The Nation October 8, 2011

We got more than we asked for 51-year-old delivered of five kids at a go two years after only male child died

Me, ‘Go slow’?

Perish the thought!

in -aFashola no-holds

barred interview in our Sunday edition tomorrow

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JUDGMENT DAY

Eagles battle Guinea for sole ticket 29

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Liberian President, Sirleaf, two other women win Nobel Peace prize

Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

VOL.05 N0. 1907

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2011

N150.00

Alleged N100bn scam

EFCC seizes Daniel, Akala, Akwe-Doma’s passports Ex-Ogun, Oyo, Nasarawa governors Page to spend weekend in detention 3

Ex-Gombe Governor Goje declared wanted

:

Daniel

Akala

Akwe-Doma

IN THE NEWS

Fuel subsidy withdrawal: Why PDP still Page5 Senators, Reps split Page4 fears election after Northern Senators give two conditions Tension over Saraki’s motion

12 years in power -Niger Governor Aliyu

a s u a l A n i y o T

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Why 23 I’m yet to marry

2 NEWS

THE NATION, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 08, 2011

Liberian President, Sirleaf, Yemen’s activist, Gbowee win Nobel Peace prize

•Tawakkul Karman

H

ISTORY was made yesterday when Liberian and Africa’s first democratically elected female president, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, led two other women to win the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize.

The others are: a Liberian peace activist, Leyma Gbowee and a woman who stood up to Yemen’s authoritarian regime, Tawakkul Karman. Tawakkul is the first Arab woman to win the prize.

The trio won the Nobel Peace Prize for their work to secure women’s rights, which the prize committee described as fundamental to advancing world peace.

The 10 million kronor ($1.5 million) award was therefore split among them.

The Norwegian Nobel Committee honoured the three women “for their nonviolent struggle for the safety of women and for women’s rights to full participation in peace-building work. We cannot achieve democracy and lasting peace in the world unless women obtain the same opportunities as men to influence developments at all levels of society,” the prize committee said.

Prize Committee chairman, Thorbjorn Jagland, said he hoped the prize would bring more attention to rape and other violence against women as well as women’s role in promoting democracy in Africa and the Arab and Muslim world.

Johnson Sirleaf, the 72-year-old Harvardtrained economist, became Africa’s first democratically elected female president in 2005.

Liberia was ravaged by civil war for years until 2003 and is still struggling to maintain a fragile peace with the help of UN peacekeepers.

Sirleaf was seen as a reformer and peacemaker in Liberia when she took office.

She is running for re-election this month and opponents in the presidential campaign have accused her of buying votes and using government funds to campaign. Her camp denies the charges.

The committee cited Johnson Sirleaf’s efforts to secure peace in her country, promote economic and social development and strengthen the position of women.

By citing Karman, the committee also appeared to be acknowledging the effects of the Arab Spring, which has challenged authoritarian regimes across the region.

Karman is a 32-year-old mother of three who heads the human rights group, Women Journalists without Chains. She has been a leading figure in organising protests against President Ali Abdullah Saleh that kicked off in late January as part of a wave of antiauthoritarian revolts that have convulsed the Arab world.

“I am very, very happy about this prize,” Karman told The Associated Press. “I give the prize to the youth of revolution in Yemen and the Yemeni people.”

Gbowee, who organised a group of Christian and Muslim women to challenge Liberia’s warlords, was honoured for mobilising women “across ethnic and religious dividing lines to bring an end to the long war in Liberia, and to ensure women’s participation

•Leyma Gbowee Augustine AVWODE, Assistant Editor, with Agency reports in elections.”

In his 1895 will, award creator, Alfred Nobel, gave only vague guidelines for the peace prize, saying it should honour “work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses.”

The peace prize is the only Nobel handed out in Oslo, Norway. The other five awards — in medicine, physics, chemistry, literature and economics — are presented in Stockholm.

Karman, ‘the mother of Yemen’s revolution’ She is known among Yemenis as “the iron woman” and the “mother of the revolution.”

A conservative woman fighting for change in a conservative Muslim and tribal society, Tawakkul Karman has been the face of the mass uprising against the authoritarian regime of President Ali Abdullah Saleh.

The 32-year-old Karman has been an activist for human rights in Yemen for years, but when she was arrested in January, it helped detonate protests by hundreds of thousands demanding the ouster of Saleh and the creation of a democratic government.

When the announcement was made Friday that she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, Karman was where she has been nearly every day for the past eight months: in a protest tent in Change Square, the roundabout in central Sanaa that has been the symbolic epicenter of the revolt.

“This prize is not for Tawakkul, it is for the whole Yemeni people, for the martyrs, for the cause of standing up to (Saleh) and his gangs.

Every tyrant and dictator is upset by this prize because it confronts injustice,” she told The Associated Press from her tent as she received congratulations from other activists.

In Yemen, millions have been turning out for protests in the capital Sanaa and cities around the country since late January. Still, Saleh has determinedly refused to step down.

•Johnson Sirleaf Karman and the other young activists who have led Yemen’s uprising have created a movement that is unique in this impoverished nation on the southern tip of the Arabian Peninsula, where tribal allegiances run deep, much of the public is religiously conservative and weapons are rife, with guns in nearly every home.

Like the majority of Yemeni women, Karman once wore the niqab, the conservative Muslim garb that covers the face with a veil and hides the body in heavy robes, leaving only the eyes visible. But last year, she changed to a more moderate headscarf, covering just her hair because she wanted to be “face to face with my activist colleagues.”

She is also a member of Yemen’s opposition Islamic fundamentalist Islah Party, but her participation in the protests brought sharp criticism from conservatives in the party, some of whom denounced her in mosque sermons.

Saleh’s regime itself tried to discredit her by spreading a photo of her sitting in a protest tent with a male colleague — with others around them cut out from the picture — seeking to taint her as sinful for being alone with a man.

Women have participated heavily in the protests. The organisers have intentionally sought to cut across tribal lines. And they have resolutely remained peaceful, even as Yemen seems to explode around them. Saleh’s security forces have repeatedly opened fire on protesters. Sanaa and other cities have turned into war zones as regime forces battle with dissident military units and tribal fighters opposed to Saleh.

“Neither Ali nor his gangs will drag Yemen toward war and infighting,” Karman told the AP. “We chose peace, we could have resorted to violence in this revolution and we could have settled it in days and not months by resorting to our weapons ... But we chose peace and only peace.

“Don’t worry about Yemen. Yemen started in peace and it will end its revolution in peace, and it will start its new civil state with peace,”

Last 10 Nobel Peace Prize winners •2011 - Liberians Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, Leymah Gbowee and Yemeni activist Tawakul Karman for “women’s rights to full participation in peace-building work.”

•2010 - Liu Xiaobo “for his long and non-violent struggle for fundamental human rights in China.”

•2009 - President Barack Obama for efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples.

•2008 - Former Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari for working for peace in places from Namibia to Kosovo.

•2007 - Former Vice-president Al Gore and the Inter governmental Panel on Climate Change for raising awareness of the risks of climate change.

•2006 - Bangladeshi Economics Prof. Muhammad Yunus and Bangladesh’s Grameen Bank for work to end poverty through “microfinance.”

•2005 - The International Atomic Energy Agency and its head Mohamed El Baradei for fighting the spread of nuclear weapons.

•2004 - Kenyan environmentalist Wangari Maathai for her movement promoting the planting of tens of millions of trees.

•2003 - Iranian human rights lawyer Shirin Ebadi for her work in defending human rights and promoting democracy in Iran.

•2002 - Former President Jimmy Carter for years of work helping to solve conflicts in places ranging from the Middle East to North Korea, Haiti and Eritrea.

she said.

Her husband, Mohammed al-Nahmi, sitting with her in the tent as he received congratulations, told AP: “This is a prize she deserves. Before she is my wife, she is a colleague, and a companion in the struggle.”

Thorbjoern Jagland, who heads the fivemember Norwegian Nobel Committee, told AP that including Karman in the prize is “a signal that the Arab Spring cannot be successful without including the women in it.”

He also said Karman belongs to a Muslim movement with links to the Muslim brotherhood, “which in the West is perceived as a threat to democracy.” He added that “I don’t believe that. There are many signals that, that kind of movement can be an important part of the solution.”

Karman, a mother of three, originally hails from the southern city of Taiz, a city known for its prominent middle class and university intellectuals that has long been a hotbed of opposition to Saleh. Her father, Abdul-Salam Karman, was once the legal affairs minister under Saleh, but resigned to protest corruption in the government.

Karman had organised protests and sit-ins as early as 2007, referring to her regular gatherings outside government offices in Sanaa as the “Freedom square.” She campaigned for greater rights for women and an end to harassment of journalists. She headed Women Journalists without Chains, an organisation advocating for press freedoms.

In December 2010, the uprising erupted in Tunisia after a local fruit vendor in the North African nation, Mohamed Bouazizi, set himself on fire.

In Yemen, Karman led protests in support of the Tunisians. The small protests, comprising no more than 200 people roving Sanaa’s streets, were met with strong government resistance, and were broken up with water cannons and batons. Karman would send text messages to protesters and journalists to organise protests, urging people to join.

On January 23, authorities arrested Karman.

The move was meant as a warning to her, but it backfired, sending a wave of women protesters into the streets of Sanaa and other cities, a rare sight in Yemen. Karman was released early the next day and by the afternoon, she was leading another protest.

She and other protest organisers were further inspired by Egypt, where protesters seized control of Cairo’s central Tahrir Square demanding the ouster of President Hosni Mubarak.

Days after Mubarak stepped down in February, Yemeni protesters, with Karman and other male protest organisers at the helm, seized a major intersection in the heart of Sanaa, which then came to be known as Change Square.

Since February 17, the protest camp has remained in place, even as security forces have repeatedly opened fire on it. In a recent wave of fighting between security forces and dissident military forces in the capital last month, more than 150 people were killed, most of them protesters.

NEWS 3

THE NATION, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2011

Bad roads: FG considers more funds for FERMA S part of the efforts to put the country’s deplorable roads in order, the Federal Government has concluded arrangement to reposition the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA).

In this direction, the agency funding would be up for review, with the purpose of increasing its capacity and reposition it to meet its responsibility of road maintenance across the country.

The Minister of Works, Mike Onolememen, said this yesterday after briefing the Vice President, Namadi Sambo on the condition of the roads.

Besides, he said states road maintenance agencies would also be supported so that they could be more productive.

The Federal Government, according to him, is determined to improve the roads and ensure that they would no longer be a nightmare traversing by road in the country.

“That is one of the agenda of the meeting we just had with the Vice President. It is aimed at improving the capacity of FERMA to be able to repair our roads. So, we want to increase the funding mechanism not just for FERMA because we also want to empower the state road maintenance agencies across the 36 states, including FCT and we are taking a very good decision and I am going to brief the Governors’ Forum. I am also going to organise workshop for the state commissioners of works where we will educate them on the new collaborative venture,” he said.

The minister, who also spoke on the Sagamu-Benin expressway, said before Christmas, the situation would not be the same on the road, as very great improvement would have been made.

“In the past two months,

A

•Vice President Namadi Sambo (right), receiving the communiqué of the Third Annual National Conference of the Academy for Entrepreneurial Studies, Nigeria (AES) from Dr. Ausbeth Ajagu, President, AES when the board of the academy paid a courtesy call on the Vice President at the Presidential Villa, Aso Rock, Abuja... yesterday

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HE international passports of ex-governors Gbenga Daniel (Ogun), Adebayo Alao-Akala (Oyo) and Aliyu Akwe-Doma (Nasarawa) have been impounded by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC).

The former governors were arrested on Thursday for alleged diversion and misappropriation of a total of over N100 billion public funds.

A fourth, ex-governor Danjuma Goje of Gombe State,is being sought by the commission.

Goje, currently a senator,is alleged to have mismanaged N52.9 billion while in office. He was declared wanted yesterday.

His whereabouts were unknown at press time.

Daniel,Alao-Akala and Doma are spending the weekend in detention as the EFCC continues its interrogation of the exgovernors and prepares against them.

They are likely to be arraigned next week.

The N52.9 billion said to have been mismanaged by Goje comprises N37.9billion loans obtained from 27 banks and N15 billion security votes spent at a time the state was not facing challenges to warrant that kind of expenditure.

The security votes were allegedly applied for and withdrawn through a Principal Private Secretary, Dr.Sani Jauro.

Investigation revealed that Goje,who apparently got wind of his likely arrest,had approached the EFCC through his counsel,a former AttorneyGeneral of the Federation, to pave the way for him to report for interrogation yesterday.

The ex-AGF was, however, shocked when Goje failed to turn up at the EFCC at the appointed time yesterday.

The Head of Media and Publicity of the commission, Mr. Femi Babafemi, said:”The EFCC has declared former Governor of Gombe State, Alhaji Danju-

EFCC seizes Daniel, Akala, Akwe-Doma’s passports •Ex- Gombe Governor Goje declared wanted Yusuf ALLI, Managing Editor, Northern Operation. ma Goje, wanted over allegations of mismanagement and diverson of over N52 billion state funds.

“The commission has come to the decision of publicly declaring the accused person wanted after an endless search for him and his failure to submit himself for interrogation over the alleged fraud, even when he was in receipt of a letter of invitation giving him up to noon on Friday to come out of his hiding.

“Patriotic Nigerians who may have useful information on the whereabouts of the wanted person are urged to kindly send same to any of the EFCC’s offices across the country or the nearest police station.”

The commission said while it would continue its search for Goje,”it will always work within the ambit of the law in the discharge of its respnsibility and expects all citizens, especially those being investigated, to respect and obey the law of the land.”

A top source in EFCC said: ”We gave him enough leverage to report himself but Goje refused. In fact, a respected Senior Advocate who brokered Goje’s request,was shocked at the turn of event.

“We are already on his trail as all security agencies, including the INTERPOL, have been alerted to look out for him.”

On Daniel,Alao-Akala and Doma,the source said: ”We may not release the three gov-

ernors until we take them to court next week.They have made useful statements in the last 24 hours.

“But we have seized their passports and other travelling documents.Even if we grant them administrative bail,we will restrict their movement to Nigeria.

“We are also going to interact with some of their ex-cabinet members to clarify some financial transactions and how certain projects were executed.”

Responding to a question, the source said: “I can assure you that the charges against the three ex-governors are being prepared. We may move them from detention to court.”

Meanwhile,pressure was being mounted on the EFCC Chairman,Mrs.Farida Waziri, ,by eminent Nigerians last night to grant them bail.

While Daniel is being quizzed for allegedly misappropriating N58 billion,AlaoAkala is facing interrogation for mismanaging N25billion and Doma N18 billion.

Daniel is accused of diverting about N12 billion revenue of the Ogun State Bureau of Lands; nonremittance of N1 billion deducted from civil servants’ salaries; fraudulent and illegal payment of N1billion purportedly as counterpart funding for water projects;and illegal debt servicing to the tune of N5.2 billion as against an appropriation of N350 million for the same purpose in 2009.

He is also accused of authorising payment of N300million electricity utility charges by the

state Electricity Project Agency despite direct deduction of same from different ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs); diversion of N500 million agricultural loan granted by the National Agricultural Credit Bank for rural development; diversion to cronies and associates of N5 billion in the guise of salaries and allowances under contingency and miscellaneous in the office of the governor;questionable transfer and disposal of government owned enterprises and invsetment portfolio of over N15 billion by Gateway Holdings without an enabling law or the approval of the State Assembly.

Other offences are: illegal purchase of 20 refurbished graders at a combined cost of N950 million for the local governments and subsequent deduction of same from their accounts and allocations;and fraudulent procurement of loans from banks amounting to N22 billion without the approval of the State Assembly.

Alao-Akala’s trouble stems from his alleged deduction of N8.2 billion from Excess Crude Funds belonging to the 33 local governments in the state to finance 155 kilometers of road.

Each of the councils was made to part with N250 million for the road projects.

About five kilometers road was to be constructed in each of the LGAs. Doma is alleged to have either inflated or duplicated contracts in addition to mismanaging the Local Government Joint Account.

P

Vincent IKUOMOLA, Abuja ital, President Jonathan and his host regretted the continued violence and loss of lives in Libya caused by resistance

by Muammar Ghaddafi’s loyalists to the consolidation of the NTC’s authority.

While applauding the recognition of the NTC by the African Union, the two leaders urged the council to move quickly to form an all-inclu-

sive government that will work towards national reconciliation and reconstruction.

President Jonathan and Prime Minister Zenawi also urged the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Dr. Jean Ping, to “engage more vigorously with the National Transition Council and take steps to ensure an early resumption of full participation by Libya in African Union Affairs”.

They condemned the grow-

ing global terrorism in all its forms and agreed to join hands with the international community to fight the common threat to humanity. President Jonathan and Prime Minister Zenawi also agreed on the need to expand areas of economic cooperation between Nigeria and Ethiopia through the provision of an enabling environment and an appropriate regulatory framework.

They agreed to encourage

we have done a lot on that road and we are not stopping work, it is continuing. I want to say that whereas people used to spend two days on that road, in particular, Ore it has been reduced to about two hours and we believe before Christmas, it will be reduced to about 15 minutes.

We are intensifying now that the rain will soon stop,” he said.

The minister told newsmen that the Federal Government was working towards building synergy with states on the best way to tackle the deplorable road situation in the country.

He said the new style adopted by the government was one that will see all the parties working together for one purpose.

He said as part of the efforts, the Federal Government would be engaging the states on road management and maintenance.

He also noted that the administration was determined to do things in different ways, which he believed would yield positive result for the country.

“The meeting went well, it is a very important meeting that has to do with road maintenance across the country and we are trying to build a synergy between the Federal Ministry of Works and the 36 states ministries of works including FCT department of works.

“Before the end of the year, we are going to have a workshop on the modalities for the maintenance of roads across the country. Mr. Vice President has also directed that I brief the Governors’ Forum on what we are about to commence because it is clear that we have to do things differently in order to turn around the deplorable situation of our roads. We need to fix the roads.”

Fashola, others for NAPPS Day in Lagos

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HE Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola and other notable dignitaries are among the

guests to grace the 3rd edition of the state chapter of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) day in Lagos scheduled to hold on the 7th-12th of October, 2011.

The Lagos State President of the association, Prince Ayo Shonubi made this known at a press briefing held on Wednesday in Lagos at Victory Grammer School, Ikeja, Lagos.

Jonathan, Zenawi urge Libya’s NTC to protect African migrants RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan and Prime Minister Meles Zenawi of Ethiopia Friday in Addis Ababa called on the National Transition Council (NTC) in Libya to take urgent action to guarantee the safety of thousands of African migrants currently trapped in parts of the country.

According to a joint communiqué issued after their meeting in the Ethiopian cap-

Vincent IKUOMOLA, Abuja

and promote private sector participation in their two economies, particularly in the areas of power, energy, aviation, tourism and mining.

To this end, agreement was also reached by both leaders to revitalise their Joint Ministerial Commission and reposition it as a key vehicle for the expansion of bilateral economic cooperation. Nigeria is to host the next session of the commission early next year.

Adeola OGUNLADE

He said the NAPPS day celebration is set aside to appreciate and appraise the relevance of private schools in nation building.

Shonubi said: “We are providing a forum to discuss with government and other stakeholders in the educational sector on pragmatic ways to address the challenge of providing quality education in Nigeria”.

He noted that the development of the educational sector cannot be left in the hands of government alone, but with support and active engagement of the private sector is very germane.

Activicties lined up include Jumat service on October 7, 2011; thanksgiving services on October 9, 2011; Private schools Teachers Parade in various chapters on October 11, 2011 and seminars, cultural display, career speech, exhibition of various items for all the proprietors on October 12, 2011, which has been declared as a work free day for all the private schools in Lagos State.

4 NEWS

THE NATION, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2011

Proposed subsidy removal splits senators, reps •Northern senators give two conditions •Tension over Saraki’s motion

F

OLLOWING pressure from labour and the civil society, senators and members of the House of Representatives are split on whether to endorse the withdrawal of fuel subsidy proposed by the Federal Government.

Also, northern senators have given two conditions to be fulfilled before they can

Yusuf ALLI, Managing Editor back the withdrawal of subsidy.

There is, however, tension over alleged delay in allowing Senator Bukola Saraki to table his motion on how the Federal Government overshot its subsidy bill by N960 billion.

Investigation by our corre-

spondent revealed that since the government announced its plans to withdraw subsidy, senators and members of the House of Representatives have been under pressure to reject the proposal.

A high-ranking senator said: “Members of the National Assembly have been under tremendous pressure to reject the proposal on withdrawal of fuel subsidy. Public opinion is

against it, but we have a different fact-sheet at our disposal.

“None of us is willing to come out openly to comment on the controversy because of the backlash on our electoral fortunes. Most of us are studying the situation.’’

Another Senator, who spoke in confidence, said: “Some of us are against the withdrawal of subsidy because the government has no concrete plan in

place to cushion the effects of the policy.

“I cannot withstand Nigerians buying fuel for N185 or N200 per litre. It is unfortunate that some of our colleagues are bowing to lobbyists from the government to support the withdrawal of subsidy.”

A member of the House of Representatives simply quipped: “You can safely say that we are divided over this

matter. The debate will be interesting.

“Some of our colleagues in the National Assembly are backing the withdrawal of fuel subsidy, but many of us are cautious because of the consequences, especially inflation, increase in crime rate, and mass unrest.

• Continued on Page 60

New FAAN boss meets staff, sets goals for agency

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HE new Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Mr. George Uriesi, on Friday said he was determined to revitalise the authority in line with the transformation agenda of the Federal Government for the aviation industry.

Mr. Uriesi, who spoke at his maiden “Town Hall Meeting” with the authority’s workers in Lagos, including regional managers and airport managers, enjoined them to prepare for transformational change.

He added: “We are in a dicey situation. Our dwindling revenue collection presents a serious existential threat to FAAN. We are struggling to pay salaries and meet our basic financial obligations from month to month. We cannot continue like this. We are going to have to change the way we think and act in our business. Our survival as a growing concern depends on this.”

Mr. Uriesi, who said he would vigorously pursue the remodelling of the airports

being championed by the Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah, reiterated that priority attention would also be given to the welfare and training of staff to enhance their productivity.

The FAAN boss, who solicited the cooperation of the workers, hinted that his mandate was to lead the complete transformation of FAAN and that the expectations of Mr President, the Honourable Minister and the Nigerian public were onerous.

He said as a result, there would be significant changes in the way the authority runs the airports. He advised the staff to embrace these changes in the interest of the authority and the nation.

Uriesi had earlier acknowledged the contributions of his predecessor, Mr. Richard Aisuebeogun, to the development of FAAN in the face of huge challenges, explaining that his disengagement was done with respect and gratitude, not the way it was reported in the media.

• Rivers State Governor and Chairman, Nigerian Governors' Forum, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi (left), in a handshake with Chairman of the Joint Tax Board (JTB) and Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service, Ifueko Omoigui Okauru, at the 2nd International Conference and 50th Anniversary of the JTB in Abuja, Friday.

Minimum wage: Trouble looms in states •Confusion in Anambra •Akwa Ibom workers give govt 21-day ultimatum

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ONFUSION, tension and uneasy calm prevail in various states across the country as workers continue their clamour for minimum wage.

In Akwa Ibom State, workers have given the state government a 21-day ultimatum to implement all outstanding sectoral wage increases alongside the upward review of the minimum wage salary table or face industrial action from its unions.

The unions, led by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council (JPSNC), said they would commence full scale industrial action after the expiration of the ultimatum on October 28, 2011.

The state government and its workers have been at loggerheads over the implementation of the N18, 000 minimum wage in the state.

The state chapter of the NLC and TUC had embarked on a three-day warning strike to draw the attention of the state government to the plight of workers in the state.

The strike action was aborted after two days due to highpowered negotiations between the labour unions and the state government, which in turn produced the Salary Structure Table.

The state government recently approved the minimum wage with a salary

Augustine AVWODE, Chris OJI, Nwanosike ONU, Bisi OLANIYI, Bisi OLADELE, Isaac OMBE, Kazeem IBRAHYM structure table after its meeting with the leadership of the unions. But the unions rejected the salary structure table, saying it fell far below their expectations.

In a communiqué signed by the state NLC chair, Unyime Usoro, after the meeting of NLC, TUC and the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council (JPSNC), the unions said the suggestions made by the state government that workers should wait for all other Oil Producing States to implement the new national minimum wage before it could copy and implement it in Akwa Ibom State was unwarranted.

In Anambra State, things seem to have fallen apart for the labour movement following the announcement by the Chairman of the TUC, Peter Okafor in Awka yesterday that his group had suspended the two weeks strike, just as the NLC state chairman, Comrade Patrick Obianyo, described Okafor as a sell out and insisted that the strike action over minimum wage in the state must continue.

Addressing reporters in Awka yesterday, Okafor alleged thatthe NLC had made the strike a political game. He said his group, the TUC,

would no longer be part of the strike which had before now pitted the government of Mr. Peter Obi against workers in the state.

Before the confusion set in yesterday, the workers had planned to wear all black outfits on Tuesday next week to mourn the state government.

The NLC Chairman, Obianyo, however, urged the state work force to disregard Okafor’s purported suspension of the strike, adding that the strike could only be suspended by the NLC, which would not be in a hotel but at the state secretariat of congress in Awka.

In Enugu State, the government and the workers are trading blame. While Governor Sullivan Chime insisted that he has complied with the minimum wage law, labour is accusing him of misinformation. Chime had in a recent radio broadcast said: “My mistake and, of course, offence is being the first to implement it in the South East.”

During the radio programme, the governor explained the rationale behind adding N10,000 to the salaries of those on level 01-06 and N5,000 on those on 07 and above. According to him, the Minimum Wage Act says “for the purpose of this law, workers here mean those on level 01-06.”

The governor, being a lawyer, said he had to work within the precincts of the law, but

to carry the other grade levels along (07 and above), he had to magnanimously add N5,000 to their salaries across board.

But labour leaders in the state were not impressed with the governor’s explanation.

To them, in a statement signed by the NLC chairman in the state, Comrade Chumaife Nze, “We want to make it categorically clear that the Enugu State Government has not implemented the new minimum wage law, and its interpretation of the law is queer, awkward, deceitful, strange and a calculated attempt to misinform the general public.”

Labour further maintained that “our doors are open for negotiation and dialogue.

Unfortunately, government has shut its doors and foreclosed all avenues of peaceful resolution of the matter and embarked on cheap blackmail. The government should be blamed for the present impasse in labour in the state.”

In Oyo State, workers were told to wait a little for the government. Instructively, the issue is being handled amicably in the state by both the Oyo State Government and Labour.

After disagreements over the mode of implementation of a living wage for the workers who were receiving the lowest pay in the South West until the new regime came in

May, the workers and the government now enjoy a time of peace and cordial relationship.

The Chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) in the state, Comrade Bashir Olanrewaju, told The Nation that negotiation had started on the N18,000 minimum wage. According to him, a meeting was held on Wednesday evening where the labour leaders insisted that only the Federal Government-approved N18,000 was good enough for civil servants in Oyo State.

He, however, explained that the government’s negotiation team told them to give it time to convey their proposal to the governor, adding that the team would report back in one or two weeks.

Workers in Rivers State are also patiently waiting for Governor Rotimi Amaechi to make good his promise to pay the minimum wage.

Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, at a news conference on October 4, reitierated the Governor’s pledge as she assured that Amaechi’s government would pay the minimum wage.

Semenitari stated that the Rivers State Government was paying N17,500 as minimum wage, stressing that it would not be difficult to add just N500 to complete the

N18,000.

In like manner, workers in Bayelsa State have remained hopeful that in no distant time the government would pay the N18, 000 minimum wages. But there has been some unease as it was being speculated that the state would not want to be the first state to pay the new wage but would rather watch the way it will go in other states. But there are indications that the patience by the workers may be running thin and that the new NLC chairman in the state, Mrs. Ebi Koku -Obiyai, is now ready to meet with other labour groups including TUC and Joint Negotiating Council, to give government a seven-day ultimatum to pay or face the wrath of workers in the state.

But the Special Adviser to the Governor on Labour, Jackson Suokiri, re-echoed government’s stance on the issue, saying: “He (Governor) has at different fora reiterated the commitment of his government to pay the N18,000 wage to civil servants. He has not said anything to the contrary.”

As for the workers in the 19 northern states, their fate seems to have been sealed since the governors of the region under the aegis of the Northern Governors Forum (NGF) declared in September that they would not be able to pay the minimum wage until “the economy of the states improves.”

NEWS 5

THE NATION, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2011

Yobe approves N1.145b for water project

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HE Yobe State Executive Council yesterday approved the sum of N1.145 billion to resuscitate the Damaturu Regional Water Project, which has been abandoned for several years.

The water project, which started in 2004, was to be jointly funded by the federal, state and local governments, but it was abandoned due to lack of commitment by the administration Yobe state government.

The state’s Commissioner for Home Affairs, Information and Culture, Alhaji Goni Fika, announced this at the end of the meeting, which lasted for several hours at the council chamber of the government house, Damaturu.

Fika disclosed that the decision of the council was aimed at facilitating abundant and uninterrupted water

Duku JOEL, Damaturu supply to Damaturu, the state capital, and its environs.

Other decisions taken at the state executive council meeting was the approval of over N195 million for the payment of scholarship for 14,910 students of Yobe state studying in various institutions from 2009 up to 2010.

The council also approved contract for the fencing of four girls secondary schools in the state at the cost of over N307 million to four different contractors.

It also directed all commissioners, permanent secretaries and chief executives of boards and parastatals to monitor promptness of workers and performance at work in view of the expectation of government after approving the new minimum wage.

Secretaries to northern states governments meet, Monday

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ECRETARIES to the governments of northern states will on Monday meet at the Niger State Governor’s Lodge, Asokoro in Abuja.

A statement issued by the Secretary to the Government of Niger State, Daniel Clifford Shashere, who is the Coordinating Chairman, Forum of Secretaries to the Governments of Northern States on Friday, explained that the agenda of the meeting include progress report of Messrs Accentures on the restructuring of New Nigeria Development Company Limited (NNDC) and the repositioning of New Nigeria Newspapers Limited (NNN).

It will be recalled that during the last meeting of the Northern Governors’ Forum (NGF) held on September 21 in Abuja, the governors directed the forum of secretaries to the governments of northern states to thoroughly review the issues of the NNDC and the NNN and come up with recommendations to the NGF on how to improve on the services of the two establishments.

Kwara to partner foreign investors HE Kwara State Government has assured potential for-

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eign investors in the state’s growing fruit and vegetable businesses of its willingness to partner with them.

Governor Abdulfatahi Ahmed stated this at an interactive session with potential foreign investors in Italy.

The governor, who is attending the Macfruit Agricultural Exhibition in Italy, informed stakeholders at the expo that his administration was ready to support and collaborate with investors in the state’s agriculture, which he described as having potential for yielding excellent returns on investment.

Explaining further, Governor Ahmed described Kwara as an agrarian state with very rich soil and human resource. In terms of infrastructure, he said the state boasts of excellent social and physical infrastructure capable of supporting agro-allied and other industries in the state.

The governor said the state’s investment in the international cargo terminal was intended to facilitate easy transportation of agricultural products within and outside Nigeria.

Referring to the success of the New Nigerian Farmers Project, Governor Ahmed said his administration was determined to replicate the success in other parts of the state.

NDE trains 50 skills sharpening trainers Chris OJI, Enugu

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HE National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has initiated a training programme for its master trainers in Enugu State to sharpen their skills in vocational

trades.

An interactive training workshop, Training-the-Trainers (TOT) began in Enugu yesterday.

Addressing the over 50 trainers in attendance at the training exercise, the Enugu State Coordinator for the NDE, Barister Nnamdi Asomugha said the workshop was aimed at sharpening the skills of the master trainers involved in the training of 500 unemployed youths currently undergoing skills acquisition under the directorate’s programme in the state.

The trainees consist of the 300 jobless youths undergoing training in the three Millennium Development (MDG) centres located at Ogrute in Igboeze North, Agbani in Nkanu West and Nnewe in Aninri Local Government Areas of Enugu State.

Vocational trades impacted at the centres include welding, autotronics, GSM repairs, cosmetology and computer operation.

Each of the centres has five master trainers, one for each trade.

Other master trainers are engaged to train the other 200 youths in both domestic and technical trades, including fashion design, shoe making, auto-mechanics and electrical fittings for periods ranging from three months to two years.

Asomugha urged the trainers to handle the trainees as their own children, pointing out that the nation expects that the skills training would empower the youths to acquire necessary skills for purposes of self-employment and job creation.

Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan (middle), project manager, Bayo Adedeji (left) and Dr. Ufuoma Okotete, when the governor inspected the renovation and reconstruction work at the Eku Baptist Hospital, yesterday.

Wage dispute: Plateau doctors set to shut hospitals T

HE Plateau State chapter of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) has expressed serious concern over the decay in government hospitals in the state and the poor working conditions of health workers.

These, the association noted, had led to massive brain drain in the hospitals.

The association also accused the state government of refusing to pay her doctors the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) two years after it was introduced.

•Lament decay in health institutions

Yusufu Aminu IDEGU, Jos The state chairman of the association, Dr David Pam, said for the above reasons, they have resolved to closed down the hospitals and embark on indefinate strike as from Monday next week.

According to Pam, “the association has suspended nu-

merous strikes actions in the last one year to allow government to address its demand.

“Having given government so much grace, we have no option but to embark on the strike as the last resort.

He added: “As doctors, we do not want to go on strike.

But we are compelled to do so because the government has failed in its responsibility

to do the necessary things to guarantee adequate medical facilities for its citizens.’’

He noted that because of poor funding of the hospitals, about 40 of doctors had left the hospitals owned by the state to join private hospitals across the country.

In view of this, the chairman said by Monday October 10, 2011, if their discussion with the state government failed to yield any positive result, they would mobilise the doctors, including those private hospitals to join the currentstrike in the state.

Why PDP still fears elections after 12 years in power -Gov Aliyu T HE Chairman of Northern Governors Forum and Governor of Niger State, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, has expressed concern that the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is often jittery when participating in elections.

He also expressed worries over the volume of litigations that greets the party’s candidates’ victory at the polls despite being in power for 12 years.

The governor, who expressed his displeasure while receiving the report of the state’s PDP Constitution Review Committee, also frowned at the rising credibility challenges PDP candidates face, noting that people now question the victory of the party at will.

Aliyu said that after leading the country for 12 years, the party ought to have earned the people’s confidence and not challenges.

Profering a solution to the phenomenon he described as ugly, the governor said the party needs to source for trustworthy candidates to represent it at all levels of election within and outside the party.

He opined that when a party fails, members of the party should take equal share of the blame.

He said: “We must draft only the right candidates into the party. And I think we must be very careful, because in a situation where we have being in power for 12 years and

Jide ORINTUNSIN

people still question our positions is not right. By now, we should have got the peoples confidence. But now, every body is afraid of the situation. Any indictment on the party is an indictment on the members and their manifes-

toes.”

Aliyu who is also a member of the party’s national committee on the review of the party’s constitution, came down heavily on the heroic reception accorded to members who dumped the party to contest elections in other parties only to return after the elections.

Describing the situation as unacceptable, the governor observed that those who remained and laboured for the party’s victory at the polls are not recognised.

“The constitution should look into this and address such issues, so that we can have a party that has zero tolerance for corruption, selfish-

Emir of Kazaure installed as chancellor of Akwa Ibom varsity

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HE Emir of Kazaure, Jigawa State, Alhaji Najib Adamu, was yesterday installed as the first Chancellor of the Akwa Ibom State University.

The installation ceremony took place at the main campus of the institution, Ikot Akpaden in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area of the state.

The State Governor, Godswill Akpabio, who was a visitor to the institution, proclaimed Adamu as the first chancellor of the institution.

Akpabio urged Adamu to uphold and preserve the statutes, liberties, customs, laws and privileges of the budding university.

While congratulating the Chancellor on his appointment and subsequent installation, the governor presented him with the scroll containing the university law and a staff of office.

His words: “Bringing the Emir of Kazaure, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Najib H. Adamu, here to install him as the Chancellor of this institution, we are setting an agenda for our children that Nigeria can only attain lofty heights by breaking the barriers of ethnicity and judging people by the contents of their character and not by their places of birth.

•Calls for unity among Nigerians Kazeem IBRAHYM, Uyo “’We acknowledge that success without a successor is a failure. If we build all that we have built, and if we do all that we have done and we do not have children who could build upon what we have, who could not sustain the momentum of our developmental efforts, who could pick up from where we will stop in 2015, then our labours would have been in vain.”

In his remarks, Adamu thanked the governor for the confidence reposed in him.

The monarch called for unity among Nigerians irrespective of their religious affiliations.

He bemoaned the rot in the nation’s education sector, saying the nation’s educational system had missed basic ingredients that would have made it possible to compete with its counterparts abroad.

Apart from poor funding, the monarch identified other problems of education as poor training and re-training of academic staffs and the obsolete facilities in the nation’s universities.

6 NEWS

THE NATION, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2011

Oyo govt explains absence as Kolapo Ishola is buried T

HE Oyo State govern ment has said that the need to sustain its hardwon peace in the state necessitated its absence from the burial service of the late elder statesman, Chief Kolapo Ishola, which took place in Ibadan yesterday.

The service was held at the outer pavilion of the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium (former Liberty Stadium).

In the short sermon delivered by the founder of the Sword of the Spirit Ministries, Francis Wale Oke, with the theme- We Must All Die”- he eulogized the former governor whom he described as a man of peace and a man that

Oseheye OKWUOFU, Ibadan

transacted all his business and political dealings with the fear of God. The clergy urged the congregation to emulate the former governor’s simple lifestyle, bearing in mind that no amount of success or failure anybody may attain in life, a day would come that the world would be bided bye like the deceased had done simply because “we must all die”.

The burial was attended by

some of the aggrieved leaders of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), including Lekan Balogun, Yekeen Adeojo, the former Senate Leader, Teslim Folarin, and Hazeem Gbolarumi ,a former Deputy to former Governor Adebayo AlaoAkala.

In a release signed by the Special Adviser (Media) to Governor Ajimobi, Dr. Festus Adedayo, the government said there was the need to detonate inflamed passion that the Ishola family had heated up

due to its politicization of the death of their patriarch by refusing the state government's offer of a state burial for him, hence government's resolve to stay away from the burial.

Adedayo recalled that government had offered “to give Chief Ishola a state burial, not minding that he belonged to a different political party from the ruling party in the state, but was shunned by the Ishola family who, apparently instigated by politicians in the state, declined government's offer, predicating their refusal on a flimsy, uncross-checked allegation of ‘undue publicity’ of government's intervention in the burial.”

Akande, others for honour today

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HREE prominent sons of Ila-Orangun, -Chief Bisi Akande, former Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Tafa Balogun, and the first Military Administrator of Taraba State, Rear Admiral Adeyemi Afolayan, will today be honoured at home by their people.

Akande, who is the National Chairman, Action Congres of Nigeria (ACN), will lead other awardees to the maiden workshop and merit award ceremony of the Ila-Orangun Action Committee.

The event, which will hold at the Igbonnibi City Hall, is expected to draw prominent politicians, captains of industries, well wishers and other prominent indigenes of the ancient city back home.

The Ila-Orangun Action Committee is a socio-cultural group of prominent indigenes commited to the development of the town.

Ajimobi inaugurates management team

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overnor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State yesterday inaugurated the state Socio-economic Management Team (OSSEMAT) with a promise to ensure a focused process of restoration and transformation of the state in order to reposition the state.

Senator Ajimobi, while inaugurating the team at the Executive Council chamber of the Governor’s Office, said to attain good public economic governance, vision-

ary leaders driving the process needed to be assisted by a coherent, knowledgeable and committed economic management team.

“My experience so far as the governor has convinced me of the need to significantly transform the framework for administering the state and, in particular, enhance purposefulness in its fiscal operations which leave room for much improvement,’’ he said.

Why I didn’t attend Yoruba leaders’ parley, by Falana

L Governor Abiola Ajimobi (right) discussing with some members of the Oyo State Socio-Economic Management Team (OSSEMAT), from left, Prof. Ademola Ariyo, Mr. John Tegbe and Mr. Bimbo Kolade, the state Commissioner for Agriculture

Oil subsidy cut ‘ll inflict more pains on Nigerians, says Lagos lawmaker A S the debate over the proposal of the Fed eral Government to withdraw subsidy from oil rages, the Deputy Whip of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Rotimi Abiru, has called on the government to bury the idea as it would inflict more pains on the common man.

Abiru, who spoke with House correspondents on the issue yesterday, said the government should rather repair and build more refineries and curb corruption at NNPC so as

Oziegbe OKOEKI

to make the products available to Nigerians at a cheaper rate.

He said: “What the government should do is to repair the existing refineries to make sure they produce at maximum capacity and also build new refineries so that the idea of importing refined products can stop” He said when the country produced enough to go round and halt importation of refined petroleum products, the prices would even come down.

According to him, “the government should put in place a mechanism for monitoring the quantity of crude oil produced per day in the country and also check activities of oil bunkerers as this would go a long way to reduce loss of revenue”.

Abiru said it amounted to insensitivity on the part of the government to be talking of removing subsidy in the face of hardship many Nigerians go through because it would

mean increase in the prices of everything, especially foodstuffs.

“It will also make nonsense of the new minimum wage approved by the Federal Government because it is just like giving something with the right hand and taking it back with the left. President Jonathan should, therefore, forget the idea as the government has a responsibility to ensure the wellbeing and welfare of the citizens”, Abiru said.

LP chieftain defends Mimiko over dissolution of cabinet

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HE immediate past Commissioner for Transport in Ondo State, Otunba Omoniyi Omodara, yesterday defended the recent dissolution of the past State Executive Council by Governor Olusegun Mimiko.

Besides, the Labour Party (LP) chieftain debunked the rumours that he was defecting from the ruling party to the

Damisi OJO, Akure Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) He disclosed that Governor Mimiko had contacted him before his action, stressing that it was to put new blood into the government and allow other qualified party loyalists to participate in governance.

Addressing reporters in Oba-Ile in the Akure North

Local Government Area, Omodara said: “I am a pioneer member of the LP. We were 16 in number when we founded the party. There is no way I can betray Governor Mimiko. We started politics together in 1992 during the defunct Social Democratic Party [SDP] He said if he had any reason

Crime fighting: Rep commends Aregbesola

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member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ajibola Famurewa, has commended the Osun State governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, for approving the immediate purchase of five Armoured Personnel Carriers and 12 new patrol vans to support the state Police Command in combating crime.

The lawmaker, representing the Ilesa West/Ilesa East/

Adesoji ADENIYI, Osogbo Atakumosa West/Atakumosa East Federal Constituency in the lower chamber of the National Assembly, described the state government’s prompt attention to providing tools to the police as responsive.

In a statement, he said: “This action shows how responsive Osun State Government is to have gone into the state’s minute treasury in its bid to

protect lives and properties of the habitants of the state.

“It is a shameful act for the Police Force to have waited for the state government to purchase the APCs for them despite the fact that this is not the responsibility of a state government. But of course, as a responsible governor, Ogbeni Aregbesola will do all within his reach to provide adequate security for the people of the state.”

to quit the ruling party, he would inform the governor on the development.

“I am a free man. I did not commit fraud when in government. I can go to any political party I like, but, as at now, I remain a very strong member of the LP in the state, he said.

The former commissioner criticized those who, according to him, said he was not comfortable with the dissolution of the former state executive council by the governor.

Omodara was dropped alongside others by the governor, while seven of them, including Akin Adaramola, Remi Olatubora and Yekini Olanipekun, among others, were re-appointed.

On his achievements while in office, the LP chieftain said he was able to clear sea weeds and water hyacinth spanning about five million square metres across the riverine communities.

More stories on Page 60

AGOS lawyer Femi Falana has explained why he did not attend Thursday’s pan-Yoruba conference in Ikenne in spite of the invitation extended to him.

Falana, in a statement, said he felt the meeting could not address the issues that would benefit the common man.

“I thank the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuade, and Chief (Mrs.) HID Awolowo for inviting me to the Yoruba leaders’ meeting scheduled to hold at Ikenne, Ogun State.

“Regrettably, I was unable to attend the meeting as it was not meant to address the crisis of underdevelopment of Nigeria. In other words, the masses in the Southwest region could not benefit from discussions of sectional members of the ruling class that were centered on repositioning political leaders in the continued exploitation of our potentially great contry.

“A Yorubaman was the President and Commander-inChief from 1999-2007. Another one was No 4 citizen in the country from 2007-2011. Apart from engaging in the primitive accumulation of wealth for themselves and their immediate family members, both ‘leaders’ did not use their positions to fix ill-maintained roads, rehabilitate dilapidated schools or refurbish ill-equipped hospitals in the Southwest or in any part of the country.

“In the current conjuctural crisis of the nation, genuine leaders should endeavour to link up with other patriots in challenging the reactionary forces that have reduced our country to a banana republic.”

LCDA boss promises youth empowerment

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HE Chairman of the Bariga Local Council Development Area, Hon. Akeem Omoyele Sulaiman, who is recontesting for the seat in the October 22 election, has promised to embark on massive youth empowerment and development in his next coming.

While flagging off his campaign in Bariga at the weekend, Hon. Sulaimon told the teeming youth supporters,including the physycally challenged that the council would intensify its poverty alleviation programme with a specific focus on youth employment and empowerment.

He told his teeming supporters to return the ACN into office and continue to enjoy the dividends of democracy, as he said their opponents had no credibility or seriousness to serve the people genuinely.

The LCDA chairman promised to embark on massive infrastructural development of the Bariga LCDA in the areas of road construction and renovation, school renovation and upgrading of health centres, among other

programes, within the available fiscal allocation to the council.

Amidst cheers and jubulation by his supporters at the carnival-like rally, Hon. Sulaimon, stated that the opposing political parties could not pose any serious threat to the ACN in the coming election in view of the outstanding performances of the party both at the state and local government levels.

He commended the leadership of the ACN in the state and at the national level for their vision and uprightness in steering the ship of the party to greater heights, adding that their national leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, had proved to be a visionary and well- focused politician with a magic hand of success.

Earlier, at the rally, the Chairman of the ACN in Bariga, Chief Sikiru Banire (aka Obama), had presented Hon. Sulaimon to the people as the ACN chairmanship candidate for the Bariga LCDA in the local government election, and urged the people to remain loyal to the party and vote massively for the ACN candidate.

THE NATION, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2011

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8 COMMENTARY

THE NATION, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2011

A tale of beasts in police uniform

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N a piece I wrote sometime last year, I recounted an experience I had with my sixyear-old daughter on a Sunday afternoon.

We had just returned from church and settled on the dining table for lunch when she threw a question from the blue.

“Daddy, was Zaccheaus a policeman?” she asked in a voice tainted with undefiled innocence “Which Zaccheaus,” I asked.

“The one in the Bible,” she said. ” Our Sunday school teacher told us that he used to collect money from people.”

Immediately she said so, I realised where her question must have come from. She must have been seeing the untold hardship our policemen cause motorists with the snarl of traffic they cause at various checkpoints they create purposely to extort money. That must have been the picture that registered in her head when her Sunday school teacher told her about the tax collector in the Bible.

Although I tried to explain to her that policemen are not recruited to collect money from people, it was easy to see that she could not figure out how a people whose understanding of security checks is to extort money from innocent motorists would be saddled with the hallowed responsibility of protecting the lives and property of citizens.

For instance, the moment the InspectorGeneral of Police announced recently that his

men would beef up security around the country in the face of security threats caused by the Boko Haram sect and other terrorist groups, I knew that innocent Nigerians were in trouble. The checkpoints have since returned and the policemen who man them have returned to business as usual. The result is that motorists now have to spend many hours in traffic jams occasioned by the checkpoints whose purpose begins and ends with extortion.

And rather than abate, the police have taken their malefactions to frightening heights in the last couple of years. The story was told of how policemen at the Area G Police Station in Ogba, Lagos accosted a commercial bus driver, Innocent Onovo, around 9 pm on May 11, 2006 and ordered him to take them on night patrol with his vehicle. Onovo pleaded with the policemen that he had closed for the day and was on his way home to meet his heavily pregnant wife. To substantiate his claim, he showed the policemen some baby items he had just bought and was taking to his wife, but all his pleas fell on the deaf ears of the policemen who considered his explanation as nothing, but an affront to them.

The policemen jumped into Onovo’s bus and forced him to take them round the area.

And instead of allowing him to go home when they returned to their station, they detained Onovo for arguing with them before taking them on patrol. While he remained in detention, the policemen got a distressed call around 12 am that a robbery operation was taking place in the area. The policemen again brought Onovo out and ordered him to take them to the spot. In the ensuing crossfire between the policemen and the armed robbers, Onovo was shot dead.

Then two years ago, there was the incident of a man named Muritala Saliu whose threeyear-old daughter was shot dead by

‘

At the police station, the errant policemen subjected Quadri to untold torture. They tied his hands backwards to a stationary motorcycle, flogged, slapped and kicked him until they broke his spinal cord, ribs and skull

’

policemen at a checkpoint in Alapere, Ketu, Lagos. The man and his wife had attended a graduation ceremony of the child of one of their family friends and were returning home in the vehicle of another family friend when a gunshot fired by policemen at the checkpoint brushed Saliu’s arm and shattered the baby’s head. For daring to challenge the policemen, they dragged him to their station and detained him, ignoring his pleas to be taken to the hospital to take care of his bleeding arm.

The most recent is the case of a 52-year-old baker and father of seven, Ismail Quadri, who policemen from the Ipaja Police Station, also in Lagos, allegedly arrested on the premises of his bakery on September 8 for reasons that remain yet a mystery. The policemen, who were said to have formed the habit of raiding the area at nightfall and arrest residents randomly for ransoms, were said to have dragged Quadri to their station after beating

him black and blue. At the police station, the errant policemen subjected Quadri to untold torture. They tied his hands backwards to a stationary motorcycle, flogged, slapped and kicked him until they broke his spinal cord, ribs and skull.

Seeing that he had become motionless and fearing that he could die, the policemen began to take him from one hospital to another. The first three hospitals rejected him because they knew it was a hopeless situation. The fourth accepted him only to refer him to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital where an X-ray revealed that his skull, spinal cord and ribs had been damaged in the process of intense torture. Like the biblical Job, that which the policemen feared eventually happened. Quadri gave up the ghost when he could no longer endure the pains.

The policemen have since been playing the ostrich, hiding behind one finger and cooking lies upon lies to make it look as if they were not responsible for Quadri’s death. After their efforts to suppress the case failed, they even resorted to making threat calls and sending threat text messages to The Nation correspondent who broke the story. After all the fruitless efforts initially made to get his comment on the matter, the Public Relations Officer of the Lagos State Police Command finally came up with the theory that the deceased baker was caught with Indian hemp, even though his family members swore that as a pious Muslim, he would not even touch a cigarette with a long pole.

The reality, however, is that the matter is already in the public domain. The police authorities cannot afford to look the other way or merely slap their errant men and officers on the wrist like they did in previous acts of beastly transgression. The men and officers involved in the gruesome killing of Citizen Quadri must be brought to book.

Before Dowden impoverishes our lawmakers Knucklehead

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OMETIMES, you can’t help but seek an escapist route out of this national shame. The more you try to rationalise certain things that happen in this country, the more confused you become. So, instead of whining about how ‘secured’ we have become such that the last independence anniversary was held in a safe conclave called Aso Rock, I have chosen to be on the side of our muchvilified Federal lawmakers who are often criticised for allegedly collecting hefty pay-packets. Instead of complaining about how the families of victims and survivors of the October 1, 2010 twin bomb blasts have been left to sort themselves out despite the truckload of promises to soothe their pain, I’ll rather write on why we need to throw the vaults open for the pleasures of our hardworking lawmakers. I mean those honourables and the distinguished men and women of timber and calibre in the hallowed chambers. Instead of sulking over the fate of the 173 lives that had been lost to the 22 explosions which had devastated our land in the last one year, I have resolved to join those crying for a better pay for our legislators for the yeoman’s job they’ve been doing to better our lot!

No, I have not been ‘settled’ to write this. Perish that thought. Though I am not one to rule out a likely invitation to ‘eat with the elders’ after this outing, Nevertheless, I must express my shock that, two weeks after the Executive Director of the African Royal Society in the United Kingdom, Mr. Richard Dowden, took them to the cleaners over what he described as their “obscene” wages and perks, none of the lawmakers has dared to come out to contradict the claim. Instead, they carry on as if it is all in a day’s job. But it is not. Well, if they are tongue-tied out of a presumed guilt that they are milking the rest of us dry, Knucklehead offers today a thousand and one reasons why they should, in the next few weeks, summon a joint sitting with the sole objective of blackmailing the leadership of the Senate and House of Representatives to review their pay packets upward. I’ll soon explain why this is necessary. But what exactly did Dowden say about them?

Speaking on Tuesday, September 27, 2011 as guest speaker at Nigeria’s independence anniversary, Dowden told a crowd of dignitaries, including President Goodluck Jonathan, that: “More than 100 million Nigerians live in poverty—which is a quarter of the total poverty in subSahara Africa. Nigeria has over 10 per cent of the world’s maternal mortality and child mortality and 10 per cent of world children out of school. This is unacceptable.

“It is even more unacceptable that, in a country with those statistics, the politicians are the highest paid in the world. $1 million for a Parliamentary salary with another $1 million in expenses is obscene!”

I just hope Dowden got his brief right? What effrontery?

He even made an allusion to the fact that our politicians may be courting Nigeria’s version of the Arab spring if they continue with the beastly pillage of our national treasury. Wetin concern am sef? He admonished them to “think of development as project not for next week but for your grandchildren.” Eewo! The point is: what is unacceptable

elsewhere is commonplace here. Service has a twisted interpretation and greed is the name of the game. Politics offers the cheapest platform to wealth and power. It transforms lives and turns men into gods. Therefore, Dowden’s lamentation, regardless of the frightening statistics, was being directed at the wrong crowd. In fact, I would not be surprised if most of his audience had slept off while he was busy ‘blowing’ grammar—crying more than the bereaved.

In any case, those statistics have been over-flogged. Like former President Olusegun Obasanjo once pointed out, the leadership is yet to be convinced that about 70 per cent of Nigerians live below the poverty line of a dollar (about N150) per day. Because we are resilient, we hardly etch our suffering on our faces. Despite those tough challenges, we have devised a means of trudging on with forlorn hope that tomorrow promises a better deal. We see that hope in the sketches of affluence on display by those who are lucky enough to rule us. Oftentimes, we follow their grass-to-grace stories and fancy ourselves as likely candidates for such magical tales if tomorrow comes. Such have been told and retold. A man sneaks into Abuja through night bus, perhaps clutching a nylon bag or some cheap, weather-beaten and overused bag. The following morning, he takes oath of office as a lawmaker and, in a few months of becoming a VIP, the new ‘big man’ has really arrived. In less than four years, he buys mansions in choice areas. Another one mortgages all he has to win a seat in the parliament and, within a twinkle of an eye, storms into wealth, reaping the dividends of his wise ‘investments’ in politics!

Then another one, probably a very loyal political tout, finds fortune with a political godfather whose sole interest is how to perpetuate his unholy influence over the rest of us in his constituency. The erstwhile tout takes an oath at the shrine, settles in as a lawmaker even if he barely passes through primary education. In any case, the constitutional requirement is hardly above being capable of getting an all-round failure in all papers in secondary school examinations. Then, our ‘lawmaker’ settles in to make laws that the rest of us are bound to obey. He and his cohorts go round some ministries and parastatals, performing juicy oversight functions and they then join the league of the big boys. That is the way it is out here. There is no rhyme, no rhythm. It is the illogic that makes logic in our peculiar situation. Pity, Dowden does not seem to grasp the way we are. It is a fraternity beyond his simplistic interpretation.

Nigeria, I must point out, is not Italy where an enraged citizenry is kicking against the system just because its pampered politicians are getting outrageous perquisites from the collective wealth. According to a recent report in TIME magazine, each member of the Italian Parliament made up of 630 members and 321 senators “receives a posttax salary of 7,700 Euros (about N1,747,900), plus 5,600 Euros (about N1,271,200) living allowance and 5,600 Euros (about N1,271,200) for expenses. They travel free on the country’s planes, trains and toll roads. They can attend premier soccer games without paying. Many are provided with a car and chauffeur. Parliamentary session usually begins on Tuesday afternoon and wraps up by Thursday morning. Members aren’t required to

With

Yomi Odunuga E-mail:yomi.odunuga @thenationonlineng.net SMS only: 07028006913

quit their pay jobs.” See page 40 of TIME edition of September 25, two days before Dowden threw his bombshell in Abuja.

Cumulatively, this comes to a paltry N4,290,300 only at black market rate as at the time of writing this piece. By any standard, N4.3m is huge. At least, one of our ‘enlightened’ legislators should have stumbled on the article written by Steve Faris titled “Irked about perks” and deploy it to puncture Dowden’s justification’s for their ‘unacceptable’ pay. Now that I am making this patriotic sacrifice by providing this information, our long-suffering lawmakers should convene a meeting to demand for a living wage. Officially, none of them earns that much. Officially, that is. Personally, I believe they should be commended for managing the meagre quarterly amount they receive as running cost. After all, is it not from such amount that they dole out crumbs to hangers-on, political thugs and praise-singers who ask them to carry on? Is it not from the ‘small’ pay cheque that they pay for air fares to watch Champions League and Premiership matches and sponsor their children, wives and concubines abroad? How do we expect them to be different from the suffering masses if we start withdrawing the privileges of free money that they have enjoyed for so many years? How then would the rest of the world know the difference between the ruler and the ruled?

One man’s meat is another’s poison, so says an African adage. What Dowden sees as unacceptable in his country could just well be the norm here. Just the other day, the British parliament was almost brought down just because it was discovered that most of its lawmakers were funding their personal and sometimes prurient fancies with government money. That was Dowden’s Britain. This is Nigeria and there is a very thin line between government and personal money. I guess that is why Dowden was blowing hot air, talking to the wrong crowd.

I bet most of them would have questioned the rationale of bringing a foreigner to lecture them on the rudiments of good governance when government is already working here! Judging from the jet speed we have been going, it won’t be long before Nigeria gets into the Guinness Book of World Record as a place where local government councilors earn more money as politicians than the David Camerons and Barack Obamas of this world! Isn’t it intriguing that what shocks in other climes fascinates here? The waves of Arab spring reverberate elsewhere but Naija spring appears to be impossibly far away from the horizon. Welcome to zone reality where the rich get richer shamelessly trampling on the rights of the poor!

9

THE NATION, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2011

N

obel Laureate Desmond Tutu’s scandalous outburst that the ANC government in power in S Africa is worse than the much-hated Apartheid regime that incarcerated Nelson Mandela in Robben Island for 27 years, and Tutu’s subsequent recant that next time he would count ten before speaking when he is angry, may sound like a child’s crying and ranting when deprived of his favourite toy.

But the whole world knew why Desmond Tutu lost his cool when the S African government of Jacob Zuma refused to issue a visa in time for the leader of Tibet the Dalai Lama to attend Desmond Tutu’s 80th birthday ceremony.

This is because under normal circumstances the government in power in S Africa is one that Desmond Tutu can easily and safely call his ‘own government‘ given that government’s antecedent, pedigree and the contribution of the birthday celebrant to the anti-apartheid struggle which happens to be the source of power of the present government in S Africa today.

But the real reason why the Dalai Lama could not come has been left largely untold and untouched by the S African government which in its very conciliatory and almost apologetic response, noted that the birthday celebrant could not have meant what he said in anger that the ANC government is comparable to the ousted Mubarak regime in Egypt and the Gaddafi regime in Libya.

Indeed the Nobel Laureate said he would pray for the end of the ANC government, a prayer that the government statement earnestly asked him to forego.

The government then lamely said that it was not under any pressure from China its biggest trade partner and well known foe of the invitee, the Dalai Lama to refuse a visa for the controversial invitee that the Tibetan leader had become for Desmond Tutu’s 80 birthday bash.

But truth be told and the kernel of the visa rumpus is that China would have been furious had the S African government granted a visa for the Dalai Lama because they count him as a leader who nurses separatist sympathies aimed at dividing China.

Just last week it was reported that the S African Vice President was in China where he negotiated contracts worth billions of dollars for S African companies. So really the S African government put business before pleasure in denying the birthday visa to the Dalai Lama and tried to placate the much respected birthday celebrant over his furious, but righteous indignation.

Indeed although diplomacy and business seem to have triumphed over local politics in the handling of the Dalai Lama invitation to Desmond Tutu’s 80th birthday, the handling of the matter by the Zuma government and the contents of the celebrant’s anger and vituperation at the visa

Diplomacy , Business and Politics

denial, will reverberate and resonate for sometime. In addition the scenario brought to mind certain key phases and events in the historic anti- apartheid struggle in which Nigeria and other nations played a major part for which the ANC government in S Africa is beholden as it is to Desmond Tutu, perhaps for eternity.

And that really has created some awkward moments for the successors of Nelson Mandela and even, in retrospect, for the great man himself.

Let us illustrate first with Nelson Mandela’s relationship with former US Presidents Bill Clinton and George W Bush the 43rd president who invaded Iraq.

Mandela was present at Bill Clinton’s presidential ball and according to tales went to all the parties because the Democratic party had supported the apartheid struggle. Mandela called George Bush an idiot for invading Iraq and that was undiplomatic and uncharacteristic language from the elder statesman. But Bush’s party the GOP was pro apartheid.

Indeed Mandela always had kind words and praise for the beleaguered Muammar Gaddafi because he contributed immensely to the anti apartheid fund and struggle even as he then was

a terror of the west before George Bush’s war on terror after 9/11.

This anti apartheid contribution by Gaddafi explains why the S African government was dilly dallying over the bombing of Libya by NATO while trying to put forward an unpopular AU front to buy time and save face for Gaddafi whose time as a despot was running out.

With regard to Nigeria and the pay back time for contribution to the anti apartheid struggle, the S African government once sent Desmond Tutu to late General Sanni Abacha to make a plea for the freedom of imprisoned late Chief M K O Abiola, the winner of the June 12 election scuttled by the Babangida regime. Desmond Tutu’s plea and journey were futile and in vain and MKO was to die in prison subsequently.

But Bishop Tutu made a remark that still thunders over time. He said after meeting Abacha that the Nigerian dictator reminded him of the white apartheid rulers of S Africa and he really did not know whether to laugh or cry at Abacha ‘s attitude.

Going back to the Dalai Lama visa denial issue, the silver lining on the matter is the way the ANC has acted with maturity to placate the birthday celebrant and made him to withdraw his ‘curse’

as it were on the ANC, the party in power and in which he has a huge stake in S Africa. Definitely the business moguls in the S African government have had their way.

But this will leave the S African government open to charges that it is not in charge of its economy but is being rail roaded or auto piloted by apartheid lovers who have no regard for the contribution of the likes of anti apartheid champions like Desmond Tutu. Nevertheless one can commend the Zuma government for finding the humility and grace to placate Demond Tutu while keeping the juicy contracts line open to the highly profitable business partners-the Chinese.

A similar attitude was at work at the UN Security Council where China and Russia vetoed the resolution that would have restrained Syria from killing demonstrators against the dictatorship of President Assad. Instead the two UN Security Council members called for sanctions against Syria. US UN ambassador Susan Rice was brutally frank in reacting. She said the US found the veto outrageous and that the whole world now knows that those who are killing helpless Syrian demonstrators are those calling for sanctions only against Syria.

But, again, big business

was abroad in the making of the two Security members’ vetoes. Both Russia and China have huge business contracts on the ground in Syria and have filled the space left by fleeing US companies in the wake of anti Americanism in the Middle East occasioned by the war on terror and invasion of Iraq by the US. Indeed since the time of late Haffez Assad, the father of the present president, the Russians have always had huge defence contracts from the Syrian authorities. Even though the present regime is under siege, the Russians and Chinese are ready to switch patronage to the opposition once Assad is toppled, sanctions or no sanctions.

But for now the two veto wielders on Syria have scuttled successfully any ambition by the US and NATO to effect a UN resolution similar to that which made the NATO bombing of Libya possible.

Meanwhile the leaders of the nightly bombings in Tripoli as well as the nations in the military alliance called NATO have serious economic problems arising from their history of mixing business with pleasure. The Greeks went on demonstrations this week which paralysed their economy. They are protesting austerity measures put in place by their government at IMF and EU members prodding to cut spending, restructure or renegotiate their debts to get more bail out funds to pay Greek government debts.

Since EU banks have business with Greek companies the fear of debt default makes nations of the Eurozone vulnerable in varying degrees . Greek debt default can lead to pandemonium in the Euro zone.

But the security forces so far have been able to contain the riots even though secu-

rity personnel too are being retrenched or sacked. The austerity measures are part of the deficit reduction by Greece and other EU nations to balance their budget and subsidies too are being reduced. But these are nations with basic amenities and infrastructure.

Definitely one cannot compare these nations with a nation like Nigeria where recurrent expenditure outstrip capital outlay and where infrastructure and basic amenities are in ruins even as huge contracts are being awarded for their construction and maintenance.

The announced plan by the Presidency to withdraw subsidy on petroleum products can only heighten tension and concern in the land.

No doubt the removal of the subsidies will lead to escalation of prices and decrease purchasing power and quality of life at a time when our legislators earn astronomic salaries and benefits they cannot hide from their electorate because of their penchant for conspicuous and shameless display of wealth at all times and in all places.

I think someone should tell the government not to shoot itself in the leg by bringing in this austerity measure of subsidy removal at this time or at any time whatsoever. Following IMF or World Bank dictates by the back door will not improve our economic lot. Indeed it will worsen it and complicate our state of social tension and insecurity which at present is at its nadir The social costs of having a balanced budget or following the example of market driven economies enmeshed in riots over similar policies will be too prohibitive if not suicidal for our economy. There should be a better way to shore up our economy without pauperizing further our already impoverished people. A word is enough for the wise.

10 COMMENTARY Igala people have nothing to show for all the years our brothers have been in power. Only a few people, including your Okun brothers, have benefitted. Please note that while many Igala people supported Kutepa, your brothers, Senator Smart, Fadile and the speaker from Okene did not support him 08055244827 We will not leave this issue for Kogi people alone because Kogi is a part of Nigeria to which we all belong. When you know that Audu Abubakar planted the seeds and wetted the flowers which the outgoing Idris merely concluded and used as show-off achievements, did you attempt to write powerfully like this to help him out in 2003 for him to be re-elected then? Why now? Perhaps because Price (Audu) is about representing the ACN now.

Let us think of tomorrow always.

Dr. Festus Adedayo became my friend because in 2003, he contributed to our struggle for change against serfdom for the late Lawal to be re-elected on his own. A powerful article by me urging Kwarans at home and abroa to vote massively for the late Lawal was published without knowing me So, Akanmode, the homework the other ethnic units will do is beyond journalism only in The Nation on Saturday. Massive lobby among all the ethnic units, Igala inclusive, pick ministerial positions first and unity among other units aside Igala and publication of your struggle in other newspapers. One day, others, aside the Igala, will be there!

Lanre Oseni, Lagos The problem in Kogi State brings us to the reality of the proposal for single tenure by the President. However, because of the primordial sentiment the editors and columnists of The Nation and the editorial policy of the owner, everybody there is against it. But today, you are crying about the Igala dominating the state.

So, I want to let you know that when the draft of the bill is sent to the National Assembly, many Nigerians who feel the same pain would support the bill to solve the problem you have just raised Oscar Ume, Uyo Nice article. A state governed on

THE NATION, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2011

Reactions to Saturday Flakes Re: Still on the emerging dynasty in Kogi Okun person like you to make a Uturn and begin to condemn Governor Idris today. Were you not the same people that brought the man and milked him? When will you and your people cleanse yourself of the cultural curse of double speaking and double standard? It pays to be reliable. Like I told Mr. Dare last time, I challenge you to a debate on the myth of marginalisation in Kogi State.

Usman S.O.

the basis of ethnicity can never develop. I am ashamed of the mentality of our people.

Lawal, Abuja.

As long as Kogi Central and West cannot present aunanimous candidate as the opportunity presented itself with Kutepa in the last governorship primaries of the PDP in the state, forget about doing something about the igala domination of the political space in the state. I cannot understand why it is becoming increasingly difficult for the Ebira and the Okun people to forge a common front.

Let’s blame not the Igala who presented only one candidate as against the segment of old Kwara who did not only present two candidates but some of its leaders also willingly worked for the Igala candidate.

080331545..

I am a full-blooded Okun man and practising psychiatrist based in Ekiti State. I read your beautiful piece on the emerging dynasty in Kogi and must commend your effort. I just wonder when the Okun nation will arise from her sleep to take her rightful place in the halls of power in Kogi State. How be it that we have been so degraded to be in the claws of the likes of the carpenter in Lugard House? When will greed and selfish acts stop our continual molestation in the hands of this cabal?

For someone like you, I appreciate and commend your courage. For someone like me with a deep and consuming passion for the Okjun nation and my state, I have found a brother and a comrade in you. I will be the happiest the day this oppressive yoke breaks. Until then, let’s continue the fight in whatsoever way we can. Let us wait and see how we go laugh over Ibro’s grandiosity. More grease to your elbow.

Abayomi, Ado-Ekiti Oh Vincent, son of Akanmode! I write to subscribe to your line of reasoning. I think the words of Thomas Hobbes, which states that “man is essentially selfish. He is urged to action not by his intellect or reason, but by his appetite, greed and de-

sires” defines the vicious culture of politics in Kogi State, hoc tempore, that is to say, at this time. But to Kogites, I say the power to elect your leaders is in your hands. So, use the weapon of one man, one vote to end or continue the emerging dynasty in Kogi State peacefully.

Godfrey Ehimare.

•Your write-up on Kogi politics is like a flying saucer; you can’t tell the head from the tail. Check it out.

Reason? You are married to a jaundiced perspective.

Ben, Kaduna.

•Thanks, Mr. Vincent Akanmode, for your commentary in the piece on the emerging dynasty in Kogi. In the said piece, you unsuccessfully put the woe and lack of unity among your Okun people on the Igala’s domination and marginalisation of other ethnic groups in the state.

While accepting with media gurus of Okun origin like you to malign the Igala, I expect you to have balanced this critical point properly than a pass over reference.

Certainly, it is not decent for an

•Your piece on the emerging dynasty in Kogi is an interesting one.

An area I think you should please note is that writers or experts on politics agree that politics is an authoritative allocation of resources available to the state for the good of the citizens and not as a game of number, as you claimed. Although in bringing about democratic choice of leaders, elections, selections or any other method may be adopted, and in this case, number plays an important role.

Ahutu I.A. •I have just read your piece on the goings on in Kogi politics. He who says education is expensive should try ignorance.

080206457.

•Much as I appreciate your piece today and your deep concern for the other tribes in the political enclave called Kogi State, I believe the underbelly fact remains that your newspaper is sympathetic to the cause of the Action Congress of Nigeria. Personally, I do not have any stake in the politics of Kogi State, but I would appreciate that the state is given a governor who would provide good roads, employment and other dividends of democracy irrespective of his or her tribe. Time has come for us in Nigeria to move beyond the politics of premordial sentiments.

Michael.

•You poured out your mind in the piece entitled ‘The Emerging Dynasy in Kogi’. But I dare argue that the most heterogeneous state in Nigeria is Plateau. Trust me on this.

Tabai Mark, UNIJOS •Vincent, kudos to you on the piece you wrote concerning the deeds of the Kogi State governor.

God bless you.

Price Sam, Kaduna.

•I read your commentary on September 24, 2011 and I am seriously touched and disturbed with the marginalisation our people in Kogi State are suffering in the hands of the Igala. Did God create us to experience this inhuman and inferiority complex from the Igala. What should we do to move Okunland forward and take our rightful position in Kogi State?

Ayedero Jethro Idowu, Kaduna.

•Vincent, leadership remains Nigeria’s biggest problem at all levels and tiers of government. Those who have the intellect to offer exemplary leadership are edged out either because they lack a strong financial muscle or because of some magomago arrangements. It does not matter whether the incumbent governor is a barber or a mechanic as long as he delivers.

But in this situation, the carpenter in Governor Ibrahim Idris has made a bad job of his assignment. And to think that the repairer in him has destroyed more than he has repaired for nine years makes him a misfit in governance. One wonders what hope would be left for the state if a quack is allowed to supplant a quack.

The Okun people and other marginalised ethnic groups in the state should close their ranks and work towards a common goal. When personal interests and personality clashes would not make the SDP (Social Democratic Party) in Lagos State to speak with one voice, the way was paved for the emergence of Michael Otedola as governor.

In all this, Vincent, a house divided against itself will not stand.

Remi Adesina, Ibadan.

God bless you, Vincent. Majority of our leaders in Okunland are too self-seeking. They prefer picking the crumbs to forming a common front to fight the assault. Do you know that the Head of Service, Chief of Staff and Accountant General of the state now are all Igala?

Elisha Agbale.

Reactions to Knucklehead •Yomi, your writings of yesteryears and those of today are full of intelligent brainwork. This latest one sends a simple message to the gossips in high places—— ’to every bad mouth, a padlock must be hung!’ I cherish your writings.

—Alh Samanja Awodi, Ilorin •Yomi, even if all the Wikileaks revelations and leakages are not 100 per cent perfect, some elements of truth would be there. In life, there are some things we do that are known to God and us only. If God decides to expose those things, then we will keep quiet. Wikileaks cannot be wrong.

People should search their conscience, period!

—Lanre Oseni, Lagos, 08033518726 •Hello Yomi, it is only the kind of leadership we have here that will describe the Wikileaks revelations, as they concern Nigeria, a beer parlour gossip. An inept, corrupt and greedy leadership!

—Fola Aiyegbusi •Yomi, there exists the court of morality that resides in the public domain. No matter the denials of Wikileaks’ leaks, the fingered person carries a moral burden on his chest.

—Ter Akaa, Abuja, 08023856820 •For me, Wikileaks’ revelations are security issues and it should be worrisome. Mr President should find a

Re: Of ‘leaks’ and beer parlour gossips way to investigate or monitor the Nigerian ‘gossipers’ in the interest of the nation’s security.

—-08033509122 •Yomi, thanks a million for that piece which has rightly described our leaders as bunch of idle and careless talkers, especially when they are confronted by officials of developed nations. One is more disturbed with the degree of triviality that our President has turned the very damaging verdict into. Our President, rather than admitting the damn verdict and promise to commence a general process of re-orientation of government officials, went ahead to showcase his political mediocrity. Let it be known to our president that there is no official of any developed country that does not have security background or training before he is given important political appointment. The security concept of ‘the need to know’ is germane in any official or unofficial interaction. With this exposition of our leaders’ undiplomatic conduct at every level of interaction; there is therefore the urgent need to expose our leaders to security/information management, at least to avoid a repeat of this kind of embarrassment as caused by Wikileaks. I remain your very good admirer.

—Adeyemi A.Kolajo, Agege, 08033796336

‘

Corruptocracy is the form of government that we currently practice. The Wikileaks’s revelation is just like someone is trying to teach his grandmother how to cook egg. Our leaders are all born rogues

’

•Yomi, good job. What should we expect from them? They found themselves in positions which they are the least qualified to occupy. When you give greedy man food, he loses control of his mind and speaks spuriously. Let’s pray for them to have sanity.

—Egungun, 08029680782 •Here is my comment, President Jonathan needs to know that in every rumour, there must be an iota of truth. For him to jump into conclusion and describe the vital leaks as beer parlour gossips is nothing but

a display of the shoddy way we handle things here. That is the different between leaders in other climes and here. Jonathan should know that Nigerians are not happy with him—no security, road, education, basic infrastructure etc. God save and bless Nigeria.

—Doyin, Lagos, 08126373737 •Yomi, I love this piece. In every lie, there is an element of truth .If people don’t see, they won’t say. We don’t want what happened in some North African countries to happen here in our country. But if they refuse to stop, one day, a revolution will take place here in our country.

—07089894583 •Yomi, you should know that we practice various types of government ranging from corruptocracy, militocracy, meritocracy and gerontocracy. So far, corruptocracy is the form of government that we currently practice. The Wikileaks’s revelation is just like someone is trying to teach his grandmother how to cook egg. Our leaders are all born rogues.

Imagine the alleged ‘leaks’ which said David Mark and Mrs Yar’Adua took $30m dollars per month from our oil money! And this is a country that is still rigmarolling with N18,000 minimum wage! Who are they professing to serve? Is it not their individual

pockets?

But they should remember the inescapable wrath of the poor masses and that of God. The Lord of the manors of this falling house should check their inordinate thirst for personal aggrandizement to the detriment of the poor that are seriously eating their heart out.

—Dapo Ipoola, Omuo-Ekiti •Yomi, what more can a novice president do than defend that which is indefensible? The various revelations

by Wikileaks are nothing but the gospel truth. Were Obasanjo’s ways of doing things while he was the President not abrasive? Did he or did he not pervert justice in favour of the juggernauts in the PDP so they can actualize their desire to ‘colonise’ the rest of us for 50 years? Is it a fallacy that some of these dishonourable members of the political class are benefitting from under the table oil deals running into billions of naira?

Should Jonathan have insulted our collective sensibilities by feigning ignorance of these open secrets by declaring them mere beer parlour gossips? As for our gloating elites, what does their birthright mean to them as long as there is a pot of porridge before them? For a mere cocktail, they run their mouths like Basketmouth does while on stage.

They are educated illiterates who find themselves in power because of our corrupt political arrangement. Nigeria, a paradise lost May God deliver us.

—08023440497

'Twenty -first century slaves’ Sad, ugly world of Nigeria's child servants

Thriller/ 19

Toyin Alausa

Boko Haram Changing face of Abuja's social life

41 Style/ & e f i L

Screen/ 23

My son is the reason I’m yet to marry

Weekend

PEOPLE

Relat io

nship

THE NATION, Saturday, OCTOBER 8, 2011

11

We got more than we asked for

57-year-old retiree whose 51-year-old wife was delivered of five children two years after their only male child died in an accident Kunle AKINRINADE

G

iving birth to five children at the same time is not a gesture even a man or woman with the faith of Abraham would readily expect. But that was the unusual gift that providence showered on Mr. Godwin Ezeno and his wife, Mary, about four months ago. And the fact that the five identical children were born about two years after the couple lost Chuddy, their 25-year-old only male child and graduate of Computer Engineering, in a motor accident in 2009, makes the gift even more special.

Continued on Page 13

12

THE NATION, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2011

Autopsy report indicts Police in the case of 52-yr-old baker allegedly beaten to death •Police: we caught victim with Indian hemp

•Quadri on hospital bed

T

HE last appears yet to be heard in the death of a 52-year-old baker, Ismail Quadri, who was allegedly beaten to death by some policemen attached to the Ipaja Police Station.

In our Saturday, September 24, 2011 edition, we had reported how some policemen from the station had raided Baruwa, OkeOko area of Ipaja around 8.30 pm on September 8, 2011.

While the raiding lasted, some residents of the area, including the late Quadri, were ar-

Kunle AKINRINADE

,

rested by the errant policemen in front of their homes. The deceased was allegedly beaten black and blue by the policemen before they took him away to their station in a commercial bus.

At the station, Quadri was said to have not only been subjected to another round of physical torture, his hands were also said to have been tied backwards to a stationary

The statement by the police that our brother was caught with Indian hemp is total falsehood, because he did not drink or smoke while he was alive. He was, indeed, a kind of person you would call a complete gentleman, and we all benefited from his benevolence

‘

Cause of death

A

copy of the death certificate based on autopsy conducted by Dr. U. V. Okeke of the Department of Pathology and Forensic Medicine, LASUTH, revealed that the deceased died as a result of blunt force trauma and Subdural haematoma. These two conditions, which were said to have resulted in Quadri’s death, were said to be corollary to each other and could only be caused by a violent bang on the head or parts of the body, depending on circumstances.

(a) Blunt force trauma

•The late Quadri

In medical terminology, blunt trauma, blunt injury, non-penetrating trauma or blunt force trauma refer to a type of physical trauma caused to a body part, either by impact, injury or physical attack. The term ‘blunt force trauma’ itself is used to refer to the precursory trauma, from which there is further development of more specific types of trauma, such as concussions, abrasions, lacerations and/

or bone fracturing, and the affected regions are usually head, neck, thorax, chest, abdomen, among others.

(b) Subdural haematoma

Subdural haematomas are usually the result of a serious head injury. When one occurs in this way, it is called an “acute” subdural hematoma. Acute subdural haematomas are among the deadliest of all head injuries. The bleeding fills the brain area very rapidly, compressing brain tissue. This often results in brain injury and may lead to death. The mortality rate associated with acute Subdural haematoma is around 60 to 80 per cent.

Some of the symptoms of subdural haematoma include difficulty with balance or walking, headache, lethargy or confusion, loss of consciousness, nausea and vomiting, numbness, seizures, slurred speech, visual disturbances and weakness.

motorcycle. He fell into a coma a few minutes later, following which the policemen took him to some private hospitals which all rejected him on the grounds that his spinal cord, ribs and skull had been damaged.

He was, however, admitted at Agape Hospital, Ipaja, Lagos State, where he was referred to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH). Sadly, he died at the hospital on September 19, 2011.

The police had initially kept mum on the matter when our correspondent sought the comment of the spokesman of the Lagos State Police Command, Mr. Samuel Jinadu, a Deputy Superintendent of Police. But a few days ago, Jinadu told our correspondent that the deceased was arrested because he was found in possession of Indian hemp. He added that the police officers involved had been arrested and would be dealt with if found guilty.

He said: “Well, we have arrested two policemen in connection with the case. If they are found culpable, we will take decisive action and they will be dealt with. The matter has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) Panti, Yaba, Lagos and investigation is still ongoing.

“I was told the policemen went on general raiding of Indian hemp smokers in the area when they arrested the deceased. But I cannot confirm to you if he was beaten or not. I couldn’t offer you my comment on the matter the last time you called because the Divisional Police Officer of the station (Mr. Chikezie Okezie) involved had not properly briefed me about the incident. But he later did,” he added.

However, fresh facts have emerged to the effect that the deceased baker might have indeed been beaten to death by the errant policemen. In a copy of the Medical Certificate on Cause of Death based on the autopsy conducted on the deceased at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), the late Quadri was said to have died as a result of what doctors called ‘blunt force trauma’ and ‘subdural haematoma’.

In his comment, the Medical Director of Kuba Hospital, Ebute-Metta,Lagos State, Dr. Aaron Subete, said : “Blunt force trauma can be due to anything. “It is either he (the deceased) was hit with a hard object, a stick or fist, or he was pushed down and he hit his head against the wall or even through road accident. But it is usually as a result of violent bang on the head.”

Expatiating further, he said: “As for subdural haematoma, it is a direct result of the blunt force trauma. In this case, there is an internal injury and you may not see the injury from the outside. It is usually caused by a violent bang on the head or the body leading to internal bleeding.

“The bleeding takes place in between the skull bum and brain matter. The blood clot then becomes thick and occupies space, leading to a pressure on the brain. The pressure will subsequently affect vital areas and control centres of the body, such as the respiratory organs, and it can automatically lead to death.”

Policemen at the Ipaja Police Station were said to have initially tried to cover up their tracks immediately Quadri died. They were said to have issued a handwritten letter on September 19, 2011, requesting LASUTH to release the body for burial, but their request was turned down by the management of the hospital, which insisted that a proper autopsy had to be carried out before he would be buried.

Unlike the previous letter signed by the •Continued on Page 13

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THE NATION, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2011

Autopsy report indicts Police in the case of 52-yr-old baker allegedly beaten to death

•Bromide of his death certificate

lance to convey the corpse to Ekiti for burial.

“The police only changed the

story when the matter eventually filtered into the media and the attendant hoopla it has generated.

But in fairness to the police, they actually provided the ambulance

I wonder where my help would come from Eldest son of the deceased, Tajudeen Quadri, speaks on the last moments he shared with his father in this interview with KUNLE AKINRINADE

— Quadri’s eldest son who has just secured admission into the university

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DPO requesting for Quadri’s treatment at LASUTH after he was transferred from Agape Hospital, the letter of request for the deceased’s remains did not indicate that he was taken from the Police Station to the hospital.

A copy of the letter obtained by our correspondent reads in part: “Today (19-9-2011), at about 0630hrs, one Vincent ‘m’, surname unknown, of Oke Oko Baruwa, Ipaja, Lagos State came to the station and reported that one Ismail Quadri Olusola ‘m’, age unknown, who was admitted in Agape Hospital and later transferred to Ikeja General Hospital (LASUTH), died at about 0600hrs of date while receiving treatment. The complainant stated that they intend to collect the corpse for burial according to Islamic rites, hence, the report.”

But in a swift reaction, a relation of the deceased, Mr. Akeem Bello, told our correspondent that the said Vincent, whom the police referred to in their letter, was not known to the family.

He said:”The police have only succeeded in fooling themselves and not us. How can a person who is not known or does not exist in a family speak on behalf of the family? We are Muslims, and there is no one bearing such a name in our family.

“The letter was meant to deceive the hospital authorities into releasing the body of our brother, so that once the burial is over, there will not be any proof that he was cruelly beaten to death by the errant police officers.

“The police knew that an autopsy must, as a matter of fact, be carried out on the body before burial can take place. But we thank God that their plan failed because LASUTH authorities turned down their request and insisted on conducting an autopsy before releasing the body for burial. ”The police arrested him (Quadri) for no justifiable reason and tortured him to death. And there was no statement taken from the deceased, because raiding is an avenue through which unscrupulous police officers make money from innocent citizens.”

Bello explained how the police had earlier apologised to the family over the incident. He added that the DPO of the station, Mr. Chikezie Okezie, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), even promised to assist with some of the logistics for the burial of the deceased.

He said:”Although the family will make its position known to the public soon, it is better to discountenance police explanation on this matter. For the avoidance of doubt, about three meetings were held by the police with the family at the instance of the DPO in his office before and after the death of our brother, and in all of these meetings, the DPO admitted that his men actually overreached themselves by torturing and beating our late brother to death.

“He (DPO) assured that the police would defray our brother’s hospital bill when he was taken to Agape Hospital as well as when he was later transferred to LASUTH. He even pleaded with us not to leak the incident to the media. But after his death, the DPO said he would provide an ambu-

that took the body to Ekiti for burial on Sunday, September 25, 2011.

“The statement by the police that our brother was caught with Indian hemp is total falsehood, because he did not drink or smoke while he was alive. He was, indeed, a kind of person you would call a complete gentleman, and we all benefited from his benevolence.

“Let the police show us a copy of the statement taken from our brother when he was arrested on the allegation of being in possession of hemp. Let the police show us where it is written in the Nigerian Constitution that a suspect has to be killed by his men rather than charged before a competent court for adjudication.”

Investigation by our correspondent at Agape Hospital also confirmed that the deceased was brought to the hospital when he fell into a coma. When it was discovered that he could not move his limbs, he was asked to be transferred to a specialist hospital where his condition could be managed better.

It was also revealed that the deceased was asked to be transferred to the National Orthopaedic Hosptal, Igbobi, Yaba, Lagos and not LASUTH. A highly placed source at the hospital said: “Yes, the deceased was brought here on September 8, 2011,

I have six other siblings and our breadwinner is no more. I do not know where help would come for us now. But I want those policemen to be punished for killing my father

W

HEN last did you see your father before he died?

It was about two weeks before his arrest and subsequent death.

But he used to call me on the telephone.

How did you receive the news of his death?

I was in Ekiti State when one of my friends broke the news of his death to me on the telephone. I fainted immediately I received the news. I was later resuscitated by the people around.

What kind of person was your father?

He was a very good man. You can confirm this from his neighbours. He had even secured the release of residents arrested during such illegal raids by the policemen on a number of occasions.

How close were you to him?

We were so close that I worked in his bakery to complement his three employees. But he encouraged me to further my education.

It was just unfortunate that he was killed at a time I had just secured admission into the Ekiti State University.

What course course were you offered at the university?

I have just been offered a provisional admission to study Economics. It would have been my father’s joy to witness my graduation, because he was so passionate about my education. He

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•Tajudeen promised that he would see me through my university education, but the cruel policemen beat him to death for no just cause.

The police claimed in a letter to the authorities of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) that it was one Vincent who came to report your father’s death at the Ipaja Police Station. Does any relation of yours bear that name?

No. The police is only trying to manipulate the events that led to my father’s death. And in their bid to achieve this, they have been coming up with various antics. There is no Vincent in my family, because we are Muslims.

And the family did not send anyone with such a name to the station.

It is even very ridiculous for the police to say that my father was caught with or arrested for being in possession of hemp. My father never smoked cigarette let alone Indian hemp. And he did not drink alcohol in his lifetime.

Do you know if any of your father’s employees smoke Indian hemp?

No. He had only three employees and they are all gentlemen.

To be honest with you, raiding by policemen on our street has become a routine. That it is no longer strange to anyone in the area.

What was the last thing your father told you before his death?

He told me to face my studies.

He said he was ready to sponsor my university education. I have six other siblings and our breadwinner is no more. I do not know where help would come for us now. But I want those policemen to be punished for killing my father.

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•Continued from Page 12

The deceased alleged that he was seriously beaten by some policemen who arrested him and that his hands were tied backwards to a stationary motorcycle at the Ipaja Police Station. He said that he could not walk again immediately he was freed from the motorbike. His spinal cord might have been affected during the period he was in police custody

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at about 2.30 a.m, by some policemen. He was in a coma when the nurses on duty took him in on humanitarian grounds. When he was later resuscitated, he explained that he was hale and hearty until he was arrested right inside his bakery.

“The deceased alleged that he was seriously beaten by some policemen who arrested him and that his hands were tied backwards to a stationary motorcycle at the Ipaja Police Station. He said that he could not walk again immediately he was freed from the motorbike.

His spinal cord might have been affected during the period he was in police custody.”

“When he came out of coma, we noticed that he could no longer move his limbs at all. In fact, he was being fed with beverage on his bed. But he could still manage to talk. We then decided to carry out an X-ray on him, and based on the report of the X-ray, it was decided that he should be transferred to the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, Yaba, Lagos. I wouldn’t know why he was taken to LASUTH where we learnt that he died a few days later.”

A human rights lawyer, Barrister Vitalis Udoji of the Legal Development and Assistance Project (LEDAP) condemned the action of the police, which resulted in the death of the deceased person.

He said: “What the law says is that only the courts can pronounce a suspect guilty. And in this circumstance, the police did not make any recourse to the law. The duty of the police is to arraign a suspect in a court and provide evidence for prosecution during trial. In this instance, the policemen went too far by allegedly beating the deceased to death.

“What they (policemen) have done is nothing but murder, and they should be punished for their misconduct.”

Meanwhile, the deceased has been buried in his home town after the completion of autopsy on his body.

14

THE NATION, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 08, 2011

My 17 days of horror in a kidnappers’ den —Bayelsa SSG’s wife The wife of the Secretary to the Bayelsa State Government, Mrs. Augusta Gideon Ekeuwei, was kidnapped by some gunmen at a church on June 1, 2008. And for the next 17 days, she was a terrified guest of her abductors inside the bush in an uncompleted building. What went on in her mind?

What transpired between her and the gunmen?

How did she eventually regain freedom? All these and many more the woman herself chronicled in a book, titled: Operation Rescue, which was launched in Yenagoa recently. ISAAC OMBE sent in these excerpts from the book:

•Mrs. Ekeuwei

E

VERY day is a gift of God wrapped in mystery. Each day comes with its blessings and its woes. With the benefit of hindsight, I now appreciate each breaking day.

Take time to pray each morning and commit your movements to God’s hands because you never can tell what will happen in each day. Joseph woke up one day, it was a normal day, but that day he was sold into slavery. On another normal day, he woke up and he was in Portiphar’s house. Yet another day in prison, he woke up and he found himself on the throne!

Each day has with it a mystery, man’s mind cannot fathom.

On June 1, 2008, I woke up as usual whether the night was eventful or not I cannot remember but it was a normal morning. My mind was full of the morning routines that had to be performed before getting to church. Nevertheless, I had to pray and read my bible. My family uses the Daily Manna which is prescribed by my Pastor. Sometimes, God speaks to us ahead of time but we rarely hear.

The devotional actually prophesied to me personally but I didn’t quite get it. The theme for that day was: ‘there is no set up without a setback; hold on’.

The commentary went on to say: ‘If you want to be a better success story on planet earth, then you must exhibit the courage to encounter failure along the way’. Drawing inspiration from the text of the dayJohn 16:33 which read, ‘In the world ye shall have tribulation..’, the commentator said: That means it’s not going to be all

smooth all of the time!

Truly, setbacks are not a love story, but without them you cannot be graduated by the Governing Board of the University of Life. Winners accept setacks and failures as temporary bumps on the road to the top. He quoted Mario Andretti who said: ‘Circumstances may cause interruptions and delays, but never lose sight of your goal.’ He then prophesied in the manual, that there is a strong prophetic word for a user of the day’s devotion at ‘This setback is thempoarary, your comeback shall be widely celebrated, hold on to me.’

I read my devotionals as usual without knowing that the prophetic word wad or me. The prayer points in the manual specifically asked that I pray among other things that ‘The Lord should deliver me from strange battles and to ask the Lord to send me a special encouragement this season’. All this did not make sense to me so I went through the motion of praying and got up to pursue my morning chores.

After the devotional hours: I was partly relaxed because my husband has gone to pursue some political issues. I don’t see myself as having enemies, I was comfortable. As I descended from the staircase of my duplex apartment after finishing the routine with my new born baby and general household, I was ready for the task of children ministry in church. We got into our mini-jeep, a Honda CR-V and drove to church.

The first bus had arrived before my arrival in church and with the arrival of the second bus, the children church was now full. In a few minutes, I would be leading the children section in Sunday activities.

With the children, communication is never passive, it must be active. So I decided to breastfeed my baby because I was baby friendly. I give my baby just breast milk and water as directed.

As I was breastfeeding, I had the opportunity of looking round the class. I can see the introverts seated quietly and the extroverts venting their energies talking and doing some odd things. The children teachers were busy bringing order into the chaos that is characteristic of every assembly of children. In spite of all the “chaos”, I love them. There is an innocence about them; however, in some, you can also see the seed of mischief which is inherent in mankind...

How the kidnappers arrived: Then suddenly, a bus drove to park in front of the children’s church. Since my vehicle and others park near the children’s chapel, its approach to the children’s section was not suspected by the church protocol and security members. Suddenly, armed men alighted from the bus. One pointed at me and asked that I leave the children and get into the bus and that any alarm raised by me would be met with dire consequences. I simply obeyed!

Immediately I got into the bus, I was pushed down on the floor and one of them

pinned me to the floor with his feet to prevent me from standing up and also seeing where they were taking me to. Another reason was to protect me from any gunfire from the police”.

Once, I was in the bus they drove roughly out of the premises, and there was pandemonium. I could hear the panic, the cries and later gun shots. The men kept telling me to pray that none of them would be harmed by the police who were now chasing them, because they threatened that if any of them should die, I would be killed.

I prayed in the way I pray to my God: ‘Papa, please don’t let any of them die o!

They have promised to kill me if any one dies’!

Later I thanked God because none of them died. However they were jubilating that they got two of the men chasing after them and I guess it was the police. The first drive was a long one. I had now been blindfolded. During the long drive, they kept threatening as they approached roadblocks that they would “waste” (kill) any policeman that attempted to search the bus because I was pinned on the floor while I was assigned to pray for them.

I had no choice but to pray. In just four hours after the break of a beautiful day, I found myself waking from a semi-orthopedic foam in a duplex to lying down on the bare floor of a bus. From seeing the beauty of marble, well-dressed people and innocent children to being a companion of roughly dressed, body odour infested kidnappers, from songs filtering out of

THE NATION, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 08, 2011

•Mrs. Ekeuwei

home theater speakers to the “ratata” of killer pump action guns. What a contrast!

First day in the kidnappers’ den: The day was not fully spent until I was again transferred to another smaller salon car and transported to an uncompleted building in the bush, unprotected from rain, sunshine and insect bite. I was deposited in a room. A circle was made round me which I must not cross no matter what. No more private water closet, no more luxury and to add to all the stress, no more food and water.

I thought within myself: ‘Joseph! Is this what you passed through?I think mine must be worse. but no matter what I am passing through, I believe that it wont be for long so’…

I had hope, oblivious to the fact that this was the beginning of 17 gruelling days in captivity.

I grew up in Asaba, now in Delta State.

Therefore, all my life, I had no experience first hand what thick forest darkness is like. I had not heard the sound of nature in the form it descended on that uncompleted building. There are things you imagine you cannot survive but some how I survived that night without food, water and the luxury I was accustomed to.

In the morning, one of the men came to me and asked me if I needed anything. I told him: ‘Yes! I need food and water and of course I needed to talk to my husband’, I replied. He then asked me to wait until their commander arrived.

Thought of her husband and flashback on how they met In my mind, my confidence was in my husband, Hon. Gideon Ekeuwei. I believed that this sweet loving man would bring me out of this captivity. Why not? I could not find any reason. My mind ruminated over our romance and how we met. From the first day, he projected the image of a liberator, a man with my interest at heart.

Our meeting by happenstance was before my departure to do my postgraduate course in London. I had finished my National Youth Service and in keeping with

my up bringing not to depend on anyone, I had taken to the business of selling textile materials on a mobile basis.

I used to carry fabrics and sell them to people in their work places in Asaba. I had a friend who got a job in a bank in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State and she kept inviting me to come to Yenagoa. I never knew where Bayelsa was on the map of Nigeria.

I use to spend my holidays with my aunty in Port-Harcourt but that was in the 90s.

However, with the insistence of this my friend who gave me the description of how to get to Yenagoa, I commenced my journey.

As I was entering Yenagoa, some policemen stopped the bus, my Ghana-Must-Go bags raised their hopes of extorting money.

When their expectations were not met , they asked me to come down with my bags and asked the driver to leave me there. The bags contained ordinary textile materials. How these became exhibits in the eyes of the law enforcement agents, I was too bewildered to imagine. I was mad with the police. It was in the ensuing scenario I saw a green V-Boot Mercedes Benz stop, reverse and come to where we were arguing.

Out of this car alighted a man. Even in my madness, I could see that he was well built, handsome and by the best description a gentleman. He inquired into why I was being detained and finding no convincing reason for the detention, ordered

‘

that I get into his car with my load. I wondered in my mind. ‘He must be a man of authority.’ Is he a military man or government official?’ I reprimanded myself, this was no time to worry who he is. It is time to thank God for an angelic intervention.

1 surveyed the car, the boot was full and he already had a small girl in the car. How do we carry my bags? I queried, but on his insistence, I squeezed two of the bags into the boot and back seat and carried the remaining on my laps. He asked a few questions, introduced himself as a commissioner in the Bayelsa State Government and dropped me off at the bank. On dropping me, he gave me his card and asked that I call back. I never did because I forgot his card at my friend’s place and returned to Asaba.

On getting to Asaba, however, my conscience began to trouble me for being ungrateful. I had to phone my friend and asked her to look for the card. Fortunately, she found the card and gave me the number. With that, we re-established contact and once in a while he would call and we would talk. I noticed that I fancied this man. However, by my up bringing and my future plans, no man fitted in at this time not to talk of an Ijaw man from Bayelsa. So I never dwelt on the fantasies of my heart.

Within the period, my plans came through to travel to United Kingdom (UK) to study for my Masters Degree.

I eventually left for London and gave out my phone to my relation. After sometime, my relation called me and said a man had been calling to speak with me. I promised her I would call him. Again, I let the matter die but my conscience came again for failing a promise. I had to keep my promise by calling him only to receive the shocker of a proposal for marriage! It was hard for me to accept. I doubted his sincerity but he never argued with me. He only gave me references (his pastor and other men of God) with whom I can confirm his credibility and integrity. It was a hard sell to me.

Finally, I handed the matter over to God in prayer to convince me. Then one day in a dream which is more of a vision, God revealed him to me as my husband. I had made up my mind to marry and settle down after my studies in London. However, with this dream and other circumstances that unfolded, I was convinced to suspend my studies to return to Nigeria to marry him, since I can continue at anytime.

She spoke with the husband on phone from the den: Based on this antecedent, I had confidence in my captivity that my ‘Honorable Gideon’ would get me released. I would be out soonest. Noon eventually passed and evening came. The commander arrived. I gave my husband’s number to him and he picked. I was in touch with my darling so I spoke to him in pidgin English- our lingua franca: ‘Sweetheart. dem don carry me o! Dem say dem want money’.

He told me to give the phone back to the commander of my kidnappers. They talked for some time with motions of aggression only for them to inform me: “We go blast your head of. Oga no cooperate!

I said: “Eh, ah Oga go cooperate! They said “ah, ah Oga go cooperate!

They said, “shut your mouth! You sure say oga marry you?

So I assured them: “Make ana no worry, oga go find money come settle you, though I know say him no get the money wey una they ask but him go find the money, make una no worry I asked to speak to him so I told him: Please, find money and get me out of here”. He replied by asking me: You say what? Madam you no know wetin you dey talk make I go bring money come comet you for

Suddenly, he sits up, ‘There is trouble! The police are here. Your husband don call police.

It’s time to die, give me that Ghana-must-go bag’...He began to cork the guns. ‘You must die, your husband don call police’. His eyes were now stern, his face hard but terrified and determined to do evil! There was tension in the air!

15

tnete? I no go give dem any money. I no go pay any money to those people.”

I asked: ‘How do you want me to get out ft here?” ‘I am a great man and therefore you are a great woman. I believe God and by the grace of God, you will come out of there.”

My spirit sank, so I exhaled: Oh! And I started crying out. At that time, he made me to remember that I was a daughter of the living God, the daughter of the Great I am that I am, the God that never fails, the God with whom all things are possible.

I sat down and began to think about myself and talk to my God. I know that my husband does not have the money. He has been working with his political party but nothing has come out of it yet. He is not a conventional worker so what would happen?

“God you have to save me!”, I cried within me. ‘Father my husband said he doesn’t have money, how am I going to get out of here? God just make money available’. In my head I heard another voice say, ‘It’s not by money, just trust in me and I am going to take you out of here’.

From that day, I began to remember inspirations from the Bible.

It is 16 days and prayers have continued to be offered by members and nonmembers of Doxa Family Church alike.

Everyone who knew the family of Hon. Gideon Ekeuwei prayed to God. It all began on the first day. Immediately the armed men drove out of the church premises, the first reaction came from the children department. It was recorded that the junior assistants to the children teachers went pursuing the bus. Fortunately, the kidnappers did not shoot at anyone in pursuit as they did in later kidnap case.

The premises was thrown into confusion as members of the Joint Task Force for the maintenance of security in the Niger Delta drove in and out of the church premises with sirens. The Senior Pastor at the time of the incident was still in his office for last minute preparation for the service when the ministers went in to alert him of the incident. As he came out, the church was in disarray.

The men were making desperate phone calls, the women were dumbfounded, and the children were scared. There was a general feeling of disbelief. It was into this circumstance that the Senior Pastor was called. If it were you, what would you do?

This is a crisis that tests the faith of men!

On the internet, people circulated emails asking if you would stand to confess the Lordship of Christ if gunmen come to your place of worship. It was easy in theory to say I would stand. In this case it was real.

The Pastor summoned all back into the church and prayers were made. The Senior Pastor prayed: ‘Lord. this a slap on your face, not mine! Arise O Lord, and fight this battle. Prove to everyone that this act of kidnap in your house is a spite on you.

We shall not pay any ransom in this case because your name is at stake. Arise O Lord and let your enemies be scattered!’

The congregation cried to God in similar terms, prayer chains were set up for continuous prayers and the service continued to a logical end.

Why does the church pray so vehemently? It is because the Niger Delta cause has been hijacked by criminals for selfish interest. It’s like hoodlums taking over and taking advantage of a students protest on societal ills to loot shops and harassing innocent citizens. When the Ijaw nation met in Kaiama and came out with The Kaiama Declaration., the declaration was for resource control, self-determination and justice. When the struggle became heated up, the abduction of foreign oil workers was to press for the multinational oil companies to heed the yearning and aspiration of the people whose resources were used by the nation but were not bettered by them. The multinationals as usual may have induced the release of their workers with money but that was not the intention of the abduction. The workers so abducted were taken care of.

The Ogoni Bill of Rights(1990) was even more explicit in cataloguing the marginalisation which includes lack of employment by the oil companies operating on their land, lack of infrastructure etc’.

With the increase in agitation, instead of positive response by those concerned,

’

•Continued on Page 17

16

THE NATION, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2011

Two years after her graduate only son died in accident, 51year-old woman gives birth to five children at once •Continued from Page 11 FOR several weeks between April and May this year, the Igando, Lagos residence of the couple became a tourist centre. Visitors thronged the place in their hundreds to ascertain the veracity of the story that Mary had been delivered of a set of quintuplets.

The dedication of the babies at St. John’s Catholic Church, Igando, Lagos on Saturday, September 17, 2011 coincided with the 25th anniversary of the couple’s wedding. It was, therefore no surprise that even more crowd turned out at the church than had thronged the couple’s home. The ceremony also provided our correspondent an opportunity to interact with the lucky couple in their home, and they willingly told their wonderful story.

Catering for a single baby could be tasking, much more having to take care of five. But that is a task that Mary has had to combine with her job as a teacher at Igando Community High School. Her husband, a native of Aguata community in Anambra State and retiree of the Nigeria Telecommunication Plc (NITEL) had offered to fetch her from school at the end of school hours, and an interview with her commenced as soon as she arrived.

The nursing mother explained that the gift of five babies was not the family’s first miracle. “My husband was once sacked by an overzealous boss, but he was reinstated two years later,” she said. Yet she admitted the miracle regaining a lost job was nothing close to being blessed with five children at a time she and her husband were agonising over the death of their only son; a miracle that occurred at a time she was already in her 50s and her husband was nearing three scores and ten.

Mary said: “Although, this is one big miracle in our life, we are no strangers to miracle. We were about having our wedding in 1986 when my husband suddenly lost his job in NITEL. We resorted to selling soft drinks and banana, among other items. He was unjustifiably sacked by his boss and he tried fruitlessly to regain his job. But we went ahead with our marriage plans and got married. We complemented my earnings as a teacher with the proceeds from the sale of soft drinks and banana. We carried on like that for two years before a God-sent top official of NITEL ordered my husband’s reinstatement after listening to his case.

“We were based in the then Gongola State when he lost his job. And while some people saw it as a problem, I did not see it as one, because I knew that it would not last at all. I was optimistic that a divine intervention would come our way, and it did.

“One of my colleagues, whose husband was a top executive at NITEL later invited us for a Sallah feast in their house. That was the opportunity my

•Mrs. Ezeno

husband had to tell his story to the man who later ensured that my husband was reinstated.”

The 57-year-old father of the children explained the traumatic loss of their first child in 2009 while they were returning to Lagos from their home town where the family had gone to celebrate Christmas and New Year.

He said: “It was an experience I can never forget. He would have been 25 years old today. We were on our way to Lagos after the New year celebration in January 2009 when we had an accident at a spot in Agbor, Delta State.

“I was trying to avoid a collision with a vehicle in my front when my car (a Sport Utility Vehicle) somersaulted several times. Unfortunately, while other occupants had no single scratch on their body, my son, who was flung to a corner, died.

“Although I believe that his death had a tinge of providence, he would have survived if we had got help immediately. While the other occupants of the vehicle came out unscathed, we did not see Chuddy until we later found him bleeding at a corner. For several hours, I was begging people to help me take him to the Agbor General Hospital, but no one was ready to help me. Some of them told me, ‘Sorry, just be calm, your son won’t die.’ Yet my son was foaming in the mouth where he lay helplessly.

“Later, some policemen arrived and assisted in taking him to the hospital.

But, sadly, not even a single first aid could be given to him before he died.

He was a graduate of Computer Engineering from Babcock University, Ogun State. He was preparing for his Master’s degree before the unfortunate incident.”

The loss of the only son of the Ezenos prompted the couple to take another shot at child bearing, hoping that a replacement for their loss child would come, but they got five instead.

Ezeno said: “I only planned to have two children in my life so as to be able to take good care of them. And when I lost my son, I was only left with his 22-years-old younger sister, Chukwudubem, a medical student of the Madonna University, Okija, Anambra State.

I only planned to Therefore, my wife and I decided to try having another have two children in child, hoping that another my life ...This is inmale child would come our way again to make deed a testimony to us happy. We did not the fact that our God expect that it would turn out to be a harvest is awesome. Instead of babies. of one baby, we got “This is indeed a testimony to the fact that our five—two boys and God is awesome. Instead three girls—to the of one baby, we got five— two boys and three girls—to glory of God the glory of God.” But the journey was not all

‘

’

17

THE NATION, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2011

‘My 17 days of horror in kidnappers’ den’ •Continued from Page 15

•Godwin Ezeno

While the other occupants of the vehicle came out unscathed, we did not see Chuddy until we later found him bleeding at a corner. For several hours, I was begging people to help me take him to the Agbor General Hospital, but no one was ready to help me. Some of them told me, ‘Sorry, just be calm, your son won’t die.’

Yet my son was foaming in the mouth where he lay helplessly

‘

that smooth while his wife carried the pregnancy. According to him, the prolonged strike by Lagos medical doctors and epileptic supply of electricity made the couple to seek ‘salvation’ elsewhere with the help of family friends.

He said: “My wife would have been delivered of the babies at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi Araba, Lagos but for the strike embarked upon by medical doctors in Lagos State. Besides, the frequent power outage and the charges by private hospitals in Lagos was beyond our reach. These made us to consider taking her to India with the support of friends, especially Engr. Patrick Igwilo, who contributed money. I added the little money I had as pension benefits.

“She gave birth to the children at Bombay Hospital, Mumbai, India on May 3, 2011.”

Recalling her stay at the hospital, Maryrose said:”It was a different experience entirely because of the kind of treatment and attention given to me by doctors at the hospital.

Gynecologists, dieticians, physiotherapists and other specialists gave me to-

’

tal attention without any clash of interest.

“Once a test is done, the result would be given to those concerned immediately and action would be taken without hesitation. For example, the physiotherapists would come to check out my fitness while dieticians would come around to assess the kind of food, so as to prevent a situation where I might develop obesity as a result of the kind of food I ate. “ Asked how they had been coping with caring for the children, Ezeno said: “It has not been easy, but we give God the glory. They feed on an infant formula that costs N1, 300 every two days, among other toiletries they consume on a daily basis.

“Besides, my wife is finding it a Herculean task to give give the children her attention when the need arises. I think the authorities should come to our aid since our condition is a special one. It is not an easy task caring for a child, let alone four kids at a time.

“As you must have observed when you came in, the children were agitated because their mother was not at home when they needed her attention.

armed repression by the state was adopted.

This now brought in a new wave of arms proliferation. Armed robbers now took to indiscriminate kidnap of whoever they see as having money. Children, mothers, fathers and siblings of their targets are now kidnapped. People became conscious of the trend and guard their movements. In desperation to support a lifestyle of crime, the criminals do not even respect their Creator.

They could now move into a church and kidnap. God must prove Himself to the people otherwise the church would lose its sacred title as the House of God! As the prayers continued, my church was given a new description instantly as ‘the church kidnappers visit’. Attendance at weekly and Sunday services dropped as people were afraid that the kidnappers could visit again. The fears were premised on the fact that though the congregation was small, the quality of people in the church has earned it the name- ‘Big men’s church’. In the immediate past, thieves broke into the church at night and told the security guards that “they smell a lot of money in the church’.

As days passed it looked like God had gone to sleep. The members were ignorant of the angelic visitations to me in captivity, the confusion in the camp of the captors, the break away of members of the gang and the eventual discovery of the location in the bush by the police.

Church members and outsiders alike began to ask when the answer would come. As days passed, the ransom money demanded fell from one billion naira to N500million to any million. The reducing demand was the only hope of eventual release, but 16 days without a final release was beginning to put all persons associated with the church in an awkward position as if God had forsaken this Assembly of God’s people. Nevertheless, prayers continued to be offered day and night.

This testimony is intended to inform God’s children that they should not give up hope when they pray no matter how long it takes.

It may seem as if nothing is happening, but something is happening. Daniel prayed for many days. It was only when the angel arrived that he knew what was happening in those days. The church prayed but it was only when I was released they knew that God answered their prayers . Don’t faint! Keep praying! Keep up the banter with your God! Abraham did, Hannah did and all had their heart desires.

It is 17 days now in the middle of a jungle, in an uncompleted building. It has rained and the sun has shone as usual, only that I was a victim of the elements. I have become a woman again, having ceased from breastfeeding for over two weeks.

In the night season, I had prayed and slept and in another trance I had seen an angel come in to rescue me. How would this happen without my death? Many questions, but few answers! So I prayed.

‘Today is the 17th day, Lord, I must be free.

I thank you because my rescue is coming. I saw your angel take me out of here last night.

Thank you Lord because it was so real’.

As I closed my eyes, however I saw police men with guns marching in, so I prayed again: ‘Lord, my captors have said, they would kill me if the police should come and if any of them dies. Lord I bind policemen from coming’.

In between prayers, I reasoned with myself how else would I be released, if no money would be paid, so I prayed again. ‘Okay Lord, I want to get out of here, but I pray let the policemen be invisible; let them come in unnoticed so that I will not die. Do it for me any how but today I want to be free!’

My thoughts are interrupted, someone is coming. The wooden door opens and a youth walks in with a Ghana-must-go bag with him?

So I asked him: “Is it time for me to be released? What is in that bag? “Na our walking stick dey inside “, he answered. ‘Are we ready to go?”I asked him again.

“Mummy”, he answered, “me I no understand. Your guy no dey cooperate o, but today whether he cooperate or not today na the last day.

“You know say my husband na man of God, and these men of God you know as dem dey behave a times, me too I no understand but...

I looked at the youth again. Here before me is a well built young man. The day he

•Mrs. Ekeuwei was born, his father must have taken an extra bottle in celebration that a boy child has been born to him. His father’s friends must have slapped him on the back and congratulated him.

Here before me is a youth, the mother must have been proud to have with a feeling of security that at last her marriage is secure and her old age welfare guaranteed. A young man who could have grown to be a medical doctor, a lawyer, an engineer, architect or something the society would celebrate. Suddenly, I feel a gut compassion for him. I can see the sorrow on his face, the look of despondence, a lost soul!

“Are you a child of God?”I asked. ‘Yes, I am”. he replied.

“I mean, are you born again?’ I probed again.

There was unease in him. I am getting through to him, I thought. Them he asked me. ‘Mummy can I smoke?’ I answered: “What difference does the stench of smoke make to me? I have been caged here. This is my toilet for everything. I have not taken any bath for 16 days, my menstrual flow has caked on me; I am smelling like the woman with an issue of blood. What difference does it make? You can smoke but let us talk’, I replied .

“I want you to give your life to Christ, He will take care of you”, l continued the conversation.

“Mummy, I will be a Christian after this run, I iviil be an evangelist. But promise me that you will pay my fees. I will give you an account you will pay to. You will give me your phone number. Will you pay my school fees ?” He asked. I will pay your fees, I will try even if I don ‘t have, I will try, I promise!”.

Suddenly, he sits up, ‘There is trouble! The police are here. Your husband don call police.

It’s time to die, give me that Ghana-must-go bag’.

I suddenly realised that what he referred to as walking sticks were guns. He began to cork the guns. ‘You must die, your husband don call police’.

His eyes were now stern, his face hard but terrified and determined to do evil! There was tension in the air!

“So this is how I shall end up after 16 days?”

I asked my God. “Well “. I prayed, “Lord, if I die, let me go to heaven, but just take care of my baby and my husband, I surrender to you!” Just then the wooden junk door came crashing down and in the crash an explosion, Pow!, Pow! Pow! Pow!, The youth fell down dead.

“Am I alive?” “Yes, I am!” as I pinched myself. The police had come unnoticed and surprised the camp guards, six youths lay dead.

As I was taken to the police station, memories flashed back. I could have been dead but I am alive! I have never witnessed death like this before except in films, but this was no film. This is real life.

How did we as a nation get here? Why was it me? Why must these youths not even regard the house of God but come in there to take me captive- a children’s teacher? What is the purpose of God in all this? If there was someone to pay these boys fees, would they have yielded to the lure of criminality to this extent?

18

THE NATION, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2011

18-year-old final year student of engineering hangs self •Leaves seven-page suicide note for father, mother, friends, colleagues

T

HE decision of an 18-yearold 400 level student of Chemical Engineering at the Federal University of Technology Akure to hang himself after writing a seven-page suicide note has left friends, associates and family members in serious puzzle.

The ugly incident, which occurred at a popular hotel in Apata part of Ibadan on August 20, 2011 has left many wondering why a young man with a huge prospect would decide to take his own life.

The late Kehinde Akintunde was said to have told his twin brother, who is currently undergoing his national youth service in Lagos, that he was going to work at the place he was doing his internship programme. Surprisingly, he left Lagos and headed to Ibadan to actualise his suicide mission the same day.

The late student was said to have paid for a one-day accommodation at the hotel. In the afternoon of the next day, however, the Room Manager at the hotel was said to have reported to the Hotel Manager that Kehinde was yet to vacate the room. The manager then advised his aide to exercise patience, thinking that the deceased was still sleeping.

But when it dawned on the duo that Kehinde was staying in the room for too long, they knocked at the door without any response.

They then decided to use a spare key to open the room, but it was possible to do so, apparently because the door had been locked from behind with the key left in the keyhole. Hence, the hotel managers sent for a carpenter, who forcibly opened the door only to discover Kehinde’s body dangling from the ceiling.

The shocking discovery prompted the management of the hotel to invite the police who later contacted his family members.

An eyewitness, who asked not to be named, explained that a brother to the deceased was shocked when got to the scene and saw his younger brother’s dangling body.

The source said: “It was a gory sight. The boy purposely checked into the hotel to carry out his suicide mission. He actually paid for one-day accommodation and about mid-day the following day, he had not checked out of the room. This made the Room Manager to alert the Hotel Manager about the development. When it became clear that he was not going to come out soon, the managers of the hotel contracted a carpenter to force the door open only to discover Kehinde’s lifeless body dangling from the ceiling.”

Findings revealed that when the mother of the deceased was accompanied by some clerics to the hotel, she said: “Please, tell me what has happened, because I don’t understand what is going on. How can my son, who you claimed was being held in a police cell, be in a hotel?

“Is Kehinde dead? I am also a counsellor in my church and with the kind of words of sympathy going on, I can tell you that someone has died.”

Her utterances were said to

•An aerial view of Apata, Ibadan area where Kehinde took his life. Inset: His dangling body

Kunle AKINRINADE have prompted the clerics to open up to Kehinde’s mother on the matter, but she rebuffed every attempt to dissuade her from having a look at her late son’s body, saying that as a nurse, she could not be afraid of seeing a dead body.

Kehinde’s mother was said to have been shocked the more when she was confronted with a sevenpage suicide note his son had written before committing suicide. “Ah, my glory, my beauty and my mirror is gone!” she reportedly said.

The seven-page suicide note written by the deceased, which started with his adoration for his mother, father, brother and cousins, among others, reads: “To my mother: you are the best mother in the world and I have not seen your equal. You are valiant among women and you are indeed the most precious person to me. I love you and I want you to know that you are outstanding among the women folk.

“To my father: (I am bemused and I want to smile before continuing with writing this note).You are a great father and you discovered the latent talent that God has bestowed on me. You don’t have to regret not stopping me from this mission, because I am already at a point of no return.

“Personally, it is indeed a painful decision to part with my relations this way. But then, I am already at a point of no return.

“To my aunty and her husband: you are the best couple I have seen in my life. I salute your courage and vision. I know that you will be a successful nurse in future. As for my brother’s fiancée, don’t be devastated by my gruesome death, because people die every day. Continue to be good to people.”

“To my brother: I have not seen a well qualified doctor like you.

Continue to save lives. But don’t waste your time trying to find a solution to frustration, because I know that there is no cure for it.

“To my nephew: don’t be devastated because of my impending death. But continue to follow your heart in all you do.

“To my uncle: You don’t have to be disturbed but follow your conscience all the time.

“To my brother’s son: I have never seen a boy that can make people laugh as much as you do.

Please don’t let anyone take your talent from you, because you shall reap bountifully from being a comedain in future.

“To Taiye, my twin brother: I have spent the better part of my life with you. My actions or inactions might have given you joy or sorrow when we were together, but remember that you still have many more years to spend on earth. Therefore, this is the time to be a man and take things easy and be of help to others in the society.

“To my brother’s daughters: it’s a regret that I will not be around to see you when you grow up to become adults. You are indeed smart girls!

“To my colleagues at work: continue to work with one purpose, because I am happy knowing you.

I, however, apologise to all my brothers for taking to suicide. My friends have been so wonderful and you gave meaning to my life when I was alive.

He then continued to answer likely posers that people that people might come up with after his death, saying: “Why suicide?

Don’t you know that I am like an adult who has`seen it all in life?

‘

Life is all about hope, fear and love, and their absence creates frustration in a man’s life. If I don’t commit suicide now, it will definitely come some other day. It could be in three months time, one year, three years or five years to come, but it will definitely happen

’

Don’t consider my actions on the basis of an 18-year-old, because it is better to quit the scene for others after giving one’s best in life. Suicide remains the only option when one is faced with a lot of pains in life.

“I don’t believe in any religion, be it Christianity, Islam or traditional religion, because there is no salvation in any of them.

Death is inevitable and there is no death that is not painful.

“You are not seeing what I am seeing right now. A friend of mine once described me as a time bomb waiting to explode, and I think it is better to detonate gently now than to explode with a loud noise that may trigger further crisis.

“My only advice to my twin brother is that he should listen to my father at all times, because I have a lot of admiration for him.

“I want to appeal to everyone who knows me to always cherish my fond memory whether good or bad. I cherish all the days of my life in the world, but it is good to quit when the ovation is loudest, like a good actor. As for me, I don’t believe in life after death. A dead man is a dead man.

“My parents should put themselves together and consider my death as one of those things in life. I know that very soon, they shall overcome the pains of losing me this way.

“I can’t really give any reason for dropping this suicide note.

But i just want to use it to answer Continued on Page 56

19

THE NATION, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 08, 2011

Saturday

THRILLER

'Twenty-first century slaves’ Sad, ugly world of Nigeria's child servants

S

eneme, eight, loved to pee in her mistress's cooking pot. She diligently prepared eba (cassava pudding) for the entire family to eat; from her pee. Until she got caught. Predictably, her mistress (name withheld), a banker, flew into a rage and boxed her left eye to a pulp with a pestle. Her mistress's husband simply burst into tears. He cried so hard that neighbours began to wonder if it was the house help's revelation that they had been eating and drinking from her pee for 19 months that moved him to tears or the fact that the eight-year-old might get away with it. And she got away with it.

“Tell me, what could we possibly do to an eight-year-old? Even the fact that my wife had bashed her head in anger had generated empathy for her among our neighbours. Very few people sympathized with us. The general and yet unvoiced consensus among our neighbours seemed to be that we deserved it.

Tell me, who deserves to eat food and drink tea prepared from a dirty maid's urine? Who? I don't know what my wife did to her but I have done nothing wrong to that girl neither has my four-year-old son done anything to her. She will pay for this,” swore her mistress's husband.

But Seneme would argue that she has got nothing to pay for. So did her agent, a clothes merchant who simply identified herself as Iya Bimbo. The latter argued that Seneme had been subjected to too much hardship and inhumanity by the family. “Look at her all over. The marks you see were not there when I brought her from Cotonou. That woman (Seneme's mistress)

Olatunji OLOLADE, Assistant Editor

never treated her right. I cannot count the number of times the poor girl secretly phoned me to come and rescue her.

“Last November, she (Seneme’s mistress) stripped her naked, beat her with horsewhip and splashed hot peppered water all over her body because she cooked the meat till it got burnt. The poor girl fainted when she could not withstand the torture any longer. Would she treat her own kids in that manner?

What do I tell her parents? That I almost got their daughter killed all for a paltry N5, 000 monthly?” said Iya Bimbo The agent claimed that Seneme probably prepared food for her employer’s family to eat from her pee as a way of getting back at her mistress. But according to Seneme, there is simply nothing worth explaining about her actions as she persistently refused to give reasons for her actions. Sacked by her former employer, the eight-year-old dreams of returning home.

But no one knows what stuff Chidinma’s dreams are made of. On her coarse spot in front of her mistress’s kitchen door, does she retire to dream of freedom or hope? There is little to remember and much to forget about hope in the heart of the eight-year-old. Particularly when she recollects how her parents pawned her off to the highest bidder that came with her “Aunt Ufuoma,” her father’s sister who lives in Lagos, on a very rainy day in April.

Continued on Pages 20-21

20 •Continued from page 19 They arrived at her father’s house in Okigwe, Imo State, in a very big car with shiny wheels.

But even though the visitor promised her parents and her aunt assured them that she would be well taken care of, Chidinma claimed that she is not being well taken care of.

No sooner had she arrived in Lagos than her employer changed her name from Chidinma to Agnes. Then she listed to her a routine of mostly hard tasks and house chores for an eightyear-old. Every day, Chidinma retires to sleep around 11.30 p.m. to rise around 4.30 a.m. the next day to perform the house chores. Even at her tender age, Chidinma has perfected the art of multi-tasking. While she sweeps her employer’s four bedroom apartment, she puts breakfast on fire and washes the car of her mistress and her first daughter, a university undergraduate.

Sometimes, if the food gets burnt while she is busy doing some other things, her employer pounces on her and beats her mercilessly, she claimed. “Once, she stuck my hands into very hot beans because I left it on fire till it became too thick. She pressed my hands to the bottom of the pot even though it was still on fire. I cried very hard and begged her but she didn’t answer me,” disclosed Chidinma rubbing her scarred hands disconsolately.

Secretive, unfriendly and pale, the eight-yearold seems possessed by desperation to desert her current abode. Soon that desperation may evolve into a thirst for mere survival. However, today, as many six-year-olds would, when torn apart from their families and old lives, Chidinma is desperate to return home.

But Sade isn’t. Unlike the eight-year-old, the native of Akoko in Ondo State has perfected for herself, a series of survival strategies. According to her when life with her first employer became too unbearable for her, she conspired with her agent, “Iya Bimbo” and together, they hatched her get-away plan. They lied to her boss that her mother had died and that she had to be home for the final funeral rites.

Sade didn’t travel back to Akoko, she was simply contracted off to another family in New Oko Oba, Agege. At her current abode, life isn’t any better as her mistress according to her, possesses a “beastly” character and a very foul tongue. “She curses too much. And whenever she is angry with me, she picks up anything to beat me. Once she threw a knife at me. On another occasion, she pressed the sharp edge of a breadknife against my body and dragged it repeatedly on my chest and back. She said I was the one who told her husband that it was her son who stole money from his wardrobe.

But I didn’t even know what she was talking about. She called me ashewo (prostitute) and accused me of wanting to snatch her husband,” revealed Sade.

But the 14-year-old claimed she never intended to snatch her employer’s husband until he started to fondle her buttocks and her breast every time she was alone with him in any part of the house. However, things got to a head one Saturday evening while her mistress was not around. According to her, “He burst into the bathroom naked just after I had taken my bath. He never bothered to carry me into the bedroom; he simply forced me on the floor and raped me. He didn’t care that I was a virgin. He hurt me so much. He was very, very rough.”

Sade claimed that she reported the incident to her agent but the latter chastised her for letting her employer’s husband rape her. She said she ought to have been cooperative and subsequently advised her to yield to his sexual advances every time. She even went ahead to buy her a pair of tights and fitted tops. “She told me to put it on whenever madam (her mistress) is not around. She said it was my chance to make serious money in Lagos,” said Sade.

Now the 14-year-old seems to be making serious money in Lagos. So far, she has been able to save up N43, 850 from gifts from her employer’s husband. Asides the latter, she has a steady relationship with her employer’s first son. “He (i.e. the son) understands why I am doing it with his father. He knows I am trying to raise some money so that I can quit this job and finance my catering business. He loves me so much. Unlike his father who simply demands for sex always; even when I am menstruating.

Once, when my flow was very heavy, he forced himself on me on the kitchen floor even though his last child and mother-in-law were asleep in the living room,” lamented Sade.

The plight of Seneme, Chidinma and Sade among others, illustrate the predicament of numerous young girls and minors employed as house helps or domestic servants across the country. According to the Child Welfare League of Nigeria (CWLN), Nigeria may have the largest number of child domestic workers in the world, since nearly every household has a child domestic servant - at least the households of every government employee. Most of these children end up being physically, emotionally, and sexually abused – particularly the girls.

THE NATION, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2011

Sad, ugly world of Nigeria's child servants

These kids who are often treated as child slaves are subjected to untold hardship. They cook, clean, do laundry, iron, take care of their employers’ kids and go on errands. They perform additional duties such as answering telephone and doorbell, feeding pets and purchasing food and other supplies. They are forced to perform many difficult tasks beyond their age which causes them to fall ill or die. Oftentimes they are simply tortured.

Sexual abuse and personal violence against child servants marked out this occupation as highly vulnerable. Sex is just one form of exploitation. Many servants – some as young as seven or eight - are on duty around the clock.

They are entitled to no vacation and they never leave the house. They eat poorly – basically left-over; they sleep on the kitchen floor and are paid little or virtually too little for the enormous tasks they do.

The recruitment of kids for such servitude has also become very lucrative business for some people who now go to the rural areas to recruit children from their parents and transport them to the cities. At the cities, the children are distributed to different families who brazenly renege on their earlier promises to send the kids to school, feed them properly, clothe them decently and offer them appropriate medical care.

According to Idris Ishola, a teacher and child rights activist, “It’s a very sorry situation. Most of these kids are left to die of ailments their employers can easily buy drugs for. Both the employers and the agents (child servant recruiters) are so heartless that they do not care what the fate of the children eventually becomes.

Employers pay as low as N2, 000 per month to the agent in charge of which the latter helps herself to a substantial amount and sends a paltry sum, usually at the end of every quarter, every six months or a year to the kids parents.”

Salaries and wages of child servants The location of the domestic worker and the degree of affluence of their employers hardly imposes any significant effect on the salaries that they earn as the same pattern of salary distribution was found in various locations. On the average, most domestic workers earn between N2, 000 and N5, 000 monthly.

Most adolescent domestic workers are poorly paid considering the amount of work that they do on a daily basis. A considerable number of child servants in Victoria Island and Ikoyi feel that their salary was not commensurate to the amount of work that they do. More respondents in the Abule-Egba, Agege, Agbado and Oke-Aro axis corroborated the assertion.

They however, consider their access to regular meals in their employers’ homes as adequate compensation. Interviews with child servants imported from the Federal Republic of Benin revealed that they would rather work with Nigerians and earn low salaries than work with foreigners, particularly Asians, as the latter they alleged, are usually very stingy with their meals. Some of these child servants do not earn salaries as they are brought to Lagos or other parts of the country by their close relatives.

For instance, Comfort, a 15-year-old child servant from Umukegwu, Ideato North Local Government Area (LGA) of Imo State, disclosed that it was her aunt who secured her the job and brought her to Lagos. “I do not receive my salary as my aunty brought me to Lagos and secured me this job. She negotiated the salary

•Security operatives intercept lorry-load of trafficked kids bound for different forms of servitude.

•Aminata, a child servant from the Republic of Benin on my behalf and the arrangement we have is that she collects it at the end of every month.

Half of my salary goes to the settling of a debt incurred by my father while he was alive and the remaining half she claims to be keeping for me. She said she will use it to set me up in trade after my service (domestic servitude).”

Likewise, Praise, a 14-year old teenager and child servant living with her uncle, a Lagos based lawyer, said that her uncle came to Cross River with his wife to request that her parents allow her to live with him in Lagos. “He promised to send me to school. And he gave my parents N20, 000 promising to give them some more anytime they need money. I don’t think he still sends money to them because the last time my mother called, she was complaining bitterly. He buys me second-hand clothes and buys his children new clothes. I am tired of living here. Whenever I ask him when I would start schooling, he shouts at me. He says I am ungrateful. I had a better life back at home

(Cross River),” said the 14-year-old.

And the house helps strike back...

Nobody knows the extent to which many domestic servants are willing to go to achieve the good life and in the same mileage, extract their pounds of flesh from insufferable bosses but everybody knows how desperate some could become in their quest for revenge.

For instance, while Abiola and Odunola Okunowo returned from a party on a Sunday afternoon, to discover that Rebecca, their female house-help, had made away with Biola, their three-year-old son and valuables estimated at N220, 000. The house-help left a hurriedly scribbled note to warn them against reporting to the police or initiating a search if they would love to hold their son again.

After suffering through a long wait for a ransom call, a young man who claimed to be Rebecca’s boyfriend called them two days afterwards to tell them that they could pick their

21

THE NATION, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2011

‘

Once, she stuck my hands into very hot beans because I left it on fire till it became too thick.

She pressed my hands to the bottom of the pot even though it was still on fire. I cried very hard and begged her but she didn’t listen to me

’

The crux is that the period of the buyer’s control might be extended if the children are moved into areas where they do not know the language, and have neither the social networks nor the financial resources to return. This results in a rather bizarre phenomenon in West African countries, such as Benin and Nigeria— the “exchange” of child labour migrants.

The economic essence of these transactions is that the children’s economic survival is achieved through a credit operation in which the consumption is repaid by the child’s future increased working capacity. The shuffling of children through the African extended family system performed, and still performs in many ways, the same task, in most cases in a more subtle way.

The new tendency is the systematic discrimination between the privileged relatives’ kids and the fostered children of relatives who are kept as domestic servants. Oftentimes, a pledge to send the fostered kids to school serves as a great incentive for parents to give up their wards to be fostered.

“But these poor kids are never sent to school.

Basically, they are subjected to the harshest forms of servitude. Its like second slavery. The youngest house-help is treated as a 21st century slave by her employers. And the society sees nothing wrong with it,” lamented Bilkis Afolabi, a teacher.

•This bus-load of trafficked kids was intercepted en route the kids’ distribution points.

•Women’s Consortium of Nigeria (WOCON) officers rescue kids trafficked from the Republic of Benin for domestic servitude in Nigeria

son up at a neighbourhood park. “He said they just wanted to punish my wife for her wickedness to his fiancée (Rebecca),” revealed Abiola, adding that they alerted the police In another incident, a five-year-old pupil of a Lagos-based primary school on December 13, 2010 disappeared without a trace even though she was meant to be picked up from school by the family’s house-help.

The five-year-old’s disappearance was mystifying and predictably, her parents, family and friends could not sleep in the harrowing hours in which she got missing in the custody of her captor whom they had harboured and helped for years. On the seventh day, the family received an anonymous call from her kidnappers to pick her up from outside Lagos.

She was alleged to have been snatched by the “houseboy” who planned to phone her parents a few days later to request for a ransom of N500, 000. But when his partners backed out, he panicked. Consequently, he phoned her dad

to come and pick them up at Ifo, Ogun State where he confessed to the crime.

Not a few Nigerians love to hire paid servants to take care of their children and do house chores particularly in the nation’s cities and suburbs where a busy work schedule keeps most parents outdoors and away from their children for the most part of the day.

To make matters worse, when domestic workers or house-helps are hired, background checks are hardly done on them hence when they commit a crime; it’s easier for them to vanish without a trace.

Newspapers recount stories about individual children sold practically as slaves. Slave-like arrangements are reported about children from Benin, Togo, Ghana, Nigeria, and Burkina Faso, but the gray zones between slavery and contracted child labour may, in this case, be blurry.

In the cases of sales observed in an African context, geographic space is created between the sellers and buyers.

The market for domestic services The market for domestic servants is the most extensive market for child labour in Sub-Saharan Africa. In the cities of Lagos and Cotonou (Benin), it is estimated that one-half of the households have a domestic servant, and that around 85 percent are girls; in Lomé (Togo) one-third of the households are estimated to have a house girl, most of them children.

If one-third of the urban households had a child domestic servant, and we assume a household size of five, this will roughly add up to over 14 million child domestic servants in African cities, estimated sociological experts.

The sector has a mix between a parent-controlled and a child-controlled supply. In practice, as the geographic and social distance between the employer and parents increases, the child becomes more independent. The poorer the parents, the less control will they be able and willing to give. The majority of parents are poor; therefore, the supply of domestic services becomes most often child-controlled.

Because the youngest children have the weakest exit opportunities, the outcome in the bargaining process after their arrival is likely to result in the weakest receiving the lowest pay and working the longest hours.

In many cases, child servants – usually female – serving in large houses, food canteens and pubs live in their own shelters, in which the older girls assume the role of supervisors for the younger who have just arrived in the city. Salary differences are considerable, and the younger girls can, in many ways, be seen as apprentices in domestic work.

Observers with first-hand knowledge of the market tend to describe it as segmented. The youngest house girls, as young as six years old, but normally between eight and 12, get very low pay if anything at all, work long hours,

and often are treated harshly, including receiving more physical punishment than they get at home. A normal payment for a house girl of this kind in Lagos is around N4, 000 per month.

In Lomé and Cotonou, the payment is about the same. Because of their young age and lack of knowledge of the urban setting, they are considered “low-quality” house girls; they may make many mistakes, not properly caring for the younger children in the house, or breaking a glass, something that may lead to subtractions from their salary.

The demanding households are normally in the lower income range because households that can afford it would prefer higher quality help. The older house girls are more independent, more difficult to discipline, and less harshly exploited since their bargaining position is stronger, but they are more often exposed to sexual harassment. Their pay is considerably higher, often close to N5, 000 per month, while differences are smaller in West Africa.

Households in the higher income bracket in the urban population employ them. While less exploited, this segment of the market has its own efficiency problems.The transplantation of male polygamous behaviour in an urban setting contributes to these market efficiency problems. When employing a house girl, the housewife fears that the girl may steal particularly her husband or boyfriend. Wise management dictates a short-term contract and a quick turnover of house girls.

Although the house girls are often exposed to serious sexual harassment, the housewife’s concern is legitimate. Seen from the house girl’s point of view, an adult male with a well-paid job in the formal sector may be a promising object for investment in time and care, and a chance for upward mobility, even though risky.

The risk of being let go or getting pregnant is high.

The short-term status of the employment contract induces a low degree of loyalty and may increase the risk of stealing; either goods or persons, since the house girl knows that she will soon be fired anyway. This segment of the market has several negative external effects due to its short-term contracting. The children that “belong” to the household receive low quality care with negative consequences for their future capacities. The house girl experiences lower welfare and a more insecure situation, with a considerable outflow to the (child-) prostitution markets.

The whole game confirms low-trust behaviour patterns, which are harmful to growth.

However, these external effects are, to some extent, mitigated when the house girl and the household belong to the same family or village network.

In the interest of Nigeria’s child-servants According to Barrister Simon Egede, Executive Secretary of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons and Other Related matters (NAPTIP), “Those who engage children in this form of activities stand the risk of going to jail for 5 years while if you employ a child to do work that is so tedious that it will adversely affect his physical, mental, spiritual, moral or social development, you risk going to jail for another years.”

He said the phenomenon of child domestic labour popularly called house-help syndrome in the country is currently a horrific trend in trafficking in persons and that the Act establishing the agency has criminalised the procurement of under-aged persons as child servants outside their family circle.

According to him, “the essence of this section of the Anti-trafficking law is to fortify the rights of the child and to ensure full mental and physical development of the child. It is not meant to destroy our cherished African Traditional Fostering System but to supplement the African value for the weak and vulnerable in the society. The basic assumption of the law is that the child within the family environment would be faithfully catered for while the ones outside the family environment may be exposed to abuse, deprivation and above all exploitation.”

True. But not a few families across the country are probably scoffing at the NAPTIP scribe’s assertion right now. Noble as his organisation’s intentions and its supporting Act are, prevalent social realities in the country militate against the realisation of such noble objectives.

For instance, two years after Act criminalising the use of children as servants was established, a containerized vehicle with 67 children from Edati Local Government of Niger State was intercepted and brought to NAPTIP. Then there were the isolated cases of intercepted lorry loads of 57 and 68 children from Yala Local Government of Cross River State in 2008 and another truck load of 69 children from Kaduna State.

The children were rescued by NAPTIP and eventually re-united with their various families even as the latter await the next promising knock on their doors by the proverbial agent that would come to take their children to “a better life in Lagos city.”

22

THE NATION, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2011

Our involvement in armed robbery was based on contract —Female suspects ‘ is to My job help armed robbers on contract basis. In every operation, I follow and assist them and they pay me N15,000, whether they succeed or not.

I don’t carry guns

‘

•Fausat and Kemi

T

WO female robbery suspects have confessed that their operations are based on contract. Arrested by the operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Lagos State Police Command, 38-year-old Fausat Anifowoshe and 32-year-old Kemi Adesanya say they are guaranteed the sum of N15,00 each in any robbery operation they take part in, whether it succeeds or not.

Their major role in any robbery operation,

Ebele BONIFACE they said, is to frisk victims and collect all the valuable items on them, including money, jewellery and phones. In operations involving car-snatching, they would entice a car owner with their bodies, drug him and then tell one of their gang members to take over the steering. One of them will then sit with

the driver of the vehicle and pose as the driver’s girlfriend or wife.

Narrating their involvement in a robbery operation in Ifo, Ogun State recently, Anifowoshe, who hails from Benin, Edo State but was until her arrest a trader in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, said: “My job is to help armed robbers on contract basis. In every operation, I follow and assist them and they pay me N15,000, whether they succeed or not. I don’t carry guns.

“In the last operation we carried out, I sat in front of the car, which was being driven to the (Nigerian/Benin) border. It was one Laitan Abidoye who disclosed to SARS operatives that I accompanied one Alhaji Obe, a principal suspect in SARS net, when he wanted to cross to Ilara, Ogun State with a car he had snatched from toll gate (at SangoOtta), also in Ogun state between 10 pm and 11pm on a day I cannot remember now.”

Asked what role she played in the operation, she said: “On that day, one Alhaji Obe called me on the phone and asked me to come and meet him at Toll Gate in Sango-Otta area.

“When I arrived, he told me to sit in the front seat in order to confuse law enforcement agents when he wanted to take the car across to Cotonou (Benin Republic).

“I sat in the vehicle and we took off to Ilara in Ogun State. We took the Itori bush path, so we met no Police or Immigration check point. Even the customs men we saw did not stop us because it was a remote area and there was no checkpoint.

“When we got to Ilara, I alighted. But on that particular day, I was given only N10,000.

Since it was already getting to 5 am, I had to find somewhere to sleep, so that I would take off in the morning to my place at Agbara, along the Badagry Expressway.

Unfortunately for me, on August 15, 2011, I saw the officer in charge of SARS (SP Abba Kyari) and six others wearing black vests with the inscription The Scorpions in my house at No 15, Irokosun Close, Agbara.

“They asked me whether I knew one Olaitan and I said yes. They then asked me the whereabouts of one Alhaji Obe and I took them where they would get him. We got there at about 2 am on Monday. Fortunately, we got Alhaji Obe. “When the SARS men asked of Kemi Adesanya, I also took them to her hotel room at Bank Street, Ifo, Ogun State. SARS operatives asked Kemi where they would

get one Tope and one Alhaji Sunday who is based in Cotonou. Kemi told the police team that Tope’s house was in Otta, Ogun State, and we moved to the place. Unfortunately, we could not find him. Thereafter, I was returned to SARS’ office at the police headquarters, Ikeja, Lagos.”

Asked the number of operations she had participated in, she said: “I have participated in as many as six operations. I should have made N90,000, but they short-paid me. They paid me for only four months.

Each operation is N15,000, but they paid me N60,000 only. They are still owing me N30,000.”

On what she did with the N60,000, she said: “I boarded vehicles to my house, bought foodstuff, fed my children, paid their school fees and bought text books for them.”

Asked about her marital life, she said\; “The only man I have is Olaitan, who took the place of my late husband. My children call him daddy. He was the one who came with SARS and pointed at me. So, he is no more my sweetheart but my bitter-heart.

He pointed me out as one of them when I expected him to behave like a man.

Explaining her foray into the world of crime, she said it was a woman friend of hers called Amudat, an indigene of Abeokuta whose business was based at Ojuelegba, Lagos, who lured her into it.

“She is in SARS’ cell now,” she added. “I will never date a criminal again. I did not know that they were criminals. I thought they were smugglers until I saw them in action. I was just following them and taking instructions from them, to escort them across the border for a fee.”

Narrating her role in the gang also, Kemi said: “Initially, I thought they were smugglers. It was after moving and working with them for some time that I discovered that they were armed robbers. Having participated in their operations more than six times, it was difficult and risky to withdraw. The total money they paid me was N60,000. They are still owing me money for two trips, which is N30,000.”

Explaining how she was arrested, she said: “I was the one they came to arrest at Ifo, at a hotel whose name or address I cannot remember now. I was arrested between 2am and 3am on Monday while I was with one Obe. “On that day, he had come to Nigeria from Cotonou and called me on the phone to locate me. We lodged in one room in the hotel, discussing business before Fausat stormed the hotel with SARS operatives.

“Their oga (Kyari) asked me who Tope was and where they could get Alhaji Sunday, and I took them to Tope’s house in Otta.

“Unfortunately, she escaped before we arrived at her house at Okeoba side in Otta.

They then bundled me back to SARS’ base in Ikeja, Lagos.”

While she admitted that the gang at times robbed commercial buses and houses in Lagos and Ogun states, she said she had never participated in armed robbery. All she did, she said, was to assist the gang in taking snatched cars across border.

Explaining how she got involved with the gang, she said: “It was in a bid to feed my children. Just to sit down in front of a car and reach Ilara and end up collecting N15,000 to feed my children. I did not know that they were criminals. I thought it was mere smuggling.

“I did not know Olaitan until they brought him to SARS’ base. I have not seen Olaitan before. If I knew that their activities were criminal, I would not have participated in taking their cars across.”

LOCATION

BACKSTAGE

SNAPSHOT

REEL NEWS

MUSIC

SCREEN

Edited by: VICTOR AKANDE

Tel: 08077408676

E-mail: victor_akande@yahoo.com

ntertainment

THE NATION, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2011

23

My son is the reason I’m yet to marry a s u a l A n Toyi

--Page 28 & 37

24

THE NATION, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2011

STANDh BY! Wit

VICTOR AKANDE

Afro Hollywood Best Entertainment Writer 2009

E-mail: victor_akande@yahoo.com Tel: 08077408676 (SMS only)

THINK

SNAPSHOTS

nt part of An importa s of any the succes is its civilisation late the mu ability to e t led to the a factors th f other success o s.—Eric civilisation rt Reine

Woes of voting pattern in music reality TV

O

NE attribute that has characterised competition in this part of the world is the ability of the loser to accept defeat.

As bad as this rare sportsmanship may seem, some forms of competition like reality shows have given competitors and fans alike who have the tendency of a bad loser to latch on the SMS voting method to discredit the judgements that often come out of such shows.

Last week, Vickiola was kicked out of the Glo Naija Sings competition as the first evictee, and viewers who thought she probably did better than one or two participants did not feel too good about her early exit.

Even some judges of the competition who saw the prospect in the lady couldn't do anything to keep her in the house.

And so word of consolation started pouring in. And you'd hear statements like; 'a competition is a platform for an artistes to showcase what they have got therefore win or lose, the experience and exposure is the most important'. Now, one begins to wonder how much experience some one like Vickiola have garnered in just one day of performance.

Isn't it possible that her fate has been finally sealed by her fans who were not responsive enough through votes that could have galvanised her to the next level?

Perhaps if Omawuni had been evicted first in the West African Idols that gave Timi Dakolo the laurels in 2007, her moral could have been dampened and inferiority complex may have killed the spirit with which she has excelled today. Yes, Omawumi may have been used as a consolation to those who have lost out of reality shows, being that she appears to be making more success out of her career than

That's on the lighter side.

But candidly, in a world ...The popularity where fanaticism reigns of voting system supreme, it is dangerous to in reality shows is put an artiste's fate totally in the hands of the voting an indication that public. But because every competition has got its rules it has its own and principles, the rules for a advantages, one of show sponsored by a which may be the telecommunications company cannot be short of fact that there is voting as a way of recouping need for massive some of its investments and popularising the network. participation and But beyond, this, a show like Big Brother Africa which consequently, a does not have a balance in decision telecommunication company as sponsors has also adopted making process this method.

Therefore, the popularity of voting system in reality the winner of her edition of shows is an indication that it West African idols, but she has its own advantages, one had enough time on the platforms for people to notice of which may be the fact that there is need for massive her and today, everyone participation and knows she is as good as the consequently, a balance in winner if not better. decision making process.

While some thought luck This way, the autocracy of and ability are two major the judges is checked while factors that rule a the fans are given a sense of competition of that nature, others are of the opinion that, belonging.

Looking at this dilemma, a luck seems to be playing a school of thought is of the bigger factor in the scheme. If opinion that the fear of an the latter is anything to go unfair result is no longer by, then very soon, we may pointing in the direction of start having contenders going for luck charms before judges of reality contest, but to the unsuspecting voting entering any competition. public. Because indeed, how much friends you have, and Perhaps if not how talented you are, Omawuni had been appears to determine your Or is it how much evicted first in the vote. money your fans have to buy West African Idols recharge cards?

Perhaps it won't be out of that gave Timi place to delay voting by the Dakolo the laurels public until the competition in 2007, her moral arrives at the last three contenders. Should this look could have been like the judges' veto would be dampened and too overwhelming, there may inferiority complex be the need to match the choice with the may have killed the judges' public's vote in equal percentage. That way, we can spirit with which be sure that the decision to she has excelled pick who stays and who is today evicted would be the prerogative of all.

WRITE TO US! Do you watch Nollywood movies? What do you think of the Nigerian motion picture industry? Send your review of any movie or short essay on any topic of your choice about the film industry in not more than 200 words. Send entries by e-mail to: victor_akande@yahoo.com or SMS your short comments to 08077408676

• Bimbola

Nollywood stars inspire underprivileged kids

•Joke Silva

A

GELESS actress, Joke Silva has been selected alongside another thespian in the person of Bimbola Akintola as judges in the third edition of Gems in the Rough Fun Day taking place in Lagos on the 8th of October, 2011.

The event which is being organised by the Lindy's Gems Foundation will incorporate a talent show in categories that include singing, poetry, dance as well as drama, and will feature other celebrity judges such as ace dancer Kafayatu Shafau, popularly known as Kafy, and Ben Ogbewi.

The fun day will provide less privileged children with a platform to interact, play and showcase their talents in a convivial environment that is devoid of social segregation.

Eme Aderinokun, visionary, Lindy's Gems Foundation and Chief Executive of Lindy's Events, said play is essential to the development of children, if they must attain their full potential in life. This, she says, align with her vision of building self-motivated, balanced and confident children across Nigeria and Africa, as a whole using fun as a tool. “We are intent on bridging the gap between the privileged and less privileged children in the society, by giving the latter who are deprived, access to beneficial and quality fun experience to positively fire their imagination and creativity, while also improving their social skills and self-esteem.”

Lindy's Gems in the Rough fun day is powered by Lindy's Event and supported by Nutricima, Aero Contractor, GTBank, HiTV, Footprints, IBST Media, Rapport Media, TW Magazine, and HNK Events.

Ifeanyi Dike recovers

N

EWS emanating from the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) says Prince Ifeanyi Dike, Chairman, Board of Trustees, AGN, is back from India where he underwent a successful kidney transplant.

Prince Dike, who arrived Nigeria earlier this month, got a tumultuous welcome from AGN members. Among members on hand to welcome him at the airport were, the National President, Mr. Segun Arinze, BOT members, Messrs Sony Mcdon W and Emma Ogugua, President emeritus, Mr Zack Orji and wife, AGN NEC members, Hakeem Rahman and Abubakar Yakubu and Omobola Renee Badejo, Lagos State Chapter Chairman Emeka Rising and his Exco members others include Obi Madubugo, Florence Onuma among others.

The highly elated

Prince Dike, it was said, expressed gratitude to AGN members and the entire Nollywood practitioners for their support in ensuring he did not die.

Meanwhile, AGN President thanked spirited Nigerians, among who are the President Goodluck Jonathan and Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola for their support in keeping Prince Dike alive.

•Dike

Guinea will be tough —Kalu Uche Pg. 34

Nation Saturday, October 8, 2011

JUDGEMENT DAY

Eagles battle Guinea for sole ticket Pg. 30

Group 02 Teams

MP

W

D

L

GF

GA

Pts

Guinea

5

4

1

0

11

3

13

Nigeria

5

3

1

1

10

3

10

Ethiopia

5

1

1

3

4

11

4

Madagascar

5

0

1

4

2

10

1

30

35

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 08, 2011

NATION SPORT

NATION SPORT

Qualification Criteria (Orange CAN 2012)

T

HE following teams will qualify for the final phase of the 2012 ACN: - The team finishing first in each group.

- The team finishing second from the Group K (where there five (5) teams) - The two best teams finishing second from ten other groups. (excluding Group K) The two best second placed teams from groups 1- 10 will be determined by considering their results with the teams in first and the third positions in their respective groups AND not considering their results with the (4th) last placed teams in their groups in order to permit Group F (Burkina Faso, The Gambia and Namibia) to stay in the competition for the two best second teams.

In the case where Group k is reduced to four teams in the course of the competition, only the first team of the group will automatically qualify for the ACN. The second team will have to run for the three best second teams of the group.

How to determine best second

placed teams: Highest number of points Better Goal difference Higher number of Goals scored play-off match Participating teams: North Zone: Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morroco, Tunisia West A Zone: Cape Verte, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Senegal,Sierra Leone West B Zone: Benin, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Togo Centre Zone: Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, DR Congo, Chad Centre-East Zone: Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania South Zone: South Africa, Angola, Botswana, Comores, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, Zambia, Zimbabwe None participating: Djibouti, Eritrea, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Somalia Withdrew: Mauritania

GROUP STANDINGS

JUDGEMENT DAY

Eagles battle Guinea for sole ticket

As the Super Eagles of Nigeria file out today against the Syli Stars of Guinea in an all important African Cup of Nations qualification match at the Abuja National Stadium, football fans in the country are uptimistic that the senior national team will clinch the sole ticket in Group B at the expense of Guinea.While some pundits see the Super Eagles getting an easy ride over the Central African country, others have tagged it "The judgement day" for both teams, as the Guineans are no pushovers. Though the Nigerians have been talking tough, the Sattelite of African football will, however, be beaming the crucial match expecially considering the fact that top football playing countries like, Cameroon, Egypt, Algeria, have fallen by the way side. NationSport's duo of Andrew Abbah and Patrick Nwaogu spoke to the players in their Abuja camp.

Dele Ayenugba I am not afraid of anybody. Football is a game of eleven aside. You have to play with a team at every point in time. My defence is up to the task, and they are very ready for the game ahead. Like I said it is eleven aside, we are ready and will always be ready.

GROUP 01 MALI ZIMBABWE CAPE VERDE LIBERIA

MP 5 5 5 5

W 3 2 2 1

D 0 2 1 1

L 2 1 2 3

GF 7 6 5 5

GA 4 3 6 10

PTS 9 8 7 4

MP 5 5 5 5

W 4 3 1 0

D 0 2 1 1

L 1 0 3 4

GF 11 6 1 2

GA 2 1 6 11

PTS 12 11 4 1

MP 5 5 5 5

W 2 2 1 1

D 2 2 2 2

L 1 1 2 2

GF 5 5 5 3

GA 1 3 6 8

PTS 8 8 5 5

MP 5 5 5 5

W 4 2 2 0

D 1 2 1 0

L 0 1 2 5

GF 14 9 8 2

GA 2 3 8 20

PTS 13 8 7 0

GROUP 03 ZAMBIA LIBYA MOZAMBIQUE COMOROS GROUP 04 MOROCCO C.A.R. TANZANIA ALGERIA

Obinna Nsofor "for us to win that match we need to come all out on the Guineans right from the first blast of the whistle. We need to play them the way way we played against the Argentines here in Abuja. I thank God that we have an attack minded team, and everyone is rearing to go.

If we bombard them from the first balst of the whistle, there is no way they would crumble. We know them in and out, and I don't think anything has changed from the team we played in Conakry. Thank God we are playing at home, they had their own chance at their home, it our own chance now".

GROUP 05 SENEGAL CAMEROON DR CONGO MAURITIUS GROUP 06 BURKINA FASO GAMBIA NAMIBIA

MP 3 3 4

W 3 1 1

D 0 0 0

L 0 2 3

GF 11 4 3

GA 2 5 11

PTS 9 3 3

MP 5 5 5 5

W 3 2 2 0

D 0 2 2 2

L 2 1 1 3

GF 6 4 5 2

GA 5 2 5 5

PTS 9 8 8 2

MP 5 5 5 5

W 5 1 1 1

D 0 2 2 0

L 0 2 2 4

GF 17 6 8 4

GA 3 7 10 15

PTS 15 5 5 3

MP 5 5 5 5

W 4 4 1 0

D 1 1 0 0

L 0 0 4 5

GF 11 8 4 2

GA 1 1 10 13

PTS 13 13 3 0

MP 5 5 5 5

W 3 3 2 1

D 1 0 1 0

L 1 2 2 4

GF 6 5 4 2

GA 2 5 4 6

PTS 10 9 7 3

MP 8 7 7 7 7

W 5 3 2 1 0

D 2 2 5 3 2

L 1 2 0 3 5

GF 7 12 11 6 5

GA 3 6 6 8 18

PTS 17 11 11 6 2

GROUP 07 NIGER S/AFRICA SIERRA LEONE EGYPT GROUP 08 COTE D'IVOIRE BURUNDI BENIN RWANDA

•Samson Siasia

•Dele Ayenugba Ogbuke Obasi Qualifying for the Africa Cup of Nations is extremely important for Nigerians and we know the fans will be disappointed if we fail to achieve the result they want in Abuja.We can’t let them down and we know we have to win.There is a whole lot of positive energy in the team and we just have to take it into the game on today.

GROUP 09 GHANA SUDAN CONGO SWAZILAND

Peter Utaka "I am happy and grateful to the technical crew for considering me worthy to be in the team. The few times I have played, I have been able to to justify my invlusion, all I am appealing for now is that I should be given more playing time to enable me justify my inclusion. I need to score more goals for the team, and thereby making my countrymen happy. The support of Nigerians have been very over willing, and one have to strive to make them happy always".

GROUP 11 BOTSWANA TUNISIA MALAWI TOGO CHAD

•Ogbuke Obasi •Peter Utaka

Joel Obi This is our job, we don't have any other job that playing this game. If winning always is what will bring joy to Nigerians, we have no option than to do that". He did not wave off the opposition of the rampaging Guineans, but believe that they have all it takes to triumph on that day. I hope for the best, and the best of the team.

He was full of appreciation to Nigerians for the support they have given to him thus far, promising to put in his best in all his games.

•Joel Obi

•Taye Taiwo

Osaze Odemwingie "Nigerians should forget the weather problems for now, as we are not coming from winter, afterall many of us played here before we went abroad, so we have to adjust immediately, because we have been in this kind of situation before. We have no option than to do the bidding of the people, that is winning and winning convincingly. I’m fit; no injury. I have played the full 90 minutes in the last four matches for my club in England so I am in great shape to face Guinea. Coach Siasia had earlier appealed to fans of the team to turn out in their numbers to offer support to the team on Saturday and the WBA attacker was quick to echo the gaffer’s sentiments.We need support of course. A full stadium before the kickoff will be a good message for the boys. We know Nigerians want to see us at the Nations Cup and their support.

•Osaze

GROUP 10 UGANDA ANGOLA KENYA GUINEA-BISSAU

Taye Taiwo This is an important match to all of us.We all wants to be at the Nations cup, which is the highest in Africa. So we must all fight like Trogan to achieve that for ourselves and our country". He agreed that the Guineans would be in Nigeria to frustrate all the plans of the Nigerians, but they are equal to the task.

We all know that they would want to frustrate all our game plan, but I am sure we are equal to the task.

We have more experienced players who are ready to take the game to them, and will ensure that we do not lose focus at any point in time".

He ruled out any surprise from the Guineans "we have played them before, and we know them in and out, and by the grace of God we would triumph at the end

Kalu Uche We know that it would not be easy, but Nigerians should expect nothing but victory on that day. The Guineans are also coming to prove some points but I remain optimistic that we would not disappoint Nigerians. We know it would not be easy, but am calling on all Nigerians to come out and give us the maximum support". he promise to give his normal hundred percent effort if given the opportunity by the Coaches.

•Kalu Uche

Joseph Yobo " We have been working hard in training and I am so happy that we are all very eager to record a very good result on Saturday.

"The atmosphere in camp has been fantastic and so I have no doubt that we are going to win well.

"We have been talking to ourselves while the coaches have also been doing their best on the strategies for this match. However, i am happy that we are all very fit and ready for this challenge.

"It wont be easy but we are determined to break all barriers to get a victory for the teeming followers of the game in Nigeria."

Yobo is up for a National Merit Award later in the year while he is also on course to record his 100th appearance for the Super Eagles soon.

"I am not bothered about personal achievements because football is a team sport. As captain, my responsibility is to ensure we conduct ourselves well on and off the pitch to get results. That is my focus and we are going to maintain that template.

"We are eager to play the Guineans and pick a ticket to the Nations Cup," he added.

AKINLOYE AT LARGE 08050246155 atlarge84@yahoo.com

Nigeria, Guinea not same class TODAY is the D-day and I expect Super Eagles to put smiles on the faces of Nigerians.

Nigeria takes on Guinea in the last African Cup of Nations qualifier in Abuja with millions of Nigerians backing them for a win. They are desperate for a win but they must not play as desperados. They need just two goals to fly high. This they must nick playing with cool –headed warmth of the home team.

Super Eagles and Syli Nationale are not in the same category in every sphere of football. Eagles must make that count this afternoon at the National Stadium. The Guineans will be expected to play defensively and leave two men up front to counter attack. They will expect to put Super Eagles in trouble with cunnings of the fox. They will be out to compound the woes of the Super Eagles. That is how Guineans are like. They love compounding one’s problem.

Eagles must play a strategy to break down their resolute defense. The Guineans are more organized than we used to know them. They were a big problem to Nigeria at the club level in the days of Rangers and Hafia, but they have not really been a problem at the national team level. They have gotten a couple of wins under their belt, but they have not really stood on the path of Nigeria to greatness in the game. The Syli Nationale will be expected to knock the ball around but quick in attack. They will waste time to frustrate the Super Eagles into abandoning their search for goals and a win, but they do not have the experience to see their strategy through. They have become more organized under the new foreign coach who runs the show from the dug out for quite some time now. He comes against Nigeria’s indigenous coach whose record is enviable. His name is Samson Siasia, a former international who has transmuted to a coach. He led the country’s U/20 squad to the final of the World Cup in 1995 and lost to Argentina which had Lionel Messi. It was tough luck that stood on the path of the Nigerian team for it played to win. He moved on to the U-23 squad which he also led to the final of the Olympic soccer event in Beijing, China in 2008.

He is an experienced coach and knows his onions. He should outsmart and out think the foreign coach this afternoon in Abuja. Siasia is charismatic. His charismatism has endeared him to millions of Nigerians who canvassed for his appointment. They follow him blindly and think he has what it takes to turn Nigerian football around. Siasia came to the hot seat after the unimpressive performance of the Super Eagles at the World Cup in South Africa where Super Eagles crashed out in the first round. He was appointed to turn the national team around and bring back the time when Nigeria dominated African football. He is being expected not only to qualify for the Nations Cup butr win itr. Therefore, Guinea cannot stand on his path to bring back the good times.

•Igali Coaches do not play football. They rely on the players to transform instructions into reality. Guinea can match Nigeria player for player. They have only one home based player in their fold.The rest are playing professional football in other parts of the world. Having come this far in the competition, the players are not mere professionals but players who have what it takes to play whenever the chips are down.

Nigeria have between the posts Dele Ayenugba. The goalkeeper has for many seasons being on the bench. Now that opportunity has beckoned on him, he has lived up to expectation. His performances in Antananarivo and Dhaka point to the fact that he knows his onions. Ayenugba will want to prove that he is better than Vincent Enyeama in all ramifications. Enyeama proved his worth at South Africa 2010 when he stood between Messi and goal. But his move to France where he has warmed the bench does not support his desire to keep the number one spot. Ayenugba who hails from Kogi plays regularly for his club in Israel is a better option for the goalkeeping job. Enyeama was not invited to the party in Abuja not because of loss of form. He had led a group of players to question the decision of the Nigeria Football Federation on how they travelled to Madagascar for the Nations Cup qualifier. They eventually travelled on the chartered flight but Enyeama is already a marked msn. He was confined to the bench for the two games that followed and will be missing in today’s encounter against the Guineans.

The West Africans will concentrate their attack on the right side of the Eagles’s defense. Chibuzor Okonkwo is seen as the weakest link in the Super Eagles. He is yet to pocket the right back shirt after many outings with the senior national team. But Chibuzor may turn out to be the star of the occasion if he finds his rhythm. Taye Taiwo should return to action on the left back after missing some games due to injury. He is the strongest part of the defense and could get one or two goals if he joins the attack as he used to do. Marseille has checked his foraging in search of goals and could be one of the reasons he is finding it difficult to adjust in Milan. He needs to join the attack more often and release from his boots bullets he is known for.

Mikel John Obi’s game has improved tremendously this season and it is expected that that will rub off on the national team. He has become very ambitious in the shirt of Chelsea and that could take him to greater heights.

He is getting more confidence in his play and that could bring to an end his goal drought. If he plays with the confidence against the Guineans this afternoon, Super Eagles will be on the path to victory.

The question is who pairs Joseph Yobo in the heart of the defence? Yobo is playing mature football these days.

THE NATION SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2011

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NATION SPORT

Rushed fixtures not in Nigeria’s interest T

HAT the sponsorship of the Nigeria Premier League is still a subject of corporate litigation reminds one of a famous expression of a former Military President, General Ibrahim Babangida who once expressed astonishment at how the country’s economy has been surviving in the face of economic distortions. Isn’t it a wonder of brand marketing and communication that two elite brands are battling in court directly and by proxy for a league that has been in limbo for over six months.

They are fighting for the soul of a league that is torn by internal strife over leadership and one begins to wonder what actually is attracting their interest to this property which many have even described as a poor cousin of their counterparts in Europe.

Today, Nigeria has entered the football Guinness Book of Records as having run the longest league in the world even as the 2010/2011 season is yet to be concluded. It is a sad commentary on those who claim to have the interest of the league at heart whose personal ambitions could not be sacrificed for the good of the game. They have carried on as though if they were to die tomorrow, the league will be enclosed in their grave. All the parties to the crisis of the league are all guilty of this charge and for those who will not abide by the decision of legal instruments they subjected themselves to; it is truly a shame of our under-development.

The hallmark of civilization is the ability of man to obey judgements delivered by mutually agreed tribunes and it does not matter the colour or smell of judgement.

That is what has differentiated man from animals because while we congregate to settle disputes, animals claw their way through same.

Today, Enyimba International and indeed Nigeria is about to pay for the sins of the unsettled League board which has drawn up a harsh fixture of matches in order to make up for lost time.

Enyimba are expected to play three matches within a space of ten days before a crucial Champions League semi finals clash with WYDAD Casablanca of Morocco. It does not require a witch’s brew to discern that this fixture is not healthy for Nigeria’s quest for a third Champions League success.

Many commentators have failed to realise that it is not Nigeria and not Enyimba that is being hurt by this fallout of a needless crisis that enveloped the league since the election controversy blew open. At this point in time, Enyimba and Sunshine Stars of Akure must be treated as our national teams preparing for an international engage-

By Harry Iwuala

ment. Every support available must be availed the management and players of the two teams that are on the verge of bringing honours to our great nation.

It is true that Enyimba must have registered over 25 players for the season but this calculation must also take into account the treatment room casualties, the irregular transfer program in which players randomly travel abroad for trials and also the form of the registered players. It is begging the point to ask Enyimba to field a feeder team as this does not do the competition any good. Recently, owners of Molson Coors Breweries, owners of Carling beer announced that they would be discontinuing the sponsorship of the League Cup in England citing the fielding of junior teams by most clubs in the competition. At a time we are decrying the effects of the crisis on the value of the league in Nigeria, it will amount to double jeopardy if understrength teams are fielded by clubs to save energy for more crucial tournaments.

European clubs can make the round trips of continental championships and still honour domestic games because the transport system in place enables travels without difficulties unlike our terrain.

Imagine Enyimba travelling to Ilorin to play Kwara United on Thursday, October 6th and then make the road journey to Aba to host Rangers on Sunday, October 9 after which they journey again to Kaduna to face Kaduna United on Wednesday, October 12 before returning to Aba for WYDAD Casablanca on October 16. Enyimba simply cannot survive the gruelling fixture as it is just a recipe to not only lose in domestic league but also deny Nigeria a continental glory.

The solution is to allow the club complete the semi finals clash and then return to the outstanding domestic league games before the finals of the CAF Champions League in November. Surely, we cannot now begin to act like the imprisoned tortoise which ran riot in the toilet pit complaining of the foul odour few minute before it was due to be released from days of incarceration.

Now that we have caught a glimpse of peace in the League Board, it is expected that damage limitation should be the watch word rather than aggravation. The year 2011 has been a very bad one for the domestic league and at this point, all we will need to do is to manage the injuries and seek healing in the coming term.

Meanwhile, there has been

•Issa Hayatou (l)

talk of an abridged season in 2012 which is a regurgitation of the worn argument of aligning the season with Europe. Should we be aligning with Europe or with CAF that organises the competition that our league winners participate in? When this idea was mooted back in 2006, those in charge of the league claimed it was to curb the incessant travel of players to Europe in search of clubs.

Five years down the line, has the problem been solved? We have rather had situations where clubs playing in the continent find themselves without the services of those who won the league as they would have moved on to other clubs within and outside the country. This is an opportunity provided by providence for us to return to the normal February to August/September calendar.

LAST LINE: SUPER EAGLES FOR CAN 2012 My thoughts are with the Super Eagles and Coach Samson Siasia as Nigeria launches the final push for a place in Equatorial Guinea/ Gabon 2012. I am wearing my original Joseph Yobo signed Super Eagles jersey today in solidarity with the boys. It is Nigeria 4, Guinea 1. Up Eagles, Up Nigeria.

Harry Iwuala is a renowned Journalist based in Lagos, Nigeria

VOICE OF SPORTS

With Clement Nwankpa Jnr. sportswar@yahoo.com

Gunning down Guinea I had to opt for this headline because it may come down to this. No doubt, it is a day of superlatives and there would be many interesting headlines today previewing this make or break Nations Cup qualifier between Nigeria and Guinea. I was tempted to cast the headline ‘Going…going… Guinea!’, but I had to apply some caution. The latter headline will not aptly capture this fixture as it would paint the picture that the Guineans are there for the taking. On the contrary, it may get so tough today that we may need to pull the trigger.

Agreed, the Eagles are at home and unlike many such scenarios in the past when we needed another team to do us a favour even if we win by a trailer-load of goals, we have our destiny completely in our hands. Recent history has shown that the Eagles rarely lose on such days hence the widely held belief that God could be a Nigerian. It must also be noted that the Nigerian team is loaded with ample quality to win this one clear and square, but this is still the game of football and I have watched a lot of it. I watched a star-studded Brazilian team hit the woodwork about four times at Atlanta 96 only for Japan to win the match with their only shot at goal. We may need something extra to pull down the Guineans’ resistance today. We may simply need to apply the dexterity and guts of a hunter to gun them down today. Oops! I hope it doesn’t get to this. I hope it doesn’t get so nerve-wracking that some of us will visit the conveniences at the Abuja National Stadium more regularly today.

But, not to worry; this was why I had to opt for this headline.

I just had to prepare our minds. During the media briefing to unveil his list of invited players, Samson Siasia had appealed to the media not to build so much hype around the match, opining that it was just another game. I understood his posture to imply he didn’t want a lot of pressure to be heaped on his boys. That’s okay, as they would need a lot of composure to fight the visitors to submission if they prove too stubborn. But I have also noticed that Siasia files out his team according to his perception of the opposition. He had confessed to me after the Argentina game in Dhaka, “I couldn’t have filed out the team without a third (defensive) midfielder. They would have roasted the boys”. That was the first time Siasia was filing out a three-man midfield since assuming office as the Eagles helmsman. It showed he had some respect for the Argies.

Some puzzle played up in my head during the week. Since Siasia wanted the media to treat the match like any other fixture, does it mean he considered the opposition easy? Could he possibly file out a twin-midfield combo of Joe Obi and Mikel Obi without a defensive shield, as he did against Madagascar?

Would he decide to go all out and attack since the team must win to progress placing less premium on his defence? I have noted that Siasia is flexible with his formations but his perception of the occasion decides his approach.

So on Wednesday, I wanted to ring the alarm bell so I sent him this text; “Don’t underrate Guinea. Stick to the three-man midfield you used against Argentina. There must be a holding midfielder behind the Obis”. He replied; “Why on earth would we want to underrate Guinea? It does not make any sence”.

His reply calmed me down. I was glad he knew what the occasion demanded. I wouldn’t want him to take the Guineans for granted that he would file out the Obis without a Fengor Ogude shielding them. Joel has been in tremendous form for Inter starting all their matches this season. The lad has so much energy to burn and should be given more license to bomb forward. We also saw how Mikel’s foray forward led to the goal against Argentina. They can only show this offensive traits to the optimum if there is an Ogude to shield them. While Ogude’s presence will release the Obis, it will also provide ample shield for the back four. Note: Any goal by the Guineans will make the task tougher.

That noted, it must be pointed out that the game needs players with the heart of warriors. Interestingly, we have many of such players in the team who have proved to be modeled for the big games. Those that readily come to mind here are Osaze Odemwingie, Chinedu Obasi, Taye Taiwo, Obinna Nsofor and, of course, Joseph Yobo, the captain fantastic himself. Yobo has scored very crucial goals for the national team. In fact, his equalizer against Ethiopia is the reason Eagles still has a chance of qualification today. But he may have to score his most important goal ever in the national team today. If push comes to shove, the team will need a Yobo to venture forward and finish off one of those set pieces. I am also elated that Osaze is back in the team. He has the heart and quality to make the difference just as the bombs coming off Taye Taiwo’s left foot could also prove vital on a day like this.

In picking his team today, Siasia should therefore lay emphasis on players with the big match mentality. The Guineans will be stubbornly resistant but the Trojans in green and white should take it all to them till they cave in. Eagles don’t need to play sexy football today. The most important thing is to ensure the Guineans are gunned down, anyhow!

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THE NATION, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2011

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THE NATION SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2011

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NATION SPORT

Inside The Glass House WITH AMINU MAIGARI

Against Syli Nationale!

O

NCE more, the day has come that the Super Eagles must win a final qualifying match to make sure of a place at a football tournament.

Following appeals by the Head Coach, Samson Siasia, a number of key players and myself, it is my fervent belief that the entire spectrum of the National Stadium, Abuja would be dominated by green-and-white colours and that there will be a capacity crowd of ardent football fans supporting the Super Eagles at the National Stadium, Abuja this afternoon.

On their part, the players have shown enough seriousness and commitment to the cause (with only one person missing the Tuesday deadline). They have trained hard and shown great promise and dedication at training and all Nigerians must now pray for everything to go right for the team within the 90 minutes against the Syli Nationale.

On the part of the Nigeria Football Federation, we have provided a conducive environment and much more, and we have faith that the Super Eagles will deliver this afternoon.

The Vice President of the Federal Republic, Architect Namadi Sambo will be special guest of honour at today’s big encounter, and I dare say the Super Eagles are used to winning with him in the stands.

Only four months ago, in an international friendly match of high profile, class and stature, the Super Eagles downed Argentina 4-1 and were presented with the lovely trophy, Conquest, by Vice President Namadi Sambo.

We also expect another ardent fan of the Super Eagles, Senate President David Mark, who was the leader of Federal Government delegation to the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals in South Africa. Speaker Aminu Tambuwal, cabinet ministers led by the Honourable Minister/ Chairman of the National Sports Commission, senators and House members, the Inspector General of Police, former Sports Ministers, former Presidents of NFF, former Secretaries-General of the NFF and a range of other political and business leaders have been invited to this occasion.

We are not only appealing for Nigerians from everywhere to come to the National Stadium to cheer the Super Eagles to victory, we want them to be decked in green-and-white attires in order to create a proper atmosphere at the venue.

With scores of thousands of people setting off real support, dancing and singing, and with the players motivated by the fact of not wanting to be part of a group that failed to qualify

Nigeria for the African Cup of Nations for the first time in 25 years, I believe everything is against Syli Nationale.

The match time has been a subject of serious discourse at home and abroad, but I am delighted that the players quickly realized that there was nothing the NFF could have done about it as it was the directive of the Confederation of African Football, the organizers of the competition.

The players and technical crew moved quickly from that realization to adaptation, and it was nice seeing them sweat it out from 2pm on Wednesday and Thursday.

In any event, the majority of the Guinean players also play in Europe as our players, and it was most refreshing to hear striker Osaze Odemwingie, back to the team, say that the weather would not be much different from what has been obtaining in Europe for some months now.

With top political and business leaders and other ball fans at the Stadium, and the fact of October 8, certainly this day belongs to Nigeria.

I have mentioned October 8 as an issue because I like to point out that ever since Nigeria has been involved in international football, our dear country’s senior team has NEVER lost a football match on October 8.

The first-ever football match involving Nigeria took place on October 8, against Sierra Leone in Freetown on October 8, 1949. Those were the days of the UK Tourists. We won the match 2-0 after an own goal by a Sierra Leonean and one by Teslim ‘Thunder’ Balogun.

Another friendly on October 8, 1963, against Liberia in Monrovia, ended 2-2. Albert Onyeawuna scored both goals for Nigeria.

The first competitive international involving Nigeria on October 8 was in 1977, when the Green Eagles ran riot against the Pharaoh of Egypt in a 1978 FIFA World Cup qualifier at the National Stadium, Lagos. Segun Odegbami scored twice before one each

by John Nwadioha and ‘chairman’ Christian Chukwu, for a 4-0 pounding of the visitors.

However, the following month, we lost to Tunisia right in Lagos and fluffed the opportunity to qualify for the FIFA World Cup for the first time.

Yet, on October 8, 1993, that day finally arrived. Stephen Keshi captained the squad to achieve a 1-1 draw in Algiers that saw Nigerian earn a firstever ticket to the FIFA World Cup finals. Finidi George scored in the first half before the Algerians fought hard to equalize in the second period.

Another World Cup qualifier on October 8 (2005) ended in a 5-1 spanking of

Zimbabwe at the National Stadium, Abuja, but a late, late goal by Angola against Rwanda in Kigali unhinged our aspiration to qualify for the 2006 FIFA World Cup finals in Germany. The Super Eagles and the Palancas Negras (Angola) finished level on points and the Eagles with better goals advantage, but that qualifying series was guided by head-to-head rule and after losing 0-1 in Luanda and drawing 1-1 with Angola in Kano, the Eagles were eliminated.

Exactly five years ago, also in an African Nations Cup qualifier, a lone goal by Yakubu Aiyegbeni ensured a 1-0 away win over Lesotho.

This time, it is also head-tohead but the difference is we have our destiny in our own hands and there would be no palpitations and anxiety over what is happening somewhere else.

Yes, Madagascar and Ethiopia are also playing at the same time in Addis Ababa but the Guineans are the ones to worry about that as Nigerians do not intend to be bothering ours heads with being one of the best second-place finishers.

Osaze Odemwingie, who also scored against Zimbabwe in that whitewash exactly six years ago, is back in the team and rearing to go. The Head Coach has reportedly given him the ‘licence to kill’ and a highly-motivated Osaze is always a plus for the Eagles.

Of the invited to this assignment, the likes of goalkeeper Chigozie Agbim, defenders Efe Ambrose (newly married) and Chibuzor Okonkwo, midfielders Joel Obi, Fengor Ogude and Ahmed Musa and strikers Ekigho Ehiosun, Emmanuel Emenike, Peter Utaka and Brown Ideye have never been to a Cup of Nations, let alone play there.

Even those who have been to the Cup of Nations among them have not won the trophy, and the ultimate at any football competition is to win the trophy and gold.

Captain Joseph Yobo, more than 10 years on the international road and a true role model, has called on his teammates to forget everything on the day and play to win, not any fantasy football. It is a good call.

Nigeria rode on the back of Guinea to qualify for her first African Cup of Nations finals (Ghana 1963) and WILL surely do the same today inside the National Stadium, Abuja.

I need to add that the three children of the late Mudashiru Babatunde Lawal (that legend who passed on 20 years ago) will be at the stadium as well.

In line with our promise to honour the man, we had earlier invited Mrs Yetunde Muda-Lawal to the international friendly match against Ghana in London in August. The match did not take place as a result of the riots at that time, but we had meaningful interaction and useful discussions.

Olatunde Muda-Lawal, Bolanle Muda-Lawal and Bosede Muda-Lawal will all be there watching and supporting the Super Eagles to qualify for the African Cup of Nations, 31 years after their father scored the final goal that seales the fate of Algeria and earned Nigeria her first African Cup of Nations title.

And to all the wonderful spectators from far and near who will be egging the Eagles on this afternoon, I say: May

• Mikel Obi

Victory Be Ours!

• Agbonlahor

'Agbonlahor in class of Ronaldo'

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STON VILLA captain Stiliyan Petrov believes Gabriel

Agbonlahor should be considered in the same bracket as Cristiano Ronaldo.

Agbonlahor has started the season in sensational form and was at his very best on Saturday with an inspirational performance in Villa's 2-0 victory over Wigan.

Having scored a fine solo goal to break the deadlock, the forward then demonstrated his lightning pace to set up Darren Bent for Villa's second.

Petrov has been so impressed that he feels Agbonlahor now deserves greater recognition, while he has challenged the 24-yearold to maintain his current level.

"People talk about Ronaldo, but when you look at the assets of Gabby, you can put him in the same bracket," Petrov said in the Daily Star.

"I have always said to him,

'You don't know how good you are and the ability you have'. He can take this Premier League by storm.

Not many people have what he's got.

"He has the strength, the speed, he scores goals and he creates them. I'm trying to give him the encouragement.

"I thought Gabby was absolutely outstanding in the win over Wigan. That's the Gabby we know, taking people on.

"Players are so scared of his pace. The game against Wigan was all about Gabby.

He was brilliant."

Petrov insists there are other Villa players with the potential to achieve greatness, and all they need to be successful is a bit more self-belief.

He said: "We have players with unbelievable talent. We want them to show just what they can do regularly.

"We saw what Gabby was all about against Wigan.

Every time he got the ball they were scared."

Guinea will be tough — Kalu Uche

S

UPER Eagles’ midfielder Kalu Uche has advised Nigerians not to expect the Guineans to fall so easily on Saturday.

The senior Uche who move recent to Switzerland from Spain said "On Saturday, we know that it would not be easy, but Nigerians should expect nothing but victory on that day.

The Guineans are also coming to prove a point but I remain optimistic that we would not disappoint Nigerians. We know it would not be easy, but am calling on all Nigerians to come out and give us the maximum support".he promise to give his normal hundred percent effort if given the opportunity by the Coaches.

From Patrick Ngwaogu, Abuja

• Kalu Uche

Olubanwo Fagbemi

On Sport Sport On SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2011

36

e-mail: deewalebf@yahoo.com

Nigeria: A sports chronicle (II) Athletics N the prompting of a migrant force of Nigeria-born athletes, the country steadily built a reputation in athletics – the short sprints and jumps especially. In the 70s, African track queen Modupe Oshikoya was worshipped for the feline grace with which she attacked the high hurdles while quarter-miler Dele Udoh, who was murdered by policemen on a visit home from the United States of America, was considered a potential world champion.

The early 80s also witnessed enthusiastic duels for national and international prominence by world-class triple jumpers Ajayi Agbebaku and Joseph Taiwo. They and record-setting long jumper Yusuf Ali spiced athletics meets and fuelled national pride.

Victory in the 1982 Brisbane Commonwealth Games’ 4x100 metre relay by Nigeria’s quartet of Samson Oyeledun, Ishaq Adeyanju, Eseme Ikpoto and Lawrence Adegbeingbe established relay race pedigree. Similar feats from subsequent African Championships, Commonwealths and Olympics derived from healthy, intense rivalries which raised the profiles of sprinters Chidi Imoh, Olapade Adeniken, Davidson Ezenwa and brother, Osmond, as well as the contemporary duo of Olusoji Fasuba and Uchenna Emedolu.

The pioneering strides of one-lap masters Innocent Egbunike, Sunday Uti, Moses Ugbisien and Rotimi Peters opened the supply chain of 4x400 men’s relay medals which was sustained by the efforts of the more recent Sunday Bada and Enefiok Udo-Obong.

Female sprinters Mary Onyali, Beatrice Utondu, Charity Opara Thompson, Fatima Yusuf and Falilat Ogunkoya joined the men to ignite the tracks during National Sports Festivals and Mobil Track and Field Championships before charging down the African field en route to world reckoning. Theirs is a tough act for current successors Blessing Okagbare and Damola Osayomi to follow as the pair’s 2011 World Athletics failure despite domination of recent African Athletics Championships and the All-Africa Games imply.

Before them, Glory Alozie, Franca Idoko, Endurance Ojokolo and Gloria Kemasuode attempted, with moderate success, to maintain elite championship rhythm. Bada’s 1997 World Indoor Championships 400 meters gold medal and Chioma Ajunwa’s Atlanta ’96 women’s long jump gold however remain veritable yardsticks.

Table Tennis Until national table tennis players submitted to the North Africans and lately, the Congolese, Nigeria ruled Africa and unsettled the more technical Asians and Europeans at world meets. Babatunde Obisanya and Atanda ‘Mansa’ Musa blazed the trail for Yomi Bankole, Segun Toriola and Monday Merontoun. Female stars Kuburat Owolabi, Olawunmi Majekodunmi, Funke Osonaike, Bose Kaffo and Cecilia Otu built on the antecedents of Ethel Jacks to in turn terrorise African and Commonwealth opposition.

Tennis Now in decline, (lawn) tennis was keenly played and supported in the 70s and 80s when Sunday Eboh, David Imonitie, Sadiq Abdullahi and Tony Mmoh clashed memorably in the Dala Hard Court and Ogbe Hard Court tournaments before teaming up for the international Davis Cup. Evidently the most accomplished of them all, Nduka ‘the Duke’ Odizor found greater fame on the world circuit.

His giant-slaying efforts at Wimbledon particularly projected the legendary efforts of forerunners Lawrence Awopegba and Thompson Onibokun. Meanwhile, women’s tennis stars Rolake Olagbegi, Veronica Oyibokhia, Osaro Amadi and Clara Udofia traced Elizabeth Ekong’s pioneering steps.

Wrestling Also popular was professional wrestling, owing to the promotional and competitive efforts of Michael ‘Power Mike’ Okpala and contemporaries. Power Mike’s enthusiasm for the sport was replicated

by Michael Bamidele, Ben Lion Heart and Power Uti in the heyday of televised wrestling shows.

The country is also a continental power at amateur level with the absence of the sport on the list of events at the Maputo 2011 AAG considered a huge dent on Nigeria’s ambitions.

Others Nigerian handball, field hockey and volleyball teams also flourished in domestic and continental competition. The past achievements of Grasshoppers of Owerri, Union Bank of Lagos and Delta Force in various competitions resonate.

Ahead of the 2012 Olympic Games in London, Chika Chukwumerijie’s bronze in the taekwondo men’s 80kg event of the Beijing 2008 Olympics is a reference point, as are the weightlifting exploits of Oliver Orok and Lawrence Onyekuabom as well as wrestler Daniel Igali. Igali who currently coaches the national team took up Canadian citizenship to win gold at the 2000 Olympics and 2002 Commonwealth Games.

Administration For all the official attention it commands, on the other hand, football delivers a single medal at sports festivals. Worse is the misleading concept of success in age-grade football events with the use of overage players, when the same players age quickly and cannot be relied upon for long, experienced national team service.

Alternatively, a culture of multi-sports participation can be cultivated at school and regional level. For a fraction of development funds traditionally embezzled at all levels of government, national sports centres can be established at convenient locations across the country in part response to youth restiveness in the creeks and elsewhere.

With a near-optimum population, Nigeria simply has no excuse aspiring to third place at continental fiestas. The goal should be higher, but until administration is revamped and appointment of officials and technical experts reordered, change may be remote.

The prospect of lean returns from London, especially in competition with world powers USA, Russia, Australia and Germany, is instead imminent.

O

•Super Eagles coach, Samson Siasia (l) given instruction to players during the training session

ELAHO TO EAGLES

Play Guinea like wounded lions

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X-INTERNATIONAL, Friday Elaho has charged Super Eagles players to come out like wounded lions against the Syli Nationale of Guinea in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier today at the Abuja National Stadium.

Nigeria trails Guinea by three points in 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying but a 1-0 victory will see the Super Eagles book a place to next year’s AFCON finals in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.

In a chat with NationSport, the former ACB of Lagos winger who expressed confidence in Nigeria’s qualification, however, warned Siasia’s men to be ready for a tough game.

“Everybody knows what is at stake now, even the players know what is at stake. It’s a do or die match and a winner takes all game. I believe the players know what they are there for and I want them to come out like a wounded lion on Saturday in order to get the three points at stake and make the day easy for Nigerian so that we can all smile.

“I believe that with the kind of players we have now, Eagles will do better, though it’s not going to be easy. The Guineans are a very good side and it’s going to be a tough and difficult match, but at the end of the day I ‘m sure we’ll

By Akeem Lawal come out victorious.

Heartland defender, Chibuzor Okonkwo has been ruled out of the decisive encounter after sustaining a thigh injury during the international friendly against

Argentina in Dhaka, Bangladesh on September 6, and Elaho believes there are capable replacements for the right-back.

“You and I are not a lay men even thought I played the game, we have a coach who knows what he’s doing; he

knows who will play which position. If a player is not available for the game, I believe there are others who can easily fill that position. We cannot decide who will play for him because he knows the players well”, said the former Brøndby FC of Denmark star.

Oliha calls for total support

E

X-INTERNATIONAL, Thompson Oliha has urged fans that will be at the Abuja National Stadium to give total supports to the Super Eagles of Nigeria in order to ensure victory over the Syli Nationale of Guinean in today’s make or mar Africa Nations Cup qualifiers match.

In a chat with NationSport, the former Africa Sports of Cote d'Ivoire player who believes that fan’s support is most important to Nigeria’s qualification quest, urged the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to ensure that the players’ allowances and bonuses are paid promptly in order to avoid distractions.

“My advice to the team is to put the nation’s green and white first and be prepared to win. They should do everything possible to win the

By Akeem Lawal game and the NFF should support them with their match bonuses and allowances so that we don’t have lapses. We have a good team and the coach, Samson Siasia is also one of the best we have around. He has played to the highest level. So I believe they will deliver and we should be expecting a good result.

“Most of all, I want to use this medium to tell Abuja fans and those coming from Lagos, that even if we are down, they should keep on supporting the team to the last minute.”

There are concerned by soccer enthusiasts that Eagles might be under pressure against the Guineans, but Oliha writes off such saying

the support from Abuja fans will be the tonic the team needs in overcoming their opponents.

“The team will not be under pressure because they are all professional players who know what to do at any given time. Nigerians should put their fears behind them because the team will surely deliver. We have great players, though the Guineans also have good players too, but we are greater because we are green and white “When we talk about easing off pressure, it is human beings we are talking about. Putting pressure off the players goes along with support, Abuja fans are the ones to play the role, even in the players’ mistake, they have to support and support them to the last minute”, urged the former Bendel Insurance player.

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THE NATION, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2011

I

enjoy reiterating that men are wired by sight.

Very obvious is it not?

You notice how they stare at attractive ladies? Even when a man is standing beside an “Agbani Darego” he will still stare at an “Omotola” or a Genevieve” when she walks across the street. Men. Very interesting lot, I must say. Some of them will argue that they are only appreciating the hand work of God. How nice. How very nice.

Another interesting part of a man’s life; I have observed also, is their choice of sexual partners. Ha! It varies; believe me.

Do you know a man can sleep with a lady he does not even like? Yes. It’s the truth.

A man can sleep with a girl for different reasons. It could be to satisfy his sexual urge at that time. Or to prove to himself and sometimes his friends that he can ‘bed’ any lady of his choice. How else can one explain one night stands? The good news is that, these days, ladies are becoming wiser by the day, thank God. Ladies, I mean, the wiser ones are now putting some men through hell, too. A wise lady, now knows when a man just wants to sleep with her and leave her.

So, some ladies are now building up stiffer defensive devices. We are now turning the proverbial ‘tables’ on the men. And men are now having a dose of their own medicine.

Before I digress too much, I must talk about the quickest way to a man’s heart.

You see, satisfying a man’s sexual urge and getting to his heart are two different •What’s the essence of keeping one wife and having cuncubines. Almighty God has already solved this issue in Quran (4,v3). What is the ratio of women to men in the world today, how

His mother or his stomach….? things. It is when you get to a man’s heart, that he begins to use the big ‘L’ word for you. It is when you are in a man’s heart that he begins to consider taking you to the altar. So, we have identified that a man has series of desires. His urge. This is temporary satisfaction that he can get from anywhere. In fact, he is in full control. Because oftentimes, he decides what, who, and how. How he does that, is not a topic for today.

Today, I would like us to get to know the quickest way to his heart.

Is it through his mother? I know that most men are very close to their mothers. This is why one considers a relationship important when a man takes you to his mother.

I see it as a major turning point for that relationship. In fact, I see such union as altar-bound. This is not in all cases, though. However the truth is that, men don’t take all their sexual partners to their mothers. In fact, if you

have dated a man for more than a year and he is not talking about introducing you to his mother, you might want to reconsider such relationship.

His stomach? This is key.

No man jokes with his stomach. Especially Nigerian men. This is where a woman needs to be multitalented.

Sexual prowess alone can not fetch you a man for keeps. Nigerian men need more. If as a lady you are not so good in the kitchen, please learn. Our menu is so wide and diverse. What does your man like to eat? Learn it.

Truth is, when you land in a man’s heart. You are on your way to becoming his “Mrs.” yes o.

You do not want one housemaid making your man’s meal, do you? When a lady does that, if she is not careful… your guess is as good as mine. Yes, yes, I know about the proverbial, “the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach but it is important to note that with

Text messages

twist when the two love birds had a heated argument. In a momentary feat of rage, Henrietta blurted out to her would-be husband, “Go away jo, omo mama afoju”. In fact, years later she still recalls the hurt Bolaji felt the moment she said those words and the tears that flowed ceaselessly from his eyes thereafter. Omo mama afoju” translated means; the son of a blind woman. To cut a very long story short, those words (cruel words, I must add) ended the union. Oh of course, there were pleas that

‘

No man jokes with his stomach.

Especially Nigerian men. This is where a woman needs to be multitalented. Sexual prowess alone can not fetch you a man for keeps. Nigerian men need more. If as a lady you are not so good in the kitchen, please learn

’

Re: Are polygamous men more generous? many husbands are cheating on their wives e.g (Rooney, Giggs, Arnold and

still counting).

Hamid •Vera, happy independence anniversary. When I read the article titled; Are polygamous men more generous? I wish you did accept the offer to be the sixth wife, so that you will tell us details about your experience.

But I disagree, monogamous men are more generous with their wives.

Evangelist Okoye Richard.

•I don’t think polygamous men are more generous than monogamous men.

Their generosity is just like a trap which one sets with a live-goat. The catch is mostly wild and dangerous.

Women who are happy that their husbands more caring after taking a second wife should know that everything that have a beginning must have an end. That generosity will end one day. Besides, Christians breaking the law of God (one man, one wife) should not forget that the end justifies the means.

God will not hold them quitless Moses

Cheryl Cole

most men, their mothers come first. I have a little story to buttress and conclude this piece. It is about a neighbour of mine; whom I will call Henrietta (not real name) She dated a guy I will call Bolaji (not real name) Bolaji was madly in love with Henrietta. He was so into her that he practically worshipped the ground she walked on. She had him, right in her hands. He was wealthy, tall, handsome, drove one of the choicest cars at that time and Henrietta was the envy of all eligible spinsters; especially friends, because of the way Bolaji adored and had eyes only for her.

Eighteen months into their union, Bolaji and Henrietta were talking marriage. It did not come as a surprise, but trust some rumour mongers.

Some said, Henrietta must have used African magic on Bolaji, considering her poor background. For me, I knew they were both in love. Their love story suddenly had a

•Just as a monogamist can be wicked to his wife, so can polygamists may be gener-

ous. Reverse could also be the statement above. Few are practices of your experiencetitle above. It all depends on the motive of the monogamists or the polygamists.

Generosity of polygamous men will also depend on resilience of the madam at home. Polygamous men that are generous in the whole world can not exceed 20 per cent.

Lanre Oseni, Lagos •Please do not encourage polygamy, they are more generous, ask them how they will feel if their wife buy jeep for them too in preparation for marrying second husband under same roof.

Lol D DT Lopez song, Love cost a lot, ask Nigerian girls Toochi, Lagos •I suppose men get into polygamy for different reasons and circumstances, but I am surprised a man can lay claim to loving his wives equally. How possible? This man’s desire for a ‘sixth’ wife is inspired by a lusftful disposition and an agitation for a steed. Basically, not all polygamous men are generous, I even thing many of them are ‘thrifty. Those who induce with money whenever they want to perpetrate

followed. She pleaded; her parents followed suit, friends and even neighbours. It was at that point that the guy said to all that cared to listen that “I might be the son of a blind mother, but that woman made me who I am today” He thereafter called off the wedding and severed every correspondence with his former love. Sad, right? Well, the worst part of it all is that till date, Henrietta is still single. What I can’t say for sure is if her past experience is responsible. So, I ask again, which is the quickest way to a man’s heart, his mother or his stomach?

an act do so for selfish gains, it is ‘emotional graft’ and a corruption of intention.

Seun Osinkolu •Sometimes, it is generosity coated with guilt. Polygamous happiness is an illusion. Men loving and treating their wives equally is a mirage Sir O. C. Felix, Kebbi State •I read your article I think polygamous men are most generous to their last or youngest wives •Most men are aware that a peaceful home can be easily turned into a war zone by the first wife, especially when the issue of competitor in the form of a new wife arises. Those who are so endowed; try to ‘bribe’ her with gifts and such. But for those who are not so rich, no bribe, accept the new wife or quit.

But I hope you realize though that there are many reasons that can make a man to desire more wife(s).

Mojisola Wintope, Osogbo •Thank God you and your friend realize it’s in a bid to hide their guilt or win support of their women that such men show such thing

you call generosity. For me, it’s nonsense. Why should a man who loves his wife wait for a “wrong” time to be generous to her? It is also impossible for a man to love women “equally” at the same time as claimed. One of them must be shotchanged every now and then. Again, there’s a difference between going to church and being a Christian. Christianity does not preach polygamy. The seed that polygamists sow is reaped after their life on earth.

Emma Shakespeare, Owerri •Thank for yet another exciting piece, Jennifer's song may not be relevant to most so called big girls of nowadays but from my own little experience menfolk usually become father Christmas when chasing a new catch blocking any loophole from the one already in the net.

Segun Makinde, Ibadan •Hi Vera, I've just read your write up on 'High education, high husband in 'The Nation' of Saturday, September 10, 2011. I love that but my concern is that, many women places their priorities on their physical appearances than brain development.

James, Otukpo, Benue State

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THE NATION, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2011

Desiderata and the other teachers

T

HE last few days have been much of a mixed grill for me. I’ve had to move from one place to the other to face my businesses squarely. There’s the medical supplies line of business I’m promoting and there are so many things jostling for my attention.

The unexpected factor of the week happens to be the excitement about my October 9 birthday. From Port-Harcourt to Kaduna , Israel to England , Lagos to Abuja , all I’ve had to deal with as the calls come rushing in are questions about my birthday. Oh my God! Last year, at exactly 12 midnight , Senator ‘Creamy’ was on the phone singing different traditional and universal birthday songs for me. By the time he started praying for me, I was already soaked in tears. My head was swollen with pride.

As the generator was on as the prayer was going on, I had no idea that my gate was being banged by some ‘aliens’. By the time I got to hear the knock on my iron gate, the aliens had been there for almost an hour just to wish me happy birthday. They were seven in number, all dressed in white robes. They had come to herald me into another year with prayers. So it was that I sat amused in the middle of the praying masters and they asked for blessings on my behalf from the Maker.

The activities in my house by dawn was something else; I could hardly contain the number of (uninvited) visitors. I found out later that the thinking of many was that I was celebrating my 40th. Waoh! So many were in a hurry to usher me into the age of living (life, they say, begins at 40).

This year, whether I’m 40 or not, I really don’t feel like mark-

ing anything (my mum wants to mark this year’s birthday). I just want to sit in deep meditation tomorrow as I talk to the One who never leaves me for a second. I want to offer praise to him and generally be ALONE in His presence.

Yes, my phones would be on (but in the silent mode) so I can know those who tried to reach me. I bet they’d be many; what with my over 5,000 friends on Facebook.

Tomorrow happens to be my dad’s birthday too. Dr. Olapade Agoro, I love you and I will always appreciate you. Enjoy your day tomorrow.

Thank you for Desiderata; you’re not just a poem. Since that day that I first discovered you carefully scrolled and given to me (and others) along with my testimonials and good WAEC results in 1988, I have taken you as a teacher and a great companion. I have learnt so much from reading you slowly from stanza to stanza. What a great teacher you are!

I have since had other great teachers after Desiderata and I’ve been richly blessed by them all. I’m not celebrating because I feel so sober and so elevated just as my teachers have taught me.

To you all who share my birthday month of October, I say Happy Birthday. I leave you all Hearts people with these lines of Desiderata. Download it from the Internet if possible, frame it and always imagine that I gave it to you as a gift. May you all always be blessed. Amin.

‘Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexations to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery.

But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself, especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love, for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.

But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore, be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be.

And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul.

With its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy’. – Max Ehrmann.

Hearts With Adeola Agoro E-mail: libranadeola@yahoo.co.uk Tel: 08023162609

My boyfriend takes my money but doesn’t share his Good day ma. I’m a girl of 25 and in a 5-year long distance relationship, which happens to be my first and only relationship with a man. We love each other and are both committed to the affair, bit my problem with him is that he’s not generous with me. Though we’re students but somehow I do share the little I get with him but he wouldn’t do the same with me.

Please advise me.

My dear girl, it’s good to be generous, but I find your kind of generosity uncomfortable. You’re a student for God’s sake and some parents or guardians are slaving hard somewhere to send money to you in school, yet you still find it in you to give some of it to a boy!

I can’t blame this boy for not shar-

I caught my bride-to-be in bed with another man I met a lady on your column sometime ago. We both love each other and we planned getting married in December this year but I caught her sleeping with a man last week. What do I do because I’m confused? –Rex. Dear Rex, it must be shocking to catch the woman you thought you were going to be with for the rest of your life with another man just a few weeks to your wedding.

What a shame! What to do? I don’t want to sound too hard, but the truth is, if you were my blood brother, I’d ask you to either suspend the marriage plans until you’re sure it was a

Help! I can’t match my husband’s demand for sex Dear Aunty, I’m a woman of 30 and married with a child who is 8 years old. I’ve been looking for another fruit of the womb since 6 years ago but I’ve not been lucky. I need your advice on my husband; he’s demanding for sex too much and I don’t have power to take it. Please help!

Sen. S’ Opinion- She must manage o. He must have exhibited this trait before they got married. He may take that as an excuse to go out o. The issue of more children will strengthen his position.

•Lady-Gaga

My Advice- Dear sister, in my opinion, men’s libido most times is higher than our own. What you term as too much demand for sex may actually be a normal crave for sex.

While we (women) react to sexual issues by touch, romantic thoughts and the occasional hormone-induced want, men react by such ordinary things as sight.

A man who sets out with the intention to chase after some serious business this minute may

ing his own money with you; nope!

He has to feed, buy journals and school aids as well as be a ‘fine’ boy in school.

Except he goes out of his way to ask you for your money, you can’t use it against him that he’s not spending out of what might not even be enough for him on you.

Please, leave the boy and let him face his studies o. Don’t start getting morose just because he knows what he’s doing. Learn from him; stop sharing your money with him and take care of your own basic needs and save the extras if any. That way, you won’t be sending to your parents for money all the time.

Easy girl, there’s still time for that.

Wait until the money you’re spending is being worked for by you. Okay?

become engrossed with sexual thought if you (his wife) pass by in your transparent nightie. You may just see him removing his tie and drawing you to himself for one-for-the-road.

You should be happy that your husband still wants you so often. Most men decide not to ‘disturb’ their wives by having girlfriends outside. Tell you what, girlfriends do not complain to much demands. In fact, the men are sometimes left panting because the women outside seem to have perfected the acts of satisfying married men. Learn from them.

Get interested in sex with your husband, but if indeed his demands are way up there, you may explain to him that you need to balance it up. If for instance he demands for sex 15 times in a week, you may meet mid-way by doing 10 times.

You will have more children.

Have you sought medical help?

Try to do checks to determine what may be stopping you from conceiving again. I’m sure that with God on your side, the cries of a new baby will soon be heard in your house. Good luck!

big mistake on her part or ask you to cancel marrying her totally.

The first option is even a possibility at all because most times, women want to do one last thing with an ex they run into. I know a lot of women who have done this and I frown at it, but it happens anyway. Such acts can only be ignored if you do not catch them at it. After all, many are thieves; it is only the ones that are caught that they call barawo.

I fear for you because if this woman has hot pants, she won’t stop even after you marry her.

And if she did what she did because of money, she will continue ven after she becomes your wife.

Forgive her but the decision to take her back is yours.

Forgiveness and being able to remain friends are two different things. Be smart.

From you to me •You’re doing a wonderful job with your responses to various issues raised in your column.

Reading you has become a food for thought. Keep it up! May God continue to enrich your wisdom, amen. –Toyin Bello (mr.0 from Jebba, Kwara State (08051487547).

•I love the way you answered the gal who thinks she still loves a guy who maltreats her – insults her and her parents. Most times we think we have the best when we’re not exposed to other options. – Danladi (08065388142).

Lost contacts Hi Auntie Deola, Please kindly link me up with my school mummy, Linda Augustine. We schooled at GGc, Zonkwa but she graduated in 2004. Thanks, Vera James from Kaduna (

&

LIFE

Society Profile

STYLE Gossip Interviews

THE NATION, Saturday, OCTOBER 08, 2011

41

Some relaxation spots in Abuja... patronage is thinning

Boko Haram: SEE PAGE 48

Changing face of Abuja's social life

44

THE NATION, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 08, 2011

‘My mission for prostitutes and drug addicts’

Adenike Olubunmi Lamai, is the brains behind Hadassah Healing Foundation, a Lagos-based philanthropic organisation. Fondly called Pastor Nike, she is married to Marvellous Lamai, the Senior Pastor of Lagos-based Christian Cottage Ministries. In this interview with KEHINDE FALODE, she speaks about her life, career and family, and how she picked the habit of giving from her mother.

H

OW did you come about D e s t i n y Calleth, this year’s theme of the Hadassah Healing Foundation?

The theme was given

by God. I didn’t just sit down to think of what to do. Destiny is man’s purpose or work on earth; what you are destined to become in life. The theme Destiny Calleth, what it means basically is that God wants to bring out people who are not where they should be, retrace their footsteps and bring them back. Some people have left the track as it were, while some people have not started the journey of their destiny. These are the people God actually sent us to.

That was how the theme came about.

I hear a lot of people talking about destiny as something that is all about making money and acquiring riches, and l wonder if that is actually the ultimate.

Destiny is deeper than money. Yes, money is a part of it. But that is not what destiny is all about. Destiny is who you should be or who you were called out to be. Like l said earlier, it is your work, purpose, vision and dream. Not your own dream but what God has called you out to be on earth. And destiny is not what you sit down to calculate. It is not something that you decide to become; it is the assignment, as it were, that God has given you.

For every one of us, there is a reason for our being on earth. But you would find that a lot of people don’t even know why they are here. Some people feel they are just here to make money, like you said, have children and that is it. No. Destiny is deeper than that. When God calls you out and gives you an assignment, you would noticed that your assignment does not end with you.

Rather, your destiny is supposed to affect others. Any destiny that does not affect others is not of God. That is why if you feel that you are rich and your neighbour cannot enjoy

•Mrs. Lamai

your wealth, you are only rich for yourself, not for God. So, destiny is about reaching out to people, especially the down-trodden.

God will call you out so that you can call others. For example, Pastor Adeboye. You can imagine the millions of souls he has been able to reach out to. If he had remained in his small village and he doesn’t yield himself to be used for God, do you know how many people will still not be where they are supposed to be? A lot of people would not have been called out. Destiny starts with you and lights up your whole world.

So, what is the destiny of Pastor Nike Lamai?

The destiny of Pastor Nike Lama is to reach out to as many women as possible– prostitutes, drug addicts and every woman who feels, ‘Oh this world is not for people like me.’ Bring them out of obscurity. Bring them out of their state of rejection and make them know that there is something about them the world is waiting for.

I have counselled a number of people and they will tell you, ‘Pastor, you don’t understand.’ And l tell them l understand. My destiny is to reach out to the unreachable and unlovable. I am not called to reach out to the high and might. My destiny is to mold that woman who feels she can’t make it in life. Our core value is self-esteem. Even though today you are seated on the floor, you can find yourself seated on a horse or with the king tomorrow.

How are you able to identify those who are in dire need?

People come to us because there is so much awareness now about Hadassah. We have a website and they know what we stand for. So, people come directly or call to ask for help. Apart from this, we look out for people who need help. We interview them, do our own checks and go ahead to help.

Can you recall a particular case that touched you?

It depends on how you see it, how the person comes to you and when. Someone who secured an admission, will you say it is not touchy? The father actually left inheritance for her to go to school but the uncle is sitting on it. Is that not touchy enough?

Most of the cases we go out for are not just because we want the world to know that we are doing something; they are all cases that are pathetic at that particular point in time. When we went to Philippines, there was a woman who had 14 children and the husband was just a truck pusher who could not take care of his family. All the 14 children are at home with her. They are not going to school! Imagine what would have become of that generation? Glory be to God, through Hadassah, eight of the children are now in school. There is poverty everywhere.

What we call peanut is like N10 million to some people.

How do you source for money?

for es

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THE NATION, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 08, 2011 It is mostly with support from my partners and friends.

For how long have you been doing this?

Since 2005. It will be six on October 1.

How did you come about Hadassah?

For every assignment God will have you do on earth, He aligns you from birth.

God dropped me in a family of givers.

My mother is an addicted giver. We are just four in my family, but our house is always filled with people from different places. I grew up to know how to give.

Giving is not a choice in my family, it is a tradition. Whether it is a Muslim or a Christian festival, my mother must reach out to people, not just to the entire neighbourhood. Even when my mother was out of the country for a while, do you know she shipped things and labelled them for people? That really touched me.

We grew up to know what giving is all about. In July 2005 or there about, God started talking to me. He confirmed his words through my husband and through another pastor friend that I should reach out to as many women and orphans as possible. That was how it all started.

Hadassah, if you ask me, is all about giving spiritually, emotionally, physically, and so on. Hadassah Healing Foundation is not just an NGO; it is a ministry. God expanded this great commission and caused the seed to grow with a greater passion to go in search of women who have been hurt, wounded or widowed; the prostitutes, the abused, the rejected, the needy and a host of others who fall within this category of women.

There is a burning desire in my heart to see these battered women totally healed and restored.

What motivates you?

Spiritually, physically and emotionally you counsel people whose homes are already torn apart or are tearing apart and you find the home coming back together.

Those are the things that motivate me; nothing else. You see a life being touched.

My kids are very young, but I can tell you I have kids in the university; which is enough motivation for me.

What is the most wonderful thing that has happened to you?

The fact that the Holy Spirit dwells in me and can use me. There are millions of people, why didn’t He choose someone else? That is the most wonderful thing that has ever happened to me; that God can choose me. Who am I? I am ordinary.

He is using me to touch lives.

What is the biggest challenge your foundation has encountered?

Ah! The challenges are plenty, but I don’t celebrate challenges. I celebrate victory and achievements. Haven said that, there are so many burdens inside of me and the greatest challenge is funding, because if we have so much, we would have being able to reach out to more people. There are a lot of people, projects, initiatives that we can’t step out to do now because our hands are a bit tied.

And in preparing for our annual Hadassah Conference, a lot of things happens behind the scene. Like I told you, Hadassah Healing Foundation is not just an NGO, it

‘

is 100 per cent faith-based. It is a ministry on its own. It is a battle between the kingdom of God and that of the devil. But we all know who takes victory at the end of the day. Before we get to that stage, we have to climb a lot of mountains and hills and cross the valleys. A lot of things happen underground. A day before last year’s event, my assistant had a mighty fall. She could not walk. But God took control of the situation.

The second person just decided not to show up. We had to make another arrangement around 9 pm. We were calling all through the day but he did not pick the calls. They actually told one of the technical crew members that they were not coming, and we had already paid 85 per cent up front. We were not owning.

He showed up around 1 am. You can just set up everything and everything will go wrong.

In the face of all this, how do you get time to unwind?

I hardly have time to do that. I don’t think I unwind enough. I would have loved to, but Hadassah has kept me busy. It is a weakness on my part. I am a lover of excellence, and anywhere excellence is missing, you can’t find me there. I am always on my toes.

But God willing, come next year, that will be sorted out.

We serve a God of excellence and I don’t believe in just giving anything. I love giving God the best. Let us cross all the T’s and dot all the I’s.

As a pastor who is also in paid employment, how do you cope with your responsibilties on the home front?

Any time I am at home, I make sure that I play with my kids. Somehow, they have come to realise that mummy will not always be there. But whenever my kids are having their exams, I shut down completely, no matter what. It may mean not coming to church or missing the midweek services. I make sure I help out in their homework, no matter how tired I am, because I know that the foundation is very key in every aspect of life. So, I am not taking that for granted at all.

Is your husband not complaining that Hadassah is taking too much of your time?

I don’t have a problem with my husband.

I will say he understands.

Do you still have time to cook?

I love cooking. When I come back from work and I drop my jacket, I go straight into the kitchen. I love cooking and I don’t like people cooking for my husband. But when I start preparing for the conference, I shut down. I have a cook who comes around to cook. Apart from this, I cook and I serve my husband by myself.

What determines what you wear?

I am a very simple person; simple to a fault.

I am not a fashion freak. I will rather say I am an old skool (laughs). I am not funky at all. I just like dressing simple.

I noticed that in most of your photographs, you spot the same hair style. Is that your trade mark?

This is all I have been saying. I am not adventurous. Even my make-up person knows that I am natural to the core. It may be because the style is not too flashy and I can’t go wrong with it. Maybe the next time you see me, you will see me in something different.

What is your definition of style then?

Style is anything that you are comfortable and people will not raise an eye brow about, saying she calls herself a pastor and a mother.

What is the fashion item you won’t be caught with?

You can’t find me in a mini skirt; you can’t find me wear anything tight or revealing.

What is your style?

Anything that will make me feel comfortable and would not send the wrong signal to the world. That is style for me.

How do you explain the case where some women go to church half naked?

There is dignity in decency, and this is becoming a standard for both singles and married in our ministry.

How are you coping with lead-

I love cooking and I don’t like people cooking for my husband. But when I start preparing for the conference, I shut down. I have a cook who comes around to cook.

Apart from this, I cook and I serve my husband by myself

’

ing women be- c a u s e most women leaders find it difficult managing them?

In the company where I work, I have been in leadership position as far back as 2000 or even earlier.

And at some point in the multinational organization, I had the largest number of subordinates, and it’s not an issue for me.

Before you lead others, you have to lead yourself.

You lead by example. I can’t call a meeting for 10 o’ clock and you ever find me getting there late. And if that is going to happen, it has to be extremely important, and I will not just stroll in because I am the leader. I am a servant leader. If I am going to come late, I would have called my assistant and give her the reason I would come late, so that she will understand where I am coming from. By so doing, I am telling her that I am not coming late because I am a leader, so that she too will not come late just because she wants to come late.

At my place of work, I do some dirty things that people still don’t understand. I manage an estate, what you call staff quarters, for our expatriates. I have people who report directly to me, who are in charge of that.

And they also have people who report to them. I do go there for on-the-spot check.

And if I go there, for instance, and I go as far as laying the bed and they start shivering because their boss is doing it, do you think the man will not sit back and do it right?

I don’t know what a lot of schools of

•Mrs. Lamai

thoughts think about leadership, but I believe in the servant leader kind of thing. It works like magic. You don’t talk to your subordinate like a slave. They are not slaves. There is a place to use the cane and there is a place to draw them. There has to be a balance. You can’t be too laid back and you can’t be too strict. By so doing, people will consciously or unconsciously begin to act like you.

46

THE NATION, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2011

T

•David Oseni is simply charming in this form fitting attire

•Ifeanyi Dike has no problem commanding attention in this breathtaking colour combo.

HERE are some casual or informal hues that can now be passed for serious outing. Speaking of colour combo, a fashionable form of colour combination (colour blocking) currently in style, is a mix of three or four colours, and guys too are not found wanting in this blocking trend. Many guys who used to shy away from mixing more than two colours are embracing this trend with a bang. There is nothing to be afraid of in mixing bold colours as you can see the gentlemen of style in the pictures below.

Everyone, from Dayo Ephraim to Ifeanyi Dike and Ubi, has confidently rocked brightly coloured jeans and chinos pants. But if you are not up for the more extreme looks, like Dayo‘s trendy colour-blocked outfit below, pair your coloured pants with a plain white T-shirt and black shoes for an easy look.

For it to be a real colourblocking, it has to be three to four colours and it must be colourful( bright colours). It is the hot trend for now.

•Tinsel actor, Ifeanyi Dike

•Dayo Ephraim on the red carpet in this absolutely stunning colourblocking garb

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THE NATION, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2011

es and now LMOST two months ago, it was strip all about it’s d, tren in keeping with the geometry trend ther ano are s dot a polk Big the polka dots. e yet they hav innate worth buying into. They are classic,ding for a classic event effervescence. Whether you are hea , the big polka dots or walking the decks of a cruise ship have to look for details dress is a no-fail option. But you anywhere from mini to th leng a pick and that flatter you versatile look. Big and right below the knee for the most ady made their way alre e hav s dot a polk ed multicolour from the runway to the red carpet.

A

•Polka Dot tear drop earrings

•Neck scarf

•Croquis sleeveless polka dot shirt dress with tiered skirt

•Bangles

•Lovely dot pump

•Polka-dot top

•Princess Bibi glowing in this peach and blue sleeveless polka dot gown.

•Polka dot Tamara Handbag

How to look smart for a job interview Ayoyinka Babade

•Florence •Senator FlorenceItaIta-Giwa Giwa shows how to rock polka dot for night event.

A hairstyle that stays in place: You don’t want to fuss with hair that you have to keep pushing out of the way during interview, so make sure it’s secured.

Light make-up and perfume: Wear just enough so that you smell sweet and look polished. Check for lipstick on your teeth just before you go into the interview.

Manicured hand: Your hands are quite visible in an interview. So if you can make them extra pretty before

Miss Nigeria visits Ibadan relief camp

Miss Nigeria, Queen Oluwadamilola Agbajor, visited the Ibadan South West Local Government Relief Camp on September 8 and donated food on behalf of DE-United Foods (makers of Indomie noodles) and clothes provided by Vlisco Nigeria.

Queen Agbajor presented the items to the chairman of the local government area, Honourable Taoreed Adeleke.

She also met with members of the Nigeria Red Cross who are working in assisting residents of the local government area regain a level of normalcy after the devastating floods that claimed over 30 lives.

Miss Nigeria was also able to put smiles on the faces of the children who had spent the past 13 days at the camp with their families after losing their homes as a result of the floods.

hand, the better. Short nails and neutral nail polish (or no nail polish) is best.

Handbag, briefcase or portfolio : It depends on what you need to bring to the interview. For female, a simple classy tote bag is a necessity in your work wardrobe. So invest in a high quality tote bag. You can carry everything you need in the bag.

Note: Avoid jewellery that makes noise like a stack of bangles.

Wear what is comfortable and makes you most relaxed.

Beauticians’ competition holds in Lagos By mid October, precisely October 20, a national competition of hair dressers, cosmetologists and barbers will hold in Lagos State.

It is the first of its kind in Nigeria and the venue is Lagos State Television (LTV ) Multipurpose Hall at Agidingdi in the heart of Ikeja.

It is tagged Mega Beauticians Competition and Awards.

Mr. Clement Chibueze Edward of Fly Events Inc said of the event, “Our vision for organizing this national event is to foster unity and professionalism among the practitioners in the beauty industry, thereby giving them a platform to display their professional ingenuity to the world” The associations involved in this competition are National Association of Barbers, Hairdressers & Cosmetology (NASHCO), Lagos State Barbers, Hairdressers & Cosmetology Association (LABHCA) and Ogun State Barbers, Hairdressers & Cosmetology (OSBHCO).

48

THE NATION, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2011

A governor’s aide turns 50 It was an evening of encomiums at the 50th birthday of the Senior Special Assistant on Political Matters to Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State, Prince Adeniyi Adesanya. KUNLE AKINRINADE was there.

T

HE celebrant could be mistaken for a 30-yearold man, but he is not.

His boyish looks notwithstanding, he was five decades old on September 25.

The reception was preceded by a special church service at the Word Base Assembly, Okota, Isolo, Lagos where those that matter in the Gateway State led by Governor Ibikunle Amosun and his deputy , Prince Segun Adesegun, were on hand to felicitate with the celebrant.

Truly, like a good leader who knows his subordinates very well, Gov. Amosun, who left immediately after the church service, described the celebrant as a dependable aide. He said: “I call him ‘acting big man’ because he always saunters in. He is a character because he does things that I cannot do. In terms of being a character,’Niyi is 100 per cent. Besides, he is loyal, vigilant and committed to our political struggle in Ogun State”.

With the church service over, the reception took place at the popular Century Hotel, Okota, Isolo, Lagos where Afro-pop artiste, Paul Play Dairo, thrilled guests with edifying lyrics. The dotting, but dutiful wife of the gap-toothed celebrant, ‘Kemi, had a few good words for her husband.

“He is a very caring husband who considers his family first before other things.

He is also a good Christian, very humane, humble, hardworking and jovial. We have been married for 19 years now and I can attest to his good character. I wish him many happy returns and I pray he will be alive to celebrate his 100 birthday with fulfilment of his heart

desires,”she said.

In his words, the Special Adviser on Revenue and Taxation to Ogun governor, Mr. Adewale Ogunyomade, said: “I have known Prince Adesanya for long, well over 25 years. He is a dynamic person who speaks his mind at all times. He is fun to be with, a family man and very hardworking”.

Dressed in a flowing blue agbada with a pointed cap, similar to Gov.Amosun’s to match, the celebrant beamed with smile as he moved from table to table in a show of appreciation to guests who turned up in their hundreds to honour him .

The event also witnessed the cutting of a cake by the celebrant who was ably assisted by his better-half.

Although guests on the occasion did not wish for an

encore, they got one when the joyous couple later hit the floor amid friends, associates and family members to dance to the music of Dairo.

While thanking God for His mercies in his life, Adesanya said: “My words are not enough to thank God for keeping me alive till this moment and for His blessings in my life. I also want to thank my mentor, His Excellency, Gov. Ibikunle Amosun, for finding time to honour me today; members of his cabinet, aides and well wishers who have come to felicitate with me.

“As I hit 50 today, I believe I still owe humanity a lot in terms of service and commitment. Therefore, I shall continue to offer my best in service to Ogun State, Gov. Amosun and most importantly humanity.”

•Prince Adesanya and wife while cutting the cake

Ogun State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Elizabeth Sonubi(left), and Chief (Mrs.) Alaba Lawson, Iyalode of Yorubaland •Senator Ibikunle Amosun

L -R:Kola Okesanjo, Taslim Banire, Hon Deji Orebiyi and Hon Deji Jakande

•L-R: Wale Ajala, Humphrey Onyanabo, Victor Odunsi and Chief Akin Williams

•L-R: Secretary to Ogun State Government (SSG) ,Barrister Taiwo Adeoluwa, and Prince (Dr) Gbolahan Dada

• L-R: David Ade Akinrinade and Sunday Akinrinade

49

THE NATION, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2011

•Mallam Yau's Dufuna stepping out of his hut

Q

UITE frankly, Mallam Ya’u Dufuna cannot be ranked in the comity of world-class archeologists or explorers, but his contribution to world history cannot be swept under the carpet after discovering the third oldest artifact and the world oldest water craft ever-The Dufuna Canoe.

Unlike other personalities behind great discoveries whose lives are celebrated, what has followed Mallam Ya’u since his discovery has been misery, poverty, frustration, neglect, rejection, sorrow, regret, name it. All these have propelled the 80-year-old Fulani herdsman to choose a life of solitary and self-exile.

An encounter with Mallam Ya’u revealed a man filled with anger, frustration and regret with an initial high uncompromising position to talk to our reporter until after much persuasion ”If I had known the mystery behind Dufuna Canoe, I wouldn’t have made it public after the discovery. I had more than 50 cows before that time, but I cannot explain exactly how I lost all of them”, he murmured.

According to him, the Dufuna Canoe had some mysteries unknown to him as he explained: “It was later on after the discovery that some villagers told me about a prophecy passed over to their generation by a renowned Islamic cleric called Mallam Abdu who predicted that”.

He narrated the prophecy,

Ya’u Dufuna :Discoverer of world’s third oldest artefact Duku JOEL, Damaturu

”One day, a Fulani herdsman will come to Fune and find a boat in a well that people all over the world will come to visit, but he will face mysterious challenges in life,but, with time, he would overcome it”, Yau said.

With anger he shouted, “Here am I today; you people only visit me to get information without any attempt to salvage my situation. I left my house and everything at Fune to get rid of this frustration.

People in the village are now pointing fingers at me not because of the world acclaimed discovery I have achieved, but how I lost my wealth mysteriously. I migrated to this place just to start a new life. I am surprised to see you here because nobody knows exactly where I relocated to. If I want anything in the town, Musah( pointing to his son) always gets it for me”.

Getting to Mallam Ya’u’s new abode was another experience entirely. A bushy cattle track overgrown with thorns leads to the house. Our reporter held his grip tightly on the motorcycle which

traversed the 18-kilometre winding path, occasionally flogged by the overlapping shrubs along the unkempt path as we arrived at Rugar Mai kwale-kwale(meaning the house of Mr. Canoe).

Engaging Mallam Ya’u in a conversation was quite difficult, but he occasionally voiced out some of the things that happened after the discovery.

He recalled one of the promises to him by the then military administrator, whom he could not recall his name, that he would be giving a good life in the town and employed in the History Bureau of the state, while the sum of N50, 000 was approved for him. ”I have forgotten the name of the then military administrator. One black man ordered the approval of N50,000 for me, and the money was released to my local government chairman, Musa, but he refused to give me the money. My son asked me to take the matter to court, but I declined,believing that God who showed me the canoe

would one day force him to give me back the money. After a year or so, Ibrahim Shariff came to interview me. I told him about the money, not quite long from the day we discussed, the chairman came to my house and gave me the money. It was only the money I received from the government and none had ever come to sympathise with me.

“Last year, I received a monthly salary of N8,000, but now that the salary comes through bank, I am left with N7,000. And my son used to spend N2,500 on commercial bike and motor to Damaturu. He returns with N4,500 which I use to feed myself and the family because unlike before, we must now buy (milk) for the family consumption”, he bemoaned Mallam Yau is angry that the government of Yobe State is not ready to help him out of his frustration, recalling his encounter with the then governor Bukar Abba Ibrahim as disappointing, “Governor Bukar invited me to the government house and asked me the same question you are asking. He escorted me to his door step after we finished and told me that ‘Hon. Baba Gishiwari is your representative. You go to his

house and pass the night. In the morning, he will take you to motor park.’ We slept in his house. In the morning, he conveyed us to the park, but to my surprise, Baba Gishiwari gave three of us N100 to transport ourselves back, and Bukar did not gave me a penny”.

He explained how he found the canoe, recalling attempts by the Dufuna village head to destroy it when he cautioned him that it was a very important monument, considering where the canoe was facing.

“I struck the canoe while digging a well for my livestock, having dug 2.5 yards. I saw a sign of komi (canoe) with its bow facing the East. I told my son who was helping me collect sand out of the well that we had found a komi (canoe) inside. He replied with surprise, ‘canoe baba?’I then decided to keep mute until I was very much sure because I had no excuse to tell lies. Later I asked one of my sons to enter the well and check if he could find a wooden object inside. He Continued on Page 50

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THE NATION, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2011

Ya’u Dufuna :Discoverer of world’s third oldest artefact

•The interior of the hut

•His dwelling place

Continued from Page 49

confirmed to me that it was a long canoe. What attracted me more about the canoe was that the bow of the canoe was facing Mecca, while its stem was coming from Sokoto. Having noticed that I communicated to the village head, he exerted all his effort to remove it out but couldn’t. So he tried to break it before I cautioned him and advised him to pass the information

to Damagum district head.

The news of the discovery travelled fast and reached the government. A white man came and dug the well, and he found the canoe and a small pot inside”.

Ya’u said he had no idea what the small pot contained.

He continued:”The white man asked us to bury the canoe quickly after the findings. Three years later, he reappeared to tell us that the

canoe was eight thousand and ten years, and it was the artifact of Prophet Noah (AS). They lifted the canoe out with the help of more than 50 labourers and conveyed it to Damaturu for preservation. It was during Ibrahim Babangida’s regime.”

Failed promises In 2009, the Presidential Implementation Committee on Museums and Monuments led by the then Minister of Culture, Tourism

and National Orientation, Abubakar Sadiq Mohammed, told Gov. Gaidam durig a courtesy call in Damaturu that the Federal Government of Nigeria was to take over the Dufuna Village in the Fune Local Government Area of Yobe State and make it a national tourism centre.

The village, located in Yobe State, is the locality where the oldest watercraft, the Dufuna Canoe, was discovered in Africa. The canoe, said to be 8000 years, was discovered by one

Yau, a Fulani herdsman, who was digging a well in search of water for his cows. It is ranked as the third oldest world discovery, according to archeologists.

The minister also declared that: ”The excavation site of this historical heritage will be declared as a national monument site by the federal government. This administration is committed to restoring our past glories”, adding

that, “the village will also be transformed for the benefit of the rural dwellers. More attention will be given to research activities at the site.

It is possible that more discoveries could be made at the area”.

More than two years after the visit of the minister, no government official has ever visited Fune or the excavation site of the canoe, just as the man behind it Mallam Yau still wallows in penury.

Kehinde FALODE: 08023689894

Sweet and spicy shrimp

Health and nutritional benefits of strawberries

Foluke ADEMOLA

This lovely tasteful shrimp is good to eat by the young and the old. It can be eaten at any time of the day. Try one today with a chilled drink.

Ingredients •1/4 cup soy sauce •2 teaspoons sugar •2 teaspoons cornstarch •1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper •1/2 teaspoon sesame or vegetable oil •1 tablespoon vegetable oil •1 small onion, sliced •1 small green bell pepper, sliced •1 medium carrot, thinly sliced •3/4 pound peeled and deveined raw large shrimp — thawed if frozen •Hot cooked rice — if desired

Preparation •Mix soy sauce, sugar, cornstarch, red pepper and sesame oil; set aside.

•Heat vegetable oil in 10inch skillet over mediumhigh heat. Cook onion, bell pepper and carrot in oil 2 to

3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until crisp-tender.

•Stir in soy sauce mixture and shrimp. Cook 3 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until shrimp are pink and firm and sauce is thickened.

•Serve over rice, if desired

IT is generally not known that strawberries are in the same family of the rose flower (Rosaceae) and are really not considered a fruit: the part we eat does not consist of the plant’s ovaries (the common definition of fruit), but of the hypanthium (a saucer-shaped structure that holds the ovaries).

Strawberries, as we know them today, are a hybrid of different species, specifically selected by breeders during the centuries to yield more crops, with a better taste and a more nutritious profile. Even though it may be known as one of the sweeter fruits, there are still quite a few nutritional benefits to eating this fruit. So, if you’re looking for a good fruit to ingest, people generally consider the strawberry as one that’s worth considering. Below are few tips: •Strawberries have long been known as one of the better choices for fruits, as they’re

Pink Lemonade Strawberries lend a bright pink colour and a sweet berry contrast to the tart lemon flavour in this ideal drink.

Ingredients •1-1/2 cups of granulated sugar •1 cup coarsely chopped fresh strawberries (about 6 oz.)

•Zest of 2 lemons, peeled off in strips with a vegetable peeler (avoid the white pith) •2 cups fresh lemon juice Method ·Combine the sugar and strawberries with 2 cups of water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium- high heat, stirring

occasionally.

•Reduce the heat to low and simmer until the berries begin to release their colour and soften slightly, about 3 minutes. Stir in the lemon zest. Set aside and let cool completely.

•The berries will continue to soften and release their colour while the syrup cools.

Pour the cooled syrup and berries into a fine sieve set over a pitcher or bowl.

•With the back of a spoon or a rubber spatula, press lightly on the berries to extract most of the syrup. Discard the solid and add the lemon juice and 2-1/2 cups cold water to the syrup mixture and stir until well blended.

•The lemonade can be served immediately over ice or refrigerated for up to two days.

the favourite of plenty of people out there. There’s no secret that when strawberries are ripe they’re probably the best fruit known to man. Fortunately enough, there are some really good things about strawberries when considering the nutritional aspects of the fruit, but that’s the case for just about every fruit.

•Strawberries are good for diabetics, as they help stabilize the level of blood glucose •They are said to help in regulating blood pressure and thus, diminishing the risk of heart disease. It has been associated with inhibiting the production of cholesterol in the liver.

•They’re easily some of the tastiest fruits, they’re good for weight loss, and they really do something impressive when it comes to maintaining a person’s health.

•Rubbing a cut strawberry on teeth and gums helps remove tartar, apart from

strengthening and healing the gums. Since strawberries are rich in fiber, they help the body in absorbing nutrients.

•It has been known to help the body in getting rid of harmful toxins. The high antioxidant levels in strawberries can help the body neutralize the destructive effects of free radicals.

•The potassium in strawberries helps regulate the electrolytes in the body, in turn lowering the risk of stroke.

•Strawberries have higher levels of vitamin c, fiber, folate and potassium than most other fruits like bananas, apples and even oranges.

•Apart from the obvious health benefits, a recent study

by Dr. Gene Spiller, uutrition and health research center, has shown that eating one serving (about 8-10 strawberries) a day can significantly decrease blood pressure, which may reduce the risk of heart disease.

•Strawberries contain 32 calories/100g, which are mostly carbohydrates. They are a very good source of dietary fiber and iodine; it does also contain an array of beneficial phytonutrients, including flavonoids, anthocyanidins and ellagic acid.

•They have the ability to lower the risk of cancers of the gastrointestinal tract due to presence of Vitamin C. It has also been stipulated to enhance memory function and reduce rheumatoid arthritis.

•Strawberries can significantly decrease blood pressure which may reduce the risk of heart disease.

51

THE NATION, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2011

NTDC stages gig at TBS

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AST week’s indepen dence day’s eve was a spectacle to behold at the Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos. Top Nigerian musicians were invited by the by the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation for a concert tagged Unity and Patriotic Pre-independence Concert.

The event was symbolically staged at the square to mark the occasion and will go down in history as the first of its kind in the country.

The show commenced at about 12 noon and lasted for several hours with major household names in the music and comedy industries taking turns to thrill the crowd with exhilarating performances.

Contemporary highlife maestro, Sunny Nneji, popularly known as “Mr. Fantastik”, got the ball rolling with his attractive stage presence, performing popular hits like Mr. Fantastik, Oruka, Lovey Dovey, Ojoro and Face Me, while Paul Play Dairo was next to entertain with his exquisite vocals, singing timeless songs like Mosorire, Angel of My Life, Delicious, Happy Day and many more.

Afro-beat specialist, Alariwo of Africa, proved his mettle as a renowned Afrobeat expert by dazzling the crowd with melodious tunes reminiscent of the late Afrobeat legend, Fela Anikulakpokuti, while veteran showman and icon of juju music, Sir Shina Peters, did not disappoint with his breathtaking songs accompanied by mesmerizing dance routines from his energetic backup dancers.

The concert also featured hilarious comedian, Elewon, who reeled out funny jokes to the admiration of all in attendance, just as the popular masquerade, Lagbaja, was on hand to entertain with his excellent mastery of the saxophone rendering classics like Never Far Away, Konko Below, Gra Gra, Nothing For You and several more all complemented by a superb display of fireworks.

The high point of the event

was the cutting of the independence “unity cake” which was designed to reflect the colours of the Nigerian flag and the pictures of all Nigeria’s leaders from independence till date.

During the cutting of the cake, the Director General of the NTDC, Otunba Segun Runsewe, while, thanking all for participating in the preindependence concert said, “I want to reveal to you that this very spot where we have placed the cake and where we

are standing to cut it was where the Nigerian flag was first hoisted while the British flag, the Union Jack, was lowered on Independence Day on October 1, 1960 and it was also the spot where the likes of Azikiwe, Balewa, Akintola and Awolowo all stood and agreed that we must move our country forward. You can all see the significance of this place.

“It is my prayer that God will continue to strengthen us as a country and grant us

the spirit of unity and true patriotism.”

Dignitaries at the concert included representative of the wife of the Senate President, Hajia Rabi Mohammed Hassan, and Lady Ada Chukwudozie, Executive Director, Dozzy Oil and Gas and Publisher, Vogue magazine. Also at the event were some top Nollywood personalities like Fred Amata, Saidi Balogun, Halima Abubakar and Kola Olaya.

•Sir Shina Peters and his dancers during the concert

T

HERE is a new trend in the Nigerian Christian pilgrimage to Israel. Many potential pilgrims to the Holy Land now prefer a more organized package trip rather than the mass organized trip by states and federal government under the auspices of the various tourism boards.

Ms.Olufunke Taiwo, the managing director of Lagos-based Hadur Consult Limited, one of the travel agencies offering this special package, spoke about this new trend: “The pilgrimage is packaged for private individuals. We call it executive tour because we like to target the corporate clientele. We also go to the fellowships. We operate as if we are in a corporate world. We keep time; we keep schedules.

When we say this is our date, we try to maintain it at all costs. That is one of the things that currently attracts Christians to the package. “ She said the pilgrimage focuses on “the belief that Christians all over the world, Nigerians especially, want to know more about the Bible, more about Jesus. So we tailor out tours towards that. When we get

to these holy sites, we do the Bible reading. The pilgrims bring their prayer points; we do a whole lot of activities because we believe in increasing the spiritual lives of the pilgrims. It is all about spiritual growth. We see to it that at the end of the pilgrimage, the pilgrims will contribute to the welfare of their society. They will have more knowledge of the Bible. At the end of the pilgrimage, they would have increased in their spiritual lives and also getting them more fulfilled in their spiritual lives.”

She said the tour was an all year round thing. “We specialize in organizing all year round tours. Normally our group tours are around April/May and October/ November. When we say we have a group tour is when we as a company organises people from various religious backgrounds.

We are looking at a minimum of about 20 people and we take them on the pilgrimage. They will tell us they have a certain number of people and would ask if we could package something for them. We are ready all the year round,” she said.

SUDOKU 1ST STEP IN SOLVING PUZZLE 339: Look at the 3 bottom horizontal (GHI) 3x3 boxes. The left box has 6 in cell Ib, while the middle box has its 6 in cell Ge. The right box must, therefore, have its own 6 in row H, where there is only one vacant space - cell Hg. Reasoning along these lines, try and fill in all the other vacant cells.

Thinking along these lines, try and fill in all the other vacant cells SOLUTION TOMORROW. HAPPY PUZZLING!

•Otunba Segun Runsewe, DG (NTDC), discussing with Lady Ada Chukwudozie, publisher, Vogue Africa magazine and representative of Senate President’s wife, Hajia Rabi Mohammed, during the event

Gambia to celebrate day at Akwaaba HE government of The Gambia through its Ministry of Tourism will be hosting a Gambian day duringthis year’s Akwaaba International Travel Market.

The event will hold on Thursday, October 20.

Akwaaba will be starting two days earlier than planned because the Lagos State Local Government elections have been fixed for October 22.

This year’s Akwaaba will start on the f October 19 and end on the 21. The special 3-hour event at Akwaaba will see the Minister Fatou Mas Jobe ,making a presentation to culture, entertainment and tourism stakeholders on the strength of the Gambian brand as a premium destination for Nigerians. Last year, the Ghanaian Minister of Tourism along with Asiwaju Bola Tinubu hosted a well-attended Ghana day at

New trend in Christian pilgrimage T

Akwaaba.

This comes as Lufthansa German Airlines has joined the supporters of Akwaaba as Sponsors of Akwaaba.

Lufthansa is one of the leading European carriers with worldwide connections. The other sponsors of this year’s event include NCAA, Southern Sun Hotels, Ethiopian Airlines and South African Airlines.

Akwaaba, African Travel Market, is the only international expo in West Africa listed by United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), a partner event of African Travel Association( ATA )in the region and the only member of International Tourism Trade Fairs Association (ITTFA) in West Africa.

AfTM seeks to make travelling a pleasurably seamless experience in Africa.

The change of date is in anticipation of a possible restric-

tion of movement and considering the large number of foreigners expected at this year’s event, the organizers have moved the date two days earlier. Before moving the date, the global calendar of events was taken into consideration as AfTM is the only internationally listed event in West Africa.

This comes as more countries and international firms register to participate. Zimbabwe, Chad and Namibia will be first timers at this year’s event along with the re-entry of representatives from USA. Leading airlines and international hotel chains from all over Africa will be attending the only international fair in West Africa.

Meanwhile, the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agents (NANTA), is partnering the organizers of Akwaaba to make the event a success. NANTA is the biggest

travel association in Nigeria and the umbrella body of travel agencies will be bringing its members to the event as both sellers and buyers, according to the national publicity secretary of NANTA Mrs. Tinuke Nwakohu, ‘NANTA will participate in AKWAABA as the event provides a local opportunity for players in the Travel Trade to network and work together as Travel markets are the lifeblood of travel business globally and cannot be different in Nigeria’.

Mr. Ikechi Uko representing the organizers said “having NANTA as a partner completes the circle as our event have partnership with global associations and having a credible national group like NANTA completes the circle for us and we are excited to tap on their goodwill and expertise”.

52

THE NATION, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2011

Growing children of destiny (2)

EAR Reader, With joy and gladness I welcome you again to this edition of family forum. My prayer for you today, is that, God’s purpose and plans for your wonderful children shall be established.

Last week, I discussed on the topic, ‘children are blessings’. I said your perspective about your children determines your focus and interest in them.

This week, I will be teaching on Training: A Vital Key To Growing Children of Destiny! The only way to preserve the coming generation is to train the children today.

Our children are the generation to come and God’s Word says: A good man leaveth an inheritance

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to his children’s children (Proverbs 13:22). Growing children of destiny, who will take off from where we stop, is the only inheritance we can leave for the next generation.

God’s Word says: Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it (Proverbs 22:6). The topic of child training is one of utmost importance, because once a man finds a wife and they are joined in holy wedlock, what adds colour to their union is the blessing of a child.

There are certain basic truths about child training, which when you embrace and practise will enable you grow children of destiny.

them according to God’s standard.

•It Requires Diligence It is serious business growing children of destiny. God specifically instructed Israel to mind the words of His command and pass them down to their children with all diligence as seen in Deuteronomy 6:6-7. In other words, child training is no small responsibility; it must be done carefully and purposefully.

It is a fact that children spend a greater percentage of their time at home with their parents. So, Christian parents need to sit down and teach their children the scriptures.

I ensure that I’m always present at our children’s devotion time, or else their daddy is, or both of us are. The business of child training will bring invaluable profit to your life, both now and in future, if you do it diligently as instructed

by God. •It Is A Seed Successful farmers pay close attention to the quality of the seeds they sow, particularly as they want to make good profits from the harvest. In the same vein, child training God’s way is a seed with promises of great reward. I’m

sounding this alarm that: “There is profit in sowing the seed of a sound Christian upbringing in your children.” It helps you reap the fruit of peace, joy and fulfilment tomorrow more than you can ever imagine!

To effectively utilize the key of training in growing children of destiny, you have to be born again.

If you are not born again and would like to have that experience, please say this prayer of faith: Dear Lord, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me my sins.

Cleanse me with Your precious Blood. I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Now I know I am born again!

Congratulations! Call or write, and share your testimonies with me through: E-mail: faithdavid@yahoo.com Tel. No: 2341-7747546-8; 07026385437, 07094254102.

For more insight, these books authored by me are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all the Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian bookstores: Raising Godly Children, Understanding Motherhood and Building A Successful Family.

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Healthy Living Tips and Tricks

across the world. You can consider many sport hobbies like swimming and cycling instead of the regular forms of workouts. It is recommended that you consult a certified personal trainer to design your workout routine after due consideration to your lifestyle and any physical problems that you may have.

HE benefits of healthy living are fairly obvious. It makes one stay physically active and one rarely gets sick.

If you are healthy and active, you can do all the things you want. This is why most people do all they can, just for a healthy life.

Healthy living is available to everyone, and does not depend on buying the latest diet book or the most expensive vitamins. All that you need to do is to start making healthy decisions.

How to eat healthy

The most important facet of your life that you need to change as you move towards healthy living is to start eating nutritious foods. Do not try to follow a trendy diet, just eat a balanced diet of nutritious foods. When you eat well, you lower your risk of many health problems such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease and certain kinds of cancer.

You will also give yourself more energy, allowing you to enjoy life again.

The most important group of foods, and the one that is most often the cause of poor diets, is fruit and vegetables. There is nothing particularly innovative about this advice; everyone knows that you need to eat your fruit and vegetables. The main problem is that so few people actually consume the seven to ten daily servings of fruits and vegetables they are supposed to have each day. And when they do eat fruit and vegetables, it is in forms that include added sugar, salt or fat.

The food group that we all eat too much of is meat. Try to limit your meat intake, and emphasize meat alternatives for your protein needs.

While you definitely need meat or an alternative for the protein,

most people eat far too much from this food group. You will be surprised at how little is actually required to get you through the day.

A nutritious diet is the first step to healthy living. The diet you consume today will show its effects in many of the later years to come. Excessive consumption of a diet rich in fat, carbohydrates, alcohol, etc. does irreparable damage to your body and many cause problems like obesity as well as serious ailments such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol going forward. A healthy diet consisting of all essential nutrients namely complex carbohydrates, essential fatty acids, fiber, protein and mineral goes a long way to keep you healthy. This of course does not mean that you cannot cheat or indulge once in a while. You can consult your physician or dietitian to draw a diet chart for you that meets all the nutritional requirements of your body.

Get active

The progress of medical knowledge over the last century has been astonishing. The most important realization undeniably has been the need for healthy living. This involves having a nourishing diet and a regular exercise routine all through your life that will help you prevent many diseases and problems. Although the discipline is best when started at an early age, it is never too late to change your lifestyle f o r

As we know, the foundation of a building is its most important part, likewise, these basic truths form the foundation for children of destiny.

These basic truths are not limited to, but include: •God Owns Your Children God’s Word says: Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward (Psalms 127:3). An understanding of the truth that those children, in actual sense, do not belong to you, but to God, will enhance your focus and interest in growing them to become children of destiny.

It is important to state here that the future of the church depends, to a large extent, on what we do with our children today. Thus, if the present move of God must be sustained and increased, then parents must be awake to the call of God, to grow children of destiny.

I strongly believe that a day of reckoning is coming for all parents, when each of us will stand before God, to render account for the lives of our children. Now that those children can be shaped and moulded, shape them and mould

the better.

Once you have started eating well, it is time to go out and get some physical activity! Now, this does not mean that you have to incorporate a rigorous physical workout into your daily routine.

Just including small amounts of physical activity in your life will make a difference. So take the stairs instead of the escalator, or walk to the corner store instead of driving four blocks. Start slowly and incorporate more physical activity into your life,

and you will be amazed at how quickly the results will add up.

A regular exercise routine goes hand in hand with a balanced diet to help you have a fit body and enjoy a healthy living. Physical exercise helps you control weight, maintain muscle strength, bone density and strengthen your immune system. Your exercise routine should ideally consist of cardiovascular exercises and weight training. There are many alternate forms of exercise that have become very popular with people living

Have fun

The final component of healthy living is to have a healthy mind.

Build up a strong peer group who will give you the social support you need to be truly happy. This will reduce your stress, which will only lead to a healthier body.

What happens to a woman’s fertility after 40?

Infertility is one of those common yet deeply personal issues that many women still don’t feel comfortable talking about — which may explain why some of them seem a bit confused about how getting older affects their ability to achieve a healthy pregnancy.

A recent article in The New York Times discusses the phenomenon of 40-something women who think they’re fertile, simply because they look youthful and healthy.

The takeaway, according to Dr. Jamie Grifo, Program Director at NYU Fertility Center, is that women need to learn the facts about fertility and aging.

“Just because you’ve done all the right things your whole life doesn’t mean you’re going to be fertile,” he says. “Some women are very fertile at 40, some are infertile and the majority are in between.”

When you’re a fetus, you have 7 million eggs, Grifo explains. When you’re born, you have one to two million. At puberty, you have 400,000; by age 30, 87 percent of those are gone; at age 40, 97 percent of those are gone. That leaves 12,000 eggs — a lot — but most of them aren’t good, meaning the eggs are less viable and you’re more likely to miscarry.

When you’re 40, your chance of getting pregnant is about two to four percent per cycle — that’s not a high number, Grifo admits. But if it’s any consolation, when you’re 25, you only have about a 10 percent chance per cycle.

“You’ll read in the media that it’s 20 percent — that might be the pregnancy rate, but it’s not the baby rate,” Grifo explains.

In one round of IVF (in vitro fertilization, the process by which egg cells are fertilized by sperm outside the body) at age 30, 60 percent

make a baby. At 40, it’s 28 percent. By 44, it’s down to six percent, according to NYU data.

These figures may sound alarming, but there’s no need to panic. If you’re having trouble conceiving at any age, treatment options are available, from intrauterine insemination (IUI) to IVF to egg donors. Grifo suggests getting evaluated right away if you’re over 40, rather than wasting six months not knowing if you have an issue.

Even better? Plan ahead. Obviously, you can’t control when you find a partner (if you’re looking for one), and you may not be ready to start a family right now. Plus, fertility isn’t a one-sided equation — men can have problems, too. But if possible, it’s smart to start thinking about your fertility sooner rather than later.

“Make your plan rather than letting life happen to you,” Grifo says, adding that women who are not ready to have a baby should consider egg freezing if they have the means, especially when they are under 35.

The Times article suggests that Hollywood stars who give birth after age 40 are misleading women to think that it’s easier than it really is.

It’s true that celebrities rarely open up about fertility struggles.

“It’s easy to single out some people, when in reality our reproductive health knowledge in this country, whether you are a man or a woman, is terrible. If women knew more about their biological clock and their fertility potential, they would not need to rely on uninformed people to give them reproductive health information.”

She also agrees that learning the facts is your best weapon against infertility at any age.

“It’s not only important to understand your reproductive health, but to fully know the options that may be available to you,” she says.

53 Coping with diseases

THE NATION, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2011

Drugs and happiness Psychoactive drugs

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Marijuana leaves and buds contain cannabinoids.

These chemicals behave like nerve chemicals called endocannabinoids that are found naturally in the human brain. The cannabinoids in marijuana are psychoactive and they overtake the actions of natural cannabinoids in the brain.

There are many different brain chemicals that are messengers in nerve cells in different parts of the brain that control various functions of life. Psychoactive drugs resemble some of these brain chemicals or interact with them or modulate their natural functions in various ways. They are typically used socially for mind and mood alteration and many of them have come to be known as “street drugs” or “club drugs”. Officially they are referred to a “drugs of abuse” or “drugs of addiction”.

Psychoactive natural products include morphine (dope) and other opiates and opioids (such as China white (very potent), heroin, methadone, Percocet, Percodan, and Vicodin); LSD (ergot), mescaline, and psilocybin.

The last three are hallucinogens that have been adopted by various categories of people, including for “religious” experience.

A person under the influence of a hallucinogen cannot make rational judgment or avoid normal dangers.

Hallucinogens produce hallucinations, depersonaliza-

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OO much intake of antibiotics for other ailments can result into staphylococcus of the colon; if the infection spreads to the brain it could cause insomnia, which could lead to mental disorder.

Not all cases of people with mental disorder or psychiatric problems are spiritual, because a situation where by a victim of staph of the brain could not sleep for days or weeks will automatically lead to a mental imbalance. Another problem of the spread of staph to the brain is epilepsy (falling sickness) that is marked by disturbed electrical rhythms of the central nervous system and is typically manifested by convulsive attacks usually with the victim

tion, .shape and color distortion, and distorted time perception. The user may get flashbacks several years after drug use. Hallucinogens do not cause dependence or addiction but can produce tolerance, the user needing more and more of the drug to get the same effect. Hence financial crises may evolve.

LSD is known in the streets as acid, bartman, microdots, window panes, and gelatin chips. Depending on the individual and the manner of administration, it can cause “good trips” with pleasant effects or “bad trips” with paranoia, panic, and agitation.

LSD effects are mainly visual, e.g. colors become brilliant, shapes become distorted, distances between objects become confused.

Senses may become fused, e.g. colors appear to have specific smells. The subject may undergo rapid mood changes during one drug experience from happy to sad, irritable to meditative, calm to frightened, and development of anxiety is common. Large doses induce abortion.

Phencyclidine (PCP), a “club drug” is known as angel dust, hog, horse tranquilizer, killerjoints, and peace pills. It produces disconnection from reality, a feeling of separation of mind from body (“astral travelling”), and visual distortions. If used chronically, irreversible schizophrenia-like psychosis may

with Prof. Dayo Oyekole

Piles (Haemorrhoids)

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develop.

Amphetamines (performance enhancers that delay the onset of feeling of physical and mental fatigue) are circulated as crystal meth, black beauties, bumble bees, bennies, co-pilots, crank, speed, uppers and hot ice.

Amphetamines have been used by various categories of people: soldiers, truck drivers, exam students, and athletes. They are dangerous because they diminish the awareness of fatigue which is a natural warning and can cause sudden collapse or death. Youths in parties called “raves” use social drugs such as Ecstasy, a synthetic amphetamine-like designer drug that does not impair intellectual capacities if used lightly. With allnight dancing and burning of energy, it can produce a fatal increase in body temperature, dehydration, and seizures.

The flip side of stimulants is the tendency of the abuser to develop panic attacks, psychosis, paranoia, aggressiveness, and antisocial behavior including disposition to fight.

Some hypnotic and sedative psychoactive drugs such as benzodiazepines

(Rohypnol, roofies, Valium) have been used for date-rape and other criminal purposes.

Barbiturates (downers, red devils, red birds, yellow jackets) are also popular social drugs. They are all abused because they produce euphoria. Depressant drugs may cause loss of memory, unconsciousness, and accidental death.

Nicotine in cigarette smoke, snuff, and chewing tobacco is used to enhance performance. It is also addictive. It enhances cognitive performance and produces mild withdrawal effects. Cocaine (crack) is an addictive drug that is “socially” used to get euphoric or “high”. It was traditionally used by South American Indians who still grow plantations of coca leaves in the Andes. It is rumored to be one of the original components of the cocacola® formula (coca leaves and kola nuts). Kola, containing caffeine, a performance enhancer that increases wakefulness, is a traditional “habit” in West Africa and its addictive property is not considered harmful. Of course, the whole world drinks tea and coffee, which contain caffeine. No wonder we are always on the go.

Staphylococcal infection (2) becoming unconscious.

Staphylococcus infection is a major cause of infertility in both male and female.

Most women would have contracted this infection even before marriage usually as a toilet infection, but due to ignorance or nonchalant attitude the infection would have affected the reproductive organs. If you are a lady and in one time or another you have treated one infection or another especially a venereal disease, you have to make sure that you are totally cured.

One mistake that most ladies make is that once they

experience itching in their private part they go to chemists to buy drugs to stop the itching. Once the itching stops they feel they are okay and free, not knowing that they have only cured the infection externally but internally the infection is still there. The internal infection may not show any serious symptoms for some years, but it will gradually be affecting the internal reproductive organs.

When such women now get married they now find it difficult to conceive, running from one gynecologist to another. Such lady could have save herself and her husband from such trouble if only she had done the right thing at the right time.

This piece started last week and thanks to God it has blessed many people who called for one assistance or the other. This is the continuation of what you have read last week, don't hesitate to call us to share your problem with us we assure you Sound Health thereafter by God's grace.

Staphylococcus infection is a major cause of infertility in both male and female. Most women would have contracted this infection even before marriage usually as a toilet infection, but due to ignorance or nonchalant attitude the infection would have affected the reproductive organs.

If you are a lady and in one time or another you have treated one infection or another especially a venereal disease, you have to make sure that you are totally cured. One mistake that most ladies make is that once they experience itching in

their private part they go to chemists to buy drugs to stop the itching. Once the itching stops they feel they are okay and free, not knowing that they have only cured the infection externally but internally the infection is still there.

The internal infection may not show any serious symptoms for some years, but it will gradually be affecting the internal reproductive organs.

When such women now get married they now find it difficult to conceive, running from one gynecologist to another.

Such lady could have save herself and her husband from such trouble if only she had done the right thing at the right time.

If you are a lady and you have any of the following symptoms you may need to come for medical check up, • itching in the private part •vaginal discharge •irregular menstruation •swollen breasts •painful intercourse •painful menstruation •back ache •internal body heat •stomach making funny noise •moving sensation in your body Once you have some or all of the above symptoms then there is need for serious concern because it could lead to any of the following ailment, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease.

(P.I.D.), Fallopian tubal blockage, candida, ovarian cysts, all of which can cause infertility.

•Dr B. Filani is the Chief Consultant of Sound Health Centre, Lagos. You can contact him on 08023422010 or on facebook or email soundhealthcentre@yahoo.com.

ILES or haemorrhoids are swellings containing dilated or varicose veins situated in the mucous membranes of the rectum or in the skin around the anus.

Veins, unlike arteries, have insufficient strength in their walls to support much blood pressure. Therefore, veins often become distended. Veins around the rectum do not have much support from any other tissue, so they distend easily.

Constipation (resulting from over-eating and the presence of unassimilated bulk foods) is known to cause haemorrhoids or piles. Intoxicating liquors, artificial flavourings or spices, white bread, cakes, all other white flour products, fried foods, food that can form acid and cause fermentation, sugar and soft drinks also cause piles.

Straining at stool is an important factor in the development of piles, and the straining associated with childbirth is a common cause of haemorrhoids in women.

People with haemorrhoids may have pain in the rectum, with itching. In many cases, blood oozes from the haemorrhoids, usually in connection with emptying the bowels. Piles may protrude from the rectum; depending on how high up in the rectum the affected veins are located. When they protrude, the sphincter muscle of the rectum partially strangulates them and prevents their return.

From all these explanations, there is a glaring indication that civilization brings many benefits and beautiful things but at the same time, many things that are harmful and ugly. We have accepted to change our lifestyles to suit the new trend. This includes our traditional & local foods and drinks. Yes, it is civilization that makes us prefer the new spices in the market, with the comment that the native ones smell funny and they are messy.

Now, who pays for this "snob" effect? The person who pays the purchasing price pays the bill for the after-effect.

Prevention and Control In Holistic Lifecare, it is strongly advocated that the best way to control piles or haemorrhoids is to avoid constipation, so that the stools can pass regularly and with least possible irritation. This is accomplished by going back to nature. In that wise, it is necessary to avoid heavy and stimulating foods, tobacco, alcoholic drinks and soft drinks.

Light and simple diets made from grains and vegetables and generous eating of fruits will ensure good digestive system. Soya-bean products and very well ripe bananas are good. High hot enema are soothing and herbs like Nepeta cataria or Myrica cerifera could be used to cleanse the whole length of the colon. Aloe vera gel, generously absorbed in cotton wool and inserted as suppository overnight is also very healing.

The Holistic natural remedy being suggested for piles or haemorrhoids consists of a combination of natural extracts of herbs such as Croton penduliflorus, Ocimmum gratissimum , Securidaca longepedunculata and Aloe Vera.

For further information and consultation on Holistic Lifecare research and services, especially on Blood Infections, Infertility, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Chronic Debilitating Conditions as well as mental and social problems, please call on: 0803-330-3897 or visit: Mosebolatan Holistic Lifecare Centre, Adeyalo Layout, Ogbere-Tioya, Off Olorunsogo Express Bridge, Ibadan. Website: www.holisticlifecare.com. Distance is no barrier, we can send remedies by courier if need be. We also have facilities for accommodation, admission and hospitalization in a serene and homely environment.

54

THE NATION, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2011

2011 poll: Traditional rulers were used against me —Nasarawa governor, Al-Makura Alhaji Tanko AlMakura of Nasarawa State is the only governor of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC). In this interview with select journalists, he explains factors responsible for peace in the state and assesses his predecessors, among other issues. Excerpts:

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•Al-Makura

That was what I consider a way of giving the people sense of belonging and assurance that government will be sincere and carry everybody along. A lot of problems that emanate from lack of sincerity of government are the things that metamorphose into the kind of problems we see around. To nip it in the bud, right from day one, our actions have to give hope and assurance. Ours is a state in unison.

Second, the issue of poverty, we can always be optimistic despite the seeming hopeless situation in which we find ourselves. What can we do to improve our economic status?

And the people know the things we can do. Being realistic, being transparent, being honest in the delivery of governance has kept us away from the security problems around us. We are also telling the people at every opportunity that violence does not pay. We give an example of Plateau State, from where we came, Borno and other areas. So far,

it is yielding fruits.

We have gone round and seen many uncompleted projects in states of decay. How do you intend to prioritise the handling of the resuscitation of the projects?

When we came on board, we were faced with three fundamental problems. One, we had total absence of some physical infrastructure, and the very few we had, were in absolute decay.

Second, social services were grossly inadequate. And third, the morale, the psyche of the people of the state, was in the lowest ebb. I’m sorry if I’m making insinuations that may sound negative about my predecessors. I think they were not being realistic about the situation in the state. Nasarawa was carved out of Plateau State in 1996, and when we resumed in our new state, there was virtually no tangible infrastructure commensurate with the status of a state. Not even the state capital. What I expected my predeces-

sors to do, was to put certain basic infrastructure in place. No society, no community can afford these things by themselves. Provide road network and allow people to move around and sustain themselves.

Provide power which is the fulcrum for any serious development. Also, try to provide social services that will reduce certain stresses in the lives of the people. These were not properly handled. Rather, especially the last two administrations embarked on grandiose and flamboyant projects, as you’ve seen.

How do we prioritise the resuscitation of these projects vis-à-vis the funds at our disposal? In the first instance, we’ve tried to take stock, and figured out how much of the resources of the state have gone into the projects. How much was needed to access the value of those projects? Those that will require too much money, we’ll put them aside.

For instance, the Farin Ruwa power project, about N6 billion has been

‘ Being realistic, being transparent, being honest in the delivery of governance has kept us away from the security problems around us. We are also telling the people at every opportunity that violence does not pay ‘

LL around you, particularly in Jos, Abuja, and some parts of the North-east, there are cases of violence and terrorism, but Nasarawa has remained peaceful. What are you doing to ensure that it remains so?

Thank you very much. It’s as if you’ve seen my campaign manifesto. One of the very first things I promised the people was the enhancement of security. In the first place, I think we should give glory to Almighty God for keeping the state in peace, in spite of the fact that areas surrounding us are volatile. I can’t associate it with any personal effort, but the special grace of God. However, I think the way the people are, their idiosyncrasies, also determine the issue of security. Being within the North-central zone, Nasarawa is a state that one can safely say is an orphan. It’s a state that does not brag, it does not have sufficient infrastructure, both commercial and physical, that will make us feel boastful, or that our tomorrow has already come. We are a struggling state, and can’t afford that luxury of being belligerent. We are playing safe. We don’t have oil, we don’t have ports, commercial activities are still in their infancy, or analogue stage. Besides that, we cannot pride ourselves on who is who in this country when it comes to business and industrial development. So, I think psychologically, it is working for us. If we take any problem more than we can handle, we may be left to wander alone.

However, since I came in, I discovered that there is potential for security situation. So, I’ve identified two things. One is poverty, the other is sincerity of purpose by the government in place. What I do is to relate on personal note with the people of the state. I’ve never promised heaven on earth. I’ve tried to open their eyes to the situation in which we’ve found ourselves. I’ve tried the much I could to be transparent in the appointments I make, and in the way I disburse funds. We are a plural state, with more than 25 ethnic groups. We have Islam, Christianity and, even animist religion.

So, by way of appointments and projects, we try to make sure that every shade of opinion is fairly represented. We try to give every section or interest a sense of belonging.

When we appointed people into the development areas, we made sure out of 16, we had eight Christians, eight Muslims. When it got to the issue of permanent secretaries, we had about 26. We made sure we had 13 Christians and 13 Muslims.

spent on the project, we will require another N6 billion to put it in place.

And with our revenue of about N2 billion, how do we pay workers’ salaries? How do we take care of critical social services? So, such capital intensive projects we’ve put at bay, and we’ve tried to identify those projects that have direct impact on the lives of the people.

People have become hopeless, they have become despondent, and they are looking for just a little encouragement to put them back to life.

We’ve identified just three things.

One, roads. Nasarawa is basically an agricultural state. We thank God that the environment is conducive for cultivating all types of crops. So what we need is to build roads to enable people export their proceeds for marketing. So, we need network of feeder roads.

Number two, in spite of our nearness to Abuja, efficient power supply is non-existent. We got in touch with the relevant authorities, and they’ve told us what to do. Three months after getting into office, we have improved our power situation from about 17MW to about 30MW now. These are the kind of reprioritising we are embarking on.

The waterworks. For two years before I came on board, the taps were not running. We tried to identify the problems, and discovered the network was faulty, epileptic power was a serious factor, and the way the management handled the operation of the waterworks. We put in some money, and I’m glad to inform you that from the second week of our coming into office till this point in time, taps have never stopped running in Lafia. The most serious of it all was the chronic case of Nasarawa which had an old waterworks that never functioned. The state embarked on a new waterworks which cost about N2.5 billion. The money was spent up to about 50%, and not even up to 10% of the job was done. When we came in, we tried to resuscitate the old waterworks, and water is now flowing.

We have re-addressed our priorities to meet the challenges that face our people. Once we get over that, we can then get to secondary projects.

You are the only CPC governor, but some people say you are PDP at heart, and that one day, you’ll be back in the PDP. Is it true, particularly when the state House of Assembly is largely PDP? And again, what are you doing to make the CPC a proper political party, different from a mass movement built round the person of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari?

Your question excites me a lot. Let me start from the second part. As the only CPC governor, I take my success as a very big challenge. I have a covenant with the people of Nasarawa State. It’s a contract, they elected me based on trust, and based on my electoral promises. It is an obligation that I must discharge.

Second, if the CPC has more than one governor, what one governor lacks, the other can make up for. But now, the onus is on me to make sure that after discharging my responsibilities to the people, I should also be the ambassador of the party to the whole country. My approach is to dwell squarely on the philosophy and manifesto of the party because that is the basis on which you can assess or criticise the party. And like you said, it is a mass movement con•Continued on Page 55

55

THE NATION, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2011 vened by certain ideals, certain philosophies and certain principles.

What are those? Fairness. Equity.

The people, who are the end product of our focus.

So, I asked myself. What are the critical needs of the people? I determined not to embark on propaganda like my predecessors, who talked of giant strides that existed only on the pages of newspapers.

How do I serve the people so that their votes would not be in vain? I have to ensure that governance is not business as usual.

Once the people get convinced that this is their own government, and that we are doing exactly what we promised them, that will give the party some good image nationwide.

Second, there is the issue of whether I’ll go back to the PDP. Let me tell you my story. I was a founding member of the PDP. Up to this point in time, some of my best friends are in the PDP. The fact that I’ve changed my platform does not mean I should change my friends also. I have friends even at the highest echelon of the PDP. In fact, substantial number of people that voted for me are PDP people even though the state has now metamorphosed into a CPC state. So, when people are talking about my going back into the PDP, what am I looking for in the PDP? Am I looking for hardship? Am I looking for want? Already, the people in the PDP are with me. The people in the CPC have permeated the nooks and crannies of the state, so should I abandon them and start all over again?

As far as I’m concerned, it does not make sense. We have come, seen and conquered. Why do we have to be the conquered again? I am in the CPC for good, and any insinuation of going back to the PDP is like making the sun to rise from the West and setting in the East, which is impossible.

What are you going to do specifically about some abandoned projects like the international market at Karu, the meat factory, the sac factory, the Farin Ruwa power project, and others? What are you going to do in the short term?

As a matter of fact, some of the abandoned projects are not likely to be resuscitated due to the little resources at our disposal. The only avenue left to us as government is to embark on vigorous collaboration and partnership with credible entrepreneurs who have expertise in these areas. Those projects have become vulnerable to a lot of predators. Some people, who may not have been the best to handle the projects, but because they have seen us in distress, are sending us all kinds of proposals. So one of the greatest challenges we are having is to try to weigh and know whether those people giving very superlative consultancy presentations are the right people to handle the projects, or they are overnight consultants.

For that reason, we have set up a bureau of very credible experts, both from within and outside the state, to look at all the proposals. We are trying to see how we can make the best of a bad situation.

Take for example, the Karu market. This was a project that was handled and completed, and because of only N300 million, there was no sincerity of purpose to see how such loan could be handled.

I’m sorry to say, some of my predecessors didn’t see any direct benefit in bringing the market to life, and because of only N300 million, the place was left to rot for over 10 years.

And the loan skyrocketed to over N2 billion. And we had to go into the exhaustive process of buying back the loan. We just succeeded in paying back the encumbrances of the loan. The market has been inhabited by all sorts of squatters who have altered the physical structure.

‘Why Nasarawa is peaceful’

•Al-Makura

I’ve made three trips to the market, got the people evacuated, and we now need to give the place a facelift.

We will ensure it comes back to life.

The market is bigger than any in Abuja, and we will do something about it soon. We also have the option of selling it. We are looking at all the options closely.

When I talk about negligence and nonchallance, it is even beyond that.

There have been deliberate efforts to stagnate the state, by a laissez faire manner in attending to issues that deserve all seriousness. It even went beyond that. Even certain resources that accrue to the state, they commandeer to personal use.

It might sound like a fiction, but let me give you an instance. When we were still part of Plateau State, there was the Paris Club issue. A loan was taken, but this area which is now Nasarawa State never benefited from the loan. But being part of the state, when the loan was taken, our resources were used to pay back. After the debt payment negotiation, we exited the loan repayment. This state then benefited by virtue of the contributions it had made over the years in financing that loan. Certain refunds were made, and we benefited 113 million dollars in 2008.

The money was accessed, cashed and domiciled in Nasarawa, and everybody was happy. But less than six months later, the money developed wings, and evaporated. It sounds like a fiction. Up to this point I’m talking to you, that 113 million dollars is nowhere to be found. I’m telling you with every

sense of responsibility. It was never budgeted, never appropriated and you cannot tie any project to that amount. Even in the handing over note I got from my predecessor, there was no mention of it. The only mention of it was that the money has been got, but there is problem

When I‘ was in the PDP and contesting, there was a calculated attempt by the government to stop me, and the vehicle they used was the traditional rulers.

They traversed all the length and breadth of the state to tell people not to vote for me

‘

•Continued from Page 54

of us trying to refund it. And where the problem came was that Plateau State complained that the 113 million dollars given to us was much more than the ratio of the contribution Nasarawa State made while the loan lasted. So, we were supposed to have about 86 million dollars, Plateau State complained to the Federal Ministry of Finance and Debt Management Office (DMO). And after that, Nasarawa State was subjected to deductions, which started only when I got sworn into office in May. Since May, Nasarawa State has been paying N240 million as repayment of the excesses we’ve been paid. We didn’t enjoy the loan, money was paid back to us as refund, and nobody can say where the money is. I challenge anybody, on my honour, to prove that Nasarawa State has benefited from that money.

And now, even with our meagre federal allocation of N2.1 billion, the amount is subject to N240 million deductions, and that will last for 36 months. That is the predicament in which we find ourselves. So when you are talking about efficiency, about sincerity and committment to delivery of service, you should look at the wanton usurpation of the funds accruing to the state by those who should be the custodian of the resources.

However, we have complained to the appropriate authorities, and the matter is being looked into. We are not pessimistic, we will make the best out of a bad situation.

On the Farin Ruwa project, Nasarawa is endowed with the potential to produce electricity. We have Farin Ruwa Falls, which is even deeper than Victoria Falls. It’s twice the size of Victoria Falls. So we can generate hydro-electricity, more than the state will require. We may even sell the electricity. But the amount of money required to bring it back to work is more than we can bear. We’ve already secured about two or three investors, they have made proposals, and we are talking.

There will also be a composite plan for tourism facilities.

We have more than 70 different kinds of lucrative solid minerals in the state. We will collaborate with experts to exploit them on collaborative basis. We will get the best value from these natural resources.

Your state is very close to Abuja.

What plans do you have to leverage on that advantage, just like it happens between Lagos and Ogun states?

Nasarawa has the largest contigual boundary with the Federal Capital Territory. But it is becoming more of a burden than blessing. We are more like a service state to the FCT, in the sense that most of the people working in the FCT live in this state.

They overstretch our facilities – roads, water, power and so on.

There is also increasing problem of environmental sanitation. To make matters worse, they don’t pay their taxes here, so we’ve already secured the services of tax experts who will plan the best way we can access our revenue.

We are also planning a kind of partnership with the FCT, a joint planning commission, where we have certain common interests.

Sometime back, you said Nasarawa was not going to be able to pay N18,000 minimum wage.

What is the position now?

At the initial stage, when the issue came up, Nasarawa was one of the states that were vehement against payment. We didn’t know where to get the money from. We’re not a commercially viable state, the revenue we get from the Federation Account is nothing to write home about. So, we didn’t know how to go about it. But then, I discovered

a lot of lapses. A lot of leakages, misuse of resources. Even though we were getting N2.1 billion, Nasarawa was spending about N3 billion to pay wages and allowances. The government, since the beginning of last year, has been taking an overdraft of N850 million monthly to augment the Federation Account. When I came, I felt I should look inwards. From June when I started paying salaries, I’ve never gone for any overdraft.

We tried to cut off all leakages, unnecessary emoluments and allowances that were not statutory. Certain liberties of spending money for entertainment and other flimsy things were totally curtailed. Again, I refused to take full allowances that I’m entitled to. This was to show that people can make sacrifices, and still not kill themselves.

Equally, we refused to embark on any purchases, up till this point in time. When I came, I had proposals to buy new vehicles with all the paraphernalia. The vehicles were to cost about seven to eight hundred million. So I said let’s look at the vehicles in the fleet of the governor.

Most of them were in bad shape and they said it would cost N24 million to repair them, and even then, they will not look too presentable. I got somebody who had been repairing my vehicles, and can you believe, he did all the vehicles for N4 million. And I’ve been using the vehicles since then, and they are working. I gave an instruction that no vehicle will be bought till the new budget next year, because we want to promote maintenance culture.

Unless a vehicle is so bad, let’s see how much we can save, and everybody is cooperating.

The minimum wage is an obligation because it has been passed into law. So we started making sacrifices, and I was among the first to pay the minimum wage, across all the levels. There is no single person in the state that has not accessed his minimum wage to the fullest.

We pay N18,900. Even more than the stipulated N18,000. This is part of what my party stands for – fairness, people oriented government.

During the campaign, when Gen. Buhari visited here, most of the emirs fled their palaces because they didn’t want to be deposed as threatened by your predecessor.

Now that you are in office, what is the relationship?

At the initial stage, when I was in the PDP and contesting, there was a calculated attempt by the government to stop me, and the vehicle they used was the traditional rulers.

They traversed all the length and breadth of the state to tell people not to vote for me because it was not my time yet. They said the state had already agreed that my predecessor should continue. But where one pulled the carpet under their feet was to initiate generational change.

That was one of the approaches that yielded a lot of success. We did it without fighting the emirs. They are traditional rulers and community leaders. We respected them, they are our natural leaders. We never had any direct problem with any of them. They were humbled by our acceptance of their position in spite of all the belligerence they had toward us, and as God would have it, from the day I was declared, everything has gone well. We behaved as if nothing has ever happened, and it has helped bring a lot of peace to the state. We are now in good and chummy relationship, even though they know this is a very austere government. They appreciate the position, because they see that costs are being cut even right within government. We are working in unison, and very amicable with one another.

56

THE NATION, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 08, 2011

•Traffic grilock occassioned by security checks... this impacts on social life PHOTO: Abayomi FAYESE

Changing face of Abuja’s social life T

O say that ravaging Boko Haram fundamentalists have altered social life in Abuja Federal Capital Territory (FCT) may be stating the obvious.

Most Abuja residents may not have recovered from the shock of the August 26 devastating bomb assault on the United Nations House which left scores dead.

Apart from heavy human casualty, social life in the once bobbling capital city has also been dealt a deadly blow by the series of bomb explosions in the city.

While some say things will never be the same again in Abuja, especially with the phenomenal decline in social life, optimists believe the situation could still be rescued if government’s efforts at curtailing activities of Boko Haram sects yield the desired results.

Boko Haram adherents may have successfully imposed a new challenge which Abuja residents have to contend with. The challenge of fear, fear of the unknown is palpable wherever one goes in the city. The convivial scenario in Abuja is fast disappearing. The frightful situation brought in its wake heightened security checks by security agents. No place is spared.

From National Assembly which used to host all manner of visitors including high caliber women of easy virtue to high brow hotels frequented by foreigners, relaxation centres and night clubs, the story is the same. Heightened security checks occasioned by fear of the unknown. Even the churches are not left out as metal detectors are now used to frisk worshippers to their discomfort. While some worshippers due to apprehension avoid church service, others spend less time than they are used to in churches.

Some churches have outlawed night vigil while others are building security cordon in and around their places of worship. In some churches for instance, all activities must end by 6 pm. Some that have multiple entrances are forced to block gates they

Onyedi OJIABOR, Assistant Editor, Abuja

cannot monitor and police.

But it has to be said that the phenomenon of fear is all about day time. Die hard night crawlers still do their thing in the night believing as it were that Boko Haram or no Boko Haram, life must go on. Notorious Zone 4, home to women of red light, still boasts of men who mill around the place at night to catch fun. High profile night clubs, especially those situated around the popular Gimbia Street Area 11, have not lost many of their customers to the fear of Boko Haram onslaught. Some analysts still fear that once budding night life in the city may be at risk until urgent steps were taken to check profile of Boko Haram.

The observers point to certain high class hotels though heavily garrisoned and fortified have become no-go-areas for some people. They also fear that it is a matter of time for clubs and bars to cave in especially with government order that their operators should close shop at 10 p.m.

Though a visit to some night clubs in Abuja showed that habitual night crawlers have not given up their stock in trade, the story is different at the popular Millennium Park close to high brow Transcorp Hilton Hotel. Most of those who frequent the relaxation park have deserted the place, no thanks to the threat of Boko Haram which once listed the park as one of its prime targets. Other relaxation centres in Abuja also suffer the same fate as most residents may have decided to adopt the survival instinct of avoiding high prone areas.

Nothing may have underscored the fact that the fear of Boko Haram has become the beginning of wisdom than the unceremonial shifting of the country’s 51st Independent Day celebration from the usual Eagle Square venue to the Presidential Villa on October 1st.

Last year, Eagle Square was targeted by merchants of death when a group which

claimed to be Movement for Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND) detonated bombs close to the Square while the Golden Jubilee Independent anniversary was in progress.

Many lost their lives in the unfortunate incident.

This year the group threatened to bomb the Eagle Square apparently prompting President Goodluck Jonathan and his security handlers to make a detour to Presidential Villa for the Independent celebration. Some saw the act as a sign of weakness on the side of government while others saw it as a stitch in time.

In the same vein, the October 5th Teachers’ Day celebration though held at Eagle Square was a shadow of what it used to be.

Many states Teachers’ Unions avoided the celebration due to fear of Boko Haram attack. What is more, the event billed to start by 10 am did not commence until 3pm.

Even at that, the Day was marked under extra-ordinary tight security network with red eyed security operatives stationed around the place. All the adjoining roads to Square were also closed to traffic.

Some observers say that Abuja residents are under siege as the once peaceful capital city is gradually losing its bubble. Residents now avoid areas and places they consider prone to terrorist attack.

Though security situation in Abuja has had its moments of high and low the August 26 bomb attack on the UN complex has placed Abuja on all time high security alert and altered substantially the social fabric of the centre of Unity.

As authorities continue to wobble with no sign that they are anything closer to the solution of Boko Haram phenomenon, city residents and social life continue to bear the brunt of the fundamentalists.

Maybe to underscore signs of the time a 24-hour emergency help lines are opened by the police and other security agencies for residents in distress to call. Observers still believe that the situation requires desperate steps to tackle a desperate

situation.

The fear of Boko Haram has, no doubt, has altered the life style of Abuja city dwellers but beyond altering the life style of residents it may have also substantially redefined Goodluck Jonathan’s Presidency.

Student hangs self •Continued from Page 18 some of the questions that people might likely ask after my death. And that is why I am duty-bound to do justice to them within the little time left for me.

“Life is all about hope, fear and love, and their absence creates frustration in a man’s life. If I don’t commit suicide now, it will definitely come some other day. It could be in three months time, one year, three years or five years to come, but it will definitely happen.

“Now, it’s 9.52 p.m, and I am sure my siblings must have been looking for me. I am very sorry I have to do this, and I pray God gives you the fortitude to bear my loss.”

It would appear as if Kehinde was about taking his life when he suddenly realised that he had not given out the contacts of his relations. Therefore, he wrote: “NB: Anyone who arrives first at this scene should please contact some of my relations on the following telephone numbers... It is now 12.20 a.m, August 20, 2011... I am gone!”

A relation of the deceased, who asked not to be mentioned, described him as unassuming, adding that the death of the late undergraduate remained a mystery.

Spokesman of the Oyo State Police Command, Mr. Femi Okanlawon, confirmed that the remains of the deceased had been deposited at the mortuary of Ade-Oyo General Hospital, Ibadan for autopsy.

THE NATION, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2011

57

INTERVIEW

58

THE NATION, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2011

Security infraction in Akwa Ibom is exaggerated — Godswill Akpabio ‘ Akwa Ibom

is one of the most peaceful states in the whole of the Niger Delta. What is happening here is that if you have a single incident of security infraction, it is blown out of proportion

‘

•Akpabio

In the aftermath of the 2011 gubernatorial elections in Akwa Ibom State, nerves still fray on either side of the major contenders, the Action Congress of Nigeria with Senator Akpan Udoedehe and People’s Democratic Party’s with Governor Godswill Akpabio. SAM OMATSEYE and SEGUN AYOBOLU raise pertinent issues in this interview with Governor Akpabio over issues of the elections, the court challenges, his alleged roles in the insecurity in the state and a host of other pertinent issues, including his infrastructural work. Excerpts:

T

HE dismissal of the ACN’s appeal against your victory in the last election on technical grounds rather than the substantive issues has reinforced the perception that the outcome may not have reflected the popular will. What is your view?

I believe that the law will prevail and that justice will be done.

I am very confident that their lordships will uphold the law. I believe that election matters are technical matters and we must have full compliance with the electoral laws and with the constitution. There are 31 local governments in the state and we won

in 29. The two local governments they managed to win, they had 52% to our 48% in one and 51% to our 49% in the other.

So they managed to have a slight edge over the overall winner of the election in two out of 31 local governments. It is a kind of victory that you didn’t score 15% of the votes cast. The 2007 election was widely condemned, so it is understandable if the courts upturned so many cases. But the 2011 election was not the same kind of election as we had previously in Nigeria. This was adjudged as one of the fairest and best organised elections in Nige-

ria. In fact, you can even see judging from the number of petitions because election petitions reduced by more than 80% because people now accepted the verdict.

So if you had 9000 election petitions in the past, you are now talking of probably 1000. People accepted the vote because they saw that the elections were free and transparent and votes really counted. So this is not a period for us to think that things are still as they were in the past where the peoples’ will would have been thwarted by malpractices or electoral cheating.

I believe there is a time for cam-

paign, there is a time for election and there is a time for nation building. This for me is a time for nation building; a time for all hands to be on deck.

But is the credibility of your margin of victory in the election not disputable given the political stature of your main opponent and his popular appeal?

After all, Senator Udoedehe is no push over in the politics of Akwa Ibom. Was he not a strong member of your party before he joined the ACN? You see, this was my warning during the campaign. I said you cannot put something on nothing and expect it to stand. In the first instance, this is a state where you have three senators who are all PDP; then you have 10 members of the House of Representatives who are all PDP. You have 26 members of the House of Assembly who were all PDP at the time.

There was no single minority member at that time. You had 31 elected Local Government chairmen who were all PDP. Then you had a governor of the state and a deputy governor who were PDP; commissioners who were PDP, a minister from the state who was PDP. The ACN candidate insists he won the election. You will agree, for instance, that the ethnic factor is a very important factor in Nigerian politics. How can you logically explain the margin of Senator Udoedehe’s loss when he is an Ibibio who are the majority ethnic group in the state and you are from the minority Annang ethnic group? Yet, you won by about 900,000 to your opponents a little over 100,000 votes!

If you hold the election today, I will get at least 1.2 million votes.

Let me give you an example. In Uyo, we had over a 100,000 registered voters. The total number of people that turned out to vote in Uyo was less than 50,000 out of over 100,000 registered voters.

So there were suppressed thousands in Uyo who were groaning in their houses unable to step out to vote because of political threats in Uyo; so if you hold election now with proper security in place, those people will come out and vote for me. Even the member of the House of Assembly, if we had gone to the tribunal and the election was annulled, when we have a re-run, the PDP will win in Uyo. This is the simple truth.

You see my brother, what happened in this state was that a group of very good propagandists were able to churn out misinformation and deceit. Contrary to what you said, Akwa Ibom is a homogenous society. When our people started, they had what they call Ibibio State Union. This Ibibio State Union was using the word Ibibio as the largest tribe to cover all other tribes in the state – the Annang, the Oron, Eket, Obolos and so on. When they came together under the Ibibio State Union many years ago as far back as 1928, what did they do?

They decided to give scholarships. They gave scholarships also to Annang under Ibibio State Union.

My own Uncle, Dr. Ayu Akpabio, was among the people they called merchants of light. Dr. Udo Udoma who was a Supreme Court judge was among them. My predecessor, Obong Victor Attah’s father was among them.

The Ibibio State Union sent them out to go and study abroad as merchants of light. One of them studied education, my uncle studied medicine and Justice Udo Udoma studied law. When they came back, they were merchants of light to bring the light of knowledge to the communities. They went under Ibibio State Union so no-one outside Akwa-Ibom knew there were other tribes like Annang and so on. That is the way we have been together.

In the state here, we all understand each other’s language. The state sees itself as one. When they come and roll out figures that Ibibio are are so so percentage, Annang are so, I just look at them.

There is no local government or Senatorial District that you don’t see Ibibio. If you go to Eket Senatorial District, you will see the Oron people, you will see the Ibibio. And by the way, who represents me in the Senate?

In my Senatorial District, the Annang people dominate. But it’s an Ibibio person that represents me in the Senate. Who voted for the Ibibio Senator? It is the Annang and they voted him for a second term. The Ibibio man representing the Annang in the Senate had the highest number of votes in the country. Why didn’t the Annang people say we won’t vote for him because he is Ibibio?

But you still cannot discount the role of the ethnic factor; and the incredible margin of votes between you and Udoedehe, a popular Ibibio politician, is difficult to explain.

Okay, when you are talking about tribalism and saying Akpabio is Ibibio he can’t win, ask yourself a question: The Deputy •Continued on Page 59

THE NATION, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2011 crime and the amount of resources I have sunk into it. Yet some people because they want to win election will use insecurity as a means of campaign to portray government as perpetrating violence.

Some people say the problem is that you surrounded yourselves with cultists and at some point, you lost control of them and they are the ones responsible for the violence and insecurity in the state.

In terms of insecurity generally speaking, we must admit that the leadership in the country and the governors must do their best to protect lives and property. There is no alternative; that is why the people elected us. But as a government, we have no hand in promoting insecurity.

In any case, who are the people around Godswill Akpabio? You can see some of them here. My Chief Press Secretary is a pastor of Life Bible Church. My SSG was the Commissioner for Finance of Obong Victor Attah for four years and Permanent Secretary in charge of budget in the state till he retired. That is the man around me.

And then my Commissioner of Finance has been a strong manager in the bank. As governor of the state, I was a commissioner for eight years in three key ministries.

That time I wasn’t a cultist. The Commissioner for Housing here was an officer of the party since 1999 and a lecturer from University of Uyo. Those are the people around me. My Special Adviser for Industries over there is the former Minister of Commerce.

My Attorney General is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN). My Commissioner for Agriculture who is also here is a former member of the House of Representatives. My Commissioner for Information was a reputable journalist with Newswatch in Lagos for several years. Was he a cultist in Lagos?

These are responsible people who have made their mark in different positions and are respected in society. Some of these things were said to damage the image of the government. Akwa Ibom is one of the most peaceful states in the whole of the Niger Delta.

What is happening here is that if you have a single incident of security infraction, it is blown out of proportion.

You have been described by your critics as a skilled propagandist who exaggerates your achievements. We have seen some of your projects here in Uyo but does this go beyond the state capital?

Far beyond Uyo. You must give us the opportunity to take you around the state. What is happening outside the state capital is far more than what is happening in Uyo. You know when I went to the United States and showed our people a picture of the dualised road from here towards Ituk which is 39kilometres, they told me there was no such road; that it

•Akpabio

was computer simulation. So I told them to select 10 people and I would sponsor them to come home and see the projects physically. We will put the list of all the projects on the internet local government by local governmant and village by village so that people can come and check if these things are not true. At times they sponsor people on some television channels to say we are not performing and make all kinds of fictitious allegations.

At least you can see the projects around the Government House including the banquet hall, which we completed in one year and four months. Or you can see the flyovers, the Tropicana Hotel, the underground sewage, the hospitals we have built. They are all there for those who doubt to come and see. Wikileaks came out with their report about all kinds of scandals everywhere but in Akwa Ibom what did they say? They said that the governor is undertaking infrastructural revolution; that he is a man to watch. Have I bribed Wikileaks too? That is why

I ask: “Who do people say I am?”.

You recently commemorated 24 years of the creation of Akwa Ibom State. Would you say the state so far is justifying the purpose for its creation?

So far the creation of Akwa Ibom State has definitely been justified.

We have witnessed more development than we would ever have had without the creation of the state. Today we have our own airport. For so many years we had to struggle to get to Owerri or Calabar to be able to fly to any part of Nigeria. And when you are trying to get to Calabar, the bad federal roads here can delay you for hours till you miss your flight.

Then my people were always so frustrated. And today we have finished an Independent Power Plant (IPP), which was started by the last administration and we are generating about 191MW of electricity. We are even building a gas processing plant in partnership with the private sector to supply gas to the IPP and also to domesticate the gas resources on the

I can’t even sleep when I‘hear of one kidnapping, I have to take sleeping pills. I don’t sleep through the night because of the way I feel both for the victims and members of the family. My security chiefs in the state know what efforts I put into fighting kidnapping and crime and the amount of resources I have sunk into it

‘

•Continued from Page 58 Governor of Akpabio was he not Ibibio? The Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom, is she not Ibibio? The Speaker of the House that supports Akpabio, is he not Ibibio?

The Secretary to the State Government in Akpabio’s government, is he not Ibibio? The Commissioner for Finance of Godswill Akpabio, is he not Ibibio? The minister that Akpabio nominated to Abuja, is he not Ibibio? The commissioner for Local Government of Godswill Akpabio, is he not Ibibio? Those preaching tribal voting on the pages of newspapers, are they more Ibibio than these Ibibio? Will all these Ibibio not work for me to come back to office?

Who were those that voted me into office? In the first place, when I came I had over a million votes in the first election? When we went for primaries, we were 57 in number and I won. Was it from Annang votes? Was it from one section? It was from the whole state. So when I heard these things I pitied them.

If you do elections 10 times in this state, I will win on the basis of performance and my pan-Nigerian nature. This state has never been more united than she is today.

But you seem to be down playing Senator Udoedehe’s role in your emergence as Governor of Akwa Ibom State in 2007. Was he not your campaign manager and a significant factor in your victory?

He was not my campaign manager before the primaries. He wasn’t supporting me for the primaries. He was supporting the then governor. He was the campaign manager of Obong Victor Attah’s in-law, Dr. Udoma Egariga. It was when he saw the number of delegates I camped in Jubilee School Road that he came overnight to say he was going to support me. Of course if somebody says he is going to support you, will you say no? So I welcomed him. My victory in 2007 was God’s decision and the will of the people.

The reports of all sorts of violence such as kidnappings, assassinations and intimidation of political opponents in Akwa Ibom State during your first term were rampant and worrisome. What was responsible for this situation for which many of your critics blame you personally?

What is happening to me my brother is exactly what happened in the Bible where you heard the stories of Jesus Christ who made the blind to see and the lame to walk and did so many good things. Yet, they did not believe him. They called him a demon and wanted to stone and kill him.

At a time Jesus was so shocked that he asked his disciples: “Who do they say I am?” When I read some of those things in the newspapers before the elections when they said the governor is a murderer, the governor is a kidnapper and all sorts of things, I turned around and asked: who do people say I am?

Here is a man with five children who cannot hurt a fly. Somebody who is moved to tears when he sees children who are suffering?

There is no more compassionate person than Godswill Akpabio.

That is the simple truth. I can’t even sleep when I hear of one kidnapping, I have to take sleeping pills. I don’t sleep through the night because of the way I feel both for the victims and members of the family. My security chiefs in the state know what efforts I put into fighting kidnapping and

INTERVIEW

59 shoreline of Akwa Ibom for household use. These are some benefits of state creation. You can imagine today we have trippled school enrolment. Akwa Ibom children are able to go to school because we are able to have our own policy of free and compulsory education.

Every state has its own peculiarity and we knew there was a lot of ignorance and there was a lot of illiteracy and we could only fight them through education. We decided to invest heavily in education which could not have been possible without state creation. Of course, you can see the infrastructural revolution across the state. These things are all possible because of state creation.

One of the local governments used to have a prison right in the centre of the road for over 50 years. It used to give a very bad impression with a negative effect on children growing up in that environment. We decided to relocate the prison and built a brand new prison, which we handed over to the Federal Government.

We will convert the former prison to a more wholesome structure that will elevate the environment and the community. All these are possible because of state creation; 24 years after, our development drive is such that we have been able to justify the dreams of the founding fathers and we will continue to do so.

A bane of rapid development in Nigeria is the abandonment of projects started by a preceding administration when a new government comes in. What is the situation In Akwa Ibom?

It is the people’s money. It is a foolish thing for people to look for credit. Whether you like it or not, government is temporary. You will finish your own and go and another person will take over. It is better for you to continue where your predecessor left off. When I came, I met an on-going Airport project. I moved into it with a lot of zeal and completed it. I met the Le Meridien Hotel, I finished it and doubled the capacity of rooms while re-grassing and expanding the golf course. I met an IPP project; I not only completed it but added value to it by initiating a gas processing plant that will supply gas to the turbines and possibly households. In other words, I am building on the foundation laid by the former administration. I should be remembered for continuing projects started by my predecessor. I should be remembered as that man who prudently utilised the resources of the state because if you abandon those projects all the funds sunk in are gone.

In addition to the projects I inherited, I have gone on to add new things. I added five brand new general hopitals. I added a specialist hospital which is under construction. I brought up the flyovers and completed them. I started the underground drains to address the flood situation. I moved to start the Tropicana to have another five-star hotel, create an International Conference Centre, cinemas and shopping malls to improve tourism. I am currently completing the maintenance, repair and overhaul facility at the airport to allow us earn foreign exchange by creating Nigeria’s biggest national hangar.

It can carry two 747 aircraft at the same time. Our airport has one of the largest runways in the country and as I speak, that is where this year’s airlift of Christian pilgrims to the holy land will commence. Those are the things that make me happy.

60 NEWS

THE NATION, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2011

Panic in Enugu as robbers kill three policemen, abduct traditional ruler

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ENSION has gripped Enugu State following the brutal murder of three policemen and the abduction of a traditional ruler in the state by gunmen numbering about five.

The traditional ruler, Igwe Pius Delibe Uzochukwu of Mgbidi autonomous community in Awgu local government area, was abducted on Tuesday at Mmaku.

A source said Igwe Uzochukwu, who had been on admission at the Eagle Hospital, Mmaku, for sometime now, ran into the hoodlums while returning back to his community.

It was gathered that the trigger happy hoodlums surrounded the royal father’s vehicle with two Toyota Camry cars when his vehicle slowed down to avoid a pot hole.

According to our source, the hoodlums forced the royal father into one of their vehicles and sped off to an unknown destination.

A relative of the abducted monarch, who craved anonymity, disclosed that the suspected kidnappers have not contacted anybody since the incident took place.

It was also gathered from another source that the same hoodlums had killed three policemen along Enugu/Port Harcourt Expressway the same day.

The police were reportedly escorting a group of people to an unknown destination when the they were accosted by the hoodlums.

It was learnt that the suspected kidnappers had wanted to abduct two or three among the people in the custody of the policemen but met stiff resistance, a development that forced them to open fire on the es-

Chris OJI, Enugu Osagie OTABOR, Benin cort vehicle, killing three policemen on the spot.

Enugu State Police Commissioner, Danazumi Doma confirmed the abduction of the traditional ruler and the murder of the policemen by the hoodlums.

He, however, assured that his command was on the trail of the hoodlums and would soon free the traditional ruler.

Meanwhile, two suspected armed robbers, who were alleged to be members of a gang that raided a first generation bank in Owo, Ondo State, have been gunned

down by men of the Edo State Police Command.

The bodies of the slain robbers were displayed at the police headquarters yesterday.

Items recovered by the police from the vehicles used by the robbers included the sum of N3.3m, a cache of ammunition, one AK 47 rifle with 12 rounds of live

ammunition, three telephone handsets and a Toyota Hiace bus.

Briefing journalists yesterday, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Edo State ommand,Muhammad Hurdi said the robbers were killed during a gun battle with the police.

Hurdi explained that the

robbers were intercepted by the police who had ambushed them following intelligence report that they were escaping through Edo State.

According to him, “During the exchange of gun fire, we were able to gun down this two and we are in search of the rest.

Obi of Onitsha launches Glo Special SIMs for Ofala

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HE Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe, on Wednesday at his palace in Onitsha launched the Special Ofala Glo SIMs to kick start the 2011 edition of Ofala festival.

Presenting the special SIMs to the public, the Obi said the introduction of the special SIMs for Ofala was unprecedented in the history of the festival and was a good

tiding to the people of the kingdom.

“You have just heard the goodwill message from the chairman of Globacom, Dr. Mike Adenuga Jnr. This SIM is a special Ofala line by Globacom and the call rate on it is the lowest you can get in the market. I want to use this medium to tell all our people that this is something good that has never

•Continued from Page 4

turned its past executives to office. We also discussed the fuel subsidy debate. We came up with two conditions.

“If the government can meet these two tall conditions, we will back the withdrawal of fuel subsidy.

“We want to hold the Federal Government accountable for its pledges or commitments on how the funds gained from the withdrawal of subsidy could address unemployment, security challenges, promote mass housing and put food on the table of every Nigerian.

“If these conditions cannot be fulfilled, the fuel subsidy withdrawal will be dead on arrival.”

Meanwhile, there is tension over alleged delay in allowing Senator Bukola Saraki to table his motion on how the Federal Government overshot its subsidy bill by N960 billion.

It was learnt that some big players in the oil sector, who are benefiting from the subsidy, are trying to influence the discussion of

happened before and it is unprecedented in the history of Ofala”, the Obi said.

He recalled that since the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the sponsorship of the festival was signed on July 31 this year, “Globacom has not relented in introducing new innovations and just this afternoon, our youths were educated on entrepreneurship and the

need to be hardworking so as to be successful because Dr. Adenuga is a good example of hard work and whoever associates with him must be hard working”.

The Obi added that as part of the goodies Globacom had brought with the sponsorship, the company is going to build a brand new block of classrooms at the Metropolitan College, Onitsha.

“The support from Globacom is totally unprecedented and we are grateful for the robust manner Globacom has come into Ofala. We will match and reciprocate your robust contributions. I earnestly urge everybody to take advantage of all that come with this SIM cards and I hope as we use it, our relationship with Globacom will grow”, he stated.

Proposed subsidy removal splits senators, reps

“Most Nigerians cannot just afford three square meals. I won’t be a party to this withdrawal.”

As at press time, it was gathered that Northern senators have given two conditions which must be met before they can back the withdrawal of fuel subsidy.

The conditions are: the government should account for past fuel subsidy and publish the names of those who have been benefiting from it in the past; and the government should come up with concrete plans or agenda on what it will use the funds gained from the withdrawal of fuel subsidy for.

A respected northern senator, who confided in The Nation, said: “The Northern Senators Forum met and re-

PUBLIC NOTICE

RESTORATION ORPHANAGE HOME This is to inform the general public that the above named organization has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under pact ‘C’ of Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2004 LFN The Trustees are: ¾ Mr. Stephen Gwani Maitizumahs…………… Chairman ¾ Mrs Lamis Gwani……………………………... Treasurer ¾ Dr. Louis Oche ¾ Mr. Ismaila Musa…………………………....… Secretary ¾ Mrs Nkechi Apaoma Nwoke ¾ Mr. John Gwani ¾ Mr. Rabi Gwani The aims and objectives of the organization include: ¾ To establish orphanage homes to care for the orphaned and abandoned Children by providing food, clothing and shelter. ¾ To carter for the total wellbeing of the orphaned and abandoned. ¾ To ensure the education and moral upbringing of the orphaned and Abandoned Children. ¾ To expedite the re-integration of orphaned and abandoned children into the society through adoption.

Any objection to the registration of this organization should be forwarded to the Registrar General Corporate Affairs Commission, 420 Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, PMB 198, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days from the date of this publication.

Signed: I.M. GWANI, Esq.

the motion.

A highly-placed source said: “The motion has been scheduled for discussion more than five times without being discussed. In fact, Senator Saraki had to protest on Thursday at the plenary on what has become of the motion.

“Some stakeholders in the oil sector, who are benefiting from fuel subsidy, are afraid that the motion may reveal the under-the-table deal being perpetrated in the name of subsidy.

“Although the Senate President, Chief David Mark, has assured that the motion will be heard on Tuesday, there are fears these big oil stakeholders might frustrate it.

“We have adopted a wait and see attitude on what will become of the motion next week.”

Saraki’s controversial motion reads in part: •Note that of the N20bn monthly allocated, N11.2bn was allocated for Domestic Fuel Subsidy (NNPC) and N8.8bn for Domestic Fuel Subsidy (Market) as stated

in the Appropriation Act 2011.

•Observe that although N20bn was set aside for subsidy on a monthly basis in the Appropriation Act 2011, in August 2011 the total figure expended was N165bn of which NNPC was N88bn and Independent Marketers was N77.7bn.

•Observe that although N240bn was budgeted for the entire year, so far as at end of August 2011 N931bn has been spent. This is a variance of N771bn or 700% above budget.

•Worried that in the first three months of the year both NNPC and the Independent Marketers did not exceed N62bn monthly but within the last three months figures have ranged between N150bn and N186bn.

•Observe that with this trend year-end we will have a fuel subsidy bill of over N1.2tr (one trillion, two hundred billion naira) as against the N240bn (two hundred and forty billion naira) budgeted in the Appropriation Act. •Observe that this ex-

penditure is treated as a first line charge and by implication all other expenditures include Capital expenditures and even distributions to the states and local government, which we represent, is secondary.

•Note that the implementation of 2011 Appropriation Act will surely be in troubled waters if a variation of N1.2tr arises as a result of the level of expenditure incurred on fuel subsidy so far.

•Note that the wide disparity between what was budgeted for fuel subsidy scheme and what is expended goes to the integrity of the budget and an erosion of the authority of the National Assembly.

•Note that the processes, audit, scrutiny and value for money in the entire subsidy management system lacks transparency and control as the costs have continued to maintain an upward swing.

•Concerned that the National Assembly spends an enormous amount of energy to conclude a Capital budget of N1.1tr (one trillion one hundred billion naira) for the entire country and a single agency of government can incur the same amount without due approval of the National Assembly poses a grave challenge and therefore an urgent need to review the subsidy scheme in order to strengthen the institutional integrity, transparency and accountability.

•Concerned that if nothing is done to address this situation urgently we risk the non-implementation of the 2011 budget and the hopes of Nigerians that much can be achieved this year will be a mirage.

PUBLIC NOTICE

TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP Mr Oluwatoyin Ikuopenikan of Block 13b Enugun Close Crystal Estate Amuwo Odofin, Lagos hereby notify the general public that I have applied to LSDPC for its consent for change of ownership of Block 13b Enugun Close Crystal Estate Amuwo Odofin, Block 13b Enugun Close Crystal Estate Amuwo Odofin, Lagos which was originally allocated to Mr. Joseph Olugbenga Fakunle. I have made series of efforts to contact Mr. Joseph Olugbenga Fakunle the assignor from whom i bought the property but all effort to locate him 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, Mr. joseph Olugbenga Fakunle and general public take note.

THE NATION SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2011

61

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 7-10-11 2ND-TIER SECURITIES Company Name

No of Deals (N) 2 6 11 19

FTN COCOA PROCESSORS PLC LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC PRESCO PLC Sector Totals

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded Value of Shares

0.50 0.50 7.00

50,000 1,000,000 266,800 1,316,800

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded Value of Shares

1.95 5.88

36,044 540,056 576,100

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded Value of Shares

0.50 1.48

34,000 127,819 161,819

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded Value of Shares

5.62 3.50 2.53 4.25 2.01 9.77 12.85 9.21 5.10 1.26 3.87 2.09 0.75 0.71 12.41

6,402,581 60,088,935 408,737 548,000 28,751,793 14,531,681 12,980,916 21,858,719 1,024,368 2,714,817 24,501,719 8,609,565 2,729,732 652,674 10,395,629 196,199,866

25,000.00 500,000.00 1,870,872.00 2,395,872.00

AIR SERVICES Company Name

No of Deals (N) 2 41 43

AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY PLC Sector Totals

73,529.76 3,148,821.49 3,222,351.25

AUTOMOBILE & TYRE Company Name

No of Deals (N) 5 6 11

DN TYRE & RUBBER PLC R. T. BRISCOE (NIGERIA) PLC Sector Totals

17,000.00 189,164.28 206,164.28

BANKING Company Name

No of Deals (N) 146 97 27 25 70 613 542 42 57 38 231 97 32 19 142 2,178

ACCESS BANK PLC DIAMOND BANK PLC ECOBANK NIGERIA PLC FIRST CITY MONUMENT BANK PLC FIDELITY BANK PLC FIRST BANK OF NIGERIA PLC GTBANK PLC STANBIC IBTC BANK PLC SKYE BANK PLC. STERLING BANK PLC UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC. UNION BANK OF NIGERIA PLC UNITYBANK PLC WEMA BANK PLC ZENITH BANK PLC Sector Totals

35,920,719.99 207,012,328.99 1,025,372.58 2,324,675.00 56,353,564.34 141,970,320.57 166,714,511.07 207,071,705.67 5,245,039.80 3,408,511.77 94,597,168.63 17,993,990.85 1,995,704.36 459,348.78 128,511,425.90 1,070,604,388.30

BREWERIES Company Name

No of Deals (N) 79 3 85 167

GUINNESS NIGERIA PLC INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC NIGERIAN BREWERIES PLC Sector Totals

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded Value of Shares

217.95 6.06 79.98

216,966 48,850 594,313 860,129

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded Value of Shares

16.80 7.30 100.00 40.01

248,532 123,000 233,095 115,966 720,593

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded Value of Shares

9.36 17.85 1.14 5.11

148,625 125,652 54,000 1,000 329,277

46,077,331.12 281,376.00 47,077,360.42 93,436,067.54

BUILDING MATERIALS Company Name

No of Deals (N) 21 8 22 25 76

ASHAKA CEMENT PLC CEMENT CO. OF NORTHERN NIGERIA PLC DANGOTE CEMENT PLC LAFARGE WAPCO PLC Sector Totals

4,151,912.11 853,720.00 23,268,245.24 4,643,395.94 32,917,273.29

CHEMICAL & PAINTS Company Name

No of Deals (N) 14 22 1 1 38

BERGER PAINTS NIGERIA PLC CHEMICAL AND ALLIED PRODUCTS PLC DN MEYER PLC PORTLAND PAINTS & PRODUCTS NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

1,346,623.67 2,201,108.84 61,560.00 4,860.00 3,614,152.51

COMMERCIAL/SERVICES Company Name

No of Deals (N) 1 17 18

COURTEVILLE BUSINESS SOLUTIONS PLC RED STAR EXPRESS PLC Sector Totals

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded Value of Shares

0.50 2.41

300 391,114 391,414

150.00 942,584.74 942,734.74

COMPUTER & OFFICE EQUIPMENT Company Name

No of Deals (N) 1 1

NCR (NIGERIA) PLC. Sector Totals

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded Value of Shares

4.98

2,666 2,666

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NSE approves Union Bank, Sterling Bank, ETI schemes

A. G. LEVENTIS (NIGERIA) PLC PZ CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC SCOA NIGERIA PLC TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC UAC OF NIGERIA PLC UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals (N) 8 50 1 51 27 31 168

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded Value of Shares

1.90 30.02 6.11 0.75 33.46 27.50

100,600 281,871 3,000 10,681,716 49,835 128,455 11,245,477

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded Value of Shares

47.16 0.50 4.65

30,716 155,000 19,000 204,716

182,086.00 8,473,981.13 17,430.00 7,399,369.82 1,642,202.24 3,531,670.07 21,246,739.26

CONSTRUCTION Company Name

No of Deals (N) 14 10 1 25

JULIUS BERGER NIGERIA PLC MULTIVERSE PLC ROADS NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

1,388,027.12 77,500.00 92,720.00 1,558,247.12

By Taofik Salako and Tonia Osundolire

scheme of arrangement for cancellation of the entire issued shares of Oceanic Bank International Plc totaling 22.22 billion ordinary shares and subsequent issuance of 1.6 billion shares of ETI to existing shareholders of Oceanic Bank including the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON).

The quotations committee of the NSE also approved one government bond, three rights issues and two public offers for subscription in a gale of approvals that signals rebound for the primary market. The new issues, especially equities, would be major tests of the recovery of the primary market, which has been largely inactive.

Crusader Nigeria Plc is undertaking a rights issue of 2.26 billion zero coupon unsecured subordinate convertible debenture stock of N100 at par. The net proceeds of the issue would be used to restructure and strengthen the company’s capital base, provide it with operating capital, enhance its working capital and upon conversion, reduce its financial gearing.

International Breweries Plc would also be issuing about 1.48 billion ordinary shares of 50 kobo each at N5.08 per share to raise money to refinance the company’s longterm loan obligation and provide additional working capi-

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 7-10-11 LINKAGE ASSURANCE PLC MUTUAL BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC OASIS INSURANCE PLC PRESTIGE ASSURANCE PLC. REGENCY ALLIANCE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC SOVEREIGN TRUST INSURANCE PLC UNIC INSURANCE PLC. UNIVERSAL INSURANCE COMPANY PLC Sector Totals

1 1 2 2 1 1 1 6 87

Company Name C&I LEASING PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 1

No of Deals (N) 2 3 5

CUTIX PLC INTERLINKED TECHNOLOGIES PLC Sector Totals

7-UP BOTTLING CO. PLC CADBURY NIGERIA PLC DANGOTE FLOUR MILLS PLC DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIGERIA PLC HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC MULTI-TREX INTEGRATED FOODS PLC NATIONAL SALT COMPANY NIGERIA PLC NESTLE NIGERIA PLC TANTALIZERS PLC UTC NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals (N) 20 38 106 89 54 8 1 15 32 1 1 365

Quantity Traded Value of Shares

2.10 4.90

3,000 5,000 8,000

6,000.00 23,300.00 29,300.00

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded Value of Shares

47.00 13.91 6.81 7.00 59.55 3.10 1.62 4.50 401.00 0.50 0.50

11,948 131,837 3,329,756 2,390,930 184,916 194,001 350 95,345 17,952 10,000 39,845 6,406,880

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded Value of Shares

5.31 0.90 1.16 27.00 3.00 0.95 3.68

1,156 26,546 111,680 15,868 734,762 6,300 1,000 897,312

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded Value of Shares

556,898.72 1,854,837.52 22,464,275.91 16,601,023.15 11,224,182.79 598,643.10 539.00 429,572.06 7,208,903.14 5,000.00 19,922.50 60,963,797.89

HEALTHCARE Company Name

No of Deals (N)

EKOCORP PLC 1 EVANS MEDICALPLC. 4 FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC 9 GLAXOSMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC 6 MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. 30 NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC 3 PHARMA-DEKO PLC 1 Sector Totals 54

5,837.80 24,582.04 125,550.20 428,553.00 2,204,395.54 5,733.00 3,500.00 2,798,151.58

HOTEL & TOURISM Company Name

No of Deals (N) 33 33

IKEJA HOTEL PLC Sector Totals

2.25

5,810,250 5,810,250

13,073,062.50 13,073,062.50

INDUSTRIAL/DOMESTIC PRODUCTS Company Name

No of Deals (N) 1 7 8

B. O. C. GASES NIGERIA PLC VITAFOAM NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded Value of Shares

6.95 5.70

1 23,766 23,767

7.01 138,181.52 138,188.53

Company Name JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 21 21

CHAMS PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals (N) 3 3

No of Deals 7 7

AIICO INSURANCE PLC. CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC CORNERSTONE INSURANCE CO. PLC. CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED INSURANCE PLC GOLDLINK INSURANCE PLC GUARANTY TRUST ASSURANCE PLC GUINEA INSURANCE PLC. CONSOLIDATED HALLMARK INSURANCE PLC LAW UNION AND ROCK INSURANCE PLC.

No of Deals (N) 47 4 1 4 3 6 2 1 4

Quotation(N) 0.90

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 500 430.00 500 430.00

Quotation(N) 0.82

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 294,004 241,083.28 294,004 241,083.28

Quotation(N) 0.50

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 37,075 18,537.50 37,075 18,537.50

OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS Company Name NPF MICROFINANCE BANK PLC ROYAL EXCHANGE PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 2 2 4

Quotation(N) 1.08 0.50

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 5,475 5,639.25 11,000 5,500.00 16,475 11,139.25

Quotation(N) 6.57 1.76 2.92 13.28

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 712 4,450.00 233,010 406,956.00 360 1,000.80 72,469 962,388.32 306,551 1,374,795.12

PACKAGING Company Name AVON CROWNCAPS & CONTAINERS PLC. NIGERIAN BAG MANUFACTURING COMPANY PLC STUDIO PRESS (NIGERIA) PLC. GREIF NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 11 1 1 14

PETROLEUM(MARKETING) Company Name MRS OIL NIGERIA PLC CONOIL PLC ETERNA OIL & GAS PLC. FORTE OIL PLC MOBIL OIL NIGERIA PLC. OANDO PLC TOTAL NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 9 1 18 22 201 14 266

Quotation(N) 63.86 34.36 5.12 10.44 148.00 22.99 200.00

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 183 11,102.61 5,806 197,668.46 2,000 9,740.00 137,735 1,473,493.20 34,429 4,914,863.20 4,685,278 103,698,329.14 87,942 16,836,528.80 4,953,373 127,141,725.41

PRINTING & PUBLISHING Company Name ACADEMY PRESS PLC. LONGMAN NIGERIA PLC UNIVERSITY PRESS PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 2 3 9 14

Quotation(N) 2.60 4.79 3.81

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 1,898 4,688.06 5,600 26,686.00 40,070 158,457.00 47,568 189,831.06

Quotation(N) 12.20

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 26,845 334,007.50 26,845 334,007.50

REAL ESTATE Company Name UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 5 5

ROAD TRANSPORTATION

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded Value of Shares

0.50

300,000 300,000

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded Value of Shares

0.57 1.02 0.50 2.30 0.50 1.01 0.50 0.50 0.50

6,454,492 1,074,528 5,800 80,109 46,050 524,600 499,900 64,200 11,532,904

150,000.00 150,000.00

Company Name ASSOCIATED BUS COMPANY PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 2 2

Company Name UNITED NIGERIAN TEXTILES PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 2 2

Quotation(N) 0.54

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 48,000 24,960.00 48,000 24,960.00

Quotation(N) 0.85

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 1,423 1,266.47 1,423 1,266.47

TEXTILES

INSURANCE Company Name

5,000.00 1,250.00 15,000.00 50,050.00 2,500.00 25,000.00 1,000.00 124,750.00 11,893,020.66

MORTGAGE COMPANIES Company Name ASO SAVINGS AND LOAND PLC Sector Totals

INFORMATION & COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY Company Name

10,000 2,500 30,000 35,000 5,000 50,000 2,000 249,500 20,666,583

MARITIME

Quotation(N)

FOOD/BEVERAGES & TOBACCO Company Name

0.50 0.50 0.50 1.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50

LEASING

ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY Company Name

tal to cope with increasing operational cost.

National Aviation Handling Company Plc is also undertaking offer for subscription through book building of N2.15 billion 13 per cent Series 1 Bonds due September 29, 2016 under the company’s N5 billion bonds issuance programme.

Similarly, United Bank For Africa Plc is offering for public subscription N35 billion series 2, 7 year 14 per cent fixed rate subordinated unsecured notes due 2018 under a N400 Billion medium term note programme at par N1,000. The net proceeds of the debt issue would be utilized for expansion of new distribution channels, e-banking and electronic platforms and loan growth.

The NSE also approved listing of N50 Billion 14 per cent fixed rate redeemable infrastructure development bond series 1 of the Delta State Government of Nigeria under a N100 billion bond issuance programme. The net proceeds would be used on infrastructure development in the state.

Vono Products Plc would also be raising funds through existing shareholders under a rights issue of 525 million ordinary shares of 50 kobo each at N1.60 per share. The net proceeds would be used to refinance loan obligations, upgrade factory and information technology as well as beef up working capital.

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE

13,916.52 13,916.52

CONGLOMERATES Company Name

•Okays 6 new issues

HE Nigerian Stock Ex change (NSE) has ap proved key highlights of the mergers and acquisitions of five out of nine banks that last week sealed their business combinations with approvals from their shareholders.

The NSE yesterday said it had approved the scheme of arrangement for the capital restructuring and recapitalisation of Union Bank of Nigeria and the merger between Sterling Bank and Equitorial Trust Bank (ETB). NSE also approved acquisition of Oceanic Bank by Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI).

The approvals of the deals by the Exchange would pave way for the listing of the restructured capital, a major step that finalises the mergers and acquisitions.

Under the scheme of arrangement for the reorganisation of the capital of Union Bank, total issued shares of the bank would be reduced from 13.51 billion shares to 2.533 billion ordinary shares of 50 kobo each through a share exchange ratio of three new shares for every 16 shares held by the shareholders.

In the business combination between Sterling Bank and ETB, Sterling Bank would issue 3.14 billion ordinary of 50 kobo each to shareholders of ETB and subsequently list the new shares in the name of Sterling Bank at the Exchange.

Also, the NSE approved the

3,796,825.91 1,076,028.56 2,900.00 193,062.69 23,485.50 527,666.00 249,950.00 32,100.00 5,766,452.00

THE FOREIGN LISTINGS Company Name ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED Sector Totals Overall Totals

No of Deals 25 25

Quotation(N) 12.00

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 361,000 4,285,382.60 361,000 4,285,382.60

3,660

252,214,463

1,452,826,586.16

THE NATION SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2011

62

SPORT EXTRA

Yobo: I don't need to score

J

OSEPH Yobo says he would prefer not to have to come up with a late goal in Saturday's 2012 Nations Cup qualifier against Guinea.

The Nigeria captain has pitched up with decisive goals in recent games, including the opener against Madagascar to open the scoring after a nervy hour, but says he will prefer the easier option against Guinea.

"My job is to defend, and I like to go forward for set pieces because I always feel like I can get a goal.

"But I think I will just prefer it if we get an early goal through the strikers and the midfielders, so that the fans can relax and enjoy the game.

"For us as a team, it doesnt

matter who scores as long as we win. And we will all support the strikers to make sure they get the supply they need to score goals.

"We have a very good squad of quality players and any one is capable of getting us the winner.

"What we need now is for the fans to come out early, fill up the stadium and give the Guineans a tough atmosphere."

Nigeria will advance top of the group with a 1-0 win, but if the Guineans score, the Super Eagles will need to win by two clear goals.

Word of a vision from a popular pastor has had Nigerians worried about the outcome of the game, but

Yobo says he feels no pressure.

"I never feel pressure. Of course every game is difficult because you are playing against fellow professionals who want to win. But we know the ability we have in

our squad and we know how much stronger we have become tactically, so there's no pressure.

"As long as we go there and do our jobs properly, we should get a good result and qualify."

•Aiyenugba

L

team. I have kept in the last two games in his absence, and I am willing to give my best again for this game if I am picked by the coaches to start.

"I will give my best so that we can qualify for the Nations Cup so that our fans will be very happy,” he said.

The former Kwara United keeper is optimistic that Nigeria will edge Guinea for the Group B ticket of the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualification this weekend.

The Nigerians will qualify for next year’s championship if they defeat Guinea by at least two goals or a 1 – 0 scoreline today at the National Stadium in Abuja.

•Yobo

We must counter-attack –Nwosu

F

ORMER Golden Eaglets’ coach, Henry Nwosu has proposed counter-attack as the surest way to undo Guinea’s Syli Nationale.

A decisive Group B ticket duel for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations between Super Eagles and their West African foes holds on Saturday at the National Stadium, Abuja.

Run away group leaders, Guinea will aim at clean sheet while Nigeria are condemned to earn an outright victory to be sure of a place at the Afcon next January.

Nwosu, who claimed to know the Guineans in and out as a national and club player, told SuperSport.com that coach Samson Siasia must take their chances at counterattacks.

“It is a must win game for us, we must achieve that feat at all cost. I know the Guineans very well, the encounter will be difficult.

“I believe in counterattacks, we can use it to break

down the Guineans. Super Eagles have sharp attackers in Osaze Odemwiegie, Obinna Nsofor, Ikechukwu Uche, Ahmed Musa, among others.

“Coach Siasia must talk to them to be effective in that area, go for early goal while not overlooking the back line,” said Nwosu.

The former Green Eagles’ captain still has his doubts about the Nigerian defence.

“The defence line is where the problem lies. Joseph Yobo being the captain must organise his men, shout at them if need be, to prevent the Guineans causing Nigerians heartache,” he advised.

Nwosu is uncomfortable that Vincent Enyeama will not be in goal for the Super Eagles against Guinea on Saturday.

“It is very unfortunate, we will miss Enyeama. I felt that Siasia should have invited him, punish or fine him and still allow him to keep.

“This is a crucial match and we need to parade our best. I pray we don’t make mistakes

AHEAD 2012 OLYMPIC QUALIFIERS

NFF cancels second phase camping for Falcons

T

HE second phase of camping for the Super Falcons which was slated for Otta has been put off.

The inability of invited players to report to camp as at when due and the fact that the foreign base players will fly directly to Abuja after their leagues come to an end on the 16th of October has been given as reasons why the camp will remain in Abuja.

The team which was supposed to move to Otta this weekend to perfect strategy for the upcoming London Games qualifier will fly to Cameroon from their Abuja camp to prosecute the all-important must win match against the Lionesses later this month.

NFF Executive Committee member Chris Green made this change of plan known to the team when he introduced

N

IGERIA youth international winger Edafe Egbedi is set to sign for a Danish first division side next week, according to his agent.

“He is due to sign a contract with Danish first division side, AG GUR FC, next week and has been using the whole of this week to sort out his visa,” said Egbedi’s agent, Hassan Egilnez.

Egilnez contacted media officer of the Olympic team, Arafat Aliu, to therefore explain why the player has not reported to training camp in Ibadan.

“I have been making effort to reach the chief coach but it has proved difficult and I do understand because he is a very busy man but that’s why

I reached you the media officer,” disclosed the agent.

“I do hope coach Eguavoen would understand and give Edafe another chance because we are looking forward to him joining the team in their Portugal camp.”

The petite winger has been without a club since the FIFA U17 World Cup in 2009.

He shone at the recent U20 World Cup in Colombia, scoring three goals as Nigeria reached the last eight of the tournament.

Meanwhile, team spokesman Aliu disclosed that 29 are presently in camp of the Dream Team V. This number will be pruned next week while some regular home-based players of the team would join up.

Airtel Nigeria unfolds plan for IGAN Indian Cup

I’m not under pressure –Aiyenugba B NEI YEHUDA of Israel goalkeeper, Dele Aiyenugba has played down talks that he is under pressure to fill in for axed Nigerian number one, Vincent Enyeama ahead of Saturday’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifying against Guinea.

Aiyenugba, 27, who started two previous consecutive games for the Super Eagles against Madagascar and Argentina in the absence of Enyeama, is confident going into the game against Guinea’s Syli Nationale.

“I am not under pressure at all,” began Aiyenugba.

“If I get the chance to keep against Guinea I will do my best for my fatherland, my fans and my family. I am very, very prepared to give my best in this game to make sure that we qualify for the Nations Cup next year.”

Though the former Enyimba shot-stopper recognises the invaluable experience of Enyeama to the Nigerian men’s senior national team, Aiyenugba believes he now has the chance to worm his way into the hearts of his countrymen.

“Vincent is a very good and experienced goalkeeper. He is also a very good person. I have learnt a lot of things from him over the years from our days at Enyimba and in the national

Edafe Egbedi joins Danish club

coach Christian Chukwu to players and officials where he explained that Chukwu has been seconded to the team in a supervisory capacity.

“He(Christian Chukwu) is coming from NFF to make sure things are done properly.

Don’t forget he just won the FA cup with his team Heartland FC,so we have asked him to come and add value to the team.” Green said.

and I pray also that his replacement will live up to expectation,” he said.

E A D I N G telecommunications services provider, Airtel Nigeria, has unfolded its sponsorship package for the forthcoming Indian Cup organised by the Indian Golfers Association of Nigeria (IGAN) holding from 10th October, 2011, at the Ikoyi Club, Lagos.

The Indian Cup, aimed at promoting the game of golf in the country, is another move by Airtel Nigeria to champion its role in corporate social responsibility in Nigeria. This year’s edition of the Indian Cup will attract celebrated golfers across the nation and will feature professional golfers, caddies, ladies and men.

During the week-long competition, there will be daily raffle draw to win Blackberry Devices and phone lines. Winners at the daily draws will be presented with prizes on the last day of the

event. The grand finale of the draws will have on offer two ipads with two Airtel micro sims and two blackberry Devices with two prepaid sims to be won. Airtel will be offering special catering experience with Champagne, assorted wines, beverages and finger food.

The Chief Operating Officer and Executive Director of Airtel Nigeria, Deepak Srivastava will be presenting prizes to outstanding participants at the Gala evening.

Airtel Nigeria, which recently won the Corporate Social Responsibility Awards for Excellence, has been at the vanguard of promoting corporate social responsibility in the country with a lot of farreaching, life-imparting, individual and society-focused commitments such as the recently concluded Airtel Rising Stars U-17 Tournament national championship.

Arokoyo: Victory over Okonkwo Enyimba, our best this season leaves WARA UNITED 2-1 From Tunde Liadi, Owerri home win against Eagles’ camp Nigeria Premier game from the beginning to

C

HIBUZOR Okonkwo left the Super Eagles camp on Friday after failing to recover from a thigh injury.

The Heartland defender was also diagnosed with chicken pox by team medics and was excused to return home.

“It is unfortunate that Chibuzor has had to go home,” head coach Samson Siasia said on Friday. “In addition to his injury, he also has chicken pox so we had to excuse him.

“But our thoughts are with him and the doctor has assured me that he will be fine within one week.”

It means the full back is also ruled out of next week’s international friendly against Ghana in London.

No replacement will be called up, with Fengor Ogude and Efe Ambrose capable options for the coaches at right back.

K

League (NPL) holders, Enyimba International of Aba has been described as one of the club’s best matches this season.

Making this known to NationSport was the Afonja Warriors star defender, Gbenga Arokoyo shortly after his club confined the Peoples Elephant to their third straight defeat in the domestic and continental games thus far, the Kwara United’s rear guard opined that his club really took the Abia reps to the cleaners throughout the duration of the match in Ilorin.

“We won the game convincingly and if not for missed chances we would have beaten Enyimba by about 4 or 5 goals margin. The team played so well and we controlled the tempo of the

the end. We were prepared for them and it showed in the way we approached the encounter.

“If we had played all our matches this season same way we approached the Enyimba game we would not be at the wrong end of the table as we are presently. We however hope to treat our remaining league matches same way we played on Thursday so that we can end the league season in a more promising note on the log since it may be a tall order asking for a continental slot at the end of the campaign.”

Kwara United goals were scored through Segun Atere and warhorse, Isiaka Olawale before a late consolation goal from Enyimba’s Ifeanyi Ede.

RANGERS VERSUS ENYIMBA

Dike seeks revenge in Enugu

E

•Okonkwo

NUGU Rangers Technical Adviser, Alphonsus Dike has stated that it was only natural that the Flying Antelopes secure all points when they welcome eternal rivals, Enyimba of Aba in another Oriental Derby after the initial leg ended 1-0 in the Peoples Elephant’s favour earlier this season.

Rangers was almost close to

From Tunde Liadi, Owerri having a share of the spoils at Aba before a late minute rally by Enyimba guaranteed maximum points and to pay them back in their own coin when they do battle again at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu on Sunday, Dike has directed his players to go for the ‘kill’ to get all points.

THE NATION SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2011

63

NATION SPORT

Emenike, Uche set to see E off Guinea MMANUEL Emenike and Kalu Uche are confident that the Super Eagles will defeat their Guinean opponents in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifying this Saturday in Abuja.

Spartak Moscow striker, Emenike acknowledged that he knows he is a marked man ahead of the game.

The 24-year-old forward is keen to play a role in ending Guinea’s Africa Cup of Nations ambition.

“I’ve scored goals for my club, and also my country’s national team. I know some people are aware of this. But I just want to give my best in the game so that we will beat Guinea and qualify for the Nations Cup,” the former Karabukspor man said.

Neuchatel Xamax attacking midfielder, Kalu Uche also promised that the Nigerian team will give their best in today’s game.

The elder of the Uche brothers in the Super Eagles said he is happy to be part of the team after he was excused from the games

against Madagascar and Argentina in September.

“We are going to give our best on Saturday (against Guinea). It is a game that

we know we must win, as it is important for the country and our career too.

“It is good to be back in the team again after missing the

last games. I’m ready to give my best for this game,” the 28-year-old said.

Nigeria’s Super Eagles will have to beat Guinea at least 1-0 to secure a place at next year’s Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.

Guinea can’t stop us, says Eguavoen

• Otunba Segun Runsewe DG( NTDC) presenting some memorabilia to the president-general Nigerian Supporter’s Club,Dr Rafiu Oladipo, while Rev. Clement Onyema Chairman Supporters’ Club Abuja branch looks on at the National Stadium.

REAM Team V Chief Coach Austin Eguavoen has expressed confidence that the Super Eagles will beat Guinea in Saturday’s African cup of Nations final group game qualifier to be decided inside the main bowl of the Abuja National stadium.

Eguavoen was the then Chief coach of the Eagles when they lost one nil in the first leg of this reverse game.

“I have no doubt what so ever that Nigeria would qualify ahead of Guinea. We have the players, the experience and the quality to go pass the Guineans on Saturday. The players and every Nigerian following football today knows the importance of this game and I trust that the present crop of players in the Eagles can deliver” he said after the Dream Team V third training session at the Liberty Stadium in Ibadan.

The National U-23 gaffer who on Friday departed Ibadan for Abuja to support the Eagles in the must win game against the Sily National added that “all the Eagles need is a goal and they are through and I have no doubt in their ability to get the needed result.”

Coach Austin Eguavoen is expected to accompany the Eagles to London from where he would proceed on his European tour to cement agreement with club technical directors over the release of players for the upcoming CAF U-23 Africa championship which serves as the final qualifying Phase for the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Nigeria is in group B of the Eight Nation championship along side Morocco, Algeria and Senegal.

The Dream Team begins its campaign against Morocco on 27th November.

B

D

All set for Benin Ladies Golf Open

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HE Benin Lady golfers may not get more than mere hand shake from their main supporter, Edo Governor,Comrade Adams Oshiomole, but all the same, the ladies have put on ground a grand stage for the 17th Benin Ladies Open which will run from October 14 to 17.

Gushing with pride and total fulfillment, the Lady Captain of the Club, Lady Nkeiruka Awiaka, announced that some 250 golfers from across the nation have agreed to storm Benin for the event. To show how joyous she is over the unbelievable crowd that will besiege the ancient city, Awiaka even proclaimed that all ladies who will participate in the Open shall be accommodated free of whatever charge.

“It is pleasing we are expecting such huge crowd”, the Lady Captain stated.

“Initially, it was hard to say if we were going to hold this event. Past events usually had to build around some N1.5m from the Governor. This time, we did not get words from the Government House.

“But we were determined. We moved to scout for sponsors and we did the best we can. I mean we suceeded in getting some sponsors. Major among them is the Fareast, a company that has agreed to write off all our prize items worth millions of naira.

We also have Dakom, NNPC and MTN. I am sure we shall put in place a grand tournament Nigerian golfers will be proud of”.

The Benin Ladies Open will play over two days and all categories in golf will compete for prizes ranging from cute electronic items to choice silverware.

• Lady Captain of the Club, Nkeiruka Awiaka

Fuludu not surprised at Ogude’s form Eagles get NTDC’s lifeline against

Y way of ensuring total victory for the Super Eagles as they confront the Guinean national team in a crucial nations’ cup qualifier today, the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation has donated several items that will motivate the Nigerian Supporters Club as they drum support for the Eagles during the match.

Presenting the items which include thousands of the Nigerian national flag, handcheerers and 50 cartons of bottled water, the DirectorGeneral of the Corporation, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe said; “we want to open a new chapter in sports tourism development in Nigeria and

Guinea that is why we have come to present these, flags, handcheerers and water to you and we hope these will move Nigeria to victory tomorrow”.

Otunba Runsewe observed that since Nigeria was still in a celebration mood with the just concluded 51th independence anniversary, it was only normal to open a new chapter in sports tourism promotion especially with regards to football which he noted remains a unifying factor among Nigerians.

Speaking further, Runsewe said; “You will see a new Nigeria tomorrow because we want to send a clear message that Nigeria

Okolo shuns Falcons’ camp

S

UPER Falcons’ attacking midfielder, Vera Okolo will not be a party to the team’s London 2012 Olympic Games qualifier against the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon in Yaoundé on October 22.

The kid dynamite who was pivotal to Delta Queens success stories at this year’s Super Six and Challenge Cup respectively, is among the 27 players Coach Eucharia Uche invited to camp to prosecute the quadrennial football clash against Cameroon.

She did not play any role in the team’s slim 2-1 win over the Cameroonians in Abuja.

Okolo told SuperSport.com that she has matured in the game and will not allow anybody to use her as a training material.

“I won’t be honouring the invitation to camp, it makes no sense to me any longer to honour an invitation to camp and despite

exhibiting good form one is kept on the bench or merely used as training material.

“I think I have paid my dues in the junior and senior teams.

I play regularly for my team, Delta Queens. I played the women league preliminaries, Challenge Cup and the final Super Six which we won. So in terms of being competitive and match fit, I am.

“Since merit has taken flight in the Super Falcons, I have decided to take the back seat, at least, for now.

“National team assignment is a serious matter and should not be mixed up with sentiment or favouritism,” she said.

The coaches are likely to limit themselves with the 20 players in camp now in addition to the expected five foreign based players for the must win encounter.

Although, Stella Mbachu, one of the invited players is yet to report to camp, she told SuperSport.com that she is hospitalised at the moment but will join the camp once she is discharged.

is peaceful, homely and safe.

We are also supporting every aspect of sports in Nigeria but football remains key and that is why we have come today to support the Nigerian Supporters Club.”

Receiving the items and expressing his gratitude to NTDC for the initiative, the president of the Nigerian Supporters Club, Dr. Rauf Ladipo stated; “Runsewe is drumming support for Nigeria’s sports because we cannot achieve anything without peace and unity which sports provide and that is why we are grateful to Otunba Runsewe for his efforts in supporting the Nigerian Supporters Club”

W

ARRI Wolves’ Director of Football, Edema Fuludu, has stated that he was not surprised at the progress of the club’s former attacking midfielder/ forward, Fengor Ogude.

Ogude, who moved to Norwegian Tippeligaen side, Valerenga, last August, has gradually wormed his way into the heart of Super Eagles’ boss, Samson Siasia.

The Eagles’ supremo applauded the former Wolves’ star for his impressive performance during the last international friendly against Argentina.

The former Warri Wolves captain is already in the Super Eagles camp ahead of Saturday’s crucial Afcon 2012

qualifier against Guinea.

“Ogude left for Norway before I joined Wolves, but he has always been a fighter. I’m not surprised at his progress because he has been consistent on the field. I watched some of his matches in the league for Wolves.

“He is a determined player.

Besides, it’s obvious that the player has justified his presence in the national team and this will continue to boost his confidence,” the former Super Eagles star said to SuperSport.com.

Ogude has since become an integral member of Valerenga since his transfer last year.

Valerenga is fourth on the 16team log in the Tippeligaen and the Nigerian has scored six goals.

Fixing the fixers • Continued from back page his vow to pursue the matter in the law court. But, shouldn’t the panelists write the telecommunication company involved in the coach’s and referee’s conversations to see who of the two parties called first?

Again, shouldn’t the panelists write the telecommunication companies asking for the referee’s call-log for that week? This should be their second point to unearth and fix the other match fixers.

One is pleased with the coach’s logic that he didn’t need to give the referee a package in Bauchi, which is four hours away when he could have driven only for 30 minutes from Port Harcourt to Owerri for the same purpose.

Equally pleasing is the submission from Rivers State Referees Council boss Dukobo that one of the referees told him that he had been contacted to travel through the town where one of the teams is located before heading for the match. I hope that the panelists demanded the referee’s response to this allegation coming from a mate in the whistling trade?

What is clear is that one of the referees is struggling to drag everyone down. It has been established that he was seen inside the questionable team’s vehicle.

The other referee’s silence is worrisome. He has also not spoken since Iorfa caught them inside the car. Has he accepted guilt? Or has he chosen to abide with what his friend is saying? If yes, I hope he understands what that means when judgment is given.

One must commend the panelists for having the courage to call the fellow who caused the driver to pick the referees by the road after their vehicle broke down.

Whereas the ‘friend’ said he last saw his good Samaritan friend seven years ago, the Samaritan said his friend was last seen three years ago.

Talking about the judgment, one is counting on the integrity of the men and women in the committee.

I hope they understand the task before them. It entails restoring confidence in the sincerity of our referees during matches.

It includes meting out punishment to those culpable and, of course, recommending that they face the law. Elsewhere, match-fixing is a criminal offence.

The police would ask for the referees’ telephone call logs and, possibly, transcripts. They would also ask for the referees’ bank transactions.

One must, however, add that the NFF should not sweep this matter under the carpet. A decision must be taken when the panel meets because the referees interrogated have not denied entering the vehicle.

Their presence in the vehicle belonging to one of the teams amounts to an infringement of the NPL rules. What is the punishment for such an action?

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2011 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM VOL.5, NO. 1907

Tomorrow in THE NATION PUNCHLINE It was better the President avoided the Boko Haram by celebrating in Aso Rock than for the world to be treated to the more embarrasing spectacle of seeing him and his aides, the police, State Security Services (SSS) and all run in different directions, with the caps and shoes of some of them falling off without any of them having the courage to pick them up

—Tunji Adegboyega

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ET me start with a confession. Chief Godswill Akpabio, Governor of Akwa Ibom State is not my favourite politician.

Even more, I passionately dislike his party the PDP, a party that has squandered the opportunities of the last 12 years and immersed Nigeria ever more deeply in the intractable quagmire of underdevelopment.

These and other thoughts are on my mind as our Editorial Board Chairman, Mr. Sam Omatseye and I land at the Ibom International Airport this Monday morning.

Pictures of Governor Akpabio commissioning various projects line the walls and welcome the visitor at the arrival hall. Is this another case of governance by bill boards and fictitious photographs? I ask myself. But then this Airport is no fiction. Started by the Obong Victor Attah administration, the first phase had been completed and commissioned by the Akpabio administration. It is an impressive facility.

Our flight from Lagos is fully booked and I am told this is a daily occurrence. The Airport is clearly serving a useful purpose. I can see some new structures springing up within the complex and scores of men and a sprinkling of women hard at work. On inquiry, I learn it is the Maintenace, Repair and Overhaul Facilities (MRO) of the airport under construction. The aim is to have the facilities serve the West African sub-region and earn foreign exchange for the state.

As we drive out of the Airport, I notice that the road is wide, smooth and built to the highest standards. It has modern facilities including street lights, traffic medians and pipe ducts. The road does not end at the perimetre of the Airport. Rather, it goes on right into the heart of Uyo town. I can see that Uyo has an excellent network of roads. Even then I can also catch a glimpse of several inner city roads that are dilapidated and are in dire need of attention. The Commissioner for Information, Mr. Anieken Umanah, explains that the ‘roads revolution’ is taking place in phases. He points out that there are several competing needs in various sectors for the scarce resources available.

Mr. Umanah conducts us round several new facilities within the Government House. They include the ultra-modern banquet hall, three new guest houses, a new power plant, a water treatment plant as well as slush and sewage facilities. All these are without doubt superbly constructed structures that are pleasing to the eyes. But should the Akabio administration have concentrated such huge resources on facilities within Government House?

A local newspaper I hold in my hands does not think so. ‘The Providence,’ has a screaming headline on its front page describing the Banquet Hall as ‘A big waste’. This freedom of expression in accordance with the law is admirable even if I do not agree with the newspaper. Many years ago I would have taken

Akpabio’s lamentations ‘

I can see that Uyo has an excellent network of roads. Even then I can also catch a glimpse of several inner city roads that are dilapidated and are in dire need of attention

’

•Akpabio

the same stance. But I now have a more nuanced view of such matters. Let me cite just one example.

When Alhaji Lateef Jakande concieved the magnificient Round House Office complex at Alausa, not a few people wondered why Lagos needed the edifice. However, the Round House complex has served various administrations well since 1983. Today, the Governor’s office has moved from the Round House to the new Lagos House, another edifice abandoned for several years but revived and completed by the Tinubu administration. The point, therefore, is that these facilities belong to Akwa Ibom State. The Governor cannot relocate them to his village when he leaves office.

The Le Meridien Hotel and Golf Resort is another beauty to behold. It is a project designed to make Akwa Ibom a destination of choice. It has 150 rooms as well as a sprawling

Golf Course. The Meridien is complemented by the Tropicana Entertainment Centre. The first phase of the project, which is the Cineplex has been completed and commissioned. Work is ongoing on the second phase, which will include a 250 room five star hotel, a shopping hall, a theme park, Cinemas and a multi-storey car park.

There is also the underground flood control project utilizing pipe jacking technology to check the menace of flooding in the state. But even more important than all these physical structures, Mr. Anieken Umanah submits, is the Akpabio administration’s free and compulsory education policy and massive investment in new classroom blocks that has trippled school enrolment in the state in the last three years.

It is a few minutes before ten pm as we step into the governor’s office. He recieves us warmly and the interview commences immediately. Sam questions the credibility of the elections that brought him to power for a second term. How could the figures be justified given the political stature and appeal of his major opponent? The Governor insists that the PDP structure in Akwa Ibom is as formidable as that of the ACN in Lagos State. He believes that no matter how many times elections are

held he will win.

We are not satisfied with this explanation.

What about the ethnic factor? We press further.

His main opponent is Ibibio, the majority ethnic group in the state. Would they have voted against their own son at the polls?

Governor Apkabio argues that the ethnic factor is of negligible significance in Akwa Ibom State. He cites the example of his own Senatorial District where the Annang are dominant but they massively voted an Ibibio man as Senator. In any case, he avers, several members of his government at all levels are Ibibio and they worked hard to ensure his victory.

We take him up on the widespread perception that he utilizes all forms of violence including cultism, kidnapping and even assassinations against political opponents.

Pain and anger are evident on his face. He denies the allegations vehemently stressing that he is a peace loving father of five children.

He enumerates the measures he has taken to enhance security in the state and declares emphatically, “If I am a kidnapper or a murderer, let God judge me and my generation harshly”.

The vehemence with which Governor Akpabio laments the current Nigerian condition is surprising for a member of the PDP. In his words: “I am just an angry man who believes Nigeria should not be where we are. In 1973, we used the train but 30 years after no train. I used to drive in 1989/1990 from Lagos to Ikot- Epene, there were roads and 20 years after Law School, no good roads from Lagos to Akwa Ibom. Nigeria Airways had 33 aircraft in its fleet, 30 years after we have no single plane while British Airways continues to grow”. He dwells on the unacceptable level of de-industrialization and mass unemployment saying, “I feel the underdevelopment. I desire a change.”

But then, how does he reconcile this passion for change with his membership of a political party that has virtually wasted the last 12 years of the country’s life? And what does he make of a President from the Niger Delta who is obviously incapable of bringing about the kind of fundamental changes needed for Nigeria to progress? Governor Apkabio disagrees with our assessment. The OBJ administration, he says, at least achieved the first successful civilian to civilian transition. The Yar’Adua administration elevated the rule of law to the forefront of public consciousness. As for President Goodluck Jonathan, Akpabio’s verdict is that: “He inherited very serious challenges. He is humble, well meaning and ready to listen to advice. Just give him a little patience.”

“But Jonathan already has ‘Patience’, Sam quips and we all laugh heartily as the interview comes to an end. It is after midnight as we step out of government House but it has surely been an interesting trip to Uyo.

Ade Ojeikere on Saturday talk2adeojeikere@yahoo.com

Fixing the fixers

F

IRST an apology, dear reader. I’m sorry this is not about the Super Eagles versus the Syli Stars of Guinea clash from 2pm today at the Abuja National Stadium.

One would have urged the players to win this game for Nigerians, irrespective of what happened in the previous matches.

One would have reminded the players and coaches to ensure that history doesn’t remember them as the group that failed to get Nigeria to the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations.

One would also have told the players to spell Guinea with goals, given the quality of talents in our team and their European teams’ pedigree compared to the Guineans.

One would have cautioned them to ensure that the Guineans don’t score first today. They must play for each other since football is a group game. It would count for nothing if any player scores three or four goals and we don’t qualify for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations.

God forbid!

The Eagles should aim at trouncing the Guineans with goals. They should continue to score goals, until the referee’s final whistle.

The fans would root for them. They must be calm. The goals will definitely come. Victory is ours, only, if our players are committed, disciplined and dedicated in the way they apply what Samson Siasia has taught them in training for today’s game.

For me, victory is sure for the Eagles. Let’s hope that the lessons of Nigeria’s nervy end towards securing this qualification ticket have be learnt by the coaches, the players and indeed the NFF and the NSC. There is a no less important and urgent matter- the match-fixing panel constituted by the NFF. One felt like throwing up when told that the Nigeria Referee Association (NRA) president said that matches are only fixed between two clubs; referees cannot fix games. Surprised?

Don’t be. The president’s argument accentuates the quality of our referees and why we are not recognised in refereeing globally.

Have we not seen cases of match-fixing with referees being indicted? The NRA president

should check the internet for match fixing files involving referees. He will be shocked at the number of cases.

Interestingly, the chairman of Lobi Stars FC of Makurdi, Dominic Iorfa submitted a document which substantiated the allegation that the NRA president assigned 17 referees from Kaduna Referees Council, 16 from FCT/Niger Councils and 13 referees from Imo/Abia councils to a particular team.

I thought it was the decision of a committee to assign referees for matches and not one man’s duty. Little wonder referees are changed in the domestic league without notice, yet we see scandalous officiating, sometimes on television.

Equally intriguing is the fact that the NRA president couldn’t produce any document to illustrate how referees are assigned to games, when asked to by the panel members. What happened to the lists drawn monthly by the Referees Committee?

Is it not ridiculous that 46 referees assigned to officiate in one team’s 34 matches came from three states and Abuja? What happened to the referees from the other 33? How come the

Referees Committee didn’t see this anomaly?

Is this not the first point for the panelists to fix these match fixers?

It is true that the panelists must give those in the dock the opportunities to debunk allegations levelled against them. What I find disturbing is the revelation by one of them in the dock that a coach from another team called him to swing the game in favour of another?

Shouldn’t the referee have said this before facing the panel?

Did he not say that he didn’t know the people who gave him a lift after his vehicle broke down? Didn’t one of those in the vehicle belonging to one of the teams say that they took the implicating pictures under duress? How come they are implicating others?

If the referee in question knew that he had been contacted to compromise in the game, why didn’t he opt out? Indeed, who did he inform about these discussions?

Curiously, the coach in question also told the panelists that the referee called him with an unrecorded phone number. He said he later called the number only to discover that it was the referee’s, although at that time he had been trapped inside the vehicle of one of the teams

by Dominic Iorfa.

I hope that the coach would make good •Continued on Page 63

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