lawal and Peter Obi – a pot-pourri

The coronation of Peter Obi

OE alas! Peter Obi finally bit the bullet. It was bound to happen. In fact it was only a question of time. In deed the former governor of Anambra State was on Tuesday crowned the de facto Igbo leader at a very complex period of both Nigeria and Igbo epoch. It was at his private residence in GRA, Onitsha, that the cream of Igbo elite gathered ostensibly to persuade him to jump ship from his party APGA to PDP. It is a formidable roll call: Ike Ekweremadu, Ayim Pius Ayim, Gov. T.A. Orji, Gov. Akpabio, Emeka Ihedioha, Hope Uzodinma, Ben Obi, Uche Chukwumerije, to name a few. If there ever was a powerful delegation to a man’s house in our generation, that was one. If there was a quality representation of Igbo leadership, that was one. Is the Onuiyi Haven being remade one better?

One hopes the crowd realised that they had just anointed a leader? One hopes Obi has acquired the grit, the political maturity and the sense of history to wear this flowing robe. One regrets that he had to jettison APGA and join the black-hearted PDP; but APGA remained a stillbirth, an ogbanje that is doomed from conception. One regrets that he had to emerge at a point when Ndigbo are weak and prostrate; are a negligible quantity in the Nigerian political equation. But the years ahead will tell. The unlikely politician with the effeminate voice, Obi, turned out the pleasant surprise of this era, acquitting himself wonderfully well as governor of Anambra State. However, the job at hand is expanded, term-less if not lifelong, thus terrifically onerous. It requires the sagacity of a Cicero and the guiles of a Machiavelli.

circumstance.

transactions; being imperceptive and making elementary mistakes; Dasuki’s angry outbursts threatening retaliation

Dasuki’s outburst: It is bad enough

that Nigeria flunks her critical intelligence

victorious candidate is not confident of his case against the opposition party. It appears to me also that 2015 has a lot to do with this edginess on the part of the ruling party and its attitude to the law suits against the governor-elect. The president is counting on winning a substantial portion of Southwest votes. With Ekiti in the corner of his party, he appears close to that dream; therefore losing Ekiti to a court judgment cannot be countenanced. This calculation wasn’t in contention in 2007. In 2007, President Yar’Adua, himself severely bruised from the credible allegations of rigging in his favour, had pledged a more transparent and credible electoral system. Therefore he would not have been favourably disposed to blocking the access of the opposition to the courts. And in 2011, Goodluck Jonathan had the goodwill of the Southwest intact, winning in all but Osun State. There was, therefore, no pressure for him or the PDP to be obdurate. Now it is a different calculation.Based on the strength of the opposition party, the reversal of the gain the party has made in Ekiti cannot be allowed. In the circumstance, what gives? We have come to embrace the courts as the hallmark of the civilising process. We abandoned the settlement of rifts and conflicts by duel and fisticuff for resolution by the courts and we are all better off. If some party to a conflict decide that duel is a better alternative because they have control of the means of violence, the other party would not rationally cow in or be cowed. They would also seek their own means and then a Hobbesian anarchy prevails. It is not difficult to predict that in such a situation no one wins. There is a more baffling aspect to the Ekiti story. If one can understand the self-interested perspective of the governor-elect and his party, it is difficult to understand where the unusual intervention of traditional rulers with their recent communique fits in. Surely, it is understandable and commendable that they do not want violence in the state. But are the Royal Majesties also canvassing that the courts not perform their constitutional responsibilities? As keepers of our traditions, one would think that they are, or at least ought to be, in the forefront of the necessary advocacy for the observance of and respect for the rule of law. This is a sacred responsibility that must not be undermined by other considerations. •For comments, send SMS to 08111813080 against SA’s business interests in Nigeria is, sorry to say, primitive and negates the rules of decency in international corporate ethics. He must realise that SA’s law, like in all properly ordered places, is no respecter of personalities. It is no respecter of ‘big man’; not even the president can escape investigation and trial when he contravenes the law. Second, in procurements of such sensitivity, why was the diplomatic channel ignored; why were the intelligence and military channels not coopted? Third, do we need any extra-sensory perception to figure out that if the West (for reasons best known to them) would not sell you arms, it would ensure that you would never be able to procure from areas of its spheres of influence. It cannot be by chance that Nigeria’s efforts to get arms from South Africa’s dark corridors are not only being frustrated but exposed. Get wise Mr. NSA and look East if we truly seek for arms. Finally, it is a mark of Nigeria’s acute debility that her Defence Industry Corporation (DIC) cannot produce basic arms and ammunition, the type that would have been sufficient to tame a minor insurgency like Boko Haram. Its contemporaries in Brazil, India and Malaysia are producing fighter jets. What gives Nigeria the impetus to contest for a permanent UN seat with SA and Egypt when we cannot manufacture basic rifles? When is a nation? Who is thinking?

•Continued

on page 59

•For comments, send SMS to 08111526725

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